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Vindolanda #3
Brigantia
From bestselling historian Adrian Goldsworthy, a profoundly authentic, action-packed adventure set in Roman Britain.
AD 100: BRITANNIA.
THE EDGE OF THE ROMAN WORLD.
Flavius Ferox is the hardbitten centurion charged with keeping the peace on Britannia's frontier with the barbarian tribes of the north. Now he's been summoned to Londinium by the governor, but before he sets out an imperial freedman is found brutally murdered in a latrine at Vindolanda fort – and Ferox must find the killer.
As he follows the trail, the murder leads him to plots against the empire and Rome itself, and an old foe gathering mysterious artefacts in the hope of working a great magic. Bandits, soldiers, and gladiators alike are trying to kill him, old friends turn traitor, and Ferox is lured reluctantly to the sinister haunts of the old druids on the isle of Mona, and the bitter power struggle among the Brigantes, the great tribe of the north...
'An instant classic of the genre' HARRY SIDEBOTTOM.
'An authentic, enjoyable read' THE TIMES.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
233 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Goldsworthy
45 books1,549 followersAdrian Goldsworthy, born in 1969, is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including biographies of Julius Caesar and Augustus. He lectures widely and consults on historical documentaries for the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. He lives in the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 27, 2024
4.5/5 Estrellas
Al final se ha llevado 5 estrellas el 3er libro de la gran serie de Goldsworthy sobre Britania. Los 3 libros mantienen muy alto el nivel y se lo merece.
En esta entrega estamos en el 100 dc, a principios del reinado de Trajano. La situación política es inestable, ya que el primer emperador no itálico está empezando a consolidar su poder. La situación en la isla también es delicada, aunque está pacificada desde los tiempos de Agricola (al menos el centro y el sur, ya sabemos que el norte, con los indomables Caledonios, nunca llegó a estar bajo el total control de Roma). Han pasado menos de 40 años desde la gran rebelión de Boudica (61 dc) y todavía resuenan en las mentes de muchos britanos los ecos de aquellos momentos de efímera libertad, ahogados a sangre y fuego por las legiones. Las tribus britanas están muy divididas y la romanización avanza imparable, sobre todo entre sus dirigentes. ¿Será posible todavía que se levanten en armas contra Roma, si alguien toca las teclas adecuadas para remover esas ansias de libertad que ya casi forman parte del pasado?
Los puntos fuertes de la serie están claros:
-La ambientación en la Britania del Siglo I: el conocimiento de las tribus, las relaciones entre ellas. Su relación con las autoridades romanas. En realidad se sabe bien poco de todo esto, pero el autor lo integra muy bien.
-La situación militar: El autor es un especialista en el ejército romano y se nota. No abusa de las batallas, pero cuando lo necesita lo borda, sobre todo en cuanto a describirnos el despliegue, organización y los movimientos de las distintas unidades. En las descripciones de los enfrentamientos en si, no es Cornwell, pero se le acerca. También describe con propiedad los fuertes y fortificaciones donde están estacionadas las distintas unidades militares romanas, su disposición y su vida en ellas (los recientes hallazgos realizados en Vindolanda han sido vitales).
-El mundo religioso celta: la religión druídica planea por toda la serie. Su influencia en el mundo celta y britano en particular, le da un toque místico y hasta cierto punto fantástico a la serie. Poco se sabe de la religión de los Druidas, ya que los romanos la persiguieron con saña e intentaron erradicar todo recuerdo de ella, tanto en la Galia, como en las islas. Pero consigue darle un toque distinto a estas novelas históricas.
-Los protagonistas: Flavio Ferox es nuestro protagonista principal. Descendiente de los Siluros, tribu Britana del oeste de la isla, pero criado como romano, aúna el conocimiento de estos dos mundos antagónicos, pero confluentes, para construir un personaje muy interesante, complejo y que puede moverse con soltura por todas las situaciones posibles en el solar Britano.
-Las tramas: al final los libros de esta serie son más thriller históricos, que novela histórica (ya he comentado que los hechos históricos conocidos del tercio final del siglo I en Britania son escasos). Hay asesinatos, investigaciones, complots, escaramuzas, conflictos y batallas. No te aburres.
Creo que es una serie que merece la pena. Hay mucha acción, hay política, hay tramas bastante elaboradas y hay personajes.
No se puede pedir más. A los que le guste la novela histórica, no pueden dejarla de lado.
Al final se ha llevado 5 estrellas el 3er libro de la gran serie de Goldsworthy sobre Britania. Los 3 libros mantienen muy alto el nivel y se lo merece.
En esta entrega estamos en el 100 dc, a principios del reinado de Trajano. La situación política es inestable, ya que el primer emperador no itálico está empezando a consolidar su poder. La situación en la isla también es delicada, aunque está pacificada desde los tiempos de Agricola (al menos el centro y el sur, ya sabemos que el norte, con los indomables Caledonios, nunca llegó a estar bajo el total control de Roma). Han pasado menos de 40 años desde la gran rebelión de Boudica (61 dc) y todavía resuenan en las mentes de muchos britanos los ecos de aquellos momentos de efímera libertad, ahogados a sangre y fuego por las legiones. Las tribus britanas están muy divididas y la romanización avanza imparable, sobre todo entre sus dirigentes. ¿Será posible todavía que se levanten en armas contra Roma, si alguien toca las teclas adecuadas para remover esas ansias de libertad que ya casi forman parte del pasado?
Los puntos fuertes de la serie están claros:
-La ambientación en la Britania del Siglo I: el conocimiento de las tribus, las relaciones entre ellas. Su relación con las autoridades romanas. En realidad se sabe bien poco de todo esto, pero el autor lo integra muy bien.
