The Border Wolves

The Centurions #4

by Damion Hunter

The final thrilling tale of the House of Appius Julianus.
A new and deadly threat has emerged at the outskirts of the Roman Empire on the Danube, one that threatens to throw the entire region into chaos.

Correus, risen to prefect of a cavalry ala on the border, and Flavius, advisor to the emperor, have both attempted to warn the erratic Domitian of the seriousness of this foe, but to no avail.

With trouble at home in the form of an irate senator, as well as the impending doom of a devastating military loss, the two brothers must use their accumulated experience, grit and trust in each other to ensure their family’s safety, once and for all.

The final book in the epic Centurions series, and the first instalment for almost forty years, a moving and powerful adventure, and a must-read for all historical fiction fans, ideal for readers of Conn Iggulden, Rosemary Sutcliff and Simon Scarrow.

Genres: Historical Fiction

457 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2021

About the author

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

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When diving into historical fiction with a new author, you never really know what you are going to get. I mean, obviously, you will know the facts and events of the history they are using, but how well are they using it? Sometimes, an author has the facts and dates correct, but the historicity is absolute hogwash. The speech, mannerisms, and motivations of their characters are so anachronistic as to be downright unreadable to any thinking mind. Other times the history might be great but the author has such an obvious ax to grind it distracts from the story. For example, you know before ever picking up a Bernard Cornwell book that all the villains are going to be churchmen. He is an amazing author but his venomous hatred of the church drips through every page of everything he writes. Then there are the true gems.

This is one of those gems. I have never heard of Damion Hunter (aka Amanda Cockrell) before grabbing this title on audible. It popped up as a recommendation on sale ($9) and I snagged it. I didn't even know this was actually the fourth and final book of the series. I was a little lost on the characters at the beginning and it became clear that there were earlier works, but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment. Most Roman HF tends to deal with the time of Julius and Augustus. This book jumps forward roughly a century later under the chaotic rule of Domitian. It follows the family of Appius Julianus.

By the way, there really was an Appius Iulianus that we know of, but he lived in the early third century. Considering how frequently Romans recycled names, it is very possible for that Appius to have had a namesake at this time in history, but if he and his family were as influential as this book series makes him out to be, we would know more of him. So the MCs in this book are entirely fictionalized but done so in a very believable way.

If you like historical fiction but are tired of the same couple of time periods replayed over and over again ad nauseum, then I am certain you would love this book. If you like Roman history, you will probably like this book. If you enjoy reading well paced, well written fiction, you will probably enjoy this book (but might get lost in the names). This book isn't perfect, but it was much better than I expected it to be. Now I've got to go dig up the other three preceding titles.

[Kirsten Corby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series much more than I've enjoyed any fiction in a while. Just masterfully done popular fiction. I've never heard of this author. But she is superior. I will look for more.

[Malacima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dobar serijal. Smesteno u doba starog Rima i na njegovim granicama carstva za vreme vladavine Vespazijana i njegovih sinova. Knjige su pune politickih intriga,licnih sukoba karaktera iz knjige, bitaka, ljubavnih zavrzlama i pomalo enigme . Odlicna avantura. U ovoj poslednjoj knjizi radnja se proteze od Nemacke do Viminacijuma,Sirmiuma i Naissusa.Knjige mogu da se citaju zasebno.Autorka u par recenica objasnjava radnju iz prethodnih knjiga bez mnogo ponavljanja.

[Caius Fabius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have waited 30+ years. Not disappointed

This takes place after the Emperor's Games. The whole gang is here again. It is as if I am back in time with the Centurions and a Barbarian Princess. This continuation of the saga offers a conclusion that had been lacking.

I rate this six stars! ☆☆☆☆☆☆

I was sad to finish this well woven tale of lives in the Roman empire during the first century! I bought the paper back and the ebook. Thank you "Damion".

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this story would go on and on!

I have enjoyed every aspect of this series of books! They are exceptionally well written! The main characters are fully developed and the carried through all four books. The ending does leave you hopefully believing that the author may continue the series! I can only hope that it happens!

[Fermena Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

The authors spun a great story of the two brothers that makes you look for the next chapter in their lives. The historical aspect is a wonder part of the series for me. I will continue reading to follow the continuing family dynamics.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

why write a roman series with only 4 books bro get out of this genre all good roman book series have like 7 to 20 books this just offensive to us.

[Lelia Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Stop

You have started a book series that needs one more book to finish. You left me hanging . Don't stop

[Marian Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed this series. Very sad that this is the end of the series. Action packed throughout. Extremely credible, I lived on every page. Thank you.

[Robin Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

It's a more or less fairy tale finish to the tales of the two brothers flavius and correus and their families. It's been an entertaining read.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I was instantly hooked into this series from the moment I picked up the first book! I have read this series a number of times now.

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

Yet again another excellent read

Following these two brothers. Transports you
Back in time. Danger around every bend in the frontier or in the streets of Rome.

[Missy Gagarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Learned so much about the Roman army and its battles to maintain and expand its empire. Wonderful characters too who kept my interest throughout.

[Bryan Lizzimore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and a compelling read. Sadly, the last in the series and was expecting a more dramatic end. Nevertheless, a good look in to Roman history.

[james baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

sophisticated roman novel - good characterization and coveys Roman perceptive well - the barbarians - not so much. Recommended

[Terri-Lynn Torrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the series that got me hooked on Roman historical fiction. I’ve been waiting 40 years for this book and it did not disappoint. After waiting so long for the end of this beloved series I was almost afraid to read it, afraid it wouldn’t live up to expectations. It was so much better than I could have possibly imagined. It’s longer than the original books with so much more detail and depth of character. And yet it flows perfectly from the original stories. Every character picks up perfectly where they left off and becomes so much more. Even minor characters are given the chance to grow. And, while I would love to spend more time with these characters, it is a good ending too. It wraps up the loose ends but in a very realistic way. I would love to see this story pick up again with the younger generation.

[Sally Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a proper ending

The first 3 books in this series came out in the 80s and I dutifully bought them at the mall.

But then they stopped, unfinished.

In 2021, the finale showed up as an ebook, so now I know what happened. Worth the 30+ year wait for the conclusion to this ripping yarn.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concluding book to the the Centurion's trilogy from the early 1980's, The Border Wolves gives a more satisfying conclusion for the characters than was left at the end of "Emperor's Games". One of my favorite Roman Historical Fiction series.

[b w murrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent wrapping up of a brilliant series
Battle description is perfect