Customer Reviews

Frontier Wolf (Archway)

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4 star:		(1)
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FRONTIER WOLF is the story of Alexios Flavius Aquila, (a descendant of Marcus of EAGLE OF THE NINTH), a young Centurion in the Roman Legions. After a tragic mistake that causes the loss of most of his men, he is sent up North, beyond the Wall, to command the irregular troops, the "Frontier Wolves". But though Alexios makes friends among the Wolves and tribesmen of the Votadini, his history seems to be repeating itself when the tribesmen rise in revolt and Alexios and his Wolves are forced to flee...

I found FRONTIER WOLF to be another great book, and it has a happier ending than most of Sutcliff's bittersweet endings. The writing is excellent, the characters and their dilemmas gripping. To say more would be to spoil this wonderful book.

Even adults can enjoy this book. The fact that this book is aimed at younger readers (young adult) just means you don't have to read graphic rape scenes or whatever that you sometimes find in more standard "fantasy" books. This is historical fiction set in Britain at a time when the Roman Empire was weakening in Britain. The main character is transfered to the Frontier Wolves after he makes a mistake in his first command crisis. I am not sure what age these books are aimed at exactly, but 12+ is probably the low end for most of them (esp the Shield Ring). Always have some fighting, often mention things like prostitution, slavery, etc. Good characters, good pacing, good plot, lots of good historical details - very enjoyable read.

I've been a Rosemary Sutcliff fan for years, but just finished this book. It was excellent. Sutcliff had a writer's instinct to realize that the most exciting times to write about are those when things - Roman Britannic rule, in this case - are falling apart. I'm far from being a young adult, but Sutcliff's books are good for every age. This was especially well done. I have to give her the writer's tribute: I wish I'd written it!

I must say, when I started this book, I was scared. The last Sutcliff book I had read was The Mark of the Horse Lord, and it had broken my trust(you can read why in my review of it on my profile page). So the whole way though this story, I stayed distant, not wanting to grow close to the characters for fear of the end. The closer I got to the the end, however, the less I could help loving them. Thankfully, the end did not disappoint me! Here is a classic Sutcliff ending! It carries on into the last sentences, ending with one triumphant moment, making all things better than they ever were before! Yet it is realistic and somewhat open-ended, leaving room for adventures to come(if only in your imagination). This is snow, blood, and wolf cries! This is a book written with mastery. It is definitely meant for an older audience than Eagle of the Ninth and such, but it is not overly gruesome or adult either. It is also more of a boys book (though I am a girl, and I liked it) in that it is more tough and harsh than the other Sutcliff books I have read; also there is no love story. It is not much about wolves either, as you might think from the title. The nick name of the frontier scouts is "the frontier wolves". So, I say it is well worth your time; happy reading!

I find Rosemary Sutcliff's books absolutely captivating. For one thing, her setting -- Roman Britain -- is one I am particularly drawn to. But even more than that, it is her skillful style that makes her books such good reads. From the very first sentence she draws you into the setting, and her characters and narrative are so authentic that you are transported back in time 2,000 years from the first page to the last.

In Frontier Wolf she tells of Britain in the waning days of Rome's power. Young Alexios Flavius Aquila has been promoted through the ranks of the army only because his uncle happens to be Governor of the Roman province of North Britannia. Consequently, he finds himself with more power than he is competent to handle and, in the heat of a battle on the Danube River, he makes a decision that ends up costing the life of about half his men. Sent back to Britain in disgrace he is -- again, because his uncle is the Governor -- not discharged from the army as might be expected, but instead sent to command a fort at the far northern reaches of Roman territory in Britain, near the Antonine Wall in present-day Scotland.

The Frontier Wolves, as this group of soldiers are known, are a mongrel mix of Romans and natives who are fiercely close and loyal but pride themselves on not being quite like the "regular" army. As their leader, Alexios must try to learn their half-barbaric ways, earn their loyalty, and at the same time live down his former disgrace and regain some measure of self-respect.

Sutcliff's books were originally intended for a young adult audience, and there is evidence of that in her writings. Her main characters are always young men (females are almost entirely absent from her books), she focuses on themes of loyalty, honor and integrity, and every book has a climactic scene (or sometimes more than one) where the main character faces a critical decision that is a painful, almost no-win test of his integrity, inner strength, and ability to do what is "right" (although "right" by Roman Britain standards may not always feel right to the modern reader).

However, do not let the "young adult" tag turn you off - Sutcliff's style is sophisticated enough to appeal to any adult with an interest in her Roman Britain settings. Her writing is sometimes simple and straightforward, and sometimes almost poetic in its imagery, especially as she describes the landscape of Britain. Her books are very fast reads, not only because they are relatively short but because her writing just sings.

Rosemary Sutcliff's command of British history is marvelous. She is a subtle and wonderful writer and her ability to intertwine accurate history and believable, rounded characters is superb. I have read most of her books and recommend all of them to any readers, adult or children.

Rosemary Sutcliff writes historical drama with such an eye for detail, when you stop reading and come back to `real life', there's a brief sense of disorientation. Her work is so vivid, the narrative breathtaking in parts - and the storylines are filled with characters you come to love.

And so it is with Frontier Wolf. Alexios Flavius Aquila is a young commander in the Roman Army, despatched to the semi-wild Frontier Wolves north of Hadrian's Wall following a disastrous command decision in Germany.

<< "We'll never make it." Centurion Clovis forgot the "Sir."
They faced each other across the table, and after a moment Alexios said deliberately, "Centurion, I am in command here."
And silence came down between them like a sword.
Centurion Clovis, who had grey hairs in his beard, looked back at this puppy, who with nothing to recommend him save that he was a first-class swordsman (and you could say the same of any gladiator who outlasted three fights in the arena), just because he had an influential uncle, had been promoted over the heads of men like himself, before he had time to learn his job, and said, "I should like to place it officially on record that I disagree with your decision, Sir." >>

This takes place in the last years of Roman rule in Britain, and Aquila's new soldiers are a mixture of native tribesmen and Romans. He has much to learn.

<< "They may make some kind of man out of you - if they don't arrange for you to have a fatal accident instead," said Uncle Marius's voice in his memory. >>

Not only does he have to gain respect from his soldiers, he also has to maintain the uneasy peace with the local tribes - the nearest of which is the Votadini. Here at least, he finds it easier. The Chieftain's eldest son is a similar age and they become friends.

<< Suddenly laughter caught at them both, eye meeting eye; a quiet laughter - men seldom bellow their mirth in the wild places - but quick and potent, linking them together. >>

His first Midwinter Night, two months into his new command, brings trouble. The celebratory dancing gets out of control and he has to impose his authority for the first time.

<< Alexios found that he was shaking a little, and hoped desperately that it did not show, as he looked from one to another of the men about him. And the men in their turn looked back, taking in the fact that their new Commander stood in their midst with one cheek cut and an eye rapidly filling up and turning black. Maybe some of them were pondering the punishment for striking an officer. Well, it would do them no harm to sweat a little. >>

This is a story as much about forging friendships as it is about Alexios growing and learning his trade. His seconds in command (Lucius and Hilarion), the young trumpeter Rufus, the Quartermaster Kaeso and the Chieftain's son Cunorix all take their places in your heart. He goes hunting with Cunorix to gain his own wolfskin.

<< Between the darkly sodden wreck of last year's bracken and the soft, grey drift of the sky, the catkins were lengthening on the hazel bushes, making a kind of faint sunlight of their own, and in one especially sheltered place, as the two young men brushed past, the first pollen scattered from the whippy sprays so that they rode through a sudden golden mist. >>

But peace is tenuous at best and things deteriorate during an inspection of the fort.

<< Montanus raised his voice as Alexios tried to cut in. "These people forget who is master all too quickly. They need to be taught the lesson afresh from time to time."
"I doubt you'll teach it them by putting the Chief's brother up as a live target for javelin practice!"
"It's a usual enough form of execution." >>

The second half of the book revolves around Alexios trying to survive a series of pitched battles with the tribesmen and it's difficult to tear yourself away from the pages as he throws himself wholeheartedly into the task.

<< The Dextra gate, well greased in advance, opened without sound onto the windy darkness of the night beyond. And men and horses slipped forward like a long skein of ghosts, one after another through the gate and down the steep track to the ford, the men of the decoy party leading the way. >>

Most of the story takes place in the middle of winter. I frequently looked up from the pages to see summer sunshine blazing through my windows and felt a moment's confusion. While I read this book, I was there, with the soldiers, riding a rough pony through the wind and rain.

It's a delight to immerse yourself in a Rosemary Sutcliff and to my relief, there are still plenty for me to read. 5 out of 5.

Frontier Wolf starts off with Alexios waiting for sentencing to the actions he had taken during a recent battle and maybe one of my favorite introduction I have read in a while with the gut clenching feelings it gave me in so little words. The emotions this book carries feels surprising real and believable. The redemption of Alexios' honor is what really carries the book to the end.

Reading most of the book I had thought this was going to be a personal favorite and I still think I will enjoy rereading it at a later date, however what could have been perfect was ruined by the ending. The conclusion became too idealistic. Most of the characters acting too honorable and too GOOD. Though honor was a prevailing theme in this book, no one is perfect. I particularly did not like the meeting with the Emperor. It may have just been Sutcliff's love of history and her desire for the Emperor to be a magnificent figure but I found the characters to suddenly be less realistic and assuming of the good intentions of others.

Though her books are often classified as young adult that should no way put off the adult reader. Sutcliff's writing is more mature and elegant then some authors from the traditional 'adult novels' and overall this is still a very good read.