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Heroes & History #1
Hostage Lands
A Latin student delves into the story of Rusticus, a centurion saved from massacre by Caedmon, a Celt who has witnessed Christians being martyred in Rome.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2006
12 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Bond
79 books227 followersDouglas Bond, author of more than thirty books--several now in Dutch, Portuguese, Romanian, and Korean--is father of six, and grandfather of eleven--and counting--is Director for the Oxford Creative Writing Master Class and the Carolina Creative Writing Master Class, two-time Grace Award book finalist, adjunct instructor in Church history, recent advisory member to the national committee for Reformed University Fellowship, award-winning teacher, speaker at conferences, and leader of Church history tours in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 26, 2022
Hostage Lands is one of those wonderful books that pulls you in on the first page; makes you forget where you are, the century you're living in, the things going on around you - everything, in fact, but the story. You can hear the clash of swords around you, feel the early morning mist swirling over the ancient moors of Roman Britain, and feel as if you are standing right with the characters... or rather, almost that you ARE the characters... and remain on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. It is a book you never want to end.
Rusticus is a wonderful character and makes a perfect narrator for the story. At first, I was doubtful whether a first-person POV would really work on a book like this, but it was absolutely perfect and it made the book even better than it would have been. His desperate predicament, so far-reaching and seemingly inescapable, has you immediately rooting for him and wishing everything could come right. As for Calum, I absolutely loved him. Extremely kind, devoted to doing what is right, and with a deep loyalty to his friends and family - and having a dry, humourous outlook and an almost stoical way of responding to all situations. Linus was hilarious. The modern-day characters - Neil, his father, Miss Klitze... they were all so good too. The story is one to thrill any lover of historical fiction, suspense, and Roman Britain. With an intriguing premise, a captivating plot, and a brilliant writing style, this is a book that will capture your imagination and leave you with the feeling that it could, so easily, have been true. I would recommend it to anyone!
Rusticus is a wonderful character and makes a perfect narrator for the story. At first, I was doubtful whether a first-person POV would really work on a book like this, but it was absolutely perfect and it made the book even better than it would have been. His desperate predicament, so far-reaching and seemingly inescapable, has you immediately rooting for him and wishing everything could come right. As for Calum, I absolutely loved him. Extremely kind, devoted to doing what is right, and with a deep loyalty to his friends and family - and having a dry, humourous outlook and an almost stoical way of responding to all situations. Linus was hilarious. The modern-day characters - Neil, his father, Miss Klitze... they were all so good too. The story is one to thrill any lover of historical fiction, suspense, and Roman Britain. With an intriguing premise, a captivating plot, and a brilliant writing style, this is a book that will capture your imagination and leave you with the feeling that it could, so easily, have been true. I would recommend it to anyone!
April 20, 2024
Set in the turbulent times and territory of ancient Roman Britain, 'Hostage Lands' delivers an exciting historical adventure that is both gripping and satisfying. The fast-paced plot definitely holds much intrigue and didn't fail to in its task to keep me engaged in the story. Even though the vast majority of the plot is rooted in Roman Britain, the story's modern-day beginning gives an interesting perspective to the main events of the plot. The mix of characters — Romans and Celts, tribunes and chieftains, plebians and centurions — is a varied and balanced ingredient that lends good flavor to the plot. Many terms and customs of Latin and Roman history are scattered throughout the book; these historical nuggets were fun to learn about and greatly help to set the historical atmosphere for the book. Also proving historically interesting are the many references to the Roman and Celt gods of mythology; a helpful glossary aids the reader in further understanding the meaning of the gods' names. Entertaining, thought provoking, and instructive, 'Hostage Lands' is an exciting and intriguing historical novel that aptly shows the workings of the one true God within the pages of history.
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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖
Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 4/5
— 📝 Writing: 4/5
— 👥 Characters: 3.5/5
Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
•mild details of ancient war
violence
— ⚠️ S*xual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖
Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 4/5
— 📝 Writing: 4/5
— 👥 Characters: 3.5/5
Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
•mild details of ancient war
violence
— ⚠️ S*xual: 0/5
April 1, 2015
"May the Muses attend me", is what the story of a young Roman soldier begins with, that a Latin student uncovers after wrecking his ATV. But after treachery, danger, and an Christian Celt, his story ends with him telling a story.. of a Great King.
