The Black Stone

"The Black Stone" by Nick Brown is a gripping historical novel that transports readers to the time of the Roman Empire. The story follows Emperor Aurelian, who is obsessed with Eastern sun religions and is determined to acquire sacred objects. At the center of the tale is a mysterious stone that is said to channel the power of the sun god, currently held by the warrior priest Ilaha. He uses the stone to mobilize an army against Rome. Imperial agent Cassius Corbulo and his former gladiator Indavara face the challenge of stopping Ilaha and his forces. Their journey takes them through the deserts of Arabia, where they encounter numerous dangers, including sandstorms and ruthless moneylenders. Tension mounts as they finally reach Ilaha's mountain fortress and confront an overwhelming force of warriors ready to sacrifice their lives for the stone.