-La situación militar: El autor es un especialista en el ejército romano y se nota. No abusa de las batallas, pero cuando lo necesita lo borda, sobre todo en cuanto a describirnos el despliegue, organización y los movimientos de las distintas unidades. En las descripciones de los enfrentamientos en si, no es Cornwell, pero se le acerca. También describe con propiedad los fuertes y fortificaciones donde están estacionadas las distintas unidades militares romanas, su disposición y su vida en ellas (los recientes hallazgos realizados en Vindolanda han sido vitales).
-El mundo religioso celta: la religión druídica planea por toda la serie. Su influencia en el mundo celta y britano en particular, le da un toque místico y hasta cierto punto fantástico a la serie. Poco se sabe de la religión de los Druidas, ya que los romanos la persiguieron con saña e intentaron erradicar todo recuerdo de ella, tanto en la Galia, como en las islas. Pero consigue darle un toque distinto a estas novelas históricas.
-Los protagonistas: Flavio Ferox es nuestro protagonista principal. Descendiente de los Siluros, tribu Britana del oeste de la isla, pero criado como romano, aúna el conocimiento de estos dos mundos antagónicos, pero confluentes, para construir un personaje muy interesante, complejo y que puede moverse con soltura por todas las situaciones posibles en el solar Britano.
-Las tramas: al final los libros de esta serie son más thriller históricos, que novela histórica (ya he comentado que los hechos históricos conocidos del tercio final del siglo I en Britania son escasos). Hay asesinatos, investigaciones, complots, escaramuzas, conflictos y batallas. No te aburres.
Creo que es una serie que merece la pena. Hay mucha acción, hay política, hay tramas bastante elaboradas y hay personajes.
No se puede pedir más. A los que le guste la novela histórica, no pueden dejarla de lado.
August 15, 2020
Conspiracy and betrayal abound
In this volume Ferox becomes even more of a special agent for his commanding officers and the governor. Brigantia is loaded with intrigue, murder and other violence, betrayal, conspiracies, politics, druids, magic, military operations, love, romance of a sort and more. Ferox meets another fascinating warrior queen who is an enemy, an ally and generally mystifying.
In this volume Ferox becomes even more of a special agent for his commanding officers and the governor. Brigantia is loaded with intrigue, murder and other violence, betrayal, conspiracies, politics, druids, magic, military operations, love, romance of a sort and more. Ferox meets another fascinating warrior queen who is an enemy, an ally and generally mystifying.
September 7, 2019
I’d left quite a gap between reading books 1 and 2 in this series, and one downside was that, in starting book 2, I struggled to recall the background of some of the characters that had been introduced in the previous book. That led me to read book 3 as a quick follow up. That turned out to have its own disadvantage, which is that I began to find the descriptions of Ferox in single combat a bit repetitive.
In the previous two books Ferox had gone north into unconquered Caledonia to deal with threats faced by the Romans. On this occasion he goes south, first to Londinium and then to the island the Romans called Mona, now known in English as Anglesey or in Welsh as Ynys Môn. In pre-Roman Britain the island had been the location of the most sacred sites of the Druidic religion, and it was where the druids made their “last stand” against the Romans. In the novel the scenes set on the island are carried off well and the place is given an appropriately creepy atmosphere. The plot then moves to the land of the Brigantes, in present day Northern England.
There were a couple of cultural references I couldn’t help noticing. At one point Ferox refers to a legendary hero of his people called “The Hound”, and the story he tells is identical to one of the stories of the ancient Irish hero Cú Chulainn (“Culann’s Hound”). I’m sure many Irish people who read the book will recognise the story. It’s perfectly possible of course, that 2000 years ago the same story circulated amongst the Brittonic Celts. Later on the author gives the Brigantes a war cry that sounds very similar to the war cry of Clan Cameron in Scotland, which continued in use up to the mid-18th century. I couldn’t help feeling that there might have been a bit of borrowing by the author here.
As before the story is decently written, and the last battle scene is quite exciting, but I felt the ending was telegraphed and that, overall, the book lacked that little bit of tension.
In the previous two books Ferox had gone north into unconquered Caledonia to deal with threats faced by the Romans. On this occasion he goes south, first to Londinium and then to the island the Romans called Mona, now known in English as Anglesey or in Welsh as Ynys Môn. In pre-Roman Britain the island had been the location of the most sacred sites of the Druidic religion, and it was where the druids made their “last stand” against the Romans. In the novel the scenes set on the island are carried off well and the place is given an appropriately creepy atmosphere. The plot then moves to the land of the Brigantes, in present day Northern England.
There were a couple of cultural references I couldn’t help noticing. At one point Ferox refers to a legendary hero of his people called “The Hound”, and the story he tells is identical to one of the stories of the ancient Irish hero Cú Chulainn (“Culann’s Hound”). I’m sure many Irish people who read the book will recognise the story. It’s perfectly possible of course, that 2000 years ago the same story circulated amongst the Brittonic Celts. Later on the author gives the Brigantes a war cry that sounds very similar to the war cry of Clan Cameron in Scotland, which continued in use up to the mid-18th century. I couldn’t help feeling that there might have been a bit of borrowing by the author here.
As before the story is decently written, and the last battle scene is quite exciting, but I felt the ending was telegraphed and that, overall, the book lacked that little bit of tension.
August 2, 2021
Another rock solid chapter in the Vindolanda series with another mystery to be solved and plenty of action and bloodshed along the way. There’s even a lion fight!
Goldsworthy really knows his stuff and this shines through on every page. I had thought this was the last book in the series but I found out a couple of days ago Goldsworthy has just released a fourth book featuring our protagonist Flavius Ferox so you can bet I bought that as soon as I saw it!
My next book: U.S.Agent: American Zealot
Goldsworthy really knows his stuff and this shines through on every page. I had thought this was the last book in the series but I found out a couple of days ago Goldsworthy has just released a fourth book featuring our protagonist Flavius Ferox so you can bet I bought that as soon as I saw it!
My next book: U.S.Agent: American Zealot
May 20, 2020
After a somewhat mixed reaction to the earlier two books, I thought this was probably the best of the series so far. It still suffers from a reluctance to confront some of the ugly realities of the Roman world in exchange for a largely sanitized British colonial war memoir, but it's also superbly researched and has an accurate-feeling depiction of ancient battles.
With this novel I think I understand something of what Goldsworthy was aiming at with these novels. There are plenty of military adventure stories set in the Roman Empire and there are a great many mystery novels with the same setting. But I've never seen any book that combines the two. I think the combination works pretty well, when properly balanced. Both focus more on the mundane life on the ground than is common in historical fiction, and both are narrowly focused on an exceptional individual. In this case Ferox, who's basically a superhuman luck machine.
The mystery here is one of myth and legend. Somebody's been stealing magical artifacts of power from throughout Roman Britain and this probably signifies a new druid-led rebellion in the offing. Romans are involved. And the question of who's working for whom becomes of immense importance. One happy benefit of this is that we get to explore some unusual places in Britain. Example: the Isle of Anglesey, old headquarters of the druids. As you might imagine it's a rather grim place at this point. And of course to get there we have to pass through Snowdonia, a beautiful region of Wales which also sounds pretty grim at this point.
The finale and everything leading up to it are melodramatic and absurd. I've come to expect that by this point. It actually ties up a lot of loose ends from the first two books, but it's clearly not intended to wrap up the whole series as it leaves us with more questions than answers. The final battle is well thought out but sometimes hard to follow. Probably as it should be given the personal focus. On the whole I felt it achieved what it set out to.
With this novel I think I understand something of what Goldsworthy was aiming at with these novels. There are plenty of military adventure stories set in the Roman Empire and there are a great many mystery novels with the same setting. But I've never seen any book that combines the two. I think the combination works pretty well, when properly balanced. Both focus more on the mundane life on the ground than is common in historical fiction, and both are narrowly focused on an exceptional individual. In this case Ferox, who's basically a superhuman luck machine.
The mystery here is one of myth and legend. Somebody's been stealing magical artifacts of power from throughout Roman Britain and this probably signifies a new druid-led rebellion in the offing. Romans are involved. And the question of who's working for whom becomes of immense importance. One happy benefit of this is that we get to explore some unusual places in Britain. Example: the Isle of Anglesey, old headquarters of the druids. As you might imagine it's a rather grim place at this point. And of course to get there we have to pass through Snowdonia, a beautiful region of Wales which also sounds pretty grim at this point.
The finale and everything leading up to it are melodramatic and absurd. I've come to expect that by this point. It actually ties up a lot of loose ends from the first two books, but it's clearly not intended to wrap up the whole series as it leaves us with more questions than answers. The final battle is well thought out but sometimes hard to follow. Probably as it should be given the personal focus. On the whole I felt it achieved what it set out to.
April 9, 2020
Roman Britain historical fiction/hardboiled detective/military thriller mashup in which the series’ protagonist tries to stymie a Briton tribal uprising. Last in the author’s first Roman Britain trilogy.
My dead pixels copy was a moderate 460-pages with a 2019 UK copyright.
Adrian Goldsworthy is a British historian and author of both fiction and non-fiction. He has written about ten novels in several series. That includes this book in his Vindolanda trilogy set in 1st Century Roman Britain. The last book of his I read was The Encircling Sea (Vindolanda #2) (my review).
This was the last book in the author’s Vindolanda trilogy. Reading the first two books in the series Vindolanda is needed to make this book understandable.
Historically accurate, Roman-era, Sword 'n Sandal historical fiction by an accredited historian is rare. I avidly read Roman Britain archeology news. This series builds-in some of the more recent information from the UK's, Roman-era, archeological record than previous series I’ve read. In addition to the mundane issues of Roman life, it also includes: hardboiled detective fiction; Celtic warrior women femme fatales; a whiff of the pre-Christian era supernatural; and the Roman equivalent of guns, smoke, and bugles.
This story was set shortly after the second book The Encircling Sea. The series’ protagonist Flavius Ferox was a Roman Legionary officer. His posting had both military and police powers on the Roman, British, northern frontier. Ferox has gained a reputation as a politically trustworthy, detective in the political snake-pit that was the Roman establishment. Ferox was summoned to first Vindolandia, and then Londinium (modern London) by the Imperial governor to solve the murder of an Imperial administrator. He becomes embroiled in a larger conspiracy to incite the largest British tribe (the title's Brigantian's) into rebellion. Along the way, long term trilogy plot lines were resolved (?).
Prose was good, but were no improvement over the previous books. The author’s Oxford education shows in the precision of his writing.
One problem I have with this series is characterization. The author leverages a Colonial British trope in ancient Britain. There, the Roman’s are the 'civilized' colonizing power and the native Britons are the barbarians. There is ample archeological evidence that ancient Romans were only somewhat similar in their thinking to 22nd Century folk. It continued to irk me that the legionaries dialog and actions are indistinguishable from 19th Century British soldier's trope, only wearing armour and carrying shields instead of Red Coats and muskets.
The author heavily leveraged the character development done in the first books. Vindex, Ferox’s native Briton, buddy-cop, side-kick as well as Philo his Jewish servant boy appeared. Although their parts were smaller. Ferox’s difficult relationship with his original love interest Sulpicia Lepidina and her husband Flavius Cerialis (Ferox’s military commander) was inadequately resolved. Royal, British, warrior women are better than most men with a sword and on horseback with Brigantes Princess, Claudia Enica providing a new love interest for Ferox. The evil Druid Acco’s long-term plot line is ended.
This book was more a Sword ‘n Shield story than the first books in the series. There were two (2) legionary, set piece, battles, instead of the typical one (1) for the series. Unfortunately, there was nothing really new in these battles. I frankly was starting to find them to be repetitive scrums. Note that in addition to these large battles, there were a lot of small skirmishes involving swordplay. I did find Ferox’s use of caltrops in one of these to be unusual and interesting.
