Is it really a four-star book simply because Sutcliff does not shine as she does in The Lantern Bearers? Perhaps one-to-five grading is too crude.
We have again some of the Sutcliff trademarks: significant male friendship; bravery in desperation; noble death. There are, too, some great scenes in the back alleys of Roman towns, and some beautiful landscape depiction, harebells and wind-shaped oaks in the downland.
Justin, timid surgeon in the Roman army in Britain at the time the Empire is tearing itself to pieces, finds a soul-mate in his kinsman, the Centurion Flavius, and together they are caught in webs of intrigue that culminate in battles all through southern Britain as they fight - in true Rosemary Sutcliff style - for a Britain that has hope amidst chaos. In doing so they meet beautifully drawn characters such as the Fool who holds bells on the eponymous Silver Branch and the indomitable Aunt Honoria who all have their part to play, and if this story lacks the emotional intensity of sone of Sutcliff’s heartbreakingly beautiful novels, it is nonetheless sure-footed in its dramatic action sequences and believable use of archaeology. A fitting sequel to The Eagle of the Ninth, and with some of the best artwork from Charles Keeping, so that together they have created something vivid and memorable.