The Death of Kings

By Conn Iggulden

Book Overview

Julius Caesar comes into his own as a man, warrior, senator, husband, and leader in this stunning novel of Ancient Rome, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Emperor: The Gates of Rome.

"Utterly marvelous . . . Historical fiction of the highest order . . . brings] Julius Caesar to life in a truly magical, electrifying way."--Toronto Telegram

In a sparsely settled region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them: their leader, Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who dared to kidnap Julius Caesar for ransom. Now, as Caesar exacts his revenge and builds a legend far from Rome, his friend Marcus Brutus is fighting battles of another sort, rising to power in the wake of the assassination of a dictator. Once Brutus and Caesar were as close as brothers, devoted to the same ideals and attracted to the same forbidden woman. Now they will be united again by a shock wave from the north, where a gladiator named Spartacus is building an army of seventy thousand slaves--to fight a cataclysmic battle against Rome itself.

Filled with unforgettable images--from the death throes of a king to the birth of Caesar's child, from the bloody battlefields of Greece to the silent passion of lovers--Emperor: The Death of Kings is an astounding work, an extraordinary blend of vibrant history and thrilling fiction.

Ancient Rome comes to vivid life in Conn Iggulden's Emperor series:
THE GATES OF ROME - THE DEATH OF KINGS - THE FIELD OF SWORDS - THE GODS OF WAR - THE BLOOD OF GODS

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385343027
• ISBN13: 9780385343022
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Delta
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A sequel thats better than the original!

There is a fine line between being historically accurate and writing an entertaining story. The line varies from person to person, but I think Conn Iggulden and myself are seeing the same line. The Death of Kings is the second of a four part series about Julius Ceasar life. Just like the first book, I read this in a day. Obviously once again, I couldnt put it down. I not a fast reader by any means, so I made time and lost sleep to finish this book. Amazing, outstanding, engaging, these are just some ways to describe this book and this series. This is just a well written book that without a doubt the author, Iggulden, put time into.

amazing book

i think this book was amazing and unlike most books and movies it makes the first book look boring, i would just like to say that if you like novels involving ancient rome, you must pick this up. this book has been ranked as my second favorite so far that i have read and that has only been topped by harry potter and the order of the pheonix. to compare the books is not fair for difference in genre, but i would say that this book and series is comparable to the harry potter series in my opinion. i love this book

HISTORICAL FICTION MEANS HISTORICAL FICTION

Some times real history is boring and we want to hear what we want to hear. Like for instance the Gettysburg address is considered one of the greatest speeches in American History, but woud you like to hear that when Linclon gave the speech, hardly anyone was moved, they were soaking wet from satnding listening to Websters 4 hour long speech and they were too tired and wet to even care. But in history class, you dont hear that because nobody wants to know. And I hate to admit it to you but in the back of the book there is a list of things the author changed. Did you not see that somehow, if you want to learn real history fo to school, but if you want enjoy some bits of history in a great read, buy this book. I read it twice in a week, and ive read it 5 times since then.

Emperor The Death of Kings

A great read. I would highly recomend this novel!!!!! Much better editing than his first book !!!!!!! Great character development and a can't turn the pages fast enough story pace. I can't wait for the next in the series.

A great story

This book saved me from terminal boredom in Auckland airport (excuse the pun). As I wasn't going anywhere for 27 hours, I bought this there and read it sipping the worst coffee I've ever had. The story is exciting and the characters were just wonderful. I loved the relationships between this Band of Brothers and the women. God, the women! Servilia is the sexiest thing to walk through Auckland airport while I was there, at least. Iggulden does war like no one else and every now and then, there's a moment of humour from nowhere that made me laugh aloud. You won't believe the speed of this thing - it races along from start to finish, with scenes cutting away to other scenes before I'd got my breath back. As for the historical part, I'm not a Roman expert - I have a girlfriend. I did read the afterword at the back where he goes through the changes and that was interesting. I'm surprised some of the reviewers missed it. I suppose they think they know it all already. I didn't know Julius Caesar was captured by pirates and held for ransom, or raised an army in Greece when he was barely old enough to shave. Fascinating - and if he's not wearing the right colour tunic for the purists, well, I can live with that for the sake of a good story I wouldn't want to have missed.This isn't literature to change the world - it's just a racing thriller with some of the most famous characters in history. Wilbur Smith does the same thing. I say that like I mean 'That's all' - but it's more than enough and a lot better than some of the pap out there. This is a book you give up your weekend for - or a day at Auckland when everyone else seems to have gone home.Give me more!