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Sarmatian Trilogy #3
The Hollow Throne
The unmissable conclusion to Tim Leach's critically acclaimed historical adventure series set in the Roman Empire.
180 AD. North of the Wall, Sarmatian warrior Kai and his adopted tribe, the Votadini, struggle for survival, cast into unfamiliar lands by Roman reprisals.
When news arrives that an old enemy is in charge of the Votadini's hated foes, a confederation of tribes known as the Painted People, and has roused them to action, Kai heads south towards the Wall, hoping to ally with the Romans against this resurgent threat.
Meanwhile, the Romans have heard tales of butchery and mayhem beyond the Wall. Lucius, Legate of the North, believes is is Kai and his allies who are responsible, and sends forth an expedition to capture his old comrade.
Can Kai and his loved ones survive the onslaught – or will the combined might of Rome and the hatred of their enemies spell the end for the warrior and his tribe?
180 AD. North of the Wall, Sarmatian warrior Kai and his adopted tribe, the Votadini, struggle for survival, cast into unfamiliar lands by Roman reprisals.
When news arrives that an old enemy is in charge of the Votadini's hated foes, a confederation of tribes known as the Painted People, and has roused them to action, Kai heads south towards the Wall, hoping to ally with the Romans against this resurgent threat.
Meanwhile, the Romans have heard tales of butchery and mayhem beyond the Wall. Lucius, Legate of the North, believes is is Kai and his allies who are responsible, and sends forth an expedition to capture his old comrade.
Can Kai and his loved ones survive the onslaught – or will the combined might of Rome and the hatred of their enemies spell the end for the warrior and his tribe?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2023
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Tim Leach
13 books65 followersWriter, climber, whisky drinker, chess dabbler and general purpose layabout. London exile currently encamped in the North and loving it. I've studied and taught creative writing at the University of Warwick and worked in bookshops in London and Greece.
If you'd like to know any more about me or my books, just ping me a message. Thanks for stopping by!
If you'd like to know any more about me or my books, just ping me a message. Thanks for stopping by!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 7, 2023
The Hollow Throne is the final book in The Sarmation Trilogy. Although it could be read as a standalone, The Hollow Throne has frequent references to events in the two earlier books – A Winter War and The Iron Way – so for full enjoyment I’d recommend starting from the beginning. In addition, there is so much in this final book that rests on the relationships between the main characters that have developed over the course of the series. As it happens, I haven’t read the first book, A Winter War, but I definitely intend to do so because I’m keen to learn more about the characters’ first encounters.
I’d never heard of the Sarmation people before reading The Iron Way and I suspect I wouldn’t be alone in that. Very little is known for certain about them as they left no written records and minimal archaeological evidence, other than that they were a nomadic, warlike people who travelled across the steppes of eastern Europe. However, a gap in the historical record is fertile ground for an author of historical fiction and Tim Leach has taken full advantage of this giving us a picture of a people bound together by ties of kinship but also by sacred oaths and a belief that to die in battle is glorious. And it’s not just the men who fearlessly ride into battle on their mighty steeds but the Sarmatian women too. It’s a culture in which once you’re too old to ride or wield a sword you’re expected to submit to the sword.
The book sees the return of four main characters: Sarmatian warrior Kai; his sister Laimei, known by the war name ‘the Cruel Spear’; Lucius, a Roman commander who, as a result of events in previous books, has formed strong ties with the Sarmatians; and Arite, the wife of Kai’s former friend and also briefly Kai’s lover. An old enemy returns too.
Second century Roman Britain was a dangerous time to be alive and death – violent death – was often close at hand. If you were lucky it was quick but if you weren’t it was anything but. As becomes all too clear, the fearsome Painted People are the masters of the slow death, fuelled by a messianic fervour whipped up by a ruthless and deranged leader who is the subject of the intensely dramatic Prologue.
The author brings a mystical element to the story with characters influenced by visions, dreams, legends handed down through the generations or sacred objects the possession of which can give the possessor untold power or unleash evil on the world. As Kai and his tattered band of comrades face what may be a pivotal confrontation with the Painted People he senses death all around him. ‘The land had forgotten them, but he was certain that its people had not. Ghosts seemed to watch them from every forest and bank of heather, unseen eyes clustering thick about the cairns on the hillsides, peering up from the swift-running river. It was as though an army of vengeful spirits closed about them, and what use were spears against the dead?’ But for those who crave action in their historical fiction, there’s plenty of that as well.
