Three Legions: "Eagle of the Ninth", "Silver Branch" and "Lantern Bearers" (Puffin Books)

by Rosemary Sutcliff

Paperback, 1985

Status

Available

Call number

PR6037.U936 E34

Publication

Puffin Books (1985), Edition: New e., Paperback, 640 pages

Description

The Ninth Legion marched into the mists of northern Britain . . . and they were never seen again.Four thousand men disappeared and their eagle standard was lost. It's a mystery that's never been solved, until now . . .So begins the story of The Eagle of the Ninth, set against a backdrop of Roman Britain and featuring a young soldier, Marcus Aquila, who sets off into the unknown north to find out what happened to the lost legion.Following on from this are The Silver Branch in which two young soldiers uncover a plot to overthrow the Emperor, and the Carnegie Medal-winning, The Lantern Bearers which is set at a time when the Romans are leaving the shores of Britain and tells of Aquila and his quest for revenge.This beautiful boxed set of these three classic stories is the perfect gift for readers young and old.… (more)

Language

ISBN

0140319174 / 9780140319170

Local notes

Sutcliff''s triology of Roman Britain: Eagle of the Ninth, Silver Branch, & Lantern Bearers.

User reviews

LibraryThing member imyril
I first read these as a child, and was spellbound by the deft characterisation and bittersweet plotting. Sutcliff is interested in history, and is unapologetic in her embrace of reality rather than myth to sweeten it for children. As such, historical and semi-mythical characters are believable and
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the protagonists face a series of difficult decisions as they negotiate their way through 3 key stages in Romano-British history. There may be some romanticism here, but like Garner, Sutcliff is a novelist who taught me that I didn't mind finishing a book in tears. The Eagle of the Ninth (set at the peak of the Roman period, albeit mostly set outside the Empire north of the Wall) and the Lantern Bearers (the withdrawal of the Army and the first Germanic iinvasions) are stronger than the Silver Lantern (about a failed Romano-British rebellion), but they all bear up well - even if our views on the history / archaeology of the period have changed substantially since the novels were written.
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LibraryThing member electrascaife
(Note: I read only the first book in the trilogy - this edition includes the entire series.) A Roman soldier in Britain is injured beyond the ability to serve, and then decided to chase the legend of his father's lost legion north of Hadrian's wall to try to regain the lost eagle.
A fun story and
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nicely written. I enjoyed it, but I won't continue with the series, at least for now.
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Physical description

640 p.; 7.64 inches

Pages

640
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