Empire in Twilight by Robert Bruton is the conclusion of the life of one of the Roman Empire’s greatest generals; Flavius Belisarius. Belisarius is a man of honor, deep convictions, and intensely loyal to the Roman Empire under Emperor Justinian. When Belisarius returns to Constantinople in 543 A.D., having been again victorious on the battlefield for his Emperor, he finds the city and the Eastern Roman Empire in a steep decline. The city has been beset by plague and the Emperor, stricken with the illness, is near death. When Belisarius refuses to swear allegiance to Empress Theodora, he is recalled to Constantinople to face charges of treason. Narrowly escaping execution for treason, Belisarius finds himself rotting in the hellhole of Constantinople’s dungeons. When Justinian recovers from the plague, he sends Belisarius on a mission to retake Italy and Rome from the barbarian forces that now rule there. With nowhere near enough men and few resources, the task is essentially a suicide mission but Belisarius knows it is his only option. Not surprisingly, the campaign is a disaster and the general returns to his home disgraced and penniless. Determined to live the remainder of his days quietly and peacefully with his beloved wife Antonina, he finds his leadership skills, loyalty, and sense of honor will be called upon again and again to act in the interests of the Empire.

Empire in Twilight is a fitting end to this incredible trilogy. I am fortunate to have read all three books and have devoured each of them with excitement and enjoyment. As with any historical novel, author Robert Bruton has taken historical events and records and constructed a wonderful personal narrative around what is known and written down. The integrity and loyalty of General Flavius Belisarius cannot be questioned. Although he had plenty of flaws, especially when it came to his familial relationships, he was at his core a deeply moral man who just wanted to do what was best for those he loved and for the Empire. I appreciated his distaste for politics and the royal machinations that flowed around the Emperor and his Empress. He was at his best when at a distance from the seat of power and able to operate unfettered by politics and driven by his moral compass. His love for Antonina shone through every page and, despite being cuckolded by his godson, he had immense capacity to forgive his wife’s dalliance and move forward with her. As with any serialized story the question arises; can this book be read alone as a standalone novel? The author does an excellent job of dropping gems of information into the story that highlight what has gone on previously, so yes, it can be read as a separate story. I would, however, encourage anyone to read all three books in order simply because they are so deeply intriguing and captivating. Readers can follow the twists and turns of Belisarius’ life and the many trials and triumphs he faced in serving his beloved Empire. I truly loved this book and this entire series and cannot wait to see what direction the author takes next. I highly recommend this read.

The empire's favorite war hero returns to Constantinople. Instead of the adoration of a grateful populace, Flavius Belisarius stands accused of attempting to usurp Emperor Justinian's authority by his wife's closest friend, the Emperor's wife, Theodora. Fearing for his life, Belisarius places himself at the mercy of the Emperor, believing his old friend will not stand by idly as his enemies surround him. Seizing the chance to give his collapsing empire one final push toward glory, Justinian dutifully extends to Belisarius an extraordinary proposition: retake the areas that the enemy has conquered, and he will pardon the patrician. Belisarius has a sneaking suspicion that Justinian is not telling him everything about this request, but is he prepared to put his own and his family's lives in danger for the sake of his honor? Only time will tell in Robert Bruton's Empire In Twilight.

The third and final installment in Robert Bruton's intriguing historical fiction series is a testament to his meticulous research and dedication to historical accuracy. Bruton skillfully blends thrilling historical events with masterfully constructed origin stories to create characters whose motivations and actions align with momentous occurrences, giving the character development depth. A series of thought-provoking questions and era-appropriate dialogue between the characters captivate readers as they attempt to decipher the politics behind particular gestures. Bruton maintains continuity between this and the previous books in the series using well-placed references to the principal character's most notable previous conquests, making it easy for a reader new to the series to grasp the plot. Empire In Twilight stands out because Bruton balances the drama with action to create the perfect adventure that appeals to a broad spectrum of readers. A masterful narrative style and a clever plot give Bruton's masterpiece a distinct advantage in the genre.

Empire in Twilight by Robert Bruton is the third and final book in the historical fiction Double-Edged Sword series, preceded by book one, Empire Resurgent, and book two, Empire in Apocalypse. Book one follows General Belisarius defeating the Persians and regaining North Africa, but his wife Antonina's betrayal damages his reputation. In book two, despite victories, Belisarius faces false treason charges after refusing to swear loyalty to Empress Theodora during a plague epidemic. In this installment, once revered as Rome's greatest general, Theodora stripped Belisarius of his command, reducing him to Count of the Imperial Stables. Weeks later, an ailing Justinian revealed Theodora's control, telling Belisarius to regain trust through another victorious campaign. Ultimately lost, Belisarius disappears into retirement but even if Belisarius believes he's done serving Rome, Rome may not yet be done with him.

“All my life, I have never wanted anything more than to serve the Empire honorably.” Robert Bruton once again blends the circumstances of genuine historical figures and their most intense moments in history with fly-on-the-wall fictional scenes that give life to their personas and interactions. The historical reality of Belisarius feels completely immersive, making the past feel immediate and real, whether he is attempting to bring relief to the besieged city of Rome or inspecting his cabbages and enjoying warm spiced wine. I loved the way that Burton paints a picture of 6th-century Constantinople, which is modern-day Istanbul, with near cinematic views of things like the sun setting across the Bosphorus, the dome of Hagia Sophia, and the walls of the Hippodrome. The prose is beautiful and the writing is to the highest standard that we readers know to be Bruton's trademark, and my goodness, what a glorious and fitting conclusion to the trilogy this is.

Empire in Twilight by Robert Bruton is an absolutely riveting, impeccably researched chronicle of the last twenty-two years of Roman General Flavius Belisarius' life through numerous reversals of fortune under the Roman Emperor Justinian. Bruton’s narrative for this, the third book in his trilogy, is simultaneously scholarly and prosaic – sometimes, to a nearly miraculous degree. Through the use of extensive footnotes and support features such as a glossary of Latin terms used in the text, a list of all the significant characters featured in the narrative and their respective positions and contributions, a series of beautifully executed maps, and a foreword and epilogue detailing his rationale in connecting the dots when and where historical documents did not suffice, Bruton manages to weave a vivid tapestry of life in the latter days of Justinian’s rule, compelling enough to make readers feel as if they are present as the events take place.

Bruton’s vocabulary is prodigious and rich but never without sufficient context for readers to make the inferences necessary to follow the storyline. In an age when so many books are simplified for the masses, it is a true pleasure to discover the cache of exquisite language found in Empire in Twilight. Bruton infuses the known historical timeline with romance, intrigue, high drama, and no small amount of pathos, making the characters seem real and three-dimensional – in short, he has done a tremendous service to the art of making history come alive. In providing an unparalleled, thrilling, and utterly engrossing literary trip back to the Roman Empire under Justinian’s rule, Empire in Twilight by Robert Bruton offers the ultimate in immersive reading pleasure for lovers of history. Magnificent!