Being the final book in the trilogy, it’s not surprise that there is an elegaic air to it with some relationships repaired and others remaining severed forever because of betrayals and broken promises that can never be forgiven. I found some of the events towards the end of the book intensely moving, especially as the author resists the temptation to give every character a happy ending.
I found The Hollow Throne completely gripping and I can’t wait to see what Tim Leach comes up with next. In the meantime I shall be looking out my copy of A Winter War and adding to my wishlist The King and the Slave, the follow-up to The Last King of Lydia, the book that first introduced me to the author’s work.
I’d never heard of the Sarmation people before reading The Iron Way and I suspect I wouldn’t be alone in that. Very little is known for certain about them as they left no written records and minimal archaeological evidence, other than that they were a nomadic, warlike people who travelled across the steppes of eastern Europe. However, a gap in the historical record is fertile ground for an author of historical fiction and Tim Leach has taken full advantage of this giving us a picture of a people bound together by ties of kinship but also by sacred oaths and a belief that to die in battle is glorious. And it’s not just the men who fearlessly ride into battle on their mighty steeds but the Sarmatian women too. It’s a culture in which once you’re too old to ride or wield a sword you’re expected to submit to the sword.
The book sees the return of four main characters: Sarmatian warrior Kai; his sister Laimei, known by the war name ‘the Cruel Spear’; Lucius, a Roman commander who, as a result of events in previous books, has formed strong ties with the Sarmatians; and Arite, the wife of Kai’s former friend and also briefly Kai’s lover. An old enemy returns too.
Second century Roman Britain was a dangerous time to be alive and death – violent death – was often close at hand. If you were lucky it was quick but if you weren’t it was anything but. As becomes all too clear, the fearsome Painted People are the masters of the slow death, fuelled by a messianic fervour whipped up by a ruthless and deranged leader who is the subject of the intensely dramatic Prologue.
The author brings a mystical element to the story with characters influenced by visions, dreams, legends handed down through the generations or sacred objects the possession of which can give the possessor untold power or unleash evil on the world. As Kai and his tattered band of comrades face what may be a pivotal confrontation with the Painted People he senses death all around him. ‘The land had forgotten them, but he was certain that its people had not. Ghosts seemed to watch them from every forest and bank of heather, unseen eyes clustering thick about the cairns on the hillsides, peering up from the swift-running river. It was as though an army of vengeful spirits closed about them, and what use were spears against the dead?’ But for those who crave action in their historical fiction, there’s plenty of that as well.
Being the final book in the trilogy, it’s not surprise that there is an elegaic air to it with some relationships repaired and others remaining severed forever because of betrayals and broken promises that can never be forgiven. I found some of the events towards the end of the book intensely moving, especially as the author resists the temptation to give every character a happy ending.
I found The Hollow Throne completely gripping and I can’t wait to see what Tim Leach comes up with next. In the meantime I shall be looking out my copy of A Winter War and adding to my wishlist The King and the Slave, the follow-up to The Last King of Lydia, the book that first introduced me to the author’s work.
August 4, 2025
Aufgrund seines brillanten Schreibens muss ich Tim Leach an seinem eigenen Standard messen, weshalb ich dem Ende der Trilogie 4,5 Sterne geben würde. Die Pluspunkte sind wie gewohnt starke, komplexe Charaktere, schöne sprachliche Bilder und eine nicht enden zu wollende Spannungskurve. Leider haben mich allerdings die dicke plot armor, 1-2 "Zufälligkeiten" und der Ausflug in das Übernatürliche nicht überzeugt.
September 8, 2024
Spannendes Finale!
July 19, 2023
I received a review copy from the publishers as part of this blog tour in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE HOLLOW THRONE finishes off this series about Sarmatians plucked from their homes by Rome to fight - and die - for them in Britain with cool composure.
This is a series that takes myth and fragments of history and weaves them into a story to fill the gaps in the records. There has clearly been a lot of research into the lives of soldiers in Roman Britain and the tensions with the tribes, adding texture into the uncertainty of the blank spots in history, allowing a tale to be painted in that explores the gaps left.
