So for fans of the author, or keen followers of my blog you’ll know doubt recognise the author and perhaps a bit of the blurb.. Lofthouse was picked up by the awesome Boldwood Books and his previous works have undergone a light edit and rename. Eagle and the Flame was previously published as Valentia, being familiar with the novel you really could see how this little edit has made the writing a little sharper.. more refined.. I mean it was perfect anyway but seriously you can see how the author is honing his craft and that can only be good for us with hopefully plenty more books to come!

Down to the nitty gritty of the plot.. Victorinus and his men are outcasts of a sought.. the dregs of the army, drunks and those who cannot be tamed.. but good men worth keeping around.. even at a distance.

When rebellion reaches the empire and the name Valentia is seen across the land, Victorinus and his small band set out to see what can be done and head to see his friend Felicius. Felicuis and Victorinus have known each other for years.. Although very different people they hold some of the same qualities so you can see why they are friends.. if only Victorinus could overcome his demons!

The book starts strong and the plot moves with perfect speed building the pressure as Victorinus and Felicuis spit up with the same aim.. find out who is behind this and to put a stop to the madness.

We soon find out a number of Roman forts have been abandoned… but there’s no bodies left behind..and there are multiple enemies reported all over the land..who would have the power and money to make this happen or is it all one big coincidence? And what or who is Valentia…Can Victorinus trust everything he’s being told?

We see many battles along the way, death & pain & treachery .. on land as well as at sea and the detail given was brilliant, so much packed in but with that pinch of development needed to grip you and bring the characters to life along the way, which Lofthouse manged to do effortlessly!

Hard hitting and commanding plot with character development that just keeps coming!

Adam Lofthouse is one to watch.. he’s shown how good his storytelling is..things are only going from strength to strength so I eagerly await his next offering!!

This was a thrilling, brutal and twisty start to a new series.

Victorinus and Felicious are not your typical heroes but are battle-scarred men fighting for their families and a chance at redemption. Subject to vices like drink, they are portrayed as very human and show real emotion – allowing the reader to recognise the humanity behind these soldiers of Rome. They are supported by a cast of characters who aren’t all as they seem… which adds another layer of tension as we don’t always know who to trust…

Lofthouse sets his narrative in a crumbling Britain. This is not the glorious Roman Empire but a muddy and bleak backwater that is forgotten and is open to invasion on all sides. This bleak setting works with the plot to create a dark and atmospheric story that focuses on a late Roman Britain and the perilous situation it found itself in.

The plot takes on momentum, growing into a twisty, dark and layered story, reading almost like a thriller.

Overall, an enjoyable read filled with action, adventure and an immersive look at Britain during the late Roman Empire.

Eagle and the Flame by Adam Lofthouse is a fascinating reimagining of Roman Britain during the late 360s. This is a world defined by shifting power—Roman forts abandoned, soldiers left unpaid and disillusioned, and tribes across Hadrian’s Wall watching keenly as the reach of Rome begins to weaken. While history tells us the true end of Roman Britain lies a few years ahead, Lofthouse captures the tension of an empire in decline, where both soldiers and civilians remain unaware of just how close calamity looms.

At the heart of the story are two compelling figures: Tribune Sixtus Victorinus and Felicius. Sixtus is jaded, disillusioned, and prone to drowning his frustrations in drink, while Felicius represents the disciplined, loyal Roman soldier, still clinging to order and structure. Together, they find themselves unraveling mysterious events along the border and rallying what support they can to prepare for rebellion. The pairing works brilliantly—Sixtus, flawed yet sympathetic, feels human and relatable, while Felicius grounds the story with glimpses of what it truly meant to serve Rome during its waning years.

The novel begins with impact, immediately drawing readers into its turbulent world, and the pacing builds steadily toward a satisfying and dramatic conclusion. The supporting cast, from Sixtus’s ragtag warriors to the people caught in the conflict’s crossfire, are well-sketched and memorable, adding both warmth and tragedy to the tale.

What sets Eagle and the Flame apart is its atmosphere. The sense of place is vivid—from abandoned forts to the looming presence of Hadrian’s Wall, the landscape feels alive and tied to the growing unrest. Readers who enjoy Saxon or Viking-era tales will find this earlier slice of Britannia equally enthralling, as it shows the roots of the upheavals that would soon reshape the island.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read—one that blends history, character, and tension into a story that’s hard to put down. Adam Lofthouse has delivered a strong, gripping novel that left me eager for more from this period and his pen.

The Eagle and the Flame by Adam Lofthouse is a fascinating reimagining of Britannia during the late 360s. This then is Roman Britain, complete with Roman soldiers and senators, Roman weapons and, of course, Hadrian's Wall. But, this is also a world of Germanic warriors, Saxon invaders, the tribes from beyond the Wall, and even some pirates. 

Historically, the end of Roman Britain might be a few years in the future, but this is a world on the brink, the reach of the Romans starting to fade, and the events in Eagle and the Flame tell of a people as yet unaware of the coming calamities, and, Adam describes it very well. We have abandoned Roman forts, discontented Roman soldiers who aren't getting paid on time, and the tribes from across Hadrian's Wall are more aware of what might be happening than the Romans. And the emperor is very far away in Rome.

Our two main characters, Tribune Sixtus Victorinus, and Felicius are opposites of the same coin; one jaded and drunk, the other, still a career Roman soldier. Between them, they must disentangle the unexplained events on the borderlands, and then they must rouse support from all that they can to defeat the coming rebellion.

Eagle and the Flame starts fantastically well, immediately sucking the reader into the world of the 360s. It's really quite hard to put the book down as the tension ramps up. Tribune Sixtus is a sympathetic character; for all, he is perhaps to blame for many of his problems. The small group of warriors who make up his area of command are well-sketched, and there is tragedy in the offing. Felicius' life is more regimented, and it is Felicius who gives us a glimpse of what it was to be a Roman in the waning years of the Empire.

I really enjoyed Eagle and the Flame. The book starts with a bang and builds nicely to its conclusion, introducing a great cast of characters along the way. If you're a fan of stories set in Saxon England, then you'll love this earlier glimpse of Britannia.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

First time I’ve read a story about the Roman period in Britain but from a Roman viewpoint. Set at the time when the power of Rome was falling, this is an excellent story about soldiers fighting for the glory of Rome and to save their families. Excellent pace to the story and all the characters were really interesting. Some of the locations in the story are real places (like Vindolanda) so that easily helped create an image of the environment for me as I’ve been to some of these places. Looking forward to more from this author

For many years, Hadrian's Wall has fascinated me. Truly a dreadful and mysterious place to visit during the long, dark Winter months. I often wondered what life would be like on the edge of a crumbling empire.
This story relates to a rebellion taking place in Britannia, against the last vestiges of the Roman Empire.
The main anti-rebellion characters are all well-rounded, truly fallible, as well as being tough warriors. Also unusually, they are portrayed to be often compassionate to the underdog.
I enjoyed the author's use of modern-day vernacular, rather than imaginary 'Roman' style English. It brought the characters to life and made them seem more real.
Congratulations to Adam Lofthouse for writing such a memorable book. I'm looking forward to the next chapter!

AD 367 Northern Britain. Rome’s grip on Britain is weakening and rebellion is growing. The Franks and Saxons are raiding more frequently, and people are fleeing from the north seeking protection further south. Victorinus and his band of military scouts are on patrol when they see flames, investigating they find bodies one of whom utters the word ‘Valentia’ before he dies. Victorinus is not a model Roman soldier, he’s an absent husband and father and a drunkard but he knows that something needs to be done to find out who is behind the terror that’s overtaking the north. And since no one else seems to be doing anything, especially the Army, it’s down to him, his scouts and any other loyal soldiers he can find.
This is a fascinating tale of brotherhood, love, redemption and betrayal, with fictional and real life characters neatly woven into the story. I’ve read a number of books set in Britain in the early part of the first century AD but this is the first I’ve read set in this time period. I’ve really enjoyed reading it and it’s made me want to find out more.

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.