Eagle and Wyvern

The Titus Chronicles #1

by R.W. Peake

In the Year of our Lord 878, the kingdom of Wessex is under threat. King Alfred has been forced to flee from his winter court in Cippinhamm by Guthrum, self-styled King of the Danelaw and East Anglia, part of the great invasion force by the horde that will become known as the Vikings. Driven into the swamps of Somersetshire, Alfred spends a miserable winter at Athelney before finally feeling that the time is right to call the fyrd, the Saxon call to arms summoning the men of Westseaxe to rally to their King to drive the Danish invaders from their lands. Answering that call is young Titus of Cissanbyrig, a youth with an unusual name to go along with his unusual size and strength. Despite only being fourteen and that his village is under the control of Wulfhere, Ealdorman of Wiltshire who has sided with Guthrum, Titus decides to leave the only home he’s ever known, joining the call issued by the Lord of Wilton more than a dozen miles away, one of the nobles of Wiltshire who has remained faithful to the King. What drives Titus from his home is the enmity of his father, who blames him for Titus’ mother’s death in childbirth because of his size, but while he will never know it, the truth is more complex. Ultimately what sends young Titus on his first steps towards his destiny is his deep-seated, insistent belief that he’s not meant for a life behind the plow but for the sword, a conviction that has been passed to him across almost a millennium of time and distance, to a dusty Roman province in Spain, passed down by the man who was the first of his line, Titus Pomponius Pullus, Centurion of Rome. The Titus Chronicles-Eagle and Wyvern is the first of a new series by the author of the international bestselling Marching With Caesar series.

Genres: Historical Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2020

About the author

The first adult author with whom RW Peake developed a long-term relationship
was Louis L’Amour, whose body of work shaped his life philosophy.
After retiring from the Marines, RW proceeded to earn a BA in History from
the Honors College at the University of Houston.

Although RW wrote a novel as a kid, he didn't publish his first novel until
age 50.
In addition to is time in the Marines, and before the tech bubble burst in 2000, he was
a paper millionaire in the software industry.

A native Houstonian, RW recently relocated to the Olympic Peninsula of
Washington, where he lives with his yellow Lab, Sadie.

Reviews

[Mario Majors · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was highly disappointed. Ron Peake had the opportunity to do something different here and he passed up on it. I am referring to the Pullus dynasty ending up in the British Isles. Far too often in historical fiction the authors are drawn back to the British Isles like moths to the flame; I am frankly tired of it. Those of you familiar with "Marching With Caesar" know that the original Titus Pullus hailed from Baetica, in what is now Spain. In that case he would have been, quite likely, ethnically Italian and quite likely the descendant of one of Scipio's legionaries. Additionally bear in mind that the original Pullus settled in what is now France.

This was a golden opportunity for Peake to get on the good side of his Italian wife and have the story end up back in Italy. An Italy that in the 9th Century of the Common Era was hotly contested by Byzantines, Germanic princes, Arabs and of course the local nobles. Instead it ended up in the British Isles. Being familiar with Mr. Peake's biography I understand why, but I am disappointed nonetheless. This story really should have been set in the Holy Roman Empire (Frankish) instead Mr. Peake resorted to the predictable. I shall not waste my money on this book or the follow on series.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a new player in Dark Ages fiction.

Having read most of R. W. Peake's Marching With Caesar series, I knew before I even started that this book would be a winner, and it is. It rivals Bernard Cornwell and many other authors who focus on Dark Ages Britain. Yes, there is horrific battle description but that was the way things were in those days. But there is also good character development and likeable characters that make you yearn for the next book in this series.
The lead character in this book a named Titus, as was his long ago ancestor Titus Pullus, as well as his progeny. The name seems odd for Saxon Britain but it fits the character perfectly. I can't wait for the rest of this series.

[john temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivetting

I did wonder if the Titus chronicles would love up to the previous tales spun in Marching with Caesar, they undoubtedly do and there are echoes of the first titus's life throughout this tale. Whilst this seems on the face of it that the author has just transplanted the original tales to a few centuries later in time. Nothing could be further from the truth, with this authors meticulous research the attitudes, tactics and weapons are completely different and very accurate. It's just as rivetting a read and full of action as the "original" tales

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting start to a new chapter in the series.

I enjoyed this “fast forward” on the Titus series. I wish there was a little more knowledge about the Roman family known by the Anglo-Saxon family but that may be unrealistic taking this time period into consideration.

[Dan Fulghum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read

I wasn't so sure this storyline would be successful, but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the action and the new timeline. I gladly look forward to the next book. R. W. Peake is a great writer full of ideas and surprises.

[michelle jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

Please, please tell me this is the start of a new series. There just has to be more, gripping from the first chapter, ( never wanted to kill a character before, until Titus's father). When's the follow up being released

[Peter Karl Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

I found this book to fill in some of the gaps in the !ives of the people and social structure of how the world of post Rome rebuilt itself. It's only a small snapshot of time that's well written and informative

[Abel M Lezcano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series!

R.W. Peake does it again! With echoes of Titus Pullus, Peake transports us 800 years into the future with a new, totally engaging series. I devoured Volume 1, and am grateful that Peake is so prolific that I won’t have to late long for the next adventure.

[Nate Culbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good start

A good start to a new yet familiar character. I look forward to following the adventures of this descendent Titus Pullus

[Hector Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

On par with Marching with Caesar. Difficult to put down.

[Bill Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent reading.
Up close and personal of our hero!

[Neal Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Pretty good story. Interesting era to be writing about. Good and interesting characters. Well developed story line. Will read the next in the series.

[John Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was apprehensive about this book

I have read all of Mr Peake books and loved them all. This one I was leary of because of period of time I'm not to familiar with but again he knocked out of the park I loved and can't wait for the next one