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Harry Sidebottom
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The Burning Road: The scorching new historical thriller from the Sunday Times bestseller Kindle Edition

by Harry Sidebottom (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,204 ratings
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In the shadow of Sicily's Mount Etna, a brutal rebellion is about to erupt . . .

The scorching new historical thriller from Sunday Times bestseller and Ancient Rome expert, Harry Sidebottom.

'What Bernard Cornwell is to the Napoleonic Wars, Harry Sidebottom is to Roman legions: unassailable' - THE TIMES
______________________

AD265 - Sicily, Ancient Rome: In the shadow of Mount Etna, slaves are rising up. As the rebel leader declares Sicily the new land of the free, men and women are slaughtered, and cities across the island are sacked and burned.

When a ship is wrecked off the island's west coast, all but two survivors are cut down in the surf by the rebel slaves. Ballista, an experienced Roman soldier, has always found a way to survive against the odds - but his son Marcus is still just a boy.

With the burning road stretching out ahead of them, father and son must cross the war-ravaged island in a race against time to save the rest of his family, and somehow find a way to extinguish the brutal rebellion, before it all goes up in flames.

THE BURNING ROAD is the scorching new thriller from one of the world's best historical novelists - for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Ben Kane and Bernard Cornwell.
____________________________

Praise for Harry Sidebottom's historical thrillers:

'A storming triumph' - DAILY TELEGRAPH

'An extraordinarily vivid take on the ancient world' - EVENING STANDARD

'Absorbing, rich in detail and brilliant' - THE TIMES

'Relentless, brutal, brilliant' - BEN KANE
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  1. Print length
    319 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Zaffre
  5. Publication date
    September 30, 2021
  6. File size
    3484 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GSSS2J3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zaffre (September 30, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 30, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3484 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 319 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,204 ratings

About the author

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Harry Sidebottom

Harry Sidebottom

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,204 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Patrick Keifert
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story well told
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2023
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As usual, Sidebottom reveals a Roman world in a time rarely explored or exposited with high learning and deep revelations of enduring human truths. The corruption of master and slave by the institution of human slavery drives the narrative. He allows character development and suspenseful events to give his readers a fun, exciting and thoughtful journey into Roman history. Wonderful!
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Max Weinmann
4.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023
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Ballista is older, but his adventures remain suspenseful and action filled. A good read.
One person found this helpful
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Roberto
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent story about a slave revolt in Sicily
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
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In the epic tale of Ballista and Marcus, a father-son duo, their relentless pursuit of justice against Soter and his marauding slaves across Sicily captivates the reader. The intricately woven plot builds tension as the protagonists face adversity, culminating in a gripping showdown at Syracuse. The dynamic between Ballista and Marcus adds depth to the narrative, showcasing a powerful bond tested by the chaos of rebellion. With vivid descriptions and strategic battles, the story delivers a satisfying conclusion, highlighting the triumph of valor, skill and imagination over adversity.
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Christopher Romano
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent book by Harry Sidebottom
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
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Dr. Sidebottom has crafted another fine novel of life and death in ancient Rome. I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable book from start to finish and would highly recommend it.
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AnteusCSA
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent history; terrific resd! More!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022
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Sidebottom writes very good history (I taught ancient history for decades) and he makes even more compelling narratives. I've read everything he's written. More than once. I lend my copies to my friends. I give them as presents. I can't get enough of his work. His Ballista is my hero! Grrr!
One person found this helpful
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Bathsheba Robie
5.0 out of 5 stars More Ballista Please
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021
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I am a Ballista addict having read the whole series twice. I have been in withdrawal since the publication of The Amber Road wondering when the next installment of Ballista's adventures will be produced.

Ballista and his son Marcus Isangrim have a strained relationship. Ballista hasn't seen him for three years and he is now on the cusp of manhood. Ballista has withdrawn him from a ritzy school in Rome which Isangrim resents. Julia, Ballista's wife, a snobbish Roman matron has been filling Isangrim's head with the usual garbage about the superiority of the Rome over barbarians. Isangrim is also ribbed about being half barbarian in his ritzy Roman school.

So, the novel starts with a father and son who really do not know each other. Suddenly they are thrown into a situation (shipwreck and slave revolt) where they have to rely on each other.

The book is based on a slave revolt in Sicily which may or may not have happened. There is only a one sentence reference to it in the historical record. So, Sidebottom is given a blank canvas. Obviously given the slave rebellion there is a lot about slavery in the Roman empire. Sidebottom loves Sicily and there is a lot about Sicilian wild life. If you are interested in the Angles (Ballist's tribe) and Scandinavian Barbarians in the Third Century this will ring your bell. Lots of references to Odin (a one-eyed savior). ravens, etc. It is clear that Ballista is a Barbarian in his heart as he calls on the One-Eyed God for succor. Of course, there is the familia, though they only appear at the end.

Reading this book makes me want to read the whole series again. I hope Harry Sidebottom continues the series. Ballista is only 42 and these are only 6 books in the series. Now that Isangrim/Marcus has become a man I can see lots of opportunuty for investigating father son interactions and further shared adventures.
9 people found this helpful
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Doglet
5.0 out of 5 stars We love Ballista
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2021
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I think Ballista is my favourite character, ever. Fans of his will love this new book, I suspect it is best not to read this novel until after reading previous 'Warrior of Rome' books. The character's skills in command and individual combat, as well as his humanity and charisma, are extensively developed in those earlier books and provide background to why Ballista acts as he does. It's a good fast paced read and like in 'The Last Hour' there is no shortage of tight spots for the hero to get out of. The historical details are fascinating without being tedious and make the book an adventure to savour.
4 people found this helpful
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Paul Schneider
5.0 out of 5 stars Ballista in Sicily
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2022
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Another well written fast read from Harry Sidebottom. If you are a fan of this author you know his tales with Ballista are full of descriptive details. Whether you are walking along a trail or in the middle of a clash the picture in your mind is clear. I would like to say more but hesitate as I don’t want to ruin the story. Overall a very good read.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Estanislau Luczynski
4.0 out of 5 stars More Ballista!
Reviewed in Brazil on June 1, 2023
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Good as always. Ballista rocks!
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AH
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply mesmerising
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2024
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This is a true tale of adventure, regardless of period, a page turner from beginning to end, full of sympathetic characters that you root for, who page by page, become your “familia”.
Pure enjoyment, and totally and unreservedly recommended for a wintry night by the fireside.
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Marco Stampa
5.0 out of 5 stars storia di Marco Clodio Ballista
Reviewed in Italy on October 27, 2021
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scritta sempre molto bene da Sidebottom ma non è chiaro come si collega alla fine della storia precedente quando Ballista era riuscito a sventare l'attentato a Gallieno e ed era inviato al Nord contro Postumo per presumibilmente andare a infilarsi nella complessa situazione che vede coinvolti anche suoi connazionali forzatamente schierati con Postumo; la storia si diana i maniera un po' anomala rispetto ad altre ma almeno leggendo la versione inglese con uno stile meno accurato pur se sempre molto bello
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Dags
4.0 out of 5 stars Relationships matter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2022
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overall a good page turner - liked the plot and the characters. Not sure if the premise was based on actual events nevertheless worth a read. Liked other novels by this author and will continue to look out for further additions.
One person found this helpful
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Davymac
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2024
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Great story plenty of action this book is one you can't put down highly recommended author had done a great job
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