This is a new author and new series to me, and I was not sorry for the introduction. The story really gripped, and although it was extremely heavy on ancient superstitions and religions, these were worked into the plot seamlessly and there was no sense of pedagogy or instruction. The author struck just the right note. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read - down-to-earth and utterly realistic. I do believe Drake veered off a little when he gave Ikaros's love interest a fleeting yet completely inexplicable tantrum when he offered to buy her to keep her from being sold to a brothel,. "Buy me like a thing" she stated. Er, yeah, if it keeps you from being traded as a prostitute and ultimately allows you finally be with the man you love.. Apart from this unnecessary display of female irrationality, the characters were well-fleshed and solid, as was the story. I shall definitely be seeking out the other books in the series.

Gripping, entertaining, and well plotted. The first book I read in this serie but i want to read the rest.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

John Drake has once again written a story that will capture your attention and make you curious about the time of Roman Britain.
We meet Ikaros of Apollonis, a Greek slave in absence of the Emperor living in the home of Morganus Fortis Victrix, First Javelin, Hero of the Roman Army, Father of the Legion and Chief Priest of the Legion in Londinium. Ikaros is a highly intelligent man who is both a surgeon and an engineer as well as a noted military man in the Greek army until he was captured by the Roman Empire. He is also empathetic and clever. He is said to have the ability to read minds and is widely feared and admired by those in high places and low where superstitions abound.
Morganus along with Ikaros are called upon to look into some disturbing instances of the occult and acts of violence as practiced by the local Druids. This leads to many mysteries, danger to Ikaros and those he loves, a lot of politics and scheming among the Roman elite and the Druidic circles and clever negotiations with the Druids and Roman politicians that may spell the end of Roman rule or save it.
If you like a good mystery with a hearty dash of historical lessons that include Celtic Britain and the Roman Empire; you're gonna love this one!

Kept you wanting to know what happened next. Story heat to the point never losing interest. Can’t wait until the next book.

This is the third book in the Londinium series, having read the previous two entries I was excited to jump back into Rome with Ikaros of Apollonis.

In this installment we get to tag along as Ikaros attempts to solve a murder while navigating the tensions and hostilities between the Celts and the occupying Romans, and attempting to keep himself and those he loves safe.

As usual John Drake has done a fantastic job of transporting the reader into the story's setting, in this case Roman Britain, this book is packed with detail, mystery, intrigue and suspense.

A fantastic continuation of the Londinium books.