Children of Apollo: Book I: Eagles and Dragons by Adam Alexander Haviaras

Not that many historical novels are set in the days of the Emperor Severus (193-211 A.D.); Commodus was emperor a year (and two emperors) before, and what a hoot he was!  Caracalla followed him, ruling singly just as quick as he killed his brother Geta.  But Severus provided an empire with 18 years of relative stability in an era where 9 emperors in 11 years were not unheard of.

Into this era Lucius Metellus Anguis grew to be a man, to defy his father’s senatorial aspirations for his son, joined the military, and became a Tribune in the army.  He served with distinction in Numidia, along with his childhood friend Argus.   There he had many adventures, and made the friendship of Ashur, a dusky desert dwelling priest of Apollo.  He served honorably and well, and earned the attention of the Emperor himself, and that, of course, is where the trouble starts.

In Rome, he discovers that his father still hates him with a consuming passion for daring to chose his own path through life, and pins all his hopes on his younger brother.  His father is a republican, and not quietly.  As a member of the military, Lucius serves the imperial family.  And there is the tension in the household between the emperor’s wife, Julia, and his assistant, Plautianus, both of whom wield great power in the emperor’s name.  Each sees the shining young tribune, so obviously favored by the gods as a possible tool, or a possible threat.

This is a world Lucius had deliberately avoided; the world of politics.  But now he’s in it, for better or worse, and to the death.

But life is not all conspiracy and manipulation, as he discovers when he meets his sister Alene’s friend, Adara.  Adara makes his life turn in directions he never considered before, as women often do on men who live only with and for other men.

Notable in the execution is Haviaras’ depiction of Lucius as a devout Roman, with Apollo as his patron.  Rarely do the gods enter historical literature; paranormal and fantasy literature with a historical setting, sure, but here the gods must be considered real, and their wants and desires carry weight, if for no other reason than they drive our hero.  The author sometimes intersperses vignettes where the gods of Olympus talk to each other, and argue over the fates of Lucius and his compatriots, and while they are very real to each other, it is uncertain whether they are supposed to be real for the reader.  It makes an interesting contrast to novels where a Christian’s faith is the driving factor in their lives.  Here, Lucius loves, and is loved by, Apollo.  This simple fact guides and propels him to action with inevitable consequence.

This brief detour into the theistic aside, the story captures much of the feel of everyday Roman life, without dwelling on the seamier side.  Some authors feel compelled to describe the public latrines in detail, since they are different from our way of life.  Here, they are given about as much weight as you would suspect Lucius gives them; you don’t really think about them until you are in need of one.

All in all, it’s a great read.  I can’t wait for the next book, Children of Apollo: Killing the Hydra.  There is so much more misery and mischief to puzzle and vex our worthy Metellus.

Recommended: Yes