Reign of Iron
This is volume three in the Iron Age series. “Caesar has conquered Gaul” (Julius Caesar speaking). “Now he will conquer Britain.” “No he won’t,” is the inhabitants’ response, with special emphasis from Queen Lowa of Maidun Castle; Chamanca, a blood-drinker always at home on a battlefield; Spring, a free spirit, a wonderful archer fluent in Latin; and Atlas, who is as powerful as his name. And many more, from different tribes who have never united to defeat a common enemy. Can Lowa – a single mother with a tiny baby son – persuade them to do so now? Caesar’s so-called invasion is a fiasco or, as he would say, “Caesar achieved a successful reconnaissance.” Next year he will overwhelm the islanders with his legions and forty rampaging elephants. Now any Briton who is not committed to Queen Lowa is against her: neutrality is as bad as enmity or treason. And her most dangerous enemy has to be Druid Felix, creator of monstrosities and a nasty piece of work, who intends to rule the world. The final confrontation at Maidun Castle is long drawn out and minutely detailed; the outcome is always in doubt.
There is so much humour in this story that it sometimes seems like a hilarious romp, although the comedy is dark. The combat is bloody and vicious; torture, or even the threat of it, is terrifying. And yet there is hope throughout and a youthful zest for life in this island of magic and miracles.
