Raven

Name: Raven
Rating: 4.3 (943 reviews)

by Adam Lofthouse Book 1 in the Enemy of the Empire series.

First published 2025

Amazon

4.3(943)

Germania, AD 144. Alaric Hengistson leads the Ravensworn and has built his authority on fear, victory and his reputation as an enemy of Rome. Roman officers are now changing their methods, using agreements with Germanic rivals rather than open invasion alone.

As tribal politics shift around him, Alaric’s independence becomes harder to defend. He must judge whether old loyalties, reputation and violence are enough to protect his people when the empire begins to hunt him through allies as well as legions.

Rome’s use of diplomacy and rival tribes threatens Alaric because it attacks the basis of his authority rather than merely his warriors. If neighbouring leaders can be persuaded that cooperation with the empire is safer or more profitable, the Ravensworn may be isolated without a major campaign. The story therefore treats frontier politics as a contest of reputation, tribute and alliance as much as open combat.