I ADORED this one. Kane wonderfully blended history, action, and melodrama together in great ways. Although some reviewers were not happy with the focus on Aurelia's story I am so damn glad we also got a good amount of social history focus in this. Rather than feel jarring with the military parts, it gives us a look into the Roman home front and how it was impacted, as well as vice versa. At last, an ancient warfare novel that not only gives us excellent battles but also sympathy for those in society who do not have as much as a voice. For the first I've read in a military fiction novel, Kane even gives us a (gasp!) gay character, and not in a creepy lecherous way!!
The character stories are great once again and feel like modern versions of Victorian period novels. I felt vindicated thinking this because in the authors note at the end Kane mentioned Beau Geste!
I could go on and on but suffice to say I really love this series. This is the Punic wars series I desperately wanted when I was 14. I'm happy to say the wait was worth it.