The Final Days of Doggerland: -- A Neolithic Story of Survival in Northern Europe

by Mike Meier

It was the time that today we call the Neolithic…a time before the Egyptian pyramids, a time before Stonehenge. It was the time of the early migrations of the Yamnaya people, moving westward from the Pontic steppe, which stretched from what is now Bulgaria to Kazakhstan. What we now call Doggerland once connected the British Isles to continental Europe, but it was sinking into the North Sea. Little more remained than islands and sandbanks…yet there were persistent tales of firm land that lay beyond those waters.

Every human and every animal must have a purpose in life. Serving our Master and his people, we made it our mission to keep watch over them and the surrounding forest. With our acute sense of hearing and discerning eyes, we never missed anything. It was in the exercise of our duties that we one day noticed a small group of migrants. Dangerous animals prowled this forest—and so did other people, perhaps the greatest danger of all. One of those migrants, Oane, understood the plants of the forest and used them skillfully. To survive, however, she must fight our Master—Viggo, the Chief of the Bollebarg tribe.

This is the story of a young woman in hunter-gatherer times relies on her skills for crafting poisons to survive after being captured by a hostile tribe. Many aspects of the story are based on archeological facts, such as the migration of the Yamnaya people, the disappearance of Doggerland, the use of garlic mustard to spice food, and the arrival of blue-eyed people from the area of the Black Sea.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ancient History

443 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2022

About the author

Mike Meier grew up in a blue-collar housing project in Germany. On his own since his teens, he has lived in several different countries, including Argentina and Japan, and worked jobs such as washing dishes, repairing bicycles, and painting homes. When he's not writing books or screenplays, you'll find him playing Latin and Flamenco guitar in the Washington, DC area. He holds a Master's degree in political science, as well as a J.D. and LL.M. - P.S.: In case you are wondering about the photograph--Mike's grandfather was the 1930s magician Wladi-Kami.

Reviews

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Mike Meier's novel The Final Days of Doggerland takes place in the Stone Age and is inspired by real-life archaeological discoveries. The story follows Oane, a hunter-gatherer girl with blue eyes who is proficient in the art of poison-making. Doggerland's rising water level threatens the existence of many indigenous tribes, pushing them to scramble about in search of new habitation grounds. A tired band of nomads finally makes it to the remnants of Doggerland in Northwestern Europe, where they make an effort at settling down. As soon as Oane and the rest of the little Taifali tribe have found a suitable location, they go about the laborious job of constructing a village, which they can refer to as home.

To make matters worse, the Bollebarg, a tribe of pirates commanded by the ruthless Viggo, lurks in the area, waiting to loot any migratory tribes who dare to enter their territory. The violent Bollebarg tribe with their vicious leader, Viggo, ambushed Oane's peaceful tribe as they travelled from the area surrounding the Black Sea. Despite their supremacy in terms of technology, the Taifali are outnumbered by Bollebarg and defeated. Following the massacre of the band's male members, the remaining females and children, including Oane, are enslaved. Now that she is a hostage of the Bollebarg, Oane must learn to adapt to her new way of life. Her ability to concoct poisons has been her only means of survival while she tries to find the ways by which she may reach solid ground in the west. However, her carefully laid plans to flee may not be without consequence.

The Final Days of Doggerland will transport you back to a time before automobiles and computers, before women's rights and civil rights, and into a fascinating realm of what the world may have been like before the modern age. It was vibrant and meticulously detailed. What I truly liked about this story was the poise and clarity that Mr. Meier gave these characters. There's evidently a lot of research that went into these characters, and they do feel like highly plausible beings who may once have walked our very same Earth.

Besides the vibrant setting, the characters were detailed and intricate. Oane was a warm, loving, kind-hearted, strong girl. She grows so much throughout the book. Oane endures an incredible amount of adversity, yet she never gives up and she consistently battles to stay alive. She is a quiet heroine; she is not a warrior princess and doesn't possess any special powers; she is just a strong young woman who adapts to her difficult circumstances and not only survives but thrives, growing from a girl to a woman.

The amount of research it must have taken to complete this book is impressive. Mike Meier's descriptions of the prehistoric setting really transport the reader right back into that time period. And what we don't know from history, he manages to expertly fill in the gaps with his imagination, creating a fascinating story and believable cast of characters. I think Mike Meier should be commended for even attempting to write about this time period. Apart from a basic overview, very little is known about human culture in this period. Particularly, aspirations, values, and spiritual belief systems are the hardest to deduce from the material archaeological record.

