Enjoyable tale - Rated 
In this tale the author creates a very normal hero filled with doubts and anxieties which thankfully are answered as the story progresses. If you have ever doubted what the love of a good woman could do you won't after this Eskkar-the hero-is given an intelligent woman as a slave and she does things for him that any man would be grateful for. My only doubts were that a fiercely proud barbarian might not be so ready to take everything a fourteen year old female slave told him quite so readily. I would also have preferred one interesting sequence about their bedroom habits instead of every time they got together.Other than that it was a page turner with good description, countless conflicts and much interplay between the characters. It kept my interest and I would just like to add that I don't read historical fiction to discover fact, that's why it's called fiction.I only judge the read and I will read this author again.
Great book - Rated 
A fast paced entertaining book bringing to life a period of history not written about enough. A good start to a promising series, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books by Bernard Cornwell or Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
Good solid debut, not great. - Rated 
*Minor Spoilers*
I liked this book, easy on the brain during my exam period when I need a break from reading books on International Political Theory, and thought the plot was interesting, something new that I had never encountered so far. Very much action orientated, this kept a quick pace for the majority of the book which ws god for the whole plot line. Also characters like Gatus and Jalen were very good (but it was a shame they weren't developed more). I found this an interesting period to read about and will read the next one when it's out in traditional paperback (not the half hardback-halk paperback type).
There were certain bits that I did not like however. Some of the characters like Eskkar and Thutmose-sin seemed to be a bit one dimensional (either a Hero or a Villain), also I could not stand the character of Trella who seemed too wise for her age, no matter what her training apparantly was. I found the sex scenes to be boring and pointless, yes they love each other but I don't need to be reminded everything 10 pages! (a bit of an exaggeration but it felt that way) and occassionally the violence grew weary, it may have been better if a few internal villains had lived for the next novel. Also the ending battle secene seemed over too fast.
If you want a good piece of escapist historical fiction thats easy on the brain then read this and you wont be let down. 3/5
A great plot with many flaws - Rated
At 500 pages long `Dawn of Empire' needed to be fast-paced and action-packed, and in all fairness it is - it's a gripping plot told in an entertaining way. The simple story concerns a village called `Orak' which decides it is going to attempt to defend itself against the marauding `Alur Mauriki' barbarians. The plot centres on the preparations for the assault, and the battle itself.
First problem is the gratuitous sex that occurs every 10 - 15 pages between the main character (Eskkar) and his 14 year old his slave / lover - the constant sex scenes soon become irritating! In addition this girl turns out to be something of genius, making the other character seem like lumbering incompetents. She eventually becomes insufferable and one ends up hoping the invaders will lop off her head.
Next is the vast array of historical inaccuracies. The book is littered with these bloopers and appears poorly researched. Although many readers won't really care or notice this, it remains a fact that the book doesn't stand up to the slightest historical scrutiny.
Barone also ignores simple practical problems. Eskkar manages to organise the defence of the village and seems to have unlimited money at his disposal in order to do so. Orak gains materials from neighbouring villages, but in a war situation trade becomes very difficult and expensive between communities and will not flourish as Barone suggests.
This is a highly flawed book, but it is an entertaining and original story and is worth a light hearted read. At a stretch it is probably worth the fiver amazon is charging. 'Dawn of Empire' is the first part of a trilogy and im looking forward to the next instalment, hoping Barone has matured as an author.
Cracking Yarn - Rated
Great story set in a fascinating period of history. The author has researched the founding of Babylon, and In my opinion he brings the people, their ways and their struggles, to life in an engaging manner. It rekindled my interest in the period.
I normally pass on books I enjoy to my brother, instead I kept Dawn of Empire and read it again. I have to say I'm looking forward Sam Barone's next books.
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