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James Mace
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Soldier of Rome: The Legionary (The Artorian Chronicles Book 1) Kindle Edition

by James Mace (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,018 ratings
In the year 9 A.D. three Roman legions under Quintilius Varus are betrayed by the Germanic war chief, Arminius, and destroyed in the forest known as Teutoburger Wald. Six years later, Rome is ready to unleash her vengeance. Emperor Tiberius sends his adopted son, Germanicus Caesar, across the Rhine with an army of forty-thousand imperial soldiers. They come not on a mission of conquest, but of annihilation. Within the ranks is a young legionary named Artorius, for whom the war offers a chance to avenge his slain brother. Deep within the forests of Germania, Arminius and his allies prepare to face the legions. Defeating the Romans will require all of his cunning, tactical savvy, and plenty of well-placed brute force. The Roman Empire holds its breath as Germanicus and Arminius face each other in the most savage conflict the world has seen in a generation; a conflict that will end in a holocaust of fire and blood.
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  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Artorian Chronicles
  2. Print length
    340 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    31 Dec. 2013
  6. File size
    2.3 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 6 books in this series.

Product description

From the Author

Special thanks to all who have read and enjoyed my first novel, "Soldier of Rome: The Legionary." I wish to take this opportunity to update all of my readers on the status of the series. The second book, "Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt" is at the publisher (as of December 2007) with an anticipated publishing date sometime around March 2008. I am currently working on the third book, "Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion" and hope to have it available sometime during the first part of 2009.It also has my contact information so that readers may email me. I look forward to hearing from my readers in the U.K.! With best regards,

James

About the Author

James Mace has served in the U.S. military since 1993 and has made the Roman Army a life study. He is a full-time soldier with the Idaho Army National Guard and a veteran of the Iraq War. He wrote numerous articles on bodybuilding and physical fitness before turning his attention to historical novels. He lives in Meridian, Idaho.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004UB384K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Legionary Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 31 Dec. 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ The Artorian Chronicles
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,018 ratings

About the author

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James Mace

James Mace

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James Mace is an author, historian, and life-long storyteller. He began writing as a hobby in the early 2000s, penning physical fitness articles for a bodybuilding website and a magazine called Hardcore Muscle.

James wrote the initial draft of his first novel, Soldier of Rome: The Legionary, as a cathartic means of escapism while serving in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He has since released thirty-five books, including fifteen Ancient History best-sellers, and five South African History best-sellers. His works currently span his two favourite eras: Ancient Rome and the British Empire. He plans to eventually delve into Medieval times, as well as the First World War.

Outside of writing historical novels, James is a Research Historian and Script Writer for the channel, Redcoat History. He maintains a blog called The Buffed Historian, sharing random fitness articles and other tales from across history. His hobbies include weightlifting, road cycling, foothills hikes, travelling across the globe, live theatre, video games, and sitting down for a game of Dungeons & Dragons with friends.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,018 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a sheer joy to read, with well-paced action and plots that interweave effectively. The writing quality receives mixed feedback, with some customers finding it well written while others note poor spelling and grammar. Customers consider the book worth the price they paid.

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23 customers mention ‘Readability’23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a sheer joy to read and a must-read for Rome enthusiasts.

"...exciting and entertaining tale in Legionary and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading...." Read more

"Interesting and enjoyable - the author has done his homework and although the characters dialog is a bit iffy, use of "you guys" for example grates..." Read more

"This could have been a very good novel, however it was almost destroyed by the pathetic gung-ho anachronistic american 'language'...." Read more

"...It has been re edited and now is a sheer joy to read...." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Plot’16 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, which features well-integrated action and battles, with one customer noting how the tension builds through vivid battle descriptions.

"...Packed with action, battling legions, bloody battles, comradeship, humour and images of the savagery of war, James Mace has crafted a wonderfully..." Read more

"...Flows well and is a believable tale of the aftermath of Quintilius Varus's disaster in the Saltus Teutoburgiensis in AD 9 and the subsequent Roman..." Read more

"...The plots and characters grow from book 1 onwards. The action and plots interweave and leave you wanting to turn the next page to see what happens...." Read more

"...I gave 3 stars because of the potential in a good storyline; I would give 0 stars for the language and aforementioned errors...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Pacing’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, with one noting it flows well and another mentioning it was finished quickly.

"...myself wanting to pick up whenever I had a spare moment and finished it quite quickly...." Read more

"...Flows well and is a believable tale of the aftermath of Quintilius Varus's disaster in the Saltus Teutoburgiensis in AD 9 and the subsequent Roman..." Read more

"Well paced felt a bit of rapor with the various characters Hope book two is as captivating as the story progresses" Read more

"A good paced book that brings together the life that was that of a Roman soldier and the horrors of the wars they fought...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Value for money’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth what they paid for it.

"...What more can I say? It was worth what I paid to download it and it entertained me...." Read more

"...poor reviews I thought I would give it a chance considering the very good price. I have to say, I really enjoyed it...." Read more

"Best buy the whole set, I am in the middle of re-reading these books, in a word...Spellbinding...Cannot wait for the next book!" Read more

"Very good, and a good buy" Read more

19 customers mention ‘Writing quality’7 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it well written while others point out poor spelling and grammar, numerous typos, and basic style.

"...the book down, actually drives me almost up the wall, are the numerous typo's, obviously while the author gets some latitude as one just learning..." Read more

"First things first, this is not a badly written book by any stretch of the imagination as some reviewers have said but if it was when it was first..." Read more

"...The spelling errors and poor grammar also dragged it down to the depths of a first story by a primary school pupil...." Read more

"The frequent misspelling is mildly aggravating but I did find that I got used to it after a while. Whilst some of the modern idioms may be..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Je Salter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Legionary - James Mace
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2013
    Verified Purchase
    First things first, this is not a badly written book by any stretch of the imagination as some reviewers have said but if it was when it was first published, it isn't now, so it must have been edited and altered quite drastically. Don't let reviews for bad editing, grammar or terminology put you off. Secondly, I've had my eye on this and other books by James Mace for sometime and after reading Forlorn Hope, his Novella about the Napoleonic War, which I liked, I decided to read Legionary.

    Having read quite a large amount of historical novels especially about the Roman era, I can quite honestly say that this story is without doubt up there with the best of them. I say that because quite often I find that with some books I skip pages of text without dialogue or it just doesn't hold my attention as it should but that didn't happen with Legionary, it is a book that I found myself wanting to pick up whenever I had a spare moment and finished it quite quickly.

    The story itself revolves around a young man, Artorius, who's brother was killed during the Varus disaster in the Germanic forests in AD 9, where the book begins. Six years later, eight full legions return to the site of the slaughter with Artorius on his first campaign intent on revenge. What follows is the story of this young man and those around him as they take on Arminius, the man responsible for the destruction of three legions previously.

    Packed with action, battling legions, bloody battles, comradeship, humour and images of the savagery of war, James Mace has crafted a wonderfully exciting and entertaining tale in Legionary and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I'll be getting the sequel for certain to follow the story of Artorius and if you like books of this genre, I highly recommend that you do as well, you won't be disappointed, trust me.

    John Salter
    Author of Blood of Rome: Caratacus
    2 people found this helpful
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  • CFive
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2008
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting and enjoyable - the author has done his homework and although the characters dialog is a bit iffy, use of "you guys" for example grates a bit, it is a good read. Flows well and is a believable tale of the aftermath of Quintilius Varus's disaster in the Saltus Teutoburgiensis in AD 9 and the subsequent Roman military response under the command of Germanicus Caesar (AD 14?). Told from the point of view of a legionary, which is somewhat unusual, it rolls along and draws one in to the story nicely.

    What lets the book down, actually drives me almost up the wall, are the numerous typo's, obviously while the author gets some latitude as one just learning his craft, the proof reader needs a swift clip round the ear. A couple examples will suffice, "site" for sight, "manor" when manner is clearly meant etc. And while we are at it I find it a little hard to swallow that Rome would had out horses to its new recruits to ride from Rome to Cologne (1000 odd miles?) to join their new unit. All the evidence I am aware of suggests that recruits sailed or walked to join their units. But these are minor points and don't really get in the way of the story.

    After all if you want a history of the Roman Army there are plenty of books available, in my study I have at least 150!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Thomas Mills
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best Roman Trilogy series ever
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 February 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Good Evening Sir/Madam,

    If you are considering purchasing any of the soldier of rome books please do. The plots and characters grow from book 1 onwards. The action and plots interweave and leave you wanting to turn the next page to see what happens. I personally read a lot of books and very few have gripped me and made me read them from cover to cover in one sitting as these books do.

    The historical background is faultless as well as leaving you wanting more, it makes you grow very fond of the characters in the book. My writing and review skills are very poor but please do not miss out on reading these books if you share a common love of this genre as i do. I used to think that Simon Scarrow had mastered this genre but his works are very plain in comparison to the characters, plots and sub plots in these books.

    The best review is when a book grabs you and you cannot put it down these grabbed me and they will grab you. There are many such books out there and some i have bought i have discarded after a few pages because they did not grab me or hold my attention, these will i guarntee it so please feel free to contact me if every word i have written is not true.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ian Noble
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good novel spoilt by rubbish american language and proof-reading
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This could have been a very good novel, however it was almost destroyed by the pathetic gung-ho anachronistic american 'language'. The spelling errors and poor grammar also dragged it down to the depths of a first story by a primary school pupil. I gave 3 stars because of the potential in a good storyline; I would give 0 stars for the language and aforementioned errors. I may get the next one in the series just to see if there have been any improvements.

    Ian Noble

    Soldier of Rome: The Legionary (The Artorian Chronicles - Part One)
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Well paced felt a bit of rapor with the various characters
    Hope book two is as captivating as the story progresses
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  • Madoap
    5.0 out of 5 stars It has been re edited and now is a sheer joy to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Please don't let the early reviews stop you reading this book. It has been re edited and now is a sheer joy to read. If you love action in your tales rather than people plotting against one another then this is for you. From start to finish it is iron, blood and butchery all the way. This is the first book in a series and I will be downloading the others right away. Loved it !!!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jason Kyle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, authentic war story
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 May 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a fantastic novel, told from the experience of a war veteran who can truly understand the toll that war takes, and it makes the story more raw and real because of it. James perfectly balanced the line between showing the truth of how the Roman war machine fought, while not making the common, modern mistake of casting the Roman legions as sadistic, evil murderers, either. Instead, they are complex men capable of cruelty and heroism in equal measure.
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  • Sir Seán J. Madsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative story line with authentic historical detail
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 January 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The only downside to the writing of a dynamic series like this one is that few reviewers, if any, will submit a review for each volume.

    But having now read the first three books in the series I am fairly confident that my appreciation of the realistic narrative and the attention to background accuracy will hold up well for the remainder of the series.

    I am now 72 and I first started taking interest in Roman historical fiction when my grade four teacher read to us the book, 'The Eagle of the Ninth' by Rosemary Sutcliff. Along the way, I've also read a fair bit of academic works on the Roman Empire in general and Roman Britain in particular.

    The author of this series is truly a riveting story teller. The background detial he provides gives a vivid picture of life in the Roman legions and everyday Roman society, both in Rome itself and in its far-flung provinces.

    If you are fascinated by ancient Rome, these adventure tales - based as they are on real history - will definitely keep you enthralled page after page.
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  • The Good Read
    5.0 out of 5 stars The good read
    Reviewed in Spain on 21 June 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Soldier of Rome first book in a series good start good story very descriptive plenty of action have read some of the authors other books and he is up there with the best of the genre will keep buying the series and his other books keep them coming.
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  • N.M. Cox
    4.0 out of 5 stars Okay, okay----I'm hooked into a new series and loving it!
    Reviewed in the United States on 22 November 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I won't go too much into the story as the other reviewers have done an awesome job doing that. I will say that I really like the way the story started. The reader is in Tuetoburger Wald with the legions as they are being led by Varus and almost all are ultimately massacred. This beginning is one of the best I have ever read and starts one helluva story. I had not read any of Mr. Mace's work before this and I am now ready to read this full series and to explore more of his work. He takes the reader through the process of becoming a soldier of Rome, explains the hierarchy of the legion and does this in a way in which the reader can vividly picture everything. I almost exclusively read books about ancient Rome and this one is very good. I only have two criticisms, first is my pet peeve of using modern terms during conversations such as saying "suffers from some sort of addiction" and other terms. It kind of pulls you out of the story which is a drag. The other criticism is with the sex scene. Don't get me wrong, I am not a prude. Ancient Roman society was very open about sex in a healthy way. Also, this story deals with men in an army and its idiotic to not expect sexual content. My problem is in this book it seems to have been thrown in during the very last part of the book, as if the editor told the author he needed to put some sex in the book so it would sell. I also thought the scene was really kind of crude.I know I'm not reading a romance (don't like 'em) but this was over the top. Artorius "violates" the woman and does everything his "deviant mind conjured up" and used her with "savagery and deviance" so that she "lay there whimpering" afterwards. Again, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a good, healthy romp and its to be expected in settings such as these but those descriptions speak of a violent and deviant mindset where he's not raping an enemy woman. The author somewhat explains the attitude but then has almost the same thing in the next consensual meeting with another woman. Maybe I'm being too "girlie", I don't know. You just don't expect nor should you support the "hero" acting in this way. HOWEVER, I have already purchased the next book and if it's as good as this one---I'll be reading the entire series. Thank you Mr. Mace for your work, it is appreciated and very much enjoyed. That's the best compliment I can give along with continuing to purchase your work!
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  • Michael McAuley
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great insights into the political and military of Rome
    Reviewed in Canada on 4 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It was a great read with excellent character development. I was a bit confused by the names of so many characters however.
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