Hannibal's Children by John Maddox Roberts

Genre: Alternate History

Setting: In an alternate version of Europe and the Mediterranean, 115 years after the third Punic War. A version of history in which Rome was defeated by the Carthaginians .

First Sentence:  Behind them were the seven hills and the sacred city of Quirinus.

This novel is an example of alternate history.  The author choses a point of departure from our historical time line.  then the author tells how history might have happened.

In this novel, the point of departure is at the end of the third Punic War.  At this time, in our history Rome utterly destroyed the Carthaginian empire.  In this version,  Hannibal defeats the Romans and sends them into exile.

So, the Romans move north and settle in lands that once belonged to the barbarian hordes.  While in exile, the Romans continue their civilization and prepare for the day they when can conquer the Carthaginians and return to Rome.

After 115 years, envoys are sent out to assess the situation, and determine if the time has come for the conquest of Rome.

Is it time for the conquest to begin?

This was an okay book.  Once the change of timeline has occurred, the novel reads like a normal novel about Rome.

I you like reading about Rome and Romans, check out this book.


       
                                                    

     

Second to None by Alexander Kent

Genre: Historical Fiction, Nautical Fiction

Setting: At sea and and in England during the summer of 1815.

First sentence: The midshipman stood beneath the cabin skylight, his body accepting the heavy motion of the ship around him.

This novel is the twenty-fourth of the author's Richard Bolitho series.  This series currently runs to thirty books.

In this series we have followed the exploits of the main character of the series, Sir Richard Bolitho.  We have followed his career from midshipman to Fleet Admiral.  Watched his glory at in battle, his duty to his country, and his unfortunate troubles with love.

Then, finally at the end of his illustrious life, a single French bullet robs him of life and love.

Now, the author follows the life and career of Sir Richard's nephew Adam Bolitho.

The war with France is over.  There are sailors and officers who have never known a time of peace.  the British Navy turns its attention to the pirates and slavers of North Africa.

Captain Bolitho and his crew are part of the fleet tasked with ridding the Mediterranean from the North African corsairs.

In between the naval sea battles, Adam Bolitho continues to have a complicated love life.  His first great love was the wife of one of his close friends.  Unfortunately, she died in a terrible cliffside accident.

Now, Adam has found another great love.  She too is the wife of another man.

Sprinkled between battles and love, the author gives us a glimpse of the rest of Sir Richard's "little crew".

This was an okay book.  It advanced the plot lines, and gave us a peek into the past .