Item: The Path of Chaos
Author: Gina

The Path of Chaos by Tom Hawar | Book Review ~ Author Guest Post ~ $10 Gift Card Available | #Dystopian #AlternateHistory #Thriller #RomanEmpire @GoddessFish @HawardTom

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

The Path of Chaos by Tom Hawar | Book Review ~ Author Guest Post ~ $10 Gift Card Available | #Dystopian #AlternateHistory #Thriller #RomanEmpire @GoddessFish @HawardTom

The Path of Chaos by Tom Haward
Published by Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC on 08/01/2023
Genres: Alternate History, Fiction, Dystopian
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 322

It is the year 2030, and the Roman Empire never fell. Emperor Nero II rules half the world, but half the world is not enough for the unpredictable Emperor.

Britannia is a Roman outpost. London Bridge is lined with crucified bodies. The streets are patrolled by soldiers in high-speed, horseless chariots. Nero views Britannia as a vital but fractious asset for his planned invasion of the Republic of Indigenous America.

Boatman King was born out of rage. A rage that propels him to try and destroy the Empire. He’s not alone: he leads clandestine rebels fighting to drive the Empire from Britannia. These rebels are his weapon, which he hopes will obliterate Nero and the entire Empire.

Rebellion, though, comes at a steep price. Olivia, Boatman’s wife, is caught and crucified on London Bridge by Nero’s son, Maximus, who is intent on flushing Boatman from hiding.

Instead, Maximus draws Maverick ‘The Beast’ Kirabo, Boatman’s fearsome second-in-command, a champion gladiator who now fights for Rome’s dismay, not their entertainment.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

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Excerpt from The Path of Chaos

The general consensus among many Brits was that although they didn’t like Roman rule, they guessed it was better to brush themselves off and make the best of a bad situation. After all, as long as they were still allowed to have a pint or two after work then who cared whether it was a corrupt politician or Roman emperor calling the shots?

With this in mind, Nero eased off the terror to a degree. Yes, he still crucified people on the streets because it was easier than worrying about trials, but he found the British were quite happy to plod along without trying to make too much fuss. This made him happy as he didn’t have to spend too much time or energy on thinking about Britannia.

Everything had changed though. Everything had changed when Boatman stepped into the limelight. Boatman challenged the status quo and inspired rebellion. He was the catalyst of a very un-British uprising against a very ruthless and terrifying emperor. Nero II obliterated anyone who even dared speak against him. He despised criticism and found it offensive that someone would ever see his rule as anything but majestic.

Augustus had warned Nero that to try to obliterate Boatman was futile. He needed to reach out to the rebel leader. Nero dismissed his father’s advice as the ramblings of a dying man. The only way to live was to respect the authority of the emperor. To criticize was a sin.

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for The Path of Chaos

Amazon – OneLink for every country

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My thoughts on The Path of Chaos

“The Path of Chaos” by Tom Haward takes readers on a gripping journey through a dystopian alternate history where the Roman Empire never fell, and Emperor Nero II’s rule knows no bounds. With content warnings for gore, rape, crucifixion, graphic violence, and dog death, the book may not be for the faint of heart. However, the author expertly balances these dark themes with humor, exceptional character development, and a captivating storyline.

Set in the year 2030, Britannia serves as a crucial outpost for Emperor Nero II’s ambitious plans to invade the Republic of Indigenous America. The streets of London Bridge are adorned with crucified bodies, and the iron grip of the Empire is relentless. But there is hope in the form of Boatman King, a fierce and enraged soul determined to bring down the Empire at any cost.

Boatman leads a clandestine group of rebels, fighting covertly to liberate Britannia from the Empire’s clutches. The character development in this book is exceptional, with Boatman portrayed as a figure fueled by rage and a relentless desire for vengeance. The author delves deep into Boatman’s motivations, making him a compelling and relatable protagonist despite his dark path.

However, rebellion comes with a steep price, and tragedy strikes when Boatman’s wife, Olivia, falls victim to Nero’s sadistic son, Maximus, who crucifies her to lure Boatman out of hiding. This heartbreaking event sets the stage for a heart-pounding showdown between Boatman and his formidable second-in-command, Maverick ‘The Beast’ Kirabo, a former champion gladiator now fighting against Rome’s tyranny.

The novel’s ability to address such grim themes while still infusing moments of humor is commendable. This counterbalance makes the story more accessible and provides relief from the relentless tension, allowing readers to engage with the narrative more deeply.

Tom Haward weaves an intriguing storyline, reimagining history with creativity and skill. The concept of an ongoing Roman Empire in the 21st century is captivating, and the author’s attention to detail brings this alternate reality to life. The world-building is top-notch, immersing readers in a dark and chaotic version of history that keeps them turning the pages.

In conclusion, “The Path of Chaos” is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending historical speculation with dystopian fiction. Tom Haward skillfully navigates a challenging narrative, tackling grim subjects while maintaining an engaging and humorous storytelling style. Readers who appreciate thought-provoking alternate histories with strong character development will find this book a compelling read. However, it is essential to be aware of the content warnings before embarking on this intense and action-packed journey.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!

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About Tom Haward

Tom Haward was born in Essex, and at four months old, he and his identical twin were adopted into an oyster farming family. Tom now runs the business as generation eight of Haward oyster farmers. He has a fiancée, a baby daughter, and a cockapoo.

Tom has an MA in Creative Writing and has loved telling stories since he was a child, whether verbally or through prose.

The Path of Chaos is his debut novel. He is also working on a six-episode comedy screenplay and tweets passionately about his family’s industry and the challenges it faces.

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Guest Post

Writing This Book Has Taught Me…

Eight years ago, I was severely unwell with depression, so much so that I nearly lost my life because of it. At the time, I considered myself a failure. One area of my life I felt I was a failure was as a writer. If I were to write about myself at the time, it would have been a lonely man, sitting in a bar, scribbling in a notebook, tipsy on wine, and sad that I had never been published. I had tried for years to get a novel published, but rejection letter after rejection letter made me think it wasn’t worth trying anymore.

As I started to recover from my illness, I vowed that I would change that view of myself as a ‘failed writer’ and be proud of my achievements. I wanted to see my novel in print and on the shelves of bookstores. I knew that, to see that dream become reality, part of that was to keep honing my skills as a writer. I decided to apply to study a Masters in Creative Writing because it was something I had always wanted to do and also because I knew it would help me become a more accomplished writer. So I began The Path of Chaos whilst studying my degree.

Writing this book whilst studying my degree and receiving priceless feedback from incredible tutors taught me that writing is about something very personal, not just you, the writer, but it’s also about how can you give the reader the best possible access to the world you created? Sometimes, it’s important to make a sacrifice of what you want to write, to what you know will give the reader even greater pleasure and insight in the world you imagined. That has actually been one of the most enjoyable things about writing The Path of Chaos, imagining what readers will think during certain chapters and hoping they get the joy I intended for them.

Writing this book has also taught me that to complete a novel alone is an accomplishment to be proud of and I’ll never think of myself as a failure again.

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Purchase The Path of Chaos online from a local bookstore.

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Easy Amazon Info Link

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