Max, an experienced enforcer, is convinced the death of his enforcer parents, who were investigating electoral fraud on their dystopian planet, is linked to the crippling of his brother, who was looking into financial fraud at the highest levels of government years later. Little did Max know that the truth would rock his world and that of his best friend, Simo.
As the inhabitants of Zephyrion prepare to evacuate their collapsing planet, Max pursues a corrupt global government official. The chase sees him and his team of enforcers coming to Earth in 45 BC Rome, just as Julius Caesar is about to be appointed dictator perpetuo.
How will Max, Simo, and the team of enforcers cope with going from a futuristic, technology-filled world to Ancient Rome? With no modern weapons, transport, or communication technology, the task ahead of them looks insurmountable. While the price they will have to pay to track down the corrupt and murderous official may cost lives.
This is the second book in the Max Janus series, and although it follows on from Max and The Hidden Visitor, it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Out of the two books, this one was my favourite, only because I already knew who Max was, how their world works and all the patterns that shaped him. I was able to fully immerse myself in this book, the same as the first. The stark difference between this and the first is we find out more of Max's personal life, his partner and his family, which was barely explored in the first book due to it being an introductory novel. The opening was one of my favourite parts. It began as a first-person type diary which I loved, it felt like Max was talking to himself and letting the reader inside his head. The setting of Zephyrion is futuristic, with 'credits' replacing money and an AI system robot-type thing called Cogi monitoring every conversation punishing anyone who says something "out of line." It creates an unsettling sense of control that looms over the entire story, with only the higher government officials being able to shut of Cogi with a passcode for an hour.
Once again, the characters are incredibly well written. We learn deeply about Max's partner Lin. (fair warning- you will grow to absolutely hate her with every fibre of your being.) and we are introduced more fully to Zym. Max's brother, Zym was hands down my favourite character. He strongly reminded me of Sam Vimes from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. He was funny, and completley his own person without giving a single toss. The story focuses mainly on the downfall of Zephyrion and the revelation that the planet's so-called leaders are actually tyrants who have been deceiving everyone. They are rushing to complete the Exodus Machine to send their population to other planets, but they are hiding horrifying secrets. The twists and turns are genuinely shocking and often left me open-mouthed. Dean portrayed an amazing atmosphere of Zephyrion in its final days, the desperation, fear and urgency to escape before it's too late. As the story unfolds, Max chases a corrupt government official in attempt to uncover the truth behind his parent's murder. The pursuit throws Max and others from their high-tech futuristic world into Ancient Rome during the rise of Julius Caesar. Watching the characters struggle to adapt to a world without modern technology is gripping and often heart-breaking, the novel although serious at times is slightly emotional, there are some very tense scenes. What truly stood out to me was the depth of the historical detail in the Roman sections and how they clash with the mindset Max brings with him. Roman life, the language, customs, violence and brutal sense of honour felt incredibly authentic. One scene captures the brutality perfectly:
"Nooooo," Max screamed, running towards Jeric's dead body, Titus bent and picked up his sword. "That'll teach him to mess with a gladiator."
Death is sudden and almost casual. The contrast is heightened by moments where the futuristic world they are used to collides directly with the ancient world, such as when Max explains to his host Gaius:
"Because the better things are, the more people want. As for our amazing technology, it enabled us to escape out planet which is on the brink of collapsing. We came to your planet to capture Zeyrn. He was trying to overthrow our government and become the regent supreme, the leader of the whole planet."
Hearing concepts like this and the political power spoken aloud in Ancient Rome only reinforces how out of place and vulnerable the characters truly are.
Despite some of the dark themes, the book, as the first one is also full of sarcastic tones from Max, and also some side characters which helps balance the tension. One moment that stood out to me was when Max survives something dangerous.
"Max hit the tarpaulin and felt it give under him, but thankfully there was no thud. "Can we not do this again?" Max laughed as they lowered him on the floor. Lin ran over and threw her arms around him. "Max, you made it!" "Well, I considered the options and decided this was the best choice," Max replied.
These lighter moments add warmth and remind me why Max is such a likeable protagonist.
Balanced review as always. however there is literally nothing to mention that can be improved, there was only the typical odd typo which is what you always get even in trad books. Dean must have done an enormous amount of research to portray both a futuristic setting and historical setting so convincingly. The atmosphere is vivid and immersive all the way through, it felt as though I was inside the book myself, caught between a dying future and a brutal past. I cannot wait for Book Three because if it's any good as the last two I have read, I can't wait. Overall, I'd be very disappointed in each and every one of you who reads this and does not purchase this series. Do the right thing, you will not regret it.
To buy this book and book one:
https://amzn.to/4syCqfl
To follow the author:
x.com/deanpb_author
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