This one really let me down. The author's take on the disappearance of the IX Legion Hispana in Britannia; they are wiped out by Brigantes. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, except Marcus, the hero, and Novantes, the young soldier--survivor of the attack on his watchtower. Was the love story added only at the request of the publisher? The heroine made an unbelievable switch from villainess to heroine in such a short time. And her actions near the end of the story were very hard for me to believe. I consider LEGIONS OF THE MIST, with the same speculation, far superior. ( )

This review is from: The Eagle Has Fallen (Paperback)
To hold my interest a book needs to obliterate the present--to make me feel as though I am in the time period; if it succeeds, I don't hear my name being called while I'm reading as I'm not in the present anymore. The Eagle Has Fallen put me squarely into the violent, but fascinating, world of Rome, 117AD and into the life of Marcus Quietus whose promising military career is turned upside down by his father's treason and murder, his posting to Britannia, and the dangers to which he is exposed....and most intriguing...what happened to the Ninth Legion...one of the most distinguished, oldest and toughest of the legions.

Multiple points-of-view, Roman officer, common soldier, native Britain and Roman patrician make for in-depth character development as well as insight into the politics of the time.....Also, the author's frequent explanations of the organization of the various units of the Roman army, their fighting techniques, length of service and awards offered for bravery greatly aid the reader's understanding.

Several things make this a great 5-Star read:

The author gives you characters you come to care about: Marcus, loyal Libo, Hadrian, Cornelia, Novantes; but also others you don't care about but do care what happens to them: Attianus...so oily...and filled with hubris....every time he appears on the page, whatever he does, you hate him more....

The author rivets your attention and hurls you into the plot with opening lines such as: "......two bare-chested men crouched, spears at the ready. They peered into the undergrowth. Silent, motionless, barely daring to breathe." Also, "Although.....fit, healthy and just thirty four years old, his last day on earth had already begun"

The author's battle descriptions of how the different units, calvary and infantry, fought-their techniques, were especially good: Novantes' observation of the Brigantes' tactics in the battles for the forts at Bremenium and Habitancum; and especially the lengthy battle scene between the Ninth Legion and native tribes make you feel the fatigue, desperate effort but supreme courage of the Roman soldiers and officers....I was exhausted just reading it!

A good historical novel helps one learn about the time period...the way people live, the way they think and the way they act; but especially the values and beliefs they hold. The author included much of this in the dialogue and thinking of his characters.

Quotes from Polybius, Homer, Thucydides and others at beginning of each section were a nice addition as was the illustration of the watchtowers and forts which helps the reader follow the action and get a sense of the distances traveled. Placing the date, year, location and time of day at the beginning of each chapter keeps the reader grounded in the when and where of the action.

A concise Introduction sets the stage for the events of 117-118AD; I especially learned a lot from reading the author's excellent Appendix with historical facts as well as some of the author's interpretations of what these facts suggest. For instance, the archeological proof of the drop in pottery usage due to fewer people living in York after the time the Ninth disappeared....it definitely did not return to York after marching north.

All-in-all a great and exciting 5-Star read! Will Marcus continue his adventures?....we can only hope he will. ( )