Entertaining enough military adventure set in the Roman invasion of Britain. Has some quite gritty patches, some humour, and good camaraderie. The fuller characters are Macro and Cato. There is plotting and intrigue. Not sure if I want to re-read this or not. This is more military adventure than historical fiction or mystery/crime. I think I prefer Steven Saylor and Lindsey Davis at the moment. Not bad for what it is though. ( )

Excellent character development of Cato and Macro with intriguing plot and fast action. This is the author's first novel: hopefully he will be able to keep things going without falling into a repetitive rut. If so, he will rate right up there with Bernard Cornwell and Dewey Lambdin! ( )

Again - a good Roman based story. The characters are very believable and Cato and Marco are excellent. I wasn't keen on Centurion though - I felt it was a rehash of an earlier story. The others are well worth reading for fans of historical fiction. ( )

A fantastic read - utterly gripping from the first page.: Mr. Scarrow's first book in this new series is inspired. It is a gripping, enjoyable read that provides a thrilling sense of what it must have been like in the heart of a Roman legion as it fights its way through the barbarian hordes. The barracks life also feels very authentic. The characters are very life-like and likeable and I want to see how the Cato/Macro relationship develops, as well as plot the career of young Vespasian. The dialogue is sharp, the settings vivid, and the action nail-biting. If he can keep this up then Scarrow is onto a winner. If I had to comapre it to anything, it would be Hornblower, but a Hornblower who lived in a much grittier, bloodier and lethally political world. If you like Cornwell, Davis and their ilk, and you enjoyed Gladiator as much as I did - then this one is for you!

Pacey thriller, fulfilling the author's wish to write a military page turner set during the Roman invasion of Britain. The actual invasion of Britain (over three quarters of the way through) is a bit of an anti-climax and the Britons are not really in it until the battle at the end, except as an amorphous horde over the next hill or just inside the nearest patch of mist. Not as good as Saylor, but diverting and exciting. I will be reading the following 7 (at the latest count) novels in the series. ( )