Customer Reviews

Silver Branch Pb (Eagle of the Ninth, Bk. 2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Want a riveting historical-fiction novel with a plot that is better than most? If so, the Silver Branch is a book for you. Set in Roman Britan, over a century after the first book in the series, The Eagle of the Ninth, the book paints a picture of the life of two Romans, who seek to overthrow a tyrannical emperor who has separated himself, and Britan, from Rome. Rosemary Sutcliff has indeed woven a story whose plot is exceedingly diverse and well thought-out. The book gives the reader a gripping plot in which the reader is given a picture of the Roman world. The book paints a vivid picture of a Roman town, Legion, a gladiator fight, and the Roman's enemies the Saxon barbarians. Rosemary Sutcliff has the gift of being able to write very good historical novels.

I found this book to be fantastic. I love the time and setting, but it was much more than that. The characters are all so real and alive, the historical events are so accuratly portrayed, and, most of all, the writing is excellent. Rosemary Sutcliff has fast become one of my very favorite authors, and I would definately reccommend this book to almost anyone, especially if you have any interest in the Roman Empire or Britian/early British history. (I only might not reccommend this to some kids, because the writing isn't always so easy, and they might get bogged down or confused)

This is the second in a loosely linked trilogy (the 1st and 3rd books are 'Eagle of the Ninth' and 'The Lantern Bearers'), and is arguably the best of the three. Sutcliff's narrative is evocative and colorful, and the story is both engaging and full of surprises. If the book has any fault it is in a certain license taken with actual historical events, but since the setting is a very obscure period of Roman-occupied Britain, the liberty is easily overlooked. If you are a Sutcliff fan (and I have yet to meet anyone who has read her who isn't!) you will love this book!

I would have given this book 4 stars but I don't think it deserves these really bad reviews. it's a great book. But you have to know about the late Roman Empire to explain why its so confusing. IF YOU CAN KEEP TRACK OF THE PLOT IT IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER WRITTEN! I like this book more than the others of this really great series the reason being that the 1st book is superb but seems hazy and that the 3rd book is a materpiece but so hopelessly depressing, this book seems more alive than the others . The reason i would give this book 4 stars is because this story badly needs an epilouge even though you know where the 2ndary character lands. I like how the author chooses a family failure as a character. MY ADVICE IS TO FOLLOW THE BOOK CLOSELY AND IT WILL BECOME A FAVORITE.

Having read Eagle of the Ninth and the LanternBearers,I was most anxious to read Silver Branch. It was as spellbounding and informative as the first 2 I read.Outcast and Tristan and Iseult are the next on my list. As a 6th grade student at Princeton Montessori School our teachers have given us a wide choice of books for summer reading but Sutcliff is definitly my favorite.

And that's saying alot! I'm a big fan of hers. I love how she pulls you into the story without trying to go into matter-of-fact detail. Her descriptions are very intense anyway, and this is one of her best. It's a sequel to "Eagle of the Ninth," but you don't necessarily have to read that one first. Her characters are very real, and they are trying desperately to achieve a very difficult goal. Think spy-ring, war scenes, and a many-layered hero. Even the villian is masterfully done. Sutcliff isn't necessarily a Christian writer, but I like how she uses Christian characters to make a historical point. Very, very historically good, and a good read as well. It can get confusing at times, if you're not paying attention, but the pieces are all there--you just have to find them. Maybe that's one of the reasons I like her so well. She makes the reader think about the story almost as much as the characters in it do!

Like the first book in Rosemary Sutcliff's series on Roman Britain, The Silver Branch is a finely-written story that gives a vivid and detailed look at life in Roman Britain. Although part of a series, the books are only loosely connected (one of the main characters in The Silver Branch is the grandson of the main character of The Eagle of the Ninth) and it is not necessary to read the first book in order to enjoy the second.

Sutcliff's books were originally intended for young adults, and there is plenty of evidence of that: the shortness (less than 200 pages) of the book; the straightforwardness of the plot; the lack of complexity in the characters or their relationships with each other; the main theme of friendship and comradeship. However, Sutcliff's style should appeal to adults, as well, particularly those with an interest in this timeframe; her writing exhibits sophistication and skill.

The book tells the story of an actual series of events that took place in the waning years of Roman rule in Britain, and of two young men who get caught up in the political treachery that took place. Sutcliff's description of the countryside, the lifestyle of the people, and the military battles are detailed and vivid. Indeed, the only "flaw" I found in the entire book -- and a weak one at that -- was that I found it highly unlikely that, when the local head of an espionage and smuggling operation on the southern coast of Britain is killed, the mantle of his leadership falls on the two very young and relatively inexperienced main characters, and all the other operatives -- who are much older and experienced -- automatically look to them for leadership. However, I accepted that this book was written for young readers, and so enjoyed the story for the adventurous tale it was intended to be.

I highly recommend Rosemary Sutcliff's books and look forward to reading more of them.

I have always loved Rosemary Sutcliff. I have been reading her books since I was quite young,(around 10) and will continue to enjoy them through the years. I don't especially like series that continue without end, but I do like the small intertwining throughout her books. It is awesome!

Rosemary rocks!

I first read this book over 20 years ago--it was probably my first Rosemary Sutcliff. I loved it then and I love it now. It's a great read! I've always loved the way Sutcliff brings her ancient British settings to life.

I read this after the Ninth, which I didn't care for. I don't know much about Roman history as it spanned a very long time with a lot of succession of groups and leaders. This may have been easier to read as I got my research out of the way when reading the Ninth. The first half of the book, I kept Wikipedia available and a dictionary. By the time I got to this book, I understood a cohort vs a legion, Hibernia vs Albu. As another reviewer stated, there's no harm in challenging your reading. If you're not learning something and reflecting after reading a book, then it wasn't very good was it? Entertaining, it may be, but not useful. Useful makes your brain bigger. This book was fast paced and pointed, which was great for me. I learned a lot about Rome's complexity in itself, much less with its incorporation of Britain. I'm fascinated by how Europe's tribal people came to be Western civilization as it is today.

Note to kids: Read about history. Even if it's "based on a true story". It teaches you that humankind is not that different, regardless as to what time period they're from or what color/ethnicity/tribe they're from. People have the same issues today like there were in Roman times. Different faces, same problems. Maybe one day we'll figure out how NOT to repeat our mindsets. Oh, and sometimes, there is no good guy vs bad guy. (Carausius is who I'm referencing, though also Rome to a degree)