War Lord: Scourge of Rome by Adam Lofthouse
Series: Enemy of the Empire #3
Genres: Historical Fiction
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 received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
This is the third and final installment in Adam Lofthouse’s series, and though it’s the only one I’ve read so far, I was hooked from the very first page. The book throws you straight into the action—no time wasted on gentle introductions—and somehow that works perfectly for Alaric, the lovable troublemaker at the heart of it all.
Alaric is, without question, one of the most entertaining protagonists I’ve come across in historical fiction. He’s brash, impulsive, endlessly self-deprecating, and yet impossible not to love. Even as he grumbles about being “too old for this,” he dives headlong into one misadventure after another, determined to fix everyone else’s problems—though he’d never admit that’s what he’s doing.
Adam Lofthouse has a knack for balancing high-octane adventure with genuine emotional weight. Beneath all the daring escapades and razor-sharp banter lies a story about purpose, aging, loyalty, and the cost of living a life on the edge. The flashbacks to Alaric’s past add a surprising layer of poignancy, showing us how moments of loss and regret shaped the man we see now. It gives him a depth that makes his wild streaks and reckless decisions feel all the more human.
The pacing is relentless—in the best possible way. From fierce battles and political intrigue to quieter, more reflective moments, the story never loses momentum. The author’s world-building is vivid without being overwhelming; you can feel the grit of the frontier, the tension of clashing tribes, and the fading shadow of Rome’s influence.
Lofthouse’s writing style is as bold as his hero—crisp, confident, and utterly absorbing. Even though I hadn’t read the previous books, I had no trouble following along or caring deeply about the characters. In fact, I now plan to go back and start from the beginning just to experience Alaric’s full journey.
This is a fantastic conclusion to what I imagine has been a thrilling series—one that balances sword-swinging adventure with emotional resonance. Alaric may be a “bad egg,” but he’s one you can’t help but root for until the very last page.
Meet the Author
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.
Leave a Reply