758: Read the BRAND NEW for 2026 gripping historical adventure of kingship, betrayal and war from MJ Porter

The House of Mercia #2

by M.J. Porter

The next in the BRAND NEW thrilling, action-packed House of Mercia series from BESTSELLER MJ Porter. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Matthew Harffy

This is Mercia.
The year is 758.

In the space of just a few months, two kings have fallen.

Now the royal helm stands unclaimed, and ambitious men across the kingdom believe it should be theirs.

King Æthelbald is dead. So too is the man chosen to succeed him. Though Offa has been proclaimed king by his warriors, his grip on the throne is far from secure. Mercia's enemies circle on every border, eager to profit from her weakness, while rivals within the kingdom plot to tear her apart.

But Offa is no boy-king. Unknown to him, he has been prepared throughout his life for this very moment.

As challengers rise and fall, the struggle for power grows ever darker. Treachery lurks in every hall, and Offa's enemies know that the surest way to break a king is to strike at what he loves most.

To save his kingdom, Offa must master not only his foes but himself. Will he place duty above desire and forge a united Mercia? Or will civil war once again consume the land of his birth?

The fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance.

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

Audible Audio

Expected publication November 4, 2026

About the author

I'm an author of historical fiction (Early English/Saxon, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest, as well as five 20th-century historical mysteries) and historical romantasy.

I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it's little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!

I like to write. You've been warned!

Not sure where to start your journey through Saxon/Early England? The Dark Ages trilogy will take readers back to the very beginnings of Saxon England before the creation of Mercia and the other kingdoms. The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles featuring our reluctant hero, Icel, will introduce you to the best Saxon kingdom of all, Mercia! Storm of Mercia is the latest release.

Looking for my historical fantasy/romantasy? Dragonbound, the first book in the Ice and Fire series, will be available from September 2026.

Looking for my 20th-century mysteries? The Erdington Mysteries and Cragside, a standalone 1930s murder mystery, are the titles for you.

My first non-fiction book, The Royal Women Who Made England, is now published by Pen and Sword in hardback and ebook.

Happy reading:)

Find me at
www.mjporterauthor.com or at www.mjporterauthor.blog where I blog about books and films and sometimes, writing! I also have an online store for signed paperbacks and a few others goodies at mjporterauthor.co.uk.
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]

Here we are again, with another round of kings being betrayed, loyalties being shaken, and everyone wanting the throne. Despite the fact that, as soon as you get the bloody thing, someone inevitably wants to kill you. Honestly, the benefits package for being an Anglo Saxon king looks absolutely dreadful.

Offa has found himself king of Mercia following the deaths of King Æthelbald and his intended successor. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, everyone now wants a piece of him. Because apparently, letting the new king settle in and have a nice cup of tea is simply not an option.

MJ throws absolutely everything at us in this one, and this is where she really thrives. Her battle scenes are visceral, brutal and brilliantly written. You feel like you're right there in the shield wall, experiencing the chaos and carnage alongside the men fighting for their lives. And 758 is no different.

Offa is a king prepared to fight for his people, his friends and his loved ones. Which means he spends considerably more time in shield walls than this humble reader spends in coffee shops. Although, given the choice, I know which I'd prefer.

And then we have the understated star of the show: Buxwolf. Quite possibly the best hound a man could ever ask for. Those moments between him and Offa are some of my absolute favourites. Amidst all the bloodshed, political scheming and people trying to murder each other, it's these little moments that really hit home.

Anyhow, another brilliant read in a series that just keeps delivering. If you're a fan of historical fiction packed with action, political intrigue and characters worth rooting for, MJ Porter is well worth your time.

[Simon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Boldwood Banger in the books. What a fascinating development from the previous novel. MJ had said that Offa is perhaps her most morally grey character to date, and that starts to come through more in this novel.
I loved it! Very me, full of political manoeuvres and packed to the gills with battles and bloodshed. I think we’re in for a treat with the next instalment as Offa the reluctant King has even more to fight for and to lose than ever before!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger of a story! Offa is a reluctant young king now, and there is no respite from his woes.
He must defend his rule left and right. Many others wish to dethrone him and see themselves as the king of Mercia.
As usual Porter writes terrific battle scenes. You think you are right there to witness it. The Welsh and other neighboring English lands give him a run for his money. He must prove his worth. Will the people accept him? I suppose it depends on the outcome of his battles and decisions then as king.
Secondary characters are also recognized and regarded as important to Offa’s legitimacy. Specifically Kene, Cnebba, and Byrne are crucial warriors in his comitatus, who help support Offa in all his battles.
Not to be forgotten are the loyal four-legged companions, Shadow and Buxwolf. They provide succor and comfort for Offa when he’s stressed.
Offa is to be married and he’s at first not a very willing participant, but this changes on his wedding night. Cynethryth although young appears to have the makings of a very fine royal wife. Finally Porter has a leader and ruler who has a strong and willing woman by his side!
Offa needs to learn how to be a ruler and king. Some of his choices make him look weak and allows enemies to plot against him. Will he continue to let them live and give them a chance to pledge loyalty to him or will he cut them down to stop any plots? It is a bloody and brutal era to reign.
This could be a long series as Offa was a king for a long time. I’m looking forward to more knowledge about the Mercians, the people of the borders, the merce. I enjoyed this last tidbit.

[Julie Friar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is now 758 and following the deaths of two kings Offa has been declared King by his warriors but this must be ratified by the Witan. Mercia is still in turmoil and many also want the throne so Offa will have a very difficult start to his reign. Newly married he goes to fight but his wife is taken. He has to battle to resolve these situations.

Very well written historical novel based on the history of Mercia. Plenty of action in this well paced novel with very good characters. Can Offa bring peace and unity to Mercia?

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another engaging instalment in the House of Mercia series! MJ Porter brings early medieval England to life with a compelling mix of historical detail, political intrigue, and plenty of action.

Following the deaths of two kings, Offa finds himself proclaimed King of Mercia, but claiming the throne is one thing and holding on to it is another. With rivals challenging his right to rule, enemies threatening the kingdom's borders, and loyalties constantly being tested, Offa faces a difficult start to his reign. As he fights to protect Mercia and the people he cares about, we see him gradually grow into the leader he is destined to become.

One of my favourite aspects of this series is watching Offa's development. He doesn't simply step into power fully formed; instead, we see his determination and willingness to fight for his kingdom strengthen as the story unfolds. The political struggles and shifting loyalties keep the tension high, while the battle scenes are vivid and gripping, making it easy to feel immersed in the danger and chaos of the period.

I also appreciated how the story balances the larger struggles for power with the personal stakes for Offa. His relationships and the people closest to him give the conflict an emotional dimension, reminding us that the decisions of a king affect far more than the fate of a crown.

758 is a well-paced historical adventure that combines action, betrayal, and the challenges of leadership into an entertaining read. While this is the second book in the series, I would recommend starting with 757 to fully appreciate Offa's journey and the events that lead him to the throne.

I'm really enjoying seeing the rise of one of Mercia's greatest kings and the historical legacy that would help shape later rulers, including Alfred the Great. I'm looking forward to seeing where MJ Porter takes Offa next and hope the series continues to explore more of his reign!

Many thanks to MJ Porter, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline is intriguing, of course that could be because Offa was a cousin through my grandfather King Penda. The characters are lively, the drama and action is phenomenal, but I do question a couple of things causing my 4 star review. The first being that the word bloody as an adjective probably was not used till the Norman conquest era, and it is used oh so frequently in this series! I also had difficulty concentrating on reading because relationships changed from father/daughter or uncle/niece to siblings. I'm a logical thinker so it stutters my reading rhythm and takes away from enjoying the story. However, the twists and turns had me continuing on till the end, which I'm glad I did.

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