THE HOLLOW THRONE continues the bleak feel of the series. This is a world where death is a familiar companion, coming in many forms; fever, age, war. The Romans have turned worlds upside down in their conquest and resettlement, sending people to die so far from home. Alongside this more general bleakness, there is the personal hollowness of broken relationships and betrayals, exiles from friends and family.
I like that bleakness, the fact the series does not shy away from the harsh realities of life in the Roman world for the conscripted. It makes it feel much more real, much more potent to not try and cover it up.
The landscape of Northern Britain (the lowlands of Scotland mostly) reflects this so well, rugged and wild and very, very windy. I loved seeing those early British myths woven into this story, like Yns Mor, as these peoples - British, Roman, and Sarmatian - have to find a way to live together, or all die.
THE HOLLOW THRONE finishes off this series about Sarmatians plucked from their homes by Rome to fight - and die - for them in Britain with cool composure.
This is a series that takes myth and fragments of history and weaves them into a story to fill the gaps in the records. There has clearly been a lot of research into the lives of soldiers in Roman Britain and the tensions with the tribes, adding texture into the uncertainty of the blank spots in history, allowing a tale to be painted in that explores the gaps left.
THE HOLLOW THRONE continues the bleak feel of the series. This is a world where death is a familiar companion, coming in many forms; fever, age, war. The Romans have turned worlds upside down in their conquest and resettlement, sending people to die so far from home. Alongside this more general bleakness, there is the personal hollowness of broken relationships and betrayals, exiles from friends and family.
I like that bleakness, the fact the series does not shy away from the harsh realities of life in the Roman world for the conscripted. It makes it feel much more real, much more potent to not try and cover it up.
The landscape of Northern Britain (the lowlands of Scotland mostly) reflects this so well, rugged and wild and very, very windy. I loved seeing those early British myths woven into this story, like Yns Mor, as these peoples - British, Roman, and Sarmatian - have to find a way to live together, or all die.
August 11, 2023
⭐4.2 OUT OF 5 STARS⭐
The Hollow Throne by Tim Leach is a brilliantly intriguing read.
I’d never head of Sarmation people before so I found it really interesting and unique for me to read. There’s actually not much known about them so this was a really great reimagining and gave me great insight into something I found really intriguing. It’s also clearly been meticulously researched and I always love when books (especially historical fiction) exudes knowledge.
For me this was a moving story although I would’ve perhaps liked to have seen more depth to the characters. They were built well and had good character development I just would’ve liked to have seen more depth.
I really loved how myth and legend was incorporated as I always find that kind of stuff really interesting in historical fiction.
This is the third and final book in the trilogy but I found it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Whilst it’s the last book in the trilogy and you often expect everything to be resolved and tied up with a nice bow, I really quite liked how it left some things to just be what it is and for that to be okay. The ending was really moving and definitely my favourite part.
Thanks to Andrew Knowles (Head Of Zeus – Aries Fiction) for my copy.
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The Hollow Throne by Tim Leach is a brilliantly intriguing read.
I’d never head of Sarmation people before so I found it really interesting and unique for me to read. There’s actually not much known about them so this was a really great reimagining and gave me great insight into something I found really intriguing. It’s also clearly been meticulously researched and I always love when books (especially historical fiction) exudes knowledge.
For me this was a moving story although I would’ve perhaps liked to have seen more depth to the characters. They were built well and had good character development I just would’ve liked to have seen more depth.
I really loved how myth and legend was incorporated as I always find that kind of stuff really interesting in historical fiction.
This is the third and final book in the trilogy but I found it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Whilst it’s the last book in the trilogy and you often expect everything to be resolved and tied up with a nice bow, I really quite liked how it left some things to just be what it is and for that to be okay. The ending was really moving and definitely my favourite part.
Thanks to Andrew Knowles (Head Of Zeus – Aries Fiction) for my copy.
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May 3, 2025
Eine Geschichte, die mich doch deutlich mehr abgeholt hat, als ich vermutet hätte.
Der Autor nutzt, die geringen schriftlichen Nachweise der Sarmaten, um trotzdessen eine glaubhafte und bewegende Geschichte um den Einsatz in der Provinz Britannia zu weben.
Die Geschichte lebt von den Emotionen, den Erwartungen zwischen den Figuren. Gefühle von Verletztheit, Verrat, Geschwisterlichkeit, Treue und Verlust werden hier auf bewegende Art hervorgeholt und weichen doch stets der Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft. In der Veränderung und Anpassung finden die nomadischen Sarmaten eine neue Heimat und prägen die Zukunft der britischen Insel.
Eine gelungene Geschichte, die der behandelten Zeit eine weitere Perspektive hinzufügt.
Werde denke ich irgendwann noch einmal zu dieser Geschichte zurückkehren.
Der Autor nutzt, die geringen schriftlichen Nachweise der Sarmaten, um trotzdessen eine glaubhafte und bewegende Geschichte um den Einsatz in der Provinz Britannia zu weben.
Die Geschichte lebt von den Emotionen, den Erwartungen zwischen den Figuren. Gefühle von Verletztheit, Verrat, Geschwisterlichkeit, Treue und Verlust werden hier auf bewegende Art hervorgeholt und weichen doch stets der Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft. In der Veränderung und Anpassung finden die nomadischen Sarmaten eine neue Heimat und prägen die Zukunft der britischen Insel.
Eine gelungene Geschichte, die der behandelten Zeit eine weitere Perspektive hinzufügt.
Werde denke ich irgendwann noch einmal zu dieser Geschichte zurückkehren.
September 4, 2023
A wonderfully evocative and poignant ending to this excellent trilogy. The only jarring note was the mention of a sycamore tree, which I understand from pollen and linguistic evidence is unlikely to have been found in Scotland until the tudor period. But who knows for certain? Still, it didn't have to be a sycamore so why not pick a tree native to Scotland in the early part of the millenium? However, I'm just being picky. It was still a wonderful book and I was saddened not only by the ending but the fact that it ended at all.
May 5, 2025
I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the previous two Imthink!
September 15, 2023
This is the third and concluding chapter in the highly acclaimed Sarmation trilogy and follows the exploits of Kai, I would say that you do not necessarily have had to have read the previous books, (though i am sure you will want to having read this), this stands out as a wonderfully told story.
The author cleverly takes little known parts of history, where there is little to learn, but then weaves that into a narrative giving the reader a strong sense of place, time and people, a story which had me captivated and spellbound in its magic
You are given a real feeling for the time, the landscape bleak, wild and barren, the author transports you back, you can imagine the scenery, it is superbly drawn out on the page, equally with the characters you can believe in each and picture them, it comes across at times that people are not afraid to kill or be killed, there are terrifically descriptive scenes
You get a sense as you read on the the author has clearly researched the period in all aspects and then transfers that onto the page, that left me with a real sense of knowing that what I was reading had a ring of truth. There is a tense feeling of unease and a fragile peace between the Romans and the various tribes within Britain
I thoroughly enjoyed reading, 5* will appeal to all who either have a love of magical fantsay/history and those who just love an author who knows how to tell a story. It was a read which drew me in and then held me until the end, it is not without it moments of tension and drama.
A remarkably atmospheric read, rich in history and its storytelling
The author cleverly takes little known parts of history, where there is little to learn, but then weaves that into a narrative giving the reader a strong sense of place, time and people, a story which had me captivated and spellbound in its magic
You are given a real feeling for the time, the landscape bleak, wild and barren, the author transports you back, you can imagine the scenery, it is superbly drawn out on the page, equally with the characters you can believe in each and picture them, it comes across at times that people are not afraid to kill or be killed, there are terrifically descriptive scenes
You get a sense as you read on the the author has clearly researched the period in all aspects and then transfers that onto the page, that left me with a real sense of knowing that what I was reading had a ring of truth. There is a tense feeling of unease and a fragile peace between the Romans and the various tribes within Britain
I thoroughly enjoyed reading, 5* will appeal to all who either have a love of magical fantsay/history and those who just love an author who knows how to tell a story. It was a read which drew me in and then held me until the end, it is not without it moments of tension and drama.
A remarkably atmospheric read, rich in history and its storytelling
June 20, 2023
The final part of this historical trilogy. I have loved every book in this series. The books are all beautifully and poetically written. It is a joy to be reunited with Kai, Lucius and Arite as they battle against the Painted People north of Hadrians Wall. This is a very atmospheric and moving story. I highly recommend this series.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
August 1, 2023
I loved this sereis as it's action packed and well plotted. It's the good end of this trilogy and I strongly recommend it as it's fast paced, action packed and highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews