Anthony,
Love your books! I'm addicted to historical fiction esp. of the early Greek and Roman eras with over 40 books read and continuing. Your first 3 in the Empire series have been a joy to read. That said, I was a bit "underwhelmed" at your ending to Fortress of Spears. 2 of the 3 worst baddies left unaccounted for and the third killed from behind by a woman.
No face-off with Marcus and the lead baddies. Thought for sure we would see a Marcus/Rapax duel. Calgus left alive(?). No recovery of the eagle or Marcus's Dad's head. Dubnus, despite his heroic efforts, playing little part. Failure of Roman leaders in the field to address the threat of the imperial hunting party when they knew they were coming. All very unsatisfying. Please have mercy on readers who spend days reading your stories and don't leave us so frustrated.
Hi Bob, and firstly thanks for the comments and the feedback, it's a joy to get comments that challenge and provoke as well as being complimentary. Thank you!
And Bob, you and I could have such a long chat about novel writing. My main points would be:
1.Marcus is already a little too much like he comes from Kryptonite - he needs to struggle little sometimes, in my opinion;
2.Felicia is a character too - I don't want her to be 2 dimensionsal. I wanted her to show that she's got some 'balls' too. Tricky one, I don't want to turn her into Angelina Jolie, just a character that the reader can identify with?
3.Leaving baddies alive? Why not, in a 25 book series? There'll be plenty of time for the possibility (and I'll stress that last word) of Calgus and Excingus making another appearance. In real life I guess that bad people do sometimes get away with it - although while Excingus definitely got away, I'm not sure if he made it back to Rome yet, and as to Calgus - perhaps the wolves got him as intended. We'll see when I write the next few books (so pretty soon at two books a year!)
4.The eagle, and Legatus Sollemnis's head? Not forgotten, my friend, not forgotten. But thanks for the reminder, it has brought them back to the front of my mind just as I stand poised to start book 6!
5.Dubnus? I thought he had a pretty good part for a man who was convalescing from a spear wound. It was definitely his turn to be 'the hero' in my mind, sorry you didn't see it that way. He's 'fronter' and more central in book 4.
I could go on...but at least I got away with doing Rufius in. Look, this stuff is really personal, and all I can do is encurage you to keep reading with me all the way through the civil war of the 190's and the bloody reign of Serverus. Thanks again for the great critiique, it's hugely appreciated and enjoyed.
Anthony.
AWESOME BOOKS! Love them!
Hey Ronnie, that's great!
Thanks!
Anthony.
Thanking you in advance...I requested more, a long time ago and thankfully, I can now look forward to the continuing the saga...glad you decided to continue.
thank you again. Gerrit...now heading for 67...
Thanks Gerrit, I'll keep you going for years yet!
Best wishes,
Anthony.
Hi Anthony I just wanted to echo previous comments regarding your books and say how much I have enjoyed them. Look forward to the future novels. Best Wishes
Cheers Andrew, the next one's out in April.
Best regards,
Anthony.
Anthony,
Upon recommendation of my Uncle I took up reading your books. I have read many of Simon Scarrow's work, of which said Uncle rated your work better, I can only say that I agree completely, I found myself settling down to read your books at military college, only to find the best part of a half hour gone in what seems like 2 or 3 minutes. I am really interested in History, particularly ancient, and due to my family ties in the military, and my own sponsorship to join the Royal Air Force in the future as an Officer, I am particularly fond of reading about the various promotions and demotions taking place, and of the tactics included. I haven't yet got a copy of Fortress of Spears, but I am soon making a trip out of college to acquire a copy!
Best wishes,
Alex.
Good man Alex, and all the best of luck at Welbeck. With a bit of luck - and a sh*tload of hard work, common sense and knowing the value of your people -you're at the start of an illustrious career.
All the best,
Anthony.
just about to start fortress of spears, having read wounds/arrows in 2 days. no housework has got done, dogs only just walked and phone unanswered. thank you for the wonderful transportation to another time and place. hope there is another one coming after Fortress (sorry, no pressure). thank you for all your hard work..sheena
Hi Sheena,
more books? Only another 20 or so...don't worry, you keep reading them and I'll keep writing them.
Thanks for the kind thoughts!
Tony.
Hello Pal,
Arrows of Fury.....Brilliant.
The Simon Scarrow Eagle series was good, but tell you what the Empire series so far is excellent can't wait to start "Fortress of Spear" keep them coming pal.
Thanks Jeff, I'll do my best!I'm just about to complete The Wolf's Gold and I'm pretty happy with the way it's turned out. We'll see what the punters think in due course...
Best regards,
Anthony.
I am just about to finnish you Fortress of Spears having read Empire & Arrows of Fury, I have read Simom Sarrow,Jack Ludlow, Steven Saylor, Conn Iggulden and many many more in the same vain, but I have to say you are the best by far I just cannot put down your books, cannnot wait for the next book to be made available, great reading thank you for the pleasure.
Thanks David, very kind of you. The next one's out in April 2012, and is the first of the series not to be set in the province of Britannia. Hope you enjoy it!
Best regards,
Tony.
Hi Anthony,
I apologize in advance if the translation from the Czech language will not be entirely meaningful. I am a great lover of antiquity, especially Roman history. I buy and read almost everything that comes at us. I prefer novels that are written in accordance with proven historical facts, and where the author keeps his imagination at an acceptable level. For absolute top in this respect I consider C. McCullough, followed by S. Presfield, are also excellent Sidebottom, Scarrow, M. Scott, Cornwell, Saylor, J. M. Roberts and many others.
Also, your series Romans are the best you can read about the history. The Czech Republic came second part, I have just read. Excellent story, readable written, set in a period which has not been much written books (or in the Czech Republic did not work yet).
The characters are nicely drawn, but personally I'd rather slid to the vulgarity of speech. I understand trying to bring the military way of life (I myself was 20 years old career soldier), but the speeches sometimes charged excessive vulgarity do not address me too.
Furthermore, I was also cautious in describing the type of fight scenes: Marcus stabbed barbarian attacking from below the chest, he staggered and slipped on a stinking pile of your own entrails (- battle at Red River Ford). Somehow I can not imagine this scene :-) Definitely not thinks that the Romans became a series in the style of Conan.
Anyway, I keep my fingers crossed too much during your writing more sequels and look forward to will also be translated and issued in the country. I am curious about the subsequent fate of a young Roman hero Marcus.
Regards
Richard Juříček
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the story and hope the bad language didn't spoil it too badly. It's true that some readers of my books are put off by the swearing, and that's disappointing...but soldiers do swear - a lot. I've always felt the need to reflect that reality to be true to my 'vision' of how I believe the Roman army was. If that offends you, I apologise, but I can't change it.On the bright side, there are a lot more books to come in Marcus's story - all the way to 211 ad. Please keep reading (I hope they get translated!)
Best regards,
Tony.
p.s. RIP Vaclav Havel, a giant of the liberation of Eastern Europe. Great man.
Hi,
I have recently finished reading Fortress of Spears and I think you are perhaps the best historical fiction author/writer I have come across in years. And I have read all the big players Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Harry Sidebottom, Bernard Cornwell, Valerio Manfredi, Steven Pressfield and a few others. But your books outrank many of them
I find the characters have immense substance and are the story lines brilliant. Not to mention the crude soldier humour which brought a great many chuckles to me.
No I am not sure if this question has already been asked but when will the next instalment be available for reading? In 2012 or beyond? Or are you working on a totally different book?
Hi Jay, and thanks for your very generous comments. I think Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire' and Cameron's 'Long War' series are the best things I've read in the genre, although I read all the names you've mentioned and enjoy them all enormously. I also get drunk with a few of them occasionally too...
As to what's next, the fourth installment of the Empire series is out in April 2012 under the title 'The Leopard Sword', book five is out in (I think) October as 'The Wolf's Gold', and I'll be delivering two books a year for a while. I also have a cheeky little thriller in mind, and there's a 20th century series ready to go if the commerical interest is ever strong enough...but Empire comes first!
Keeps me out of mischief!
All the best,
Anthony.