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S.J.A. Turney
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Crocodile Legion (A Roman Adventure Book 1) Kindle Edition

by SJA Turney (Author), Dave Slaney (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
3.6 out of 5 stars 217 ratings
An exciting new series for children: The prefect of Egypt needs money. And the men of the 22nd Legion must brave mazes and tombs and curses and crocodile gods to get to it.

Marcus and Callie, orphaned in ancient Alexandria and taken in by their uncle, the standard bearer in the legion, are about to travel up the great river Nile with the legionaries in a tense and funny adventure to grab the gold of the Pharaoh Amenemhat.

Join the legion and discover ancient Roman Egypt.
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  1. Reading age
    7 - 12 years
  2. Book 1 of 2
    A Roman Adventure
  3. Print length
    218 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    March 24, 2016
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

I live with my wife, my son and two (close approximations of) dogs in rural North Yorkshire, where my wife and I both grew up, surrounded by friends and family. A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of the country, I cannot envisage spending my life anywhere else, though my anchor is sometimes tested as the wanderlust hits and we travel wherever I can find the breathtaking remains of the classical world. I have a love of travel and history, architecture and writing and those four interact well enough to keep me almost permanently busy. Since leaving school and University, I have tried a great number of careers, including car sales, insurance, software engineering, computer network management, civil service and even painting and decorating sales. I have lived in four counties and travelled as widely as time and budget allowed and find myself, on the cusp of my fortieth year, back where I began and finally doing something I love. Having written a number of unpublished short stories in my early days, I decided back in 2003 to try and write a full length novel. That was the start of Marius' Mules. Being a lover of Roman history, I decided to combine my love of writing and my love of classical history. Marius' Mules was followed two years later by Interregnum, my attempt to create a new fantasy story still with a heavy flavour of Rome. Since then, the success and popularity of both has spawned sequels to each work, with three tales in each series so far and more planned. As well as my own website at http: //www.sjaturney.co.uk I maintain a website detailing the Roman sites I visit and photograph at http: //www.roman-sites.com, and blog at http: //sjat.wordpress.com. I am an almost terminally chatty person. That's just a due warning if you feel like contacting me (via my website.) I am always happy to speak to people and have just put together an FAQ gathered together from things I have been asked previously. A last note on reviews: Although I am currently a self-published author and there are a number of similar folk out there, some of whom I count as friends, the reviews I make on Amazon are in no way weighted toward them and I review work as I see it. In the same way, I hope the reviews I recieve will be based on an individual's personal experience with my work and not biased for or against by outside influences. Please be fair with reviewing - I do not endorse nepotism.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01C7IGX30
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mulcahy Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 24, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 218 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ A Roman Adventure
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 12 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 out of 5 stars 217 ratings

About the author

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S.J.A. Turney

S.J.A. Turney

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Having spent much of his childhood visiting historic sites with his grandfather, Simon fell in love with the Roman heritage of the region, beginning with the world famous Hadrian’s Wall. His fascination with the ancient world snowballed with interest in Egypt, Greece and Byzantium, though his focus has remained Rome. A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his time visiting historic sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading.

Simon’s career meandered along an eclectic path from the Ministry of Agriculture to network management before settling back into the ancient world, returning to university to complete an honours degree in classical history. With a rekindled love of all things Roman, he set off on a journey to turn Caesar’s Gallic War diaries into a novel accessible to all. Marius’ Mules was completed in 2003 and has garnered considerable, bestseller status and reviews, spawning numerous sequels.

Now, with in excess of 40 novels available in numerous languages, Simon is a prolific writer, spanning genres and eras and releasing novels both independently and through renowned publishers including Canelo, Head of Zeus, and Orion. Simon’s varied series cover numerous periods of ancient Rome, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, Viking Byzantium, and the Templar Knights. Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.

Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
217 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this book, with one mentioning it's suitable for any age group. They appreciate its readability, with one noting it's a quick read, and another highlighting its historical content about Egypt and Rome.

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7 customers mention "Book age"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate that the book is suitable for children, with one customer noting it doesn't feel like a children's book, while another mentions it should appeal to adult readers.

"My definition for a perfect kid's book is that it engages both a child and any adult that might have to read it...." Read more

"...It's primary audience is children but adults can enjoy it, too." Read more

"I've read all Marius Mules so far and enjoyed them. This is a kid's book and not mu cup of mulsum." Read more

"...I guess it's a children's book, but as a grandparent I can say it doesn't "talk down" to kids...." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one describing it as fun.

"Croc legion was a fun book and a quick read. It's primary audience is children but adults can enjoy it, too." Read more

"...I've passed the sixty mark, but I still enjoyed the hell out of this book!..." Read more

"A bit off the mark for this fine author..." Read more

"A great book staring two children who travel with a Roman Legion...." Read more

3 customers mention "Age range"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's age-appropriate content, with one customer noting its historical fiction elements for adults, while another mentions the inclusion of Egyptian and Roman history.

"...Crocodile Legion is such a book. Simon Turney is a master at historical fiction for adults and he has nailed the genre for kids too...." Read more

"...And enough Egyptian and Roman history to whet or kindle an interest in the ancient world in your kids...." Read more

"...A good plot, and believable characters, make this an age appropriate novel that will be enjoyed by any age group." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one noting its quick pace.

"...Any reader will also learn things too. In all his books, pace is important and Turney delivers an even faster pace for the younger reader...." Read more

"Croc legion was a fun book and a quick read. It's primary audience is children but adults can enjoy it, too." Read more

"...It is a pleasant book to read with several surprises...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Robert Paterson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect Kid's book.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    My definition for a perfect kid's book is that it engages both a child and any adult that might have to read it. For when a child can discover the thrill of fiction, then the world opens up for them. By learning to read, we learn how to learn and all of this is now in our own control. So for me, finding the right kind of book that can be this key is one of the most important parts of life. I have 4 grandchildren. Three are now mad readers with only the 2 year old left to entrance.

    Crocodile Legion is such a book. Simon Turney is a master at historical fiction for adults and he has nailed the genre for kids too. Like Roald Dahl, he never talks down to his audience and there is a undertone of realism throughout. Any reader will also learn things too. In all his books, pace is important and Turney delivers an even faster pace for the younger reader. The two kids, Marcus and Callie, are real in every way. They are based on his own children and are fully realized as only a parent can understand. So the child reading this book can sense this and so attach. The boy who wants to be a man and the girl who is smarter than most adults find a valid role in the world of grown up is the underlying theme of the book. Surely this is what every child wants - valid acceptance. Of course not having parents, the key to all good child centred stories, is part of this theme.
    If you have a child who is waiting to be entranced into the world of books - have a go. You won't be disappointed.

    And for all those reviewers who hated this book because it was written for children, don't YOU read? The book is clearly labelled a child's book
    One person found this helpful
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  • Marc
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed the book.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Croc legion was a fun book and a quick read. It's primary audience is children but adults can enjoy it, too.
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  • James P. Ruff, Jr.
    3.0 out of 5 stars A bit off the mark for this fine author
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    SJA Turneys military Roman fiction are usually much better than this one and The Pirate Legion.
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  • Neal Houck
    2.0 out of 5 stars I've read all Marius Mules so far and enjoyed them. This is a kid's book and not ...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I've read all Marius Mules so far and enjoyed them. This is a kid's book and not mu cup of mulsum.
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  • Alex Johnston
    5.0 out of 5 stars A rollicking yarn!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    You're addicted to tales of ancient Rome, so why shouldn't your kids be? I've passed the sixty mark, but I still enjoyed the hell out of this book! I felt like I took a trip in the Wayback machine and that I was a kid in class, excitedly waiting for the Scholastic Book Club orders to be delivered!

    The protagonists are Callie, a whip-smart, sassy young linguistic genius, and her brave brother Marcus, who wants nothing more than to serve in the legion like his uncle Gaius, standard bearer for the 22nd. Their uncle, and the rest of the legion, more or less adopted the kids after their parents died. The adults are, for the most part, gruff and brave, but clearly outclassed by the young strategists, as they search for hidden treasure needed by the Romans for the purpose of rebuilding Alexandria.

    This is a hidden-treasure type tale, with Egyptian pyramids, scary crocodiles, and twists and turns. And enough Egyptian and Roman history to whet or kindle an interest in the ancient world in your kids. I keep saying "your kids" since this is a children's book, but I passed an enjoyable afternoon being entertained by it, and maybe you will also!

    OK, so they're grave robbers. The very purpose of the Roman expedition, which was essentially to steal the treasure of the Egyptians, would not be considered a noble pursuit by many in the modern age. Perhaps this could be a learning experience for the young about the differences in perspective between ancient times and our own. But, in my opinion, the heroic qualities displayed by the children make them admirable role models, their mission notwithstanding. Not even waking up to a crocodile in their tent will deter these intrepid adventurers!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book staring two children who travel with a Roman Legion.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have read just about all of Mr Turney's books. This one is different. It stars two children who are being cared for by their uncle, a standard bearer in a Roman legion, after the loss of their parents. The children travel with the legion as it seeks gold in a pharaoh's pyramid in Egypt. It is a pleasant book to read with several surprises. I guess it's a children's book, but as a grandparent I can say it doesn't "talk down" to kids. It is written in such a way that the context reveals unknown words and concepts. I look forward to the next book featuring Marcus and Callie as they accompany their Uncle and the Legion in more adventures.
    One person found this helpful
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  • B. Jordan
    3.0 out of 5 stars He is an outstanding author and his Roman fiction books are all very good reads. However
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2016
    I purchased this book solely because it was written by S.J.A Turney. He is an outstanding author and his Roman fiction books are all very good reads. However, in this case the book should have been clearly labeled as a book for young adults, not an adult read. While still being a well written storyline and good characterization was evident it is more appropriate for a teen or even a pre-teen reader.
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  • Roy F. Allen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crocodile Legion
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I just finished reading this story and found it every bit as entertaining as all of the rest of Mr. Turney's books. Although it was written with younger readers in mind, it appealed to me in that it did not come across as a children's book as in "see Marcus run, run Marcus run." I am patiently waiting for more of the adventures of Marcus and Callie.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • drums 47
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
    Reviewed in Australia on November 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Really great children's story about life in Egypt during the Roman occupation.
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  • L. Jerome Redmond
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, light, and entertaining.
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  • Louise Rule
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crocodile Legion is a tour de force in both the writing and the drawings
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Simon Turney has written this wonderfully evocative story for children aged between seven and twelve, and has used language that is both appropriate for the younger reader as well as for the older reader. The story rips along, carrying the reader through an engaging tale of danger and fear, with many light, comedic moments.
    The use of internal rhyme within some passages, brings a rhythm to the story,
    For example:
    ‘[…] Now load the loot and start moving things out.’
    He smiled up at the crocodile face looming in the gloom.
    Another example is:
    [….] rising puffs of dust into the sizzling air […]
    […] her most mischievous grin in the dazzlingsunshine, […]
    The younger child is generally drawn to rhythm and rhyme in stories; think about nursery rhymes, for example. Rhythm in a story is amplified through its timbre, if it is read out loud, as most children’s books tend to be. It can also be an aid to memory, so it is a useful device to use in children’s books. Although the book is aimed for the seven to twelve year old to enjoy, I feel that the younger child, below seven, could gain much from the story, too, whether they are endeavouring to read Crocodile Legion for themselves, or, indeed, having it read to them.
    Keeping to the subject of language, there are a few words to which children will always hoot with laughter, and yes, some are included in the story. What words are they? I hear you ask, well; I will quote only one, so as not to pinpoint any spoilers, and I’ll put it in its context:
    ‘Makes you fart too,’ he laughed, ripping out a thunderous rumble close enough to Marcus’ head that he took a few swift paces along the veranda to be out of the smelly cloud.
    It’s such a wonderful piece of indulgence in childhood humour, that it becomes that perfect nugget of snigger-value, which children love. And the ‘fart’ word never fails to make them laugh, whether it be a snigger behind their hands, or laughing out loud.
    The story is accompanied by some extraordinarily detailed cartoons, by the very talented Dave Slaney, who also designed the book cover. There are thirteen cartoon vignettes throughout the book. I would have to say, at this point, that Dave Slaney has cleverly captured the essence of each character, together with superb detail. I would like to pinpoint some examples, and they are; the sheen on the soldier’s lorica segmentata; their helmets, too; and the eyes of each character are so expressive, that they hold the gaze momentarily. There is also a multitude of authentic detail in each cartoon, to draw the eye, and, perhaps, to chat about afterward, engaging the younger child further into the story, and its history, of which there is much. For me, together with the cartoons, the whole book equates to subliminal learning, almost by osmosis, so cleverly is the history woven within. The enlightening pieces of Egyptian history are disclosed seamlessly, as we accompany the group on their journey. It entices the imagination to wonder about their destination of the ancient city of Crocodilopolis.
    When the group are told that they are, in fact, going to journey to Crocodilopolis, one of the legionaries, Gallo, by name, says, ‘Croco-what-a-lot?’ Which is probably what the young reader would be saying, reading it for the first time. And, further down the page, still being unsure of the word, later refers to it as, ‘Crocodile-oppollo-pops’, which has such a comical air to it, that it makes me smile every time I think about it. This is a really clever device, creating an equality between the reader and the cast within the book.
    The story has been written with many a twist to it, and the journey towards that twist, hides the fact that it is coming. This book is cleverly conceived, and can only inspire children towards a love of ancient history, and with the addition of such wonderful cartoon work, the whole jells together, seamlessly.
    If I were giving this book a Star Rating, then I would have no hesitation in awarding it Five Stars. Those stars would have been gained for a well written children’s book, which is absolutely packed with historical facts, adventure, danger, humour, and all stitched neatly together with perfect prose, which is dynamically written. This is a book, although written for children, can be enjoyed by any age. So the parent reading it to the child, the child reading it for themselves, or just picking it up for a great story. It works. On all levels, it works. I for one, can’t wait for the next book to come out.

    This review was first posted on louiseruleauthor.com
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  • graham templeton
    4.0 out of 5 stars good book!!!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The end could have been better, finish too short!! ,the end seemed too fast??
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  • andy p
    3.0 out of 5 stars ... keep up with especially from SJA Turney and his good reputation.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting story but a little weird to keep up with especially from SJA Turney and his good reputation.
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