Guardians At The Wall by Tim Walker

Synopsis
A group of archaeology students in northern England scrape at the soil near Hadrian’s Wall, once a barrier that divided Roman Britannia from wild Caledonian tribes.Twenty-year-old Noah makes an intriguing find, but hasn’t anticipated becoming the object of desire in a developing love triangle in the isolated academic community at Vindolanda. He is living his best life, but must learn to prioritise in a race against time to solve an astounding 2,000-year-old riddle, and an artefact theft, as he comes to realise his future career prospects depend on it.In the same place, in the year 180 C.E., Centurion Gaius Atticianus, hungover and unaware of the bloody conflicts that will soon challenge him, is rattled by the hoot of an owl, a bad omen. These are the protagonists whose lives will brush together in the alternating strands of this dual timeline historical novel, one trying to get himself noticed and the other trying to stay intact as he approaches retirement.How will the breathless battles fought by a Roman officer influence the fortunes of a twenty-first century archaeology mud rat? Can naive Noah, distracted by the attentions of two very different women, work out who to trust?Find out in Tim Walker’s thrilling historical dual timeline novel, Guardians at the Wall.

Review
When Tim Walker contacted me about a review for his new book Guardians at the Wall I agreed straight away as I live in the North East and have visited Vindolanda on many occassions. Tim has set this in both the present day where Noah, an archaeology student is working and hoping for inspiration for his final dissertation, and in 180CE when Centurion Gaius Atticianus is stationed at Vindolada. Both timelines have there own thrills and drama as the world of Noah and Gaius cross 2000 years apart.

I was completely enthralled by this book, and the alternate chapters had me compelled to continue reading. In the present Noah is studying for his Archaeology degree from Durham University and is using his time at Vindolanda to get inspiration for his final dissertation. It his translating of some of the tablets found that he first sees the name Gaius Atticanus that sends him on a journey to find out more about him and his time at the fort. I was quite envious of Noah’s work at Vindolanda as it was fasciating to think of finding objects that have been there for over two thousand years, touched and used by the inhabitants of the forts and those living there. Noah’s dedication to his work is only complicated by his love life and his love triangle with two academics that he has to try and keep secret, which is difficult in such a small community.

In 1800 CE Gaius Atticanus is a Centurion at Vindolanda on a night when they are attacked by tribes from the North, seettig off a chain of events that threaten more of the forts and surrounding dwellings. Through Gaius I felt the peril and danger of those living along Hadiann’s Wall, the constant threat of attack not just on the soldiers but on those who live their lives there, workers, bakers, and those who run the temples. I have always been in awe at how advanced the Romans were with their temples, bath houses, underfloor heating and little luxuries. Gaius’s story is one of bravery, fearlessness and danger, all set against him being a husband and father.

Tim Walker has obviously done a lot of research for this book, both historical and for the present day in how the archeological sites are run and funded. There is plenty of historical detail that I loved, so it’s not a book you can rush through, and I really appreciated all that detail as it added authenticity to the story. It is a pretty action packed read with romance, battles, burried treasure and subterfuge to keep your attention and make this such an immersive read.

Guardians at the Wall is a riviting read, with a lot packed into its pages. Full of historical detail and with intersting characters who draw you in to their lives. I loved the split timeline, each feeding off each other that keeps me turning the pages wanting to know more about Noah and Gaius, who were both Guardians at the Wall in their own way. A briliantly written and plotted read that I highly recommend.