Once again we have the narcissistic Alaric this time in Constantinople. A Cpnstantinople which appears to be in peril of falling to one threat or another, and definitely not a safe place for a young barbarian with no idea of what is going on. The convoluted politics of the eastern and western churches, divided by their Christian beliefs, are difficult to follow, but that seems quite realistic. Alaric and Martin try to stay alive to return to Rome. We know he eventually makes it back to Jarrow – at the start of this book a Byzantine embassy has made it there to take him back, but who will die before he gets away.

Published on Goodreads, 25th June 2013

Tags: Historical Fiction