The Book Plank

Rome's Executioner by Robert Fabbri, Vespasian #2 Thracia, AD30: Even after four years military service at the edge of the Roman world, Vespasian can't escape the tumultuous politics of an Empire on the brink of disintegration. His patrons in Rome have charged him with the clandestine extraction of an old enemy from a fortress on the banks of the Danube before it falls to the Roman legion besieging it.  Vespasian's mission is the key move in a deadly struggle for the right to rule the Roman Empire. The man he has been ordered to seize could be the witness that will destroy Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard and ruler of the Empire in all but name.  Before he completes his mission, Vespasian will face ambush in snowbound mountains, pirates on the high seas, and Sejanus's spies all around him. But by far the greatest danger lies at the rotten heart of the Empire, at the nightmarish court of Tiberius, Emperor of Rome and debauched, paranoid...

Author interview with Robert Fabbri In my search to find more interesting read I came across the books of Robert Fabbri and his Vespasian series. I have always enjoyed a good Roman fiction story and his series proves to be just that. Telling the tale of young Titus Flavius Vespasianus and his rise through the ranks in the military. But what makes this series quite different is that it started of in a way that I haven't seen before, from the birth of Vespasianus, and hereby Robert Fabbri gives this story quite a unique and most interesting start, and showed Vespasianus in a more than relatable way when he had his hardships. So far I have read the first book and I am hooked so far. It has great references to the Rome of old, the political intrigue and backstabbing that you know and above all some magnificent large and small scale battles.    So far the series consists of four books: Tribune of Rome published 2011 , Rome's Executioner published 2012 , False God of Rome...

Tribune of Rome by Robert Fabbri, Vespasian #1 AD 26: 16-year-old Vespasian leaves his family farm for Rome, set on finding a patron and joining the army. What he finds is a city in turmoil and an empire on the brink of disintegration. Rome is in the iron grip of Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, and ruler of the empire in all but name. His spies are everywhere - careless words at a dinner party can be as lethal as a barbarian arrow.  Out of his depth, Vespasian flees the city for a post as tribune on the Balkan frontier. Unblooded and inexperienced, he must lead his man in savage battle. Rebellion is in the air, and Vespasian soon realizes that he can't escape Roman politics, any more than he can escape his destiny. Tribune of Rome is the first book in the Vespasian series written by Robert Fabbri. As the name implies and the synopsis of the book, its set in the Roman times! Yes! I have come to love this genre over the couple of week a lot. Tribune of Rome is al...