Review: Strongest of the series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 27, 2012
One of the things that really impresses me about this series is that each novel that Aiki (hope I can use your first name) has put together is stronger than the one before it.  The introduction of another player is a very important event.  That gives someone for Jade and Phoenix to compare themselves to, and see clearly how they have grown and developed. While they don't notice it as much as you might expect, we certainly do.  Very smart inclusion.Marcus continues to have the best facial expressions.Under 7K locations, so not too short or too long.Highly, highly recommend.  Grab before Aiki comes to her senses and starts charging, as she should.I do have some quibbles about the Roman military tactics, as relayed by Jade.  I wouldn't think that Marcus would put much stock in cavalry.  The Romans didn't, until much later than 80 AD.  Marcus would have believed in heavy infantry first, as the Romans had the best in the world.  Cavalries were just auxiliaries.  One Roman general triumped over the Parthians.  What did he beat their cavalry with?  Slingers with lead bullets.  Regarding the siege engine use on the battlefied - again the Romans weren't big on that, but that one I can put to Marcus being a sharp cookie and using what he had.  However, that has nothing to do with the plot or the quality of the writing.  Of course, perhaps that was something done by the programmers....I would put in my vote for Aiki to get rid of her other business, and write full time.The ending makes a great deal of sense for a novel going to the last one of the series, but I didn't expect it to happen.  Aiki hadn't done it yet, so it really did bush whack me.  Very well done.My last comment is I had better get some darn closure with Jade and Marcus.  If I don't, there will be a riot in review of #5.  Which I'm buying tonight.  I'm not waiting for Amazon to make it free.  Pfft on the $.99.