A Winter War

Sarmatian Trilogy #1

by Tim Leach

AD173. The Danube lies frozen. On its banks gather the clans of Samartia, their riders winter starved by sickly herds and blighted crops. Petty feuds cast aside and their disparate numbers united in the face of a great enemy. For across the frozen waters stands the mighty Roman Empire, and its Legion marches ever closer.

But the Samartians are proud, and they are cast from the ice itself. They were trained from young to ride and fight and kill on its slippery surface. They cannot lose.

They charge...

Alone on a bloodied battlefield awakens Kai. Surrounded by the bodies of his people, fallen to the Legion, to have survived is a disgrace. In the aftermath of such defeat, he must navigate a course between honor and shame, his people and the Empire. It is a journey that will take him far to the West, beyond everything he has ever known.

A disgraced warrior must navigate a course between honor and shame, his people and the Roman Empire, in the first of a new trilogy set in the second century AD, from the author of Smile of the Wolf.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, German Literature, Historical

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Writer, climber, whisky drinker, chess dabbler and general purpose layabout. London exile currently encamped in the North and loving it. I've studied and taught creative writing at the University of Warwick and worked in bookshops in London and Greece.

If you'd like to know any more about me or my books, just ping me a message. Thanks for stopping by!

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back with Tim Leach, this time though with the first of a trilogy after enjoying two of his standalone novels, one set in ancient times with the Last King of Lydia when the Persian empire reigned supreme under Cyrus, the other in 10thC Viking Iceland, both brooding dark pieces at times but very enjoyable & for sure engrossing.

This one takes us to the banks of the River Danube C 173AD where the Sarmatian clans are massing to take on the Roman legions. Its an atmospheric start, there are many women amongst the warriors, (Note: I did look this up to confirm this as factual when he started to talk about Amazons as I wondered if we were going into the realms of fantasy tbh) the opening battle scene is confusing, which is I believe the intension as its more about emotion than pure battle frenzy, a diffo way of re-telling such a scene but conveyed the confusion/trauma of the period when nearing conflict by those who were going into battle perhaps for the first time alongside wily veterans & others who should have been resting their weary battle scarred old bones by the campfire & knew there time was surely up, the Sarmatians by this time being down to their bare bones in terms of fighting capacity & this is portrayed perfectly where the focus was more about the pre-battle (commandry, speeches, distress & the alike) than the actual battle itself, I remark on this as it stood out clearly & is such throughout when battle commences, this is no gorefest.

You get a good feel for the Sarmatians, a nomadic tribe made up of five clans that roam the plains to the East of the Danube, much akin to the plains Indians of North America, we learn of their lifestyle, customs, camp life, honour, camaraderie & hierarchy as the book progresses, which does pull you in, very much a slow burn of a story, not one of high adventure if that’s what you are expecting, its more about a peoples plight as they try to survive the Roman invader and a harsh winter landscape that is intent on their destruction. Of note, no ages are given which fits with the impression given of the tribe where a person’s worth is the determining factor/value to their continued acceptance & even survival.

The Roman war machine is portrayed as the cold, clinical, efficient & utterly ruthless entity that we know & love….. the author has chosen his side 😊 DEATH TO THE ROMAN SCUM!!

It does read like a YA book, certainly has that vibe about it as there is no harsh language nor gory scenes or those of post battle butchery or ritual. Bit of a love element too it as well, alongside family feuds….

The characters all have substance, even those on the perimeter who grow during the story, their import left hanging for I'm sure they will feature further into the trilogy

And I most make comment….. If you’ve ever watched King Arthur, which is when I first heard about Sarmatian Knights, think Tristan (Mads Mikkelsen) when picturing a Samaritan I would say, and defo not Bors! (Ray Winstone lols). This came to mind to me, the film, even before I read the historical notes at the rear of the book which references the Arthurian legend & it’s links to the Sarmatians.

Certainly, different from his prior stories which I found a lot more grittier in subject matter & recourse but still very much enjoyed this work & look forward to the rest in the series, an author to follow for me, 4 Stars rounded down.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

From a distance, it might have been an army of statues, or of the dead. Six thousand riders upon a plain of ice and snow, in a land where it seemed that nothing might live. The wind rattled against tall spears like a gale passing through a winter forest, but the horses did not stir, and under close carved helms and thick furred hoods, the men’s eyes seemed hollows with no glimmer of life.

This is a fantastic opening passage. I was immediately invested in the story. Sadly, that didn’t last and I’m disappointed as I enjoyed Tim Leach’s earlier work so much. I thought it was a work of historical fiction but this tale of the Sarmatians is not that. Other than the opening battle, about which there is some historical data, this is a work of pure fiction as next to nothing is known of this people. The lead character, Kai, has a warrior sister known as “the Cruel Spear”. This is bordering on the stuff of fantasy novels for me which is not something I enjoy and I found the dialogue melodramatic.

DNF. 2 stars because Leach is a good writer but this just isn’t for me.

[Jennifer Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based off the Sarmations, nomadic people, this is the tale of ‘A Winter War’.

Not much is known about how they lived as there is very little evidence out there that has been found so far. The author pieced together what he knew from different sources. I was excited to read about the Sarmations who I never knew about until now and couldn’t wait to find out more.

They was once in war with the Romans around AD 175 and have since been connected to many myths. It’s their war with the Romans that take primarily focus in this novel.

It’s upto Kai to lead the Sarmations across the snow to battle the Roman Empire in the hope for a piece of land where they can settle. They survived battles once before and believe they can survive once more whilst taking down the Roman Empire. Coming out of the battle, Kai finds himself the only survivor.

Determined not to give up, Kai carries on battling through the snow to get back to his people. But they’re still at risk with the Romans still after him and his people.

Kai is a brilliant leader who seems nothing short of fearless very much like the rest of the Sarmations. He’s not afraid to do what is right for his people like many leaders before him.

There’s lots of blood and action as well as some great character development and lots of well rounded characters who you can relate to. As soon as the story starts, the author jumps straight into the action.

It’s well-written and well paced. A brilliantly and beautifully described novel that will take you on the ride of your life. I genuinely felt I was in the snow and battling with them. The author does a fantastic job of painting the surroundings and action for the reader.

A gritty read that’s a tale of survival. This truly feels like the start of a fantastic new series and I’m looking forward to reading more about Kai and his adventures. If you love your adventures with plenty of action and a touch of history then you’ll love this.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Leach, one of the best storytellers in historical fiction you can read, does it again with a beautifully written, intense, lyrical, brutal tale of the Sarmatians, a nomadic, fractious warrior people surviving (just about) on the fringes of the Roman world. Men and women play an equal role here and it's fascinating in particular to see how women fit on to this society. This is the start of a new series and I can't wait for book 2. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.

[Doros Lesesofa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eiskalte Lektüre für viel zu heiße Tage.
Es ist spannend, das Volk der Sarmaten kennen zu lernen.

[Simon Kleinert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wahrscheinlich die größte Überraschung für mich dieses Jahr. Ich habe dieses Buch in einer Kiste mit kostenlosen Dingen gesehen, die im Regen stand. Nach dem Lesen des Klappentextes war ich unsicher, ob ich den begrenzten Platz in meinem Regal hierfür opfern wollte. Ein historischer Roman über eine Epoche, die mich nie sonderlich interessiert hatte, von einem Mann geschrieben, der über einen männlichen Protagonisten schrieb. Also erwartete ich eine toxisch-maskuline Geschichte über einen gefühlskalten Schlächter. Und wurde eines Besseren belehrt.

Der Protagonist Kai hat eine überraschend reiche Gefühlswelt und ist kein rauer Held der eurasischen Nomadenstämme, sondern eher ein schwacher Außenseiter, dem es an Mut fehlt. Überraschenderweise ist der stärkste Krieger seines Stammes kein Krieger, sondern eben eine Kriegerin und ihre komplizierte Verbindung zum Protagonisten ist das Resultat der Bräuche einer komplexen Ehrgesellschaft. Und der Schwäche Kais.

Die meisten historischen Romane, die ich bisher gelesen habe, erzählten entweder eine langweilige Geschichte in einer detailliert beschriebenen historisierten Vergangenheit oder eine spannende Geschichte, in der die damalige Lebenswelt nicht mehr als einen blassen Hintergrund bildete. Bei diesem Buch von Tim Leach fehlt mir allerdings nichts - die Handlung ist ständig spannungsgeladen, die Dialoge sind bedeutungsvoll und emotional, ohne cheesy zu sein. Dabei nutzt der Autor eine wunderbare Sprache, die die narrativen Elemente perfekt ergänzt.

Absolute Empfehlung für Fans historischer Romane, die Lust auf modernere Ausführungen dieses oft eingestaubten Genres haben!

[Adam Lofthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Leach has a flair for storytelling, possibly quite unlike any other author I’ve read. I devoured Smile of the Wolf a couple of years ago, thought it to be one of the most unique books I’d ever read. And now I’ve finished A Winter War, I can confirm it is not in fact unique, just the standard Tim sets for each of his novels.
The prose is beautiful, it flows like a winter river, each sentence well structured, not a word out of place. This is a story to be told around a camp fire, the stars shining down from a purple sky as a warrior regales his children with the story of Kai and his warriors.
Kai’s story is one of courage, and his lack of it. A kind hearted man raised amongst a people who appraise each other on their prowess in battle above all else. A people that expects their children to kill their father’s when they are too old to ride, a people that expect all their children to grow to be warriors, to master the sword and the spear, to worship their weapons and mounts above all else.
For the Sarmatians live for war, for the thunder of the charge, the clash of spears and the thrill of victory. They have no time for weakness, no use for coin, no time for losers. A people of their time, forged on the plains of the eastern steppe.
But the Sarmatians have run out of land, their migration bringing them to Rome’s borders, and Rome shows no mercy when their lands are threatened. Emperor Marcus Aurelius orders the Sarmatians destroyed, and his red cloaked legions will see it done, or die trying.
The book opens with a battle on the frozen river Danube, the Sarmatians charging onto the ice, the legionaries standing on their shields for purchase as they fend off the riders with spear and sword. It gives us a great opening, and sets the scene for what is to come.
Tim introduces us quickly to Kai and his brother warriors, his estranged sister who refuses to end their feud. This is a book about people, about relationships, love and conflicting emotions. I was moved by the relationship between Kai and Arite, I felt their conflict, their reluctance to give in to what they felt. Lucius, the Roman slave, captured in battle, brings another set of eyes to the two as they struggle to master their desire, and their joint loyalty to Bahadur.
Kai himself is a well-rounded lead POV. He is flawed, in the eyes of his people at least, but in his heart is a desire to do what he feels is right for his people, for his daughter and her future, and for the woman he loves.
Tim paints the ancient world in grey scale, the harshness of the steppe, the bite of the winter wind, he breathes life into the world, giving you a picture of what it would have been like to try and survive in that time.
And he does it phenomenally well, giving us a beautifully told story about believable characters, set against the dramatic backdrop of the harsh life of a nomadic people. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone asks me why I like reading so much, I usually answer that I love the way it can transport me to other places and times, to be able to see the world through an entirely different pair of eyes. A good non-fiction book does the job brilliantly, but imaginative fiction is often a more immersive an experience. Tim Leach’s A Winter War is a case in point; I knew absolutely nothing about the Sarmatians, a nomadic people who lived in the lands east of the Danube in the second century AD and fought a war with the Roman Empire at the height of its powers. It turns out that there is precious little to know, other than odd mentions in sources like Strabo, Ovid and Herodotus, and some archeological finds: ‘frustrating for the historian, but exciting for the novelist’ as Leach comments in his Historical Note at the end of the book. Leach feels like a true heir of Rosemary Sutcliff; his writing is spare and sinewy and he has the same ability to capture a time and a place (and indeed a whole worldview) in a few words or a telling image. Like Sutcliff, he also has sympathy for the underdog and a sense of individual human lives played out against the epic sweeps of history.

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

before reading this, i would not have been able to tell you who the sarmatians were. never heard of them in my life. so i really enjoyed learning about this ancient people from central europe and their fight against the roman empire.

i also appreciate that my first exposure to the sarmatians was through this book because, if i had learned about them in a history class, i know i would have been bored out of my mind. i like how TL brings to life their lifestyle, their culture, and the world they lived in.

from a historical standpoint, i think the idea of the story is very interesting. from a personal standpoint, books about war usually arent my favourite. while i did find moments of enjoyment, particularly due to the characters, i wasnt really committed to their fight again the romans.

but i do think fans of historical fiction, ancient confederations, classic antiquity, and battles for honour will really enjoy this.

thank you for the ARC, head of zeus.

↠ 2.5 stars

[John Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Barbarian's tale!

A story from ancient Rome, told through the eyes of a Sarmatian warrior. It begins on the ice covered river Danube as two armies meet to do battle. Absolute confidence is shown by the heavy cavalry from the Russian Steppes but, is it misplaced? Following the battle we are taken on a journey across the harsh Steppe where we learn something of the life of the nomadic Sarmatian people. Their code of honour, their blood lust and their overwhelming desire to die in battle. They tended to live a short and brutal life, feast and famine was the order of the day. The old and infirm warrior, being judged unfit to travel with the tribe, would be put to death by his eldest son. This was regarded as an honourable death. A dramatic and atmospheric tale, well worth reading.

[Monica Hills · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were moments in this book that I enjoyed but they were few and far between. The book was confusing and skipped around. I found it very difficult to follow. Kai was a like-able character but I wanted to read more about his sister. I also found that there was just not enough character development. There was fighting and war but there was not enough follow through. It was over in a blink and then I was left wondering what happened. I'm not saying this was a bad book it just wasn't for me. I love reading about this time period but this book just missed the mark for me.

[Linda Malcor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite surprised to find that this was based in part on my research about Lucius Artorius Castus. Would have like to have seen the author stick a little more closely to Cassius Dio. Couldn't put it down, though. Devoured it in one sitting. Now I have to wait a year for the second book. Sigh.

[M. Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book - or at least the audiobook rendition of it by Gordon Griffin - somehow manages to be less than the sum of its formidable-sounding parts. Tim Leach writes wonderfully, expertly crafted sentences and finely wrought passages, but he never gives the reader any quarter: the most dramatic events are recounted in the same tone as something mundane, so that rather than the style being used to give weight to the driving thrusts of the story, the valleys are piled high with tension and atmosphere until they are on a level with the summits. He overuses some cliches for which his editor should be hauled up: spirits constantly wander, soft touches are always those of a lover, fighters always almost kiss... Again, the upshot is a prose landscape as level and even as the steppe. The characters are somewhat one-dimensional, all except the rascal Gaevani, whose motivations remain so opaque he seems to have no role other than to oppose whatever turn the story appears to be taking. The plot is not at all bad if a little generic. Gordon Griffin has a wonderful voice, though at times he doles out the wrong emotion or intonation to a passage, perhaps a consequence of the monotonic flavour of the prose. Finally, a decent clutch of references for the history and culture of the Sarmatians is given, to which should really be added Barry Cunliffe's excellent survey of Scythians and Sa(u)r(o)matians, The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Steppe. Not bad overall, but not enough to pull me into the sequel.

[Jennifer Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would have naturally picked up but I’m so glad I did as I really enjoyed it. The author has dived into a part of ancient history that is not well known unless you’ve perhaps studied this period, researching this nomadic tribe that fought a bloody battle against the Roman Empire.

The writing is vivid and captivating plunging the reader into the cruel, bleak and harsh winter times which only time will tell if the Sarmatians will survive against the bitter cold as well as the bloody and violent battle against other nomadic clans and the Roman Empire.

This story is also appealing because it explores themes of friendship, sibling rivalry and love, as well as conflicting emotions of honour and shame. Through these themes the author manages to draw connection and empathy to the fictional characters in this book.

Action packed, engaging and immersive. A great escapist read that will appeal to readers that enjoy adventurous historical fiction exploring strong themes on bravery and courage and friendship.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish someone had warned me to wrap up warm before starting "A Winter War"! This is a very atmospheric story (prepare for some shivers on the ice!), that is written well and has some interesting characters (most notably, Kai - our main character). As the first book of a planned trilogy, it has everything it needs to make you eager for the following novels - and a little bit excited, too!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Jim Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Leach writes great historical fiction. The first book of his I read was "The Smile of the Wolf" which was very good. But Mr. Leach has shifted gear and given us a great book with "A Winter War". This is a fascinating look at the relationship between the Romans and the Samaritans. And as Mr. Leach observes not a great deal is known about the Samaritans - allowing him to develop a very interesting warrior culture.

I highly recommend this book and eagerly look forward to the forthcoming sequel.

[Linda Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my type of book at all. I love this period but I found the writing disjoined and the story did not move along at all. I really want to learn what happened to Kai as I found him a likable character but I am just not invested in him or this storyline to read any more of this series. Very disappointing!

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The writing is excellent, dreamy at times and builds a very special atmosphere.
Some reviewers have commented on the absence of real knowledge about the Sarmatians and I agree that it's all speculation, but it's very credible and creates a good overall structure for Kai and co.

[Simon Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is a period of history I know nothing about and as such I can't comment on accuracy. However it's a great story, well told. There's an intelligence and compassion here that's missing in most historical novels and I look forward to reading the second book.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one confounds me. I'm not sure I liked it, but couldn't put it down and had to get to the end. Was it well written? Very much so, but I also found it florid in language in many places. It felt like a novel length prologue, but as I said, I couldn't stop reading.

[Strayybullett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, loved it.

[Sandra Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well imagined

[Barbara Lennox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Poetically written, immersive, emotional, exciting. This book has it all. I'll be reading this one again.

[Ron Kastner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book. But it ended where i thought it was going to begin, so a constant disappointment to my expectations. I was also unhappy with the portrayal of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

[Greig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good insight to how it could of been to live near roman territory, plus how barbarians rituals could end your life if you don't follow them. A good ending with them finding there type of peace.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a review copy of the book from the publishers as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

The Sarmatians (not to be confused with the Samaritans, who lived in very different place of the world) are a people we don't know that much about. The lived on the other bank of the Danube to the Romans, and clashed with them, ending up part of the Roman cavalry. They have not written record, and not much archaeological leavings, so most of our knowledge come from Roman writings of the time.

It is into this murky near-void that Tim Leach writes. I love seeing writers try to understand people long go, piecing together the fragments and bringing them to the attention of non-scholars. And fiction is such a powerful tool for that, one of the reasons I read a fair bit of historical fiction - I love history, and fiction is a lot more accessible than dense tomes written for academics, a good stepping off point.

A WINTER WAR (the number of times I've written "A WINTER'S TALE" after the Shakespeare play!) is a tale of survival, shame, and personal honour as the Romans march on the Sarmatian lands, bringing the clans together to face a common enemy and then breaking them apart.

It was a good choice to pick up when ill, as it's gripping, but with a more laid back style that meant I was able to put it down when I need a rest, but was still engaged enough to pick it back up as soon as I felt less dizzy.

The writing style is bordering on literary at times, with a narrator that sometimes pulls back to a very distant view of the scene to paint it in stark colours, almost greyscale. It helps describe the world and the harshness of life - the powerful, dangerous steppes, the mingled despair, fear, and anticipation before a battle, and the bloody aftermath.

The brief historical note mentions the link between the Sarmatians and King Arthur. I vaguely was aware of the potential link between the Central Asian horsemen and the knights, if the roots of the myth are indeed in the Romans and then muddled up with the stories from the "Dark Ages." I would be interested to see if this idea is taken up in the second book, as it looks like Kai might be heading to Britain in service of the Romans.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a trilogy set in the second century AD featuring the conflicts between the Roman empire and the Sarmatian people of Central Europe.
This story was gripping right from the outset. I loved the characters, especially the flawed central character, Kai. It was a very atmospheric book about a period of history and a people I knew very little about. The desperation for survival against all the odds was vividly brought to life. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a free review copy of the book in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first two or three chapters I thought I may have made an error reading this book. My mistake! An enthralling book bringing the atmosphere on a northern Roman frontier to life. Normally books about the Roman period make Rome the centre of story, but this is a tale from a native's viewpoint, making for a very different novel.

[09/01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

Thoroughly enjoyed reading the first of the Sarmatian trilogy. Kai the hero/coward you decide. I await with interest the story.