Review: Something Between Fantasy and Historical Fiction
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 12, 2014
Arcadia is a Rome which never was yet it follows most of the conventions of Rome such as the weapons, tactics and attitudes of the Roman military. In this, the first volume of a (???) volume set, a rebel bunch of ex-Roman (oops, Arcadian) soldiers have deserted and made camp in what seems to be Germany just after the Ice Age started retreating. Their native foes are a mash up of Germans, Danes and Gauls.The hardly bunch are building their numbers and resources to mount their rebel attack on Rome (oops, Arcadia). The story's protagonist seems to be about 15 years old and in the military somewhat reluctantly (and a poor fit) simply due to his dad being a rebel general in that army.The book wanders around somewhat disjointedly adding a few episodic vignettes which don't seem to either flesh the book out or add to anything. This includes the opening chapter which takes place in the Senate and at a senator's house which doesn't have anything to do with the main story. Another out of place chapter has something to do with a drug addled Greek priest.At about the forty percent mark of this short novel or novella, the book finds its focus as the protagonist sets off on a journey he doesn't understand. That is the theme here. The main character seems to have no clue as to the various office politics swirling around him so he stumbles from one situation to the next like Mr Magoo in a theme park.The fantasy aspect never seems to get going. The action is all talk or sword play. At one point, the good guys are camped at a cursed place with men in black supposedly all around the abandoned city but nothing happens. The good guys camp and then leave no worse for wear.A nice short and, once you are in to it, an enjoyable read.