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A review by lindzy
The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane
4.0
Ben Kane transports his readers back in time to Ancient Rome, where the capital was built on slavery and each day was a fight for survival in his book, The Forgotten Legion. Following the stories of four individual characters, Kane explores how hard life was for slaves back then and how their destiny was in the hands of whoever owned them at the time, whether they be working on a farm, in a pleasure house or as gladiators.
Connected by blood and friendship, the four young characters must battle to find their place in the world. Twins, Romulus and Fabiola are sold to the gladiating school and into prostitution respectively after their owner becomes tired of having them around at just the age of thirteen. Both driven by the desire to see each other again and save their mother, they strive to not only survive, but be the best they can be in their respective new careers. The added incentive of tracking down their father only fuels their fight, for they both desire revenge on the nobleman who raped their mother so many years ago.
Romulus ends up befriending the most feared and respected gladiator of them all – Brennus – after he helps saves Brennus’ lover. Respecting the courage of the young warrior, Brennus takes on Romulus and tries to teach him all he knows about survival and how to fight in order to win in their harsh life. It helps him make up for his past, when he had been unable to protect those he loved and watched his whole village be slaughter by the Romans. Eventually, the two end up joining the Roman army, where they are joined by Tarquinius. Being able to read the signs of fate has led the soothsayer on a journey to inflict his own revenge on his former master, Tarquinius is there to make the duo a three as they battle against impossible odds on one of Rome’s campaigns east.
Kane creates captured and engaging characters. None of them are without their flaws and weaknesses, yet their drive to have more in their lives than just being a slave is a truly gripping story. The bonds of friendship and loyalty are forged in such a way they become unbreakable, and the reader has no desire to see those bonds broken for anything.
The first few chapters of the story was a little hard to follow as the timings seemed to jump around a lot, not to mention the characters and places as we are introduced to all of the characters. Yet when their stories start combining, Kane’s ability to effortlessly pull all of the pieces together is truly a marvel. Despite it being set in Ancient Rome, Kane explains the traditions in an understated way so the reader never feels lost about what is going on. For having no expectations of this book, it was truly a gripping read and has inspired me to find more of his books through the way he captures the hearts and minds of his audience.
Connected by blood and friendship, the four young characters must battle to find their place in the world. Twins, Romulus and Fabiola are sold to the gladiating school and into prostitution respectively after their owner becomes tired of having them around at just the age of thirteen. Both driven by the desire to see each other again and save their mother, they strive to not only survive, but be the best they can be in their respective new careers. The added incentive of tracking down their father only fuels their fight, for they both desire revenge on the nobleman who raped their mother so many years ago.
Romulus ends up befriending the most feared and respected gladiator of them all – Brennus – after he helps saves Brennus’ lover. Respecting the courage of the young warrior, Brennus takes on Romulus and tries to teach him all he knows about survival and how to fight in order to win in their harsh life. It helps him make up for his past, when he had been unable to protect those he loved and watched his whole village be slaughter by the Romans. Eventually, the two end up joining the Roman army, where they are joined by Tarquinius. Being able to read the signs of fate has led the soothsayer on a journey to inflict his own revenge on his former master, Tarquinius is there to make the duo a three as they battle against impossible odds on one of Rome’s campaigns east.
Kane creates captured and engaging characters. None of them are without their flaws and weaknesses, yet their drive to have more in their lives than just being a slave is a truly gripping story. The bonds of friendship and loyalty are forged in such a way they become unbreakable, and the reader has no desire to see those bonds broken for anything.
The first few chapters of the story was a little hard to follow as the timings seemed to jump around a lot, not to mention the characters and places as we are introduced to all of the characters. Yet when their stories start combining, Kane’s ability to effortlessly pull all of the pieces together is truly a marvel. Despite it being set in Ancient Rome, Kane explains the traditions in an understated way so the reader never feels lost about what is going on. For having no expectations of this book, it was truly a gripping read and has inspired me to find more of his books through the way he captures the hearts and minds of his audience.