The Amber Road

Warrior of Rome, Book 6

By: Harry Sidebottom

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

In the sixth novel in Harry Sidebottom's bestselling Warrior of Rome historical fiction series, Ballista returns to undertake yet another epic mission - while the Roman Empire reels in chaos around him.

In AD 264, the Roman Empire has been torn in two. The western provinces - Gaul, Spain, and Britain - have been seized by Postumus, the pretender to the throne. To the east, on the plains of northern Italy, the armies of the emperor Gallienus muster, and he is keen to take his rightful place of power. A war between two emperors is coming, and everyone must choose a side.

On a mission shrouded in secrecy and suspicion, Ballista is sent by Gallienus back to his home of Hyperborea, the place of the people of his birth, to raise an army against Postumus. This means Ballista must journey along the Amber Road to the far north. Along the way Ballista meets a fearsome, masked warlord who attacks, bringing fire and sword against Ballista and his men. And in his home of Hyperborea, not all welcome Ballista's return. In the battle between Postumus and Gallienus, only one can survive and be emperor.

Renowned for their skilled blending of action and historical accuracy, Sidebottom's Warrior of Rome novels take the reader from the shouts of the battlefield to the whisperings of the emperor's inner circle. Rich in detail and punctuated by harrowing action, these books will transport you back to the days of the Roman Empire.

©2014 Harry Sidebottom (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

One of Sidebottoms 2 best!

None of the “Warrior of Rome” series is a disappointment, but Amber road and Lion of the Sun sit at the top of the heap. Amber Road is a long look at the northern tribes, their ways and customs, as well as a deeper exploration of personalities. The narrator has been the same for the whole series, and Rudnicki is very good, and he too seems to grown into the personalities as the series go on. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did, there are certainly less talented authors out there.

Lots going on, lost me

This book was odd, it came like the story jumped around a lot. I had to keep replaying sections because it didn’t make sense why these events were happening. I guess you call that drifting, therefore the story didn’t captivate me as the previous books did.

story good Narrator sounded bored.

Having been gifted a copy of the Audio book before this one by a friend I was treated with the voice of Nick boulton I was completely sucked in his voice acting blew me away and made tge world so much more real. the Americanized version however uses a man who is good but dosnt seem into it mayne its becuase i was spoiled but it was harder to get into it at first.

That said the story is slower but great and the Narrator is fine.

Historical fiction at it’s best

Harry Sidebottom, Oxford history professor, has written a great set of six books of the life of Ballista and his body guard Maximus. Ballista is a ‘barbarian ‘ who was sent to Rome as a hostage from Gaul in his youth. Thru his brains, braun and luck, he rises quickly as a Roman soldier and is directed by the Roman Emperor during the years 260-265 AD to carry out Roman duties. His travels thru the Mediterranean, Ephesus, Persia, the Caspian Sea and finally back to his roots along the Amber Road involve multiple battles, journeys, and plans to get himself out of the multiple life threatening situations. Very action packed, full of accurate historical information, intrigue of the Roman emperor and court, difficulties being a father and husband with Ballista’s long absences .
Great battle planning and fighting, accurate history, action packed, full of information about Roman, Persian and barbarian peoples . Great read, recommend nightly, a pleasure to read! Performance was outstanding also.

Enjoyed the entire series

The writing is wonderful and the reader’s performance was very well done. I really would like to have had one more book as I feel that there was no conclusion on the main character. The series is a good listen just feel like there’s more to be told. Perhaps that is how it should be. A test of your own moral stance as to the fate of the cursed oath breaker???