STRENGTH and HONOR III: Imperator

By Michael Pandolfo

2024 WINNER FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS - Historical Fiction Series Editorial Review: Overall, I'm giving this book and the series 5 out of 5 stars. My only regret is that I can't give six. Shey Saints Reviews (Full review below.) Author Note: Royalties from the sale of this book (less publishing expenses) are donated to St Jude Research Hospital for Children. The Story: IMPERATOR continues the story of the award winning CÆSAR'S GAMBIT . A story of the new empire, Rome, where treachery, brutality, and murder are expected; while loyalty, kindness, and salvation are anything but common. The STRENGTH AND HONOR series is set against the backdrop of the expansive Roman Empire from Hispania in the West to Judea in the East, Gaul in the North to Nubia in the South; IMPERATOR , like its predecessor DARK WIND , will keep you guessing because this is a time when anything can and does happen. It is 12 AD. Legate Micah Antonius Equinus is nearing the end of his two-year tour as commander of the III Legion Cyrenaica in Egypt. Other than the first month of the assignment that saw him deal with just about everything from a rebellious pleasure slave to a governor turned traitor in a plot to take down the imperial family, it's been fairly quiet - too quiet. In the South, the Nubian King perceives weakness in Egypt, a weakness he is prepared to take advantage of. With one daring stroke he can retake eGYPT, Rome's most valuable resource, choke off the grain supply, and bring the empire to its knees. Only one person stands in Tambal's way, his mother, Amanirenas. Full Editorial Review: Finally! It didn't take too long for the much-anticipated sequel to appear. The 3rd book in the Strength & Honor series is not just as good as the first or second books, it's even better! More surprises, more action, and I am loving the multi-dimensional viewpoint where each character's events are depicted back-to-back, following immediately in an unbroken sequence until all the pieces come together. Michael has mastered this technique - there are no loose ends, no way to predict the outcome, no magic resolutions. Only Augustus seems to know; as he explains to one of his advisors, "I'm the Emperor. It's my job to know." The best kind of book in a series is one that always tops the previous books, and this one does exactly that! It is, as I told the author, an awesome book. We need women like Zia, Amanirenas, and Gisela in this life. As a woman, I admit that I admire them a lot. In my opinion, it is rare for a male author to capture forceful, intelligent female personalities so well; but this author does, giving his women, both major and minor characters, scope, depth, and personality that brings them to life; each with their own voice, attitudes, perceptions, and flaws. I shall miss them. Overall, I'm giving this book and the series 5 out of 5 stars. My only regret is that I can't give six. That I thoroughly enjoyed it is an understatement. Political, adventurous, highly entertaining, humorous, and very informative, it can be a good source of actual historical perspective incorporated in a fictional story; a literary piece that is highly recommended to historical-fiction enthusiasts and people who want to learn while being entertained at the same time. Shey Saints Reviews

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D8FLH4X2
• ISBN13: 9798328533973
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 303 Pages
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"