Age of Iron (2014) by Angus Watson is the first book in the Iron Age trilogy, a gritty, darkly humorous fantasy set in a brutal, quasi-historical version of ancient Britain. Blending visceral action with sharp wit, the story follows three unlikely heroes:
- Dug Sealskinner, a weary warrior with a penchant for survival and sarcasm.
- Lowa, a deadly archer and former queen’s guard seeking vengeance.
- Spring, a young girl with mysterious powers and a pet wolf.
When the invading Roman legions (here called “Maidun hordes”) threaten their land, the trio embarks on a perilous journey to unite fractured tribes against annihilation. Watson’s world is unforgiving—think Game of Thrones meets Mad Max with a Celtic twist—but leavened by irreverent humor and heart. Themes of loyalty, trauma, and the cost of power unfold amid bone-crunching battles and political treachery.