Almost a year ago, I read the first book in the Casca series
by Barry Sadler and really enjoyed it. I didn’t mean for so much time to go by
before I got back to the series, but that’s the way it happened. I’ve finally
read the second book, GOD OF DEATH, which picks up the story of Casca Rufio Longinus,
former Roman soldier who was present at the Crucifixion and was cursed with
immortality because of it. Wounds or illness that would kill a normal man can’t
claim him, and he’s doomed to wander the world, always making his way as a
mercenary soldier.
As in the first book, this one opens with a framing sequence in which Casca talks to the sympathetic doctor who discovered his secret. The story begins some 250 years after Casca is cursed. He falls in with a group of Vikings and becomes their leader (because nobody is a better fighter than Casca, of course), but eventually he tires of this and decides to sail off with some of his Viking friends and seek adventure. Where do they wind up? In what’s now Mexico, where he’s taken prisoner by Teotec warriors and brought to their capital city. Casca is surprised to find such a huge civilization in this land that was previously unknown to him, and even more surprised when he figures out that they intend to sacrifice him, to rip his still beating heart out of his chest on an altar atop one of their mighty pyramids. Casca doesn’t care for this idea, naturally, so he decides the best way to stop it is to convince his captors that he’s the living embodiment of their god of death.
From what I gather, long-time fans of the series have a mixed reaction to this book. Some consider it a favorite while others didn’t care for it. While I think it’s worth reading, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the first book. Especially in its first half, GOD OF DEATH is slower paced and the plot just sort of meanders around. Sadler summarizes the action more than describes it, tossing away in a few paragraphs storylines that might have made compelling novels in their own right. The series just seems a little tired already.
However, the second half is much stronger, once the action shifts to the Teotec empire. The action is still rather skimpy until the last forty pages or so, but once things start to pop, it’s great. Sadler provides some big battle scenes that are excellent. The whole thing is over the top, but in a good way, and then to wrap things up, he hits some of the same melancholy notes that were so effective in the first book.
So while GOD OF DEATH may be a bit of a sophomore slump for the Casca series, it’s still not bad if you stick with it, and I’m glad I did. With any luck, it won’t be another year before I get around to reading the third book.
As in the first book, this one opens with a framing sequence in which Casca talks to the sympathetic doctor who discovered his secret. The story begins some 250 years after Casca is cursed. He falls in with a group of Vikings and becomes their leader (because nobody is a better fighter than Casca, of course), but eventually he tires of this and decides to sail off with some of his Viking friends and seek adventure. Where do they wind up? In what’s now Mexico, where he’s taken prisoner by Teotec warriors and brought to their capital city. Casca is surprised to find such a huge civilization in this land that was previously unknown to him, and even more surprised when he figures out that they intend to sacrifice him, to rip his still beating heart out of his chest on an altar atop one of their mighty pyramids. Casca doesn’t care for this idea, naturally, so he decides the best way to stop it is to convince his captors that he’s the living embodiment of their god of death.
From what I gather, long-time fans of the series have a mixed reaction to this book. Some consider it a favorite while others didn’t care for it. While I think it’s worth reading, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the first book. Especially in its first half, GOD OF DEATH is slower paced and the plot just sort of meanders around. Sadler summarizes the action more than describes it, tossing away in a few paragraphs storylines that might have made compelling novels in their own right. The series just seems a little tired already.
However, the second half is much stronger, once the action shifts to the Teotec empire. The action is still rather skimpy until the last forty pages or so, but once things start to pop, it’s great. Sadler provides some big battle scenes that are excellent. The whole thing is over the top, but in a good way, and then to wrap things up, he hits some of the same melancholy notes that were so effective in the first book.
So while GOD OF DEATH may be a bit of a sophomore slump for the Casca series, it’s still not bad if you stick with it, and I’m glad I did. With any luck, it won’t be another year before I get around to reading the third book.
7 comments:
James, I loved the first book but I had the same problems you did with this one. So much so that I couldn't finish it. Like you said, summarized action and meandering plot. I gave it up but since you say it gets better in the second half I'll give it another try. I hope the others in the series are better than this weak effort.
Peter Brandvold. I'd suggest not giving Casca #2 a second try unless it's just to read the last fifty pages. It's a big hiccup in an otherwise mostly terrific series. The beauty of Casca is you can pretty much pick any book in the first dozen and a half and jump right in. Puck whatever battle area appeals to you historically and go for it. Sadler is an unsung (no pun intended...Well, maybe I did intend a pun for those in the know) in a the wider reading world, but I'd pick him over any of the current thd thriller writers every time...
For anyone interested in this series, I'd suggest skipping Casca #2 unless it's just to read the first twenty-five and the last fifty pages. It's a big hiccup in an otherwise mostly terrific series. The beauty of Casca is you can pretty much pick any book in the first dozen and a half and jump right in. Choose whatever battle arena appeals to you historically and go for it. Sadler is an unsung (no pun intended...Well, maybe I did intend a pun for those in the know) in the wider reading world, but I'd pick him over any of the crop of current thriller writers every time...
Pete, I agree with Paul. Read the last fifty pages and move on to the other books.
Thanks, fellas. Much appreciated. I will do just that.
James, have you read Ballad of the Green Beret: The Life and Wars of Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler? A great read.
No, I haven't read that, Jeff, but after several recommendations, including yours, I've just ordered a copy. Thanks!
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