Name: Clash of Iron
ISBN: 9780356502625

Angus Watson

LEADERS ARE FORGED IN THE FIRES OF WAR Iron Age warriors Dug and Lowa captured Maidun castle and freed its slaves. But now they have conquered it, they must defend it. A Roman invasion is coming from Gaul, but rather than uniting to protect their home, the British tribes battle each other - and see Maidun as an easy target. Meanwhile, Lowa's spies infiltrate Gaul, discovering the Romans have recruited bloodthirsty British druids, and Maidunite Ragnall finds his loyalties torn when he meets Rome's charismatic general, Julius Caesar. War is coming. Who will pay its price?

Clash of Iron

The second book in Angus Watson's epic Iron Age fantasy trilogy. LEADERS ARE FORGED IN THE FIRES OF WAR Iron Age warriors Dug and Lowa captured Maidun castle and freed its slaves. But now they must defend it. A Roman invasion is coming from Gaul, but rather than uniting to defend their home, the British tribes go to battle with each other -- and see Maidun as an easy target. Meanwhile, Lowa's spies infiltrate Gaul, discovering the Romans have recruited British druids. And Maidunite Ragnall finds his loyalties torn when he meets Rome's charismatic general, Julius Caesar. War is coming. Who will pay its price?

Wynter

I'm not sure what it is, but the second book on the Iron Age trilogy just didn't work for me a well as the first one. Lowa and Dug sort of took second stage to this huge conflict happening between Maiduns, Dumnonians, Eroo, Murkans, AND Romans. Oh yeah, there were also countless other little tribes mingling here and there. There were so many politics involved, the two central character had very little space left to develop past their first book counterparts. The evil kings that Lowa is left to fight after becoming the queen of Maidun are each colorful and sick in their own glorious ways, but what about the good guys?! Outside the gory adventures of Lowa among Murkans, she seriously has very little stuff to do (besides mulling about her inexperience as a ruler). Dug and her both go back and forth acting like teens confused about their feelings, and convincing themselves that the other hates them. Even Randall get more chapters than these guys. 

Also, what is up with a random ending?! So... are we going to be one character short in book three? Are you trying to pull the "Red Wedding" (random reference) here, Mr. Watson? What in the world is going on? *bumps around the darkness confused*

On the other hand, the humour is still solid, the adventure is ambitious, and characters - distinctive. While still very enjoyable, this is 100% action driven plot, which is very different from its predecessor. It's not going to scare me off the next and final book, but I'm getting a bit worried. Solid three stars.

Clash of Iron

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