Rating: 
Summary: Not all it could be
Review: The problem with this novel is that the backdrop is more interesting than the foreground. We want to hear more about the Spartacan rebellion, its effects on slaves and how they felt about it, their temptation (to join in) and their fears of doing so. But the slaves in this novel, who are after all are at the heart of plot, are flat -- they are simply the objects that the patricians pretend, in their elaborate make-believe, they are. The result is a narrowly circumscribed who-done-it in a Roman setting ("Colonel Mustard in the Billiards Room with a Knife"), a slight entertainment that begs for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Good imagery, interesting characters, and a surprise
Review: The Roman history in this book is meticulously researched and very interesting. The surprise at the climax is nice, too. Overall, it is an enjoyable who-done-it. The story stays with you long after you've finished it. The homosexual content disturbed me, but otherwise the story was quite good.
Rating: 
Summary: Second Isn't First
Review: The second in Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series wasn't what I hoped for, but it wasn't bad. I did like it enough to continue the series and I'm glad I did. Don't give up. Continue on to Cailina's Riddle.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful
Review: This is a book about character mostly. Saylor has written one of the most impressive novels I have read lately. Period. Forget that it is a mystery; forget that it is an impressive, thoroughly researched, history treatise. Reader beware for this is a true masterpiece. Even though there are passages where you'll feel you are suffering yourself, you won't want to put it down. The backdrop of this particular story is the revolt of Spartacus, which makes the issue of slavery the central point of the book. Although it is not moralizing, there are passages in the book that will bring you, the reader, close to tears. Gordianus is summoned to investigate the brutal murder of one of Crassus's administrators at one of his many villas at the countryside. He is taken there by ship; and here is when one of the many gory descriptions of ancient slavery takes place: with the rowers at the bottom of the "Fury" - the actual name of an imposing ship. Throughout the story Gordianus takes almost a frantic approach to save the lives of many slaves, although, being a roman citizen himself, he doesn't understand really why. The story is so trascendental, one can understand why Gordianus, in the next book, his own family established with Bethesda, decides to retire to the country. He could hardly imagine what Saylor had in store for him in future adventures!
| 
