I find it amazing how a piece of writing can transport you through time, and this author has done that with this book transporting you back to Britain in CE367. This is the first book in a series and sets the foundations for some great upcoming stories and character development.
The book contains some great action scenes on the battlefields but also takes a look at the harshness of a soldier's life at the time and the effects of long term drinking and womanising has upon their families.
If you enjoy historical fiction this is a great book to read. Looking forward to hearing about book 2 in the series.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books, Netgalley, and the author for providing me with an advanced electronic opy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book was released on the 30th July and is available in e-book and audiobook formats.

Eagle and the Flame, the first offering in Adam Lofthouse's Shadow of Rome series presents us with a tale of Tribune Sixtus Victorinus. Victorinus is not your stereotypical noble hero. At least he isn't now. He drinks too much, he's away from his family too often, and he has gotten comfortable with his current state. A new enemy, Valentia, crosses paths with Victorinus and his men. Family is taken, alliances are made, some men in his command are suspected of being traitors. This is riveting. The action and battle scenes are top-notch. Victorinus does not start out a hero, but he becomes the hero that is needed. I've read a few of Mr. Lofthouse's books and this one is firmly at the top. I am eagerly awaiting book two in this series!

Many thanks to Mr. Lofthouse, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Sixtus Victorinus is a drunk and in charge of the miles areani, who patrol North of the wall to quell the rebellious tribes from the north. One day while on patrol the group of 6 come across a fire. From this beginning we follow Victorinus and his friend Felicius as they travel across the country, one to his family with Felicius' family and the other to Gaul to muster more troops to quell a rebellion amongst the Romans. It take a while of tooing and froing, setting the scene, for the story to pick up speed. Once it does it becomes exceeding hard to put the book down as you become drawn into the story and you wish for the main characters to all survive and be reunited with their families. A great read which truly gives a feel for what the conditions for the soldiers must have been like. Although some of the phrasing seems a little to modern for the period it helps to humanise the characters and truly convey their feelings. A great story well written with endearing characters you really feel for. With thanks to th author Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Victorinus and his men are out scouting beyond Hadrian’s Wall when they realise a large Caledonian raiding party has slipped past them, heading south. As they try to catch up, they spot something chilling—a fire shaped like a “V”, deliberately set as a warning or a message.

Meanwhile, his friend Felicius wakes up to a nightmare: thousands of tribesmen outside the fortress walls and the governor—his father-in-law—found dead, branded with a “V” and the word Valentia scrawled in blood. With no choice but to flee, they head south, only to find abandoned forts and alarming rumours of Saxon, Scotti and Frankish raids tearing through the province.

Set in 367 CE during the real-life Barbarian Conspiracy, this story is full of high-stakes tension, shifting loyalties, and fast-paced action—from full-on battles and sea fights to single combat. But it’s not all blood and strategy—there are some genuinely moving moments, too.

Victorinus and Felicius make a great pair—flawed, funny, brave, and believable. Their friendship really holds the story together, and the supporting cast adds plenty of heart (and the occasional laugh). There’s a strong sense of brotherhood, even as the world around them starts to fall apart.

Adam Lofthouse does a brilliant job bringing this chaotic slice of history to life, filling in the gaps with rich detail and strong storytelling. I was completely pulled in—and now I’m keen to see where the series goes next.

Thanks to Adam Lofthouse, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the advance copy!

This was a different genre to what I normally read. This was a story about ambition, war, betrayal, loyalty and love. Each of the different characters ends up in vastly different situations, but those who were loyal and generous prospered. Life in the Roman Empire was hard, but for everyone the really important things are friendship, love and family, it is just the going about it that is different. Pastor was a complex person and I also enjoyed the role of Victorinus and his journey. I look forward to reading more about these characters. Although there are war and battle scenes, they are handled well and the reader doesn’t get bogged down in that, as they have serve a purpose in moving the story forward. I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end, as this is a time period I know little about. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While I've been to Rome and can appreciate her History, I personally think the Romans were the barbarians!.. Of course I'm of Celtic blood so I guess I'm biased. But, having read Eagle and the Flame, and the way it was written could give one a slightly different perspective. Adam Lofthouse does such a fantastic job setting up and delivering action scenes, that when the chapter is done your looking around dazed like having been in the middle of the action! There are some touching emotional scenes as well, with plenty of drama and intrigue. With not a whole lot of written history of the time, I think Lofthouse did a bang up job delivering the first book of a new series, I can't wait for book two!

Victorinous a Roman tribune and his men see signs of large groups of warriors advancing south below Hadrians wall. He can find no trace of the Romans who should oppose them.
In between bouts of drunkness he needs to warn his superiors and help his friend Felicious a Prefect of a Roman cohort put up resistence, as all Britannia falls into chaos and rebellion.
Who can Victorinous trust and how can he protect his family whilst seeking to do his duty.
If you like historical Roman fiction set towards the end of the Roman Empire and similar books by Simon Scarrow and Colin Iggulden then you will enjoy this story and the battles that unfold.

An interesting story of one Roman solider’s quest to fight the invading Picts and reconnect with his family.. I wonder why the people in what is now Northern England were afraid of the Saxons and the Franks, neither tribe was present in Britain in that era. Both were loose confederations of tribes in what is now Germany at the time and probably never even called themselves Saxons or Franks.

Now if your one of those people who enjoys hearibg stories of ancient Rome this is the book for you. Set in Britiana 367 AD it will tell the story of one man's brave journey to rid the country of barbarians and claim the title of hero himself. Overall this was a very interesting read and I think if your a man you would enjoy the plot and develop an interest in history. I usually prefer stories with the woman as the hero but this one just happened to be a nice experience to read.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.