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The Forgotten Land
Sergeant Steve Golburn, an Australian Special Air Service veteran, is tasked with a dangerous mission in Iraq, deep behind enemy lines. When Steve’s five man SAS patrol inadvertently spark a time portal, they find themselves in 10th century Viking Denmark. A place far more dangerous and lawless than modern Iraq. Join the SAS patrol on this action adventure into the depths of not only a hostile land, far away from the support of the Allied front line, but into another world…another time.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2011
35 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Keith McArdle
15 books119 followersKeith was born in a hospital, somewhere in Australia, when he was very little. He owns every David Gemmell book ever written (and two versions of some books), including the graphic novels. To maintain some semblance of sanity, Keith likes writing fast-paced stories ranging from Fantasy and sci-fi, to modern military thrillers. He now lives somewhere else in Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 24, 2011
An Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) travel to Iraq and patrol behind enemy lines. Their objective: seek out and capture an enemy General. When their mission goes wrong however, they are forced to retreat. Encountering really bad weather, they seek refuge in a cave only to find that it contains a whole lot more than they expected!!
A time-travel story with a whole lot thrown in: romance, war, magic, vikings, norse, religion, history and much, much more.
The ebook is available from Smashwords and on Kindle. If you have a choice, I suggest the Kindle version as you will appreciate the instant dictionary function Kindle provides - to look up words such as "Badawark", "Berserker", "Byzantium" and "Varangian" (some of which the author does not explain).
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read but there were a few things I disliked else it would have received 5 points:
* I felt that parts of the book got bogged down with military terminology and descriptions. An example from near the end of the book: "... to observe an NVA battalion .... operating near the Australian AO.".
* A lot of Australian slang words are used which non-Australian readers will not understand. The word "ute" is an example I remember off-hand.
* I did not like the (amount of) swearing and profanity. Yes I understand the story is about a bunch of battle-hardened military men who talk like that in real life: still, for me, it was a bit too much.
The copy I read contained several editing mistakes. Credit to the author who immediately corrected these mistakes and uploaded new editions of the book to both Amazon and Smashwords.
The characters are well thought out, well "fleshed" out and my favourite was a woman named Heleena.
If the author writes a follow-up book I would be keen to read it.
A time-travel story with a whole lot thrown in: romance, war, magic, vikings, norse, religion, history and much, much more.
The ebook is available from Smashwords and on Kindle. If you have a choice, I suggest the Kindle version as you will appreciate the instant dictionary function Kindle provides - to look up words such as "Badawark", "Berserker", "Byzantium" and "Varangian" (some of which the author does not explain).
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read but there were a few things I disliked else it would have received 5 points:
* I felt that parts of the book got bogged down with military terminology and descriptions. An example from near the end of the book: "... to observe an NVA battalion .... operating near the Australian AO.".
* A lot of Australian slang words are used which non-Australian readers will not understand. The word "ute" is an example I remember off-hand.
* I did not like the (amount of) swearing and profanity. Yes I understand the story is about a bunch of battle-hardened military men who talk like that in real life: still, for me, it was a bit too much.
The copy I read contained several editing mistakes. Credit to the author who immediately corrected these mistakes and uploaded new editions of the book to both Amazon and Smashwords.
The characters are well thought out, well "fleshed" out and my favourite was a woman named Heleena.
If the author writes a follow-up book I would be keen to read it.
October 31, 2013
I like Connecticut Yankee stories, and this one has a good set-up: Aussie special forces on a mission in Kurdish Iraq are trapped in a mysterious cave and emerge in tenth century Denmark. However, the essence of the "fish out of water" element is the juxtaposition of "normal" modern man with "normal" historic man. But the many history errors repeatedly knocks the reader out of the story.
Some notable gaffs: Communication is solved by everyone's miraculous ability to speak "Anglish," which was merely modern English, despite the fact that neither contemporary Angles and Danes spoke anything resembling modern English. (See Beowulf in the original.) The soldiers disperse among the villagers a few hours after walking into a strange village, time and place. McArdle rewrote the history of viking (yes, it's a verb), but in the process twists both Christian and Norse religions to something barely recognizable. Sure, Christian and American bashing are de rigor in modern literature, but it needs to relate to reality. The Byzantine and Arab connections are just bizarre.
Read Beowulfto get a better feel for tenth century Danish culture.
