61AD: After Keara and her sister, Caitlyn, are brutally attacked by Roman officers in their own home, their mother's rage knows no bounds. Queen Boudica of the Iceni raises an army of oppressed Britons
who will defy Rome.
I'm pleased to welcome author Sam F Hutchins to The Writing Desk:
Tell us about your latest book
Boudica’s Shadow is a Roman Britannic adventure set in 61AD. Full of action, mystery, vivid characters and a dash of romance, it tells the story of Boudica’s revolt through the eyes of her youngest daughter, Keara.
After Boudica and her two daughters are brutally attacked by Roman officers in their own kingdom of the Iceni, Boudica raises an army of oppressed Britons to fight against the Roman occupant.
Facing them is the governor-general, Suetonius, an experienced military leader who proves to be a formidable and shrewd master.
But, despite, the well-armed legions by his side, and an efficient information system, he loses Colchester, London, St Albans, and … all of Britannia’s gold.
He also has the well-trained, obedient but enigmatic Mauretanian tribune, Titus working for him. As the soldier battles across tribal lands to capture Keara the reader wonders what his past holds and if he will follow Roman orders when he finally confronts her?
After heavy fighting the two sisters finally find themselves trapped and have to make heart-wrenching decisions. Caitlyn, the humiliated Iceni queen, chooses to stay and protect her people. Keara will search for the missing Iceni gold and… the man responsible for the attack on her family. She starts a journey that leads her to the edges of the Roman Empire.
What makes Boudica’s Shadow different from the countless other novels written about Boudica?
The story of queen Boudica is an ancient British tragedy: following the death of her husband of the Iceni tribe (present-day Norfolk) Boudica and her two daughters are abused by Roman officers: she is whipped and her daughters raped. It is always said that Boudica’s rebellion began after this.
However, the question never answered is how such treatment of the Iceni royal family could have happened in the first place? As a client-kingdom of Rome they held Roman citizenship and would initially have been treated with respect.
For questions of rebellion though, they would have been executed. Under Roman law, however, Roman virgins could not be executed. Is it possible that such a punishment was a warning shot after early signs of disturbance?
Without giving any spoilers, and without info-dropping, despite doing a PhD for my research, my story gives the legal framework to the uprising, and continues the narrative after the rebellion, as Boudica’s daughter, Keara embarks on her quest for revenge and restitution.
What was the inspiration for your story?
Of course, as a young child in London I learnt the nursery rhyme of ‘London’s burning, London’s burning.’ And at school we learnt that London burnt down - twice in fact: once in 1666 with the Great Fire of London, and also in 61AD when Boudica’s army destroyed the newly founded Roman trading centre of Londinium. I was curious.
I was also inspired by the statue of Boudica and her two daughters standing in their spike-wheeled chariot with two horses rearing in opposite directions outside the Houses of Parliament on the River Thames. I always thought it was such an ironic paradox that this statue represents the power of the British Empire yet the woman herself had fought against the colonial power of a foreign empire, that of Rome. And had burnt down London.
What advice do you have for new writers?
Believe in yourself, but never be arrogant. If it is something you are passionate about then don’t give up. Even when you are criticised and rejected by publishers, agents, other readers, listen to them, then pick yourself up and try again… and again.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Social media. Though I am not good at marketing I had to learn the hard way. I once published a terrible picture of me holding my book. A friend used AI for it, and I was ruthlessly attacked. I don’t know if it helped sales but it did provoke 1,000 comments!
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.
Boudica’s propaganda and marketing value. During Elizabeth I’s reign she began her ascent as a feminist, supporting Elizabeth as a defender of England and the people, but during James I’s reign she was attacked as the complete opposite: an unnatural mother and wicked queen.
Later, she went on to inspire authors, poets, song writers and marketing campaigners (selling cars to business women, supporting women in politics, selling video games). In fact, I was astonished by Boudica’s global reach.
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
It was the rape scene. The action is a pivotal moment in Boudica’s decision to rebel, so it could not be glossed over in a few short words. It had to show the cruel reality of rape, and empathy with the victims, without sensationalising it for the reader. It was very difficult and I had to rewrite it a great number of times.
What are you planning to write next?
The sequel is already written: Cartimandua’s Shadow. It is coming out in the next few months and relates the events in 69AD. Set during Cartimandua’s reign over the Brigantian confederation in Yorkshire, a client kingdom of Rome, the story unfolds of Keara’s continued resistance against the advance of the Roman line into the British Isles during the political instability of Rome – the year of the four emperors.
Sam F Hutchins
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