Warrior of Rome: The Wolves of the North [Hardcover]

This is volume 5 of the adventures of Ballista (or Dernhelm), the son of an Angle warlord in Germania who grew up as a hostage of the Romans, was brought up at the imperial court and became a Roman general specialized in siege warfare. In this volume, after having been sent on a dangerous mission in the Caucasus, he is now sent with his "familia" on another dangerous mission to the Goths and Heruls living North of the Black Sea.

Apart from Harry Sidebottom's usual research, description of characters and writing style - all excellent - this book has quite a few other things going for it. The other strong point, of course, is that, as in his four previous books, and as another reviewer has mentioned already, the author makes you learn a lot in a rather entertaining way. However, none of these points are specific to this book. There are generic and can apply just as well to any of his four previous books.

The same reviewer thought it useful to warn readers against potential criticism that this book might seem slow paced at time. It does seem slow, at one point, but, far from being a criticism, this is perfectly suitable and it even seems to be deliberate since it conveys very well the impression of an endless trek as the embassy crosses the steppe and seeks to reach the Heruls' camp.

Another point is Sidebottom's choice of the Heruls, of which we know very little, and what we know mainly comes from Procopius writing almost 300 years after the time when the book's story is supposed to take place. This, of course, allows the author more room for invention. To my limited knowledge at last, there is nothing in the sources stating the Heruls practiced cranial deformation (unlike the Burgonds, who did, at least for their nobles) and Heruls were Germanic and not Huns, although their description seems to match the latter in some aspects, but then there is nothing that explicitly excludes it, so why not?

Other bits are fascinating since they offer a glimpse of steppe politics: how Rome (and then Byzantium) strived to keep the various tribes fighting each other and tried to avoid having any confederation becoming too powerful through bribes and alliances. It also gives a rather vivid description of what a steppe cavalry battle could have looked like and felt. Then there is another interesting twist in the story: among the embassy, there happens to be a psychopath that would nowadays qualify as a serial killer so that this book, in addition to being a historical novel, will also have you trying to guess "who dune it" (by the way, there are plenty of "red herrings" and I got it wrong!).

There is one thing, however, that makes this book worth a strong four stars rather than five: it does not stand alone very well. Although, to be fair, there is quite a few explanations as to who the main characters are and what has happened in previous episodes, it is definitely preferable to read the five books one after the other.

Anyway, I much preferred this one (I found Caspian Gates a bit "tepid"). It also seems that Harry Sidebottom has decided to treat us to a tour of the Roman Empire's neighbors and borders in the 3rd century AD since book 6 will be called the Amber Road, coming after the Persians, the Caucasus, the Goths and the nomads North of the Black Sea. Another treat in preparation...

Review:
As with all of Harry's books I expect that some will call the book slow, over detailed etc. But that's just not the case.

Harry's books and this one in particular are wonderfully written, he has an eloquent way of weaving the descriptive with the action. Like the history teacher everyone wants, you learn while you are entertained.

There are I'm sure a couple of readers out there who will once again claim to know more than the author about history but because there are always times that a fictional author must bend the facts and timeframe to fit the plot and its pace they need to get over that. Any changes are well explained as usual and all done with the very best of intentions to keep the latest story on plot and pace.

As usual our hero Ballista isn't just a 2D character, I always found him to be well rounded and by book five he is a living breathing hero, the good the bad, the imperfect, the stress and strain of position and command, all witten to give you fully rounded REAL person, with a supporting cast just as well written. I personally found even more realism with book five because of the chaotic swirl of the barbarian world clashing with the civilised order that was Rome.
Add a large dose of intrigue that usually accompanies the corrupt world of Rome and all its dealings, both from a family level through to movers and shakers in power. Ballista a Roman by accident / circumstance and deep down a barbarian at heart. This really does make for the most complex and intricate story so far and the best.

Highly recommended
(Parm)

Product Description
In the fifth novel in Harry Sidebottom's acclaimed and bestselling Warrior of Rome historical fiction series, Ballista returns in Warrior of Rome: The Wolves of the North to undertake yet another epic mission - while the Roman Empire reels in chaos around him.
AD 263 - the Roman Empire is close to turmoil, violent uprising threatening to shatter the fragile balance of power.
In the north, the tribes are increasingly bold in their raids on the Imperium - their savagery unlike anything Rome has known before. Ballista must undertake his most treacherous journey yet - a covert attempt to turn the barbarians against each other. He must face the Heruli - the Eaters of Flesh, the Wolves of the North - the most brutal tribe of them all. As Ballista and his retinue make their journey, someone - or something - is hunting them, picking them off one by one, and leaving a trail of mutilated corpses and terror.
Ballista is in a strange land, among strange people, but is it possible that the greatest threat may come from within his own familia?

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series, for me this was the best so far and I am looking forward to reading the Amber Road.