Review: Not Your Normal King Arthur
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 20, 2013
Having seen the movie King Arthur, I was expecting this book would be along those lines. It isn't.This story centers around an historical figure, Carausius, the commander of the Roman British fleet. Carausius steals the Roman fleet and uses it to declare himself emperor of northern Gaul and Roman Britain.  Carausius briefly ruled as emperor 278AD before being murdered by one of his own men.The story begins when Carausius is a young boy and his village is attacked by Saxon invaders. The story unfolds as he grows to manhood and becomes a sailor.  Later he joins the Roman legions where his fighting skills are noticed.  Eventually he becomes commander of the British fleet.As Carausius rises through he ranks, his ambition grows. He eventually decides to use the British fleet to set up his own empire in Britain and northern Gaul.I can't say that I like the "Arthur" character in this story.  He is ambitious, but he lacks the saintly qualities of your normal King Arthur.This story ends with Carausis holding off the army sent against him.  I believe this book is part of a planned series, so I am interested to see how the author continues the story.