There are the usual clichés, coincidences and connections to propel the plot, but this trek of Marcus Flavius Victor from Britannia to the battlefield of Faesule against Radagaisus and his “hordes”, with Alaric and Stilicho playing critical roles, is a totally compelling narrative.

Ostensibly, his journey is to rescue his son, a Saxon slave, but he and his band encounter the dangers of the disintegrating Empire as they journey via the Elbe and the Danube to Ravenna where further hazards and palace intrigue await. It's a stock standard story with familiar character-types but it all comes together nicely. The prose and the dialogue is far better than many in this genre.3 s Kevin Burnell69

2nd Marcus Flavius Victor book. It details his journey from Britain to Italy, via Saxonia to rescue his son. It culminates with battle of Faesulae versus Radagaisus.3 s Craig Chapman47 2

Fantastic read can't wait for the next book
2 s Clemens Schoonderwoert1,172 106

This eventful Roman historical novel is the 2nd volume of a series featuring the main protagonist, Marcus Flavius Victor.

Storytelling is absolutely amazing, all characters, whether real historical or fictional, come superbly to life in this story about honour, betrayal, political intrigue, and of course life and death, while the treacherous atmosphere and tribulations within the Roman empire of Emperor Honorius are wonderfully pictured and described by the author.

At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Marcus Flavius Victor's Journey towards Ravenna in AD406, and one of the famous Battle of Faesulae (Fiesole) AD406 between General Stilicho and the barbarian hordes lead by King Radagaisus, followed by a quote by Latinus Pacatus Drepanius made in AD389.

While at the end of the book you'll notice an Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history are meticulously documented, followed by a superb explained Glossary.

This book starts off in AD406, when Marcus Flavius Victor is betrayed and hunted by Constantinus in Britannia, and due to this action and the hunger to find his son, Brenus, he will take ship towards Saxonia accompanied by his sister, Valeria, and various from his time as Lord of the Wall.

Once Brenus is freed they will head from Saxonia in the North towards the South and the Roman Empire of the West lead by Emperor Honorius and his famous General Flavius Stilicho, and while doing so they will encounter quite some difficulties and skirmishes on their way, and when they reach the court of Emperor Honorius and his vengeful adviser Dulcitius, who's Marcus arch enemy number one and soon enough this Dulcitius will let his presence known, before Marcus is free to join General Stilicho in his struggle against the hordes of King of the Ostrogoths, Radagaisus, at the Battle of Faesulae in AD406, and that will end with a bloody and brutal outcome.

What is to follow is a tremendous historical novel, with a lot of political intrigue and backstabbing at court and on the battlefield, accompanied with great depictions of small skirmishes and a great battle where honour and duplicity go hand in hand, and all these ingredients will make you wonder who really is/are the Barbarian(s) in this remarkable ruthless Roman story.

Highly recommended, for this is a glorious addition to this fabulous series, and that's why I to call this 2nd episode: "A Brilliant Barbarian"!16 s2 comments Nick Brett981 60

Autor del comentario:
=================================