This historical fantasy has been in my library for a long time, along with the sequel. It's been long enough since I read it (sometime in the 1980s) that I had pretty well forgotten the storyline. About the only thing I remembered about the story (and that only after I read it) was the ending.

The eponymous Peregrine is one of the many bastards of the last pagan king in Europe. Coming of age, he is banished from the kingdom so as not to muddy the waters for the legitimate heirs. This is the story of his wanderings, at first aimlessly, later following his older half brother who had been banished a few years previously.

It's written in a picaresque style, replete with classical allusions. I can see it being of interest to gamers, especially Ars Magica players, as magic is very much alive (albeit in retreat before Christianity) so it could form the background for a Dark Ages Covenant.

Probably not to everyone's taste, but I like it. Recommended.

This is a wonderful comic romp. If Davidson had not written "Ursus of Ultimate Thule", this would have established his reputation forever! There are few books for Comparison, "Guards, Guards" by Pratchett, or "Catch 22", perhaps. It belongs in the home of all literate people. Oh, and, it takes place in the Central Roman empire, and features Hun Horde #17. ( )

http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?ID=14 ( )

A humorous picaresque set in a mythical Latter Rome (though not that of Davidson's superior Vergil Magus series). Light, but amusing and full of Davidson's strange wit and inventions. ( )