The Hollow Throne (The Sarmatian Trilogy)
Set around Hadrian’s Wall in 175 CE, The Hollow Throne picks up the story of a Sarmatian formation in the Roman army, and the indigenous tribes originally settled to the north of the wall. The Sarmatians, under their Roman leader Lucius, have cleared the area alongside the wall driving the Votadini off their lands while an old enemy – the Painted People – has regrouped and is pressing southwards.
On top of the narrative of the warring tribes, the story develops the relationships between the Romans, the Sarmatians, and the tribes, alongside the personal interactions of the leaders who have considerable history between them covering battles, betrayal, and love. With a Druidic talisman as a catalyst, the setting of the plot is varied and full of colour. The tension and the twists and turns in the storyline kept me engrossed to the end. A most enjoyable read.
