Field of Blood: Empire XV

Empire, Book 15

By: Anthony Riches

A masterful novel of war, history and political intrigue, beloved by readers.
'Vivid military action, inner circle intrigue and Dumas-style characters'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A++++'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'[Riches is] head and shoulders above his contemporaries'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Excellent historical adventure with a twist'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I absolutely LOVE this series'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



ONCE MORE THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS BEEN TORN APART BY A WAR OF IMPERIAL SUCCESSION.

Following the Year of the Five Emperors, three are left in the field. A final bloody confrontation is inevitable as the ruthless Septimius Severus advances through Cappadocia and Cilicia on the heels of the retreating legions of the Emperor in the East, Percennius Niger.

Co-opted into Severus's legions are two veterans who, after long service, now crave peace: Gaius Rutilius Scaurus, restored to legion commander, and his client, the tribune Marcus Laticlavius Aquila. Unknown to all but a few, Marcus is an emperor killer. Perhaps this fate beckons him again...

As Niger retreats towards the impregnable fortress of Antioch, thus threatening to extend the conflict for years to come, it falls to these two men to plan a series of daring raids to delay the enemy.

But it is not long before they are cornered on a climactic field of blood. And on this sanguine soil, one of the imperial pretenders must be annihilated.©2026 Cold Steel Ltd

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR ANTHONY RICHES

Fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both

A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed

A masterclass in military historical fiction

A master of the genre

Stands head and shoulders above in a crowded field . . . Real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination

A gripping narrative full of breathtaking action, unforgettable characters, and dazzling twists and turns

Loved every moment

The author takes us through the pages of history, marching behind the standards of our favourite Familia, The Roman version of Easy Company. I love the continuity and familiarity and new adventures

Characters and story great as always

The narrator stuffed up the accent of the main character Marcus Aquila. Suddenly after 14 books he does not speak with the accent of an educated Roman senator (meaning a refined English accent) but like a common soldier from the plebeian class. I found it really off putting like watching your favorite series and they replace the actor for the main character with a new actor.