I've heard the name Megan Whalen Turner somewhere, but not read any of her books—textual m/m inspired by Eagle of the Ninth sounds like a good thing.
The first novel is effectively a YA caper with some wider implications set in a well-drawn secondary world influenced by classical and late antique history. The series took a serious level in emotional and political complexity with the second novel—I have traditionally classed these books with the fiction of Elizabeth E. Wein, if that helps as a reference—and nothing I have heard about the final volume suggests it dropped back. The Sutcliff-inspired one is Thick as Thieves (2017). I have no idea how it would read on its own, as it picks up characters from previous books and turned out to be the penultimate in the series, but I loved it.
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The first novel is effectively a YA caper with some wider implications set in a well-drawn secondary world influenced by classical and late antique history. The series took a serious level in emotional and political complexity with the second novel—I have traditionally classed these books with the fiction of Elizabeth E. Wein, if that helps as a reference—and nothing I have heard about the final volume suggests it dropped back. The Sutcliff-inspired one is Thick as Thieves (2017). I have no idea how it would read on its own, as it picks up characters from previous books and turned out to be the penultimate in the series, but I loved it.