Honor (Thrones and Soldiers) is a work of historical fiction set in the time of post-Roman Britain and was penned by author Francis Williams. Set in the fifth century, after the Roman rule of Britannia has collapsed and left a disparate collection of smaller kingdoms to fight it out for supremacy, the stability of Britannia as a nation is at stake. We follow Hall, a former Roman auxiliary, who seeks to bring order to this warring land, but is resisted and attacked from all angles, including Picts in the north and Saxons invading from the east to take the island for themselves.

Author Francis Williams writes in a detailed historical style that fans of the likes of Conn Iggulden will most appreciate. Whilst the action and graphic content of the book is largely suitable for readers of all ages, it is penned in a complex style that gives a great deal of real history, educating as well as entertaining its audience. This produces a slow-paced but thoroughly well-researched novel that brings history to life in full color on every page. The plot follows a good chain of events to track the realistic political and military history of the time, pitting different races and cultures against one another in a fantastic battle for the island nation’s domination. What results is a fully fleshed-out journey where Britannia itself becomes a main character in the action. Overall, Honor (Thrones and Soldiers) is an accomplished work that historical fiction fans are certain to devour.

Honor: Thrones and Soldiers by Francis Williams is a compelling, deftly written historical novel that explores a period following the disorder in the Roman province of Britannia. After the death of High King Coel Hen, the entire kingdom knows no peace, with frequent raids from barbarians coming from neighboring tribes. It is 425 CE and a former Roman auxiliary, Hall, Commander of the Fortuna, is sent to restore order in Ebrauc and provide a safe environment for the people. But a strong Saxon warlord has other plans and is currently uniting the tribesmen in preparation for an assault on the island. As if that isn’t enough to make Hall tremble, a Gaelic king from the West offers support to the Pictish tribes who intend to have their piece of the island. Do Hall and his son, Drysten, have what it takes to fend off enemies, both known and unknown?

I was pulled in from the very start of the story as the narrator introduces the characters — kings, noblemen, and clerics — and the brash and somewhat demeaning Bishop Germanus who thinks that heathens don’t deserve the attention of the king. The setting reflects a period when kings and bishops commanded together and when clerics used God’s authority to lord it over the common people. The story has strong plot points and the prose is elegant, filled with powerful descriptions and scenes that are focused, deftly written and that showcase the author’s gift for humor — and the humor bites at times!

Francis Williams is a gifted writer and he has what it takes to get the attention of readers. The characters are elaborately developed, each with a solid background, and in spite of the wide cast of characters, the role that each plays in the story comes out neatly. Honor: Thrones and Soldiers is a story of compelling historical characters, and what makes it stand out is how well it tells the story of an era. It is very entertaining, and the cinematic nature of the narrative will have a powerful effect on the reader.