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Dark Age #2
Dark Age
Bridging the gap between 'Game of Thrones' and Bernard Cornwell comes the second chapter in James Wilde's epic adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed . . .
Before Camelot. Before Excalibur. Before all you know of King Arthur. Here is the beginning of that legend . . .
It is AD 367, and Roman Britain has fallen to the vast barbarian horde which has invaded from the north. Towns burn, the land is ravaged and the few survivors flee. The army of Rome - once the most effective fighting force in the world - has been broken, its spirit lost and its remaining troops shattered.
Yet for all the darkness, there is hope. And it rests with one man. His name is Lucanus who they call the Wolf. He is a warrior, and he wears the ancient crown of the great war leader, Pendragon, and he wields a sword bestowed upon him by the druids. With a small band of trusted followers, Lucanus ventures south to Londinium where he hopes to bring together an army and make a defiant stand against the invader.
But within the walls of that great city there are others waiting on his arrival - hidden enemies who want more than anything to possess the great secret that has been entrusted to his care. To seize it would give them power beyond imagining. To protect it will require bravery and sacrifice beyond measure. And to lose it would mean the end of everything worth fighting for.
Before Camelot. Before Excalibur. Before all you know of King Arthur. Here is the beginning of that legend . . .
It is AD 367, and Roman Britain has fallen to the vast barbarian horde which has invaded from the north. Towns burn, the land is ravaged and the few survivors flee. The army of Rome - once the most effective fighting force in the world - has been broken, its spirit lost and its remaining troops shattered.
Yet for all the darkness, there is hope. And it rests with one man. His name is Lucanus who they call the Wolf. He is a warrior, and he wears the ancient crown of the great war leader, Pendragon, and he wields a sword bestowed upon him by the druids. With a small band of trusted followers, Lucanus ventures south to Londinium where he hopes to bring together an army and make a defiant stand against the invader.
But within the walls of that great city there are others waiting on his arrival - hidden enemies who want more than anything to possess the great secret that has been entrusted to his care. To seize it would give them power beyond imagining. To protect it will require bravery and sacrifice beyond measure. And to lose it would mean the end of everything worth fighting for.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2018
40 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
James Wilde
20 books118 followersJames Wilde is a Man of Mercia. Raised in a world of books, the author studied economic history at university before travelling the world in search of adventure. Unable to forget a childhood encounter - in the pages of a comic - with the great English warrior, Hereward, Wilde returned to the haunted fenlands of Eastern England, Hereward’s ancestral home, where he became convinced that this legendary hero should be the subject of his first novel. Wilde now indulges his love of history and the high life in the home his family have owned for several generations in the heart of a Mercian forest.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 29, 2018
This fascinating book by James Wilde is the 2nd volume of the "Dark Age" series, and a fantastic continuation about the crumbling of Roman Britain, and where various British (Barbarian) tribes fight for supremacy of Britannia, while also heading towards the Dark Ages.
Story-telling is of a wonderful quality, the characters are all coming splendidly to life, whether they are real or fictional people, in this tale of bloodshed and glory, and the historical atmosphere of these bloody hard times comes perfectly off the pages.
As far as possible the book is historically very sound from whatever is known of that period of history, see the Author's Note at the end of the book, and the rest is put magnificently into perspective to give this book the real feel of a true legend of the highest calibre.
This tale starts off in the year AD 367 until AD 373, the final chapter, the book is divided into three parts, and its very much a fast-paced action-packed kind of story, which keeps you spellbound from start to finish.
Part 1 is mainly about Lucanus, the Wolf, and Pendragon, which means Head of the Dragon, who's heading south with his charges to escape the Barbarians of the far North, with close to him his fellow Arcani or Grim Wolf, Mato, the wood-priest or Druid, Myrrdin, and the rescued brothers Apullius and Morirex.
Part 2 is particularly acting out in Londinium, where Lucanus will meet betrayal, danger and murder from opposition close at hand from an usurper who goes by the name of Corvus, who's accompanied by his imaginary friend Pavo and his mother Gaia, who's carrying her son's baby, while Lucanus is also finally reunited with his woman, Catia, who's pregnant from his child, and fellow Grim Wolves, Bellicus, Solinus and Comitinus.
What will follow in part 3 is an exciting, dangerous and adventurous trek by Lucanus, the Pendragon, Catia, their son Weylyn who's with Myrrdin the wood-priest as a precaution to keep the babe out of danger, the Grim Wolves and all his followers to escape the slaughter that is raging throughout the land between the Romans, under Theodosius the Elder, and the barbarian tribes, while they are heading towards their haven called Avalon and the rebuilding of what will become the mythical legendary impregnable fortress of Tintagel.
Fully recommended, for this is a great tale about the Dark Age, and I look very much forward to the next instalment, because for me this is for certain: "A Very Eventful Fascinating Follow-Up"!
Story-telling is of a wonderful quality, the characters are all coming splendidly to life, whether they are real or fictional people, in this tale of bloodshed and glory, and the historical atmosphere of these bloody hard times comes perfectly off the pages.
As far as possible the book is historically very sound from whatever is known of that period of history, see the Author's Note at the end of the book, and the rest is put magnificently into perspective to give this book the real feel of a true legend of the highest calibre.
This tale starts off in the year AD 367 until AD 373, the final chapter, the book is divided into three parts, and its very much a fast-paced action-packed kind of story, which keeps you spellbound from start to finish.
Part 1 is mainly about Lucanus, the Wolf, and Pendragon, which means Head of the Dragon, who's heading south with his charges to escape the Barbarians of the far North, with close to him his fellow Arcani or Grim Wolf, Mato, the wood-priest or Druid, Myrrdin, and the rescued brothers Apullius and Morirex.
Part 2 is particularly acting out in Londinium, where Lucanus will meet betrayal, danger and murder from opposition close at hand from an usurper who goes by the name of Corvus, who's accompanied by his imaginary friend Pavo and his mother Gaia, who's carrying her son's baby, while Lucanus is also finally reunited with his woman, Catia, who's pregnant from his child, and fellow Grim Wolves, Bellicus, Solinus and Comitinus.
What will follow in part 3 is an exciting, dangerous and adventurous trek by Lucanus, the Pendragon, Catia, their son Weylyn who's with Myrrdin the wood-priest as a precaution to keep the babe out of danger, the Grim Wolves and all his followers to escape the slaughter that is raging throughout the land between the Romans, under Theodosius the Elder, and the barbarian tribes, while they are heading towards their haven called Avalon and the rebuilding of what will become the mythical legendary impregnable fortress of Tintagel.
Fully recommended, for this is a great tale about the Dark Age, and I look very much forward to the next instalment, because for me this is for certain: "A Very Eventful Fascinating Follow-Up"!
May 19, 2019
There's so much foreshadowing in this second entry of Wilde's saga that it’s no wonder it’s a dark age. After the build-up of Pendragon, it often feels that much of this book is Myrddin reminding people of prophecy. Which was always going to be the challenge with this series: as a "prequel" to the Arthurian legend, we kind of know how it ultimately turns out. Or as a certain wood priest puts it, "The story has already been told. Now we only need to bring it into being." Yet Wilde has a keen sense of place and character, weaving Britain’s legends with some modern fantasy tropes. Some of these seem awfully familiar (something I covered in my review for the first book), but Wilde does a decent job of subverting some of expectations and giving us a reason to seek out The Bear King when it is released next year.
June 28, 2020
Second in the series telling the story of the rise of the legend of Arthur, it follows the story of Lucanus who has been crowned the Pendragon, who will lead the people to safety after the withdrawal of Rome and invasion from Barbarian hoards. The druid Myrddin has prophesied that the bloodline of Lucanus' wife Catia's family will produce the 'Bear King', also known as the King Who Will Not Die. Catia is pregnant, but so it her estranged mother.
It's quite fast paced, lots of battle descriptions, and I did spend some time not entirely sure what was going on, but decent enough read.
I will probably read the next one in the series, but not straight away.
It's quite fast paced, lots of battle descriptions, and I did spend some time not entirely sure what was going on, but decent enough read.
I will probably read the next one in the series, but not straight away.
March 12, 2022
What I like about James Wilde's writing is that he grabs your interest from the very first page, not after a couple of chapters like some authors works. This is a very good follow on from the first Pendragon book, all the characters have developed and fit well into the story and there are some new ones emerging. The harrowing times described as the little group struggles to survive are realistic and you get a feeling of how it must have been during the events taking place at this period in our history.
There are lots of twists and turns during this part with nothing getting any easier for very long until the very end but then everything changes again, leading on to the next book.
There are lots of twists and turns during this part with nothing getting any easier for very long until the very end but then everything changes again, leading on to the next book.
October 27, 2018
Can't believe how fast I finished this! Loved it so much I could barely put it down! The dark ages between the Romans and the Normans have always held a fascination for me as there is so little left from the peoples living then that it's fascinating when an author uses what they can find to weave a tale! Battles, Love and betrayal - it's all here, as is Merlin, the everlasting 'gandalf' of myth: Wilde has weaved a fascinating tale from remnants of ancient information and his own imagination into an action-packed and interesting story set in a time of fluctuation and massive change!
October 30, 2021
Great twist on a old tale
I've read loads of books with the legend of king Arthur at its heart, from the honor and chivalry of French middle ages, to Arthur being a roman soldier, left behind when Rome pulled out of Britain, and been entranced by them all, but never really thought of what came before, Arthurs family had always seemed to me to be a footnote in the greater tale. James Wilde, has beyond doubt in my mind, has brought to life a believable tale, blending fiction and historical fact, of the time before Arthurs legend began.
I've read loads of books with the legend of king Arthur at its heart, from the honor and chivalry of French middle ages, to Arthur being a roman soldier, left behind when Rome pulled out of Britain, and been entranced by them all, but never really thought of what came before, Arthurs family had always seemed to me to be a footnote in the greater tale. James Wilde, has beyond doubt in my mind, has brought to life a believable tale, blending fiction and historical fact, of the time before Arthurs legend began.
December 19, 2018
Continuing the story of the Pendragon and the King Who Will Not Die, there are more battles as the Romans face the fall of their empire and the loss of Britannia. In between Lucanus tries to keep his woman and child safe as Myrddin continues to weave his plans. I've thoroughly enjoyed these books that tell the story of the beginnings of the legend of King Arthur. Not sure if there will be any more but the ending left the tale at a suitable point.
June 11, 2024
This is a fairly decent historical novel set at the fall of Roman Britain. It builds on the first book and the character of Corvus comes into his own. He is a strong villain and his plotting makes the book fun. Wilde captures the changes in Britain at this time with the emergence of Christianity and the new tribes coming down and across the sea. I think the books detriment is trying to link it to the Arthur story as it's confusing and doesn't need it
January 15, 2019
I just finished reading this and it's an interesting take on the Arthurian Legends. Dark Age and the previous volume, Pendragon, are both set before the usual starting point of Uther and Ygraine. The background of the story is the conflict between paganism and christianity and the decline of Roman influence in Britain. It's very imaginative and a gripping tale.
January 21, 2019
A very solid, enjoyable second book in the Dark Age series. While this one has the inevitable feel of a "middle book," and its plotting is a bit repetitive, it nevertheless presents a clever and rich take on the pre-Arthurian mythos of dark age Britannia. Recommended for all who are interested in that time and place, or in Arthur.
Read
August 25, 2021I read this, not realizing it was #2 in the series (I hate it when that happens!), and really enjoyed it. So will now go back and read Pendragon (#1) then (#3). I find this periodin history fascinating, as there was comparatively little known about it, so I'm sure a lot of poetic licence is taken. I don't care, as his take is probably as good as most others. A good read!
June 1, 2022
Not a bad read, which carried me along nicely, but certainly not great.
There were a couple of times when the main character, Lucanus, is helpless in the hands of enemies who have no reason to keep him alive, but they don't kill him. Obviously that would have ruined the plot, but it doesn't do a lot for the book's credibility.
There were a couple of times when the main character, Lucanus, is helpless in the hands of enemies who have no reason to keep him alive, but they don't kill him. Obviously that would have ruined the plot, but it doesn't do a lot for the book's credibility.
February 16, 2023
The second book in the series and Lucanus and Catias adventures continue. It starts relatively slow but the twists then begin when they reach London and as the Pendragon dynasty births it sets up a stirring third and final novel.
June 9, 2019
Another superb book by Wilde. His Hereward series will never be surpassed for me, but this series looks like coming a close second.
July 23, 2021
A book with darkness and light. A struggle for survival and conflict. Very entertaining.
January 12, 2024
Really enjoyed the book. Great historical insight but goes further showing the power of stories to create powerful ideas.
November 8, 2024
I felt this book Dragged more than the first one. It was a struggle to finish, although good and a different take on the Arthur legend it just didn’t do it for me.
October 23, 2020
As the barbarian horde breach Hadrian's Wall, Lucanas realises they are overwhelmed and gathers as many as he can to begin making his way to London where he thinks they will be safe. But London holds its own dangers and soon they are moving on towards the west and Cornwall. Lucanas, Catia and their son Weylen eventually establish a community in Tintagel. But not all dangers are external, as Lucanas is about to discover. Dark Age is filled with battles, heroes and betrayal and ends in a way that leaves questions that can only be answered by reading the third and final instalment.
December 8, 2019
Full review here
Pendragon was not a light or easy read, but was enjoyable. It drew me in and made me care about the characters. The second book in the trilogy, Dark Age, was just as enjoyable. Full of character depth, tension and shifting alliances, it kept me gripped from beginning to end – and proved that reaching safety doesn’t mean being safe.
Lucanus takes the main narration again. He grows into his role as the Pendragon, gathering an army and finding a way of resisting the barbarian invasion. But with his heart full of worry for the captured Catia and his head filled with doubt about the mantle he must carry, it’s not an easy task.
Lucanus is a great character. Despite the decisions he has to make and the hardships he goes through, you can relate and connect to his character. He doesn’t shy away from leadership, but he never lets it go to his head either. He’s the hero you’re rooting for from the beginning and want the rest of the world (and war) to give him a break so he can find peace. But Lucanus’ path isn’t an easy one and he eventually learns the price he must pay to save those he loves.
You love to hate Corvus. He has no conscience, no sanity, and will do whatever he has to in order to accomplish his end goal, including betrayal, murder and incest. The fact he thinks he is chosen and right makes his actions even more chilling. His actions left me fearful for Lucanus and the legacy he’s building in a way the war-bands intent on killing our heroes never did.
Catia and Amarina prove it is not only the men involved in this war. They find their own ways to fight and anyone who underestimates them pay the price.
The Grim Wolves make me smile: their tight-knit brotherhood offering a release to the tension and being willing to take on and train youngsters helped thread an element of hope through an otherwise hopeless situation.
Dark Age wasn’t as heavy-going for me compared to the first. The pacing was more even: you’re thrown straight back into the war and because you understand the stakes from the first book, you’re never lulled into a false sense of security. It still builds though; the stakes get higher as the book progresses and the threat shifts from murderous hoards of barbarians to scheming maniacs driven by power.
Although the entire book is set in a war, I also didn’t find it as violent, which seems an ironic thing to say. It was larger-scale battles rather than the one-to-one fights that made me squirm previously.
Without giving anything away, it also did not end how I was expecting – talk about a final twist. Just when you think they’ve made it…
I’m really enjoying this trilogy and eagerly anticipating the final book in a couple of months. Dark, gritty and character-driven; this is a gripping book about the futility of escaping destiny.
Pendragon was not a light or easy read, but was enjoyable. It drew me in and made me care about the characters. The second book in the trilogy, Dark Age, was just as enjoyable. Full of character depth, tension and shifting alliances, it kept me gripped from beginning to end – and proved that reaching safety doesn’t mean being safe.
Lucanus takes the main narration again. He grows into his role as the Pendragon, gathering an army and finding a way of resisting the barbarian invasion. But with his heart full of worry for the captured Catia and his head filled with doubt about the mantle he must carry, it’s not an easy task.
Lucanus is a great character. Despite the decisions he has to make and the hardships he goes through, you can relate and connect to his character. He doesn’t shy away from leadership, but he never lets it go to his head either. He’s the hero you’re rooting for from the beginning and want the rest of the world (and war) to give him a break so he can find peace. But Lucanus’ path isn’t an easy one and he eventually learns the price he must pay to save those he loves.
You love to hate Corvus. He has no conscience, no sanity, and will do whatever he has to in order to accomplish his end goal, including betrayal, murder and incest. The fact he thinks he is chosen and right makes his actions even more chilling. His actions left me fearful for Lucanus and the legacy he’s building in a way the war-bands intent on killing our heroes never did.
Catia and Amarina prove it is not only the men involved in this war. They find their own ways to fight and anyone who underestimates them pay the price.
The Grim Wolves make me smile: their tight-knit brotherhood offering a release to the tension and being willing to take on and train youngsters helped thread an element of hope through an otherwise hopeless situation.
Dark Age wasn’t as heavy-going for me compared to the first. The pacing was more even: you’re thrown straight back into the war and because you understand the stakes from the first book, you’re never lulled into a false sense of security. It still builds though; the stakes get higher as the book progresses and the threat shifts from murderous hoards of barbarians to scheming maniacs driven by power.
Although the entire book is set in a war, I also didn’t find it as violent, which seems an ironic thing to say. It was larger-scale battles rather than the one-to-one fights that made me squirm previously.
Without giving anything away, it also did not end how I was expecting – talk about a final twist. Just when you think they’ve made it…
I’m really enjoying this trilogy and eagerly anticipating the final book in a couple of months. Dark, gritty and character-driven; this is a gripping book about the futility of escaping destiny.
January 3, 2019
I have the UK Bantam Press HB edition, published 4 October 2018.
Slightly less dramatic than the first installment, but following Lucanus and his Wolves to Londinium left one gasping at the near-death situations they had to overcome. Doesn't get better when they get there, because Corvus turns up too. (Question for myself: Is Corvus completely doo-lally??)
All the characters are wonderfully drawn; the descriptions of the forests, pathways, rivers, villages, and, of course, Londinium, are fantastically realistic. It actually made me think how on Earth anyone could survive in those times (we are soooo feeble, today!)
One simply has to fall in love with the young Apullius, trying so hard to learn how to be a Wolf, as well as protecting his little brother, Mouse. One also has to admire the courage and bravery of Catia, the woman wanted for her son, and her bloodline. Amarina is intriguing: one never knows if she is going to betray them or not. Bellicus and Mato provide amazing little side-stories. And of course, we see Myrrdin exerting his influence yet again.
I also liked that some people got their due desserts: Bucco, the dwarf, really did not need to live much longer; Corvus only suffered a fraction of what I wished could happen to him; but I really need to know what happened to Gaia and her son (this question has made me lose half a star!)
But the other half star was lost because I did not like the ending. Huge tears here - although I know it makes sense for the story as a whole - I was not happy!
Anyway, great entertainment; fabulous story; and certainly looking forward to the next one! Bravo!
Slightly less dramatic than the first installment, but following Lucanus and his Wolves to Londinium left one gasping at the near-death situations they had to overcome. Doesn't get better when they get there, because Corvus turns up too. (Question for myself: Is Corvus completely doo-lally??)
All the characters are wonderfully drawn; the descriptions of the forests, pathways, rivers, villages, and, of course, Londinium, are fantastically realistic. It actually made me think how on Earth anyone could survive in those times (we are soooo feeble, today!)
One simply has to fall in love with the young Apullius, trying so hard to learn how to be a Wolf, as well as protecting his little brother, Mouse. One also has to admire the courage and bravery of Catia, the woman wanted for her son, and her bloodline. Amarina is intriguing: one never knows if she is going to betray them or not. Bellicus and Mato provide amazing little side-stories. And of course, we see Myrrdin exerting his influence yet again.
I also liked that some people got their due desserts: Bucco, the dwarf, really did not need to live much longer; Corvus only suffered a fraction of what I wished could happen to him; but I really need to know what happened to Gaia and her son (this question has made me lose half a star!)
But the other half star was lost because I did not like the ending. Huge tears here - although I know it makes sense for the story as a whole - I was not happy!
Anyway, great entertainment; fabulous story; and certainly looking forward to the next one! Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews