Steven Saylor

[Margaret]

I love Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" mystery series. I started with Catilina's Riddle, which was favorably reviewed in our local newspaper, which rarely comments on historical novels. I loved it, and went back to read the whole series. This is a great series to read in order (beginning with Roman Blood), because the protagonist, Gordianus the Finder, develops quite a bit through the course of the series, as he gradually collects family members, through adoption and otherwise. Saylor really knows his history, from the big political controversies and upheavals to the intimate cultural details about how Romans lived, so I find these novels engrossing on every level.

Who else reads these?

[nona]

I just picked up Catalina's Riddle at a book sale the other day.

[Carla]

I've read one or two of these. The one I can remember was set during the time when Caesar and Cleopatra were fighting the civil war against Ptolemy in Egypt, but I've forgotten the title. Are they best read in order?

[Margaret]

They are best read in order, because there is a rich storyline about Gordianus and his family that carries through the series. However, each of them can be read with great pleasure as a stand-alone. The first one I read was Catilina's Riddle, and I read a few others out of order before I went back and read from beginning to end. It didn't diminsh my enjoyment of any of them.

[Leena]

I was surprised how much of Roman history I learned out of this series of novels. I think Catalina was my favorite though. I highly recommend this series and feel it's good for a number of reasons.

[laktor]

I'm about half way through Roman Blood, the first of the sub-Roma series. I intend to read them in order. I'm not a big fan of mysteries, but I am really enjoying this. The only other Steven Saylor book I read was Roma, which I finished just recently. I loved it and the sequel, Empire, has just arrived in the mail today.

[fljustice]

I posted a review of a Gordianus the Finder book The Triumph of Caesar here (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=83211#post83211). I didn't care for the book, but would love to hear a rebuttal or recommendation of others in the series. I liked Saylor's other books and one dull one, doesn't a bad author make.

[Greg]

I posted a review of a Gordianus the Finder book The Triumph of Caesar here. I didn't care for the book, but would love to hear a rebuttal or recommendation of others in the series. I liked Saylor's other books and one dull one, doesn't a bad author make.
__________________
Faith L. Justice
Author Selene of Alexandria
Website: www.faithljustice.com
Blog: http://faithljustice.wordpress.com/

To Faith I fear that I must agree with your judgment on this novel. While I have all of Saylor's other works and really enjoyed them, this one I fear was lacking. I even must admit to getting half way through and then putting it down and I felt really upset doing that, since the rest of the series was so engaging. If possible I suggest looking for a roman series by John Maddox Roberts, they are set in the same period and appeare to be both engagaing and fun to read.
Regards Greg

[fljustice]

I suggest looking for a roman series by John Maddox Roberts, they are set in the same period and appeare to be both engagaing and fun to read.
Regards Greg

Thanks for the recommendation, Greg!

[lauragill]

I posted a review of a Gordianus the Finder book The Triumph of Caesar here (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=83211#post83211). I didn't care for the book, but would love to hear a rebuttal or recommendation of others in the series. I liked Saylor's other books and one dull one, doesn't a bad author make.

The first books--Roman Blood, Arms of Nemesis, and Catalina's Riddle--are the best. I prefer Gordianus a nobody who isn't rubbing elbows with Caesar--though it's perfectly plausible how he does.

[Margaret]

I enjoyed Triumph because of the vivid details about how a Roman triumph was celebrated, but as a novel, I think it was the weakest of the series. The other books offer meatier plots and more interesting political situations.

[lauragill]

Saylor's next Gordianus book is set before Roman Blood. It's supposed to be a collection of short stories where Gordianus goes on an ancient world tour and eventually meets Bethesda. Some of the stories have been published in mystery magazines, and the whole book is due out next year.

[Margaret]

where Gordianus goes on an ancient world tour and eventually meets Bethesda

I'll have to look out for that. Their relationship is one of the charms of the series.