At the Ruin of the World
At the Ruin of the World is Clay’s second novel on the later Roman Empire, although his first, The Lion and the Lamb, is not part of the same series. This book is set in the context of barbarian incursions across a fragmenting Roman Empire in the 5th century C.E., in particular the Hunnic movements under the notorious Attila. In this tumultuous political time, the story follows the lives of three characters: a noble brother and sister and a boy determined to salvage the reputation of his once equestrian family. To give away more would spoil the plot of the book.
This novel is very well researched and moves at a fast pace that makes it a real page-turner. Moreover, by following characters living in contrasting circumstances, Clay is able to provide ample perspective and a range of experiences in a period of history sometimes overlooked or glossed over as the end of the western Roman Empire. The best part is the balance between personal and private, war and politics, Roman and barbarian. Perhaps the biggest weakness, on the other hand, is the lack of depth to some characters.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those interested in the later Roman Empire or the general reader looking for an easy but epic read.
