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The Titus Chronicles #2
Viking
In the Year of our Lord 882, Titus of Cissanbyrig, now known as the Berserker after his exploits at the Battle of Edington in 878 has settled into life as a sword warrior, serving his Thane Otha, who is sworn to Lord Eadwig of Wilton. His future is bright, then in a moment of youthful arrogance, he succumbs to temptation and betrays Isolde, the girl he has loved since they met when he was fourteen, with another local girl, Aslaug. However while he recognizes his mistake and spurns Aslaug, who has set her eyes on young Titus, he is too proud to apologize to Isolde for his actions.
Thwarted, Aslaug convinces Hrodulf, another young man of Wilton, that she has been wronged, alleging that Titus has raped her, and when Hrodulf instigates a confrontation in a Wilton alehouse, he taunts Titus with the news that Isolde is now planning to wed another man. Titus demonstrates once again why he is called The Berserker, losing his temper and beating Aslaug’s unwitting pawn to death in a brutally unforgettable display.
Under Saxon law, Titus will be brought before a court, but larger events occur that offer him a reprieve from being tried when a force of Danish ships appear in the waters off of Wessex on a viking expedition, the term the Danes used for their raiding and pillaging, a term by which they will become known in history.
King Alfred calls for his most experienced warriors to fight not on land, but to meet and defeat the Danes on their favored terrain of the sea, including the men of Wilton, led not by Lord Eadwig, but his son and Titus’ friend, Lord Eadward. To that end, Alfred calls on an unlikely ally, King Guthrum of East Anglia, who provides a dozen Danes who will turn men of the shield wall into seaborne warriors, and along with the other Wilton men, Titus will learn how to fight aboard ship. And, when the two forces do meet each other, Titus will once again show both friend and foe why he is called The Berserker, and in the process, learn that in many ways he has more in common with his foes than with his own people and how being a warrior without a war poses special challenges.
Thwarted, Aslaug convinces Hrodulf, another young man of Wilton, that she has been wronged, alleging that Titus has raped her, and when Hrodulf instigates a confrontation in a Wilton alehouse, he taunts Titus with the news that Isolde is now planning to wed another man. Titus demonstrates once again why he is called The Berserker, losing his temper and beating Aslaug’s unwitting pawn to death in a brutally unforgettable display.
Under Saxon law, Titus will be brought before a court, but larger events occur that offer him a reprieve from being tried when a force of Danish ships appear in the waters off of Wessex on a viking expedition, the term the Danes used for their raiding and pillaging, a term by which they will become known in history.
King Alfred calls for his most experienced warriors to fight not on land, but to meet and defeat the Danes on their favored terrain of the sea, including the men of Wilton, led not by Lord Eadwig, but his son and Titus’ friend, Lord Eadward. To that end, Alfred calls on an unlikely ally, King Guthrum of East Anglia, who provides a dozen Danes who will turn men of the shield wall into seaborne warriors, and along with the other Wilton men, Titus will learn how to fight aboard ship. And, when the two forces do meet each other, Titus will once again show both friend and foe why he is called The Berserker, and in the process, learn that in many ways he has more in common with his foes than with his own people and how being a warrior without a war poses special challenges.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2021
22 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
R.W. Peake
51 books107 followersThe 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 7, 2021
Anyone who has read the Marching With Caesar series from the beginning knows about the peculiar trait that Titus Pull us and his descendents possess. When they reach a certain level of rage, an inner demon takes over and sends them into a killing frenzy. The Titus in this series is no exception. He has earned the moniker "The Berzerker" because of his almost inhuman abilities as a killing machine.
Titus is led astray by a jealous woman and loses the love of his young life. While she marries another, Titus goes to war against the invading Danes. He has to learn to live and fight on board a ship. Once the Saxons clash with the Danes, Titus goes Berzerker and is subsequently captured. I'll say nothing more so as to avoid spoilers except to say that his life is forever changed in many ways by his experience.
I look forward to the next entry in this series. There are a number of unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts that I hope are resolved in future books. This is good stuff.
Titus is led astray by a jealous woman and loses the love of his young life. While she marries another, Titus goes to war against the invading Danes. He has to learn to live and fight on board a ship. Once the Saxons clash with the Danes, Titus goes Berzerker and is subsequently captured. I'll say nothing more so as to avoid spoilers except to say that his life is forever changed in many ways by his experience.
I look forward to the next entry in this series. There are a number of unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts that I hope are resolved in future books. This is good stuff.
May 6, 2021
Diving deep with Titus
If you read Mr. Peake's stories on any of the Titus characters, this book is the deepest internal emotional side of the Titus family. For a youngster he tries to improve himself by not falling into foolishness. But being in the late 9th century it doesn't bode well for him. He's expected to do his killing in the battlefield but gets prodded by those in his own village for the big guy he is. Very well done ending
If you read Mr. Peake's stories on any of the Titus characters, this book is the deepest internal emotional side of the Titus family. For a youngster he tries to improve himself by not falling into foolishness. But being in the late 9th century it doesn't bode well for him. He's expected to do his killing in the battlefield but gets prodded by those in his own village for the big guy he is. Very well done ending
May 30, 2021
An enthralling chapter in the Titus Lilly's tale
A nice break from the world affairs. A different era,but the perspective of the ordinary warrior is maintained. It would be nice if the current Titus was able to discover his connection to his ancestors.
A nice break from the world affairs. A different era,but the perspective of the ordinary warrior is maintained. It would be nice if the current Titus was able to discover his connection to his ancestors.
July 30, 2021
in days of your, full of blood and Gore
I prefer stories that end with the hero riding into the setting sun with a live heroine. But I suppose your version is more realistic and sets the scene for Titus next venture. Maybe with another heroine with bigger hips.
I prefer stories that end with the hero riding into the setting sun with a live heroine. But I suppose your version is more realistic and sets the scene for Titus next venture. Maybe with another heroine with bigger hips.
October 1, 2022
A really good novel
I loved the humanity and history. I understand that many readers like the battle scenes but for me it is all about history, politics and human interactions. Will there be a follow up?
I adore history. Looking back is also looking forward.
I loved the humanity and history. I understand that many readers like the battle scenes but for me it is all about history, politics and human interactions. Will there be a follow up?
I adore history. Looking back is also looking forward.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews