The Trumpets of Mars

The second book in the Imperium series by Travis Starnes was better than the first. This time we find Ky preparing the Romans for the larger invasion force sent by the Carthaginians. He must also contend with some traitors in the Senate, oh and his AI is becoming sentient, and is trying to merge with his nervous system, which will most likely kill him. Or make him a vegetable. 

Some spoilers from here on out…

I love how Starnes is developing Ky and Lucilla. It was obviously they would fall in love, awwwweeee. But I like how it plays out. Lucilla just being like “well you are Consul and I am the Emperor’s daughter, it just makes sense that we get married.” A reminder that political marriages would have been the norm in this society, them loving each other would just be an added bonus. 

My favorite part of the book has been Lucilla becoming a respected figure to the Caledonians. When she wrestles the chief’s nephew (I have no idea how to spell some of these names), and earns their grudging respect, but then after she out drinks them, that is fantastic. Turns out Ky gave her some of his nano-bots (actually his AI did that). 

Another cool part is when he goes into battle with the Caledonians, and his AI reboots (Sophus–is what Lucilla names his AI). Sophus figures out how to make them not overly integrated (something that causes other people to go mad in Ky’s time), but it causes Ky to completely shutdown. He is attacked, and almost dies. His nano-bots are able to heal him, but he is down for a few days. The other downside is that his flight suit is damaged, which means he no longer has a protective shield.

Okay, so I have a theory for down the road. I think Carthage won the Punic War because something caused the tribes to start attacking earlier than they did in our history. It meant they were weaker when they fought against Carthage. Sophus says that it is unknown what caused the change. I think it was the first test pilot they sent through the wormhole, but died. Instead, I think he also goes back in time as well, but a few hundred years before Ky. Whatever he did caused the tribes to migrate earlier (this soldier would not have his AI updated like Ky did).

My initial theory was that the Emperor of Carthage would turn out to be a soldier from Ky’s cohort, but after a few hundred years, would be absolutely crazy from his AI merging. But now, I have a different theory. Ky will eventually find the ship of that pilot (and a new flight suit), and Sophus will figure out that they could return to his time. But, he will have to make a choice, go back to his time, OR stay here with Lucilla. I look forward to seeing if I am right.