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Tintagel #1
The Blood of Kings
The fate of Roman Britain is sealed when Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii tribe in Tintagel, meets Flavius Magnus Maximus, one of the most influential Roman officers in Britannia. Their unlikely friendship leads to an ambitious plan to unite the tribal leaders and, once crowned the first High King of the Britons, Maximus casts his eyes on the throne of the Western Roman Empire.
Leading a force of brave warriors to Gaul, Maximus is victorious in battle. But it is not long after his return to Britain that hubris gnaws at him once again. Despite Caradoc's pleas to exercise caution, Maximus is determined to march on Rome itself. But who will pay the price for his bloodthirsty quest for power?
Leading a force of brave warriors to Gaul, Maximus is victorious in battle. But it is not long after his return to Britain that hubris gnaws at him once again. Despite Caradoc's pleas to exercise caution, Maximus is determined to march on Rome itself. But who will pay the price for his bloodthirsty quest for power?
544 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2016
14 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Hume
24 books159 followersMarilyn K. Hume is an Australian author, born in 1948, and based in Brisbane, Australia.
Hume graduated as a teacher in 1967, specializing in Art and Ancient History before commencing teaching high school students. While teaching, she studied university courses as an external student in English and Ancient History. Along the way, Hume obtained a BA, an MA, a Master of Literary Studies degree and a Phd in Arthurian Literature.
In 1996, Hume was encouraged to enter an historical romance writing competition conducted by the Random House Publishing Group under the sponsorship of a popular women’s magazine. Hume had no interest in romance writing, but she dashed off a novel based on her family history. The novel won second prize from a massive field of recognised authors - and she won $5,000 for her efforts.
In 2007, Hume retired from the Queensland Education Department, and immediately commenced to write a trilogy based on the life and times of King Arthur of Britain.
Hume’s agent, the Dorie Simmonds Agency in London, brokered a contract with Headline Review to publish the three books in the trilogy. This agreement soon became six books, for Hume soon produced a further trilogy on the life and times of Merlin, which is now a prequel to the Arthurian trilogy.
Her works are now published at six-monthly intervals, and the author maintains a punishing schedule involving eight hours of research and/or writing every day. She doesn’t believe that there is any such thing as ‘writer’s block’, and loves the whole creative process.
Hume intends to write at least 30 novels before ‘she drops off the perch’. She reads voraciously and adores meeting friends, attending rummage sales, making porcelain dolls and painting portraits.
Hume graduated as a teacher in 1967, specializing in Art and Ancient History before commencing teaching high school students. While teaching, she studied university courses as an external student in English and Ancient History. Along the way, Hume obtained a BA, an MA, a Master of Literary Studies degree and a Phd in Arthurian Literature.
In 1996, Hume was encouraged to enter an historical romance writing competition conducted by the Random House Publishing Group under the sponsorship of a popular women’s magazine. Hume had no interest in romance writing, but she dashed off a novel based on her family history. The novel won second prize from a massive field of recognised authors - and she won $5,000 for her efforts.
In 2007, Hume retired from the Queensland Education Department, and immediately commenced to write a trilogy based on the life and times of King Arthur of Britain.
Hume’s agent, the Dorie Simmonds Agency in London, brokered a contract with Headline Review to publish the three books in the trilogy. This agreement soon became six books, for Hume soon produced a further trilogy on the life and times of Merlin, which is now a prequel to the Arthurian trilogy.
Her works are now published at six-monthly intervals, and the author maintains a punishing schedule involving eight hours of research and/or writing every day. She doesn’t believe that there is any such thing as ‘writer’s block’, and loves the whole creative process.
Hume intends to write at least 30 novels before ‘she drops off the perch’. She reads voraciously and adores meeting friends, attending rummage sales, making porcelain dolls and painting portraits.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 9, 2018
Roman Briton - 4th century AD - two very different men with one goal - unification.
This is a re-telling of "The Dream of Mascin Wledig" - the tale of Roman General Flavius Maximus and Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii. Maximus would be the first High King of Briton and Emperor of Rome, whilst Caradoc would be his regent in Briton.
The story is well researched; the characters are introduced and brought to life; the scene is well set; and Dark Age Briton is brought into the light.
Definitely well worth the read, especially for those with an interest in this period of history.
This is a re-telling of "The Dream of Mascin Wledig" - the tale of Roman General Flavius Maximus and Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii. Maximus would be the first High King of Briton and Emperor of Rome, whilst Caradoc would be his regent in Briton.
The story is well researched; the characters are introduced and brought to life; the scene is well set; and Dark Age Briton is brought into the light.
Definitely well worth the read, especially for those with an interest in this period of history.
December 29, 2018
This wonderful book is the 1st volume of the Tintagel series from the excellent author M.K. Hume.
Storytelling is once again really excellent, for the author uses her knowledge and learning about this period of history to the best of her ability and in her own kind of way, to make this book a very gripping read.
It is absolutely a great book containing real and fictional lifelike characters, who all come vividly to life within this splendid tale about Roman Britain and the Celts, in the final days of the Western Roman Empire.
What the author certainly has managed to do, is giving us an insight into the lives and habits of the Celts in Roman Britain in her own fascinating and thrilling fashion.
The book itself is set before the time of Myrddion Merlinus and King Arthur, between approx. c. AD 360-388, with finally at it's head Flavius Magnus Maximus as the High King of the Britons, after having sealed an alliance with Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii.
This same Maximus, as High King of the Britons, has set his eyes on the throne of the now ever crumbling Western Roman Empire, when finally he's leading a force into Gaul and there he's victorious in battle against Emperor Gratian and after lenghty negotiations he will be recognized as Augustus in the West, but after his return to Britain his hubris gnaws at him again and Maximus is determined to march again, this time on Rome itself, where he will try to seize the throne of the Western Roman Empire from Emperor Valentinian II.
Highly recommended, for what will follow is a gripping story with bloody battles and with great interaction, brought to us in a most exciting fashion, and it's a story that is certainly worthy to be called as "A Very Fine Kingly Tale"!
Storytelling is once again really excellent, for the author uses her knowledge and learning about this period of history to the best of her ability and in her own kind of way, to make this book a very gripping read.
It is absolutely a great book containing real and fictional lifelike characters, who all come vividly to life within this splendid tale about Roman Britain and the Celts, in the final days of the Western Roman Empire.
What the author certainly has managed to do, is giving us an insight into the lives and habits of the Celts in Roman Britain in her own fascinating and thrilling fashion.
The book itself is set before the time of Myrddion Merlinus and King Arthur, between approx. c. AD 360-388, with finally at it's head Flavius Magnus Maximus as the High King of the Britons, after having sealed an alliance with Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii.
This same Maximus, as High King of the Britons, has set his eyes on the throne of the now ever crumbling Western Roman Empire, when finally he's leading a force into Gaul and there he's victorious in battle against Emperor Gratian and after lenghty negotiations he will be recognized as Augustus in the West, but after his return to Britain his hubris gnaws at him again and Maximus is determined to march again, this time on Rome itself, where he will try to seize the throne of the Western Roman Empire from Emperor Valentinian II.
Highly recommended, for what will follow is a gripping story with bloody battles and with great interaction, brought to us in a most exciting fashion, and it's a story that is certainly worthy to be called as "A Very Fine Kingly Tale"!
July 10, 2018
As a fan of MK Hume with her King Arthur trilogy, (Dragon’s Child, Warrior of the west and the Bloody Cup), and having also read Prophecy: Clash of Kings (about Merlin), I was keen to read more by this sensational author, who captivates a contemporary audience. ‘Blood of Kings’ reminded me of C. Cameron’s novel ‘Tyrant’ and Bernard Cornwell and S. Scarrow’s books about the Roman Empire. Full of drama, power plays, loyalty and lust this book certainly keeps you in suspense throughout.
It’s about Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii tribe in Tintagel and his friendship with Magnus Maximus, a Roman officer from Britannia. In his quest for power he is determined to march on Rome and seize control. It is a powerful, epic story of alliances, rivalry, ambition and greed that encapsulates the era spectacularly. I also loved meeting Caradoc’s bastard child Endellion, with her special, supernatural gifts inherited from her mother which adds a touch of the mystical about the novel.
The bloody and violent world is brought vividly to life with gloriously detailed descriptions. As someone who doesn’t read historical fiction that often, I was surprised by how much I loved this book and now am keen to read more by MK Hume. I am looking forward to reading her Celtic trilogy, and the next novel ‘the poisoned throne’.
It’s about Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii tribe in Tintagel and his friendship with Magnus Maximus, a Roman officer from Britannia. In his quest for power he is determined to march on Rome and seize control. It is a powerful, epic story of alliances, rivalry, ambition and greed that encapsulates the era spectacularly. I also loved meeting Caradoc’s bastard child Endellion, with her special, supernatural gifts inherited from her mother which adds a touch of the mystical about the novel.
The bloody and violent world is brought vividly to life with gloriously detailed descriptions. As someone who doesn’t read historical fiction that often, I was surprised by how much I loved this book and now am keen to read more by MK Hume. I am looking forward to reading her Celtic trilogy, and the next novel ‘the poisoned throne’.
November 19, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this read
Very interesting and enjoyable read about British history and our tribes involvement with the Romans .A legendary king with great leadership qualities and a remarkable foresight and a Roman who believed he should be an emperor.
Very interesting and enjoyable read about British history and our tribes involvement with the Romans .A legendary king with great leadership qualities and a remarkable foresight and a Roman who believed he should be an emperor.
June 12, 2023
The old adage of what makes an intriguing story is to show, not tell. Too much of this story was told rather than shown which is fine with a biography but it doesn't translate well with a fiction novel.
I was disappointed with this one.
I was disappointed with this one.
October 7, 2015
The fate of Roman Britain appears to be controlled by the meeting of two very different men. When Flavius Magnus Maximus, a man of enormous charisma and courage, meets Caradoc Strong Arm, the King of the Dumnonii Tribe, the conflict that exists between them is palpable and even though ambitious plans drawn up between them attempt to unite the tribes, what it does is reiterate the very differences which, ultimately, make them enemies.
Inevitably ,with the beginning of any series of books, there is always an element of scene setting and the introduction of central characters who will go on to play a major role in the development of the story. I found that to be the case in this story, buy am pleased that the author had included a dramatis personae at the start of the story which I found very useful as I had no idea who some of the people were, or of their place in the history of the time. There’s also a glossary of place names at the end of the book which, again, I thought helped enormously in placing the settlements geographically.
I’m not overly familiar with early Roman history and found myself floundering a little with the beginning of this story and I had to keep back tracking in order to make sense, in my mind, of where the story was taking me. I found the narrative quite technical and, if I’m honest, a little bit long winded, but there is no doubting the author’s research or her commitment to telling a good story. It’s evident from the writing that the author is knowledgeable about this period in history and uses this knowledge to good effect.
I’m not sure that I will commit to reading any more of the series but am glad to have read this book and to, maybe, understand a little more about the fate of Flavius Magnus Maximus, who I had never heard of before reading this book.
Inevitably ,with the beginning of any series of books, there is always an element of scene setting and the introduction of central characters who will go on to play a major role in the development of the story. I found that to be the case in this story, buy am pleased that the author had included a dramatis personae at the start of the story which I found very useful as I had no idea who some of the people were, or of their place in the history of the time. There’s also a glossary of place names at the end of the book which, again, I thought helped enormously in placing the settlements geographically.
I’m not overly familiar with early Roman history and found myself floundering a little with the beginning of this story and I had to keep back tracking in order to make sense, in my mind, of where the story was taking me. I found the narrative quite technical and, if I’m honest, a little bit long winded, but there is no doubting the author’s research or her commitment to telling a good story. It’s evident from the writing that the author is knowledgeable about this period in history and uses this knowledge to good effect.
I’m not sure that I will commit to reading any more of the series but am glad to have read this book and to, maybe, understand a little more about the fate of Flavius Magnus Maximus, who I had never heard of before reading this book.
June 27, 2016
I did enjoy this book, the first volume of the Tintagel series and I found it well written and well paced to hold my attention. It may just be me, but I do find some modern terms, when used in a historical context or story, a bit off-putting and I did find a couple of examples here. Don't ask me to quote them but it just interrupted my 'flow' as I read.
June 28, 2021
Didn't enjoy it a much as the Merlin books. I found it dragged on way too long and could have been edited better to have a tighter storyline
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews