The silver branch

Set a century or so after The Eagle of The Ninth, Rosemary Sutcliff's second novel set in Roman Britain deals with the events surrounding the so-called Emporer of Britain, Carausius. Two cousins, Flavius (a descendant of Marcus Aquila from the first book) and Justin are posted to serve under Carausius as he attempts to build Britain into a strong province, able to withstand attacks by the Saxons and to act as an outpost of civilisation should Roma fall.

Alas Carausius falls prey to a jealous usurper, despite Flavius and Justin's attempt to warn him, and the cousins are despatched to serve on Hadrian's Wall. About to be betrayed they desert and make their way south to Flavius' home near Calleva. Here they help smuggle people out from under the rule of the usurper, Allectus, to Gaul, before events conspire to embroil them in the battle to retake the Province for Rome. Sutcliff's handling of the history is masterful, but it's her storytelling that makes this book a rivetting read. The battle at Calleva towards the end of the book is wonderfully described. Flavius and Justin are well drawn, rich characters who grow into battle hardened men by the book's end.

Although nominally called ‘children's fiction' this is actually a great historical novel, as are all of Sutcliff's works, and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It certainly towers over the likes of Harry Potter and his ilk. Rich in detail, exciting and moving I'd recommend this to anyone.