The Eagle of the Ninth

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Summary: The eagle of the Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....................
Review: 'Eagle of the Ninth' is the first in a bestselling series concerning ancient Rome by Rosemary Sutcliff, the famous and award-winning author of many historial novels and re-tellings of ancient myths.

In the prolouge of this novel Sutcliff tells her inspiration for this novel - the mysterious disappearence of the Ninth Legion who marched north to deal with the Caledonian tribes in 117 AD and were never heard of again, and the remains of a wingless Roman Eagle that was uncovered in modern times at an excavation at Silchester. The Eagles of Roman Legions were of uptmost importance to the soldiers within them, as the eagle symbolised their strength, their union and Rome itself. In the wrong hands it could spell disgrace or loss of moral should it ever be marched against Rome. For this reason Romans went to great lengths to protect the Eagle, even at the cost of their lives, and often an 'eagle-bearer' would march with the troops in order to protect and care for the precious token.

"The hunting ground is a wide one, and who knows into what strange covers the hunt may led us."
So says Centurion Marcus Flavius Aquila and his freed slave Esca at the start of their journey. Marcus's father was the leader of the Ninth Legion, and Marcus takes up the chance to find out exactly what did happen to him and the lost Ninth Legion that he had led, by crossing the safety of the Hadrian Wall and following the rumours of a Celtic tribe said to hold a strange Roman artefact of war. Wounded in battle and so stripped of his dream to become a First Cohort like his father, Marcus applies himself fully to restoring the honour of his father's Legion and prevent the Eagle from becoming a weapon of propaganda.

The two cross into dangerous territory, first disguised as a medicene man and his spear-bearer, and then as fugitives as they hurry back towards the Wall. Although the long first chapters that relay Marcus's first command and leg injury are rather long and probably unnessarsary (the quest doesn't actually begins until chapter eleven), those that hang in there will be rewarded with a nail-biting theft of the Eagle and a riveting final chase to safety.

Sutcliff creates a sympathetic character in Marcus, readers of this day and age will nod in approval at his treatment of his 'slave' Esca, but he has a touch of arrogance that will make scholars of Roman History smile. Backing up this protagonist is the fascinating character of Esca, who is often identified with the wild wolf that Marcus raises as a tame animal, Marcus's jovial uncle Aquila, and the frustrated 'girl-next-door' Cottia. All are interesting and genuine people, and all their relationships are handled well - there is no sappy romance, easy friendships or mushy uncle/nephew bond here; it is, to put it simply: real.

Like all her books, Sutcliff's writing is infused with potent imagery (the olive wood bird, the Celtic shield and 'Roman' dagger, and the Eagle itself) and poetic language that is blissful to read. Sutcliff had a gift in provoking images of landscape and imagery, and again she never distances the reader from the characters even when teaching them something about history - I was especially interested by the Feast of Spears in chapter fourteen. She juggles melancoly and despair perfectly with hope and renewal, and anyone who does make it through those first few chapters (which unfortunatly really do bring the rating down) might find themselves enjoying this unique story.

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Summary: A Roman soldier's search for his father's lost legion.
Review: Captivating story of a young Roman soldier's search to find the Eagle and the fate of his father's lost legion, the Ninth Hispania. This was the first historical novel I ever read and it started my passion for Roman history that continues to this day. The fate of the Ninth Hispania has always been a mystery to Roman historians. Rosemary Sutcliff personalizes the story of how this legion may have met it's end and how a young man's love for his father drives him to search beyond the known limits of Rome to find the truth. One of the best books of a truly outstanding author. Intended for young readers it will be enjoyed by adults as well.

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Summary: The Eagle of Awesomeness!
Review: First off, you should be reading The Eagle of the Ninth right now. But anyways. This book is really well written and historically accurate. It also develops the characters well and has an intriguing plot. And, if you are a Roman buff, as I myself am, this will definately be one of the best books you have ever read!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent story
Review: I read this book in 2 days. I was enthralled with the characters and how I became involved with the quest. not to give anything away, but Marcus and Esca reveal a true brotherhood even though they are from different worlds. I enjoyed the foray into ancient Celtic history as well as the Romano-British. One must realized that setting up a piece of history that is obscure must have the groundwork done. This is why the first 4 chapters are somewhat slow, but then the book is written at a reasonable pace so that the reader does not feel overwhelmed. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in Roman history during the Pax Romana.

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Summary: If you want to fire the imagination of your child....
Review: Read Rosemary Sutcliff to your children 8-10 or encourage your 10-14 year old. Try the first four or five sentences of any of her books together and see what images she conjures in your minds' eyes. She imparts so much color and action, once a child is able to get into these books either listening or on their own, there is no storyline closed to them. These books require thinking and reward the reader with an experience that lasts a lifetime. Do read them, especially if you have kids.

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Summary: THE HONOR OF AN EAGLE
Review: Rosemary Sutcliff is expert at recreating ancient civilizations, so this novel comes as no surprise. In her SUN HORSE, MOON HORSE the native tribes are the heroes, pursued by invading Romans. In this novel it is the Romans who are the protagonists, with the tribesmen mostly the enemy. Set in Roman Britain in the early AD's, this book recounts a personal quest by Centurion Marcus Drusillus Aquila, lamed in a fierce battle. He and his faithful former slave, Esca, undertake a perilous mission beyond the safety of Hadrian's Wall--erected to keep the Highland barbarians at bay

Tortured by harsh rumors that the lost Ninth Legion turned feral and betrayed the Roman principles of Trust and Honor, young Marcus is grimly determined to prove the gossip false and restore the Honor of his father's old legion. No one knows the fate of the men who marched off into the mists of what will be known as Scotland in subsequent centuries. But without the actual Eagle which repreents that legion, there can be no Honor--more sacred to Romans than life itself. Thus Marcus vows to recover the lost eagle for Rome, so that the men of the Ninth may rest easy and that the Painted People may not use it as a psychological weapon against Rome.

This novel is quite long for YA status, but is enjoyable to read. Sutcliff presents a mystery which spans the dim prehistory of Britain and historically documented Latin times. The plot is interesting, while the style captures the flavor and language of the Anglo-Roman era. The reader will pick up some Roman history and clues about their lifestyle just by reading for pleasure. The book is truly worthwhile, though I recommend the stark chiller, SUN HORSE, MOON HORSE, as an introduction to the tribal life. Very good story in setting that is both literary and historically accurate. Based on archaeological findings.

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Summary: "It has been good hunting, brother."
Review: Rosemary Sutcliff is one of those authors whose books I can pick up and know they will be satisfying.

The Eagle of the Ninth does not fail to meet that rather strict expectation. It is a rip-roaring ride that follows a young Roman named Marcus and his good friend, Esca, through the wastes of Northern England and Scotland.

Marcus' purpose for this journey is the recovery of the lost eagle of the Ninth Legion--his father's legion. The Ninth Legion marched into the mists of the North some twelve years before Marcus set out, and never returned. Some time later, rumor reaches the Roman provinces that a Roman eagle was in the hands of the northern tribesmen, and Marcus determines to go and find it.

High adventure follows.

I have been a Sutcliff fan for years, and the Eagle of the Ninth certainly makes a place for itself among the ranks of her other works as a masterful work of fiction about the Roman era. If you buy this book, you can safely say with Marcus and Esca, the two protagonists, that "It has been good hunting, brother."

Rating:
Summary: Rome the triumphant!
Review: Sutcliff has to be one of the most consummately skilled authors in this genre, both for style and characterization. Her sense of time and place is wonderful, and she manages to powerfully evoke our interest in her character's struggles and triumphs. As another reviewer noted, Sutcliff's people are real, not some silly pasteboard stereotypes of modernity, flicked back about 1500 years.

The plot is tight, avoiding unnecessary haste (which helps to give a sense of reality, as well), but not degenerating into a slough of wasted pages devoted to trivialities. Sutcliff's keen sense of location is a delightful aspect of the story--- one feels that she was intimately acquainted with Great Britain's wilds, and loved them for what they are and were: solemn, unfathomable, and full of mystery.

An obvious scholar of Celtic and Roman traditions and culture, Sutcliff manages to subtly impart a great deal of information without lapsing into "textbookishness"--- that alone is no mean feat! Readers will find that there horizons have been broadened after diving into her books.

Sadly, most of her best fiction is out of print, but here are some titles of her most enjoyable stories-you might want to check the libraries:
Mark of the Horse Lord
The Eagle of the Ninth
The Silver Branch
The Lantern Bearers
Sword Song
Warrior Scarlet

Rating:
Summary: Rome the triumphant!
Review: Sutcliff has to be one of the most consummately skilled authors in this genre, both for style and characterization. Her sense of time and place is wonderful, and she manages to powerfully evoke our interest in her character's struggles and triumphs. As another reviewer noted, Sutcliff's people are real, not some silly pasteboard stereotypes of modernity, flicked back about 1500 years.

The plot is tight, avoiding unnecessary haste (which helps to give a sense of reality, as well), but not degenerating into a slough of wasted pages devoted to trivialities. Sutcliff's keen sense of location is a delightful aspect of the story--- one feels that she was intimately acquainted with Great Britain's wilds, and loved them for what they are and were: solemn, unfathomable, and full of mystery.

An obvious scholar of Celtic and Roman traditions and culture, Sutcliff manages to subtly impart a great deal of information without lapsing into "textbookishness"--- that alone is no mean feat! Readers will find that there horizons have been broadened after diving into her books.

Sadly, most of her best fiction is out of print, but here are some titles of her most enjoyable stories-you might want to check the libraries:
Mark of the Horse Lord
The Eagle of the Ninth
The Silver Branch
The Lantern Bearers
Sword Song
Warrior Scarlet

Rating:
Summary: A great book from an interesting viewpoint
Review: This was the first time I'd read about the Roman occupation of Britain from a Roman viewpoint. Before, I'd always seen it from the side of the British, but this showed a totally new perspective. The mood of this book reminds me of rain, I'm not sure why. Even when the are running for their lives, it always seems to be in slow motion, but considering the ending, I think this is appropriate. This is the story of a young roman man (Marcus) who was distchared from the legions after an injury. After he recovers, he decides to go on a quest to find out what happened to his fathers ninth hispana legion and his father. They had been sent to subdue the rebellious tribes in Scotland; they were last seen marching into the mists, and never heard of again. It is Marcus's goal, with the help of his British friend Esca, to recover the lost eagle of the ninth.