How else can I describe a book that not only transports the readers back in time to a period in history when there were no books, writing, or graphic documentation to record early life forms, but also makes the tale so plausible that you believe it may have really taken place? What an extraordinary imagination author Mike Meier tapped into by forming a pre-historical fiction around the fossils we've all seen in museums and the numerous pieces of scientific hypothetical information. It is wonderful how the author was able to illustrate the flora, fauna, and geography of the ancient earth in such a manner that the reader is actually left with the sense that this novel was part story, part history lesson.

[Khushbu Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book The Final Days of Doggerland was incredibly engaging and entertaining to read. This is set during the final period of the Stone Age and, geographically, seems to be set in Northern Europe. It speculates on Neolithic culture and their interactions with each other. This story follows Oane, a girl from a small Taifali tribe, and her trials and tribulations.

After Oane and the rest of the little Taifali tribe have established themselves in a clearing, they start about the tedious task of building a village that they can refer to as home. Unluckily for them, the Bollebarg tribe, commanded by the ruthless Viggo, is nearby and ready to attack and loot any migrating tribes that could intrude into their area. The Taifali may have better technology, but they can't compete with the Bollebarg. After being captured, Oane must learn to live with the Bollebarg or muster the strength to escape.

Oane's story isn't without struggle and difficulty, but it also contains strength and love and a ferocity that I absolutely adore. Through the characters, Mike Meier is able to transport the reader into the practises and the daily lives of these tribes. Their foods, rituals, and traditions are all here and plausibly explained. I really enjoyed it and was impressed with the author's depth of research for many of the things. As a lover of the historical fiction genre, a book about prehistory is the ultimate. It was well written, easy to read, and did a great job of explaining daily life without being pedantic. Highly recommended.

[Aparna Thaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Meier's "The Final Days of Doggerland," with stunning illustrations by Uruguayan artist Guaraz, is set in the Stone Age. The story takes place in prehistoric periods, and whatever we know or claim to know about life in those early days is nothing more than researched guesswork. Regardless, Mike Meier has done his homework and provides a fascinating glimpse into life in the Stone Age.

The protagonist of this tale is a young girl named Oane, who lives in a hunter-gatherer tribe and is skilled in the making of poisons. After being captured by a hostile Bollebarg tribe led by Viggo, she has little choice but to rely on her expertise in the creation of poisons in order to stay alive. Mike Meier's descriptions of the clan's way of life and the land in which they live are fascinating and show the amount of research that has gone into the creation of the book. He manages to impart an incredible amount of information, but it is done in such a way that I didn't once feel bored when reading.

However, these are not savages banging on rocks. There is drama, politics, honor, and spiritual rituals, all well explained throughout the story. If you are interested in what life was like during this time, then Oane's adventures with her tribe will be your gateway into this world. I would highly recommend this to any fan of historical fiction set in prehistoric times.

[Dipalee Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human evolution is a matter of great interest to me, which is why a book that gives an insight into the lives of the first people and the Stone Age is appealing to me, especially in the last few years when important discoveries have been made in this field.

The protagonist of this book is a young girl named Oane, who comes from a tiny Taifali tribe and is well skilled with both herbs and poisons. She is forced to rely on her knowledge and skills in order to survive when she and the rest of the tiny Taifali tribe were captured by the Bollebarg tribe, who was commanded by the vicious Viggo.

The Final Days of Doggerland by Mike Meier is a really intriguing tale that not only transports us to such a distant period but also reveals a great deal about subjects that continue to be relevant to us in the present day, such as the need for acceptability and the difficulty that many people have in altering their lifestyle.

But the thing that stuck with me the most and made me appreciate this book was the fact that the author created a very complex culture for the Stone Age. This included the routines, customs, and religious beliefs of the people in the Stone Age and, in general, the way they perceived the world through their less complex minds. Any reader who like historical fiction that is set in ancient periods should give this book a try.

[Krinal Savaliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world when mammoths still ruled the earth, there lived a little girl from the Taifali tribe called Oane. Oane's clan was taken hostage by the Bollebarg tribe, which was commanded by the vicious Viggo. In this tale from the Neolithic Age, the young lady taken by an enemy tribe must rely on her expertise in crafting poison to ensure her survival.

It is incredible how much information Mike Meier was able to include in this book. Tons of information is imparted, and we are given a vivid look at what life would have looked like in Oane's time. The long descriptions never come across as dry or boring, but instead leave me with more questions. This is one of those rare books that leave me looking things up, poring over encyclopedias, scouring Wikipedia—anything for just a little more detail.

I will say that the world building for this book is pretty stunning and the best thing about this book. The depth and the well thought-out nature of the book is really well done, and it is internally logically consistent which I enjoyed. As far as historical fiction in concerned, The Final Days of Doggerland is likely far more fiction than historical. The setting is prehistoric times, and what we know or claim to know of these early days is no more than our best guesses. Regardless, Mike Meier clearly researched the available material and provided an interesting look into prehistoric life.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book directly from the author at no cost to me. Any thoughts or opinions are mine alone after reading this amazing book. I found myself looking up many things while I read. I wasn't certain of some of the details being fact or fiction. It's amazing how much of the work, while a fictional story, clearly has an accurate history in this location and at this possible time frame. It is a story of wanderers, like an ancient Nomad, in a world where changes in the earth occur. It is rich in a people meeting other people of different tribes as they continue to move forward. Pirates, innocence and viciousness, the understanding of poisonous herbs, and a basic sense of survival. The book is gripping and a highly worthy read.

[Shh I am Reading Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for Mesolithic history, but I had no idea that Doggerland even existed until I read this book. This was such a good read, and something I wish there was more historical fiction of.

The main character, Oane, was such an interesting woman. For the end of the hunter-gatherer era with the basic knowledge of how to grow crops, she was wildly intelligent. She used her wits to survive being captured by a bigger clan, one who worshipped a god unlike their own. She also used her skills in herbology to survive, because with herbology comes the knowledge of what will poison people as well. I also like that she was kind of the stability for the other women as well, considering they were treated much worse than she was.

The author was able to take ancient history and bring it to life. He established the migrations of ancient people, the routines, the ancient deities they worshipped, the knowledge and lore of their people handed down through elders to the younger generation of these ancient civilizations. This was an incredibly well researched, complex story full of struggle, strife and of course, many moments of happiness too.

I definitely recommend this read for those who enjoy ancient historical fiction.

I received this book for free. My review is entirely voluntary.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the water level rises in Doggerland, the survival of several tribes is being threatened, forcing them to roam the area for a place to rebuild their homes. When Oane and the small Taifali tribe settle in a clearing, they begin the arduous task of building a village they can call home. Unfortunately for them, the piratical Bollebarg tribe led by the violent Viggo is nearby and prepared to plunder any migrant tribes that might infringe upon their territory. Despite their technological superiority, the Taifali are overwhelmed by Bollebarg numbers. After being taken captive, Oane must adjust to her new life among the Bollebarg or find the courage to flee.

Based on archaeological history, author Mike Meier’s The Final Days of Doggerland has written an excellently composed and thoroughly entertaining novel. Complete with pictures and songs, the world contained within the pages feels just as real as it would have all those years ago. Doggerland, the space connecting England with Northern Europe, and sank beneath the sea, is the setting for this engaging story. The novel is narrated by the raven Tänka who, along with his brother Sinne, reflects on the mythical ravens of Odin. Together the two infuse humor into the text through their observation of the often illogical behavior of humans. This is a welcome counterbalance to the severe struggle for survival taking place in an increasingly hostile environment.

The Final Days of Doggerland has a slow burn start as readers learn about this unique landform. However, as the storyline progresses, it ultimately proceeds at an excellent pace without needing to escalate to unrealistic proportions.

Mike Meier’s novel presents insight into a tribal society and political intrigue as Oane struggles to come to terms with her new life. Viggo’s behavior presents an increasingly problematic scenario that will have readers on edge, waiting to see how things are worked out.

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Final Days of Doggerland" is a wonderful example of excellent historical fiction. The author skillfully combines his extensive research with his engaging storytelling to create a book that simultaneously captivates the reader and subtly teaches historical information.

I haven't come across a lot of books set during the Neolithic era, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read this one. I was immediately drawn in by the characters and their daily lives, and was constantly eager to see what happened next. Main character Oane was especially fascinating to me, and I loved seeing her grow as a person and figure out the best way to handle the increasingly dangerous situation in which she found herself.

In addition to enjoying the story, I learned a lot about the people of Northern Europe during the Stone Age, both nomadic groups and more settled tribes. Through the course of the story, I gained new information about daily life during that time, the uses of animals and plants, the economy, and commonly used weapons. All of this information was beautifully integrated into the story, so I never felt like I was reading a textbook.

Of particular interest, the story is narrated by a raven named Tanka, who sees herself as a guardian of the tribe. I enjoyed this point of view, and appreciated the unique narrator.

Author Mike Meier is definitely a writer to pay attention to. I've read all three of his books to date (this historical fiction novel, a dystopian novel, and a romantic comedy), and enjoyed each of them. It's rare to come across an author who can write well in all genres, and Mr. Meier can (apparently) do anything! Next challenge: I'd love to see a gaslight fantasy romantic suspense, possibly with werewolves. If you can add in a mouse character, even better. I'll be keeping an eye out!

Five out of five perfect slices of provolone!

[Pallavi Sareen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Final Days of Doggerland: A Neolithic Story of Survival in Northern Europe is a historical fiction that tries to use known as well as lesser-known historical facts to weave a powerful story. I have read historical fiction set in 18th or 17th century but none that dates back to the neolithic period. One would assume it would be quite boring as people were still learning the art of civilization by then. But the author has done his research to make an interesting premise out of it. I was especially interested in the illustrations because they gave life to the story but other than that, the characters and the storyline was interesting enough to keep me reading.
The protagonist knows her way around herbs and poisons and once captured by another tribe, she must use her skills to survive. Because of the illustrations, I could easily picture what the author was trying to portray and it also showed how clear his vision for the story was. As a reader, I did drift off in places because I don’t have a keen interest in the history of Norther Europe but it was the plot and the characters that kept me engaged. I liked the flow of conversations and the problems faced by the tribes were genuinely what you would expect someone at that time to be worried about. I didn’t doubt the authenticity of the premise for even a second. It is a one-of-a-kind book and so it requires patience and curiosity on part of the reader. It starts off a bit slow but picks up towards the middle.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unusual in that it was set during Neolithic times. I didn't know much about that time, so I learned a lot about life in those days from reading this book.

I also enjoyed the story about how hard life could be for people who lived then. There were a lot of characters, but the major ones (Oane, Viggo, and his co-horts, and his wives) were very distinct and easy to remember and tell apart. I enjoyed seeing their motivations as they moved through the story. Oane was very impressive, but Viggo also fascinated me. It was interesting to compare how he saw himself with how others in the tribe viewed him.

The plot was exciting and interesting, as well as being historically accurate.

Occasional illustrations added a nice bonus!

[Ronald SmithJr · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok

I wanted to quit reading this many times but persevered to finish it. It was an interesting story but was not a good telling of that story. The idea of Doggerland has always interested me and I had hoped this would be a good story, helping to understand the migration and peoples of the area I guess in a sense it did somewhat do that. The characters were simple and not well developed. And the writing was as simple, not seamless, it was jerky. I felt the ending was easy to guess from early in the book.
If you are a young reader this might be better, for an experienced reader, I felt this was a bit disappointing.

[John Stults · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting story a bit of fantasy a bit of archeology and a bit of a mystery

This is an interesting story and while it has some fantasy and historical fiction features, it goes into the reaction of a tribe to the sinking doggerland. We see the human reaction to this and the desire of tribe members to join the “inner circle” even when this involves murder and slander. The story is very good and one even learns a bit of archeology and anthropology of tribes in the doggerbanks.
I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

[Aaron Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely unusual, a fiction set in a truly distant and ancient setting. The book motivated me to do a little more research about Doggerland and it got me started on an incredible archeological pursuit. Before reading this book, I did not even know that England was once connected to the European mainland.

[Beverly Fuqua · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story told in this book is quite interesting, or could have been, but the the voice is really dull. Despite the fact that it's being told by two crows. Great ideas, poor execution.

[Ken Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent

A truly wonderful story with engaging relatable characters. Very well written, with illustrations and even songs. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it highly.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many interesting time periods to explore, though some get more attention than others, and that was one of the many reasons The Final Days of Doggerland by Mike Meier caught my attention. This was the first time I came across a story set during the time when Doggerland was still above the ocean, and as a historian I loved it.

Now let’s talk about the story. The Final Days of Doggerland was an intriguing and unique novel. It was a real page-turner. I had a bit of a hard time putting it down once I began reading it as it became more captivating with each page. I know that the fact that I’m fascinated by the subject had something to do with that but doesn’t take away from the fact that this was a great story.

Something else that I loved from The Final Days of Doggerland was the graphics. I love it when stories like this include images, maps, and things like that because they help the reader know the world a little better. To me, any historical fiction or fantasy book that does this gets extra points from me.

Overall, The Final Days of Doggerland gets a high rating in my eyes. This was an interesting story, set during a time in history that is not often explored, and I love discovering stories like this. If you love historical fiction, be sure to pick this book up and if you are looking for something unique to read, also pick this book up. I am so glad that I did, and I will certainly be keeping an eye from more of Mike Meier´s works. He is definitely an author that I am glad I came across.