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Saga of the Iron Dragon #5
The War of the Iron Dragon
The action-packed climax of the Iron Dragon saga!
An ancient race of aliens threatens humanity with annihilation, and the only people who can stop them are a band of bloodthirsty Vikings. Recruited from Earth by one of the last survivors of the Iron Dragon project, Eric Bloodaxe and his horde battle machines and monsters across space and time on an epic voyage to Ragnarok!
An ancient race of aliens threatens humanity with annihilation, and the only people who can stop them are a band of bloodthirsty Vikings. Recruited from Earth by one of the last survivors of the Iron Dragon project, Eric Bloodaxe and his horde battle machines and monsters across space and time on an epic voyage to Ragnarok!
- GenresScience Fiction
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2021
23 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kroese
70 books632 followersRobert Kroese's sense of irony was honed growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan - home of the Amway Corporation and the Gerald R. Ford Museum, and the first city in the United States to fluoridate its water supply. In second grade, he wrote his first novel, the saga of Captain Bill and his spaceship Thee Eagle. This turned out to be the high point of his academic career. After barely graduating from Calvin College in 1992 with a philosophy degree, he was fired from a variety of jobs before moving to California, where he stumbled into software development. As this job required neither punctuality nor a sense of direction, he excelled at it. In 2009, he called upon his extensive knowledge of useless information and love of explosions to write his first novel, Mercury Falls. Since then, he has written 18 more books.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 6, 2021
You might want to diagram this novel to keep tracks of the different time lines and races, human, alien, and machine.
But despite the possible confusion, it is still a fun read about Viking warriors in Mech suits, hidden multi-nationals trying to save humanity, and the issues of not enough genetic diversity. And wile I haven't finished the book yet, it looks like it will tie up the series with a couple surprises I didn't expect.
The book works once you get your timelines and cultures straight. This is one series that I will miss now that I have finished it. Well done, Robert!
But despite the possible confusion, it is still a fun read about Viking warriors in Mech suits, hidden multi-nationals trying to save humanity, and the issues of not enough genetic diversity. And wile I haven't finished the book yet, it looks like it will tie up the series with a couple surprises I didn't expect.
The book works once you get your timelines and cultures straight. This is one series that I will miss now that I have finished it. Well done, Robert!
May 1, 2021
Well, that was a hell of a thing! I'd say a damn good job of keeping a fair bit of mystery in this 2000ish page saga until the last 200 or so pages. I had three theories about who the Izarians were, and once that became apparent out the rest of the story played out in a logical fashion. Even then the details and the wrap-up (at 300 pages for this whole book) were lightning fast while still satisfying.
I mean, it's a real problem: You invest in something like this, you don't know if the author's going to fluff the landing, or do something desperate like a twist-out-of-left-field or a "the end...or is it?" kind of thing.
Yeah, if you spend four weeks reading something, you don't want to feel robbed at the end. Kind of makes me feel bad for the authors who drag out series for decades. The pressure must be horrific.
So, yeah, all five books were great reads. All five books together make a fine story. If I were going to quibble—and be aware we're talking some high level stuff, here—it's that the first three books are so amazingly focused, the fourth book—while both good on its own and necessary to the plot, and also echoing the book's themes about time in a meta-sense—doesn't have that kind of immediacy and intimacy.
A lot of it comes back in book five, and everything pays off nicely, but the first three books feel stronger to me.
As I say, it's nitpicky. I'll be getting the next series and digging through the author's catalog for past work—though I do have to get back to my "A" through "Z" reading if I'm to finish before I die.
Let's see, "M" is for...Guy de Maupassant. Or, wait, crap, should that be under "D"?
I mean, it's a real problem: You invest in something like this, you don't know if the author's going to fluff the landing, or do something desperate like a twist-out-of-left-field or a "the end...or is it?" kind of thing.
Yeah, if you spend four weeks reading something, you don't want to feel robbed at the end. Kind of makes me feel bad for the authors who drag out series for decades. The pressure must be horrific.
So, yeah, all five books were great reads. All five books together make a fine story. If I were going to quibble—and be aware we're talking some high level stuff, here—it's that the first three books are so amazingly focused, the fourth book—while both good on its own and necessary to the plot, and also echoing the book's themes about time in a meta-sense—doesn't have that kind of immediacy and intimacy.
A lot of it comes back in book five, and everything pays off nicely, but the first three books feel stronger to me.
As I say, it's nitpicky. I'll be getting the next series and digging through the author's catalog for past work—though I do have to get back to my "A" through "Z" reading if I'm to finish before I die.
Let's see, "M" is for...Guy de Maupassant. Or, wait, crap, should that be under "D"?
November 28, 2023
A Most Difficult Read and Depressing Book and Series
The author's writing style of alternating different and apparently unrelated timelines makes discerning and following the storyline difficult. Only at end of book five are there some revelations of the meaning of the various timelines. People who love puzzles might enjoy the prolonged discussion of the consequences of changing events that have already occurred in a timeline. This book and the series require series dedicated reading.
The author's writing style of alternating different and apparently unrelated timelines makes discerning and following the storyline difficult. Only at end of book five are there some revelations of the meaning of the various timelines. People who love puzzles might enjoy the prolonged discussion of the consequences of changing events that have already occurred in a timeline. This book and the series require series dedicated reading.
December 2, 2023
Audiobook. Totally brought this Saga full circle. Amazing. Loved it. I thought the first 3 books were a complete trilogy. And then boom 2 more books. Like Christmas! This book is not the nail biter that the others were but crucial to the full story. If time travel combined with aliens, space ships and warring vikings sounds interesting this is the series for you. Solidly in top 3 series I've read in the last 2 years. Tbh I can't decide between the 3 which is best.
March 6, 2021
Interesting and different
The first 3 books were well done, but these last 2 were a little disjointed and jumped around too much. The death and rebirth of humanity a little too facile. The LOKI principle that was a premise of the story was fairly well done. The follow through to the story end was a major let down and disappointment.
The first 3 books were well done, but these last 2 were a little disjointed and jumped around too much. The death and rebirth of humanity a little too facile. The LOKI principle that was a premise of the story was fairly well done. The follow through to the story end was a major let down and disappointment.
April 1, 2021
A very satisfying end to a great series. This series has been spoken of as Vikings in Space, which technically it is, but it is not campy and ends up making you wonder if maybe this isn't fiction at all. This is more great science fiction from the author who got me back into reading scifi. This series, and anything by this author, comes highly recommended. You won't be disappointed.
September 5, 2021
What a wonderful series!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this Iron Dragon series. The jumps between times and planets, and species has been so engaging. Freya, and Eric the Viking and the origins of the Izarians and Ch Ta an, we’re full of surprises. And in the end there is Amelia the cyborg Icarian. I love how Freya saves the human race in the end.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this Iron Dragon series. The jumps between times and planets, and species has been so engaging. Freya, and Eric the Viking and the origins of the Izarians and Ch Ta an, we’re full of surprises. And in the end there is Amelia the cyborg Icarian. I love how Freya saves the human race in the end.
February 27, 2022
loved this series
I never could have imagined the arc of this book, that is what talented writers are for….I started with book one 3 years ago and patiently waited as they appeared over time, thanks for the journey..I do have to say much of the science was over my head but interesting none the less, favorite character, of course, Eric
I never could have imagined the arc of this book, that is what talented writers are for….I started with book one 3 years ago and patiently waited as they appeared over time, thanks for the journey..I do have to say much of the science was over my head but interesting none the less, favorite character, of course, Eric
July 23, 2022
Seriously good quality sci-fi!
I binged on all five books. Technology, really well worked-out time travel, great characters, a truluy stunning plot, and the most amazing threading into known history. A work of art. I can only imagine how much work went into researching the back story. And Vikings! Thank you Robert
I binged on all five books. Technology, really well worked-out time travel, great characters, a truluy stunning plot, and the most amazing threading into known history. A work of art. I can only imagine how much work went into researching the back story. And Vikings! Thank you Robert
May 4, 2021
Outstanding ending to the series
I have to say, I loved the first four books in the series but wasn't really into this one at first. However, it ended up being a fantastic addition to the series and an exceptional ending. Highly recommend reading this entire series.
I have to say, I loved the first four books in the series but wasn't really into this one at first. However, it ended up being a fantastic addition to the series and an exceptional ending. Highly recommend reading this entire series.
October 14, 2021
Nice series...
I have to say I was iffy about this series, I read it to the end because that is what I do, but I was not impressed, that is until the fifth book. Amazing finish for the series.
I have to say I was iffy about this series, I read it to the end because that is what I do, but I was not impressed, that is until the fifth book. Amazing finish for the series.
March 21, 2023
This went on too long, and the plot went all over the place. I kinda quit caring and just wanted to get it over with. The last few chapters seemed to rush through a lot of stuff to wrap up the story. If you think about it, the ending actually had a lot of terrible stuff happen.
March 26, 2023
Tremendously Satisfying Finale of the Iron Dragon
This is a fantastic book on its own, and an even better finale when taking the previous 4 books into context.
The author take on time travel may be the best I’ve ever read.
This is a fantastic book on its own, and an even better finale when taking the previous 4 books into context.
The author take on time travel may be the best I’ve ever read.
Read
June 15, 2025The series is worth reading. It's incredibly intricately plotted, and the action sequences are well written. This final volume has a bit more exposition than the others. I found the resolution to be intellectually satisfying but not emotionally.
March 14, 2021
A fantastic conclusion of the series. I am as always impressed by Robert's ability to do magic with timelines. I love this whole series.
June 28, 2021
A fantastic end.....
Or is it the end of this series. It did not end the way I had been thinking it would, but a great ending either way. Kind of left open ended just in case.
Or is it the end of this series. It did not end the way I had been thinking it would, but a great ending either way. Kind of left open ended just in case.
September 14, 2021
A bit 'helter skelter' at times but still a good finish to the series.
September 26, 2021
5 stars. Great conclusion. This book's plot has as many twists as a plate of spaghetti. In a good way. The book does not have in-depth characterization, but the overall story is compelling.
December 18, 2022
An outstanding conclusion to the Iron Dragon story.
February 5, 2023
What can you even say about this that wouldn't be a spoiler? Great finale to the series, it really ties the plot threads together. Iron Dragon has been a heck of a ride and I'm happy I took it.
April 17, 2025
Excellent end to Epic story.
October 27, 2021
Great conclusion to the series
I have to admit, I did not see any of this coming, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable surprise. A great conclusion to the series.
I have to admit, I did not see any of this coming, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable surprise. A great conclusion to the series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews