Rubicon
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The die shall soon be cast, but only The Fates know how it will land...
On a crisp afternoon in November of 50 BC, one person stood out in the crowded Forum of Rome as Titus and his cousin, Marcus, walked toward the Shrine of Abeona so they could sacrifice for a safe journey to Mutina in Cisalpine Gaul. She was a tall woman with green eyes and flowing red hair, wearing robes of emerald. She said she had a warning from The Fates. “Pray, take heed, for my words are truth. The waters you have known will soon be rough, and waves shall reach far from the disturbance that causes them...”
Was this warning related to the mysterious message delivered by Roman Army couriers that morning to Titus’ father, a Roman Senator and general, from his uncle, Gaius Julius Caesar? Or was it related to the rumblings in the Senate about a developing factional war with Uncle Gaius?
While Marcus may believe in the gods, Titus is torn. He is unsure of the Red-Haired Woman and her warning. That is until the bodies of the army couriers who had delivered Uncle Gaius’ message are found in a shallow grave, forcing him to reconsider.
Along the banks of the Rubicon, Titus learns what the Fates have in store for him and how an act of kindness to the attractive young slave, Benjamin, will change his life and Benjamin’s forever.
There is a moment when the die is cast but before it lands, where one cannot go back, and the future is yet to be determined; where the merest touch, the blink of an eye or a single breath will decide the future.
It is in that single moment where the fate of the world rests.
Embark on an enthralling journey with Rubicon, a captivating tale of young men navigating the historic backdrop of Julius Caesar’s fateful crossing of the Rubicon River. Amidst tragedy, love, friendship, and a compelling m/m romance unfold. This story is a thrilling blend of murder, political intrigue, deception, mysticism, revenge, and justice.
Praise for this book
Rubicon is a gripping historical adventure with a very romantic MM sub-plot as a bonus. If you’ve ever wondered where the expression “crossing the Rubicon” came from, Rubicon will fill you in. This story is packed with action, intrigue and drama, but it's also a moving coming of age narrative that deals sensitively with young love, from boyhood friendships to lifelong partnerships. Watching the lead character grow from a naïve boy to a young leader facing adult realities and taking responsibility for those he cares about makes this an especially satisfying read.
In the vein of The Song of Achilles and The Persian Boy, Rubicon navigates the intersection between myth, legend and human history. It explores ancient questions around religion, politics and fate in a way that resonates with contemporary life. An impressive debut from Alex Lawrence.
I was lucky enough to get a pre-release copy of "Rubicon" and I have to say, it completely captivated me from start to finish. The story is set against the backdrop of the late Roman Republic and revolves around the pivotal event of Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon River. However, what really drew me in was the 'coming of age' journey of the main character, Titus, who is a great nephew of Julius Caesar.
Titus starts off as a somewhat naive young man with grand aspirations of impressing his great-uncle and serving in the Army of Rome. But as the story unfolds, he is confronted with various challenges and tragedies that force him to mature quickly, making his journey one that I could deeply empathize with.
The introduction of the young slave, Benjamin, added an intriguing layer to the story. Titus's kindness towards Benjamin and the positive impact it has on his life made for a heartwarming and compelling story.
However, the most enigmatic character for me was the "Red-Haired Woman;" described as "a tall woman with long red hair, in an emerald robe." Her appearances and interactions with the main characters left me questioning her reality, adding a captivating element of mystery to the narrative.
What I found particularly well done, was the author's portrayal of male-male relationships in ancient Rome. The delicate handling of these relationships added depth to the story without overly explicit descriptions, allowing the reader's imagination to fill in the details.
Overall, I was fully immersed in the world of "Rubicon." The vivid descriptions of Rome and the engaging interactions between the characters made me laugh, cry, and always anticipate what would happen next. I simply couldn't put the book down. I am already looking forward to the next book!
I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and this author’s novel ranks highly with others I have read by more well known authors. I cannot wait for his next book to come out.