Monday 12 August 2013

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff


'Off the Shelf' - Eagle of the Ninth - 11th March 2015
The Eagle of the Ninth is a historical novel about the Romans in Britain. Rosemary Sutcliff links fact with fiction making a engaging tale describing the life of Marcus, a newly recruited soldier. Along with his faithful partner Esca he strives to find out what became of the Ninth Eagle.

I really enjoy the mystery of this book and the 'normalness' nothing subnormal happens no one has powers or special abilities they survive in ways that people do today completing their mission with brain and will power not force. Rosemary Sutcliff also adds a slight romance to the story subtly enough to ignore but there to make the life of Marcus seem more real.

Marcus is very easy to sympathise with as although somewhat stern from his soldier career he has a warm heart and a sturdy character which shows through his dealings with other people of different status. I like this quality in Marcus as sometimes it is hard to sympathise with characters who are not humble or forgiving.

Rosemary Sutcliff has also written a range of other books including The Silver Branch and The Lantern Bearers both of which slightly link to The Eagle of the Ninth but can be read as standalone books as well.

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