The Eagle of the Ninth

by John Escott (Retold by), Rosemary Sutcliff

In the second century AD, when the Ninth Roman Legion marched into the mists of Northern Britain, not one man came back. Four thousand men disappeared, and the Eagle, they symbol of the Legion's honour was lost.

Years later there is a story that the Eagle has been seen again. So Marcus Aquila, whose father disappeared with the Ninth, travels north, to find the Eagle and bring it back, and to learn how his father died. But the tribes of the north are wild and dangerous, and they hate the Romans ...

88 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2007

About the author

John Escott started by writing children's books and comic scripts, but now writes and adapts books for students of all ages. He especially enjoys writing crime and mystery thrillers, and is a member of the British Crime Writers Association.

With Oxford University Press John has published London for the Oxford Bookworms Factfile series; Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery, Star Reporter, Girl on a Motorbike, The Fly and Other Horror Stories, and The Scarlet Letter for the Oxford Bookworms Library series; The Magician, Time for a Robbery, Star for a day, Tomorrow's Girl, and The Man with Three NAMEs for the Hotshot Puzzles series; and A Pretty Face for the Dominoes series.

Reviews

[Dusan Prvacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick and pleasant afternoon read.

The story follows two characters - a former Roman commander and his British slave - in a quest to return a Roman war eagle, taken by a British tribe. There's nothing phenomenal nor innovative about the story and the novel whatsoever, but it was still a very relaxing read - it's an elementary school level novel - and it tells a lot about the British/Roman history and customs, which will be interesting to both juvenile and older readers.

[Ariadna Pale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting to read as I learnt how people used to live and think by that time. While you are reading you find action, love, friendship and adventure involved in the life of Marcus, which I think are necessary factors to say that you have already live satisfactory. Something that certainly caught my attention was the diference of age between Marcus and Cottia and the patient she had to wait for him since she loved him.

[Girl and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the complete book, but I found this short telling of its story interesting enough that it might just convince me to read the original piece.

[Karuna LP · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERT ALERT
I really enjoy this book. one of my favourite reading topics it´s the historical fantasy and that it´s exactly that kind of story. The characters are charismatic an you can really compare with them, so when the principal characters "Marcus" it´s in a dangerous situation you get worried about him, as same as with the other characters like Esca or Guern.
You can tavel to that age and the descriptions of the places it´s very detailed so the reader can imagine all, the fort, the soldiers and even ninth legion´s fights with the north tribes. I noticed that the story it´s with good historical bases on., and I´m glad for that since that means to me that the person who write it took the time to investigate in order to the story succes.
I´m not agree at all with the story´s end, afer you read all the book, you suffer with the characters, you were happy for them, all was just for the result that the eagle finished stay in uncle´s aquila house. An dMarcus stay in Britain with Cottia Why they didn´t got a prize? They just received a palm in the shoulders! so that´s the only negative oint that I could mention. So, thanks for read it. Regards

[Giovanna Alarcon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book, it contains historical facts mixed with some fantasy and contains a little bit of romance, the characters are really brave and charismatic and you will identified yourself with some of them.
From the beginning to the end of the story you will be really into the story and you also as a reader will imagine how all those beautiful landscapes are. You will find Marcus( the main character) in dangerous siuations and maybe feel worried about him as same as Esca (his friend), anyway to finish, I really recomend this book it will keep you interested until the very end.

[Henrique Bento · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing Adventure of Marcus Aquila, a Roman Commander Warrior, and Esca, his squire friend. After Marcus is injured during a fight, he returns home to restore his health. His wound, however, never heals properly, and Marcus can never go back to his legion command. Because of that, he goes with Esca to the North, in search for The Eagle of the Ninth, his father lost Legion. His main goal becomes returning the eagle and, through that, restoring his father‘s honor.

(G.A.M.M)

[Karlijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story! (book 2)

[Hope Collier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Curse this editor. Please don't require your children to read this book.

[Mi VaHu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books teaches us that honour needs to be present in our lives and if it´s at stake we must fight againts any obstacle to defend it and preserve it at any cost. I took pleasure in reading it as it was hard to put it down, a real page turner. Marcus and Esca take us to wild adventures during their seach for the Eagle. In each adventure you feel you want to help them as they seem to be in danger all the time.
However, I strongly disagree with the end as it seems to me Marcus and Esca needed to receive a bigger award for their tremendous challenge they succedded in.

[Williamnguyenn96 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story that make you feels full of motivation.

[Richard Saso · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Not bad

[Angel E]

Why did Marcus wane from being an Emperator to a slave? He could choose being an Emperator instead of being a slave, I mean, I know he loved her but he lost everything in a moment.

In my opinion he would preffer die whether he had not meet Cottia, now I guess he is so happy living as a slave with his wife and children, although he is having a really rough life from that moment, I don't think so someone is having mercy of him as he had with Esca.

He was right with stealing what he belongs unless he did not feel that brave feeling because his father died defending the Eagle.

Hope I could read this book again and now I'd understand everything.

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