The Hollow Throne is the final book in The Sarmation Trilogy. Although it could be read as a standalone, The Hollow Throne has frequent references to events in the two earlier books – A Winter War and The Iron Way – so for full enjoyment I’d recommend starting from the beginning. In addition, there is so much in this final book that rests on the relationships between the main characters that have developed over the course of the series. As it happens, I haven’t read the first book, A Winter War, but I definitely intend to do so because I’m keen to learn more about the characters’ first encounters.

I’d never heard of the Sarmation people before reading The Iron Way and I suspect I wouldn’t be alone in that. Very little is known for certain about them as they left no written records and minimal archaeological evidence, other than that they were a nomadic, warlike people who travelled across the steppes of eastern Europe. However, a gap in the historical record is fertile ground for an author of historical fiction and Tim Leach has taken full advantage of this giving us a picture of a people bound together by ties of kinship but also by sacred oaths and a belief that to die in battle is glorious. And it’s not just the men who fearlessly ride into battle on their mighty steeds but the Sarmatian women too. It’s a culture in which once you’re too old to ride or wield a sword you’re expected to submit to the sword.

The book sees the return of four main characters: Sarmatian warrior Kai; his sister Laimei, known by the war name ‘the Cruel Spear’; Lucius, a Roman commander who, as a result of events in previous books, has formed strong ties with the Sarmatians; and Arite, the wife of Kai’s former friend and also briefly Kai’s lover. An old enemy returns too.

Second century Roman Britain was a dangerous time to be alive and death – violent death – was often close at hand. If you were lucky it was quick but if you weren’t it was anything but. As becomes all too clear, the fearsome Painted People are the masters of the slow death, fuelled by a messianic fervour whipped up by a ruthless and deranged leader who is the subject of the intensely dramatic Prologue.

The author brings a mystical element to the story with characters influenced by visions, dreams, legends handed down through the generations or sacred objects the possession of which can give the possessor untold power or unleash evil on the world. As Kai and his tattered band of comrades face what may be a pivotal confrontation with the Painted People he senses death all around him. ‘The land had forgotten them, but he was certain that its people had not. Ghosts seemed to watch them from every forest and bank of heather, unseen eyes clustering thick about the cairns on the hillsides, peering up from the swift-running river. It was as though an army of vengeful spirits closed about them, and what use were spears against the dead?’ But for those who crave action in their historical fiction, there’s plenty of that as well.

Being the final book in the trilogy, it’s not surprise that there is an elegaic air to it with some relationships repaired and others remaining severed forever because of betrayals and broken promises that can never be forgiven. I found some of the events towards the end of the book intensely moving, especially as the author resists the temptation to give every character a happy ending.

I found The Hollow Throne completely gripping and I can’t wait to see what Tim Leach comes up with next. In the meantime I shall be looking out my copy of A Winter War and adding to my wishlist The King and the Slave, the follow-up to The Last King of Lydia, the book that first introduced me to the author’s work.

I have reviewed The Hollow Throne by Tim Leach for LoveReading.co.uk. I have chosen it as a LoveReading Star Book and it will also be a Book of the Month. Please see the link for the full review.

I loved this sereis as it's action packed and well plotted. It's the good end of this trilogy and I strongly recommend it as it's fast paced, action packed and highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

THE HOLLOW THRONE finishes off this series about Sarmatians plucked from their homes by Rome to fight - and die - for them in Britain with cool composure.

This is a series that takes myth and fragments of history and weaves them into a story to fill the gaps in the records. There has clearly been a lot of research into the lives of soldiers in Roman Britain and the tensions with the tribes, adding texture into the uncertainty of the blank spots in history, allowing a tale to be painted in that explores the gaps left.

THE HOLLOW THRONE continues the bleak feel of the series. This is a world where death is a familiar companion, coming in many forms; fever, age, war. The Romans have turned worlds upside down in their conquest and resettlement, sending people to die so far from home. Alongside this more general bleakness, there is the personal hollowness of broken relationships and betrayals, exiles from friends and family.

I like that bleakness, the fact the series does not shy away from the harsh realities of life in the Roman world for the conscripted. It makes it feel much more real, much more potent to not try and cover it up.

The landscape of Northern Britain (the lowlands of Scotland mostly) reflects this so well, rugged and wild and very, very windy. I loved seeing those early British myths woven into this story, like Yns Mor, as these peoples - British, Roman, and Sarmatian - have to find a way to live together, or all die.

The final part of this historical trilogy. I have loved every book in this series. The books are all beautifully and poetically written. It is a joy to be reunited with Kai, Lucius and Arite as they battle against the Painted People north of Hadrians Wall. This is a very atmospheric and moving story. I highly recommend this series.

Absolutely loved how the story was wrapped up. I'm always sad to see stories end! I feel like we got good closure on this though. Can't wait to see whatelse the author has in store.