The Parthian

Our Review:

If you're a fan of Bernard Cornwell's military historicals and wish someone would tell the Spartacus story from a fresh angle, this one's for you. Peter Darman takes us into the rebellion through the eyes of Pacorus, a Parthian prince who ends up fighting alongside the famous gladiator after being captured and enslaved. It's a clever premise that lets you experience familiar events from an outsider's perspective, and Darman clearly knows his ancient warfare inside and out.

The battle sequences are where this book really shines—there's a visceral energy to the cavalry charges and tactical maneuvering that feels grounded in real military understanding. Darman writes action with confidence and doesn't shy away from the brutality of the period. The pacing moves along briskly, almost relentlessly at times, which keeps things exciting but occasionally means the quieter character moments feel a bit rushed.

Fair warning: this is unabashedly a military adventure first, so if you're looking for deep political intrigue or complex inner lives, you might find it a little straightforward. But if you want to lose yourself in ancient warfare, feel the dust of Italian roads, and root for an underdog army against Rome's legions, Pacorus makes for excellent company. It's the kind of book that makes you immediately want to grab the sequel.