A gripping second adventure in a memorable series

What did you like most about Hunting the Eagles?

The characters spring to life once more, eloquently voiced, from restrained emotions, to the full throated roar of battle. The author's understanding of his time, not pulling the punches of deprivation, depicting the agonies that created sworn enemies for Rome in a sensitive manner that provides an insight for the reader.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lucius Comminius Tullus (who we met in Eagles at War). Demoted, frustrated, and feeling the pain of separation from his cohort and the guilt of surviving the rout of the legions in Germania. David Rintoul creates this complex personality so authentically, that the reader feels his pain, shares his sorrow and sympathises with his rebellious determination to clear his name. Despite all this, the reader must listen in awe as he stiffens to attention as the battle horns blare, & Tullus must assume command of his battle weary men once more!

What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

As a blind reader I find David Rintoul's rendition of Tullus completely convincing. He is the centurion, mildly rebellious in his determination to find out what has happened to his centuries Eagle, totally devoted to giving proper burial to his men and retrieve the good name of his cohort before clearing his own name. Pure grit, honest anger, yet clarity of command are portrayed with immense skill.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It reduced me to tears, left me feeling I had met an honorable man who had been treated dishonorably, which made me angry on his behalf. I also laughed when Tullus and his optio went to Rome against the ban imposed on them, becane truly anxious when he put his faith in Caesar Germanicus, as well as feeling frustrated when the book ended...

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the next book in this wonderful series. I am a dedicated Simon Scarrow fan and didn't think I could find anything to equal his Eagles series, however this is very powerful competition, for which I am very grateful

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2 people found this helpful

enjoyable

A good book i await the next book to continue the story. A good narator too.

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A must read

I did not particularly like the Lost Legion series as it became a little far fetched, but this series really made you feel the history. Very enjoyable.

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Ok but not his best

Didn't get into the book until half way through, first book in the series was far more engaging.

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a great follow up.

Likeable characters on both sides give this trilogy an extra dimension. Tullus is fictional but you'd root for him to be a genuine historical hero.

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Great listen good read as well

Ben Kane really takes you into the action loved this book looking forward to next.

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Absolutely phenomenal

The book itself is beautifully written and David Rintoul does a fantastic job at bringing the story to life. I love all of Ben Kane's books so I wasn't surprised when this one turned out to be just as great as the others.

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Outstanding

5 years on after the slaughter in the first book, brings a slight pause in the fighting. To learn that Tullus (although a fictional character, it does not detract from what happened to the surviving legionnaires) and his friends who survived the Tuetoberg massacre were banned from entering Rome again showed just how brutal the emperors and the system of that time were. Is it any surprise that the soldiers eventually sought to mutiny.

One can only imagine the fear that was experienced when the Romans heard the Germanic Barritus before the attacks as mindset plays a huge role in any big battle.

Ben Kane has managed to mix fact and fiction into an amazing trilogy, with neither compromising the other.

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Another great book by Kane

Another great book in the 'eagles' series by Ben Kane. Can't wait to finish the trilogy

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enjoyable

I gave enjoyed both books so far, especially with such strong narration. looking forward to subsequent volumes

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