This has been a favorite Roman series, with the same excitement and drama as the previous incidents. I always look forward to adventures featuring Valerius. In this one, he has been promoted to legate of the XI Legion in Roman Britain and is instrumental in Governor Agricola's drive north to conquer all of Britannia. We follow, in alternating sections, the Romans and the Celtic chieftain Calgacus [Cathal] and his efforts to draw warriors around him to protect their land from the "Red Scourge", with pitched battles, culminating in a final face-off at Mons Graupius. As a last-ditch effort to afford any more blood being spilt on both sides, Valerius attempts diplomacy. The author puts into Calgacus' mouth his version of the words Tacitus has given him. With these words, Valerius is so moved that he feels he has not always treated the Celts as human beings and now sees them as trying to maintain their independence. This is a last bit of his maturing. Agricola, in Jackson's concept, is not so much a villain, but glory-hungry, and ambitious, more of an obstacle to Valerius.

I regret that this is Valerius' last adventure, but I've enjoyed the journey through the twists and turns of more than 30 years of his life. But I would imagine Mr. Jackson feels he has said all he wanted of this protagonist. I appreciated the Afterword. Rereading the author's excellent prose and stories always remains.

Highly recommended. ( )