Brigantia

Vindolanda, Book 3

By: Adrian Goldsworthy

Narrated by: Peter Noble

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Flavius Ferox is the hard-bitten centurion charged with keeping the peace on Britannia's frontier with the barbarian tribes of the north. Now he's been summoned to Londinium by the governor, but before he sets out an imperial freedman is found brutally murdered in a latrine at Vindolanda fort. Ferox must find the killer. As he follows the trail, the murder leads him to plots against the empire and Rome itself. Bandits, soldiers and gladiators alike are trying to kill him, old friends turn traitor, and Ferox is lured reluctantly to the sinister haunts of the old druids on the isle of Mona.

©2019 Adrian Goldsworthy (P)2019 Head of Zeus

Critic reviews

"An instant classic of the genre." (Harry Sidebottom)

Sidebottom is right - this is top stuff.

I will stay brief: Dr. Goldsworthy has shown -yet again- not only that he comes prepared to conjure Roman Britain circa the end of the first century AD in alarmingly vivid detail, but that he also knows how to link together the multiple fine pieces of an engaging story. A strong addition to the Vindolanda series that also made me pause more than once just to sit and laugh. You will hardly find a more qualified author for this subject material, so do not deny yourself this treat.

Splendid but....

Peter Noble is an excellent narrator and I've enjoyed his work through all three books of the series. I was a bit disappointed that in Brigantia that he did not continue his correct pronunciation of Latin as he did in the first two. It was so marvelous and refreshing to have characters saying names, military units and place names in true Latin pronunciation.

Perhaps people complained and he adjusted his pronunciation to fit, but I enjoyed the other.

This book needed an epilogue or a couple more chapters to even out the ending. It left listeners hanging and after getting to know the characters so well it was a disappointment. Perhaps there is to be another novel in the future?

Outstanding!

Best tale so far - twists, turns, treachery and large battles. Looking forward to more adventures with Ferrox and Vindex.

The Best Novel I have read in years!

I have read everything that Adrian Goldsworthy has written all history until these three novels. This Ferox Series is just wonderful. I can’t express the enjoyment I experienced reading this series. Strong characters not quite historical fiction but a comfortable read for a fan of that genre. Do yourself a favor and purchase these three books you won’t regret it. I’m sure I have left a review before but somehow after changing phones I was asked to review after I re-listened to the series. They are as good as the first time I listened. Mr. Goldsworthy is just a great writer well done Sir.

Dull story, thin characters

I enjoyed the first two entries of this series. Brigantia's plot is too meandering and convoluted; Ferox's character is too static, his sidekicks are cliched, and women only seem to exist as objects of his desire or torment. There are some good points of action, and Peter Noble gives a solid reading, but overall this felt like a walking tour of Roman Britain that somehow ended up being way more boring than it should have been.

Don't waste your 14 hours

The characters are all cliches. The historic flavorings are cringingly anachronistic. The "humor" is 1970's childish. Every line of the narration is like listening to the satire of a summer blockbuster trailer. And the story jumps from one incomplete episode to another, spewed out by a seriously lazy and distracted author. What a bunch of trash. I hope I can avoid purchasing anything like this again.

Hang on to your helmet

This is a real ride through Britain. Great battles, great friends and hot women set in ancient Britain. Mr Goldsworthy can really write and story and Mr Noble can read one. This is second book I sure do hope three is a third. Thank you boys very much. Keep on doing it and I stay your biggest fan!!!!

This series just continues to get better

I have read quite a few fiction series set in the age of Rome and many of these have been more particularly placed in Britannia, Some have been good, others meh. I approached this series with mixed expectations. For me it took most of the first book to get fully engaged, but I have really found the the next two books to be total page turners and am looking forward to the next episode. I believe the author’s pace, plot lines and character development have been superb.

Great story BEST NARRATION EVER !

I really enjoyed this series .. I couldn’t stop listening … Peter Nobel made it such .. I’ve listened to books I know I’d enjoy the story only to shut it down because I couldn’t stomach the narration ..I’m going to buy every book Peter narrates I enjoy his style that much

highly recommend the whole series

Fantastic series, by a well know Roman period historian. The story was well crafted and the character development was strong. I would recommend this novel and it's predecessors for anyone with a love of Roman Briton.

As good as the best Historical Novels about Ancient Rome you will find Today

Very Accurate and detailed with an addictive storyline over all three books in the series.
Adrian Goldsworthy writes excellent History books as well......I recommend you read them all!

Grisly Roman Epic

I’ve enjoyed the whole Vindolanda trilogy and can’t wait for the new one to come out next year!

The historical detail is fabulous and you can tell Adrian is an expert on the Roman army with the battle scenes being richly described. I recommend you don’t attempt to listen whilst eating dinner!

Ferox is a great hero and this book really explores his dual heritage as a Roman is centurion and a Prince of the British tribe he left behind. His ill fated love interest takes a different twist as we follow him into more Druid magic, tribal conflict and naturally an epic battle along with his loyal friends.

Peter is a great choice as narrator and really brings the story to life. A great listen and a Roman epic to savour.

Great Pt 3

Just finished a few weeks in the company of Tits Flavius Ferox. I am going to have withdrawal symptoms after finishing the trilogy. I hope there will be more.

Great historian, so-so novelist

I think I have read, and enjoyed, almost all of the author's historical works. Likewise I've persevered with his fictional efforts. The historical detail of the books is excellent but the plots and characters all a bit "sub Cornwell" and tend towards disjointed incoherence. Characters are a bit cliched and the "naughty bits" just make me cringe...

Great story of Roman Britain!

Well written story, and very authentic, as Mr Goldsworthy clearly knows his subject! The narration is superb by the way, and it really brings the story to life. This is the third in the series and I am really looking forward to the next one.

An excellent addition to the series

If you enjoyed the previous books in the series then I promise you'll enjoy Brigantia as well. It's got everything that made the vindolanda series great in the first place. While also offering plenty of new and interesting developments to keep the story fresh. Could not recommend enough.

Great Historical Yarn

3 Books in the Series - all worth a listen.
Wilbur Smith style with Romans.

a brilliant find

I have totally loved this trilogy, I want more of an insight into Roman Britain.
ps I used to work at the British museum and the artifacts now take on a different meaning..
Some of the best narration I have had, lived this book

another great listen

loved all three of these books. I highly recommend this series. brilliant and immersive

Great story - really enjoyed it

Story and narration excellent - is this a trilogy or might there be a continuing story? If there is a further book then sign me up!