Barbarians at the Gates

Another great story from MR. Nuttall. I have become a fan of his story telling as it grabs my attention and imagination. The depth of character development and story leaves me wanting the next installment.

Great characters, interesting plot with nice surprises along the way. Full of tactics and believable in depth characters that you want to see and learn more about. Really looking forward to the next installment.

Fast paced space epic with many well executed space battles. C. Nuttall paints a great picture of what happens when a government becomes old, complacent and overreaching. My one knock is that I wanted a bit more character development. The main cast was a bit thin, but ultimately the battle scenes were a lot of fun.

I like him.....Fun read...Fun worlds....great SF situations. Would recommend him to any. It's to the point where I can't wait until his next. The fact that he is much younger than I means I will be reading him for a very long time

Excellent story telling, so far have not been disappointed with any of Christopher's books, Finished the Ark Royal trilogy prior to reading this book. I generally have a hard time rating books as excellent, however making an exception in this case.

Mr. Nuttall has delivered a serious book once again. Personally, I'm a sucker for great military sci fi and this is one of the best series (I hope!) openers I've read this year. Solid characters, great development. An all too easy to relate to premise and suddenly it's 3 days later, my wife is ticked off and Labor Day weekend is when I read "Barbarians at the gate" ! Seriously impressive space opera. If you enjoy Ringo or Corriea, please a take a look, this is another serious author that can wrap you into their world and tell you a real story. And if you are at all like me, take the time to read the afterward. If the measure of genius is how much someone agrees with you, Mr. Nuttall is pretty damned smart. Thank you for the book sir, I can't wait for the sequel.

Christopher never disappoints me, he has a very good understanding of the situation and humanity in general. What he describes has happened before and it is still happening. Complete control in the hands of the few...oligarchs. What is good also, he is not afraid of stating why he writes and his views.

Christopher never disappoints me, he has a very good understanding of the situation and humanity in general. What he describes has happened before and it is still happening. Complete control in the hands of the few...oligarchs. What is good also, he is not afraid of stating why he writes and his views.

At some point during the novel,one begins to wonder if the reader is in the midst of science fiction, Caesar, or Churchill. The novel also suggests the conclusion that the author would really hope, in future works, to fill in some few events in the expansive history of the universe that has been brought to life. While the historical and political aspects help create a multi-dimensional story, with a deeper background than one usually finds, the detail and social interplay can distract from the primary plot lines. That said, there is more to see and experience, and more adventures to be experienced in this socio-historical science fiction enterprise.

At the same time, one departs this journey with a sense that, as with other authors, Mr. Nuttall has found the perfect solution for a protagonist. Reminiscent of Julius Caesar, it is tempting to summarize as "Veni, vidi, vici"....

I'm disappointed. Some sentences are ( I admit that I did not check it) seemed to be exactly the Sam as in another Nuttall's book "Ark Royal". The whole book seems to to be written in very similar way. The sentences "he could not disagree" are really a nails in a coffin. If you read this do not read "Ark Royal" and other way around. Story is little different but writing is not. However I did gave it four stars because of the afterword. If you have the book please read it. There are some, not all very interesting thoughts and observations there. I found myself agreeing with author or making I'm many cases similar observations.

Really disappointing, a weak wrap up to a fairly weak and predictable series. Even thought I was desperate for something light. Worst of all, for fiction the slightly fascist tone is not too troubling (thought lip service is given to the “bad” uses of militaristic mentality by several of the secondary characters intended as foils. Put the lecture and political options that display an almost fascist outlook as he gives incorrect analysis of recent political decisions is not only inappropriate for Science fiction aimed at young readers, it shows he thinks that the over simplified Good-Evil of the characters reflect reality! Life nor people are that simple.

The first problem I had with this book, and probably the series, was that from the title I could tell the intention was a retelling of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. A retelling is always hard, because you’re caught between being faithful to the original–which this one was, to a great degree–and coming off as predictable, or taking leaps of artistic imagination, in which readers will complain that the story is nothing like the original. In this case, faithfulness and predictability was an issue for me.

The second issue, which may be tied to the first, is that I never felt like the two main characters were in any danger at all. One is a lieutenant who quickly becomes captain of a ship, the other is an admiral. They were in danger, theoretically speaking, but you never really feel afraid for them. They always seem to have things in control, perhaps more superior in intellect and military skill than everyone around them. And that’s a big issue for me. You have to put them in danger so that you have a story. I just didn’t see it.