The Wall at the Edge of the World

by Damion Hunter

Army Medic Postumus Justinius Corvus is a long way from his native Britannia, in the Syrian provinces at the far corner of Empire. But now he is going home, unexpectedly promoted to Senior Surgeon in the Sixth. The new Emperor faces problems in the far flung island at the edge of Empire. Trouble is brewing north of the Wall. The tribes are stirring, a new conflict is brewing, old and new loyalties will be tested. Postumus will find himself at the heart of the maelstrom - and with his hands soaked in blood... Deeply researched an utterly enthralling, this is a searing historical epic perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2020

About the author

Damion Hunter also publishes under Amanda Cockrell.
See that page for more extensive and interesting information.

Reviews

[Ian Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't believe my luck when I had finished reading Legions of the mist, it was originally published in 1978 and this sequel was published in 2020!
I absolutely loved it and took me to a world of Roman Britain that I became absorbed in. It was so well written that it makes care you about the fates of the main characters.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled and very pleased to read this enjoyable follow-up to the author's The Legions of the Mist: A Novel of Roman Britain . The author has published her novel many years after the original book. I had loved the former and often imagined what might have happened to the characters after that story ended. This one follows the next generation: most particularly a son of the original protagonist. This young man, Postumus, so-called because he had been born after his father's death, finds he has a gift for healing after helping his "courtesy uncle" Licinius, a former army surgeon himself and now a horse breeder who sells them. Postumus' calling leads him to becomes an army surgeon himself. The story follows the building of the Antonine Wall, battles with various tribes, his medical experiences, and lastly, a friendship with a young lady, Claudia, a merchant running her own business and a spy for the Governor among one of the Highland tribes. Friendship turns into love with these two young people. The characters were appealing and the author seamlessly wove in elements and characters from the earlier novel. I was fascinated by the descriptions of Roman medicine.

Most highly recommended.

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book ‘Legions of the Mist’ so much I had to order the follow up. Hadn’t realised how much of a publishing gap between both works. But suffice to say this book was as good as the previous.

Set a generation later. Postumus Justinius Corvus is the son of the late legionary in the first novel. He is also an army medic promoted a few times in this book. Having the story set from the medics view point is an interesting departure. The injuries and medicines used are well described. Also the interesting fact that they were not allowed to do autopsies on the dead to find more information on root cause of some illnesses. I wonder how much more advanced the field of medicine would be if they had.

A great story and characters. I noticed in my review of the first book that I craved for a map of the place names as many other authors use for their Roman novels. One was missing in this book as well. That said it was hardly a distraction from the story. I need to hunt other books by this American author.

[Missy Gagarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about Roman Britain! It was told from the point of view of an Army surgeon rather than a soldier, which was a nice touch and therefore, we learned about life in British and Pictish tribes fighting the Romans, as well as in the Roman army patrolling Britain. The characters were well drawn and very interesting too. I wish there had been a map of Roman Britain attached but I was able to find a half way decent map on the internet and printed it out. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to be reading many more by this same author in the near future !

[Rob Twinem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wall at the edge of the World follows the career of Postumus Justinius Corvus, army surgeon, assigned to the sixth legion Victrix at Eburacum (present day York) not far from Hadrian's wall. This part of Britain at that time was subject to constant harassment by marauding tribes, none more worthy of the name than the infamous Picts. As Corvus is of dual nationality (his mother from England and his father from Rome/Italy) his loyalties can at times be somewhat ambiguous. His family still manage and harvest a large estate in Northern Britain and he has befriended a number of English tribesmen in particular Lord Galt, leader of the king’s household.

The second part of the novel involves skirmishes with warring tribes and a romantic element with the delectable Claudia Silva. In conclusion the author uses her impressive knowledge of the Roman Empire at that time to create an enjoyable but in no way outstanding read. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.

[GBL · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wall At the Edge of the World is a sequel to The Legions of the Mist and is set twenty years after the events of the first novel. Postumus is the son of the earlier central character, born after his father’s death at the end of the novel. Postumus, a medic in the army, is sent to Britain and finds himself in the same context as his father, based at Eburacum.

The novel centres on the building of the Antonine Wall and the Roman conflict with the Brigantes of northern England and the Picts of Scotland. Many of the characters are linked to the previous novel, and again Hunter/Cockrel writes well about the British tribes and their culture, balancing the focus on the Roman characters. There are several elements of the narrative that add interesting asides; the role of the spy Claudia, the medical context and Postumus’ contacts with Galt of the Brigantes.

This is a good read and I particularly like the fact that the author allows a balanced view of the two sides in the context, although there is always the inevitable Roman victory.

[Dantheman68 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the main character Postumus and the intriguing Claudia Silva.Very engaging characters. It was a novel and a good idea to have Postumus as a surgeon in the legion. This does free him up from the usual wartime manoeuvres and interesting to see how first aid and operative procedures would be applied in Roman times. I was, not sure why, concerned that the author was from the US and that there may be a lack of authenticity about describing ancient Britain. Not a bit with the exception of describing Postumus as treating soldiers with frostbite patrolling Hadrians Wall. The wall is in northern England,not the Arctic Circle or even the Rhineland-Palatinate frontier. More likely to suffer from hypothermia in English climes.
The story was an enjoyable read but I found the storyline was rather mundane and uninspiring which given the possibilities Postumus's character presented was disappointing. I think the character had great opportunities for future development and adventures but this story was not quite gripping enough.

[Brook Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My hat is off to Amanda Cockrell who has deftly given us a rollicking novel of ancient Britain with all its historical integrity intact. Also, it's well-imagined with colorful world-building and well-defined characters who had me cheering them on at the end.

Postumus, a Briton and surgeon in a Roman legion is loyal to Rome, but torn at the demise of his countrymen as they vainly attempt to thwart their land's conquest. Trustworthy to the Roman governor, Postumus wrestles with demons that haunt his entire family and unexpectedly forms a precarious friendship with a Briton noble. It's a balance that beautifully illustrates the fusion of cultures into Rome's melting pot.

Postumus faces his demons, the possibility of love on the frontier, and manages to maintain a perilous friendship that benefits Rome and stokes his personal love for his native land.

Truly a gem in the same vein as Ruth Downie's delightful series, I look forward to more from Cockrell, who obviously has a passion for all things Rome!

FIVE STARS!!!

[Kirsty Goss · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chapter 15 and I give up. A very dull book about the most boring man in history and he isnt even real! I want to like it. I like historical fiction, I love the history of medicine and have a passing interest in roman Britain. The story is too confusing with too much travel (and I hope you know your uk roman place names- maybe a map would have been handy!) I just dont care about anyone, I'm a prolific reader and this is a "demolish in a night" length book, which ive been trying to read for 3 months. Life's too short for bad books! I wont be reading this author again, she clearly isnt for me!

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, especially as it was from the perspective of a medical officer, though there was not a lot of medicine in the book, so don't let that put you off. My only criticism was that it sped along a little too fast. E.g. one minute in Eboracum and next day on the Wall; that was no inconsequential journey. Consequently I thought much of the every day life of a soldier was missed, except for the description of building the Antonine Wall. However, an enjoyable page-turner. Do not expect Colleen McCullough.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I found this book. The author lives in my hometown and was doing a signing at a local bookstore. I thought I would give the book a try. Amanda Cockrell is a master writer whose knowledge of the Roman world gives her book the feel of another world, in another place and time with timeless human drama. This book, according to her, is a prequel of sorts. I can't wait to read the next book.

[David Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was written some 30 years after Legions of the Mist and picks up where that story left off. It was so satisfying to be able to follow the storyline from Legions of the Mist into this, once again, thrilling novel that Amanda Cockrell gives us. Amanda hides her learning lightly and weaves into a compelling personal story of Roman legionnaires, the British tribes they battled and everyday lives in camps or at the frontier forts. Don't miss this wonderful book.

[Victor S Southern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading through although the plethora of detail on tribal and civic customs (perhaps partly imaginary) didn't do a lot for the narrative which was interesting but not gripping. I certainly had no idea that the Roman army had commissioned surgeons. I had thought they were all non-coms but no matter.

Pleased I read it but doubt if I will follow it up.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.
I have up at about page 30. I found this dull and not at all engaging and had no incentive to continue.
I recently read Medicus which also had a doctor in the Roman army on Hadrians wall as the "hero" and the contrast was very apparent. That had wit and style and pace while this did not.

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always tentative with Roman fiction (I am a historian and see the value and problematic nature with it in equal measure), but this was vey well written and explored lots of the complications of Roman cultures without brashly spelling them out. Highly recommend. Will seek others by this author.

[Caius Fabius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story about Roman soldiers

This author awoke my love affair with the Roman Army in Centurions, Barbarian Princess and the Emperor's Games.
This offering takes place during the time of Antonius Pius. The protagonist is a military surgeon. The situations are believable. The story is very well crafted with a sharp eye for details. I recommend it.

[Mr N Murray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of the best novels of Roman Times

I found this book very slow and the battle scenes not described very well, compared with other authors i have read. I would not recommend this author.

[donald hutto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Story

Good Story. Author’s sentences don’t flow very well, somewhat stilted writing. This is distracting at times. A good but not great read. (“Unputdownable” in the description is an exaggeration : ).

[Adam Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this. I was willing myself to enjoy it, but I just really struggled with it. The action was non existent compared to others in the genre, and I just struggled to really engage with the story.

[Bob Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wall at the Age f the world.

Well written and easy to follow. The characters are well developed nd believable. Looking forward to reading the author's next book.

[P. Enge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Hunter's books, but this one just kind of wandered around a bit before it fizzled. The characters were a bit flat and one note, and seemed to be recycled from previous books.

[Andrew Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roman Tale

Liked the characters. Author made them over human and empathetic. Think that there is a follow up book in there. Hope so

[Michael Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Roman Historical Fiction.....glad to say I've found a new author to read.
Really enjoyed it, was nice to have a story from a different perspective

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Legions of the Mist. Historical Fiction set with Rome in Britain. Enjoyable read.

[Mr John Denis Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

Different from other reads. Taking you behind the battle lines to the surgeon and hospital happenings. Interesting story lines. Good read

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book and its prequel, I just felt at times, the detail, while interesting, slowed the momentum for the reader.

[John Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exciting but an easy read

Was not a book that held you wanting to sit and read to the end but was interesting enough to actually finish.

[John Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable, but very formulaic.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not something I would normally pick out to read but enjoyable, if a little bit predictable.

[Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I enjoyed this book I was also slightly put off by the "young adult" style of writing and storyline.