What do you think?
Rate this book
Tribune Valerius & Centurion Marcellus #2
Return of the Eagles
Mark L. Richards’s Legions of the Forest painstakingly crafted the world of AD 9 under the Roman Empire. He invites you back to ancient Europe in his sequel, Return of the Eagles.
In the Teutoburg Forest, three Roman legions are ambushed and killed under the orders of Arminius, the leader of a united confederation of German tribes. It is a political disaster for Rome and a personal one for Tribune Valerius Maximus and Centurion Marcellus Veronus, two of the few survivors of the attack. Both are given an opportunity to take their revenge on the barbarians.
It’s an opportunity given by Germanicus Caesar, a rising star of the empire and nephew to Emperor Tiberius. As Germanicus begins raising an army, Valerius immerses himself in the German language and customs, and Marcellus trains soldiers in the ways of their enemies. While Valerius and Marcellus understand the ambush tactics of their adversaries, many of the army’s senior leadership underestimate the barbarian tribes.
Valerius and Marcellus are not the same men they were in Legions of the Forest. Will their newfound experience, strength, and spirit be enough to lead Rome to victory? Or will they once again fall prey to the German barbarians?
In the Teutoburg Forest, three Roman legions are ambushed and killed under the orders of Arminius, the leader of a united confederation of German tribes. It is a political disaster for Rome and a personal one for Tribune Valerius Maximus and Centurion Marcellus Veronus, two of the few survivors of the attack. Both are given an opportunity to take their revenge on the barbarians.
It’s an opportunity given by Germanicus Caesar, a rising star of the empire and nephew to Emperor Tiberius. As Germanicus begins raising an army, Valerius immerses himself in the German language and customs, and Marcellus trains soldiers in the ways of their enemies. While Valerius and Marcellus understand the ambush tactics of their adversaries, many of the army’s senior leadership underestimate the barbarian tribes.
Valerius and Marcellus are not the same men they were in Legions of the Forest. Will their newfound experience, strength, and spirit be enough to lead Rome to victory? Or will they once again fall prey to the German barbarians?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 26, 2024
This book tells us of the events that follow the dreadful annihilation of the Roman legions at Teutoburg Forest. As expected, Emperor Augustus couldn’t take this lying down, as the expression goes. He insisted on raising eight legions to avenge the three that were lost, as well as the missing eagles. The young Germanicus was chosen to command the expedition, and he was very impressed by our Tribune Valerius and Centurion Marcellus, who survived the massacre. Needless to say, they were persuaded to go back, since there were few Romans left who know anything at all about the Germans. Valerius was persuaded to learn the language, and acted as Germanicus’s close advisor. He was taught by a member of a rival tribe to the Cherusci—those responsible for Teutoburg—and Wothar also taught Valerius how to fight like the Germans. This was to come in very handy. Their main goal was to catch up with Arminius, the man who betrayed the Romans and led his people to victory. This was to be no easy task, for Arminius was very clever and already knew Roman tactics. He patched together the rival tribes who all wanted to get rid of the new Roman incursion, and, against his better judgment, they opted to attack the Romans in their encampment. It didn’t go well:
The mood was glum. Instead of defeating the Romans, they had suffered a humiliating loss. The German tribal leaders hung their heads in shame. Arminius noted that they were fewer in number than previously. It had been a costly setback, but not a decisive one. The coalition was still intact, albeit in a fragile state. He pondered his words. How was he to address this group? He rejected the “I told you so” scenario. That would do little good. More than likely it would turn more of the chieftains against him, and they would go back home. If only they had listened to him. The attack on the Roman encampment had been foolish.
So on to the next plan, which didn’t go much better, though many were killed on both sides. Alas, Valerius was captured, and his prospects were terrifying. But his German training held him in good stead, and his captors didn’t quite know what to do with him. This novel really plunges us into the uncertain world of post-Teutoburg Germany, where neither side particularly knew what it was doing. There was no clear way forward. But there was no possibility of truce, either, and bloodletting seemed like the only option. Highly recommended.
The mood was glum. Instead of defeating the Romans, they had suffered a humiliating loss. The German tribal leaders hung their heads in shame. Arminius noted that they were fewer in number than previously. It had been a costly setback, but not a decisive one. The coalition was still intact, albeit in a fragile state. He pondered his words. How was he to address this group? He rejected the “I told you so” scenario. That would do little good. More than likely it would turn more of the chieftains against him, and they would go back home. If only they had listened to him. The attack on the Roman encampment had been foolish.
So on to the next plan, which didn’t go much better, though many were killed on both sides. Alas, Valerius was captured, and his prospects were terrifying. But his German training held him in good stead, and his captors didn’t quite know what to do with him. This novel really plunges us into the uncertain world of post-Teutoburg Germany, where neither side particularly knew what it was doing. There was no clear way forward. But there was no possibility of truce, either, and bloodletting seemed like the only option. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2021
Troppi cambi di POV da un personaggio all’altro e alcune parti del romanzo sono scritte in maniera frettolosa. In alcuni passaggi mi ha ricordato “Balla coi lupi” (un libro e un film che ho molto apprezzato). Detto questo il libro si lascia leggere, ho apprezzato il fatto che l’autore abbia Raccontato la campagna militare di Germanico (del resto nel primo libro aveva parlato di Teutoburgo- super inflazionato!), resta uno dei pochi ad averlo fatto.
October 1, 2020
Wonderful series
This second book picks up where “Legions of the Forest” left us, Tribune Valerie’s awaits his fate and finds that he is to return to the site of the battle in the Teotoburg forest, this time with a distinct advantage over the Germanic tribes. The author’s storytelling is magnificent and he spares no details in Roman politics and warfare. If possible, I enjoyed this send part of the tale even more than the first.
This second book picks up where “Legions of the Forest” left us, Tribune Valerie’s awaits his fate and finds that he is to return to the site of the battle in the Teotoburg forest, this time with a distinct advantage over the Germanic tribes. The author’s storytelling is magnificent and he spares no details in Roman politics and warfare. If possible, I enjoyed this send part of the tale even more than the first.
December 20, 2020
A thrilling read!
Whilst not as good a read as Book 1 this was still a thrilling tale. Tribune Valerius was indeed a very fortunate individual, not only did he escape the clutches of death on many occasions he went on to become a hero of Rome. He then found happiness in the arms of a German princess, someone who, initially, had wanted his head. This was a strange but, well written tale in many ways but, I enjoyed it immensely.
Whilst not as good a read as Book 1 this was still a thrilling tale. Tribune Valerius was indeed a very fortunate individual, not only did he escape the clutches of death on many occasions he went on to become a hero of Rome. He then found happiness in the arms of a German princess, someone who, initially, had wanted his head. This was a strange but, well written tale in many ways but, I enjoyed it immensely.
February 19, 2022
Just Keeps Getting Better
Every now and then you come across a series that just can't put down. This one of those for me. A fantastic description of the Roman Campaign to regain their lost eagles. It's hard to believe this is written on events that took place two thousand years ago and still lights a fire in our imagination. I'm a huge fan on Cornwall, Iggulden, Kane, Scarrow, Harffey ECT this author is now firmly added to that list.
Every now and then you come across a series that just can't put down. This one of those for me. A fantastic description of the Roman Campaign to regain their lost eagles. It's hard to believe this is written on events that took place two thousand years ago and still lights a fire in our imagination. I'm a huge fan on Cornwall, Iggulden, Kane, Scarrow, Harffey ECT this author is now firmly added to that list.
May 31, 2021
Written by a warrior
It was obvious from reading these two books that the author had military experience and understood many of the nuances that life in the service develops. An enjoyable read with in depth protagonists that anyone can build an infinity with. History comes alive in these writings.
Nicely done sir.
It was obvious from reading these two books that the author had military experience and understood many of the nuances that life in the service develops. An enjoyable read with in depth protagonists that anyone can build an infinity with. History comes alive in these writings.
Nicely done sir.
December 31, 2020
Straight forward now nonsense adventure
This book and Legions of the Forest offer a reader a great escape to the times and locations of the Roman frontier. It’s not a complicated plot but an easy read that offers great military perspective as well, from soldier to general.
This book and Legions of the Forest offer a reader a great escape to the times and locations of the Roman frontier. It’s not a complicated plot but an easy read that offers great military perspective as well, from soldier to general.
April 16, 2021
An excellent read full of non-stop adventure,the author tries to keep it as authentic as possible i thouroghly enjoyed myself!The characters are well rounded and there is quality inthe style of writing,i could not put the book down!
May 22, 2021
Escaped
V stars for the stories and the characters. At the end of Legions of the Forest, I had an idea that it would all pan out for Valerius & Marcellus, but I wasn't expecting it to turn out the way it did!!
V stars for the stories and the characters. At the end of Legions of the Forest, I had an idea that it would all pan out for Valerius & Marcellus, but I wasn't expecting it to turn out the way it did!!
August 4, 2021
Totally readable
Well written and researched, tale of the intrigue and revenge of the Roman empire,after the slaughter in the Teutonic forest. Sometimes a little unbelievable,but a good tale.Well worth a read.
Well written and researched, tale of the intrigue and revenge of the Roman empire,after the slaughter in the Teutonic forest. Sometimes a little unbelievable,but a good tale.Well worth a read.
January 22, 2022
After Teutoberg, Germanicus returns
Solid tale about Rome returning to far-Rhine River to exact revenge and retrieve the captured standards (eagles). I would prefer more content about Rome and Germans versus the primary (fictional) characters
Solid tale about Rome returning to far-Rhine River to exact revenge and retrieve the captured standards (eagles). I would prefer more content about Rome and Germans versus the primary (fictional) characters
October 29, 2021
Really Good
Just as good as the first in the series. The author has skill in making seemingly implausible narrative turns actually seem reasonable.
Just as good as the first in the series. The author has skill in making seemingly implausible narrative turns actually seem reasonable.
December 3, 2021
Book 2 of 4
Well, are these guys really retired? I’m about to start book 3 of this enjoyable series so I guess I will find out.
Well, are these guys really retired? I’m about to start book 3 of this enjoyable series so I guess I will find out.
December 19, 2019
Second volume of a series
The first volume is about the defeat of the three legions in the German Forest. Two Romans survived and in this book their adventure continues. They return to Germany with the legions of Rome to defeat the Germans and find the lost Eagles. I read the book the day after I finished the first book in the series. Excellent in character development .
The first volume is about the defeat of the three legions in the German Forest. Two Romans survived and in this book their adventure continues. They return to Germany with the legions of Rome to defeat the Germans and find the lost Eagles. I read the book the day after I finished the first book in the series. Excellent in character development .
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews