Post Reading: Clash of Iron - Angus Watson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Clash of Iron 
Author: Angus Watson
Series: Iron Age #2
Published: April 14th 2015 by Orbit
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LEADERS ARE FORGED IN THE FIRES OF WAR

Iron Age warriors Dug and Lowa captured Maidun castle and freed its slaves. But now they must defend it.

A Roman invasion is coming from Gaul, but rather than uniting to defend their home, the British tribes go to battle with each other -- and see Maidun as an easy target.

Meanwhile, Lowa's spies infiltrate Gaul, discovering the Romans have recruited British druids. And Maidunite Ragnall finds his loyalties torn when he meets Rome's charismatic general, Julius Caesar.

War is coming. Who will pay its price?

THE REVIEW

Stating that Britain in the Iron Ages was not quite the best place to be would be a gross understatement. The threat of the fast growing Roman empire and the brutally legendary Caesar was imminent and worried even the greatest of warriors.

Warriors, Druids and the Iron Age

Author: Angus Watson

Publisher: Orbit

Release Date: September 9th 2014 

Source: Publisher

Synopsis:

Bloodthirsty druids and battle-hardened Iron Age warriors collide in the biggest epic fantasy debut release of 2014.

LEGENDS AREN'T BORN. THEY'RE FORGED.

Dug Sealskinner is a down-on-his-luck mercenary travelling south to join up with King Zadar's army. But he keeps rescuing the wrong people. 

First, Spring, a child he finds scavenging on the battlefield, and then Lowa, one of Zadar's most fearsome warriors, who's vowed revenge on the king for her sister's execution. 

Now Dug's on the wrong side of that thousands-strong army he hoped to join ­- and worse, Zadar has bloodthirsty druid magic on his side. All Dug has is his war hammer, one rescued child and one unpredictable, highly-trained warrior with a lust for revenge that's going to get them all killed . . .

It's a glorious day to die.

Review: Age of Iron - Angus Watson

Shockingly, I've come across very few books that are set in Britain during the Iron Age. Watson's Age of Iron paved the way for my debut into this sub-genre and I can safely say that it was a delightful experience.

What little is known about this time period is mostly learnt from the POV of Julius Casear. Watson makes a bold move by creating an epic story that is based on the could-have-beens of this era. And the touch of fantasy? Brilliant.

One of the novel's strongest points is the characters. The story begins with Dug, part seasoned warrior and part world weary mercenary who is hoping for a comfortable life in Zadar's army. Lowa, a female archer in Zadar's army is a force to be reckoned with. And then we have Spring, a mysterious, young girl who is on the run-she was an intriguing characters who was wise beyond her years.