Ben Kane – författare

From six bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Kate Quinn, comes a vividly imagined novel following the lives of those in ancient Pompeii on the fateful day Mount Vesuvius erupts.

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and these are their stories:

A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets.

An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.

An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.

A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.

A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.

A priestess and a prostitute seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.

Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each other’s paths during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Text copyright 2023 by Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, Kate Quinn, Victoria Alvear, and Michelle Moran

From Sunday Times Bestselling author Ben Kane comes a collection of short stories:Sands of the ArenaCan a wet-behind-the-ears gladiator survive a bloody contest ordered by Emperor Caligula?The ShrineCenturion Tullus discovers that Fate will always hold him in her grip.The ArenaLegionary Piso''s much anticipated payday plays out very differently than he expected.Eagles in the EastCaught up in a bloody rebellion, Centurion Tullus battles to keep his men alive.Eagles in the WildernessBored with retirement, Centurion Tullus takes service with an amber merchant, voyaging to unknown, dangerous lands far beyond the empire.Hannibal: Good OmensHistory''s most famous general seeks the gods'' approval before his war with Rome.The MarchRomulus and Tarquinius travel to the ends of the earth, searching for their lost friend Brennus.

''A star of historical fiction'' WILBUR SMITH''One of our nation''s most ambitious and engaging writers'' MANDA SCOTT''Grabs you from the start and never lets you go'' HARRY SIDEBOTTOM''Exciting, immersive, and great fun'' GILES KRISTIANNeither men nor gods will stand in his way...On the east coast of Ireland thirteen-year old Finn finds the sword of a slain Norseman, and with Odin''s raven watching, is given the name Stormcrow. When Finn''s family is torn apart by a random act of violence, and the sword lost, he embarks on a quest for revenge with his oldest friend, the shaman Vekel.It is a path that will lead to the court of the High King of Ireland, Máel Sechnaill, and to the Norse city of Dyflin, ruled by Sigtrygg Silkbeard. Crewing on a longship, Stormcrow raids up and down the Irish coastline, seeking not just riches but vengeance for his murdered father. Against a backdrop of political alliances made and broken, battles won and lost, Stormcrow''s life as a Norse raider seems certain until he meets Sigtrygg''s new wife.In the eye of the storm, Stormcrow dices with death yet again.Only the gods know if he will survive.What readers are saying about Ben Kane:''Powerful evocation of our history'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''An engaging and exciting read'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Gripped me from start to finish'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Epic tales, gorgeous prose, non-stop action'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Rich in period detail and lively in narrative'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

''Highly recommend for anybody who loves Roman history, written by one of its true masters'' PETER GIBBONS''Epic in scope and intimate in historical detail'' MATTHEW HARFFY''Authentic, fast-paced and immersive'' CHRISTIAN CAMERON''A masterpiece of late Rome'' S.J.A. TURNEY''Historical settings and characters that leap into life straight off the page'' SCOTT MARIANI''A vivid page-turning epic'' ANNE O''BRIENFor an empress to rise, a city must fall...Rome, 410 ADHalf-sister to Emperor Honorius, unmarried and powerless, twenty-year-old Galla Placidia watches from the shadows as imperial policies are made and unmade. Her plans to gain power and influence are halted when the city is besieged and captured by a vast army led by Alaric the Visigoth. Taken hostage, travelling out of Italy, Galla Placidia falls in love and marries a barbarian king. At a time when Rome''s power is fast dwindling, its authority diminishing year upon year, she embarks on a dangerous and remarkable journey towards the imperial throne.But what price must a woman pay for power?This is the compelling story of a little-known, remarkable woman whose burning ambition saw her, against all odds, become empress of Rome.What your favourite authors have to say about Ben Kane:''A rip-roaring epic'' PAUL FINCH''A truly vibrant and gripping read'' HELENA GUMLEY-MASON''Historical fiction has never been more visceral'' JAMES ROLLINS''A tour de force on an epic scale'' DOUGLAS JACKSONReaders are loving Ben Kane:''Powerful evocation of our history'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''An engaging and exciting read'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Gripped me from start to finish'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Epic tales, gorgeous prose, non-stop action'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Rich in period detail and lively in narrative'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