Saxon Dawn

Wolf Brethren #1

by Griff Hosker

In a time of legends, a young warrior is forced to become a man. A man is created who will light the last light before the darkness descends. Set in the late Sixth century, Saxon Dawn is a thrilling story about the last flames of resistance to the Anglo-Saxon invaders. King Arthur and the last of the Romans have long gone but King Urien fights on. When three orphans join his warriors then the tide begins to turn and, despite, overwhelming odds they begin to defeat the Saxon hordes. Based on the history of the period Saxon Dawn is a fast moving story with graphic battles scenes as well complex characters and devious plot twists.

Genres: Historical Fiction, British Literature, Fiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2013

About the author

I was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.

When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.

My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.

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Reviews

[Cody Engdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the Wolf Brothers!

Saxon Dawn is a compelling start to what looks to be a riveting series. It’s the origin story of our hero Lann told in the first person. 

He’s seven years old when his narrative begins. We watch his beginning as a shepherd boy who learns to use a sling and then a bow to hunt as his father teaches him and his brothers how to survive off the land. This is the same time he first hears of the Anglo-Saxon invasion and their raiding parties, which destroy villages, rape, kill, and take people away as slaves. 

At the dawn of his manhood, the invaders finally arrive at his family’s hilltop commune, causing a tragedy that will put him and his younger brothers into the wilderness, where they must use their father’s lessons to survive. From there, Lann and his brothers grow from boys hiding in the woods to powerful warlords in the fight against the invasion.

This book paints a vivid picture of the post-Roman world of late sixth-century Britain. The characters live in the nostalgic shadow of the once-powerful empire as they build their own world. We see the foundation of medieval society as the Kingdom of Rheged grows and gives rise to its first lords, who must build their fiefdoms from the remnants of old Roman forts and leftover weapons.

The battle scenes are vivid and intense, with explanations of how weapons and tactics of the time worked. I like historical fiction that teaches as it entertains, and Griff Hosker does an excellent job balancing the two. There’s a historical note at the end that explains much of the real aspects of the story, as well as a glossary that denotes which characters were real historical figures. 

If you want to learn something about sub-Roman Britain while enjoying a rip-roaring adventure. Join the wolfpack and read Saxon Dawn!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my life, I've known people who are excessive users of commas. Either in thesis, journal article, or simply daily WhatsApp messages. This is the first time I saw someone so stingy using commas and other punctuations.
This brought me to question whether the author was really that stingy or the author simply didn't want to use a proofreader.

Either case, it's too bad because the storyline was solid, strong, and engaging. But I can't push myself to finish the book. My brain had to do double works of rearranging sentences, reimagining intonation, or simply putting imaginary commas in the right place. This is highly bothersome for someone with English as their second language.

The mistake is on me, who can't read through til the end. I really liked how the story was written, and it's also very well researched. I could only spare three-star rating right now. Perhaps I might come back to this book and its series later on when I have time. I must remember to bring extra punctuation in my bag for supply.

[antony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling reading, great characters, action packed, based in history, everything you want in historical fiction.

Hosker is a talented writer who held my attention throughout.

I plan to give the rest of the series my serious attention.

Great story, believable setting, you will be cheering the wolf brethren on. This book does not disappoint.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

[Jay Ranton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had promise but the hero was a little too much like a super hero than a person. At 16 or 17 he is a champion and in the counsel of kings??? I really liked the tie in to the Roman era but the author wants it both ways, first they know nothing of the Romans and their ways and then all of a sudden they know what the name of every weapon of the era and the name of the shoes etc.
One other thing the spelling was horrendous but I can't spell without auto correct so I shouldn't throw stones.
Got 3 stars because it was inexpensive but I'll probably not spend the money on any more of the series.