Bloody Dominions

Bloody Dominions is a new novel from author and historian Nick Macklin. He takes his readers back to the years 58-56BC. Caesar has launched his campaign to conquer Gaul. He brings to life Atticus a gifted soldier and military tactician whose grandfather was a member of the legions and who served with distinction. Allerix who is the Chieftain of the Aduatuci who finds himself in the schizophrenic situation of, at times, fighting both for Caesar and against him. And there is Epona, who is the adopted sister of Allerix and also a skilled and fierce warrior in her own right. The conflicts they engage in are brutal and the impacts on both victor and defeated are powerful. The main characters are fated to repeatedly cross paths and swords as they are doomed by circumstances to be enemies. However, all is not what it appears. I will say no more on this point as it might risk spoiling the enjoyment of this novel by my readers. Whilst reading this novel the reader is transported back to the open lands and the dense, dark forests of ancient Europe as they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with tribal warriors and Roman Legionaries as they fight for conquest or to keep their lands free of conquering enemies. The battle scenes are particularly affecting, especially when friends realise they are fighting against friends. It's the first novel in the series, so do keep an eye open for the rest of them.

Action and adventure, the desperate fight for survival and freedom. The Roman Empires' shadow darkened the lives of those who tried to escape it. This book, in my opinion, had a bit of a slow start. I was confused, I didn't know who the characters were and I found there was little explanation of their roles. However, I am reluctant to let that affect my review and rating of this book, as when it picked up and the characters found their places in my mind, this story really took off and the flight was a strong and steady one. There are three protagonists in this story and they each brought something fresh and vivid to the story. If you want to live battles, find friends among soldiers, and spend the entirety of a book perched precariously on the edge of your seat, this book is the one you need to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I thought everything had been depicted with such incredible penmanship that I would have no qualms with reading this book again and again, and I am definitely looking forward to book 2!

It is a rare thing to have a novel recommended to me that I actually enjoy, after 18 months of lockdown and completing at least 30 novels this was not only the highlight but reconfirmation that my bed time reading is really worth the 30 minutes I give it every night. The wonderful thing is that this is the first of a trilogy - I can't wait for the next one. Don't be put off by the large size , it is fantastic value for money to be transported to Gaul 57BC . I think this author has much more to give and he can definitely deliver on the promise. If you like historical content and a well spun story this book gives it in buckets !!

I cannot possibly give justice to how great this book is in a few sentences. This is a wonderful portrayal of the Roman conquest of Gaul. This book has three main characters. First and foremost is Atticus, a Roman Legionnaire who always finds himself in the thick of it. Then, Allerix, Prince of the Aduatuci, fighting alongside the Romans while opposing their every decision. Finally, Allerix's sister, Epona, a woman smart and strong enough to win almost every fight, no matter how big or strong her opponent may be. This book made me fall in love with all three characters, and I often found myself worrying for their safety. I would put the book down for a moment, to do something, and find myself running back to it, desperate to know what happens next, and hoping that all the characters remain unscathed. There is action aplenty, although that is to be expected with a book such as this. The immense amount of detail, the concern about the characters, the story in itself – all of it is enough to pull you into the book and keep you there, forcing you to stay up later than you intended because you cannot bear to put the book down and leave it there. This book makes you want to read just one more chapter, and then one more! When I reached the end of the book, I found myself staring at the last page, astonished that the story was left where it was and that I would have to wait to find out how the story continues, as book 2 is NOT OUT YET! If you want to read a good book, and you are a fan of any kind of action, this book is the one you must get, no questions asked.

The Roman Empire, a force to be reckoned with. I was expecting this novel to be jam-packed with action, conflict and battles, but this novel is also about honour and an unforgettable friendship. There are several different storylines in this book, But it was Atticus' and Allerix's stories that I found the most compelling. Atticus is a legionary, serving under the worst kind of commander (the kind who cares not a whit about the lives of his men). Allerix is a price, son of Albiorix, King of the Aduatuci. Atticus and Allerix cross paths multiple times, but it's how they cross paths that matter. These two characters fight together and against each other, which made for some truly heart-rendering moments. The Roman Empire was a force to be reckoned with, and while some of the nations may have realised they stood no chance against such an army, there were those who would rather have died than give up their freedom. This book does not gloss over the horrors of war, nor the consequences for the nations who so much as dared to defy Rome. But this story is not simply wrought with pain and suffering. The friendships of Atticus and his fellow legionaries, as well as his conflict with his commander, and Allerix's relationships both at home and on the battlefield round out the story to make it both a gripping and highly enjoyable read. This novel was exciting, compelling, and next to impossible to put down. Reading about the opposing sides of a fight would be in-depth enough, but feeling deeply for the characters as they are thrown into battle again and again truly made this book one that I am thoroughly glad I agreed to read.