Dark North

by Gillian Bradshaw

Roman Britain, 208 AD - Emperor Septimius Severus has arrived in Britain to conquer the barbarians in the north of the island. Memnon, an African scout, comes to Britain with his cavalry unit. When he saves the life of a beautiful young attendant of the Empress, he becomes aware of tensions within the imperial house. The bitter war tests them all to the limit, and if any of them are to survive, it can only be through their friendship.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Roman Britain, British Literature, Roman

315 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Born in Arlington, Virgina, Gillian Bradshaw grew up in Washington, Santiago, Chile and Michigan. She is a Classics graduate from Newnham College, Cambridge, and published her first novel, Hawk of May, just before her final term. A highly acclaimed historical novelist, Gillian Bradshaw has won the Hopwood Award for Fiction, among other prizes. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and their four children.

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like all of Bradshaw’s work, this is a solid historical fiction, with a touch of romance. I found the romance aspect less compelling than in Alchemy of Fire, but I love the fact that Bradshaw based the story on a report of an Ethiopian soldier greeting the emperor during a visit to Britain, and the tiny piece of evidence that there were a company of Aurelian Moors in Britain at the right time. I really enjoy it when authors build a story around facts like that — like Rosemary Sutcliff and the mysterious Roman eagle that sparked The Eagle of the Ninth.

Bradshaw’s a great writer, though the main character was a little… annoying, I guess. He’s a good time guy; he does not want to take on responsibilities, and he doesn’t think through some of his actions. Also, he has a dark side. He’s not quite the unique character that some of Bradshaw’s other leads have been.

Still, it’s an enjoyable enough story, even if it’s not a favourite. If you enjoy historical fiction a la Rosemary Sutcliff, Gillian Bradshaw’s work will probably be just the ticket. I recommend Island of Ghosts to start with, though.

Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable novel. This story follows Bradshaw's usual theme of the outsider [in this case an Ethiopian cavalryman in Roman Britain in the late third century A.D., during the reign of Septimius Severus, himself another African] overcoming odds to be accepted for himself without prejudice. Any differences between the Ethiopians and others became unimportant. Memnon, the protagonist, rescues two important members of the Household of Caesar. Their friendship and later that of the Empress, help him negotiate successfully the shoals of imperial intrigue, much involving the Enperor's two sons, Antoninus [known in history as Caracalla, "The Hood"] and brother Geta. Memnon and his troop of Moors and a troop of Frisians sharing the same fort must learn to coexist with each other without hatred. Battle and skirmishes abound, but I feel the novel's theme is of the most importance.

Much food for thought here, told through an excellent story. Writing and pacing were well done, as well as characterization. Recommended.

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among my favorites by Bradshaw, one of my all-time favorite novelists. In her books she creates memorable characters and displays impressive knowledge about lesser known historical times.

This particular story is one of two set in Britain. I have read it multiple times, partly because it is a large print edition. Great lead character: Memnon, perhaps the first black skinned human seen by the people in the north of England, a ferocious killer and practical joker. Hadrian's Wall from an African 'scout's' perspective. Interesting time in Rome's history. It features Caracalla. (The 'Hood')
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracalla
***
Here's the first sentence of jacket blurb: "Roman Britain, 208 AD: the Emperor Septimius Severus has arrived in Britain, intending to conquer the troublesome barbarians in the north once and for all." Severus two sons hate each other and much of the second half of the story is palace intrigue.
***
quote from page 169 - "'It isn't even his original name ... He was born Lucius Septimius Bassianus ... His father changed the name because Marcus Aurelius was a wise and great emperor, and he wanted Caracalla to be revered the same way,.' That's what most people call him in Rome: Caracalla. You know, like that kind of long cloak with a hood? He likes to wear one, and slink about with his bunch of bodyguards, keeping the hood over his face, spying on ordinary people and beating them up for fun. The Hood, that's who he really is!'"
***
In the library, I ideally would have Bradshaw books in both AF and YA sections. (Sad to see the long-term trend in YA away from HF to Fantasy.)
***
Have read most of Bradshaw's book. Many multiple times. Here be top three recommended

1. - Beacon At Alexandria
The Beacon at Alexandria
2. - Sand Reckoner
The Sand-Reckoner
3. - Island of Ghosts
Island of Ghosts
***

[Ben Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by another reader on the forum of the Historical Writers' Association (thehwa dot co dot uk). Knowing that we share some tastes in books, I bought a copy. I'd heard of Bradshaw a number of times over the last few years, but this was the first time I'd picked up one of her novels. The first surprise I got was that the book is only available in hardback. My second surprise was that it's also gone out of print - and it was only published in 2007. If that's happening to books as fine as this one, we live in a sad world indeed.

Given that it had been highly recommended to me, it wasn't a surprise that the novel was a good read. The setting - the arrival of the emperor Septimius Severus and his sons in Britain in the early third century AD, is an unusual and attractive one. Anthony Riches' Empire series will get there eventually, but I'm not aware of any other books set at this time.

Memnon, the central character, is an African scout of considerable ability. A practical joker, he's also an excellent tracker and dangerous enemy. He's no simple soldier either, but a scarred individual with a deep sense of right and wrong. Bradshaw excels in her portrayal of him, and this is what makes the book so engaging. There are other interesting characters too - the bewitching slave Athenais, and the emperor's freedman Castor. Severus' campaign to quell the troublesome British tribes north of Hadrian's Wall, as well as large dollops of political intrigue and skulduggery, combine to form a vivid backdrop for the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would give it four and a half stars. So why not five? One thing jarred with me throughout the novel. As a novelist myself, I know how necessary it is for the reader to suspend their disbelief for the story to continue. Memnon just did it too many times. A mere scout in the emperor's army, he seemed too well at ease with situation after situation that would have had such a man trembling in his boots (or sandals). It's a small gripe about an excellent read.

[Kathrin Passig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Beste aus zwei Welten: Bücher über den Krieg (in dem Fall Römer gegen Briten) lesen und gleichzeitig beim Frauenanteil-Ausgleich vorankommen, muahaha!

[Ozymandias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: 5 (frequently strong but leading nowhere)
Characters: 6 (memorable but not always interesting)
Accuracy: 8 (well-researched if sometimes simplistic)

An interesting topic for a novel and an interesting lead as well. Bradshaw likes her outsider characters and this time she gives us Memnon, a black soldier in a time when black people aren't very common (and are regarded as ill-omened) and are basically unheard in the northern provinces. As such he fills the typical outsider role, not really Roman, not really educated, not really one of the gang. But in Memnon she adds a sense of humor and love of practical jokes. Presumably there must have been some practitioners of this hallowed art in those days, but it feels truly bizarre to imagine doing such things when getting caught could lead to your death. Or a flogging, minimum. It makes him seem really, really stupid. One does not prank an emperor and expect to survive. So what could make you do it?

Memnon's main character arc isn't about coming to terms with his outsiderness or anything like that. He's actually fairly popular within his unit and well-respected by most who meet him outside it. His journey is instead about finding a future and learning to take responsibility and become a leader. That's not easy for a practical joker whose main joy in life is being one of the gang. This transition is mostly handled well, as is his resentment of it. Although some bits towards the end are rather silly.

The main events of this book revolve around Septimius Severus' British campaign. It was a major event in Roman British history, and one about which a lot could be said. Those expecting an Island of Ghosts sequel are to be disappointed. Despite taking place only about thirty years after, we get no reference to the events or characters in there apart from the single mention of a Sarmatian cavalry division on the Wall. It's not really like that book in content either. While that one had a lovely depiction of life on the Roman Wall this book spends most of its time north of the wall or in York. The sections that do deal with life in a garrison fort are kept tightly focused on Memnon and his fellow soldiers and their conflicts with the Frisians they have to share the fort with. It's a sideplot that takes up far too much time. As for the Caledonians north of the wall: despite spending a lot of time up there we rarely get to meet them and never learn that much about them. The account of Severus' campaign should really be the lynchpin for this novel, but it actually gets glossed over. Part of that is that Memnon and the Numidian cavalry are scouts and therefore go ahead of the main army and regroup while the main force is advancing. Part of it is because his campaign was not particularly exciting from a narrative standpoint of setpiece battles and cunning maneuvers. What we do get though is a string of often exciting skirmishes, where the scouts are forced to flee the enemy or face destruction.

The basic reason that this book only gets three stars despite having many strong elements is that it just doesn't go anywhere. Rather than some dramatic denouement or climax the story just kind of peters out. There is an event of historical importance that ties off the story, but it is by its very nature not one that can really tie anything up. So instead the book just sort of ends. The plot threads never get resolved and for the last three or four chapters you know everything that's been happening and why. Yet the story continues on with new events thrown in to keep you occupied. In the last few chapters we get murders, trials, battles, and romance, none of which has any bearing on the main plot. It's padding essentially. A lot of the book is padding. It's not a long book, but it could have been far shorter with no significant loss.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this down. And it's oddly topical seeing as Mary Beard saying that Africans were not unheard of in Roman Britain (which is correct) became a big Twitter argument. Bradshaw does her research but her engaging characters are the real draw and Memnon is a delight.

[Keith Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillian Bradshaw's novel is set in Roman Britain at the time of the emperor Septimius Severus and the chief character, the African scout Memnon,is based on the protagonist in an incident said to have really happened to the emperor. It is a fine novel deserving of a wider readership. What did I like about this book? Memnon himself is human and humane, talented and flawed, a well rounded personality. The scene where he rescues the emperor's secretaries is tense, violent and exciting, yet realistic. The relationship which develops between these characters and other non Romans, such as the Caledonian and Pictish rebels allows the reader the opportunity to sympathise with the various peoples inside and outside the empire. The brutality of war, and the casual attitudes of those in command are not shirked. There is underlying tension and darkness to the plot, which does not follow predictable lines. However, it is rather episodic and some of the plot lines remain slightly underdeveloped, which cost it, in my opinion, the fifth star.

[Rob Nichols]

I have no idea if this could have happened, but this author has obviously done her homework, and she weaves the principle players well into a good history lesson. I really enjoyed this novel.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was the first I saw of the Empire: skill at building, and power, and tolerance. It astonished me -- and I didn't even know that Auzia was just one small fort on the fringe of something so vast a single mind can't know it. [p. 224]

Gillian Bradshaw has taken a single mention of 'an Ethiopian soldier ... a notable jester' in the Historia Augusta and spun a novel around that nameless African man. Dark North is set in Roman Britain in 208AD, during Septimius Severus' efforts to (a) prove that Britain is an island and (b) conquer all of it, even Scotland. The protagonist is a cavalry scout called Memnon: Romans can't pronounce his actual name, rendered here as Wajjaj. We first encounter him in the process of swapping the Second Parthica's standard for a lewder version of the same, an escapade that earns him the plaudits of his fellow soldiers but encourages his commander to send Memnon off on a long, potentially hazardous journey away from any chance of retribution. En route, Memnon encounters, and saves the lives of, two Romans from the Imperial household: Castor, the Imperial chamberlain, and Athenais, a secretary and a member of the Empress' household. Memnon befriends them, and their influence and support is invaluable to him when his duties (and his personal affairs) involve him with the Emperor's feuding sons Geta and Caracalla; with unrest amongst the tribes; and friction between the Aurelian Moors and the Frisian troop with whom they share a fort.

Memnon is a fascinating character: a notable jester indeed, but also a man who's lost (and bloodily avenged) his family, who fears that his bloodthirsty vengeance has made him a demon, who is the stealthiest and probably the cleverest scout in his unit, and who would quite like Roman citizenship but has no ambition to be anything other than one of the lads. 'Ethiopian' was used to refer to anyone south of Libya, and Memnon's origins are sub-Saharan: his dark skin is remarked upon as 'ill-omened', and he is likely the first Black man that any British tribesman has encountered. He's capable of extreme, and effective, violence, but clearly happier playing -- and getting away with -- creative practical jokes. Unfortunately his superiors have recognised his worth, and Memnon is forced to take life more seriously. The episode in the Historia Augusta, neatly woven in, is something of a last plantive rebellion...

It's a shame that this is out of print and unavailable as an ebook: I think Bradshaw has only written two novels set in Roman Britain (the other being the marvellous Island of Ghosts, set a generation earlier and featuring a troop of Sarmatian cavalry: one of my favourite historical novels), and it seems a shame to have 50% of them unavailable.

Fulfils the ‘Secondhand’ rubric of the 52 books in 2023 challenge. (I read this via the Internet Archive: it was a scan of a withdrawn book from the Bedlington branch of the Northumberland County Library, last borrowed in July 2019.)

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining as always. I’ve been quite familiar with Bradshaw’s writing style. It’s easy to read with lots of information regarding culture and life at the time when the Severan dynasty had the most influence in Roman Britain. But there seems to be a slight decline in terms of Bradshaw’s storyline despite choosing a unique plot. Reading halfway through the end of the book feels boring and tedious with no actual goal for the main character’s story.

Wajjaj, better known as Memnon, is an Ethiopian scout hailed from the tribe of Tebu who joined the Roman Auxiliary Moors. Memnon is a notable joker who loves to pull a prank on his superiors but behind the easy-going and easily amused character, Memnon hid quite a traumatic past that allowed him to be a capable cold-blooded and stealthy assassin. When the Auxiliary Moors were posted to Roman Britain’s Fort Aballava, things started to go south. He was caught in the crossfire of a plot while being a dutiful soldier after rescuing two high-ranking officials whose patron was the Roman emperor Severus and Roman empress Julia Domna.

The plot was the bitter rivalries of Caracalla and Geta, the sons of Severus and Julia Domna. Historical sources did note that both hate each other and are willing to kill each other. On top of that, the Britons seem to be a nail in the flesh of the Roman Empire because of their insistence on waging a rebellious war at a high cost for both Britons and Romans.

The story is really about Memnon’s life as a soldier, surviving and trying to avoid the turmoil of high politics between Caracalla and Geta rivalries while not directly involved in their plot. And that’s why it’s rather boring. It’s more of a daily life and struggle of a Roman scout. Not bad for a casual reading but I might not re-read this one again.

[Ester Pablos · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Qué historia más divertida, por los dioses! Hacía tiempo que no conectaba tan bien con una autora de género histórico. Ha sido como ver una película de romanos con tintes actuales (aunque sin pasarse). El libro me ha dejado muy buen sabor de boca. La prosa es ágil y la autora se ha documentado sobre todo en lo tocante a la organización militar (en otros aspectos la ambientación histórica cojea, y admito que sí, hay anacronismos y fallos de terminología). Pero cumple las expectativas. No es increíblemente rigurosa, pero la intención de la novela ( más bien new adult) es puro entretenimiento y espectáculo. Y lo consigue de sobra. Soy historiadora, y me ha costado menos leer su libro que un montón de novelas de autores que sí se han obsesionado con el rigor, y han acabado matando su propia historia a base de latinajos y de infodumping. Teniendo en cuenta que mi género favorito es la fantasía histórica, me ha dejado encantada de la vida (y no es fácil).
Puntos fuertes:
El protagonista es muy poco común: Memnón, un auxiliar etíope que se enrola como explorador y acaba nada menos que en Britania. Es chistoso y ocurrente, y aunque tiene sus defectos y a veces se pasa de listo, es apasionado, leal y bastante inteligente. Me han gustado las tramas (sin grandes pretensiones, y con tintes de telenovela, pero me las he bebido). No es la lectura más perfecta del mundo, pero si os gustan las novelas de romanos con toques de romance, acción, humor y tramas que se salen de lo normal, esta es vuestra novela.
Y sí, por sí quedaba alguna duda, me voy a leer todos sus libros.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this hard to get into, mainly because I couldn't follow the political aspects of the Roman government: two emperors? The difference between an Augustus and a Caesar. The names sounded familiar and I don't know enough about Roman history to automatically tell them apart. The main characters who were the every day soldiers were easier. About halfway through it started making more sense.

This is set when the Roman Empire had control of the part of Britain south of Hadrian's Wall (just referred to as "the wall" in this book). British/Scottish tribes are alternately staging revolts and trying to come to agreements, both with the Romans and each other.
The main character, Memnon, is an African in the Roman army.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Bradshaw returns to her stride in historical fiction, with this story set under Emperor Septimius Severus. Our protagonist is an African tribesman in the auxiliaries, whose clashes with his commanding officer bring him to notice by some senior imperial household officials... favorable notice, since he proves to be right. The resulting quest to find a livable place for himself in the army, amid a war he doesn't like and imperial notice he isn't fully comfortable with, held my interest throughout.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical novel about the clash between Rome and the Britons. I liked the protagonist, Memnon, a Roman soldier from Ethiopia, a great deal, and enjoyed the realistic description of a soldier’s life at the time and the court intrigue as well as the view of the cultural differences that make a truce between the Romans and Britons difficult. The end was a bit rushed and the romance not quite believable, but this is better written and more entertaining than most of what’s out there.

[Jose Marquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia bastante entretenida de un persona singular en la a Britania de la época del emperador Septimio Severo con personajes que ayudan a desplegar toda una gama de emociones en Memnon, el auxiliar de caballería mauritana y personaje principal de esta historia.
Recomendado a ojo cerrado esta novela histórica de tan destacada escritora.

[Meggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished two books about Roman-era Britain, and then immediately read...another book about Roman-era Britain. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What can I say, I know what I like!

I did not know much of anything about the Severan Dynasty before Dark North, but now I do and they were all dreadful. Septimius Severus made a lot of bad decisions, his sons (especially Caracalla) were awful, and while I initially thought that Julia Domna was the best of the lot, by the end of the book you realize that she's just as bad as the other three.

Memnon is an interesting protagonist, as he's initially a prankster with a sad past who shirks responsibility until it's (literally) foisted upon him. He irritated me at first, but I warmed up to him by the end. The romantic subplot was maybe the weakest part of the book for me, even though I liked Athenais as a character.

[Lynn S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always get a feeling of satisfaction when I read a Gillian Bradshaw novel.

[LeAnna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting expansion on the dominant view of history and a gripping story as well.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this randomly in the library! (like the good old days)

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good historical fiction novel set back in the days of Roman Britain.

[Annie NeveraDeLibros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Navegando por el mundo histórico creado por Gillian Bradshaw os traigo mi opinión sobre una novela que aunque al principio es lenta, llega a entretener demasiado.

Nos encontramos en el año 208 d.C donde el emperador Setimio Severo junto a su mujer, sus dos hijos y un enorme ejército se dirigen hacia el norte de Britania para acabar con la amezana de los bárbaros. Memnón es un soldado negro de dicho ejército especializado en rastrear el terreno que debido a una chiquillada se ve envuelto en una aventura que hará que su vida comience a cambiar sin ni siquiera desearlo.

Muchos personajes y cargos del ejército se van presentando a lo largo del libro y a igual manera traiciones, sobornos y muertes definen bastante bien los puntos fuertes de la novela.

Al no haber leído muchos libros históricos de esta época me encontré algo perdida en cuento al nombre que lleva cada cargo en el ejército pero la autora ha sabido mostrarme poco a poco que no hace falta ser un experto en historia para disfrutar de este libro llena de aventuras en tiempo de guerras así que seguí leyendo y mi entusiasmo y las ganas de saber que ocurriría al final con el personaje principal y la suerte de sus allegado fueron aumentando más y más.

Las descripciones son las justas y claras, dando una visión exacta de donde se encuentran nuestros personajes en cada momento y con un lenguaje apropiado y fácil de seguir. Uno de los problemas que le he encontrado al libro es que entre línea y línea hay mucho poco espacio y a veces se me ha hecho un poco incómodo leer ya que estoy acostumbrada quizás a libros con más espacio en medias o letras más grandes.

También me ha parecido un poco cojo las pequeñas tramas amorosas ya que creo que se podría haber sacado mucho más jugo de éstas y son un poco superficiales.

En resumen, Norte Oscuro es un libro de ficción histórica que cualquier lector podrá disfrutar sin ningún problema. Un buen uso del lenguaje combinado con una historia que al principio no sabes por donde va a seguir y luego solo quieres saber más es lo que definen este libro.

Lo mejor: la intriga por saber que pasará o quién morirá.
Lo peor: el comienzo, ya que ha sido un tanto lento.

[Graculus · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I usually read either crime or science fiction/fantasy, I occasionally wander off into other areas of fiction, usually because of recommendations. In this case, I ended up reading 'Dark North' because of a post on a journal about literature set in Roman times and this particular book sounded intriguing.

The basic premise behind 'Dark North' is that it's the story of a man well outside his usual element; Memnon is a member of the Roman auxiliaries, which in his case is made up of men from North Africa and beyond. Well beyond, in Memnon's case, as he'd pretty much stumbled into the Roman Empire after avenging the murder of his family. This group of auxiliaries, fresh from a few years on the Danube, is now sent to the farthest edge of the empire, to Britain as part of an attempted invasion by the current emperor.

Partly because of his penchant for practical jokes, Memnon is punished by being sent on a mission which ends up with him rescuing two members of the imperial household. His friendship with them begins a new set of trials, which sees Memnon often separated from his fellow soldiers and forced to rely on his wits for survival.

