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MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
Format: Kindle Whispersync
BOOK DESCRIPTION
An Uncertain Future in a New Past
During the test flight of a prototype faster-than-light craft, Lt. Commander Ky is flung into an ancient past that never existed. Rome has fallen, defeated by the mighty Carthaginian Empire, its survivors chased off the continent and onto what had been the remote province of Britannia. Hounded by the Carthaginians bent on conquering the known world, Rome is on the verge of destruction. Stranded and alone, except for a tactical AI implanted in his head, Ky has lost everything and must find a way to live in a world different than anything he’s ever known.
For Ky to survive, he needs a new home. For the Romans to survive, they need a miracle. But can a man from the future work with people so far in his past, or is this match doomed to failure?
MY REVIEW
I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this, it was one of those random finds when I was setting up my yearly TBR to include sci-fi and historical fiction novels. The name and book cover immediately stood out so I decided to add it, and I have to say that it was the best decision I’ve made. This is my first time reading anything with time travel since I typically stick to just fantasy, but this is such a fascinating take, because not only is it sci-fi, but it’s a historical story as well, but unlike other novels, shows and films that typically go to the old west, the pre-historic era or medieval England, this takes us on a journey to Ancient Rome, but not just any Ancient Rome, a Rome where Carthage is the super power that has pushed Rome to Brittania and on the brink of annihilation.
As I was reading this, my mind kept going to different things that had similar aspects, such as Stargate and The Orville, there were some episodes in those shows where they went to places that were not as developed, though they tried not to do things that would alter their future. Starnes takes a different approach and has Ky, the main character, helping the Romans by teaching them new things that would help them move along faster as a society since he is stuck in that time. Which reminds me of the comedy, The Black Knight starring Martin Lawrence. The reason that film comes to mind is that his character, Jamal Skywalker, introduces things from his time the way Ky does in The Sword of Jupiter.
There wasn’t a lot that Starnes needed to do to set the world up since it’s based in Ancient Rome and that can easily be pictured, but I still thought he did a great job with his world building. Once the action slowed down, he went into a lot of detail with many of the things that Ky had to introduce to the Romans to help them get better. I loved that he started with some of the most simplistic things and then going into more detail on others, it really makes you realize how far we’ve come as a society. When the action slows down, Starnes does a great job of showing the underbelly of Rome with its political plotting, schemes and conspiracy to make the story that much deeper to deal with a battle within Rome as well as outside of it.
“Just because things aren’t true now doesn’t mean they will always be false. The first step to making it true is by giving my people hope, something they can rally around. Even if you leave and the circle never completes isn’t there value in giving people hope?”
I really enjoyed Ky a lot, specifically loved his interactions and how he had to explain things to the people of Rome, the struggle of speaking to the people of this time really makes for some funny dialogue, but some of the best parts that made me giggle came from his conversations with his AI that is supposed to be helping him and also is growing into sentience. Ky reminds me a bit of Spartacus and Maximus from Gladiator. While he’s not a slave or gladiator, he still has that same kind of essence about him that they give off and makes him such a likable character.
The narration by Kevin Kemp was absolutely brilliant! Any time it feels like the narrator is just as into the story as I am, it makes for a better experience, and Kemp did just that. Not only that, but the range of voices was excellent as well, from old men with soft voices to women and even dark evil character with a deep ominous voice, each one had a distinct sound so that they weren’t the same. This along with Katherine Fenton’s narration of Bloody Rose are going to be tough to choose on who my favorite narration of the year will be.
I am always interested in learning about the past and since this has some historical flair to it, I did a little research of my own of the Punic Wars to see what happened and who was all involved, I found it satisfying that Starnes actually gives a nod to Scipio Sulla, who was instrumental for Rome in defeating the Carthaginians by naming The Games of Sulla, after him. There are a lot of other nods to historical figures in this story as well, which got me diving even more into Roman history. I’ll never get tired of stories that make me want to do this!
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