Book Review: War Lord: Scourge of Rome by Adam Lofthouse

It’s a pleasure to welcome Adam Lofthouse back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book, War Lord: Scourge of Rome.

And so we have reached the end of my tale. But what are endings if not new beginnings?

Alaric has been home for a year. He went north and saved the Cimbri, just as he said he would. But the cost has been higher than he ever thought. A shadow of the War Lord he once was, he now trades in amber and dotes on his children.

A simple life. And with it, contentment. But he knew this couldn’t last forever; peace isn’t for someone like him, and sure enough trouble finds him once again. A routine journey south turns into a new and unknown wave of danger as red-cloaked legionaries attack, causing confusion and carnage.

Warriors dressed as Romans have been scouring the country, slaughtering innocent people, and leaving Roman footprints wherever they march. But things are not what they seem, and it falls to Alaric to don his armour once more, and march his Ravensworn in pursuit of a mysterious enemy that could destabilise his world beyond repair.

*****

I have said it before, and no doubt I will say it again; Adam Lofthouse’s love of Roman history really shines through in the way he writes these books.

The characters really pop from the page and it was a real pleasure to see how the protagonist has grown over the course of the series. He has gone from a headstrong young warrior to a headstrong old warrior but his experiences have given him a real depth.

Scourge of Rome picks up some time after the end of the last book and Alaric has been giving peace a chance. The problem is that at heart, he is not a peaceful man. There is a threat rising in the far east, pushing problems before it as it travels west, causing perviously separate peoples to come into conflict with each other. Quick to anger and slow to forgive, this instillment sees Alaric in a position to reek some revenge on those who have wronged him but will he be able to or will he have to work with those he has learned to hate? This is something I hope you find out for yourselves.

War Lord: Scourge of Rome is a strong third instalment of what is a brilliant series. I recommend it.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.)

About Adam Lofthouse –

Adam has for many years held a passion for the ancient world. As a teenager he picked up Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden, and has been obsessed with all things Rome ever since.

After ten years of immersing himself in stories of the Roman world, he decided to have a go at writing one for himself.

He lives in Kent, UK.

Say hello to Adam via Facebook, X, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to his newsletter. 

War Lord: Scourge of Rome is book three in the Enemy of the Empire series and was released by Boldwood Books on 20th October 2025. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

by

Chris Parish