Goldsworthy didn't do as good a job with the supernatural component as in the first book. There he established the Druid’s and their Celtic religion as an existential threat to the Romans. That book's compare and contrast with the Celtic vs. Classic religions was very good. Here it felt the author was just wrapping-up.
There was a larger degree of sleuthing done by Ferox in this story. However, he appeared to be less effective at it than in previous books. In addition, I did not find the Red Herrings to be at all distracting.
The pacing of this story is what suffered the most. The details of the story's plot stole too many pages from the proper ending of the trilogy. While many of the trilogy's long-term plot lines were wrapped up, I felt not all of them were. I felt the wrapping-up was in many cases rather perfunctory. . That the author is writing a second, trilogy offers some hope in finding out about characters 'left hanging'.
World building was as authentic as the earlier books. The attention to historical detail has always been the strong point of this series. For example, I didn’t’ know that the Roman’s had a version of the ‘folding chair’, for portable, temporary seating. A continued failing I find in the series’ books was the author under-emphasizes that life was 'Nasty, brutish and short' in ancient times. Too often daily life in these books appears to be a Romanized version of 17th Century England. Although, that was likely only somewhat better than 1st Century Briton. The author moved the scene of the series' action south from Vindolanda in Northumberland to ancient London (Londinium) before moving the action to the Brigantes tribal heartland in Yorkshire. This provided the series’ welcome, obligatory, ancient, Briton geography lesson. Unfortunately, the characters spent a lot of unproductive pages 'traveling' on horseback.
Finally, the Historical Note at the end of the book cannot be ignored. If you consider yourself an amateur historian of Roman Britain, there is as in the previous books a good summary of the archeological background for the story and the series found there.
This last book in the trilogy was unsatisfactory. I thought it did offer a good glimpse at the important Roman settlement of London. Although, this book only added a little more to the trove of background on British Roman history of the series' first book. The obligatory, Roman, political conspiracy had some merit. I had major problems with the story ending the trilogy. The story leveraged the characters and backstory of the first books of the Vindolanda trilogy and desperately tried to tie-up a raft-load of long-term plot lines, but failed. I would have preferred less edged-weapon combat and cross-country horseback travel for more sorrowful farewells or outright killing of characters to be done with them. I just hope this reader finds out what happened to some of this trilogies characters in the next one?
My dead pixels copy was a moderate 460-pages with a 2019 UK copyright.
Adrian Goldsworthy is a British historian and author of both fiction and non-fiction. He has written about ten novels in several series. That includes this book in his Vindolanda trilogy set in 1st Century Roman Britain. The last book of his I read was The Encircling Sea (Vindolanda #2) (my review).
This was the last book in the author’s Vindolanda trilogy. Reading the first two books in the series Vindolanda is needed to make this book understandable.
Historically accurate, Roman-era, Sword 'n Sandal historical fiction by an accredited historian is rare. I avidly read Roman Britain archeology news. This series builds-in some of the more recent information from the UK's, Roman-era, archeological record than previous series I’ve read. In addition to the mundane issues of Roman life, it also includes: hardboiled detective fiction; Celtic warrior women femme fatales; a whiff of the pre-Christian era supernatural; and the Roman equivalent of guns, smoke, and bugles.
This story was set shortly after the second book The Encircling Sea. The series’ protagonist Flavius Ferox was a Roman Legionary officer. His posting had both military and police powers on the Roman, British, northern frontier. Ferox has gained a reputation as a politically trustworthy, detective in the political snake-pit that was the Roman establishment. Ferox was summoned to first Vindolandia, and then Londinium (modern London) by the Imperial governor to solve the murder of an Imperial administrator. He becomes embroiled in a larger conspiracy to incite the largest British tribe (the title's Brigantian's) into rebellion. Along the way, long term trilogy plot lines were resolved (?).
Prose was good, but were no improvement over the previous books. The author’s Oxford education shows in the precision of his writing.
One problem I have with this series is characterization. The author leverages a Colonial British trope in ancient Britain. There, the Roman’s are the 'civilized' colonizing power and the native Britons are the barbarians. There is ample archeological evidence that ancient Romans were only somewhat similar in their thinking to 22nd Century folk. It continued to irk me that the legionaries dialog and actions are indistinguishable from 19th Century British soldier's trope, only wearing armour and carrying shields instead of Red Coats and muskets.
The author heavily leveraged the character development done in the first books. Vindex, Ferox’s native Briton, buddy-cop, side-kick as well as Philo his Jewish servant boy appeared. Although their parts were smaller. Ferox’s difficult relationship with his original love interest Sulpicia Lepidina and her husband Flavius Cerialis (Ferox’s military commander) was inadequately resolved. Royal, British, warrior women are better than most men with a sword and on horseback with Brigantes Princess, Claudia Enica providing a new love interest for Ferox. The evil Druid Acco’s long-term plot line is ended.
This book was more a Sword ‘n Shield story than the first books in the series. There were two (2) legionary, set piece, battles, instead of the typical one (1) for the series. Unfortunately, there was nothing really new in these battles. I frankly was starting to find them to be repetitive scrums. Note that in addition to these large battles, there were a lot of small skirmishes involving swordplay. I did find Ferox’s use of caltrops in one of these to be unusual and interesting.
Goldsworthy didn't do as good a job with the supernatural component as in the first book. There he established the Druid’s and their Celtic religion as an existential threat to the Romans. That book's compare and contrast with the Celtic vs. Classic religions was very good. Here it felt the author was just wrapping-up.
There was a larger degree of sleuthing done by Ferox in this story. However, he appeared to be less effective at it than in previous books. In addition, I did not find the Red Herrings to be at all distracting.
The pacing of this story is what suffered the most. The details of the story's plot stole too many pages from the proper ending of the trilogy. While many of the trilogy's long-term plot lines were wrapped up, I felt not all of them were. I felt the wrapping-up was in many cases rather perfunctory. . That the author is writing a second, trilogy offers some hope in finding out about characters 'left hanging'.
World building was as authentic as the earlier books. The attention to historical detail has always been the strong point of this series. For example, I didn’t’ know that the Roman’s had a version of the ‘folding chair’, for portable, temporary seating. A continued failing I find in the series’ books was the author under-emphasizes that life was 'Nasty, brutish and short' in ancient times. Too often daily life in these books appears to be a Romanized version of 17th Century England. Although, that was likely only somewhat better than 1st Century Briton. The author moved the scene of the series' action south from Vindolanda in Northumberland to ancient London (Londinium) before moving the action to the Brigantes tribal heartland in Yorkshire. This provided the series’ welcome, obligatory, ancient, Briton geography lesson. Unfortunately, the characters spent a lot of unproductive pages 'traveling' on horseback.
Finally, the Historical Note at the end of the book cannot be ignored. If you consider yourself an amateur historian of Roman Britain, there is as in the previous books a good summary of the archeological background for the story and the series found there.
This last book in the trilogy was unsatisfactory. I thought it did offer a good glimpse at the important Roman settlement of London. Although, this book only added a little more to the trove of background on British Roman history of the series' first book. The obligatory, Roman, political conspiracy had some merit. I had major problems with the story ending the trilogy. The story leveraged the characters and backstory of the first books of the Vindolanda trilogy and desperately tried to tie-up a raft-load of long-term plot lines, but failed. I would have preferred less edged-weapon combat and cross-country horseback travel for more sorrowful farewells or outright killing of characters to be done with them. I just hope this reader finds out what happened to some of this trilogies characters in the next one?
September 5, 2023
The weakest of the three Flavius Ferox books. Could have been tightened up and plot was confusing in its different strands until everything finally came together. Maybe the heroine gave Ferox a run for his money, but I just didn't like her. Was that she on the cover? In this 3rd volume of a trilogy the ending just petered out as far as Ferox was concerned. He was a typical hero of these types of books except for his background: a superman who would miraculously have any wounds healed right away. The author did write well and he displayed his knowledge of history of that period. If the author, a historian, writes any more fiction books, I think I'll skip them.
June 29, 2019
So we reach the end of the road with Flavius Ferox. For me, this instalment in his adventures is not quite as polished or satisfying as the others, and really this is a 3.5-4 star review. For one thing, Ferox defies death a few too many times for credibility - I was sure he was 'humped' at least twice - . In one fight scene, he actually draws his sword twice, once while standing up, and then again while running forwards. That's a small point, but suggestive of a rushed job, and that impression extends to the ending. But along the way there's lots of fun to be had, with Vindex as well, of course, Ganaskus (sp again? - sounds Gothic to me) is back, and an indomitable new character in the person of Claudia Ennica. Lots of things do get tied up, but enough is left open that we a return might one day be possible. I enjoyed it, just not as much as the others. Peter Noble did an excellent job once again of reading the audiobook: optimum est!
December 18, 2019
Adrian Goldsworthy certainly knows his stuff and it shows in this series. I loved the first one, wasn't so sure about the second, and the third and final novel is better than the second. It's an exciting story and it features Claudia Enica, an intriguing young woman who gives Ferox a run for his money. But there are issues with it. It feels like it's not quite there and there are some editing errors, which marred the reading experience. There's something about the writing style that niggles at me. Also, as a final book in a trilogy, it doesn't end satisfactorily. I needed closure on a major plot line. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating depiction of what Britain may have been like in AD 100, when some of the chiefs, druids etc who remembered the Claudian invasion were dying off, marking the start of a new era for Roman Britain. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
January 2, 2021
It's another Roman army in Britain novel, but at least you can trust the author to know what he is writing about. There is a complicated plot involving Roman conspirators, Romano-British conspirators, British conspirators - I guess that the author was not entirely sure himself how it might all turn out. Of course, it does end with a big battle between Romans and rebels. What raised the story in my opinion was the creation of a new character, Claudia Enica, princess of the Brigantes, who stole every scene she appeared in.
December 3, 2020
Another fabulous story from Adrian Goldsworthy. A worthy 3rd instalment in his Vindolanda series. My only complaint with this one, is that there were too many characters to keep straight in my mind. Too many potential "bad guys", that I kept losing the thread. Having said that, I loved the story, I loved the love interest, I loved the druids and the historical accuracy and the made up stuff. Goldsworthy is a fabulous storyteller. And I look forward to his next book.
April 27, 2021
I have thoroughly enjoyed Adrian Goldsworthy's Vindolanda series of which this is the third and I hope not the final episode. The field of Roman 'swords and sandals fiction' is a pretty crowded space in which a number of very good authors participate. I'm delighted to share that the next 3-4 books on my reading pile are all of this genre and include contributions by several of my favourites - Sidebottom, Scarrow and Riches (...that well known firm of solicitors, or is it undertakers...?) are among them.
Back to Brigantia - this is a book that ticks so many boxes - murder, mystery, intrigue, a power struggle, druids, battle scenes, heroes and villains and a bit of romance to boot. What I particularly enjoy is Goldsworthy's ability to mix the knowledge, insight and instinct of the historian with the story telling prowess of the novellist to produce a thoroughly convincing and enjoyable read.
Back to Brigantia - this is a book that ticks so many boxes - murder, mystery, intrigue, a power struggle, druids, battle scenes, heroes and villains and a bit of romance to boot. What I particularly enjoy is Goldsworthy's ability to mix the knowledge, insight and instinct of the historian with the story telling prowess of the novellist to produce a thoroughly convincing and enjoyable read.
May 16, 2024
En algunos momentos se me hizo un poco pesada (la expedición a Mona, sobre todo) pero tiene otros muy buenos. Además, Claudia Enica es un gran personaje y una muy buena adición a la serie.
January 6, 2020
I thought this was a trilogy but now I'm thinking not. He doesn't leave us with a cliffhanger, but there is definitely an unsatisfyingly unresolved plot line. I'd definitely read another book if he decides to continue this series.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I liked the plots within plots and Ferox's deep distrust of everyone. He's also quite the badass. I loved him and his buds, his mostly silent contempt for just about everyone in power, his worst suspicions generally being correct and his way with the soldiers he leads. The problem I had was that it was laid on a bit too thick: he'd go through a herioc mini-adventure to get to where plotters might be plotting and manage to arrive in the correct location, at the exact moment that incriminating plotting was being plotted, be spotted and escape via another heroic life-defying mini-adventure, leaving corpses in his wake, and surviving more or less unscathed. And then we do it again and again with his buddies often showing up miraculously at the perfect moment. They were fun, for sure, but after a while it was just a bit much.
Our new heroine is great and definitely gave Ferox a run for his money. I'm hoping more books follow so we can find out more about her. The battle scenes were awesome and hearing about the different tribes and everybody's different ways was interesting. I got a bit confused trying to keep all the characters straight, but I don't know if this is because of my limited knowledge of Roman names and military structure or the writing. I'm planning on reading more Roman historical fiction and hopefully will learn more.
I definitely recommend this and hope he continues the series.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I liked the plots within plots and Ferox's deep distrust of everyone. He's also quite the badass. I loved him and his buds, his mostly silent contempt for just about everyone in power, his worst suspicions generally being correct and his way with the soldiers he leads. The problem I had was that it was laid on a bit too thick: he'd go through a herioc mini-adventure to get to where plotters might be plotting and manage to arrive in the correct location, at the exact moment that incriminating plotting was being plotted, be spotted and escape via another heroic life-defying mini-adventure, leaving corpses in his wake, and surviving more or less unscathed. And then we do it again and again with his buddies often showing up miraculously at the perfect moment. They were fun, for sure, but after a while it was just a bit much.
Our new heroine is great and definitely gave Ferox a run for his money. I'm hoping more books follow so we can find out more about her. The battle scenes were awesome and hearing about the different tribes and everybody's different ways was interesting. I got a bit confused trying to keep all the characters straight, but I don't know if this is because of my limited knowledge of Roman names and military structure or the writing. I'm planning on reading more Roman historical fiction and hopefully will learn more.
I definitely recommend this and hope he continues the series.
May 11, 2020
Adventure to Roman Britain
Goldsworthy 's vivid depiction of Roman Britain in 100 B.C.E. serves up rich characters, accurate settings, and high drama as he rounds out his trilogy.
A detailed picture of the life and times as Roman and Briton struggle to hold on to what they value on the frontier of Empire.
Goldsworthy 's vivid depiction of Roman Britain in 100 B.C.E. serves up rich characters, accurate settings, and high drama as he rounds out his trilogy.
A detailed picture of the life and times as Roman and Briton struggle to hold on to what they value on the frontier of Empire.
September 25, 2022
Última parte de la trilogía Vindolanda que me ha parecido excelente y cautivadora hasta el final de la obra sin desmeritar la reseña histórica del final.
Si bien cómo dice el autor, Adrian Goldsworthy; se conoce muy poco de Britania en época de Trajano; los escasos datos que usa el autor para estructurar esta novela la convierten en una obra fascinante de aventuras muy cohesionarlas en toda la trilogía.
En este aspecto; recomiendo leerlas en el orden de aparición: primero Vindolanda, Segundo Hibernia y por último Britania para tener una estructura de los hechos y los lugares y personajes que se describen.
Quedo con la expectativa de comenzar a leer la próxima trilogía de este autor cuya primera parte ya se ha publicado: “El Fuerte”; ya la tengo en mi biblioteca lista para comenzar a leer y por último, como conclusión de esta reseña solo me queda opinar que la preparación académica del autor y su experticia tanto en la Roma antigua como en el arte militar de la antigüedad hace que sus novelas sean unas auténticas joyas de novela histórica de la época de la antigua Roma y en particular de su presencia en Britania actual Gran Bretaña.
Si bien cómo dice el autor, Adrian Goldsworthy; se conoce muy poco de Britania en época de Trajano; los escasos datos que usa el autor para estructurar esta novela la convierten en una obra fascinante de aventuras muy cohesionarlas en toda la trilogía.
En este aspecto; recomiendo leerlas en el orden de aparición: primero Vindolanda, Segundo Hibernia y por último Britania para tener una estructura de los hechos y los lugares y personajes que se describen.
Quedo con la expectativa de comenzar a leer la próxima trilogía de este autor cuya primera parte ya se ha publicado: “El Fuerte”; ya la tengo en mi biblioteca lista para comenzar a leer y por último, como conclusión de esta reseña solo me queda opinar que la preparación académica del autor y su experticia tanto en la Roma antigua como en el arte militar de la antigüedad hace que sus novelas sean unas auténticas joyas de novela histórica de la época de la antigua Roma y en particular de su presencia en Britania actual Gran Bretaña.
December 23, 2025
4,75 zvaigznes. Mazliet pat skumji atvadīties no Feroksa un Vindeksa, jo ar šo noslēdzas Vindolandas triloģija. "Brigantia" ir daudz notikumu, beidzot arī noskaidrojas lielā sazvērestība un vīriešu kompāniju atšķaida interesants sievietes tēls. Sākumā man detalizētie armijas un kauju apraksti šķita par daudz, bet šajā trešajā daļā jau var pat teikt, ka izbaudīju. Katrā ziņā novērtēju autora pamatīgo pieeju. Bija tiešām sajūta, ka esmu tur iekšā.
November 26, 2024
A decent wrap-up to the trilogy. The story/plot felt a little higgledy piggledy and seemed to jump around a bit, similar to how I felt about book 2 but the big battle towards the end really brought it back for me.
