Ends of the Earth: A historical adventure thriller of t… (2024)

Sleep deprived

What a journey I was taken on. Such powerful descriptive writing. I struggled through the desert with the soldiers. I felt their pain. I even felt their thirst. Powerful description of their struggle. I couldn't put this book down.
Any student studying ancient history should read all the books by CF.

Another exciting Falconer. Sheer escapism

This is my first Colin Falconer book and I loved it. What a luxurious treat, I’ll be reading more of his work in the future.
Ends of the Earth follows a few protagonists that split off in different directions following the catastrophic Roman defeat at the battle of Carrhae. One fought bravely and was taken slave. The other fled like a coward (Though, if I’m being honest, I’d probably do the same) and is lauded as a hero by Caesar himself. My favourite character is the hero's wife, who believes she has been widowed and must manoeuvre her way through Roman politics to survive. All the characters, especially the POVs, are well fleshed-out and human. They do bad things and they do good things, but it’s always believable.
The story is epic and sweeping, genuinely such a large scale for the period. The story takes us from Rome to China and back. You feel the differences between all the cultures our cast of characters visit, and you feel it in the writing.
Speaking of, the prose itself is clean and easy to follow. Whilst it is simple, it still feels vibrant and alive. Each character has a distinct voice and you know right away whose chapter it is. In some ways, it feels a bit like classic epic fantasy along the lines of ASOIAF, just without all the magic and dragons, of course.
Don’t let the epic scale of it worry you if you’re not into slow books, this is plenty pacey enough. The drama, action and dialogue all help to hurtle you along the story at a decent pace.
There is a viscerality to the fight scenes, that gives you the sense you’re standing beside them with a sword in your hand, so yeah, that’s exciting. The drama itself is mired in the political intrigue of Rome at the time, and it’s genuinely fascinating.
I can’t vouch for the historical accuracy as I’m not a historian, but it seems most are happy with it. To go off on a slight tangent about historical fiction, I’m all for authors making artistic choices that benefit the story (admittedly some authors take it a little too far). If the setting and period are enough to pique my interest, I’ll move on to a more historical text to learn the facts about the period. I always see historical fiction as a kind of overview of historical events and times and never get too stressed if something is inaccurate.
Okay, sorry about that, back to the book.
Here I’ll touch on the negatives, or rather negative. There is only really one main issue I had, and that was with the ending. In all honesty, it was a little abrupt. I feel like there were still another 50 pages or so left to write, the story was building and building to a climax, and as soon as we reached that climax, it was over. For some fiction, this works great, but the issue for me was that it is such a grand story and it sucked me into this world. I just wanted more and more. So when the ending cut itself off like that, I plonked the book down and said, “Huh, guess that’s it.” It was a bit like when your parents tell you it’s home time when you’re out playing with your friends. Anyway, I guess the book left me wanting more, so, in a way it’s a good thing.
If you like historical fiction, epic fantasy (again, just without the magic and dragons), or anything to do with the Romans. Please read this book, it’s wonderful.

confusing and Frustrating

This is fairly well written but having not read earlier versions dealing with these characters, I didn't have the backstory.

However, there are some things a out it that wasn't good. The protagonist was too idealistic for a Roman aristocrat/Tribune. He made many mistakes (not a sin, I know), and wasn't all that great at planning and strategy. He was more of a "Good old Boy," of the elite.

Not nearly enough action & fighting sequences. What there was usually occurred quickly and then was a description of the aftermath.

This needed several maps to describe where they were going and what/why things were happening.

I almost gave it a 4, but couldn't quite justify it.

Another fantastic read by Colin Falconer!!

No spoilers: falconer is my favorite modern writer. He writes characters that I cant help falling in love with. I Was scared and angry about the situation the main characters had been put into. I genuinely loved the wife of the main Tribune. I felt so strongly for her. This is a tale of adventure, war, torture, death, greed, and true love.

Dont wait to read this epic, but sad historical fiction

Good Read

This author turns a beautiful phrase. This book was set circa 45 B.C. in Rome and all around the fertile crescent. Valerius, a soldier in the Parthian/Roman War, was captured but did escape and made it home after ten years. His journey home was rather circuitous and would have made me too dizzy to ask for directions at the next Texaco filling station. His comrade in arms was a deaf mute who signed with Valerius in the midst of the battle. Take some time to think about that and compare it to the deaf footballer whose name eludes me.

Be prepared to meet Caesar, Magnus and Crassus , the first triumvirate of Rome, and a host of characters who are just that--characters! These real and imaginary characters teased me. Keep your eye on the deaf mute because he said it all.

Thank you, Mr. Falconer, for a good read.

Very good story

Some of Colin's novels are leaving a lasting impression, some have a bit two dimensional characters. This one is one of the very good. People motivated by loge, enduring terrible odds, having to travel half the globe before Marco Polo did that. Only thing I would loved to have seen is how or if the tribune would have been able to reclaim his social position.

Like with the other adventure books of the author, a bit of over-the-top stuff, villains with hats naming them such and heroes and heroines that are heroic and way too modern attitudes on occasion stop it from being on par with the top historical fiction around, but its turn the page energy, lively action and entertainment value makes it a good fast read which I definitely recommend

Another excellent book by Colin Falconer!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which detailed what it was like to be a Roman prisoner amongst various ancient Asian cultures. I had not read much about ancient Asian history so it was quite interesting. The suspense at times was thrilling. I highly recommend it.

Ends of the earth.

This is just another masterpiece from I'm Colin falconer. Blood and Gore battled drama all the good stuff you expect. Epic and brutal and just fantastic. If you read this in bed don't expect to sleep much.

what a read

Waited awhile for this epic. Brilliantly written a tribute to an historical tale that is a combination of history, geography nothing is left out. Where does Colin go from here. I can hardly wait.

From the Defeat of a Legion to the Death of Caesar

A long series of adventures spanning China to Rome. Fascinating knowledge of countries, peoples, and history. Fast moving and exciting plot. A sudden but successful ending.

It doesn't get any more exciting than this

Thrilling, inventive, great cast of characters intertwined with history so well. And Falconer's style is first class, literary and entrancing.

An Astoundingly Engrossing Tale To Entertain And Educate!

If you like to entertain yourself with epic matinee books, then go ahead, purchase this now; it will not disappoint you one bit.

The ending was disappointing but otherwise a good read and well researched

Excellent read

Fabulous story that moved from one place to another smoothly and quickly. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable. Another winner from Colin Falconer

Another exciting adventure from Colin Falconer. Enjoyed this one very much

Great Read

Great read as always with Colin Falconer books
With all the ingredients of a great historical fiction masterpiece
Can't wait for the next journey you take us on

This could be the book which sends me back to university to study classics

a strong, well written with great knowledge of the period.

Great story telling

Loved this book great characters and all in

all an enjoyable story. I can not recommend this book enough and now on to the next one

terrific

Compelling, filled with interesting characters, glimpses of real history, and a plot both engaging and surprising. You’ll find this a pleasure.

Great adventure that kept me flipping the pages with interest across numerous characters and their fate. True to the historical era and told with pace and care.

Enjoyable read, I liked the main characters and enjoy the historical fiction aspect.

couldn’t stop reading

I was angry when the story stoped because it didn’t end. I need to know what happened. Where is the next book?

Great adventure

Kept me reading and the history background was fascinating. This the third book of this series I have read and enjoyed them all.

Enjoyable great adventure, only down side for me was that it could have done with a few more pages to finish things off nicely.

can’t put down book

Great historical novel as usual from Colin Falconer. Well researched and full of plot twists covering much of the world from the Roman Empire to china.

Despite a wtf climax this novel is remarkable. 5⭐️

great story

Falconer is a great story teller and this is a fantastic story. I really enjoyed reading this book recommend you read it also.