Where 'Dark North' falls down for me is not in the research that clearly went into it, but I guess in the caricature of Memnon as joker, particularly as there rarely seem to be any consequences for his actions beyond the occasional blow. The author keeps on mentioning how, in that society, Memnon's dark skin makes him 'ill omened' and perhaps that's why nothing really bad happens to him - in the end, everything works out just fine and that feels a little too stage-managed for my liking.

[Alfonso Alvarez de Mon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigo con interés la obra de Bradshaw desde que leí por azar "El faro de Alejandría". Me gustó la ambientación histórica (Imperio Romano de Oriente, en época tardía) y me gustó el tono amigo de la virtud que transmitían sus personajes.
Por esa extraña confianza que me ganó, me he interesado por todo lo que se ha ido publicando de ella. Me he leído así, que yo recuerde, "El hijo de Cleopatra", "Púrpura Imperial", "El contador de arena", "Ciudadano del Imperio", "Rhodas la hija del Sol" y esta.
"Norte Oscuro" está ambientada en la Britania romana. Hay en la actualidad cierta inflación de novelas de romanos. Esta es otra más, pero muy digna.
El protagonista es un poco paria: se trata de un soldado negro, de origen etíope, miembro de una escuadra auxiliar de caballería, que se dedica, sobre todo, a labores de exploración.
El lugar es Britania; la época, comienzos del siglo III.
Los romanos intentan una ofensiva contra las tribus del norte de la muralla mientras padecen cierta inestabilidad por la próxima sucesión en el trono del Imperio.
El interés está puesto más en los personajes pequeños y sus avatares que en la gran historia, pero la novela pone de manifiesto también lo que Roma significaba para los romanos y para los bárbaros.
Vuelvo a encontrar aventuras de un hombre virtuoso en un marco bien logrado, natural.

[Isis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As in Island of Ghosts, the protagonist is a non-Roman in the Roman army serving in Roman Britain, so again there is a bit of fish-out-of-water story here. But Memnon isn't so different from the Romans as he is from the British (and the Frisian auxiliaries he has a run-in with), so it's not so much him against the world as him being the scrappy guy who rises through the ranks - heh, I just realized that he is basically Sharpe.

Oddly, despite his 'ill-omened color' (he's a black African) he has no trouble appealing to the ladies, and there are a couple of love triangles that I did not really care for in here. It seemed like his color was only a barrier when it was more interesting for the plot.

[Yune · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this pretty promising out of Bradshaw's later works: a Moor in the Roman army trying to take over Britain (again). Memnon is a departure from most Bradshaw heroes in that he likes to play practical jokes, but he does have the usual sense of human decency that gets him on the right side of the right people (including the reader). He's an excellent scout, which gets him in and out of trouble, and even brings in some cross-cultural exposure, which I always find convincing from Bradshaw. But he soon finds his problems growing political, not just military. How much imperial wrath can you incur...?

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining outing from Bradshaw. The setting is Roman Britain,on Hadrian's Wall in the early 200's. The tribesmen on the far side of the wall are causing more trouble than usual, and Emperor Severus is there to put an end to it, he hopes. As usual, Bradshaw's main characters are the small people who brush up against royalty and mix with them, often to their cost. Bradshaw's research is deep and she weaves her knowledge into the story with no interruption in the story's flow. Well done.

[Mike Currie · Rating 1 out of 5]

A soppy soap opera set in roman britain. Supposedly heroic roman warrior has exciting battles and meets various love interests and ends up with the girl..? unfortunately battles not so exciting with hero not that heroic or warrior like (a practical joker who hides up trees to escape his enemies, give me strength) yet winning respect from fellow and enemy soldiers for some reason that I couldn't get, he had none from me. I assume he got one of the girls, as I lost interest completely well before the end.

[Libby Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

AS usual, I enjoy reading Gillian Bradshaw. I wasn't quite as intrigued by this book, because it dealt mainly with war, battles, scouting and political intrigue. However, Bradshaw's characters are always wonderfully constructed and likeable that even war can be interesting.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gillian Bradshaw is one of those authors who does historical fiction brilliantly. Even if I have no interest whatsoever in the historical period which she is writing in, I will pick up her novels because I know they will be excellent.