The Wolfs Gold: Empire V

In the main body of the book, eyebrows are raised in a startling, not to say stunning, variety of ways to signify a wide range of emotions. Often at times, like in the middle of a frenzied battle, where one might reasonably suspect a shouted indication of surprise, acquiescence or astonishment might have been a more logical, not to say speedily and easily interpreted, means of communicating the afore-mentioned emotion. There are eyebrowS raised as the unspoken answer to questionS and characters that have one eyebrow raised while walking along, into forts.

The Wolf's Gold: Empire V by Anthony Riches (Paperback, 2013)

Which is otherwise pretty reasonable. They're still on mainland Europe and have to go sort out a Roman gold mine, discovering fraud on a monumental scale is being perpetrated by errant Roman soldiers. I will have to dare to say again, that it is actually the more secondary characters, the supporting cast again, who make the difference.

Sometimes, one might be forgiven for finding them a little more interesting, even appealing, in their nature, than the oftentimes straight down the line Marcus. Part of my job s down those very same years, was to spot exactly this sort of thing. Like it or not, I have noticed them - and you have too. As I buy and pay for my books with my own hard-earned money, I can be both immune and more objective. In the end, is it worth buying? If you are becoming allergic to eyebrows shooting hither and thither more often than a James Bond film staring Roger Moore…maybe avoid.

Oct 11, S. Turney rated it it was amazing. I've been a fan of Tony Riches since Corvus first put in an appearance in Wounds of Honour, and I'm always pleased to pick up an 'Empire' book. I've done reviews of the others so far, and I would reference them in this review. The first three in the series I always considered very much a single story arc over three books. Moreover, they were staunchly and solidly novels of the Roman military. The fourth book in the series was something of a departure in sty I've been a fan of Tony Riches since Corvus first put in an appearance in Wounds of Honour, and I'm always pleased to pick up an 'Empire' book.

The fourth book in the series was something of a departure in style, concentrating more on an ingenious plotline of intrigues and banditry than on the military campaigns we'd come to expect. Having read reviews and spoken to people since, I'm not sure how well-received the change was. I personally thought it was a triumph and a real growth in character, style and plot crafting. Well The Wolf's Gold should be an all-pleaser as far as I can see. In one way, it's very much a return to a military-oriented plotline, with stretches of good solid campaigning in there, which should please the die-hard 'Military Riches' fans, and yet also involves a depth, ingenuity and intricacy of plot that has been born - in my opinion - from the style of Leopard Sword.

The plot to this masterpiece moves us once more. The first three books had us in Northern Britannia, and the fourth shifted the action to the forests of Germany, while in this one, the poor beleaguered Tungrian cohorts are sent to Dacia modern Romania into the Carpathian mountains to provide defence for the gold mines that are essential for imperial revenue.

It is here that they will meet a number of interesting and often dubious characters and fall foul of plots and tricks that will once again have them fighting for their lives and have centurion Corvus creating crazy plans that have little chance of success. As always with Tony's writing, he sacrifices just the tiniest modicum of uptight concern for anachronistic idiom something more authors could do with trying in favour of something that feels realistic and appropriate to the reader and creates a flow of text that's never interrupted.

And that's a big part of this book. From the very start it races away and takes the reader with it. The flow is just too easy to read and hard to put down. As usual there is a humour among the soldiers that borders on the tasteless at times, and feels thoroughly authenic and also happens to make me laugh out loud combined with a brutal combative narrative that pulls no punches and coats the reader with gore, all overlaid with a few saddening scenes and thoughts. From the might of Sarmatian hordes and their perfidious nobles to the treachery of self-serving mine owners, the untrustworthiness of border troops, the mindless buffoonery of the upper class legionary Tribunes, the madness of battles on ice, and the heart-pounding stealthy infiltrations of installations by a few good men, Wolf's Gold should win on many levels and certainly does with me.

Moreover, this novel sees a significant advance in the overall arc of Corvus' history, his murdered family and the imperial intrigues that accompany it. As a last aside, Tony is one of few writers of Roman fiction who rarely feels the need to name-drop, his characters almost always fictional and self-created, which I find refreshing and even when he does so, it is fascinating. In this case we are introduced to not one, but two, future attempted usurpers of Imperial power.

All in all, Wolf's Gold is a storming read, and Riches' best yet. I cannot wait to see what is going to follow in book 6 following the events of this. Nov 01, Robin Carter rated it it was amazing. When I read Leopard Sword 6 months ago I was shocked at how much further Anthony Riches story telling depth had increased, his books have always been my favourite in terms of pace and sheer fun, but Leopard Sword took it further with twists and turns that had never been there before.

Wolf's Gold keeps that improvement going and if possible squeaks past it in terms of great story telling. I have to admit to several laugh out loud moments reading this book and I would love to add one of the Review: I have to admit to several laugh out loud moments reading this book and I would love to add one of the lines, but I don't want to spoil the fun for you all my favourite concerns a beard and tickling I laughed, and choked on my drink. It's this sheer fun and enjoyment that Tony brings to his readers as well as well thought out, well researched plot lines.

Once again he is merciless with his characters, no one is safe, I was stunned by the casual death of someone who was a well established character, and how soon he was less than a memory. A chilling but honest way to portray how warriors must have been back then, how they must have been, to be able to cope with all the death around them. It's this kind of subtlety and attention to detail that puts Tony at the forefront of Historical Fiction writing , whilst still retaining his trademark writing ability that drags the reader along at breakneck spread from first page to last.

The back story of Marcus is added to in Wolf's Gold ti a greater degree than many of the other books in the series and in a very tantalising fashion, with hints of what happened, to who and by whom. Leaving many more questions, Will he go to Rome? Who will remain alive long enough to help him? The scope of expansion for this series is mind bogglingly huge. Another reason to buy this book and all of the series, is the way as each book is written Tony brings a more human element to more and more of the characters, to how we see more of each man, not just the fighter and his friends but how they've all grown from book to book, and how they have grown as a group.

I just hope that Tony can keep up the pace of writing and give me the next book in 6 months I'm not sure I can wait much longer than that. One of my favourite reads this year and Very Highly recommended as is the whole series Parm Product Description The Tungrian auxiliary cohorts march east to the land beyond the Danube to guard a frontier which turns out to be as dangerous and lawless as northern Britannia in Anthony Riches' suspenseful new Empire novel.

The Tungrian Auxiliary cohorts are recovering after their hard fought victory in Germania. Hoping to be sent home they are disappointed to be sent to Dacia to help defend the Alburnus Major Gold mine from marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who are determined to capture an Empires gold supply. In a desperate fight to the death, Tribune Scaurus will have to lead his cohorts with all the skill and experience he has, if the Tungrians are to survive the onslaught and see their homes again. Centurion, Marcus Corvus and his fellow officers not only have to fortify and defend the mine but they also have to deal with truculent mine owners and a new commander who as a political appointment is more of a danger to his men than the enemy.

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As the Tungrians Cohorts desperately fight for survival, Centurion Corvus will learn a secret that will open a window onto the men who ordered the death of his entire family but can he survive the battle to seek revenge on them? Knowing that failure to secure the Mine will bring down the wrath of Emperor Commodos onto them, the men will fight to the death to save the mine and the province of Dacia. With rampaging barbarians, dubious allies and an incompetent leader, the cohorts face their toughest battle yet.

The real joy of this book is the dialogue between the characters. It is so sharp and it flows so easily between the main characters and the banter is some of the best and funniest I have ever read. The infantry song about the cavalry had me spitting me drink all over my desk at work! The main group of characters are now like old friends which makes reading about them so pleasurable and I like the way some of the group can fade into the background in one book and then be the main character in the next.

An example is the use of Dubnus who is one of my favourite characters in the series but is hardly mentioned in this book. In a year of great books this book has shot to the top of the leader board of my favourites! I really enjoyed it and got through it very quickly, which I always take as a sign of a good book. An absolute must for any Roman histfic fan!

Dec 11, Michael Jecks rated it it was amazing. He is one of those fortunate types who writes for his own pleasure, because he has a real day job, and the enjoyment of writing comes out in his books, as does his delight in history, military especially. He has a knack of bringing soldiers to life, with all their coarseness and brutality, loyalty and affection. His series is a brilliant concept: His dreams are haunted by his father demanding revenge, or his younger brother staring at him. An awful survival guilt drives the main character through the books, initially because he has no idea who or what led to his fall from grace, and latterly in this book because he finds out and starts to seek vengeance.

The next book, I think, will take readers back to Rome. The Sarmatians are keen to take the gold, and have little fear of the Romans. They know that Rome prefers to pay protection-money than get involved in unnecessary campaigns, but in this area there are some complicating factors: This is a book which really grabs you. Dec 10, adam-p-reviews rated it really liked it Shelves: In his latest book, Riches takes our hero Centurion Marcus Corvus and his Tungrians away from their recent victory in Germania to the far reaches of the Empire. Their destination is Dacia on the north-eastern edge of the Empire, and their job is to protect an important gold mine that supplies the Imperial Treasury with tonnes of gold every day!

The mine has come under threat from the Sarmatians, a rebellious tribe that lives in the area.

The Wolf's Gold: Empire V - Anthony Riches - Paperback () » Bokkilden

The Sarmatians are a war-like people who are feared for their skills in archery and for the poisoned arrows they use against their enemies. However, as Marcus and his fellow officers find out, the rebellion is not as straightforward as it seems, as the King of the Sarmatian horde, Asander is not as hostile to Rome as is first thought. However, he is a puppet for his hot headed brother-in-law Inarmaz, who is violently opposed to Roman rule in Dacia. Marcus and his Tribune, Scaurus work hard to have Inarmaz removed as a threat from the Sarmatian army. I liked the fact that the Tungrians were taken to another part of the Empire to fight new and interesting allies.

It gives some insight to where the series is going to go in the next few books, which got me really excited to read the next novel! For more book reviews check out http: Nov 05, Nick Brett rated it liked it. This is the fifth in an excellent series, but perhaps the weakest.

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It is in no way a bad novel, just not as strong as the others. We now find Centurion Marcus Corvus and his fellow Tungrian Auxiliary cohorts being sent to Dacia to protect a gold mine. Not surprisingly, they come up against both barbarians and treachery and Corvus learns something that will be of great use if he survives.

Anthony Riches is a very good wr This is the fifth in an excellent series, but perhaps the weakest. Anthony Riches is a very good writer and you can tell he is trying to not just repeat previous novels. There is no-one potentially exposing Marcus whose colleagues are hiding his true identity and you sense that the political aspect will come for to the fore. So, why not my usual four stars?

Well, it took a while to get going and felt slightly forced at the start, not helped by the need to tell the background through a character discussion and there were threads rather easily cut odd — a well-established character is killed rather too casually, as is a new character, somewhat underused.

But all the good stuff is in here too, some great character inter-action, camaraderie and some very authentic Roman action. Dec 07, Ruth rated it really liked it Shelves: Dacia, mines, tribesmen, Sarmatian, invasion. There are also some very inventive ways of executing people in this book. I thought that this book was the best so far in the series. There was not so much emphasis on Corvus' personal problems although still part of the general framework and set up for the next book I think! I found the pacing to be much better and Scaurus plays a far more promine c I found the pacing to be much better and Scaurus plays a far more prominent part than before.

I loved Scarface and Sanga and the authentic behaviour of the troops in general. Highly recommended to the normal crew.

Marcus Tribulus Corvus, Sigilis a little sign? Fuck me, it actually works. Nov 10, Yates rated it it was amazing. Oct 26, Pete rated it it was amazing. Great book,it kept me fixed all the way,can't wait till the next in the series. Oct 29, Frank Kiernan rated it it was amazing. This author is rapidly becoming one of the leaders in Roman historical fiction.

Jun 10, Mary rated it it was amazing. In Book 5 of Anthony Riches' excellent Empire Series, we find the 1st and 2nd Tungrian cohorts along with our hero Centurion Marcus Valerius Aquila, aka Marcus Tribulus Corvus, ordered to the borders of Dacia to defend one of the Roman Empire's most productive gold mines from marauding Sarmatae also known as Sarmatians.

For centuries they lived In Book 5 of Anthony Riches' excellent Empire Series, we find the 1st and 2nd Tungrian cohorts along with our hero Centurion Marcus Valerius Aquila, aka Marcus Tribulus Corvus, ordered to the borders of Dacia to defend one of the Roman Empire's most productive gold mines from marauding Sarmatae also known as Sarmatians. For centuries they lived in relatively peaceful co-existence with their western neighbors the Scythians.