The 80 pages introduction and 50 page conclusion really bog down the reading. Too much background and back story before the real plot. The real story doesn't start until page 85.
Disappointed.
Some notable gaffs: Communication is solved by everyone's miraculous ability to speak "Anglish," which was merely modern English, despite the fact that neither contemporary Angles and Danes spoke anything resembling modern English. (See Beowulf in the original.) The soldiers disperse among the villagers a few hours after walking into a strange village, time and place. McArdle rewrote the history of viking (yes, it's a verb), but in the process twists both Christian and Norse religions to something barely recognizable. Sure, Christian and American bashing are de rigor in modern literature, but it needs to relate to reality. The Byzantine and Arab connections are just bizarre.
Read Beowulfto get a better feel for tenth century Danish culture.
The 80 pages introduction and 50 page conclusion really bog down the reading. Too much background and back story before the real plot. The real story doesn't start until page 85.
Disappointed.
August 7, 2013
Terrible, terrible, terrible - sadly I will never get back the 24 hours or so it took me to read this book. I could have been reading something better.
I normally enjoy this and similar genres but this was a disappointment.I just could not suspend disbelief.
It was an okay plot idea but poorly executed. I was hoping for something like S M Stirling's "Island in the sea of time" which is the story of a US island being "sent back" to the Bronze age or Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen series which is about a World War 2 destroyer being thrown in to an alternative Earth and fighting a new war there both of which I would highly recommend by the way, to other readers and the author.
I was surprised to read that the author is a former Australian soldier writing about Australian soldiers. I felt with this background it would be someone writing well about what they know. Although the technical details seemed correct - the gear, equipment, vehicles, etc it just did not read well.
As well as the two novels mentioned above I would recommend the following too - Colin Gee's Red Gambit Series, Stuart Slade's "The Big One", Harvey Black's The Red Effect, S M Stirling's brilliant "The Peshawar Lancers", Guy Saville's "The Afrika Reich" DC Alden's "Invasion" and Andy Johnnson's "Seelowe Nord - The Germans are coming". All much much much much better.
I normally enjoy this and similar genres but this was a disappointment.I just could not suspend disbelief.
It was an okay plot idea but poorly executed. I was hoping for something like S M Stirling's "Island in the sea of time" which is the story of a US island being "sent back" to the Bronze age or Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen series which is about a World War 2 destroyer being thrown in to an alternative Earth and fighting a new war there both of which I would highly recommend by the way, to other readers and the author.
I was surprised to read that the author is a former Australian soldier writing about Australian soldiers. I felt with this background it would be someone writing well about what they know. Although the technical details seemed correct - the gear, equipment, vehicles, etc it just did not read well.
As well as the two novels mentioned above I would recommend the following too - Colin Gee's Red Gambit Series, Stuart Slade's "The Big One", Harvey Black's The Red Effect, S M Stirling's brilliant "The Peshawar Lancers", Guy Saville's "The Afrika Reich" DC Alden's "Invasion" and Andy Johnnson's "Seelowe Nord - The Germans are coming". All much much much much better.
April 25, 2012
The first quarter of this novel reads like a modern action adventure before it takes a fantasy swing. The book starts off following a team of Australian SAS soldiers on a mission in Iraq. There is plenty of military jargon and talk about various weapons, a reasonable amount of which is explained so those not familiar with modern military aren't completely lost. The action is strong and fast paced and the comeraderie between the men is clear with their witty banter which made me laugh out loud at times.
Then the time portal is triggered (not counting this as a spoiler since its in the book's blurb) and they are sent back to a Norse village were they are greeted as messengers of the Gods. Unwittingly they bring great danger along with them so the journey to find a way home has just become that much more dangerous - not that they'll be any safer upon return!
The mythology and the actual day to day life of the Norse village are well researched and enrich the story. I particularly like that the women aren't stand-around damsels hiding under beds waiting to be protected but rather proactive and prepared to do serious damage to those looking to harm them. I really liked the extra detail of pointing out the fitness of the Norse warriors exceeds that of main characters. Some of the imagery is unique and shows quite an imagination, like: 'The track from an APC flying through the air like a girls hair ribbon'.
It was an unusual read for me, but I was eager to try out a new type of time travel novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It has good pacing, great action, good humour, and plenty of realism. I also found the mix of ancient and modern combat quite interesting. Definately worth a read, even if it isn't entirely one of the genres you are used to.
Then the time portal is triggered (not counting this as a spoiler since its in the book's blurb) and they are sent back to a Norse village were they are greeted as messengers of the Gods. Unwittingly they bring great danger along with them so the journey to find a way home has just become that much more dangerous - not that they'll be any safer upon return!
The mythology and the actual day to day life of the Norse village are well researched and enrich the story. I particularly like that the women aren't stand-around damsels hiding under beds waiting to be protected but rather proactive and prepared to do serious damage to those looking to harm them. I really liked the extra detail of pointing out the fitness of the Norse warriors exceeds that of main characters. Some of the imagery is unique and shows quite an imagination, like: 'The track from an APC flying through the air like a girls hair ribbon'.
It was an unusual read for me, but I was eager to try out a new type of time travel novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It has good pacing, great action, good humour, and plenty of realism. I also found the mix of ancient and modern combat quite interesting. Definately worth a read, even if it isn't entirely one of the genres you are used to.
December 11, 2011
The Forgotten Land combines two of my favorite themes: action by special operations forces (in this case, the Australian SAS) and time travel.
Keith McArdle has melded the two in a story that caught and held my attention all the way. Other reviewers have made their comments with synopses that adequately sum up the narrative. My review will approach other specifics.
I was impressed by the research McArdle must have done to depict both worlds into which his characters were thrown. The modern-day SAS troopers are deployed just as they might be today. Their weapons and tactics show a knowledge that few possess. The process of mission planning and deployment indicate that the author knows the subjects.
Then, when the modern soldiers wind up, via a time-warp portal, in tenth-century Denmark, the atmosphere there seems as real as the modern-day Middle East. As the SAS troops ammunition begins to dwindle, they are taught sword warfare by a berserker.
I had a particular laugh-out-loud moment when one of the Danish warriors asks an SAS trooper to teach him the battle cry he’d yelled as the swords began to clash. Look for it; you’ll laugh, too.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to more from Keith McArdle.
Keith McArdle has melded the two in a story that caught and held my attention all the way. Other reviewers have made their comments with synopses that adequately sum up the narrative. My review will approach other specifics.
I was impressed by the research McArdle must have done to depict both worlds into which his characters were thrown. The modern-day SAS troopers are deployed just as they might be today. Their weapons and tactics show a knowledge that few possess. The process of mission planning and deployment indicate that the author knows the subjects.
Then, when the modern soldiers wind up, via a time-warp portal, in tenth-century Denmark, the atmosphere there seems as real as the modern-day Middle East. As the SAS troops ammunition begins to dwindle, they are taught sword warfare by a berserker.
I had a particular laugh-out-loud moment when one of the Danish warriors asks an SAS trooper to teach him the battle cry he’d yelled as the swords began to clash. Look for it; you’ll laugh, too.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to more from Keith McArdle.
January 7, 2012
I love Vikings and Dark Ages tales and I love time travel stories so this tale of an Australian SAS team who went back in time to Denmark in the Dark Ages attracted me from the start.
The first thing that was striking about this story is that the author clearly knew his stuff. The details of the SAS mission in Iraq was authentic and exciting and a damn good read.
The author had clearly done his research on the Norse and Vikings and their expansion into the Russia areas and even as far as Byzantium.
The details of the world which the SAS found them selves in was believable and accurate (I am a writer of Dark Ages fiction myself).
The only area where I believe that the author could have kicked the story up a notch was the reaction of the Norse to the SAS. When the soldiers opened fire with modern weaponry I just feel that the average dark ages person would have been terrified and been totally unsure how to react. He brings this isn later when the SAS ambush a party of warriors but I think a reaction from the villagers they first encounter would have been more profound.
Overall though, given the exciting and well developed fight scenes and the level of research I recommend this novel. Its is new and original and a good read.
The first thing that was striking about this story is that the author clearly knew his stuff. The details of the SAS mission in Iraq was authentic and exciting and a damn good read.
The author had clearly done his research on the Norse and Vikings and their expansion into the Russia areas and even as far as Byzantium.
The details of the world which the SAS found them selves in was believable and accurate (I am a writer of Dark Ages fiction myself).
The only area where I believe that the author could have kicked the story up a notch was the reaction of the Norse to the SAS. When the soldiers opened fire with modern weaponry I just feel that the average dark ages person would have been terrified and been totally unsure how to react. He brings this isn later when the SAS ambush a party of warriors but I think a reaction from the villagers they first encounter would have been more profound.
Overall though, given the exciting and well developed fight scenes and the level of research I recommend this novel. Its is new and original and a good read.
August 27, 2017
I appreciate Keith McArdle for this gift, and giving me the opportunity to get to know him and his great book!
At first, I was a bit sceptical reading about present day war, with all the news we receive everyday of war and killings and suffering, but, I went on reading and was gratified by the way the author has described so well the personal lives, the tension going on with the characters, the military life. It gripped me from the beginning! The fast paced action, the adventure in time travel taking them back to Vikings' epoque is intertwined with perfection.There are also historical parts related so eloquently, without being boring in the least that I enjoyed very much. The crossing through some Eastern Europe countries, the fights to survive, the generousity reflected, determination and the will to live. The valiant Norse warriors... this is the first time I'm reading about Vikings and the Norse people from such a lively and humane perspective. I wish my history teacher had been like Keith McArdle! I'm fascinated with this book and its writing, so much that I've purchased more books from Keith!
At first, I was a bit sceptical reading about present day war, with all the news we receive everyday of war and killings and suffering, but, I went on reading and was gratified by the way the author has described so well the personal lives, the tension going on with the characters, the military life. It gripped me from the beginning! The fast paced action, the adventure in time travel taking them back to Vikings' epoque is intertwined with perfection.There are also historical parts related so eloquently, without being boring in the least that I enjoyed very much. The crossing through some Eastern Europe countries, the fights to survive, the generousity reflected, determination and the will to live. The valiant Norse warriors... this is the first time I'm reading about Vikings and the Norse people from such a lively and humane perspective. I wish my history teacher had been like Keith McArdle! I'm fascinated with this book and its writing, so much that I've purchased more books from Keith!
January 13, 2013
Well detailed from the military perspective, and overall interesting in the time-travel back into past. Thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between the men of the modern era, and the Norse villagers, and Varangian Guard, though I don't think it would have gone quite as smoothly. Enjoyed the kick-ass women, and I give kudos to the author for not glossing that over, or the "manly man" BS that the modern day men could have pulled. Really enjoyed this book.
August 12, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. After I downloaded it, I thought there would be a better than average chance I'd hate it. Nothing could be further from the truth. McArdle engages the reader early on. I really enjoyed the epilogue and seeing how he pulled it all together. A few questions go unanswered but it's all good.
July 10, 2012
I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I just couldn't get past the repetitive writing style. I made it about 1/3 through I felt like so much of what the author told me I didn't need to know. I was bogged down with unnecessary detail, I lost interest.
June 27, 2013
Genius! Two of my favourite genres rolled into one and well written really liked the characters and the pace of the book the action is thick and fast. Hopefully the author writes another of similar style or the same character. Would definitely read a sequel.
June 10, 2012
I really enjoyed this book but felt it should of gone into further detail on when they returned particularly Helena.
August 2, 2017
kindle unlimited, liked it well enough and time travel is always interesting but got lost here and there, so could just be me and the other parts, not bad parts just didn't hold my personal attention, but doesn't mean it wouldn't hold someone else's just fine.
Tasked with a mission in Iraq, an Australian SAS patrol deploy deep behind enemy lines. But when they activate a time portal, the soldiers find themselves in 10th century Viking Denmark, a place far more dangerous and lawless than modern Iraq. The soldiers have no way back. Join the SAS patrol on this action adventure and journey into the depths of a hostile land, far from the support of the Allied front line. Step into another world…another time.
Please note: This novel is a revised edition of the original book, 'The Forgotten Land'.
Tasked with a mission in Iraq, an Australian SAS patrol deploy deep behind enemy lines. But when they activate a time portal, the soldiers find themselves in 10th century Viking Denmark, a place far more dangerous and lawless than modern Iraq. The soldiers have no way back. Join the SAS patrol on this action adventure and journey into the depths of a hostile land, far from the support of the Allied front line. Step into another world…another time.
Please note: This novel is a revised edition of the original book, 'The Forgotten Land'.
February 8, 2023
DNF. Life's too short to read bad books, and this is a really, really bad book. Riddled with inconsistencies, editing errors, awkward writing and forgettable characters. I have read others from this author that I enjoyed but this one was a real disappointment. Save your time and money.
