The Borders of Rage: A Novel of the Late Roman Empire

Embers of Empire #11

by Q.V. Hunter

While waiting to escort the Constantine fiancée of Emperor Gratian to marriage in Treverorum, spy boss Marcus Numidianus witnesses the murder of a Quadi king attending an official Roman banquet. A revenge attack on Constantia Postuma's nuptial cortège is a warning that the policy of Gratian’s father, Emperor Valentinian, to beef up the Danube’s defenses is only inflaming barbarian savagery.
The ageing Valentinian is also juggling too many would-be successors at court. He longs for one impartial advisor and Marcus finds himself jockeying between the factions slavering for control over the western Roman Empire. When sudden disaster strikes, Marcus plays the political game of his career so that the legitimate heir might prevail—but the veteran spy’s tactics cost him dearly.
Packed with action and intrigue, the Embers of Empire series takes the reader into the Valentinian Dynasty of the late 4th century to delight fans of Bernard Cornwell, Lindsey Davis, and Robert Harris.

365 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of the excellent Embers of Empire series, this one set in the reign of Valentinian I, who, as written here, seemed no prize. Marcus is involved, from the murder of a Quadi king, delivering a fiancée to the emperor-to-be, Gratian, revenge by the Quadi, and uprooting evil councilors and generals who plot to install Gratian's younger half-brother as emperor. The middle-aged Marcus embroils himself in politics and is nearly assassinated while attempting to foil his enemies. A good evocation of this historical period, late 4th century AD. I thank the publisher for sending me an ARC.

[Anthony Pontecorvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Numidianus career illustrates major turning points in the history of the Roman empire. While this book does not cover major armed conflicts like the disaster of Mursa, the political conflicts are fascinating and inform on current events. The nature of human motivations are immutable.