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Age of Attila #1
The Eagle and the Wolf
Not yet published
Expected 13 Aug 26As Hun hordes and Germanic tribes maraud through Imperial lands, two legendary men – Attila the Hun and the “Last of the Romans” General Flavius Aetius find their fortunes entangled with the chaos.
Flavius Aetius, a noble Roman son, is an outsider in a savage land. He has been banished, given as hostage to the barbaric Huns and sent to the edge of the world.
What the Huns do not know, however, is that his father and mother have been murdered in a coup. He is an orphan, with no value at all. His life hangs on a lie.
In this new harsh world, he manages to find one grudging ally, a young boy named Attila.
A brotherhood is formed. One that, the shamans foretell, will shatter the world.
Flavius Aetius, a noble Roman son, is an outsider in a savage land. He has been banished, given as hostage to the barbaric Huns and sent to the edge of the world.
What the Huns do not know, however, is that his father and mother have been murdered in a coup. He is an orphan, with no value at all. His life hangs on a lie.
In this new harsh world, he manages to find one grudging ally, a young boy named Attila.
A brotherhood is formed. One that, the shamans foretell, will shatter the world.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 13, 2026
About the author
Gordon Doherty
42 books304 followersI'm a Scottish writer, addicted to reading and writing historical fiction.
My love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. My expeditions since have taken me all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing me to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.
All of my novels are available from good online stores in paperback and eBook format.
Happy reading!
My website: www.gordondoherty.co.uk
My Twitter: @GordonDoherty
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonDohert...
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybC...
My love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. My expeditions since have taken me all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing me to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.
All of my novels are available from good online stores in paperback and eBook format.
Happy reading!
My website: www.gordondoherty.co.uk
My Twitter: @GordonDoherty
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonDohert...
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybC...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Fall of the Western Roman Empire never did happen with Attila. That is what this book is perhaps hinting at. That is the constant assumption. That Attila the Hun arrived, pounded Rome to smithereens, and that was the end of it. Maybe one defeat happened. If anything, the fall of the West was due to indecisiveness, hesitation and the belief that Romans were losing faith in Rome itself. Not to mention all the political court wrangling and the snake who did more than enough to cause the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, Ricimer.
This is an excellent book that showcases a lesser-known period of Rome. You enter into a world of Christianity, a world where Constantine’s edict wiped out the Pagan religion, a world where the Christian Romans fought against the Pagan Huns. A world that gives General Aetius, one of Rome’s most brilliant generals, a new life. A new story to be told through his point of view. And Attila, who is reinvented not as a comic-book villain but with layers upon layers of character-building. This book is so good that the prose itself lures you into a world that you will be immersed in.
Gordon has been a master of writing historical fiction for many years, and I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing his Bronze Age Saga, set in the Hittite Era, as well as much of his later historical fiction that focuses on lesser-known periods of the Roman Empire. Gordon would have already picked out 7-8 history books and started researching before he decided to write!
I can confidently say that this is one of his strongest entries by far. I include him in the list of well-known authors: Ben Kane, Anthony Ryan, Steven Saylor, SJA Turney, Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Giles Kristen. These are the authors you would compare to for this book.
I thoroughly recommend reading a novel about the Fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is only the first entry in a series that will come to define the Age of Attila and Rome itself.
This is an excellent book that showcases a lesser-known period of Rome. You enter into a world of Christianity, a world where Constantine’s edict wiped out the Pagan religion, a world where the Christian Romans fought against the Pagan Huns. A world that gives General Aetius, one of Rome’s most brilliant generals, a new life. A new story to be told through his point of view. And Attila, who is reinvented not as a comic-book villain but with layers upon layers of character-building. This book is so good that the prose itself lures you into a world that you will be immersed in.
Gordon has been a master of writing historical fiction for many years, and I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing his Bronze Age Saga, set in the Hittite Era, as well as much of his later historical fiction that focuses on lesser-known periods of the Roman Empire. Gordon would have already picked out 7-8 history books and started researching before he decided to write!
I can confidently say that this is one of his strongest entries by far. I include him in the list of well-known authors: Ben Kane, Anthony Ryan, Steven Saylor, SJA Turney, Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Giles Kristen. These are the authors you would compare to for this book.
I thoroughly recommend reading a novel about the Fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is only the first entry in a series that will come to define the Age of Attila and Rome itself.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book Review
The Eagle and the Wolf (Age of Attila #1)
by Gordon Doherty
📅 Release Date: 13 August 2026
This was a powerful and immersive start to the Age of Attila series ⚔️🔥
The Eagle and the Wolf brings history vividly to life, blending brutal conflict with deeply human storytelling. The relationship between Flavius Aetius and Attila is the true heart of the novel—what begins as an unlikely bond in a harsh, unforgiving world grows into something compelling, layered, and filled with tension.
Doherty’s writing captures the grit and danger of the era brilliantly. The political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and looming sense of destiny create a constant undercurrent of suspense. Knowing who these boys will become only adds to the intensity, making every moment feel significant.
At times, the pacing can feel a little dense with detail, but it never takes away from the scale and ambition of the story. If anything, it adds to the richness of the world-building.
A gripping, character-driven historical epic full of war, loyalty, and fate—perfect for fans of Roman history and powerful rivalries. I’m definitely intrigued to see where this series goes next 👀✨
The Eagle and the Wolf (Age of Attila #1)
by Gordon Doherty
📅 Release Date: 13 August 2026
This was a powerful and immersive start to the Age of Attila series ⚔️🔥
The Eagle and the Wolf brings history vividly to life, blending brutal conflict with deeply human storytelling. The relationship between Flavius Aetius and Attila is the true heart of the novel—what begins as an unlikely bond in a harsh, unforgiving world grows into something compelling, layered, and filled with tension.
Doherty’s writing captures the grit and danger of the era brilliantly. The political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and looming sense of destiny create a constant undercurrent of suspense. Knowing who these boys will become only adds to the intensity, making every moment feel significant.
At times, the pacing can feel a little dense with detail, but it never takes away from the scale and ambition of the story. If anything, it adds to the richness of the world-building.
A gripping, character-driven historical epic full of war, loyalty, and fate—perfect for fans of Roman history and powerful rivalries. I’m definitely intrigued to see where this series goes next 👀✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A really strong opening to a new series, and honestly I was hooked from the premise alone. A story centred on Attila the Hun! That’s a pretty underused corner of historical fiction, and it immediately stood out. Thankfully, it lives up to that promise.
I had a great time with this one especially the sections out on the Steppe. The dynamic between Flavius and Attila was easily the highlight for me, those chapters had a real spark to them. By comparison, when they were apart, the story lost a bit of its edge.
One thing I really appreciated was the level of research. The idea of Attila being sent to Rome as a youth has always been one of those fascinating historical “what ifs,” and Doherty weaves it into the narrative in a way that feels natural and convincing rather than forced.
It’s not completely flawless, there are a couple of plot conveniences that stood out, and that’s always something that pulls me out of the story a bit. Still, they’re not enough to take away from the overall experience.
All in all, a brilliant read and a very promising start. Definitely looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
I had a great time with this one especially the sections out on the Steppe. The dynamic between Flavius and Attila was easily the highlight for me, those chapters had a real spark to them. By comparison, when they were apart, the story lost a bit of its edge.
One thing I really appreciated was the level of research. The idea of Attila being sent to Rome as a youth has always been one of those fascinating historical “what ifs,” and Doherty weaves it into the narrative in a way that feels natural and convincing rather than forced.
It’s not completely flawless, there are a couple of plot conveniences that stood out, and that’s always something that pulls me out of the story a bit. Still, they’re not enough to take away from the overall experience.
All in all, a brilliant read and a very promising start. Definitely looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews