I really don't read enough novels these days and when I do it's usually some piece of worthy/trendy piece of modern British writing imposed on me by wife in an effort to me abreast with literary trends. So it was with some anticipation that I picked up this straightforward piece of historical militrary fiction and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed. The scene is set quickly and well. You get a real sense of the rhythums of Roman military life. The characters - although some are very much archetypial from military fiction/non-fiction - are well rounded and beliveable and the hero's back history is suitably intriging. The narrative gallops along at a cracking pace and the battle senses have a satisfying air of realism. This is military fiction red in tooth and claw. I genuinely enjoyed the book and it passed time very effectively over a couple of days. I suppose the greatest compliment I can give is that I took the book on exercise and it kept being pinched by a PTI Sargeant, to distract one of those guys from a mirror for just a minute is quite an achievement.

A gripping book filled with suspense to the end. If you are interested in historical novels on the roman period a definite must.