I think my brain struggles a little bit with AG’s writing style. There’s something a little clunky that doesn’t seem to translate into my mind as easy as other authors and I can’t put my finger on it.
Even so I have enjoyed the trilogy. The whole read has been very immersive and the author’s knowledge on the subject seeps into every page giving a real depth of realism to the story.
I think my brain struggles a little bit with AG’s writing style. There’s something a little clunky that doesn’t seem to translate into my mind as easy as other authors and I can’t put my finger on it.
Even so I have enjoyed the trilogy. The whole read has been very immersive and the author’s knowledge on the subject seeps into every page giving a real depth of realism to the story.
May 10, 2020
I felt disappointment when finishing the trilogy...Parts of Brigantia felt as a repetition of what had already happened in the first two volumes: a looming rebellion, Acco trying to kill Ferox etc.
I liked the idea of Crispinus being a villain (and the idea of him being a spy for his uncle, the governor, is somewhat silly): Both volume I and II left the big guess that the tribune is more or less overly ambitious and would stop at nothing to actually reach his goals (Whatever they might be, there was no proper reason given, why he changed sides and helped Arviragus? It can't be the "order" of Marcellus...)
What is left hanging for me is the long overdue promotion of Ferox. I mean he does the dirty work for Crispinus, Marcellus etc., he is a good commander (as seen during "Encircling Sea" or during the first battle under Crassus), scout, regionarius and diplomat. What was insufficiently explained is also what exact "class" he is in. There are always those thoughts where Ferox thinks that he is a mere commoner among all the equestrians - but how come that all "Princes" or "Lords" of the southern British tribes are equestrians, but not him as grandson of the Lord of the Hills? Was he demoted sometime during the trouble at the Rhine?
Another point: Sulpicia Lepidina - for two volumes Goldsworthy built up the love story, Ferox constantly rescues the "Batavian queen", they spend the nights so many times together and a few weeks later she wants him to get killed? A little twist here would have been interesting or "romantic", too. Flavius Cerealis and his wife disappear from history after the Vindolanda tablets, whereas Aelis Brocchus is mentioned on an inscription as commander of a newly raised Ala in modern day Hungary (Ala I Ulpia Contariorum). Why not allowing Ferox get happy with the mother of his son? Why not killing the prefect off? The Vindolanda tablets show him as an ambitious guy who wrote letters to Crispinus, for example, possibly hoping for favors like a promotion, better posting etc. - good material to place him into the circle of conspirators! All ideas would have been better than recasting SL as the scheming "clarissima femina" who sacrifices/betrays the father of who is "most precious to us both" - Ferox would have killed for her, no? Maybe the author wants her as ultimate villain in book IV?
Longinus makes his last stand at that bridge: why? For whom? Why would it help "the women he loved as much as his lost daughters"?
I have to say that I didn't like Claudia Enica from the start and I grew tired of her teasing in the first half of the book way too quickly and afterwards she was just like the female version of "super Ferox" (the unbeatable warrior of Volume I and II)...
Not to mention that the author took a similar step before: the Brigantian queen as almost unattainable for "our poor Hero" as a "senator's daughter". I mean it became clear that there was no future for SL and Ferox. Why reusing the same thing? He can't see himself as a "puppet consort", the Brigantes won't accept him and she "deserves someone better" from her social class...Will we see a new son who can't be acknowledged in the following books?
I liked the idea of Crispinus being a villain (and the idea of him being a spy for his uncle, the governor, is somewhat silly): Both volume I and II left the big guess that the tribune is more or less overly ambitious and would stop at nothing to actually reach his goals (Whatever they might be, there was no proper reason given, why he changed sides and helped Arviragus? It can't be the "order" of Marcellus...)
What is left hanging for me is the long overdue promotion of Ferox. I mean he does the dirty work for Crispinus, Marcellus etc., he is a good commander (as seen during "Encircling Sea" or during the first battle under Crassus), scout, regionarius and diplomat. What was insufficiently explained is also what exact "class" he is in. There are always those thoughts where Ferox thinks that he is a mere commoner among all the equestrians - but how come that all "Princes" or "Lords" of the southern British tribes are equestrians, but not him as grandson of the Lord of the Hills? Was he demoted sometime during the trouble at the Rhine?
Another point: Sulpicia Lepidina - for two volumes Goldsworthy built up the love story, Ferox constantly rescues the "Batavian queen", they spend the nights so many times together and a few weeks later she wants him to get killed? A little twist here would have been interesting or "romantic", too. Flavius Cerealis and his wife disappear from history after the Vindolanda tablets, whereas Aelis Brocchus is mentioned on an inscription as commander of a newly raised Ala in modern day Hungary (Ala I Ulpia Contariorum). Why not allowing Ferox get happy with the mother of his son? Why not killing the prefect off? The Vindolanda tablets show him as an ambitious guy who wrote letters to Crispinus, for example, possibly hoping for favors like a promotion, better posting etc. - good material to place him into the circle of conspirators! All ideas would have been better than recasting SL as the scheming "clarissima femina" who sacrifices/betrays the father of who is "most precious to us both" - Ferox would have killed for her, no? Maybe the author wants her as ultimate villain in book IV?
Longinus makes his last stand at that bridge: why? For whom? Why would it help "the women he loved as much as his lost daughters"?
I have to say that I didn't like Claudia Enica from the start and I grew tired of her teasing in the first half of the book way too quickly and afterwards she was just like the female version of "super Ferox" (the unbeatable warrior of Volume I and II)...
Not to mention that the author took a similar step before: the Brigantian queen as almost unattainable for "our poor Hero" as a "senator's daughter". I mean it became clear that there was no future for SL and Ferox. Why reusing the same thing? He can't see himself as a "puppet consort", the Brigantes won't accept him and she "deserves someone better" from her social class...Will we see a new son who can't be acknowledged in the following books?
July 31, 2020
I enjoyed the first two books of the series. 1) it is engagingly written 2) superbly researched -I enjoyed the authors afterward on his historical sources (different essay in each book 3) very accurate and exciting depiction of ancient battles, logistic, early Londinium and the northern frontier of Roman Britain. 4) the main character is bilingual (a Romanized Briton called Ferox and many ofthe characters are Germanic or native Celts. 5) Some of the ugly realities of the Roman world (gladiatorial combat) slavery are displayed and brothels though the ugliest part of slavery (work in industry or the mines) are glossed over. 6) it works as a sort of Roman frontier Western with Ferox as a sort of US Marshall with his native sidekick Vindex 7) It does a good job at creating the atmosphere and camaraderie of the Roman Army.
I thought the last volume engaging and thrilling but a little far-fetched but highly enjoyable and satisfying. One could not but help but root for Ferox. The Romans are a mixed lot. Some are corrupt and others are noble. I would look foward to Ferox serving in Dacia under Trajan (the Dacian wars are only about a year a way. Good historical fiction worthy of comparison to I, Claudius and Claudius the God and the Dream of Scipio
I thought the last volume engaging and thrilling but a little far-fetched but highly enjoyable and satisfying. One could not but help but root for Ferox. The Romans are a mixed lot. Some are corrupt and others are noble. I would look foward to Ferox serving in Dacia under Trajan (the Dacian wars are only about a year a way. Good historical fiction worthy of comparison to I, Claudius and Claudius the God and the Dream of Scipio
April 25, 2021
The End of the Optimus Princeps
With "Brigantia," Adrian Goldsworthy concludes his Vindolabda series of novels set in Roman Britain. As a classical historian, Goldsworthy is able to lend a degree of authenticity and factual information to his works of fiction that enhance immersion and credibility. While Flavius Ferox may not be a real, much of the material is derived from genuine historical fact. "Brigantia," like its predecessors, is action-packed and engaging, both entertaining and informing readers. This book, and the trilogy in general, is worth reading for those interested in Roman history, British history, military history, historical fiction, and adventure novels.
With "Brigantia," Adrian Goldsworthy concludes his Vindolabda series of novels set in Roman Britain. As a classical historian, Goldsworthy is able to lend a degree of authenticity and factual information to his works of fiction that enhance immersion and credibility. While Flavius Ferox may not be a real, much of the material is derived from genuine historical fact. "Brigantia," like its predecessors, is action-packed and engaging, both entertaining and informing readers. This book, and the trilogy in general, is worth reading for those interested in Roman history, British history, military history, historical fiction, and adventure novels.
October 19, 2019
The third entry in this Roman series! I did enjoy it for the most part though I felt at times it dragged more then it should. The battles as always were great in the story goldsworthy really knows how to draw you in the heat of the legions which is a nice touch! Overall great possible ending to Feroxs story!
June 20, 2019
Awesome!
The story of Ferox continues brilliantly. The thoughtful plot and fat paced battle scenes kept me reading long after i should have gone to bed. I can't wait for the next installment
The story of Ferox continues brilliantly. The thoughtful plot and fat paced battle scenes kept me reading long after i should have gone to bed. I can't wait for the next installment
October 2, 2021
Will review later.
November 18, 2024
Libro final de la trilogía y también le pongo 5 estrellas. El autor ha sabido mantener el nivel en las tres partes, y es de agradecer en estos momentos en los que todo son trilogías, pero en muchas de ellas el nivel decae en cuanto llegas al segundo libro.
Es evidente el dominio del autor en la materia, pero además consigue unos personajes llenos de matices, incluso los secundarios.
Ferox es ese amigo leal con el que siempre puedes contar, pero también es especialista en meterse en todos los fregados habidos y por haber 😂
Vindex siempre está dispuesto para la acción y para ir de juerga, aunque no pare de quejarse xD. Incluso Ganasco me mola.
En definitiva un libro lleno de acción, aventuras, batallas bien narradas y un poquito de magia
Es evidente el dominio del autor en la materia, pero además consigue unos personajes llenos de matices, incluso los secundarios.
Ferox es ese amigo leal con el que siempre puedes contar, pero también es especialista en meterse en todos los fregados habidos y por haber 😂
Vindex siempre está dispuesto para la acción y para ir de juerga, aunque no pare de quejarse xD. Incluso Ganasco me mola.
En definitiva un libro lleno de acción, aventuras, batallas bien narradas y un poquito de magia
October 24, 2020
Another adventure in the life of centurion Flavius Ferox, Silure Prince, reformed alcoholic and Regionarius at Vindolanda - Roman outpost at the northernmost point of the Empire, just before Hadrian built his wall there.
Much like the second in the series, a dull set of descriptions sliced between extremely fast paced battle scenes. A fifty fifty split.
Ridiculously detailed historical research has gone into this, which is why I give it 3 stars instead of 2. Ends abruptly as the last 2 chapters are a glossary and historical note from the author
Much like the second in the series, a dull set of descriptions sliced between extremely fast paced battle scenes. A fifty fifty split.
Ridiculously detailed historical research has gone into this, which is why I give it 3 stars instead of 2. Ends abruptly as the last 2 chapters are a glossary and historical note from the author
October 2, 2024
Certainly Brigantia is the weakest of Goldsworthy’s trilogy of the adventures of Flavius Ferox in the Britain of Trajan’s empire. It’s too long, tedious at times, with a convoluted and far-fetched plot featuring undeveloped characters often lapsing into cliché. It did not reach the threshold of Three Stars for me.
February 12, 2022
Could put this book. Infact the whole serie fantastic reads all 3 of them gutted it's over
January 7, 2023
⭐️3.5⭐️
My rating system
1 Did not like it
2 It was okay
3 I liked/enjoyed it
4 I Loved it
5 It was amazing!
My rating system
1 Did not like it
2 It was okay
3 I liked/enjoyed it
4 I Loved it
5 It was amazing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews