Frontier Wolf

'They may make some kind of man of you, if they don't arrange for you to have a fatal accident instead,' Centurion Alexios is warned before taking command of a North British garrison whose men are known as the Frontier Wolves. His past disgrace must be wiped out and respect and loyalty earned from native troops, their roman officers and local tribesmen. The Sutcliff magic still works for me, though I wouldn't call this her very best. Detail, registers on all senses, creating scene, landscape, atmosphere; dialogue is a skillful blend of modern idiom and well-judged mannerism; there is a powerful mix of abstracts to stir the emotions --- courage, honour, pride, valour with humour, intelligence, sensitivity. Frontier life has a harsh beauty. Alexios learns the mysteries of command in a volatile situation. The Empire's power is dwindling, the Tribes rise and there are exciting episodes of combat, skirmish and chase. I could wish for more than one developed character and perhaps for a glossary since, even though most terms are carefully explained within the text (Principal, Optio, Orod, Ducenarius), it is easy to be irritated by one's own forgetfulness. But that's quibbling: I enjoyed the book.