Where to Start with Damion Hunter
Damion Hunter (the pen name of author and academic Amanda Cockrell) writes vivid, action-packed military historical fiction set in the Roman Empire, specifically focusing on the campaigns in Roman Britain. If you are looking to dive into his work, you have two primary entry points depending on your preference for classic multi-decade sagas or modern, tightly-paced trilogies.
The Classic Route (Recommended): Start with The Centurions (1981). This is the book that launched Hunter's career and introduced readers to the complex relationship between half-brothers Correus and Flavius. It is the perfect introduction to Hunter's ability to balance epic battlefield tactics with intense personal drama.
The Modern Route: Start with Shadow of the Eagle (2022). If you prefer a more modern style of historical fiction, this book kicks off the Borderlands trilogy. It offers a fresh perspective through the eyes of a mixed-heritage soldier serving under General Agricola in Northern Britain.
The Centurions Series
This is Hunter's signature saga. It follows two half-brothers—Correus, the son of a British slave, and Flavius, the legitimate son of a Roman senator. Both rise through the ranks of the Roman legions, finding themselves on opposing sides of loyalty, politics, and war. What makes this series unique is its publishing history: the first three books were published in the early 1980s, while the concluding volume was released nearly forty years later in 2021.
1. The Centurions (1981)
Introduces Correus and Flavius as they navigate the brutal politics of the Roman Empire and the harsh reality of the legionary life. The story spans campaigns against Germanic tribes and the initial subjugation of Britain, setting up the lifelong rivalry and bond between the brothers.
2. Barbarian Princess (1982)
The action shifts heavily to the Welsh frontier. Correus is tasked with holding the border against the fierce Silures tribe, but his loyalties are tested when he becomes entangled with a captive British princess, forcing him to choose between his Roman oath and his personal conscience.
3. The Emperor's Games (1984)
This installment takes a break from the muddy frontiers of Britain to explore the decadence and danger of Rome itself. During the paranoid reign of Emperor Domitian, the brothers are drawn into court conspiracies, gladiatorial games, and dangerous senate plots where a single misstep means death.
4. The Border Wolves (2021)
After a 37-year hiatus, Amanda Cockrell returned to the pseudonym to wrap up the brothers' saga. Set on the northern frontier of Roman Britain, the aging brothers must unite to defend the empire against a massive coalition of northern tribes threating to sweep the Romans into the sea.
The Borderlands Series
The Borderlands series is a self-contained trilogy set slightly after the events of the early Centurions books, focusing on General Agricola’s campaign to push Roman rule into Caledonia (modern-day Scotland).
1. Shadow of the Eagle (2022)
Introduces Faustus Valerianus, a young man of mixed Roman and British blood. Following the tragic death of his parents, Faustus enlists in the Roman auxiliary cohorts, hoping to find his place in the world. He is sent to the rugged northern frontier, where he must prove his loyalty to a Rome that doesn't fully accept him.
2. Empire's Edge (2023)
As Agricola's army marches further north, Faustus rises in rank but faces increasingly complex moral challenges. The frontier is a hotbed of corruption, and Faustus must navigate hostile tribes, treacherous fellow officers, and his own divided heritage.
3. Birds of Prey (2024)
The explosive conclusion to the trilogy. The Roman forces prepare for a final, decisive clash with the Caledonian tribes. Faustus finds himself pushed to the absolute limit as the campaign reaches its bloody climax, forcing a final reckoning of where his true allegiances lie.
The Roman Britain Duology
In addition to the two main series, Hunter has written a pair of connected novels focusing on the legendary, mysterious disappearance of the Ninth Legion (Legio IX Hispana) and the subsequent construction of the northern walls.
1. The Legions of the Mist (Originally 1979 / Re-released 2020)
Originally published under Amanda Cockrell's real name before being re-issued under the Damion Hunter pseudonym, this novel tackles the fate of the Lost Ninth Legion. It follows Centurion Justinius and Vortrix, a young High King of the Brigantes, in a story of military life, rebellion, and survival on the edge of the known world.
2. The Wall at the Edge of the World (2020)
Serving as a direct sequel to The Legions of the Mist, this book follows Postumus Justinius Corvus, a skilled military surgeon. He is stationed on the volatile northern border as Rome attempts to consolidate its hold on Britain, dealing with the brutal physical and psychological toll of frontier warfare.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend reading the books in their **Publication Order** by series. The timeline of the stories matches their publication order, meaning you won't get confused by jumping back and forth. Here is how the complete bibliography looks chronologically:
- c. 70s–80s AD: The Centurions Series (Books 1–4) — Correus and Flavius serve during the early invasions and the reign of Domitian.
- c. 78–84 AD: The Borderlands Series (Books 1–3) — Faustus Valerianus serves during Agricola's campaigns in Caledonia, which overlap chronologically with the latter half of the Centurions era.
- c. 110s–120s AD: The Roman Britain Duology — The Legions of the Mist and The Wall at the Edge of the World take place during the reign of Hadrian and the disappearance of the Ninth Legion.