The Sarmatians were to dominate these territories over the next five centuries. In 66, he was defeated by Pompey the Great and expelled from Asia Minor. Mithridates continued his war from the Crimea, still supported by the Sarmatians, but was ultimately forced to commit suicide. The Sarmatians continued the anti-Roman alliance with his son Pharnaces, who was defeated in 47 by Julius Caesar at Zela. Finding the Dacian kingdom in crisis, one of the Sarmatian's affiliated tribes, the Iazyges settled first near the mouth of the Danube in modern-day Rumania then continued into modern-day Hungary.

Another affiliated tribe, the Roxolani settled in the lower reaches of the Danube. However, in the last decade of the first century, Dacia regained its strength and formed an alliance with the Sarmatians that had settled in its territory. To defend their empire, the Romans were forced to conquer territories on the north bank of the Danube. But peace did not last. During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, the Sarmatians joined with the Marcomanni in revolt. Ultimately, the Romans were successful in putting down the revolt but the security of Roman settlements along the Danube frontier remained precarious for the next half century.

This is the timeframe and environment where our story takes place. It begins with an ambush before the Tungrians even reach the gold mines. Then when the cohorts finally reach the gold mines they must hurriedly build defenses before confrontation with an almost overwhelming force of Sarmatae warriors.

Then an auxiliary cohort of Quadi makes a surprise appearance. The Quadi were a Germanic tribe that was part of the Suevi confederation. Marcus' friend Arminius, was a prince of the Quadi before his defeat and capture in battle. Arminius warmly greets the new cohort's prefect known as "The Wolf" as they were apparently friends in childhood. But not all is as it seems when an orphaned Roman child claims his family was massacred by "The Wolf". But before things can be sorted out the Tungrians are called to another Roman fort to prevent the remaining Sarmatian warriors from crossing into the formal Roman province of Dacia, leaving "The Wolf" to protect the gold mines.

More ambushes and heart-stopping battles take place, one a suspenseful struggle on a frozen lake reminiscent of a scene from 's "King Arthur. Is the emperor's gold really safe? Will Arminius remain loyal? Anthony Riches once more kept me on the edge of my seat since I have become so attached to many of the characters peopling his tales. The realism of the combat scenes demonstrates once more how much research has gone into his narrative. There's not one dull moment in this book and it definitely leaves you eager to launch yourself into Book 6!

Nov 11, Mieneke rated it really liked it Shelves: Because The Wolf's Gold is the fifth book in Riches' Empire series, which follows the trials and tribulations of Marcus Valerius Aquila, a Roman centurion who is set on the path of vengeance after his father and his family are murdered. But as I now have books five, six, and seven and this month is historical fiction month on the blog, I decided to take a leap and see how I went.

And fortunately it went quite well; while there were definitely elements of the book that refer to past events, Riches does explain the bare bones for new readers and the story can be easily followed without having read the previous books. General Corbulo must restore him to power while also readying the troops for war with the powerful Parthian Empire.

Corbulo orders new arrivals Cato and Macro, and their elite cohort of Praetorian Guards, to carry out the task. Nero has committed suicide. One hundred years of imperial rule by the descendants of Julius Caesar has ended, and chaos rules. His successor, Galba, dismisses the incorruptible Germans of the Imperial Bodyguard for the crime of loyalty to the dead emperor. Ordering them back to their homeland, he releases a Batavi officer from a Roman prison to be their prefect. But Julius Civilis is not the loyal servant of empire that he seems.

When a new empire rises, and old one must fall. After 16 years of bloody war against Rome, Hannibal Barca is on the verge of defeat. On the plains of Zama, Felix and his brother Antonius stand in the formidable Roman legions, ready to deliver the decisive blow. Victory will establish Rome as the pre-eminent power in the ancient world.

But in northern Greece, Philip V of Macedon is determined to restore Alexander the Great's kingdom to its former glory. The first novel in Simon Scarrow's bestselling Roman series. If adjusting to the rigours of military life isn't difficult enough for the bookish young man, he also has to contend with the disgust of his colleagues when, because of his imperial connections, he is appointed a rank above them. The date is 15 AD.

The Wolf’s Gold (Empire V) by Anthony Riches

The German chieftain Arminius has been defeated, one of the lost Roman eagles recovered and thousands of German tribesmen slain. Yet these successes aren't nearly enough for senior centurion Lucius Tullus. Not until Arminius is dead, his old legion's eagle found and the enemy tribes completely vanquished will he rest. But Arminius - devious, fearless - is burning for revenge of his own. Random House presents the audiobook edition of Lancelot by Giles Kristian. The legions of Rome are a fading memory. Enemies stalk the fringes of Britain. And Uther Pendragon is dying.

Into this fractured and uncertain world the boy is cast, a refugee from fire, murder and betrayal. An outsider whose only companions are a hateful hawk and memories of the lost. Yet he is gifted, and under the watchful eyes of Merlin and the Lady Nimue he will hone his talents and begin his journey to manhood. When Cyrus, brother to the Great King of Persia, attempts to overthrow his reckless sibling, he employs a Greek mercenary army of 10, soldiers.

When this army becomes stranded as a result of the unexpected death of Cyrus and then witnesses the treacherous murder of its entire officer corps, despair overtakes them. One man, Xenophon, rallies the Greeks. As he attempts to lead them to freedom across 1, miles of hostile territory seething with adversaries, 10, men set off on the long way home. Five long years have passed since the annihilation of three Roman legions in the wilds of Germania. Varus, the general who led the ill-fated army, is long dead, and the bones of his 15, legionaries moulder in the forests.

But not all the Romans were slain in the ambush. Centurion Tullus, a seasoned veteran, survived, and now he lives for revenge upon the tribal chieftain Arminius, who masterminded the ambush. Tullus will stop at nothing to kill his bitterest enemy or to recover his legion's lost Eagle. The greatest knights of the age were ready to give battle.

On the French side, the King and his son, the Dauphin. And then there is William Gold. A cook's boy who had once been branded as a thief. William dreams of being a knight, but in this savage new world of intrigue, betrayal and greed, first he must learn to survive. Rome has ruled Syria for over three centuries. But now the weakened empire faces a desperate threat: Queen Zenobia of Palmyra has turned her Roman-trained army against her former masters, and the once invincible legions have been crushed.

Arabia, Palestine and Egypt have fallen, and now Antioch, Syria's capital, stands exposed. Cassius Corbulo is a young intelligence agent fresh from officer training. He has been assigned the menial task of rounding up wounded legionaries Pavo's journey begins when he encounters the Roman soldier Macro, who has been charged with his training.

Bonds of friendship develop between the two men, both aware that their fates depend not only on Pavo's skills in the arena but also on the whims of powerful and ruthless senators. Can Pavo survive to fulfil his most cherished goal - revenge for the murder of his father at the hands of a champion gladiator? Based on real historical events. A time for vengeance AD 9, German frontier: Close to the Rhine, a Roman centurion, Lucius Tullus, prepares to take his soldiers on patrol.

On the opposite side of the river, German tribes are resentful of the harsh taxes about to be imposed upon them. Suspicious that there might be unrest, Tullus knows that his men's survival will be determined not just by their training and discipline, but by his leadership. The fourth in the best-selling Alfred series from number-one historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell. The year is , and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in the south.

But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London. It is a dangerous time, and it falls to Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain, to expel the Viking raiders and take control of London for Alfred. Aelred Barling, esteemed clerk to the justices of King Henry II, is dispatched from the royal court with his young assistant, Hugo Stanton, to investigate a brutal murder in a village outside York. The case appears straightforward. A suspect is under lock and key in the local prison, and the angry villagers are demanding swift justice.

But when more bodies are discovered, certainty turns to doubt - and amid the chaos it becomes clear that nobody is above suspicion. In the First Punic War, the Roman legions defeated and humiliated Carthage, their only serious rival for power in the Mediterranean. Now a brilliant young Carthaginian general, called Hannibal, is out for revenge.

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Caught up in the maelstrom are two young boys, Hanno, the son of a distinguished soldier and confidant of Hannibal, and Quintus, son of a Roman equestrian and landowner. A disastrous adventure will see Hanno sold into slavery and bought by Quintus's father. The third novel in The Forgotten Legion trilogy takes the main protagonists from North Africa back to Rome in the build-up to the assassination of Julius Caesar.