Wrath of the Furies: A Novel of the Ancient World

by Steven Saylor Narrated by Stephen Plunkett

Overview

In 88 B.C., it seems as if the entire ancient world is at war. In the west, the Italian states are rebelling against Rome; in the east, Mithridates is marching through and conquering the Roman Asian provinces. Even in the relatively calm Alexandria, a coup has brought a new Pharaoh to power and chaos to the streets. The young Gordianus has been waiting out the chaos in Alexandria, with Bethesda, when he gets a cryptic message from his former tutor and friend, Antipater. Now in Ephesus, as part of Mithridates' entourage, Antipater seems to think that his life is in imminent danger. To rescue him, Gordianus concocts a daring, even foolhardy, scheme to go "behind enemy lines" and bring Antipater to safety. But there are powerful, and deadly forces, at work here, which have their own plans for Gordianus. Not entirely sure whether he's a player or a pawn, Gordianus must unravel the mystery behind the message if he's to save himself and the people he holds most dear.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

★ 08/10/2015
A highly suspenseful plot and a moving resolution distinguish Saylor’s masterful third novel featuring Roman sleuth Gordianus the Finder in his younger years (after 2014’s Raiders of the Nile). In 88 B.C.E., King Mithridates of Pontus, who views himself as the military heir to Alexander the Great, has had an impressive string of victories against Roman forces in Asia. Gordianus, who has settled in Alexandria, is reeling from the revelation that his guide and teacher, the poet Antipater, betrayed his people to spy for Mithridates. When Gordianus learns that Antipater may be in peril, however, he concocts a way to enter Ephesus, a city now controlled by the Pontic king, to come to the poet’s aid. Gordianus’s arrival coincides with a horrific plan by Mithridates to coordinate simultaneous massacres of tens of thousands of Romans trapped in areas under his control. Even readers who know how history played out will be engrossed. Agent: Alan Nevins, Renaissance Literary and Talent. (Oct.)

From the Publisher

"A highly suspenseful plot and a moving resolution distinguish Saylor’s masterful third novel featuring Roman sleuth Gordianus the Finder." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Every bit as good as its history- and tension-packed predecessors…sustains a high level of suspense, while Saylor gives readers great sandals-on-the-ground details of the ancient world." - Booklist (starred review)

"Saylor has concocted one of his best novels so far with this tale of intrigue and extraordinarily bloody reckonings...an international thriller, with espionage, world-shaking events, and plenty of plots, plans, and conspiracies." - Edge Boston

"The series has been rejuvenated by the younger hero and is now better than ever. ... [Saylor] the undisputed master of the Roman historical mystery." - Historical Novel Society

"With its expert mix of comedy and tragedy, Wrath may be Saylor's most thought-provoking work, a book that shows sympathy for all while asking us to ponder mankind's seemingly limitless capacity to do terrible things, then as now." - USA Today

Kirkus Reviews

2015-07-29
In Saylor's (Raiders of the Nile, 2014, etc.) newest novel of the ancient world, Mithridates, who styles himself Shahansha—King of Kings—has conquered Roman colonies from the Euxine Sea to Persia. That doesn't trouble Gordianus, a young Roman who's living comfortably outside Alexandria with his beautiful slave, and lover, Bethesda. Sadly, during Egypt's civil war, Gordianus lost touch with his beloved tutor, Antipater of Sidon. Thought "the greatest of all living poets," Antipater joined Mithridates' court and was soon trapped in internecine machinations. Now, he's known as Zoticus of Zeugma, a spy. Then Gordianus receives a cryptic scroll suggesting that Antipater's in peril. The poet is in Ephesus, the jewel of the east, and Gordianus sails off to help him; to escape detection as a Roman, he pretends to be mute, with Bethesda acting as his interpreter. Once in Ephesus, his muteness is perceived as evidence of a prophecy. Trapped in the maelstrom of back-stabbing royal intrigue, Gordianus is a hero to root for, but other characters are stock, with Mithridates in particular having minimal back story. While the relentless action and subtly drawn settings keep the pages turning, the story is a bit heavy on royal court politics. With a plot driven by the place of Roman and Greek gods in ancient societies, Gordianus must deal with the Grand Magus and Great Megabyzoi, and he learns that the Furies, those troublesome winged sisters older than Zeus, must be appeased with a virgin sacrifice. Only then can Mithridates approach the goddess Artemis to bless his evil scheme. Religious war, ethnic cleansing—everything new is old again in the era of swords, togas, and defeated generals executed by being forced to swallow molten gold.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171256098
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	10/13/2015
Series:	Ancient World , #3
Edition description:	Unabridged

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