Pirata: Sea of Blood

by Simon Scarrow Book 4 in the Pirata series.

First published 2019

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The Adriatic, AD 25. Conflict among pirate factions develops into open violence while the Roman fleet closes the space in which they can operate. Telemachus faces a succession of choices between loyalty to individual companions and the survival of the wider crew. Raids, pursuit and revenge turn the sea into a battlefield, pushing him towards the command role he once lacked the experience to imagine.

The shrinking freedom of the pirate crews changes Telemachus's problem from simple survival to leadership under pressure. Roman patrols make every harbour less secure, while feuds among the pirates consume resources they need against a common enemy. His choices increasingly affect whole crews, forcing him to consider whether loyalty to individuals can be reconciled with responsibility for a larger group.