What do you think?
Rate this book
Terrible True Tales: Saxons
Not yet published
Expected 12 Feb 26From the author of the blockbuster Horrible Histories series, also a TV show and movie, who has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
Horrible Histories author Terry Deary presents a hilarious collection of Saxon tales based on exciting true stories – four books in one! Perfect for history fans (and those who don't know they're history fans yet) aged 7+.
The Witch Who Faced the Fire: Follow young Ardith Hutton on her journey as a cunning man's apprentice, learning magical cures for diseases and pains. But are they really magical? Does Ardith have the ability to cure the villagers when they seek out her assistance? They might just accuse her of witchcraft...
The Lord Who Lost His With royalty, bandits, blacksmiths and gold coins, this tale is packed with humour and trickery. Local village girl Marian needs to play it safe and smart; her family and the village are counting on her.
The King Who Threw Away His King Vortigern was a fool with more brains in his beard than his skull. What will he do when the Saxon hordes plan to invade Britain? Join Mervyn on his great attempts to aid the king in defeating the Saxons.
The Shepherd Who Ate His It's the dead of winter, and all Upton Medway has to eat is pea and ham soup... without the ham. Steal a sheep and hope nobody notices, of course! But when the owner comes looking for the thief, who will take the blame?
Terry Deary's Terrible True Saxons explores the world of the Saxons and features real people from the thrilling time period. Packed with fun illustrations from Tambe, the four stories take place in some of the most recognisable Saxon settings.
Horrible Histories author Terry Deary presents a hilarious collection of Saxon tales based on exciting true stories – four books in one! Perfect for history fans (and those who don't know they're history fans yet) aged 7+.
The Witch Who Faced the Fire: Follow young Ardith Hutton on her journey as a cunning man's apprentice, learning magical cures for diseases and pains. But are they really magical? Does Ardith have the ability to cure the villagers when they seek out her assistance? They might just accuse her of witchcraft...
The Lord Who Lost His With royalty, bandits, blacksmiths and gold coins, this tale is packed with humour and trickery. Local village girl Marian needs to play it safe and smart; her family and the village are counting on her.
The King Who Threw Away His King Vortigern was a fool with more brains in his beard than his skull. What will he do when the Saxon hordes plan to invade Britain? Join Mervyn on his great attempts to aid the king in defeating the Saxons.
The Shepherd Who Ate His It's the dead of winter, and all Upton Medway has to eat is pea and ham soup... without the ham. Steal a sheep and hope nobody notices, of course! But when the owner comes looking for the thief, who will take the blame?
Terry Deary's Terrible True Saxons explores the world of the Saxons and features real people from the thrilling time period. Packed with fun illustrations from Tambe, the four stories take place in some of the most recognisable Saxon settings.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 12, 2026
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Terry Deary
828 books835 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review to follow.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Continuing in this wonderful Terrible True Tales series is this collection of tales from the Anglo-Saxon period. The four short stories are set throughout Early Medieval England in Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent and the Kingdom of Mercia, which is modern-day Midlands.
The historical figures include King Offa of Mercia, King Athelstan of England and Vortigern, who was the leader of the Britons who asked two Saxon warriors to come to help fights the Picts. But it is the children who are the main focus of the book. Even though they are fictitious characters, they highlight what life was like for children during the Anglo-Saxon times. Touching on medicine and magic, bandits, jobs for children and when capital punishment ended for children (for a few hundred years at least). They faced many hardships, which is a good way to develop compare and contract skills and analysis of life for children today.
At the end of each story there is an 'Afterword' that briefly puts the tale into historical context, followed by some activities children can try themselves, or can be used in the classroom.
The writing is accessible, in a chatty style that is easy for children to follow or read themselves. Beautifully illustrated by Tambe. Engaging, thought provoking and a brilliant way to discover history whatever your age.
The historical figures include King Offa of Mercia, King Athelstan of England and Vortigern, who was the leader of the Britons who asked two Saxon warriors to come to help fights the Picts. But it is the children who are the main focus of the book. Even though they are fictitious characters, they highlight what life was like for children during the Anglo-Saxon times. Touching on medicine and magic, bandits, jobs for children and when capital punishment ended for children (for a few hundred years at least). They faced many hardships, which is a good way to develop compare and contract skills and analysis of life for children today.
At the end of each story there is an 'Afterword' that briefly puts the tale into historical context, followed by some activities children can try themselves, or can be used in the classroom.
The writing is accessible, in a chatty style that is easy for children to follow or read themselves. Beautifully illustrated by Tambe. Engaging, thought provoking and a brilliant way to discover history whatever your age.
January 7, 2026
I think for younger audiences, the Saxons can feel so far removed from our own modern experiences, that books like these can really help littler readers see into the lives of a Saxon times - and through wonderful little stories based off history, you learn whilst enjoying the storytelling.
I always learn something from these books (even though I’m not exactly the intended audience. I have a few more years tagged on..!) I love history and still find delight in these. There’s a follow up chapter to each story explaining the real history and accompanying them are interactive activities and tasks to do which are perfect for giving kids something to do!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I always learn something from these books (even though I’m not exactly the intended audience. I have a few more years tagged on..!) I love history and still find delight in these. There’s a follow up chapter to each story explaining the real history and accompanying them are interactive activities and tasks to do which are perfect for giving kids something to do!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
February 6, 2026
This is a kids book that is a collection of four stories that are fiction tales about children at the time of the Saxons just trying to get kids interested in their lives to be able to mentally place themselves there. It was of course, for an adult, a very quick read.
Unfortunately I did have some questions about the accuracy in the book. They mentioned the life expectancy of folks being around 30 and that's because of child deaths and has been debunked quite thoroughly in terms of suggesting that people died by 30. So I was quite surprised this was in the book as Terry Deary is normally on point with his accuracy and that was not, but other than that it's fun.
I would give it to a kid. If I'd had a physical physical copy it would be getting unhauled to a school. It was enjoyable enough.
Unfortunately I did have some questions about the accuracy in the book. They mentioned the life expectancy of folks being around 30 and that's because of child deaths and has been debunked quite thoroughly in terms of suggesting that people died by 30. So I was quite surprised this was in the book as Terry Deary is normally on point with his accuracy and that was not, but other than that it's fun.
I would give it to a kid. If I'd had a physical physical copy it would be getting unhauled to a school. It was enjoyable enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've loved Terry Deary books since I was a child and his Horrible Histories series helped develop my own love for anything historical; but I wasn't sure if I'd feel the same way reading his books as an adult.
I needn't have worried because I enjoyed this book as much I did reading the ones from my childhood; The author's writing style is very accessible and engaging as I remember and is brilliant at bringing a story to life.
I appreciate the "afterword" of each story too, helping to give the factual background and the "You Try" section is a clever way of helping younger readers engage with the story and could be valuable learning aids for teachers/tutors
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
I needn't have worried because I enjoyed this book as much I did reading the ones from my childhood; The author's writing style is very accessible and engaging as I remember and is brilliant at bringing a story to life.
I appreciate the "afterword" of each story too, helping to give the factual background and the "You Try" section is a clever way of helping younger readers engage with the story and could be valuable learning aids for teachers/tutors
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews