Review: Warriors of Iron by M.J. Porter

September 05, 2025

Review: Warriors of Iron by M.J. Porter

Today, I'm delighted to welcome back historical fiction author, MJ Porter. I'm sharing my review of a cracking new release, Warriors of Iron. I'm enjoying The Dark Age Chronicles series very much. Find my review of the first book in the series, Men of Iron, HERE!

Warriors of Iron is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. My thanks to Rachel and Boldwood Books for a copy.

Warriors of Iron

The Dark Age Chronicles, Book #2

MJ Porter

Review:

We're back with seeress Meddi of the Eorlingas, who are settling well into their recovered ancestral home that had been cruelly stolen by the now-dead Edern. Meddi had her revenge, yet new challenges await the wise woman.

This riveting adventure continues apace, following the escape of Edern's scheming wife, Elen, who'd been kept under lock and key. Well, until she convinced naïve Hedrek to help her. Ha!

So beautiful, dangerous Elen is on the loose, and she has snatched the tribe's treasured broken sword, which they were keen to have put back together again.

As a reminder – the knowledge of forging weapons has become lost with the departure of the Romans and the demise of the last blacksmiths capable of producing quality weapons made of iron. Various tribes try to rediscover that knowledge, some with more success than others.

But the Eorlingas have one advantage – Terrricus, who is experimenting to gain the precious substance they need to forge new, sharp weapons. So their quest continues, all the while they're having to fight other regional tribes for their recovered hope. Edern had left his mark, and those seeking revenge are after compensation – the ancient Roman villa Eorlingas.

Whilst Meddi bemoans Elen's escape, the woman winds her way through the countryside, where young Saxon Wærmund roams with his small retinue of followers. Having been tricked and locked up, they're now on the move again, minus their promised treasure. Wærmund wants to create a comitatus – a household of seasoned warriors with him as the leader. Having killed his younger brother – and their father's designated heir – he not only has to be on the lookout for his father's men, but also keep an eye on his own followers. Are they truly loyal to him?

When they come across Elen, his two female warriors form a protective ring around the woman. Wisely, he doesn't trust her, unable to speak her language except through one of his men as an interpreter. But others lust after her, something that messes up his plans.

Will Elen return to Villa Eorlingas, and get her revenge? And can Wærmund travel safely, without having to watch his back? I'd suggest you read the novel to find out!

Warriors of Iron is a gripping 'dark age’ adventure set during a time of much change, mistrust, conquest, and upheaval. The descendants of those Saxons, who'd been invited to defend the tribes from enemies, are now taking over the settlements or founding new ones, no longer interested in protecting the locals. The variety of tribes and their cultural and linguistic differences is fascinating, and it makes for interesting reading. You needed translators who you could trust, without their own agenda or ambitions. That was probably a tricky aspect of post-Roman life.

The historical details are as close as they could be, for the era, and as readers, we experience ordinary life in those settlements as precarious, surprising, superstitious, and even dull, depending on who you were and what you were doing. Religion also plays a role, as some tribes remain Christian (the last British Romans were Christian), whilst others retain their ancient beliefs.

The narrative – from different 1st-person POVs – is repetitive at times, showing their inner thoughts and worries. Whilst this slows the pace, it also reiterates those fears. They were an essential part of everyday life, during a time of great change.

The character development of Meddi, of her younger half-brother Madog, the Eorlingas' chieftain, and Wærmund, develop well here. They grow through their experiences and trials. I still find neither very likeable, but their decisions and actions speak for them. They do come across realistically as characters from an era we still know little about, as details were often described centuries later. Decades of oral transmission (and personal ambitions) would have distorted the truth. And, as the author points out in their Notes, archaeology still throws up surprises.

Warriors of Iron ends on another cliffhanger, and I, for one, am looking forward to the next adventure. Highly recommended, as expected.

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Blurb:

During Britannia’s tribal age only the strongest prevail…

Britain AD541

Seeress Meddi has been restored to her rightful position of influence within the Eorlingas tribe. But a heavy cloud hangs over the tribe’s survival with the escape of the treacherous Elen who seeks to exact a bloody vengeance following Meddi’s reinstatement and her downfall.

Meddi knows Elen will return to settle the blood feud and the tribe must be ready to face this deadly threat with iron. They must toil day and night to harness the power of the lost magiks to make the weapons needed to overpower Elen.

Meanwhile, Wærmund, a warrior of Saxon descent, has escaped his enforced captivity and vows vengeance against his captors. He too hungers for the promise of sharp blades and travels West to find those who can fashion iron into blades sharp enough to kill. But when a lone woman befriends the band of warriors, promising him even more than that, he’s beguiled by her tale of deceit amongst her own tribe, so reminiscent of his own.

Unbeknown, Meddi and Wærmund share a common enemy and one who is just as belligerent as they are…

Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/WarriorsofIron

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About the Author:

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author's writing destiny was set.