I did feel that the portrayal of the Latin teacher in the beginning of the book was.. overdone, to try to be humerus. But it was a good Christian book, and I'm glad I read it! :)
I did feel that the portrayal of the Latin teacher in the beginning of the book was.. overdone, to try to be humerus. But it was a good Christian book, and I'm glad I read it! :)
May 11, 2019
This is one of the best of the amazing Douglas Bonds' books...LOVE it!!
December 14, 2025
It was an interesting book. I liked learning a little about Roman history. Historical fiction in the Roman era was fun to read!
April 4, 2021
and I, once more, regret not studying latin
December 22, 2021
Really good, the only thing I don't like is the occasional use of modern words in an ancient setting.
December 11, 2014
An exciting novel. Douglas Bond dealt with Ancient Rome very well, and I'll be reading more from him in the future!
April 26, 2025
Wow. This book was great. It begins with a British school boy who hates history wrecking his ATV and finding ancient Roman writing tablets which contai the story of Rusticus, a Roman centurion who is stationed on Hadrian's Wall during the height of Rome's power in Britain. His life is saved by Calum, a once-pagan Celt whose life was drastically changed after witnessing the martyrdom of Christians in the Collusseum.
Christian Elements: Throughout the book, Bond makes frequent references/mentions to "Christus", and the gradual opening of Rusticus' heart is wonderful.
Plot/Overall Writing: The plot was great, better than many Douglas Bond books I have read.(and believe me, I've read quite a few!) I enjoy Bond's writing style, so that was nice, and I would say his writing in general had improved much since his writing of Duncan's War a few years previous to this one.
Content: No problems! Once, Rusticus notices the beauty of Iona, a Celtic maiden, but nothing very detailed or anything I would have issues with. A man's leg is wounded by a boar, and Calum treats it, but again, no issues for me.
Highly recommend!!!!
Christian Elements: Throughout the book, Bond makes frequent references/mentions to "Christus", and the gradual opening of Rusticus' heart is wonderful.
Plot/Overall Writing: The plot was great, better than many Douglas Bond books I have read.(and believe me, I've read quite a few!) I enjoy Bond's writing style, so that was nice, and I would say his writing in general had improved much since his writing of Duncan's War a few years previous to this one.
Content: No problems! Once, Rusticus notices the beauty of Iona, a Celtic maiden, but nothing very detailed or anything I would have issues with. A man's leg is wounded by a boar, and Calum treats it, but again, no issues for me.
Highly recommend!!!!
October 11, 2020
I was a little unsure if I would like this book.
My father-in-law read it aloud to my husband and his siblings quite a few years ago, and I wondered if it was this positive memory my husband had of the book that made him recommend it.
However, once I got past the first few chapters setting the book up, I really enjoyed it and sped through the rest.
The chapters are short, but the book is well written and intriguing. Once I got into it, I was able to read it quickly because I could easily squeeze 6-8 pages into a few minutes between activities or in the evening.
This would make a great read aloud for school age children or for adults looks for something well written, thoughtful, based in history, and not controversial!
My father-in-law read it aloud to my husband and his siblings quite a few years ago, and I wondered if it was this positive memory my husband had of the book that made him recommend it.
However, once I got past the first few chapters setting the book up, I really enjoyed it and sped through the rest.
The chapters are short, but the book is well written and intriguing. Once I got into it, I was able to read it quickly because I could easily squeeze 6-8 pages into a few minutes between activities or in the evening.
This would make a great read aloud for school age children or for adults looks for something well written, thoughtful, based in history, and not controversial!
February 9, 2025
A pretty good story, especially if you're studying Roman history with the kids. It was grippingly exciting, and they loved it. Definitely one of those books that make history come alive.
Personally, I feel like Bond is better at crafting a storyline than at crafting a paragraph. I was constantly editing out superfluous sentences in my head while reading aloud, and kept thinking of how he could have said the same thing better - like using descriptive details without using an entire sentence to describe each one. But then that would have made the book about 25 pages shorter, and the 6 year old said he didn't want it to end (slightly surprising since it's not necessarily for the 6 year old crowd, rather violent at points - ah well, boys!)
Personally, I feel like Bond is better at crafting a storyline than at crafting a paragraph. I was constantly editing out superfluous sentences in my head while reading aloud, and kept thinking of how he could have said the same thing better - like using descriptive details without using an entire sentence to describe each one. But then that would have made the book about 25 pages shorter, and the 6 year old said he didn't want it to end (slightly surprising since it's not necessarily for the 6 year old crowd, rather violent at points - ah well, boys!)
January 3, 2018
One of my favorite Bond books. A fairly well-written story set in Roman Britton (a definite plus), and there's very little "let's make the ancient Christians act and think like modern Protestants" going on. While I had a few theological problems with it they were very tiny and did not detract from the story in the slightest.
October 20, 2025
Read aloud to 7th graders. Covers an interesting period of Roman history, and touches on the persecution of Christians in Rome. Cool, and the kids enjoyed listening… especially during a very tense scene in which, 6 or 7 soldiers were arriving. We had a good chuckle.
Students wished there was a part two, or more focus on Rusticus’s happy ending.
Students wished there was a part two, or more focus on Rusticus’s happy ending.
June 8, 2018
Definitely a great book to read and to keep on the shelves. I've lost it, however I remember when we first got it, reading it with my mother. For a long time I listed it as my very favorite book, and it's still up there somewhere.
November 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this historical fiction book about the Roman Empire invading Britain. It was engaging, informative, and the storyline drew you in wanting to read yet another chapter. After this book I would like to try more of Douglas Bond’s books in the future.
December 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, and so did my boys who I read it to.
January 19, 2021
Interesting, well-written story. Satisfying ending. It makes me want to read more about ancient Roman history.
May 16, 2023
Pretty well executed. The romance was a little mushy at times, but the story overall was good. It reminded me of Rosemary Suttcliff's Roman Britain trilogy, but with a clearer Christian message.
July 24, 2023
It was okay. Nice and short. Three stars. That’s all.
June 14, 2024
I remember enjoying this unique story about a boy who uncovers a record of a young Roman soldier's experiences in Britain with Christianity.
January 17, 2025
Great story. A good "living history" option for ancient history. A bit flowery in writing style, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
February 26, 2008
Fifteen-year-old Neil Perkins lived a reasonably good life. He lived on Hostage Heath, a farm near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, and his parents let him go where he please on his four-wheeler, as long as he accomplished his chores. Yes, he had a good life, except for his Latin classes with the ridiculous Miss Klitsa. Perhaps she would have been better off teaching a drama class.
After wrecking his four-wheeler near the Wall, Neil finds a spearhead and packet of tablets in the hole he made in landing. The tablets were all written upon, and in Latin, no less! He took them to Miss Klitsa and asked what they said, but she was too much of a teacher to tell him.
All of this merely serves as the introduction to the tale which Neil laboriously translated. The epic tale of Celts and Romans scheming, spying, fighting and dying around Hadrian’s Wall is reminiscent of the tales spun by Rosemary Sutcliff. We follow the centurion Rusticus, who must decide where his loyalties lay. The story is well told, and readers will hold their breath, instead of easily guessing the way everything will resolve itself. To make this drama even better than Sutcliff’s, one of these characters, Calum, is a Christian, although he does not proclaim it to everyone he meets. When the Celts sit around the fire at night, and call on him for a story, he tells them, “My tale is of a great King,” and gives the whole gospel. Calum’s service to the Prince of Peace does not however, make him any less valiant a soldier.
The book concludes with Rusticas telling a story of “a great King.” Neil wonders if the whole story is true, and asks questions. Will Neil, will the reader believe the story? What about the tale of “a great King”?
I have always loved Sutcliff’s books, but Hostage Lands ranks even higher on my list. I wish I could give it more stars, and highly recommend it to those 13 and up. Travel back to the misty, dangerous Britain of the Celts, when Romans built their wall, and flaunted their standards. You will learn to think like a Celt, and step quietly behind a tree when you hear footsteps. And maybe you finish this book, and read it again, and give it a place with your favorite Celtic books.
After wrecking his four-wheeler near the Wall, Neil finds a spearhead and packet of tablets in the hole he made in landing. The tablets were all written upon, and in Latin, no less! He took them to Miss Klitsa and asked what they said, but she was too much of a teacher to tell him.
All of this merely serves as the introduction to the tale which Neil laboriously translated. The epic tale of Celts and Romans scheming, spying, fighting and dying around Hadrian’s Wall is reminiscent of the tales spun by Rosemary Sutcliff. We follow the centurion Rusticus, who must decide where his loyalties lay. The story is well told, and readers will hold their breath, instead of easily guessing the way everything will resolve itself. To make this drama even better than Sutcliff’s, one of these characters, Calum, is a Christian, although he does not proclaim it to everyone he meets. When the Celts sit around the fire at night, and call on him for a story, he tells them, “My tale is of a great King,” and gives the whole gospel. Calum’s service to the Prince of Peace does not however, make him any less valiant a soldier.
The book concludes with Rusticas telling a story of “a great King.” Neil wonders if the whole story is true, and asks questions. Will Neil, will the reader believe the story? What about the tale of “a great King”?
I have always loved Sutcliff’s books, but Hostage Lands ranks even higher on my list. I wish I could give it more stars, and highly recommend it to those 13 and up. Travel back to the misty, dangerous Britain of the Celts, when Romans built their wall, and flaunted their standards. You will learn to think like a Celt, and step quietly behind a tree when you hear footsteps. And maybe you finish this book, and read it again, and give it a place with your favorite Celtic books.
February 15, 2015
While I don't care for the way Bond framed two of his other books, his use of that literary device in this book is spot on. Neil and his Latin teacher drew me in at once with their contentious relationship, and I loved the tying together of Hadrian's wall today and two thousand years ago. The past and the present are woven together, the truth of the one reflecting on the truth of the other.
I appreciate Rusticus as the stoic Roman soldier, willing to challenge everything he's known. Then there's Calum, a Celt living under Roman rule, who is strangely peaceful and confident in the face of great odds. Can the gods bring Rusticus through the enemies that surround him? Who is the Christ Calum speaks of? Good stuff. :)
I love the history, I love the Latin, and I love the characters.
I appreciate Rusticus as the stoic Roman soldier, willing to challenge everything he's known. Then there's Calum, a Celt living under Roman rule, who is strangely peaceful and confident in the face of great odds. Can the gods bring Rusticus through the enemies that surround him? Who is the Christ Calum speaks of? Good stuff. :)
I love the history, I love the Latin, and I love the characters.
March 28, 2009
A story within a story. We begin with Neal and his rather abnormal Latin teacher, but move on to the Latin tale that Neal has to translate--narrated by the centurion Rusticus aobut himself, his Celt friend Calum, and their various friends, relations, and enemies in Roman Britain in the second century AD.
I enjoyed this more than Bond's Crown and Covenant series. The plot was more solid and the storyline/writing very well done.
I enjoyed this more than Bond's Crown and Covenant series. The plot was more solid and the storyline/writing very well done.
January 21, 2013
This is a fun, unique book on the little known warfare along Hadrian's wall. The main character has to be one of the best in this class of books that I have come across in quite some time. He is a unique, realistic, humorous, flawed, character that the author was not afraid to state actually shook in his boots at points when I would bet most of us would either be petrified with terror or else running the other direction.
August 5, 2013
A Quickie Review
A Christian-themed book that brings history alive, Hostage Lands was so good that I devoured it in one sitting. If you like historical fiction, you should definitely check this one out as soon as possible. The action, the intensity, the reality of it all...amazing, seriously.
Content Concerns: As the book deals with a historical war, there is some violence.
Score: 4.5/5
A Christian-themed book that brings history alive, Hostage Lands was so good that I devoured it in one sitting. If you like historical fiction, you should definitely check this one out as soon as possible. The action, the intensity, the reality of it all...amazing, seriously.
Content Concerns: As the book deals with a historical war, there is some violence.
Score: 4.5/5
January 2, 2015
A great book that held my interest with a narrator I cared about and a tale of ambition, intrigue and courage that brings to life the Roman outpost at Hadrian's wall and conflict with the Celts amidst the fading glory of Rome and the rising influence of Christianity. In the beginning I wasn't sure I liked the way it was framed by a modern day student finding old Roman tablets, but it worked well and I believe was inspired by the wooden Roman tablets found at Vindolanda.
April 20, 2011
I liked this book. It was very well written and it had a captivating plot. At first I was disappointed that the book wasn't actually about Neil Perkins. (Well, not really). And it didn't end like I thought it should. But over all I am completely satisfied. Quick read.
October 26, 2013
I personally didn't read this book, but my 10 year old ate it up in a day. He loved it! He said he loved the history and the action in it. I love that my children can read Biblically sound literature by an author I can trust. So thankful for Douglas Bond!
June 23, 2014
Ancient Rome mixed with Celtic Ireland! What could be better! I felt like I was watching a movie...I think it's Douglas Bond's best book. The characters, the dialog, the plot- excellent! Reading it reminded me a lot of the Gladiator movie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews