What do you think?
Rate this book
The Savage Isle #1
The Savage Isle
The old ways are dying, and a mighty empire is reaching out across the sea. Britannia, 42AD. The wild island at the fringe of the known world is in chaos.
Cunobelin, High King of the Britons, is dead. His heirs, warrior princes Togodubnos and Caratacos, have spurned the careful alliances that kept the irresistible might of the Roman Empire from Britannia’s shores for so long.
In this land of warriors, druids and kings, riven by conflict, orphan boy Cullen must fight for survival within a tribe he despises. Captured by the Catuvellauni after a brutal raid on his own Atrebates tribe, he must find his purpose swiftly if he is to avoid the murderous attentions of the chief druid.
As the Britons turn inward, jostling for dominion, avaricious eyes look on from across the Narrow Sea. The mighty legions gather…
This is the epic story of Britain on the cusp of the Roman conquest, of a clash of civilisations and the last cries of resistance from a doomed way of life.
Cunobelin, High King of the Britons, is dead. His heirs, warrior princes Togodubnos and Caratacos, have spurned the careful alliances that kept the irresistible might of the Roman Empire from Britannia’s shores for so long.
In this land of warriors, druids and kings, riven by conflict, orphan boy Cullen must fight for survival within a tribe he despises. Captured by the Catuvellauni after a brutal raid on his own Atrebates tribe, he must find his purpose swiftly if he is to avoid the murderous attentions of the chief druid.
As the Britons turn inward, jostling for dominion, avaricious eyes look on from across the Narrow Sea. The mighty legions gather…
This is the epic story of Britain on the cusp of the Roman conquest, of a clash of civilisations and the last cries of resistance from a doomed way of life.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published April 17, 2025
16 people are currently reading
4031 people want to read
About the author
Michael Arnold
114 books101 followersMichael lives in Hampshire with his wife and children. His childhood holidays were spent visiting castles and battlefields, but his fascination with the civil wars was piqued partly by the fact that his hometown and region of Hampshire are steeped in Civil War history.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 30, 2025
This was an extremely engaging novel set in the late Iron Age at a time when the Catuvellauni tribe were the main conquerors of the Britons. Julius Caesar had been and gone but now new emperor, Claudius, is becoming ambitious. As other lands fall at Roman feet his sights are set on taming the Isle of the Mighty.
Cullen is the main protagonist whose first taste of the Catuvellauni comes when they destroy his township, Calleva (modern day Silchester). Cullen escapes through sheer luck - or is his path smoothed by the gods? He ends up at Camulodunum (Colchester) the stronghold of the Catuvellauni where he makes friends and powerful enemies.
As he grows into manhood, the threat from Rome grows. Will the tribes of Britons learn to fight together or will the Romans defeat the disparate kingships and will Cullen get vengeance against Caratacos of the Catuvellauni for slaughtering his family.
Michael Arnold certainly packs the action in to every page. There is a fair amount of blood and gore but it's not gratuitous violence. These were violent and uncertain times, full of treachery and deceit between tribes. Cullen is very likeable and the small band of friends he gathers around him play a big part in his growing into a man.
The blurb says this is Book 1 of 1. I sincerely hope that Michael Arnold intends to write more. I really want to know what happens to Cullen, Andoc, Cassia, Becan and Drest never mind the Romans. You certainly don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this book - just a fan of good writing and a well told story.
Very highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Canelo for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
Cullen is the main protagonist whose first taste of the Catuvellauni comes when they destroy his township, Calleva (modern day Silchester). Cullen escapes through sheer luck - or is his path smoothed by the gods? He ends up at Camulodunum (Colchester) the stronghold of the Catuvellauni where he makes friends and powerful enemies.
As he grows into manhood, the threat from Rome grows. Will the tribes of Britons learn to fight together or will the Romans defeat the disparate kingships and will Cullen get vengeance against Caratacos of the Catuvellauni for slaughtering his family.
Michael Arnold certainly packs the action in to every page. There is a fair amount of blood and gore but it's not gratuitous violence. These were violent and uncertain times, full of treachery and deceit between tribes. Cullen is very likeable and the small band of friends he gathers around him play a big part in his growing into a man.
The blurb says this is Book 1 of 1. I sincerely hope that Michael Arnold intends to write more. I really want to know what happens to Cullen, Andoc, Cassia, Becan and Drest never mind the Romans. You certainly don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this book - just a fan of good writing and a well told story.
Very highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Canelo for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
April 16, 2025
42AD, Britannia. The tribes of this savage island are at war with each other. In a land of kings and druids, the conflict is at its breaking point between the two tribes of the Catuvellauni and the Atrebates.
One particular boy called Cullen is suffering more than most, captured by the Catuvellauni, he must do whatever he can to survive, even fight with for enemy to save himself from the head druid. A savage man who has plans for him.
All of this in shadow of the mighty Roman Empire who are waiting to pounce.
Michael Arnold has produced a very strong and powerful interpretation of Britannia.
His story of life through the eyes of the tribes of Britannia, rather than from the Roman perspective is fascinating.
I’m a big fan of Michael Arnold’s Stryker books and I found this book to be just as good.
I highly recommend this book and very much look forward to reading the rest of the series.
One particular boy called Cullen is suffering more than most, captured by the Catuvellauni, he must do whatever he can to survive, even fight with for enemy to save himself from the head druid. A savage man who has plans for him.
All of this in shadow of the mighty Roman Empire who are waiting to pounce.
Michael Arnold has produced a very strong and powerful interpretation of Britannia.
His story of life through the eyes of the tribes of Britannia, rather than from the Roman perspective is fascinating.
I’m a big fan of Michael Arnold’s Stryker books and I found this book to be just as good.
I highly recommend this book and very much look forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 31, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable coming of age tale about Cullen, a young lad who looks after the goats until a rival tribe sacks his village and captures him. He makes friends and enemies among the Catuvellauni, and we see him undergo his warrior's training, treading an uneasy line between hating the people who killed his family yet knowing that the only way he can survive is to be part of a tight-knit warrior band. We also see him clash badly with the chief druid, and make unexpected friends among the 'wise ones'.
The details really bring the setting to life, and it's also good to see a bit more inside the character's head rather than just endless descriptions of battle. The female characters are well done, too.
The start is a little slow, but it's worth persevering, and I look forward to the next in the series.
The details really bring the setting to life, and it's also good to see a bit more inside the character's head rather than just endless descriptions of battle. The female characters are well done, too.
The start is a little slow, but it's worth persevering, and I look forward to the next in the series.
May 22, 2025
So I just finished The Savage Isle by Michael Arnold, and honestly? I didn’t expect to get this hooked. I went in thinking it’d be another standard historical fiction, but it completely swept me up.
The story follows Cullen, a goat-herding teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the Catuvellauni tribe destroys his village. From there, it’s a wild ride — capture, survival, training as a warrior, and navigating life among the very people who murdered his family. Cullen is one of those characters you root for from the beginning — he’s not perfect, but he’s real. He grows so much over the course of the book.
The world-building is super immersive. You don’t need to be a history nerd to enjoy this — it’s just good storytelling. The author really brings Iron Age Britain to life, from the politics and tribal conflicts to the looming threat of Rome.
It starts a bit slow, but stick with it. Once it gets going, it’s hard to put down. By the end, I was practically begging for a sequel. If you like survival stories or historical fiction, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Arnold for providing me with a copy of this book!
The story follows Cullen, a goat-herding teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the Catuvellauni tribe destroys his village. From there, it’s a wild ride — capture, survival, training as a warrior, and navigating life among the very people who murdered his family. Cullen is one of those characters you root for from the beginning — he’s not perfect, but he’s real. He grows so much over the course of the book.
The world-building is super immersive. You don’t need to be a history nerd to enjoy this — it’s just good storytelling. The author really brings Iron Age Britain to life, from the politics and tribal conflicts to the looming threat of Rome.
It starts a bit slow, but stick with it. Once it gets going, it’s hard to put down. By the end, I was practically begging for a sequel. If you like survival stories or historical fiction, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Arnold for providing me with a copy of this book!
May 18, 2025
This is the third historical fiction iteration of the Roman invasion of Britain I’ve read, the first being The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge (which is one of my favorite books ever) and the Boudica series by Manda Scott. I really enjoyed Michael Arnold’s take and how it is told from the perspective of an average goat herder turned warrior named Cullen rather than Caratacus or Boudica who are legendary figures. I’m absolutely invested in all of the characters. The Savage Isle sets the foundation for what is looking to be another incredible series on tribal resistance to the overwhelming might of Rome. Highly recommend!
June 25, 2025
Book 20/40 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Michael Arnold takes a break from writing about the 17th century to bring us a tale set in ancient Britain. With the mighty Roman legions about to invade, Cullen must prove himself a warrior both to his friends and rivals.
Told from the Britons point of view, it took a bit to get going, when it does it's a great read. The only thing lacking is a map showing the tribal areas and locations of the towns mentioned in the book.
The first installment in a new series, I'm looking forward to the next one.
Michael Arnold takes a break from writing about the 17th century to bring us a tale set in ancient Britain. With the mighty Roman legions about to invade, Cullen must prove himself a warrior both to his friends and rivals.
Told from the Britons point of view, it took a bit to get going, when it does it's a great read. The only thing lacking is a map showing the tribal areas and locations of the towns mentioned in the book.
The first installment in a new series, I'm looking forward to the next one.
June 10, 2025
I love the ECW books. I wasn't sure about this change to a different time in British history?
I really enjoyed the tale. The characters were so real and I felt an understanding of their lives and history. I look forward to the second book in the series. But from my little I know of the history of this time. It won't be a happy ending.
I really enjoyed the tale. The characters were so real and I felt an understanding of their lives and history. I look forward to the second book in the series. But from my little I know of the history of this time. It won't be a happy ending.
June 11, 2025
Beautiful imagery. As a practicing Druid I found the writing on ancient traditions well researched. A refreshing perspective to have the POV from the Celts position as opposed to the traditional Roman one.
Would definitely recommend this.
Would definitely recommend this.
Currently reading
July 15, 2025I really want to like this book, but I feel strongly that I know where the story is going and I haven't enjoyed the journey as much as I'd like so far. I may try and pick this back up.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews