Another great book in this series that highlights Agricola's vast ambition hampered by the Roman bureaucracy. Agricola's hopes on stabilizing Britain are threatened by both internal and external enemies, making for a gripping and suspenseful read.

Read the first two installments back in April, and really enjoyed this Roman military-inspired historical fiction. It was the first time I read anything by Turney and I was pleasantly surprised. Simon's writing skills are up there with the better authors in the genre.

In this 3rd entry, Agricola has risen in the ranks to legionary legate, and has been sent to Britannia to quell a revolt over there. As with the previous books, a strong and precise focus on the historicity of the occurrences, although according to some experts occasionally some small errors pertaining to the color of a toga or certain words that would not have existed in their vocabulary at the time, occur. To be honest, that doesn't bother me. Those details are a bit too minute for me, and as such did not detract from the reading pleasure in the slightest.

More importantly, Simon weaves an exciting story based on the limited historical evidence available, with great action sequences and likeable characters. I found the previous book a bit too dry at times, but that was luckily not a problem here. This was such a fun read, and I simply could not put it away. I cannot wait for the fourth and final installment in this series!

Well-deserved 5*.

Thank you Netgallery for the advanced copy of Agricola: Commander. I truly appreciate this author’s historical research and his means of drawing you into the time period. His books often leave me wishing to read more on the subject. I am an avid historical fiction reader and I find Simon Turney to be one of the best in the genre. I love to learn and historical fiction books on Agricola are limited. It is wonderful to see authors take on lesser known subjects/ time periods.

Agricola: Commander gives us a wonderful glimpse into
Agricola’s posting in Britannia, the make up of his Twentieth legion and his battle and pursuit of Venutius and the Brigantes. Unfortunately, I have read only this third book in the series. I wish there was a greater introduction to the characters and their prior history for those of us jumping into the series at this point. With that said, it motivates me to go back and read the prior novels in the series and pleasantly await the next.

Another great instalment in the series, in fact I think this is my favourite yet.
We follow Agricola back to the shores of Britain where he retraces his old steps across the province, only this time as a fully verified big dog. Along with Luci, his steadfast, deadpan humoured sidekick, they form quite a duo and you can’t help but fall in love with their Ying and Yang type relationship.
Compared to my previous comments about the last book being more like a timeline of events rather than a story, this instalment was absolutely fantastic and really drew you in to the plot from start to finish.
All in all an epic read.

Simon Turney remains one of the most prolific and indeed underrated writers of historical fiction from Ancient Rome. Probably best known for his Marius’ Mules series and the indomitable Fronto, this series follows the same path of thoroughly researched historical background, well drawn characters and good old fashioned adventure, battles and intrigue.
Historical notes are there at the end if you need them, or just put your feet up and get lost in his world of legions, military command s and blood soaked gladii.

Civil war in Rome is over, and Agricola is on his way back to Britannia. A place he knows very well. His first job is to get a mutinous legion to swear an oath to the new emperor, then the second he has to put down a rebellion by a Celtic tribe called the Brigantes.
Serving under General Petilius Cerialis, a man who has ambitions to wipe out the tribe, and do it quickly. This will become one of the most difficult battles in Agricola’s life.
One that will change him and the island of Britannia forever.
This the third book in the series and its masterclass in how to write historical fiction.
From the start it is brimming with action and adventure. It has a real authentic feel throughout, and leaves the reader utterly immersed in its telling.
Simon Turney is a very fine writer and Commander is another excellent addition to what is a very fine body of work. No one does Rome quite like it.

Another Agricola episode is another wonderful depiction of the Roman conquest of Britain. Full of political drama and very detailed battle scenes the basic storyline concerns the chase after a native King unable to accept Roman rule. Using identifiable sites up the north west coast it’s a fascinating read and I look forward to the final chapter of this excellent series.