I regret that this is the conclusion to Aurelius Castus' story, but it has been an incredible journey through his life. He has come full circle, as has the cycle of six novels--We first met Castus as a simple legionary fighting Persia and he has risen to commander-in-chief of the army fighting Persia years later: a span of nearly forty years. This whole series should definitely be considered a genre classic--from the characters and their development; its vast sweep from the wilds of Britannia to the eastern border of the Roman Empire, including its action; and its plausibility. Castus faced betrayal and treachery, including an assassination attempt, from people he trusted. Also court intrigue plays a part. The two battles were extremely well written and vivid: the siege at Nisibis, termed "the bulwark of the West", and a smaller [mostly cavalry] battle at Narasa in which Castus and the villain confront one another. At Nisibis the Persians have, besides the usual battering ram, war elephants and heavily armored cavalry, [or clibanarii]. They also make an attempt at diverting the nearby river and attempting to flood out the foundations of the city walls.

The ending was bittersweet, but it seemed "right" for this old soldier to lay down his arms and to want to spend his last years with his family in obscurity.

Most highly recommended. ( )