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The Goth Chronicles #1
Maroboodus
During the era of Augustus, there is a wild, untamed land far in the north, where no Roman sandal has yet trodden, and there Maroboodus, the son and adeling of a Goth lord Hulderic simmers with rage over the many injustices their family has to endure.
Maroboodus is not alone in his malcontent. Competition for survival and glory is a brutal, daily struggle. Life is harsh indeed for the tribes of the north and while god Woden's people, the troubled Goth nations have spread south and east from the islands of Gothonia, surging over the sea Rome calls Mare Gothonia to find new homes, the family of Maroboodus has taken dangerous lands in the east, pushing the old tribes of the Svea from the coasts. There, death by spear and hunger is part of daily life. The tribes of Maroboodus, led by the mighty Friednot and Hughnot of the Goths, live by the Long-Lake, enduring Saxon raids and Svea hostility. Only family ties and wise alliances can help them, because even the Thiuda of the noblest of the ancient Goth families, their old relative the Boat-Lord, resent and fear those who would build something on their own.
Alliances get strained when high lords die, and old grudges will risk everything when the tribes should remain strong and united. In such a time, the troubled Maroboodus finds his patience and endurance sorely tested by another injustice after a victorious battle, and seeks to change the fortunes of their family, even against the wishes of his father, Hulderic. He does so by allying with their nemesis, hoping to grasp a high-born woman as his own and to bring glory to his name and family.
Will the boldness of Maroboodus change the fate of the squabbling, threatened Goths, or plunge them, and Maroboodus, whose blood is plagued by an ancient curse of Lok, into the arms of their enemies?
In this historical fiction adventure story of ancient Germania, we embark on the road of the trials of Maroboodus the Goth, as he eventually becomes one of the mightiest Germani kings.
Maroboodus is not alone in his malcontent. Competition for survival and glory is a brutal, daily struggle. Life is harsh indeed for the tribes of the north and while god Woden's people, the troubled Goth nations have spread south and east from the islands of Gothonia, surging over the sea Rome calls Mare Gothonia to find new homes, the family of Maroboodus has taken dangerous lands in the east, pushing the old tribes of the Svea from the coasts. There, death by spear and hunger is part of daily life. The tribes of Maroboodus, led by the mighty Friednot and Hughnot of the Goths, live by the Long-Lake, enduring Saxon raids and Svea hostility. Only family ties and wise alliances can help them, because even the Thiuda of the noblest of the ancient Goth families, their old relative the Boat-Lord, resent and fear those who would build something on their own.
Alliances get strained when high lords die, and old grudges will risk everything when the tribes should remain strong and united. In such a time, the troubled Maroboodus finds his patience and endurance sorely tested by another injustice after a victorious battle, and seeks to change the fortunes of their family, even against the wishes of his father, Hulderic. He does so by allying with their nemesis, hoping to grasp a high-born woman as his own and to bring glory to his name and family.
Will the boldness of Maroboodus change the fate of the squabbling, threatened Goths, or plunge them, and Maroboodus, whose blood is plagued by an ancient curse of Lok, into the arms of their enemies?
In this historical fiction adventure story of ancient Germania, we embark on the road of the trials of Maroboodus the Goth, as he eventually becomes one of the mightiest Germani kings.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2016
52 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 15, 2021
A good find.
A story about Maroboodus, a king of the Macromanni.
Finding this book was like finding a treasure as most historical fiction books I come across with are about Romans or Vikings.
Exciting battles and a good read.
A story about Maroboodus, a king of the Macromanni.
Finding this book was like finding a treasure as most historical fiction books I come across with are about Romans or Vikings.
Exciting battles and a good read.
March 20, 2016
This book came to be by popular demand. Hraban's story has made quite a few people curious about his father, Maroboodus, and what happened to the great man to change him thus. So, we shall take a trip to 30 B.C. Gothonia, far in the north.
May 20, 2018
Awesome find.
This book was great. My favorite authors of Historical Fiction are Cornwell, Giles Kristian, Christian Cameron and Matthew Hraffy. This is my first read from Alaric Longward and he’s now in that elite list. Great job with the story, writing style, explanation of the lands and people. Loved and hated many of the main characters and loved the flaws and darkness that they all had. Can’t wait to see where their wyrd takes them next.
This book was great. My favorite authors of Historical Fiction are Cornwell, Giles Kristian, Christian Cameron and Matthew Hraffy. This is my first read from Alaric Longward and he’s now in that elite list. Great job with the story, writing style, explanation of the lands and people. Loved and hated many of the main characters and loved the flaws and darkness that they all had. Can’t wait to see where their wyrd takes them next.
May 31, 2016
Maroboodus, once a lord, killed Tiberius’ brother Drusus many years ago and now awaits his death for this insolence. However, Maroboodus isn’t greeted by the one who will eventually take his head, but by a writer instead. The writer has been sent to write the story of ol’ from Maroboodus’ words for his lord who wants the story written. Through reluctant to have his story be written only to find its way into a vault were it will rot, Maroboodus agrees. He begins to weave his extraordinary tale of who he once was, what he had learned, mistakes he had made, and the love he once had.
The reader is taken through Maroboodus’ life as a boy– a torturous, dangerous life. A life that leads to deceit, dishonor, murder, and theft. And why you may ask? All for the love of a woman. However, do not be fooled this was not just any love. This was his first love. A first, true, love is the only kind that burrows straight to a man’s heart; sears his soul, makes him do things, feel things, and dream things he may never have. It’s a powerful love that all others will, ultimately, be second to.
His love, his life, his torture– Saxa.
Is this a love story? Well, kind of. However, it’s a deadly, gruesome, and savage one. One that take place in a time when facing your enemy meant standing before him with a sword in hand and a shield in front of their chest. When men were rugged and animalistic. Battles and wars were brutal, savage, and bloody. People looked to their Gods for help and feared their power.
Alaric Longward has brought to life a story that will lead the read through a ruthless path of love, life, brutal death, and betrayal. A path where everyone is betraying everyone and no one can be trusted. Exceptionally written and well versed, this is a story you will not want to miss reading. Enjoy the excitement, suspense, adrenalin-pumping, mercilessness of one rouge Goth’s life.
The reader is taken through Maroboodus’ life as a boy– a torturous, dangerous life. A life that leads to deceit, dishonor, murder, and theft. And why you may ask? All for the love of a woman. However, do not be fooled this was not just any love. This was his first love. A first, true, love is the only kind that burrows straight to a man’s heart; sears his soul, makes him do things, feel things, and dream things he may never have. It’s a powerful love that all others will, ultimately, be second to.
His love, his life, his torture– Saxa.
Is this a love story? Well, kind of. However, it’s a deadly, gruesome, and savage one. One that take place in a time when facing your enemy meant standing before him with a sword in hand and a shield in front of their chest. When men were rugged and animalistic. Battles and wars were brutal, savage, and bloody. People looked to their Gods for help and feared their power.
Alaric Longward has brought to life a story that will lead the read through a ruthless path of love, life, brutal death, and betrayal. A path where everyone is betraying everyone and no one can be trusted. Exceptionally written and well versed, this is a story you will not want to miss reading. Enjoy the excitement, suspense, adrenalin-pumping, mercilessness of one rouge Goth’s life.
November 21, 2018
I enjoyed Maroboodus a lot. I've always craved fiction set in ancient Germania. The market is so flooded with Norse and English stories and I don't feel so connected to these cultures. Alaric manages to paint a uniquely Germanic portrait of the time (without borrowing overmuch from Norse mythology - which is always the easy way out). He excels at writing combat scenes in almost bullet time style and it's really gripping and visceral. I'm eager to pick up the rest of the Germania titles. Alaric also makes his titles free from time to time. This is currently free in iBooks.
September 11, 2017
I readA good read
I read the Hraban Chronicles first. Now reading from Maroboodus's point of view is different. So far, a good prequel. I look forward to the rest of the series.
I read the Hraban Chronicles first. Now reading from Maroboodus's point of view is different. So far, a good prequel. I look forward to the rest of the series.
June 29, 2023
Maroboodus the Bear
This is my second time reading this and it just got better as I can imagine it will a third and fourth time. Its an important preface to the Hraban Chronicles although its not necessary to read this series before
the Hraban chronicles it helps!)
I am a big fan of the author, Alaric Longward. All his books are the sort that never leave you for very long and are always a 'go to' when the picking seem slim.
One last thing...I'm now beyond curious as to where the Long Lake is. That's just not fair !! But it leaves the reader ever more curious about the characters and places and time of these stories.
This is my second time reading this and it just got better as I can imagine it will a third and fourth time. Its an important preface to the Hraban Chronicles although its not necessary to read this series before
the Hraban chronicles it helps!)
I am a big fan of the author, Alaric Longward. All his books are the sort that never leave you for very long and are always a 'go to' when the picking seem slim.
One last thing...I'm now beyond curious as to where the Long Lake is. That's just not fair !! But it leaves the reader ever more curious about the characters and places and time of these stories.
January 2, 2023
Goths, who knew?
Well written with a genuinely surprising plot. I read a lot of worthless adventure novels but this one really stands above some of the all too common and prevalent drivel.
Well written with a genuinely surprising plot. I read a lot of worthless adventure novels but this one really stands above some of the all too common and prevalent drivel.
May 27, 2017
The Goth Chronicles follow Maroboodus, the father of Hraban through his youth. Interesting the parallels between father and son. Great story.
August 2, 2016
If you love the Vikings, this books for you!
What a riveting tale! This work of historical fiction has adventure, angst, betrayal, and love. There's hope in the midst of pain, and heartbreak before healing. The author tells the story as though it's a memoir filled with adventure and battles. The plot is clever as well as unpredictable.
I really liked the flaws of the protagonist, Maroboodus. Even though you're "in his head",you aren't always clear if he's acting with good intentions or just a violently defiant scallywag. No matter; he's believable and human. He's a complex character whom I enjoyed reading.
I adored Saxa and Ceadda, and liked Njord. Hulderic was honorable, and I understood him as much as Maroboodus's love for him. Agin was someone I really appreciated, especially when it came to his sister, Saxa.
The cast of characters was well written and developed. The religious depictions accurate. It's easy to see how the Svea and Goths were earlier versions of the Vikings to come.
What a riveting tale! This work of historical fiction has adventure, angst, betrayal, and love. There's hope in the midst of pain, and heartbreak before healing. The author tells the story as though it's a memoir filled with adventure and battles. The plot is clever as well as unpredictable.
I really liked the flaws of the protagonist, Maroboodus. Even though you're "in his head",you aren't always clear if he's acting with good intentions or just a violently defiant scallywag. No matter; he's believable and human. He's a complex character whom I enjoyed reading.
I adored Saxa and Ceadda, and liked Njord. Hulderic was honorable, and I understood him as much as Maroboodus's love for him. Agin was someone I really appreciated, especially when it came to his sister, Saxa.
The cast of characters was well written and developed. The religious depictions accurate. It's easy to see how the Svea and Goths were earlier versions of the Vikings to come.
April 27, 2016
I just love Alaric Longward's books! He truly has vivid characters and it's such a pleasure to see them grow as the life twirls around them. Great reads!
November 4, 2016
Invigorating tale of a man's quest in a brutal ancient society. Great detail and depth of characters. Lots of twists and turns. Next book? Maybe.
June 2, 2016
Great read! Wonderful, looking forward to reading another selection from this author!
April 17, 2017
I was only able to read about 1/2 of this book. I really can't understand why it got so many 5 star reviews. Surely by the second half of a book, the plot should be going forward and the main characters become interesting. Well, I forced myself to read about 50% of this book and it just never got very interesting. I didn't like any of the characters, including Maroboodus. Maybe the second half of the book was much better than the first half, but I don't think readers should have to read so far into a book in order to find the book to be interesting.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews