This exciting installment was the second of the 2 books about Spartacus as written by Ben Kane. I had the pleasure of reviewing the first book <here> so was delighted when I received the second, which isn’t out for general release until 16^th Aug.

With Crixus and his Army defeated, Spartacus is left to run the army his way albeit with the help of 2 Gaul’s as his generals, who have gradually come to despise him. The story continues with him leading the slave Army towards to Alps, in the hope of crossing them and then onto Thrace. However, he changes his mind and then leads them south again towards the ‘toe’ of Italy.

After being trapped while trying to get his Army to Sicily, Spartacus fights his way out, at huge cost to his Army, and marches north. The Gaul’s split from the rebellion taking with them a large number of the Army.

Crassus, Rome’s richest man, has paid for an Army of Romans to defeat the slave Army. Crassus trains his Army on the march and this pays of when he defeats the Gaul’s and then continues on to eventually face Spartacus.

Throughout the book Spartacus comes across as a man who is becoming increasingly stressed as he tries to keep control of his Army. He finds that his plans are not going the way they should and that there may be a spy in his camp.


Ben Kane is fast becoming a favourite author of mine. This second book on Spartacus continues where the first book ends and finishes when the rebellion is crushed by Crassus. Although we all know the story of Spartacus, part of me was hoping that the author would somehow twist history and allow Spartacus to get away across the Alps, or at least fade into the crowd.

Like the first book, the fight scenes are well written and researched. I also liked the way Ben Kane wrote the more tender side to Spartacus.

If you like roman history or you just happen to have a passing interest in the time period; you could do a lot worse than reading these 2 books. Not only are they exciting to read, they are also educational. The fact Ben Kane managed to write a really good book about Spartacus when there is only about 4000 words written from the time, is remarkable.

I am pleased to award the book 4 mushroom heads.

terroratthepicnic


Spartacus : Rebellion by Ben Kane published by Preface Publishing
Click here to buy from Amazon


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