Clash of Eagles – Alan Smale

This was an interesting concept – a Roman Empire that never fell to the northern tribes, who eventually subjugated the Vikings, and was therefore able to use their ships to go to the New World in the 13th century. They send an army, but once there, it’s obliterated by the native population, leaving only the Praetor alive. He eventually throws in with the native Cahokian people against their Iroqua enemies.

The Cahokians do have one piece of technology that’s really cool, pretty much instantly earning them Marcellinus’ respect. I think my quibble with the story is that the Romans should have had some better technology available to them – they don’t seem very far advanced beyond what they had in the time that they fell in our real world.

Still, it’s an enjoyable story, and I’m interested to see where he takes it from here.