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Dark Age #3
The Bear King
Bridging the gap between 'Game of Thrones' and Bernard Cornwell comes the third and final chapter in James Wilde's epic adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed . . .
AD 375 - The Dark Age is drawing near . . .
As Rome's legions abandon their forts, chaos grows on the fringes of Britannia. In the far west, the shattered forces of the House of Pendragon huddle together in order to protect the royal heir – their one beacon of hope.
For Lucanus, their great war leader, is missing, presumed dead. And the people are abandoning them. For in this time of crisis, a challenger has arisen, a False King with an army swollen by a horde of bloody-thirsty barbarians desperate for vengeance.
One slim hope remains for Lucanus’ band of warrior-allies, the Grim Wolves. Guided by the druid, Myrrdin, they go in search of a great treasure – a vessel that is supposedly a gift from the gods. Success will mean a war unlike any other, a battle between two kings for a legacy that will echo down the centuries. And should they fail? Well, then all is lost . . .
This is the shattering conclusion to James Wilde’s rousing reimagining of the myth of King Arthur . . .
AD 375 - The Dark Age is drawing near . . .
As Rome's legions abandon their forts, chaos grows on the fringes of Britannia. In the far west, the shattered forces of the House of Pendragon huddle together in order to protect the royal heir – their one beacon of hope.
For Lucanus, their great war leader, is missing, presumed dead. And the people are abandoning them. For in this time of crisis, a challenger has arisen, a False King with an army swollen by a horde of bloody-thirsty barbarians desperate for vengeance.
One slim hope remains for Lucanus’ band of warrior-allies, the Grim Wolves. Guided by the druid, Myrrdin, they go in search of a great treasure – a vessel that is supposedly a gift from the gods. Success will mean a war unlike any other, a battle between two kings for a legacy that will echo down the centuries. And should they fail? Well, then all is lost . . .
This is the shattering conclusion to James Wilde’s rousing reimagining of the myth of King Arthur . . .
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2020
16 people are currently reading
210 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 24, 2020
This great legendary adventure is the 3rd and final episode of the "Dark Age" trilogy from the author, James Wilde.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of South-West Britannia (now England), AD 375, and every chapter begins with a meaningful quote, also and that as far as possible the book is historically very sound while the rest is put magnificently into perspective to give this tale a true feel about this mythical legend.
Story-telling is of a superb quality from this author, all characters come vividly to life within this great story, and the dark atmosphere of these bloody hard times at the end of the 4th century come wonderfully off the pages.
The book is set in the year, AD 375, and Britannia is on the brink of war between two factions, all for supremacy of who should be the next High King of Britannia, one is Weylyn, son of Lucanus and (daughter) Catia, the other is, Arthur, son of (mother) Gaia and her son, Corvus, and this feud will keep you spellbound right till the end.
Part 1 is about Lucanus, the Wolf, Head of the Arcani and the Pendragon, who after having been captured by the Attacotti tribe, is finally rescued from the Island of the Dead by his fellow Arcani, Bellicus, Domitinus, Solinus, Mato, and new recruit, Apullius, and also not to forget the pirate-king, Niall of the Nine Hostages from Hibernia, so he can return to Tintagel and lead his army of the West against the troops of Gaia and her son, Arthur.
Part 2 is about the search for the cauldron of the Dagda, which is said to be one of the four great powers for the true King of Britannia, and at first its Catia who's gone in search for this treasure, quickly followed by Lucanus and his fellow Grim-Wolves, until after some dangerous and deadly encounters they are finally able to return home with that great prize to Tintagel.
Part 3 is about the ultimate battle that will decide who will be the true King of Britannia, and with an ingenious and incredible twist from the author this myth will turn into a magnificent tale with a very legendary and breathtaking end.
Highly recommended, for this is an action-packed and fast-paced historical adventure about the "Dark Age", and so this episode is in my view: "A Most Sublime Trilogy Ending"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of South-West Britannia (now England), AD 375, and every chapter begins with a meaningful quote, also and that as far as possible the book is historically very sound while the rest is put magnificently into perspective to give this tale a true feel about this mythical legend.
Story-telling is of a superb quality from this author, all characters come vividly to life within this great story, and the dark atmosphere of these bloody hard times at the end of the 4th century come wonderfully off the pages.
The book is set in the year, AD 375, and Britannia is on the brink of war between two factions, all for supremacy of who should be the next High King of Britannia, one is Weylyn, son of Lucanus and (daughter) Catia, the other is, Arthur, son of (mother) Gaia and her son, Corvus, and this feud will keep you spellbound right till the end.
Part 1 is about Lucanus, the Wolf, Head of the Arcani and the Pendragon, who after having been captured by the Attacotti tribe, is finally rescued from the Island of the Dead by his fellow Arcani, Bellicus, Domitinus, Solinus, Mato, and new recruit, Apullius, and also not to forget the pirate-king, Niall of the Nine Hostages from Hibernia, so he can return to Tintagel and lead his army of the West against the troops of Gaia and her son, Arthur.
Part 2 is about the search for the cauldron of the Dagda, which is said to be one of the four great powers for the true King of Britannia, and at first its Catia who's gone in search for this treasure, quickly followed by Lucanus and his fellow Grim-Wolves, until after some dangerous and deadly encounters they are finally able to return home with that great prize to Tintagel.
Part 3 is about the ultimate battle that will decide who will be the true King of Britannia, and with an ingenious and incredible twist from the author this myth will turn into a magnificent tale with a very legendary and breathtaking end.
Highly recommended, for this is an action-packed and fast-paced historical adventure about the "Dark Age", and so this episode is in my view: "A Most Sublime Trilogy Ending"!
June 16, 2020
In this thrilling conclusion to the trilogy, Lucanus has been gone from Tintagel for years and Catia is ruling alone raising their son as the heir to the throne. When an Irish pirate king attacks, he brings news that will change their fortunes forever. This was predictable in parts but very exciting and brings something new to the Arthurian legends. A good ending to the series.
January 15, 2020
It was late spring 2017 in Australia when I quite randomly picked up Pendragon, the first book in what would be a trilogy of books mixing the pre-Arthurian legend with Britain’s myths. Almost three years later, Wilde brings that saga to a close. While still tied to some of the influences that were evident in the first book, he draws away from the heavy foreshadowing and wheel-spinning of Dark Age to bring the series to a suitably battle-driven conclusion. Combining Celtic mysticism (the McGuffin/Quest for the The Dagda's Cauldron) and more familiar Arthurian stuff (The Fisher King), Wilde manages to subvert a few expectations in the final chapter and put his stamp on the many retellings of these stories. More than anything, it makes me now want to go back and re-read some Malory or E.H. White.
February 3, 2020
Phew!! What a page-turner of a book: scary, gruesome, frightening, snippets of humour, total loyalty to one man, complete dedication to a cause, some skulduggery, some manipulation, all frighteningly beautiful. Sorry, it's that good!!
We begin with me crying again, because Bellicus, Mato, Solinus, and Comitinus go off sailing into the unknown with Niall of the Nine Hostages (after a fierce battle on the seashore, directed by Catia) in order to find Lucanus - who has been taken by the Attacotti. The adventure they go through is not nice; nor when they do find Lucanus, he is not quite normal anymore. But he does return with them to fight a last battle.
Meanwhile, our devious Myrrdin is dealing with a rather frightening Arthur and his lunatic mother Gaia - although we are given some of his musings, nothing really lightens his treason... IMHO... nor are we given enough reasons for his actions - again, something we are unable to fathom.
So, moving in foreseen directions, Lucanus, Catia, his Grim Wolves, and a rag-taggle army of peasants and farmers march north and east to reach Gaia and her mercenary Scotti and Picti bands at a place called Dinas Ffaracon Dandde (a totally made-up place by Mr Wilde, dammit!! )
Descriptive of a land being laid to waste, of starvation, homelessness, and war, we are dragged through a bloody landscape to the last battle. There is bravery and determination, and leadership, not only from Lucanus, but from many others too. However, Gaia gets her just desserts (although not quite in the way one would expect - this little scene was just a little too gory for me!) Myrrdin does a bit more manoeuvering and manipulating, and Erca, the Scotti warrior is given a role to perform.
Fortunately (I think), Lucanus, Catia and Weylyn get their happily ever after (even though I'm not sure where!) We have a new Pendragon, and a "False King" turned into a future hero - aka Arthur. And a brilliant re-imagining of the start of one of our favourite stories.
Well done Mr Wilde!!
We begin with me crying again, because Bellicus, Mato, Solinus, and Comitinus go off sailing into the unknown with Niall of the Nine Hostages (after a fierce battle on the seashore, directed by Catia) in order to find Lucanus - who has been taken by the Attacotti. The adventure they go through is not nice; nor when they do find Lucanus, he is not quite normal anymore. But he does return with them to fight a last battle.
Meanwhile, our devious Myrrdin is dealing with a rather frightening Arthur and his lunatic mother Gaia - although we are given some of his musings, nothing really lightens his treason... IMHO... nor are we given enough reasons for his actions - again, something we are unable to fathom.
So, moving in foreseen directions, Lucanus, Catia, his Grim Wolves, and a rag-taggle army of peasants and farmers march north and east to reach Gaia and her mercenary Scotti and Picti bands at a place called Dinas Ffaracon Dandde (a totally made-up place by Mr Wilde, dammit!! )
Descriptive of a land being laid to waste, of starvation, homelessness, and war, we are dragged through a bloody landscape to the last battle. There is bravery and determination, and leadership, not only from Lucanus, but from many others too. However, Gaia gets her just desserts (although not quite in the way one would expect - this little scene was just a little too gory for me!) Myrrdin does a bit more manoeuvering and manipulating, and Erca, the Scotti warrior is given a role to perform.
Fortunately (I think), Lucanus, Catia and Weylyn get their happily ever after (even though I'm not sure where!) We have a new Pendragon, and a "False King" turned into a future hero - aka Arthur. And a brilliant re-imagining of the start of one of our favourite stories.
Well done Mr Wilde!!
January 18, 2020
James Wilde is a master of the craft in storytelling, an excellent conclusion to the series. couldn't put it down till i finished.
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April 5, 2021Full review here
I’ve enjoyed this entire trilogy, and this is no exception. Wilde creates a dark and atmospheric world, with hints of the known legend peeking through as characters fight for freedom – not just from each, but from destiny. It’s dark, gritty and hints of hope glimmer through to keep you engrossed.
Since book one, it is the characters that caught my attention with this trilogy.
Catia is the favourite for me: from the beaten wife in the first book, she’s now a Queen. Ruling alone after losing Lucanus, she must balance leadership with motherhood, and never flinches despite war knocking.
The Grim Wolves and the camaraderie between them offer light and friendship. From Mato and his prayers to Bellicus and his shackle of duty and guilt, their loyalty and determination stops all from feeling lost.
There are so many great characters: Gaia in her madness, Myrddin and his cunning, the mysterious Hectae with their own plan and the innocent next generation being caught in their parents’ plots. Now we’re at book three, it’s easy to connect to them and root for your favourites.
Without the emotional investment in the characters, this book might have been heavy, but with it, it’s engaging.
The Bear King is ultimately a book about destiny, and hope.
The outlook is still bleak at the start for our characters, who’ve already fought so hard to find happiness. Challenges to the throne threatens war, and it’s a power struggle to not only build the biggest army, but win the hearts of the people. Each character must determine the price they’re willing to pay for survival.
It’s a dark book: war, bloodshed and death all beckon, stalking the main characters. But there’s always the spark of hope; friendship, love, loyalty. It’s a clever balance and Wilde does it well.
Wilde’s writing is a balancing act that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed since book one. This is a trilogy about war and betrayal, unescapable destinies and sacrifice. Despite the overwhelming odds and the losses, The Bear King – like the others in the series – never feels overwhelming.
The pace is a good blend of large-scale battles and individual problems, snatching moments of relief and allowing everyone to draw a breath. There’s an underlying build of tension heightened by changing narrations at key moments.
It’s ultimately a story of a man finding his way back to his family, and is powerful in its telling.
The Pendragon trilogy is a dark and gritty story about fighting for freedom. It’s an effective blend of historical fiction and fantasy, and I’ve enjoyed it from the start. The Bear King is a solid finale to a gripping trilogy and ends on a note that feels right. A definite recommendation!
I’ve enjoyed this entire trilogy, and this is no exception. Wilde creates a dark and atmospheric world, with hints of the known legend peeking through as characters fight for freedom – not just from each, but from destiny. It’s dark, gritty and hints of hope glimmer through to keep you engrossed.
Since book one, it is the characters that caught my attention with this trilogy.
Catia is the favourite for me: from the beaten wife in the first book, she’s now a Queen. Ruling alone after losing Lucanus, she must balance leadership with motherhood, and never flinches despite war knocking.
The Grim Wolves and the camaraderie between them offer light and friendship. From Mato and his prayers to Bellicus and his shackle of duty and guilt, their loyalty and determination stops all from feeling lost.
There are so many great characters: Gaia in her madness, Myrddin and his cunning, the mysterious Hectae with their own plan and the innocent next generation being caught in their parents’ plots. Now we’re at book three, it’s easy to connect to them and root for your favourites.
Without the emotional investment in the characters, this book might have been heavy, but with it, it’s engaging.
The Bear King is ultimately a book about destiny, and hope.
The outlook is still bleak at the start for our characters, who’ve already fought so hard to find happiness. Challenges to the throne threatens war, and it’s a power struggle to not only build the biggest army, but win the hearts of the people. Each character must determine the price they’re willing to pay for survival.
It’s a dark book: war, bloodshed and death all beckon, stalking the main characters. But there’s always the spark of hope; friendship, love, loyalty. It’s a clever balance and Wilde does it well.
Wilde’s writing is a balancing act that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed since book one. This is a trilogy about war and betrayal, unescapable destinies and sacrifice. Despite the overwhelming odds and the losses, The Bear King – like the others in the series – never feels overwhelming.
The pace is a good blend of large-scale battles and individual problems, snatching moments of relief and allowing everyone to draw a breath. There’s an underlying build of tension heightened by changing narrations at key moments.
It’s ultimately a story of a man finding his way back to his family, and is powerful in its telling.
The Pendragon trilogy is a dark and gritty story about fighting for freedom. It’s an effective blend of historical fiction and fantasy, and I’ve enjoyed it from the start. The Bear King is a solid finale to a gripping trilogy and ends on a note that feels right. A definite recommendation!
April 21, 2020
This is the final instalment of the Dark Age trilogy, which is an impressive rewriting of the origins of the Arthurian myths. It is set during the period of the Roman abandonment of Britain with the prospect of the dark ages looming. As with all Wilde's books, there is a good pace and a plot with many twists and turns, usually where the characters have to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Pagan beliefs and deities are neatly weaved into the tale in a credible way.
I found the ending something of a letdown. Without giving anything away, the story ends quite abruptly and all threads are neatly finished off. Too neatly.
I wrote a dissertation many years ago examing how each retelling of the Arthurian myth reflects the times in which it was written. The reflections of the 21st century are not obvious but they are there. Perhaps the most telling phrase is when the Green Huntsman says that we are the architects of our own misery.
I found the ending something of a letdown. Without giving anything away, the story ends quite abruptly and all threads are neatly finished off. Too neatly.
I wrote a dissertation many years ago examing how each retelling of the Arthurian myth reflects the times in which it was written. The reflections of the 21st century are not obvious but they are there. Perhaps the most telling phrase is when the Green Huntsman says that we are the architects of our own misery.
May 27, 2023
Characters get separated from one another and have to trek across country to find the other person. Repeat ad nauseam.
That is my summary of this whole trilogy.
In book one I could forgive it, by book two I was getting annoyed but by the time the Wolves went after Catia in book 3 I was just hoping for a tragic ending for them to release me from my misery.
And I truly wanted to like this series, because I love Arthurian legend and celtic folklore, but this book gave me so little to enjoy. The characters were flat and 2D, no nuance to it’s villains. And it was made so much worse in this last book because we finally had an Arthur and a Myrddin. The brief sections focusing on them were the most interesting in The Bear King. And that’s a problem because I stopped caring about what happened to Lucanus, Catia and Weylyn who was a hollow shell of a plot device.
Gave it two stars because I did at least like Amarina and the Hecate story.
That is my summary of this whole trilogy.
In book one I could forgive it, by book two I was getting annoyed but by the time the Wolves went after Catia in book 3 I was just hoping for a tragic ending for them to release me from my misery.
And I truly wanted to like this series, because I love Arthurian legend and celtic folklore, but this book gave me so little to enjoy. The characters were flat and 2D, no nuance to it’s villains. And it was made so much worse in this last book because we finally had an Arthur and a Myrddin. The brief sections focusing on them were the most interesting in The Bear King. And that’s a problem because I stopped caring about what happened to Lucanus, Catia and Weylyn who was a hollow shell of a plot device.
Gave it two stars because I did at least like Amarina and the Hecate story.
March 21, 2022
This is a really good conclusion to the James Wilde's series about Dark Age Britain, as the withdrawal of the Romans leave the country in turmoil and warring tribes, believing in an old story of a special king who would arise to save the day, need him to gain control of the country. I've never felt inclined to read the myth about King Arthur as it always has seemed a bit too fanciful for my interest but this story has not been at all like that. It is a really different perspective on Arthur, his origins and emergence in the myth. The main little band of characters are compelling and contend with gripping scenarios , whilst the main hero and heroine are captivating throughout the tale and the villains are hideously abhorrent. I've really enjoyed the Pendragon series, it's well written, exciting and has been a compelling read.
June 12, 2020
I read the previous two books, loved the first one, thought the second one was OK, but this one ...? Perhaps I have certain expectations from 'arthurian' retellings but this one went in such a strange direction that I was no longer sure what I was reading. The main character seemed too heroic, the antagonist(s) too evil. I prefer grey characters and I found the 'support staff' believable and entertaining, but not enough to make me enjoy this book. In all it didn't fulfil the promise of the earlier books. Pity, as it was well written and had many engaging qualities and it was set in a period I enjoy reading about.
July 25, 2024
This book left me underwhelmed and slightly confused. I think Wilde wrote himself into a corner when he introduced classic Arthurian names/characters into the novel as children. The plot then doesn't make sense from the previous 2 books in this one. This book also lacks the tension that the previous novels had and I found it quite hard to figure out the geography that Wilde was working with as all the characters seemed to move around a lot. The best section was certainly the early but set on the Isle of man.
July 9, 2025
I unfortunately picked this up at the library without realising that it was the third book in a trilogy, so was lacking plenty of context in general. It is, however, reasonably easy to follow along with regardless of this fact. The lore is well written and simple to understand, and some of the insults the characters use with each other were pleasantly crude, as it seemed they ought to be. No undue decorum here, and the book is all the better for it.
February 26, 2020
Great Writing and a really interesting story - there's plenty to keep the reader entertained from battles to magic, to the names we all know from the myth of King Arthur. It's a great book for anyone who loves a good story!
August 6, 2023
A fitting end to the a trilogy. Lucanus and Catia have more adventures and the build up to the final pages is well written. I loved the ending and the way the arthur myth is woven together. A good end to a great trio of tales.
March 8, 2020
Deft writing with some real heart in this earnest mythological fiction trilogy which serves as a prequel to the Arthurian legend. Well conceived story with a satisfying conclusion.
July 10, 2020
Fantastic book, his best one yet. Keeps you hooked to the very end.
October 23, 2020
REVIEW TO FOLLOW
June 18, 2021
It got predictable and I got bored. I finished it just because.....
October 19, 2023
Really disappointed with the ending. After three books I was hoping for something more.
January 15, 2024
Very good conclusion to the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews