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The World of Dane Maddock #1
Berserk
The discovery of the tomb of an ancient Norse king unleashes a weapon of unbelievable power.
One touch from the Spear of Odin can transform a man into a berserker—an unstoppable rage-fueled killing machine. Dane Maddock and “Bones” Bonebrake, former Navy SEALs turned treasure hunters, are on assignment in Norway—their mission: Stop the rogue biotech company ScanoGen from getting their hands on the legendary weapon.
But ScanoGen isn’t the only enemy they’ll need to worry about. A crazed mercenary with delusions of godhood has plans to use the spear to raise an army of berserkers, unleashing them upon an unsuspecting world, and only Dane and Bones stand in his way.
One touch from the Spear of Odin can transform a man into a berserker—an unstoppable rage-fueled killing machine. Dane Maddock and “Bones” Bonebrake, former Navy SEALs turned treasure hunters, are on assignment in Norway—their mission: Stop the rogue biotech company ScanoGen from getting their hands on the legendary weapon.
But ScanoGen isn’t the only enemy they’ll need to worry about. A crazed mercenary with delusions of godhood has plans to use the spear to raise an army of berserkers, unleashing them upon an unsuspecting world, and only Dane and Bones stand in his way.
- GenresMonsters
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2017
About the author
David Wood
102 books311 followersDavid Wood is the USA Today bestselling author of the Dane Maddock Adventures and many other titles and series. He also writes Science Fiction under the pen name Finn Gray and fantasy as David Debord. He is also a book reviewer, podcaster, and a member of International Thriller Writers and The Horror Writers Association. David and his family live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit him online at www.davidwoodweb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 25, 2021
Viking Lore!
I love thrillers. Action thrillers, l mean. And the Dane Maddock Adventure is full of action!
Just a few days ago, I read about Nordic mythology and the story of the Berzerkers, so I am a bit familiar with its lore…
Dane and his friend Bones are sent on a mission to Norway to retrieve an ancient device that once belonged to King Haraald Fairhair, the first king of Norway.
Anyone who touches the sword will become a Berzerker, a monstrous lunatic, who’s immortal. They’re sent to investigate and hopefully, retrieve the weapon, although they are skeptical about its power.
Unfortunately, a missing professor has found the weapon which has definitely turned him berzerk. And Dane and Bones are now believers.
I love the way the author’s use of mythology is blended with contemporary science fiction stories. And I also enjoy suspending my disbelief.
Five stars ✨.
I love thrillers. Action thrillers, l mean. And the Dane Maddock Adventure is full of action!
Just a few days ago, I read about Nordic mythology and the story of the Berzerkers, so I am a bit familiar with its lore…
Dane and his friend Bones are sent on a mission to Norway to retrieve an ancient device that once belonged to King Haraald Fairhair, the first king of Norway.
Anyone who touches the sword will become a Berzerker, a monstrous lunatic, who’s immortal. They’re sent to investigate and hopefully, retrieve the weapon, although they are skeptical about its power.
Unfortunately, a missing professor has found the weapon which has definitely turned him berzerk. And Dane and Bones are now believers.
I love the way the author’s use of mythology is blended with contemporary science fiction stories. And I also enjoy suspending my disbelief.
Five stars ✨.
February 19, 2017
Viking lore, monsters and fast-paced action. This is a short action packed adventure novel in the Dane Maddock series. Matthew James adds his special brand of mayhem laced with humour. If you love his Hank Boyd series and you follow David Wood's Maddock adventure series, you will be in familiar grounds.
April 8, 2017
Wow. Think I would love to explore that mountain myself. Really enjoyed this story. Very fast read, but totally entertaining. Will have to check out more books by Mr. Wood.
February 10, 2017
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love books that involve different types of mythology and flood them with action, and Berserk did not disappoint! It was a fast paced book that kept me interested from page 1. This is only the 2nd Dane & Bones adventure I've read, but I can guarantee it won't be my last!
September 13, 2018
I wanted to like this
These types of stories are my favorite and I was hoping this would be another series I could binge read. The story wasn’t bad per se but talk about underdeveloped. I kept thinking that maybe I missed the first in the series but this one is labeled book 1. Actually though, even if I did miss one this story was still seriously lacking in character development and story development. It seemed rushed like the author just wanted to hurry up and finish. The dialog was similar to a bad movie with very bad actors. And it really bothers me when a character’s name is misspelled. Really? On one page it’s spelled Corrie then on the next it’s Corey the. The next back to Corrie. There was one other incorrect verb tense I think so not a ton of editing type errors thank goodness. Story was ok but definitely should have been way better. This was like a short story...not developed enough to be a full novel in my opinion. I won’t be finishing the series.
These types of stories are my favorite and I was hoping this would be another series I could binge read. The story wasn’t bad per se but talk about underdeveloped. I kept thinking that maybe I missed the first in the series but this one is labeled book 1. Actually though, even if I did miss one this story was still seriously lacking in character development and story development. It seemed rushed like the author just wanted to hurry up and finish. The dialog was similar to a bad movie with very bad actors. And it really bothers me when a character’s name is misspelled. Really? On one page it’s spelled Corrie then on the next it’s Corey the. The next back to Corrie. There was one other incorrect verb tense I think so not a ton of editing type errors thank goodness. Story was ok but definitely should have been way better. This was like a short story...not developed enough to be a full novel in my opinion. I won’t be finishing the series.
September 14, 2021
Nice quick read, full of action and adventure.
I do feel like this is a spin off of another story line/ book series that should have been read first? Since the authors allude to previous character interactions fairly often. Not much character development.
I enjoyed the opening mystery and artifact search... but did we have to go *there*? Oh, well. It was a nice start to the series, hope the rest gets better.
I do feel like this is a spin off of another story line/ book series that should have been read first? Since the authors allude to previous character interactions fairly often. Not much character development.
I enjoyed the opening mystery and artifact search... but did we have to go *there*? Oh, well. It was a nice start to the series, hope the rest gets better.
January 15, 2021
Continued to evolve. Could not put it down.
This is unlike many adventure style of reads. It continues to read in unputdownable and evolving scenarios yet captured attention at each turn. The epilogue brings the incredible to the credible and makes one think whether such episodes could actually have occurred in the past.
This is unlike many adventure style of reads. It continues to read in unputdownable and evolving scenarios yet captured attention at each turn. The epilogue brings the incredible to the credible and makes one think whether such episodes could actually have occurred in the past.
December 18, 2025
Scarily good
It's a good thing I don't believe in extraterrestrials or gods, except for Yahweh. But if there were aliens who were able to travel the immense distances between stars, they would be indistinguishable from gods.
Somehow, Maddox and Bones survived another impossible scenario. Yay! for the good guys.
It's a good thing I don't believe in extraterrestrials or gods, except for Yahweh. But if there were aliens who were able to travel the immense distances between stars, they would be indistinguishable from gods.
Somehow, Maddox and Bones survived another impossible scenario. Yay! for the good guys.
August 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this first book in the Dane Maddock Universe series, we find Maddock and Bones tangled up in some very strange Norse mythology and maybe something a bit alien.Good fast paced page turner and looking forward to the rest of this series
October 24, 2018
Boring
Not badly written, but this felt tedious and devoid of plot or character development.
The majority of the book felt like a repeating fight scene, with no particular sense of rooting for one side over the other.
Not badly written, but this felt tedious and devoid of plot or character development.
The majority of the book felt like a repeating fight scene, with no particular sense of rooting for one side over the other.
September 28, 2024
When Tam asks Maddock and Bones to investigate a strange incident in Norway, they soon find themselves in a race with ScanoGen to retrieve Odin's spear. Seem to be a change in format as more about the fight, than the hunt.
February 15, 2025
A Time for Norsemen?
Very good book. Interesting plot- I read it in one sitting. Great setting and possibilities. Length was great- no long drawn out scenes. Not a lot of flowery dialogue.
Very good book. Interesting plot- I read it in one sitting. Great setting and possibilities. Length was great- no long drawn out scenes. Not a lot of flowery dialogue.
January 20, 2018
Doesn't work for me
Didn't like it. This was not my Bones and Dane.
Too other worldly for my taste. Plenty more
Bones and Maddock tales to read before this one.
Didn't like it. This was not my Bones and Dane.
Too other worldly for my taste. Plenty more
Bones and Maddock tales to read before this one.
April 29, 2019
Incredible
This was another great read! I really enjoy the action, adventure, nail biting twists and turns with interesting history thrown in!
This was another great read! I really enjoy the action, adventure, nail biting twists and turns with interesting history thrown in!
May 2, 2019
A fast moving Dane & Bones adventure. Despite only 200 pages the story had some good depth and a lot of great action.
August 19, 2019
Enjoyable quick read and fun adventure.
November 13, 2019
a little out there with this Mr. Wood! Vikings, aliens, reanimation, outer space. This one will be at the bottom of my list to read again.
November 19, 2019
Another whopper by this author. He’s fast becoming my very favourite!! Maddock and Bones are a great team and never a dull moment with these two!
August 18, 2020
Came across as a novel meant to be a graphic novel
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February 16, 2021Great read
Great read lots of non stop action a great storyline kept you interested though out the book couldn't put it down
Great read lots of non stop action a great storyline kept you interested though out the book couldn't put it down
September 10, 2022
Berserk
Just started Dane Maddock Universe and starting to look good, enjoyed the first book and going to start the next.
Just started Dane Maddock Universe and starting to look good, enjoyed the first book and going to start the next.
October 19, 2019
Good story
Intriguing plot. Very entertaining. Ready for the next. Just found out series started in 2007 with Durado. I'm a big believer in backstory so that one's next on the list.
Intriguing plot. Very entertaining. Ready for the next. Just found out series started in 2007 with Durado. I'm a big believer in backstory so that one's next on the list.
February 12, 2017
Tam, who Dane and Bones do "favors" for sends them to Norway. She gets word that ScanoGen, a biotech company, is headed that way to search for the legendary tomb of Odin. To say the least, Dane and Bones are a little skeptical as mythology is ....well not real.
Things become very weird as they witness wolves larger than they should be. A local cop becomes a wolf. Hidden deep in the forest is the tomb of the Norse god, Odin. There in the coffin is a unholy powerful weapon, that if harnessed could do great damage to the world. The technology found leads them to suspect aliens, there is a huge room of weapons, and ships.
Tam gets involved in this adventure and it is great to see her get her hands dirty.
Action packed . Love the mingling of mythology action/thriller. The use of Norse Mythology was brilliant as it hasn't been over done as has Greek and Roman.
Things become very weird as they witness wolves larger than they should be. A local cop becomes a wolf. Hidden deep in the forest is the tomb of the Norse god, Odin. There in the coffin is a unholy powerful weapon, that if harnessed could do great damage to the world. The technology found leads them to suspect aliens, there is a huge room of weapons, and ships.
Tam gets involved in this adventure and it is great to see her get her hands dirty.
Action packed . Love the mingling of mythology action/thriller. The use of Norse Mythology was brilliant as it hasn't been over done as has Greek and Roman.
February 13, 2017
By Miss Lyn on February 8, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
Matthew James brings a great new adventure to the Dane Maddock series. Dane and Bones locate the remains of a great king and a weapon of amazing power and darkest rage.Scanogen is hot on their tail wanting this weapon for their own.
I received this book for an honest review.
Format: Kindle Edition
Matthew James brings a great new adventure to the Dane Maddock series. Dane and Bones locate the remains of a great king and a weapon of amazing power and darkest rage.Scanogen is hot on their tail wanting this weapon for their own.
I received this book for an honest review.
October 9, 2025
In this book we join Maddock and his team while they travel to Norway to find the spear of Odin before a morally questionable tech company finds it. It is a little bit weird that I like these books as much as I do, but I think they are a kind of guilty pleasure. Also, they are potato chips books, as in you always want one more. The characters of Maddock and Bones are very, very stereotypical ex navy seals, and somewhat one dimensional. Each book is based on a historical myth, and they are sometimes a little bit repetitive. But the action and adventure is great and very fast paced, and the books are enjoyable.
February 28, 2017
This was such a fun story! I am a big fan of the Dane and Bones books, and Matthew James did a great job with this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the Norse storyline and all that it entailed. The challenges that Dane and Bones faced were huge, and the creatures they came up against were terrifying. The story was intense and fast-paced and kept me intrigued until the end.
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December 17, 2017I love the pace of David Wood's Dan Maddock novels, and co-author Matthew James added a whole new level of adventure in "Berserk." This novel was a mixture of many genres -- adventure, suspense and science fiction -- and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Where else could Viking lore and extra terrestrials collide but in a Dane Maddock adventure. It goes without saying "all hell breaks loose" when Maddock and Bones find an ancient Viking tomb inside a mountain deep in Scandinavia.
I love it when history dances with fiction, because it sometimes makes the reader wonder how thin the line between real and imagined might be. After being mesmerized by "Berserk," the question remains: "Could that really have happened?" I salute Wood and James for a masterful collaboration.
Where else could Viking lore and extra terrestrials collide but in a Dane Maddock adventure. It goes without saying "all hell breaks loose" when Maddock and Bones find an ancient Viking tomb inside a mountain deep in Scandinavia.
I love it when history dances with fiction, because it sometimes makes the reader wonder how thin the line between real and imagined might be. After being mesmerized by "Berserk," the question remains: "Could that really have happened?" I salute Wood and James for a masterful collaboration.
Read
August 16, 2018Wild
Dane and Bones are on a mission to find a man. The man is a loved teacher that sent a weird message to his colleagues.
I just love their adventures. I hope to read a lot more.
Dane and Bones are on a mission to find a man. The man is a loved teacher that sent a weird message to his colleagues.
I just love their adventures. I hope to read a lot more.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews