Books 2014 - The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
I bought this when I visited Chedworth, the second in Rosemary Sutcliff's Eagle of the Ninth series.
Unsurprisingly, I loved it very much indeed... *g*
Violence and unrest are sweeping through Roman Britain. Justin and Flavius find themselves caught up in the middle of it all when they discover a plot to overthrow the Emperor. In fear for their lives, they gather together a tattered band of men and lead them into the thick of battle, to defend the honour of Rome. But will they be in time to save the Emperor...
Again what I like best, what Sutcliff does brilliantly, is portray the relationship between Justin and Flavius, friends who turn out to be cousins too. I especially like that the story is mostly told from Justin's point of view, but that Flavius is the more natural leader, so that it doesn't feel like yet another story about a hero. Instead it's about an ordinary, brave person who's thrown into the thick of things, and does his best when he's thrown into the path of Emperors and those who are born to lead.
I also like the illustrations throughout - they're not fancy, but they're evocative, and the fact that they're scattered through makes them something special. I can't wait to visit my third Roman villa and pick up The Lantern Bearers, the third book in the trilogy... *g*
Unsurprisingly, I loved it very much indeed... *g*
Violence and unrest are sweeping through Roman Britain. Justin and Flavius find themselves caught up in the middle of it all when they discover a plot to overthrow the Emperor. In fear for their lives, they gather together a tattered band of men and lead them into the thick of battle, to defend the honour of Rome. But will they be in time to save the Emperor...
Again what I like best, what Sutcliff does brilliantly, is portray the relationship between Justin and Flavius, friends who turn out to be cousins too. I especially like that the story is mostly told from Justin's point of view, but that Flavius is the more natural leader, so that it doesn't feel like yet another story about a hero. Instead it's about an ordinary, brave person who's thrown into the thick of things, and does his best when he's thrown into the path of Emperors and those who are born to lead.
I also like the illustrations throughout - they're not fancy, but they're evocative, and the fact that they're scattered through makes them something special. I can't wait to visit my third Roman villa and pick up The Lantern Bearers, the third book in the trilogy... *g*