Original Post: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/06/eagle-eagle-simon-scarrow-book-review-bane-kings/.


“A gritty, realistic, page-turning experience that will lead the reader wanting more.” ~The Founding Fields


This is the first historical fiction book that I’ve read in a long time (excluding Bernard Cromwell’s Sharpe series), and I really enjoyed it, and if I’m being honest it’s not really the first time that I attempted to read it, as I picked it up and begun reading it a few months ago, only to put aside for some new releases that had come my way in the post.

I read the first half of the novel. I liked it, I really did – I just never got around to returning to it. However, for a random reason, I seem to now be wanting to read every historical fiction novel out there on the market today. I’m a huge fan of the Roman period, so I figured, where better to start my historical fiction-reading crusade with Under the Eagle, a novel which I already had?

As it turned out, it was the perfect place to start.

It is 42 AD, and Quintus Licinius Cato has just arrived in Germany as a new recruit to the Second Legion, the toughest in the Roman army. If adjusting to the rigours of military life isn’t difficult enough for the bookish young man, he also has to contend with the disgust of his colleagues when, because of his imperial connections, he is appointed a rank above them.

As second-in-command to Macro, the fearless, battle-scarred centurion who leads them, Cato will have more to prove than most in the adventures that lie ahead. Then the men discover that the army’s next campaign will take them to a land of unparalleled barbarity – Britain.

After the long march west, Cato and Macro undertake a special mission that will thrust them headlong into a conspiracy that threatens to topple the Emperor himself…

I wasn’t expecting Under the Eagle to be as good as it was. The main characters, Cato and Macro, come from entirely different backgrounds and are well developed throughout the novel, and they quickly become memorable and Scarrow makes you want to read more. Cato and Marco are quite clearly different characters, and are, like everybody in the novel, flawed and imperfect. Under the Eagle has captured the gritty realism of life in the Roman Army, and as far as I noticed (I’m no expert historian myself), there were no glaringly obvious historical innacuracies that I found within the pages of Under the Eagle, such as Romans using forks, which apparently was seen in 2011′s Roman film entitled The Eagle, which I wanted to see, but never got around to doing so.

Another notable character in this novel is Vespasian, one of the high ranking figures of the second legion, and he is really brought to life in Under the Eagle. For those familiar with Warhammer 40k (as most readers of The Founding fields will be), will no doubt recgonise Vespasian being one of the named characters in Graham McNeill’s Fulgrim, and as you read Under the Eagle, you’ll start to see more and more where McNeill drew his inspiration for character names from, but don’t let that deter you from reading Under the Eagle, or indeed – Fulgrim, if you haven’t already. Both are fantastic novels, and I can offer my recommendation for them. Fulgrim is easily one of the better novels in the Horus Heresy series, I should add.

The pace of the novel is fast, action packed and with plenty of fight scenes that are well-detailed, realistic and really entertaining. Scarrow makes you want to root for Cato and Macro, and he makes you want to get behind them as they struggle through wars against the enemy barbarians. There are a wide variety of conflicts presented in Under the Eagle, ranging from simple skirmishes to full-scale battlezones, which provide an entertaining experience, and also provides an accurate look as to how the Romans fought their battles. If you’re a fan of Roman military then, the first book in this series is one that you’ll not want to miss, especially as it’ll leave you desperate for more.

You can tell that Scarrow has done his research for Under the Eagle. At the beginning of the novel he provides the reader with an in-depth look as to how the Roman Army (or at least, the Second Legion) works, which only adds to the whole reading experience as newcomers to Roman-era historical fiction novels won’t find themselves lost as to what the difference is between an Centurion and an Optio.

The plot is captivating, entertaining and enjoyable, as well as being a ‘gateway drug’ into more of what the sword and sandals section of historical fiction has to offer, as after reading this novel you’ll really want to read some more set in this period. I’ve even picked up the sequel to this novel, The Eagle’s Conquest, which I’m really looking forward to reading.

Verdict: 4/5

Surprisingly found myself really grabbed by this. A few odd anachronistic phrases like "nipped in the bud" broke my immersion occasionally, but beyond that I enjoyed the story and characters and just existing in the Roman world so believably for a while.

It’s a three star for me mostly because some parts get a little draggy. But I love the action and battle scenes, those parts make it really exciting and fun to read.

I really enjoyed parts of this novel. Other parts kinda bored me. Here we have a young 17 year old man that joins the Roman army right before an invasion of England. Because of his past (that we do not know about) he is placed second in command under his commander Marco.

My main complaint about the book is that is seems to just go from no relationship between Marco and Cato and then to much more. For me that would have been the best part of the book. Seeing that relationship grow. Watching Cato help Marco learning to read. Watching Marco build up the self confidence in the boy. We only saw minor glimpses of that happening.

It was obvious to me who the spy was. From the very first mention of their name. I also kind of resent not being told who Cato really is. His history. It will obviously come about and we will eventually know, but I am disappointed that the author didn't expect anyone to actually ask Cato who his father is...especially when it became apparent that the leaders wife knew him by sight. Obviously someone would have questioned him about his father since it placed him in a position of authority above me twice his age and all the whilst he had no training.

Finally, this book really shone when Cato was at the forefront in battle. When he placed himself in danger to save others without a thought of his own safety. When he would scream a battle cry and not even know where it came from. At times he was very childish, but when he was a man, he was a man to be feared and admired.

I just wish we had seen more of the same from Marco. As it stands in the ending of this novel, he is a very flat character.

I'm not sure if I shall continue this series or not....yes, I want to find out more about Cato, but sadly, I'm just not sure if I'm really willing to invest the time to find out those answers

I'd read five or six 'Eagle' books before going back to the beginning. I can agree with some of the other reviews that the plot is lacking a little, and the novel does feel like a huge set up for the series, but there is enough to like here to make it a reasonable starting point for getting into Scarrow.

Meh...learnt absolutely nothing :/

Germany, Britain, 42 A.D.
First line: "It's no good sir. The bastard's well and truly stuck."
This isn't a mystery, but it is almost one. Based on historical facts, there were spies
and plots and intrigues involved with the reign of Claudius and the invasion of Britain
by the Romans. Following the exploits of two legionaries, Macro and Cato who serve
under Vespasian, this is the first in a series. Anyone who enjoys Bernard Cornwell's
books would like these.

I really enjoyed this book.

I liked seeing Cato's growth as a young lad in the army and his relationship with Macro.

I also enjoyed the information about army life as a new recruit, such as the weapons, training and command structure. I also enjoyed this historical aspects of the book which did not feel heavy or weighed down with too much detail.

Although the synopsis advises a trip to Britain in AD42; this does not happen until way into the second half of the book, but once we got there I really enjoyed the events that transpired. Although to me this part of the book felt a little rushed.

At the end of this book, there is a nice ending hinting at the next instalment, which I am really looking forward to reading.