Lords of Iron

by M.J. Porter

💥 Pre-order the thrilling, grand finale in MJ Porter's Dark Age Chronicles series⚔️ Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell and Matthew Harffy 🗡️ During Britannia’s tribal age, vengeance is brutal, bloody and will come for even those who think themselves invincible.

Britain AD541

Family feuds must be settled, whatever the cost. Both Seeress Meddi of the Eorlingas and Wærmund of the Gyrwe have old scores to settle. Meddi for her tribe to survive and thrive, and Waermund to cast himself from his father’s shadow once and for all.

But unbeknownst, Meddi and Wærmund share a common enemy who threatens them both – the elusive Elen and her ally is someone Wærmund has travelled the breadth of Britannia to outrun.

United in their hatred of Elen, Meddi and Waermund must defeat powerful enemies with the sharpest blades and the magik of iron to overawe them and gain much-needed vengeance for past wrongs inflicted against them.

In the stunning conclusion to the Dark Age Chronicles Meddi and Wærmund will finally collide in a world of iron and rust. Will they triumph or will their legacy be nothing but ash?

A thrilling historical adventure perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell and Matthew Harffy

Praise for M J

'Immediate and personal. MJ Porter recounts a sensitive, reluctant hero's coming-of-age within a Dark Age realm riven by chaos and conflict' - Matthew Harffy

'No lover of Dark Age warfare is going to be disappointed. Son of Mercia is personal, real, fascinating and satisfying.' - S.J.A. Turney

'If you love history, fiction, adventure and great stories, grab a copy of Son of Mercia. You won’t regret it!" - Eric Schumacher

‘Refreshing… I was reluctant to put the book down’ - Historical Novel Society

' A story of hidden agendas, excellent read. Great read, fast paced with the usual betrayal. Lots of characters that have their own agendas. Overall it's a page turner, exciting.' - Reader Review

'So real I felt I was there!... A page-turner' - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'Wonderful to read and hard to put down' - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'I found the pages flying by... A great book' - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

Genres: Historical Fiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

I'm an author of historical fiction (Early English (before 1066)/Viking) and now five 20th-century mysteries..

The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles (featuring a young Icel from The Last King series) is now available from Boldwood Books. As is the complete Brunanburh Series and the first two books in the Dark Age Chronicles, my foray to before Saxon England was Saxon England. Enjoy.

The Ninth Century Series (The Last King), are stories of ninth-century England, but not as it's been written before, (featuring an older Icel and some other familiar faces too).

The Erdington Mysteries now has a third book in the series—The Secret Sauce. (Did you know Erdington would have been in Mercia back in the Saxon period? I know, you can't get me away from the place.) The Barrage Body is coming soon.

The Royal Women Who Made England, my first non-fiction book about the royal women of the tenth century, is available now.

I like to write. You've been warned.

Find me at
www.mjporterauthor.com or at www.mjporterauthor.blog where I blog about books and films and sometimes, writing!
https://linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor
https://mjporterauthor.sumupstore.com

You can join my monthly subscriber newsletters and gain access to the restricted page on my blog at the same time.
https://BookHip.com/MGWHLDC (Saxon stories)
https://BookHip.com/THPKCKP (mysteries only)


(I have odd reading tastes - there's no need to notice though!!) I'm also exceedingly anti-social - that you may notice but must accept!

Reviews

[Terry Rudge · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, MJ Porter absolutely nails the pacing when closing out a series. Lords of Iron delivers a fantastic, high stakes climax that feels earned, brutal, and hugely satisfying. The final confrontations hit hard, and the momentum never lets up.

Waermund’s journey is the real standout here. When you think back to where he began and compare it to the man he becomes by the end, the character arc is genuinely phenomenal. It’s gritty, believable, and emotionally rewarding in a way that only a well planned series can manage.

Meddi’s role isn’t quite as central as it was earlier in the saga, but she still works well as a foil to the wider plot and political tension. Her presence adds balance and depth, even when she’s not driving the story outright.

All told, this is a superb conclusion to a consistently strong series. MJ Porter does it again by delivering action, character growth, and a proper ending that respects the journey.

Highly recommended for fans of gritty historical fiction and Viking era drama.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fine conclusion wraps up this trilogy. I have enjoyed my time with all these characters, good and bad. We do lose some good people, but there’s also satisfying deaths of some undesirables.
There isn’t a lot of information about this time period. Of course the forging of iron is so important especially in weapon making. It makes a big difference between loss and success. We learn how people take care of their dead during a time of much disease and short lives.
“I’ve already places her fine cloak within the hollow, alongside other items she’ll need in the afterlife, not just grains and wine, but three small pouches containing her favorite herbal remedies for easing birth pangs, relieving bruising and for making the transition between life and death easier for those old beyond their time.”
Porter does such a good job of creating a story with what’s at hand and weaving a wonderful tale of hardship, loyalty, and hope.
Just when it seems that the story reaches its climax, a twist occurs. I was thinking how could things keep going? But not every goal is accomplished that readily. The journey for justice of Meddi and Wærmund has its ups and downs. The “how’s it going to happen” question keeps you reading.
Horses are important to some of the people. But they are expensive to take care of and you need to know how to care for them.
“Horses are the source of our strength and wealth, alongside the new blades….”
It’s adorable to see young Maccus choose a horse and want to bond with it.
I also love the addition of a dog companion for Wærmund.Freki is a loyal wolfhound and adds a softer side to this warrior who needs to prove himself.
Porter is very talented in depicting battle scenes. You’re on the edge of your seat watching the fighting around you. You’re never sure who will get out alive or with grievous injuries. Let’s say that I’m satisfied with how the story ends.
Porter does a great job of creating a story with little detail about this time period. She weaves a wonderful tale of hardship, loyalty, and hope.

[Brannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lords of Iron brings M.J. Porter’s trilogy to a satisfying and surprisingly emotional close. Once again we follow the story through alternating first-person chapters, slipping between the perspectives of the two protagonists whose separate paths have defined the series. Here, at last, their storylines merge—and the way Porter handles that long-awaited convergence is one of the book’s greatest strengths. What begins as an uneasy alliance grows into something deeper: not quite friendship, but a bond forged through shared loss, shared danger, and hard-won mutual respect.

The dynamic between the two leads is exceptional; seeing their voices finally collide and complement each other adds real weight to the finale. Porter resists the temptation of a clean, abrupt ending. Instead, the narrative takes one final journey—earned, purposeful, and thematically resonant. Despite my usual reluctance toward first-person POV, the writing once again pulled me in so completely that I happily lost sleep to keep reading. That alone speaks volumes about Porter’s skill. The historical texture remains vivid: early medieval England feels gritty, lived-in, and dangerous, with battles and politics woven into the emotional arcs rather than sitting on top of them.

The descriptive wound detail and minor adult situation may push it slightly out of younger-teen territory—but for older readers, it fits the tone of the era and the stakes. Readers who prefer strictly tidy endings may find Porter’s choice unconventional, though I found it refreshingly honest for the characters’ journeys.

Fans of the early Middle Ages, shield-wall battles, character-driven quests for justice, and dual-POV storytelling will find plenty to love here. Now that the trilogy is complete, it’s an excellent entry point for new readers—and for my part, I’m excited to dive into more of Porter’s work.

In short: a well-written and gripping finale that earns five stars. Fans of early English history and intimate, character-led storytelling may find even more here to enjoy.

I was given a free ebook from the publisher and NetGalley.com for an honest review

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lords Of Iron by MJ Porter is the final book in“the dark age chronicles” trilogy. When the book started Meddi, a seer from the Eorlingas tribe just wanted revenge and redemption for the death of her father and in another part of the book we met Wearman who wanted to make a name for hisself in spite of his father King Weahtled opinion of him. Both these stories started with death and went through many incarnations to get to the final chapter of what turned out to be a great trilogy. it was inevitable that Maddox and Meddi‘s tribe and Wearmund’s comitatus were faded to come together and as they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend and they have one enemy in common. because in book one we learn Ellen Meddi‘s sister who married the man that killed their father and Meddi‘s baby girl after alluding capture in book one she tries to find allies to help take back the tribe Meddi rightfully took from her and this is how she runs in to Warman‘s comitatus and eventually becomes an enemy of theirs as well. When we say the enemy of my enemy is my friend that works for good guys or bad guys because in book 2 and three it worked for Ellen. this more or less mainly less gets us to book 3 where everyone is chomping at the bit to get to the one they feel wrong by Meddi and Wearmun form a friendship and it is one that will be tested by the end of the book. I know I have not told hardly anything about book 3 because that is it is mainly battles discussing the battles treachery backstabbing and most of the good stuff would give spoilers away. Just know this is a solid ending to an even more solid trilogy I can honestly say this is one of the best trilogies I’ve ever read. I love warrior combat with great storylines and MJ Porter definitely delivered. If you made it to this part of my review then wow thanks that’s awesome and just know I absolutely definitely 100% recommend this book. Do start with book one however because you will absolutely be lost although she does describe what happened up until now it’s always better to know the whole story. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another gripping and atmospheric instalment in the Dark Age Chronicles. MJ Porter continues to build a world that feels harsh, tense, and full of quiet danger. Having read the whole series, I can say that this book becomes even more rewarding when you know the earlier events and understand the long history between the characters. I strongly recommend reading the previous books first, as they give essential context and make the emotional weight of the story much stronger.
The early medieval setting is vivid without ever slowing the pace. Small details, shifting loyalties, and the constant threat of conflict create a world where every choice matters. Even peaceful scenes carry a sense of unease, as if trouble is always waiting just out of sight. This atmosphere is one of the series’ greatest strengths, and it is used here with real skill.
The mystery at the heart of the book unfolds with careful control. What begins as a simple problem slowly reveals a deeper and more dangerous plot. Porter uses subtle clues and political manoeuvring to keep the reader guessing. Characters must decide who to trust, who to fear, and when to act, often with incomplete information. This uncertainty gives the story a steady pressure that keeps you fully engaged.
The characters remain a highlight. Warriors, leaders, and ordinary people are all written with depth and vulnerability. Many carry doubts they cannot show, and their private fears make them feel human even when they act with confidence. Their histories from earlier books add layers to their actions here, which is why reading the series in order is so satisfying.
Lords of Iron is a tense, thoughtful, and immersive read that continues to expand a world full of shifting loyalties and quiet danger. I enjoyed every chapter and appreciated how the story grows naturally from everything that came before.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

AD541 The Dark Ages. After the Romans left Britain many skills were largely forgotten, including how to work iron needed to produce good fighting blades.

Rumours have reached Villa Eorlingas that Elen has gained the support of a comitatus in her crusade of vengeance against Madog and Meddi, leading Madog to realise they need a comitatus of their own. His search leads him to Wærmund and his allies who agree to fight for Madog and his people. The meeting of Meddi and Wærmund has been long awaited in this trilogy, and it doesn’t go according to plan! Once this is resolved, Wærmund and his allies realise that the comitatus supporting Elen is likely to be the one led by Wærmund’s father, a man that Wærmund is determined to kill. So, the battleground is selected and the invitation to battle sent – who will emerge victorious?

Told from two points of view, that of Meddi and Wærmund, this story is full of battles, revenge, treasure, mistakes, deaths and the forging of friendships and bonds. A fascinating tale set in an interesting period as people start to realise that they need to work together rather than always fighting each other.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book and a most fitting conclusion to Meddi and Wærmund‘s story, Meddi is still focused on getting her revenge on her sister Elen for her treachery. But she is also focused on making sure that the tribe can survive. To that end Madog and Meddi make an arrangement with Waermunds comitatus to provide protection for their tribe. In return the Eorlingas will help Waermund finally defeat his father. Waermund and Meddi agree that Elen is somehow connected to Waermunds father, so they can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Lords of Iron is fast paced and engaging. MJ Porter has written a great story of two communities with common interests finding a way to work together for their common good. It’s not at all Polyanna-ish but rather heartwarming; endless war becomes tiresome. Lords of Iron does not. The character's have grown and developed over the course of the series and it is a pleasure to accompany them on their journey. A really terrific read!

[Vil · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I want to say thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I think this is a fair book. The plot is there, the mood is there, and the setting—one of my favorites, the Dark Ages—works well. I also liked the characters, though Warmund made me roll my eyes quite often. The outcomes of some fight scenes were questionable. The protagonist’s arc felt lacking, in my opinion, but the atmosphere was strong.
Most points were taken away for the language and repetition. Not only do the internal monologues mirror each other across both POVs, but the vocabulary does as well.
I think this could be a good, quick read with a better editor, tighter internal monologues, and more deliberate pacing of events.

[Rachel Elwiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an advance reader. Thank you to the author for the copy.
A full review is on my blog: https://www.rachelelwissjoyce.com/rac... but here's a brief summary:

Set in AD 541, Lords of Iron plunges the reader into a brutal and turbulent Dark Age Britain, where vengeance, tribal loyalties, and ancient grudges drive the story forward.

Told in first-person present from two compelling perspectives - Meddi, a Brythonic seeress, and Wærmund, an Anglian warrior - this novel is rich in atmosphere, conflict, and historical detail. Once immersed, I found it gripping, vivid, and deeply satisfying.

A dark, little-known past brought powerfully to life, ending on a bittersweet note that lingers long after the final page.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

What,a whirlwind! So much happens in book three, Lords of Iron. We have the same amazing characters from the Iron Age, along with some new. There is action, drama and a meeting that finally occurs. A lot goes on in this book and in order to know what is happening you must read books one & two in this series. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

This is my honest review after reading an ARC from Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

[Christine Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third and final episode of the Dark Age Chronicles. This wraps up the stories of Meddi and the Eorlingas and Waermunds comitatus. A fantastic read which really captures the spirit of the time and it feels as though you are there witnessing the action as it takes place. Well rounded characters you can really get behind. A tidy end to the trilogy. With thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.