What can one say about the Pliniad by Mike Psellos?
Its title, clearly inspired by the great epics –the Iliad and the Aeneid– immediately sets the tone for something grand, while its setting, richly infused with the Roman spirit of the Pompeian era (79 AD), prepares us from the very prologue for an epic adventure.
And the author delivers.

This first installment –the beginning of what I suspect will require at least two or three more parts– lays the groundwork for a truly ambitious saga.
Here, we find a fascinating blend of mythological motifs from at least three ancient civilizations, interwoven with medieval and modern fantasy elements, all harmonized within a fully realized isekai-style parallel world.

What sets this work apart from other epics is its unconventional choice of hero. Pliny the Elder, the titular character –young once more in this tale– is not your typical protagonist; instead, he serves as mentor to the true heroes of the story: Barbara, Alexander, and Galley – three newly introduced, vividly drawn and immediately engaging characters I could easily read much more about. Yet both he and his “colleague” on this particular commission, Pomponianus, remain deeply involved in the unfolding events, stepping into a far more active role during the climactic crescendo of this first arc – a story that clearly still has much more to offer.

Knowing the remarkably short time in which this work was completed, I won’t dwell on any minor orthographic or grammatical slips – those are easily remedied in editing. What truly matters is the vision and execution, and for that, the Pliniad earns without hesitation the full 5 out of 5 I’ve given it.