February 12, 2018
Cracking good read
I really enjoyed this book good action and an original story look forward to exploring more titles by this author
I really enjoyed this book good action and an original story look forward to exploring more titles by this author
March 24, 2018
Good story
A really good freaky story about war and time travel. Well written about the struggles the soldiers faced being in another time with a different culture.
A really good freaky story about war and time travel. Well written about the struggles the soldiers faced being in another time with a different culture.
April 10, 2018
Lleno de acción y personajes interesantes. Pequeños anacronismos, pero, teniendo en cuenta la magia y los elementos sobrenaturales del libro, se pueden obviar como si se tratara de un mundo paralelo.
December 8, 2021
Really enjoyed the mash up of present day war and Norse battles. Found it really interesting the way it was all put together.
September 30, 2022
Good Book, especially for former soldiers.
The characters are realistic and believable.
The action is as well. Enjoyed it thoroughly!
The author did his research well.
The characters are realistic and believable.
The action is as well. Enjoyed it thoroughly!
The author did his research well.
March 16, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable, losing oneself in the land of the Vikings of old. The beginnings do not give clues to the twists Keith wraps you in.
August 31, 2016
I have been procrastinating somewhat with writing this review, because I doubt I can do this book the justice it deserves.
Firstly it needs to be rated at higher than five stars as it has an intangible quality that places it above all the other five star books that I've been lucky enough to read lately.
I think it's mainly due to the immediacy and tension embodied in the military action scenes, especially the ones at the beginning of the book. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, I had goosebumps and my heart was palpitating. I've obviously never been in the military, never been in a firefight, nor after reading this all too realistic telling of it would I ever wish to be.
It was small relief to then encounter the time travel component. Now these incredibly real characters find themselves in the land of the Norse some thousand years ago - don't refer to them as Vikings, they get rather cranky at that misnomer. And we find ourselves introduced to a whole new group of pretty awesome characters. All of which leads to some amazing adventures and a most terrific read.
This is one you really do not want to miss reading if you enjoy military action mixed with time travel and sprinkled liberally with some heartwarming characters. Evil persons excepted of course!
Highly recommended.
Firstly it needs to be rated at higher than five stars as it has an intangible quality that places it above all the other five star books that I've been lucky enough to read lately.
I think it's mainly due to the immediacy and tension embodied in the military action scenes, especially the ones at the beginning of the book. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, I had goosebumps and my heart was palpitating. I've obviously never been in the military, never been in a firefight, nor after reading this all too realistic telling of it would I ever wish to be.
It was small relief to then encounter the time travel component. Now these incredibly real characters find themselves in the land of the Norse some thousand years ago - don't refer to them as Vikings, they get rather cranky at that misnomer. And we find ourselves introduced to a whole new group of pretty awesome characters. All of which leads to some amazing adventures and a most terrific read.
This is one you really do not want to miss reading if you enjoy military action mixed with time travel and sprinkled liberally with some heartwarming characters. Evil persons excepted of course!
Highly recommended.
November 29, 2012
I read the sample on smashwords. The sample was to short to get a feeling for the auther and the story. Should have stretched another 10-20 pages or so. It wasnt enough to convince me to buy this book.
What I did get the feeling of was that military gear details are presented as facts instead of its use. If they dont matter then it would have been better to not mention them and just summarise to get a better flow of the story.
They didnt feel like a band of brothers they should be from being in one of those units. That spoils the setting for me regardless of how much details you add on the gear they use.
What I did get the feeling of was that military gear details are presented as facts instead of its use. If they dont matter then it would have been better to not mention them and just summarise to get a better flow of the story.
They didnt feel like a band of brothers they should be from being in one of those units. That spoils the setting for me regardless of how much details you add on the gear they use.
July 7, 2016
A fast-paced account of a group of highly skilled and motivated soldiers (SASR) taken out of their world and into a more primitive time. Their training and instincts kick in as they adapt to their new world and seek a way back home.
McArdle is a writer to watch. His voice grows with each new work.
McArdle is a writer to watch. His voice grows with each new work.
March 25, 2014
Good, engaging story. Enjoyed it.
November 30, 2016
Good story
It was slow starting. Once you get through the first couple of chapters it is great. I enjoyed the characters.
It was slow starting. Once you get through the first couple of chapters it is great. I enjoyed the characters.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews