The Blood of Gods: A Novel of Rome (Emperor)

I have been hooked on the Emperor and Conqueror series since stumbling across a used paperback version of the Gates of Rome in 2004. Since then, I have pre-ordered all the novels and devoured them within a few days of release.The previous book was brought to a close with the murder of Julius but we were still on the edge of a cliff, there could have been several spin-offs following the Marcus Brutus, Marc Antony or Octavian stories. In this novel, we resume the story a few moments after Ceasar has fallen and see the power struggle between the senators and heirs to Rome. For those that have studied history, the plot is a little spoiled since we all know who will be triumphant and become the first true Emperor of Rome. Nonetheless, this book outlines the many alliances, betrayals and battles that were fought to set the Roman Empire on a path to become one of the largest and most successful in history.As always, Conn Iggulden's characterisation and imagery are excellent. Absorbing you into the story and allowing you to walk with the Romans, giving the reader a history lesson within an edge-of-the-seat historical epic. The protagonists, Marc Antony and Octavian are displayed in realistic context, not the all-powerful adventure hero from Hollywood but real leaders who face the pressures of command and must deal with the emotions and stresses of politics and military campaigns.This novels brings the Emperor series to a tidy conclusion but I would love to see another novel covering the collapse of the Second Trimverate and the war between Octavian and Marc Antony/Cleopatra. As with Kublai Kahn, this novel covers Octavian's greatest achievements when he fought in the name of Julius Ceasar to bring justice to his murderers. Sadly, a few years later, he personally orders the murder of Julius' true son and heir to the joint empires of Rome and Egypt. Ptolemy Cesar should have been the first emperor but Octavian, our protagonist, went against his principles and ended his life at only seventeen years old. This action goes against everything that we see of Octavian in this novel and places him in league with Marcus Brutus as a betrayer of Julius Cesar.

The whole is gripping from the first page until the last. Conn Iggulden is a master of historical novels bringing each character to life in an educational way to readers who have no knowledge of Roman times.

A good place to start if you are interested in the life of Caesar Augustus. This may be a work of fiction but Conn Iggulden always does his research. This is probably a good approximation of the facts. The book starts with Julius Caesar's death and ends with the death of his assassins in the battle at Philipi. The story follows Octavian (Augustus) and his great friends Maecenas and Agrippa as they seek to avenge the death of Caesar and to gain the inheritance of Octavian. It's a memorable story of the teenager who becomes the Emperor. If you were reluctant to read a book on this period because you were concerned it might be boring or stodgy this is a good place to start. Iggulden brings life to the characters in a way that does justice to the facts and keeps up the interest level. Since the book ends at the Battle of Philipi we can expect Iggulden to further explore the rise and reign of Augustus in at least one more book.

I remember reading the first 4 books of the Emperor series a long, long time ago and loved them. I thought the series was done until recently. I saw this and instantly got it. It is a great continuation of the storyline, feeling organic and not forced. Caesar is gone and now everyone is at war over his legacy and his name. Great characters and great action. I definitely recommend this to anyone who has read the first 4 books in this series.

It is unbelievable to me how men, no better and no worse built as men today, achieved so much, had such strength and pride, and fulfilled their ambition as those at the beginning of the Roman Empire. What a shame those men, who likely exist today, have been relegated by our weakened society. I love these books as they show what men can be...as a contrast to what we have become.

getting back to the familiar characters and settings were like putting on old jeans. Didn't have the suspense and intrigue as the others but still fun. Was a little out off by the reduction of Octavian. He was a general, accomplished warrior and adversary of Brutus previously...where in this book it's as if he were a boy. This series losing a bit of steam...hoping Conn comes roaring back after this.

I was at first disappointed that Conn Iggulden went back to the Emperor series after the Kahn series because I was looking forward to seeing what new time period and significant historical figure he was going to tackle next. Also, since it had been so long since he left the Emperor series I felt that it was too long a lapse to go back. However, as soon as I started the book, I was once again hooked. Conn immediately transports you back to the time and you start to get lost in ancient Rome, just as you did with the first Emperor series. If you liked the first five or so books from the Emperor series, I promise you will not be disappointed with the latest.

Without too many spoilers, much of Octavians character arch was retconned away from what was established in the previous books, and closer to actual history. Which would have been fine, if so much of the rest of the series wasn't already established in the historical fiction genre. Particular dissatisfied with Octavians age, and sacrificing his military experience.

Read this book in 2013, and its the 5th and final volume of the spectacular "Emperor" series.This tale is set after the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Senate by a group calling themselves the "Liberatores".These Liberatores think they have liberated Rome from a "Tyrant", but they will encounter a situation that they will become the persecuted.They have not reckoned by Octavian, Caesar's adopted son, who will later become the first Emperor called, Augustus Caesar, and together will his greatest rival Mark Antony they will hunt down these Liberatores.Octavian greatest hate is reserved for Julius Caesar former childhood friend, Marcus Brutus, and a final reckoning will come with Brutus on the bloody battlefield of Philippi.What is to follow is an awesome addition to this fantastic series, and that's why I like to call this final episode: "An Incredible Caesar Aftermath"!

This book clearly shows the dangers of writing historical fiction. One of the liberties Conn Iggulden took with Octavian’s early years comes back to bite him sharply in “The Blood of Gods”.During the first four novels in the Emperor series, we see Octavian rise through the ranks to become one of Julius Caesar’s trusted generals. However, when we start this book, Octavian does not seem to belong to any legion and is barely recognized by Mark Antony. Disappointingly, the author does not acknowledge this inconsistency in his Historical Note and this takes from what is otherwise an excellent book.Mr Iggulden is a gifted storyteller and “The Blood of Gods” is every bit as much of a page turner as the earlier volumes. It just doesn’t join seamlessly with the rest of the series.

I read the other novels some years ago in hard back and absolutely loved them. I was a little surprised at the release of the new novel and wondered where it could go. I also wondered whether it could live up to the previous books in the Emperor series.However, I needn't have worried. Iggulden continues the series in fine style. In essence, after the death of Ceasar, we follow the political twists and turns of the senate, Mark Antony, and Ceasars adopted son. It's his son that takes centre stage, and it's his story we follow, but as usual in these books, there is plenty of background information in the form of conversation.Needless to say, it's brilliantly written and well executed and rounds of the series of books well.Highly recommended.

I'm a great fan of Conn Iggleden and have read both the Conqueror and Emperor series, but I felt this was a book too far, that Conn had other projects on his mind whilst writing this one. I found it overly wordy at times and quite slow to get going. The writing was always good (typically Iggleden) but I didn't feel his mind was fully on the job. Many characters were left out and others still have loose ends - though I don't feel he is going to revisit the series to tie them up. The action was good (finally) and I did enjoy the last third of the book, but it just didn't have me eager to turn the page as all his others have. Looking forward to Wars of the Roses (perhaps that's where his mind was).

I always wondered what happened after the Ides of March and now I know. Conn Iggulden always does immaculate research for his books and if anyone hasn't read the 'Emperor' series and is interested in history it is a 'must have'. The series starts with Julius Caesar as a boy and concludes with this final novel which takes place after the fateful 'Ides of March' killing. His adoptive son, who inherits Caesar's fortune an estates, goes to extreme lengths to track down and destroy everyone involved in his father's death in collaboration with Mark Anthony. I love the way that the Romans planned their battle tactics and in this series it truly comes to life.