Without getting into spoiler territory, this revolves around the British legend Queen Boudica of the Iceni and her revolt against the Romans.......and with good reason. Heads roll (literally) and the bodies pile up as the revolt continues. And, of course Macro is at the centre of the action, protecting Roman interests. Where is Cato, you ask? Well, he's off on an assignment on the other side of Britain helping to eliminate the Druids so he plays no part in the actual revolt. The main historical event described in the series is the second invasion of Britain in the Roman Empire and the resulting campaign undertaken by the Julio-Claudian dynasty to resist the Britishers from doing so. The series consists of a total of 13 books with the 14th one about to be published soon later in the year. He is best known for his Eagles of the Empire series of Roman military fiction set in the territories of the Roman Empire, covering the second invasion of Britain and the subsequent prolonged campaign undertaken by the rump of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. As of March 2023, there are 22 books in the series; the latest, "Rebellion", was published in 2023 [2] In all, he has written over 30 novels in his career spanning 15 years. Simon was born in Nigeria, but spent most of his growing years in the UK. Before trying his hand at writing novels, he completed his education from the University of East Anglia and obtained his master’s degree.

As of today, he lives happily in Norfolk, United Kingdom along with his wife Caroline Scarrow and two sons. In the year 2006, Simon was selected as the Writer in Residence at the Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys. He says that he was honored to have been accepted for the prestigious post. As a part of his job, Simon is required to visit the school regularly and hold several creative writing sessions in which the students participate to showcase their writing talents. Wander (26 March 2015). "Interview with Simon Scarrow". Edinburgh Book Review. Edinburgh . Retrieved 28 June 2016. [ dead link] Now it’s time to quell the most dangerous enemy tribes. Two of Rome’s finest commanders – Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro – are charged with a mission as deadly as any they have faced in their long careers. Can they win the day, or could this be the last battle? This is the 21st installment in the author's "Eagles of the Empire" series which seems like it may be coming to an end in a book or two - but then again, maybe not. Out of all the books in the series, this is most definitely the best. And when you get to the end, you know there will be at least one more because there are too many loose ends.Scarrow, Simon (2021). Honour of Rome. [S.l.]: HEADLINE BOOK PUBLISHING. ISBN 978-1-4722-5849-6. OCLC 1223069098. With the military distracted, slow-burning anger amongst the tribespeople bursts into flames. The king of the Iceni is dead and a proud kingdom is set for plundering and annexation. But the widow is Queen Boudica, a woman with a warrior’s heart. If Boudica calls for death to the emperor, a bloodbath will follow. Boudicca: a young British noblewoman, who Macro becomes smitten with in the third novel, When the Eagle Hunts. n.b. these novellas were available as e-books prior to publication of the full title. Stand-alone novels [ edit ] Simon also judges the annual Scarrow Award in the Fiction category held in the school. The family of Simon has one more author in the form of his brother, Alex Scarrow, who has written a number of novels himself. Simon says that his passion for writing had begun at a very young age.

The story is well know and I won't repeat it here for feel of spoiling it for the reader. Needless to say, both Cato and Macro are involved in some of their deadliest challenges yet. I found the descriptions of life in Britain in the I century very interesting and they made me wish I know more about the lifestyle. On the other hand, Cato is just a teenager, who previously grew up as a slave in the Imperial Palace. At the start of the series, he joins as Macro’s Optio in the Eagles. The first book of the series is set in 42 A.D. Throughout the series, author Simon Scarrow has shared the experiences of Macro and Cato.Roman Arena series (with T. J. Andrews) [ edit ] Also acts as something of a prequel to the Eagle series as it features an earlier appearance of both characters Macro and Narcissus. Alex Scarrow Interview". authortrek.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011 . Retrieved 2 January 2017. Eagles of the Empire is a series of historical military fiction novels written by Simon Scarrow. The series began in July 2000 with the publication of Under the Eagle, and as of March 2022 there have been 21 novels released in the series, with the 22nd novel due in November 2023. [1] I read a lot of roman story writers Anthony Riches, SJA Turney and they all say you can only work with actual real life people who were in the provinces at the time.

Every year, Simon manages to publish at least one book based on the adult Roman and historical fiction novels. The house in which he lives in Norfolk is a 400 year old mansion which was built by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. In fact, the major portion of Norfolk was colonized by the Romans. As ever, the level of historical research is astounding and the pace is frenetic. The ending had me gasping and the twenty-second book cannot come soon enough! The Eagle in the Sand Audiobook | Simon Scarrow | Audible.co.uk". Audible . Retrieved 4 January 2020.I've followed the adventures of Roman soldiers Cato and Macro across the Roman Empire for 20 or so novels and the standard never dips below breathless. Simon Scarrow is excellent on adventure, dialogue and character and the plots are always well crafted. This latest adventure is set in Britannia in AD60 with Centurion Macro now retired from the legions and living in comfortable retirement in Camuldonunum - or Colchester to you and me. Meanwhile, the more senior Cato, is also in Colchester 'resting' between appointments and happy to be with his new love, Claudia the Emperor's ex-mistress. The Governor of Britannia has decided now is the time to try and defeat once and for all the troublesome hill tribes of Wales and also the druids who are based on Mona, or Anglesey. He takes most of the available soldiers on the expedition including Cato, leaving most of the country to be protected by a few ill-trained forces, including Camuldonunum which is left to Macro and the few hundred other veterans who have also retired to the town. There is also an interesting parallel .story of a Roman column invading Mona (Anglesea) with the intention of destroying the last of the remaining Druids. In 2021, Scarrow authored an immersive audiovisual walking tour for the Roman Colosseum entitled Blood and Sand on the BARD EUM mobile app. [3] Books [ edit ] The series, in its entirety, documents Macro and Cato's attempts to live a soldier's simple life, however, their effectiveness as soldiers and Cato's former connections to the Imperial Court make this difficult. Through association with Cato, Macro also finds himself the object of the upper classes' intrigue and struggles for supremacy. The series also features Vespasian and Vitellius as supporting characters, during the formative years of their careers, and foreshadowing their future rivalry for the Imperial throne.

Macro and Cato are battle hardened, but have not had an active army life for some time. Whilst they are Romans, they have great respect for Boudica and also realise the power that she holds. When they are asked to stand against her and defend Rome against the rebellious Iceni, they realise the dangerous predicament that they have found themselves in. Flavia Domitilla: Vespasian's wife, who, he is chagrined to learn, is a member of the "Liberators," a group of conspirators plotting Claudius's assassination; however in Day of the Caesars, the conspirators have changed their target to Nero, hoping to allow Brittanicus to succeed his father. She also reveals that Julia was faithful to Cato. She kills herself when the coup fails. I appreciated the historical notes and I am glad I was able to read this story, discover this intriguing series, and learn something new.

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Narcissus: Claudius's Chief Secretary and effectively Prime Minister of the whole Empire. He recruits Macro and Cato for "special" tasks around the Empire, promising them rich rewards for success, but making it clear that their lives are of little value to him or the Empire.