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jules0626x's review against another edition
5.0
It's a little bit of historical ficton. It's a well written book. Very good characters. It's set in the time of the Roman occupation of England. The Sarmatians were a group of nomadic warriors who had recently been defeated by the Romans and were being taken away from their native area to England. The story follows one Sarmatian Prince through his time as a roman soldier.
elisergray's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read of one of my very favorite historical fiction books. However, the kindle version was littered with an insane amount of typos! I have always highly recommended this book, but now I’d add to definitely make sure to go for the print version.
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fascinating historical fiction novel based on evidence of Sarmatian "barbarians" being stationed in Britain by the Romans. The Sarmatians are forced to find new roles in Roman society after they are defeated and traded to the Romans for guarantees of peace. There's intrigue, educational bits and just excellent story telling!
blancwene's review against another edition
4.0
Bradshaw studied Classics at Cambridge, so it shouldn't be surprising that she creates an immersive and detailed fictional version of Roman-era Britain here. There's so many cultures in play: the Brigantes and other English groups; the Romans, both Italian-born and British; the Christians and the Druids; and then the Sarmatians themselves.
First person narration doesn't always work for me (too much navel gazing at times), but I appreciated it here; Ariantes's culture is (understandably) foreign to the reader, so I liked being in his head.
The first quarter is loads of Roman bureaucracy, and a little slow. (I found it all interesting, though, and it also introduced the issue of Ariantes Romanizing more than he and his people would like.) Once they land in Dubris/Dover, a map of Roman Britain is a helpful resource!
If anything, I found the climax a little unbelievable that so many people rallied to his side, even if I understand why each person supported him.
First person narration doesn't always work for me (too much navel gazing at times), but I appreciated it here; Ariantes's culture is (understandably) foreign to the reader, so I liked being in his head.
The first quarter is loads of Roman bureaucracy, and a little slow. (I found it all interesting, though, and it also introduced the issue of Ariantes Romanizing more than he and his people would like.) Once they land in Dubris/Dover, a map of Roman Britain is a helpful resource!
If anything, I found the climax a little unbelievable that so many people rallied to his side, even if I understand why each person supported him.
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fascinating historical fiction novel based on evidence of Sarmatian "barbarians" being stationed in Britain by the Romans. The Sarmatians are forced to find new roles in Roman society after they are defeated and traded to the Romans for guarantees of peace. There's intrigue, educational bits and just excellent story telling!
morgandhu's review against another edition
4.0
Gillian Bradshaw's Island of Ghosts is a complex and entertaining tale, set in Roman Britain during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The narrative thread of the novel is played out against the story of the Sarmatian auxiliary forces taken into the Roman army and posted to Britain after the Empire's victory over the their people. Little is known of the fate of the Sarmatians - a nomadic people, known as formidable mounted fighters, who had migrated from Central Asia into Eastern Europe - once they arrived in Britain, but Bradshaw has taken what is known about them, and about the much better documented history of the Roman occupation of Britain, and created a story of romance and political intrigue.
Bradshaw paints a picture of colonial Britain that puts considerable emphasis on the diversity of cultures, and the issues of cultural clashes beyween them - the imperial military culture of the conquering Romans, the unassimilated Sarmatian warriors, the varied British tribes and their different histories with the Empire, the Christian underground, the hidden remnants of the druidic order - as well as on the different political factions within these groups.
Navigating these complexities is Ariantes, the commander of one of the first three Sarmatian dragons (a unit of 500 soldiers) to arrive in Britain. Weary of wars fought for glory, emotionally devastated by the death of his wife and children during the wars with Rome, determined to take care of his men and honour his vow to serve the Empire, Ariantes is caught between Romans who distrust the "barbarians" they assume the Sarmatians to be, Britons who hope for freedom and a return to the old ways, and his fellow Sarmatians who are unwilling to make the changes necessary to live in the new land they have come to.
A well-researched and thoroughly engaging historical novel.
Bradshaw paints a picture of colonial Britain that puts considerable emphasis on the diversity of cultures, and the issues of cultural clashes beyween them - the imperial military culture of the conquering Romans, the unassimilated Sarmatian warriors, the varied British tribes and their different histories with the Empire, the Christian underground, the hidden remnants of the druidic order - as well as on the different political factions within these groups.
Navigating these complexities is Ariantes, the commander of one of the first three Sarmatian dragons (a unit of 500 soldiers) to arrive in Britain. Weary of wars fought for glory, emotionally devastated by the death of his wife and children during the wars with Rome, determined to take care of his men and honour his vow to serve the Empire, Ariantes is caught between Romans who distrust the "barbarians" they assume the Sarmatians to be, Britons who hope for freedom and a return to the old ways, and his fellow Sarmatians who are unwilling to make the changes necessary to live in the new land they have come to.
A well-researched and thoroughly engaging historical novel.
traveller1's review against another edition
3.0
My first Bradshaw, and not half bad. A barbarian prince, in the time of Marcus Aurelius, is despatched to Hadrian's Wall with his men. Adventure and trouble ensues. In the end the attempted rebellion is crushed and the good guys (including out protagonist) are rewarded.
I found this an enjoyable and fun read, but not overly engaging. There seemed few surprises, good guys v bad guys. Very little grit. Or maybe I am just getting old and cynical?
I found this an enjoyable and fun read, but not overly engaging. There seemed few surprises, good guys v bad guys. Very little grit. Or maybe I am just getting old and cynical?
panxa's review against another edition
3.0
Ariantes is a noble Sarmatian warrior, forced to serve Rome as part of the peace treaty between his king and the Emperor Marcus Auerlius. Sent to Britain to man Hadrian's Wall against the Picts, he must tread a fine line between working with the Romans for the good of his troop and Romanizing to the point that his men will no longer respect him. And when Ariantes becomes aware of a British plot against the Romans, he must decide which side to fight with.
Ariantes is a strong leader, and I really liked seeing his train of thought as he navigates the tricky waters of his new allegiances, does his best to protect his men and countrymen, and makes unexpected friends among the British and Romans.
Ariantes is a strong leader, and I really liked seeing his train of thought as he navigates the tricky waters of his new allegiances, does his best to protect his men and countrymen, and makes unexpected friends among the British and Romans.