Sons of Taranis (Marius' Mules, #8) (2024)

In this episode of the Marius Mules saga we find both Caesar and Fronto looking forward to the future. For Caesar, a pacified Gaul has him preparing for his return to Rome and a Consulship. For Fronto, it is trying to make a go as a wine merchant in a somewhat hostile business environment but at least it is not one requiring one's skill with a gladius . This is what both men desire, peace, so as to get on with the next phase of their lives and careers. Ahh, but peace is an ever elusive and tricky beast and once again, Caesar has revolts and plots to put down and Fronto finds himself not only in a business turf war but also in a scheme by a band a fanatic Gauls whose plan is to release Vercingetorix from his Roman captors. As per usual with Mr. Turney, the story is written with the intent to further flesh out the main characters in this saga, so we are given more insights into the minds and actions of men like Varus, Decimus Brutus, the Gaulish noble Caravinos and of course our congenial host in Masillia, Fronto. Of action, there is plenty, from the scattered pockets of revolt in Gaul, to the streets of Masillia to the...well I'll not say where as that might be a spoiler. The plots/story lines are seamlessly woven together and are marked with the occasional twists that make things more interesting.

We all know how the story ends regarding Gaius Julius Caesar but we are a few episodes away from that bloody day in March so it will be with much anticipation that we wait to see how the author gets us to that momentous time. But as the humble scribbler of the cover blurb for this edition of the saga states, 'Marius Mules just keeps getting better.' I couldn't agree more. 5 stars

Another Great Book about Fronto and Ceasar

I’ve read the preceding 7 books and can’t seem to get enough. Rome during this timeframe has always interested me and despite being a historical fiction, still gives insight as to the inner workings of Rome, its legions and citizens.
On to Number 9.

Yet another brilliant story. OK so Fronto wasn't in the forefront of everything, but he still managed to get himself into plentyof scrapes. It was good to still be involved in Caesars battles in Gaul and keep up with other characters from previous books.

The Great Saga Continues

This is book 8 of Mr Tierney epic saga,it continues Caesar's story, as seen through other eyes in a great way. The storyline builds and the book was hard for me to put down.

Another Thriller

Great account of the final resistance of the Gauls to Imperial Rome. Although Fronto is no longer a military protagonist he still gets in some very tight situations with some very nasty individuals. A great series of books that just keep on giving.....

I was afraid that year 51 BCE would be boring after Vercingetorix's surrender at Alesia the year before. But that would be underestimating Simon Turney's gift as a story-teller. First, there were two major sieges that year, one against the rebellious elements of the western Belgae, and the second at Uxellodunum in Cadurci land, along the Dordogne. Both were riveting, but the main plot revolves around the so-called Sons of Taranis, a small group of hardcore Gallic rebels who are going to give quite a few Romans a hard time. It turned out to be one of my favourite books in the Marius' Mules series.

After the last book in the series, which covered the major events surrounding Alesia, there was a danger that this volume would be something of an anticlimax. After all, the great revolt is over, Vercingetorix is in captivity, and Fronto has retired from army life. However, although the momentum shifts, Simon Turney has delivered another great read.
Caeser and his armies are engaged in mopping up the last remnants of revolt all over Gaul, and Fronto has retired to Massilia to start life as a wine merchant. However, things soon develop to disturb the peace; a group of Gauls set out on a mission which might yet free them from Caeser's grip, and Fronto is a very bad businessman! The period covered by this book is one in which the Roman army was mopping up throughout Gaul bringing the Pax Romana in its wake; the worst was over, and only one really significant event occurred which is woven into this story. Naturally Fronto plays a significant part, though removed from the military campaigns, and has to fight his own battles. As the Civil Wars loom in the distance, events cause him to realise that soon everyone will have to choose a side.
Once again, the author has a firm grasp of the historical facts, and expertly weaves his fictional story around it. One or two earlier characters re-appear, and you are never sure who will survive until the end of the book, as he has shown in the past that no one (except perhaps Fronto himself!) is sacrosanct.
Overall, this is another great story from a very accomplished author.

Review

Book 8 is a hard hill for Simon Turney to climb, it follows on from the hugely powerful and climactic “Great Revolt” and the battle of Alesia. Even after reading so many of Simon Turneys books i wondered how he could produce something that would deserve its place in this series. As ever he managed to surprise me and delight me.

This book is to a degree a mop up exercise for the Romans, as Caesars army takes on the dregs, the left overs, dregs that are still formidable armies in formidable fortresses. Yet his main character Fronto is no longer with the army, we get to see a different side of Roman and Greek life as Fronto builds his Wine business. As usual it would not be Fronto if it was straight forward, he comes up against local politics and to a degree organised crime. Couple these main plot points with the return of some old enemies on a crazy mission to resurrect the hopes of Gaul and you have a splendid engaging, twisty and entertaining plot line.

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Marius's mules was my fav Roman series. And being Roman historical fiction it really has a lot of competition (Simon Scarrow's Eagle series or Anthony Riches' Empire, to name just a couple, are sublime). But this book looks like it's been written by un untalented amateur, not one of my favourite writers. Instead of gripping me on the first pages and not letting me go up to the last word, I've struggled for 2 days to read 1/5 of the book (I never rate books I don't finish reading, but you can't write a review otherwise) . Instead of fascinating great battles, described in very interesting and detailed manner we get some boring mini skirmishes and reading some dull accounts of Fronto the failing wine merchant...

What was Simon thinking when he wrote that one? It really is mind boggling. It really is a shame to tarnish such an extraordinary series that I recommended to all the people that like historical fiction. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk buying the next book...

The end of the independence of Gaul?

A difficult book to follow and one with no discernable logical plot structure. It is a kind of wrapping up of the already tangled strains of Caesar's conquest of Gaul, except some parts of his reasons for that which he was yet to do at the otherwise miserable creek that today is the Rubicon: the place where generals risked their command and their necks if they crossed with their legions, since it was the marker that proclaimed Rome's northern boundary in Julius Caesar's days . Clearly this series has not yet ended, and Fronto is bloodied but still unbowed.

When I first got my Kindle, Marius Mules #1 was my first purchase, I thought in for a penny in for £1.99. Wow it was excellent.

This number eight, the Sons of Taranis, continues that great tradition, another brilliant action packed adventure, which also manages to raise a smile on occasion as the sometimes colourful characters play out their parts. Great work as usual.

I have raved about this series so much. I read this straight after the previous book in the series so I had a few days of Fronto and company. This was very much a book in two parts; the army and Fronto trying his hand as a wine merchant.

as I say to the point of boredom, if you like Roman military fiction, this series is a must.

Another strong book from Turney. Fronto remains one of my favourite characters in all Roman HF. Very good story, read it in 3 days of travelling on the train to London and back!
Already looking forward to book 9 in one of my favourite series.

I love this series cant wait till number 9

I must admit it took me to read ten % of this book before i got into it. This is one of his best. Glad i got through the first ten % now. Great book Cant wait the next one

Excellent vacation read

I love the series. I've read all the books in the series and can't wait for more. You get to know the characters including Caesar in a new lite. Recommend

Pretty good. Enjoyed the series. Having a more difficulty with Turney's Interregnum. Prefer stories based on history, instead of pure fantasy.

Spot on

Great book as usual
Looking forward to the next edition. Story line is growing with new exciting directions and characters

Sons of Taranis

A good book, but heavily biased to the Roman view point . We need to see the true Celtic view