The young Cornelius marches with the fifth legion to chastise the barbarian hordes of Dacia who dared cross Roman borders; He dreams of glory wealth and a later life of ease in the senate. But his life is to change; in a decisive battle the legion is crushed. The few survivors, fleeing to the Carpathian Mountains, harried by war bands; starving and dying from the extreme cold find that there is something more to fear. There is something stalking these mountains, something older and darker than simply death. Cornelius finds himself welcoming this darkness and becoming part of it. This is a story of blood and treachery. War and power, it is a story of horror pain and damnation. But it is also a story of friendship and eternal love for all changes in an eternity. This tale takes you from the mighty civilisations of Rome, Samarkand and China to the barbarian lands of Scotland and Romania. It is a tale of gut-wrenching battles, ambition and blood; fought both with friends and between them.
The young Cornelius marches with the fifth legion to chastise the barbarian hordes of Dacia who dared cross Roman borders; He dreams of glory wealth and a later life of ease in the senate. But his life is to change; in a decisive battle the legion is crushed. The few survivors, fleeing to the Carpathian Mountains, harried by war bands; starving and dying from the extreme cold find that there is something more to fear. There is something stalking these mountains, something older and darker than simply death. Cornelius finds himself welcoming this darkness and becoming part of it. This is a story of blood and treachery. War and power, it is a story of horror pain and damnation. But it is also a story of friendship and eternal love for all changes in an eternity. This tale takes you from the mighty civilisations of Rome, Samarkand and China to the barbarian lands of Scotland and Romania. It is a tale of gut-wrenching battles, ambition and blood; fought both with friends and between them.
Professional Reviews
Cornelius
This is truly a fascinating book. I was taken in after reading the first pages, first of all, because it is written in a refreshingly original way. It also is rich in historical foundation, depth of characters, and wit. The stories of war in legendary Rome, adventure, magic, and suspense make Cornelius a captivating read. The plot empowered with love and the supernatural carries with it something you never want to let go of, and when the book ends, you simply want more. The eroticism and pleasure of lovemaking is so enthralling toward the end that I lost myself in the story for a moment. However I think the overall message of the book is love and its transforming power...how love transforms and liberates. I believe readers of love and romance as well as those who enjoy historical fantasy and fiction will find something to treasure in this book. Very well done. Really amazing.
A new course
I found this very different from R.Walker's previous books, especially at the beginning; being pretty much historical fiction though it was as always well written and conceived. As the story developed however: through its many plot twists and turns, I realised that this will appeal to Mr Walkers earlier readers but will attract many new followers. I challenge anyone to predict the ending while still reading but the clues are all there. Without giving too much away, Cornelius becomes one of the best anti-heroes I have ever read. Highly recommended.
Chris has been fostered at the Crowley boot camp since he turned seven. At sixteen, he is finally ready to run away because his foster father is an abusive person who works Chris and the other children to the point of exhaustion. All he has left of h
