Book Review: Men of Iron by MJ Porter

We are pleased to be welcoming MJ Porter to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for their latest book, Men of Iron.

After the legends of Arthur, yet before the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, a tribal age of iron and rust ruled.

Britain AD540.

In the western hinterland of Roman Britannia, Meddi, the seeress of the Eorlingas tribe, can only obtain vengeance when her husband’s dead and her ancestral villa returned to her.

With her brother, Madog, as leader, they unite and stand strong against those who seek the riches of their villa. They must harness the power of the lost magiks of iron to make weapons to mercilessly oppose those who seek to challenge and fight to rule.

Meanwhile in the east, Waermund, a young warrior of Saxon descent, has exacted the ultimate revenge against his brother. Startled by his own ruthlessness, he knows his father will pursue him to exact retribution. He and his band of miscreant warriors must flee westwards and forge a new future by earning coin from those too weak to protect themselves.

Meddi and Wærmund are set to collide in a world of iron and rust.

*****

Men of Iron is the first in a new series by M.J Porter. Having read novels in previous series by this author, I was eager to see what this new one had to offer.

This book is based in the dark ages, between the departure of the Romans and the rule of the Saxons. It’s a time when sharp iron which holds its edge is worth more than gold.

Told from the perspectives of two characters, one Britain and one of Norse descent, the story weaves a wonderfully colourful picture of the time. The characters are captivating and the imagery vidid, just as I have come to expect from M J Porter.

I have read many of Porter’s books and have enjoyed them and this one is no different. This is a time period often forgotten by those who are not writing of the legendary Arthur and his knights, so it is really good to see. It tells of a time when the country was very much tribal, where a tribal leader and a king were pretty much one and the same. Life was hard and death came all too easily.

I am looking forward to seeing where the series takes me next.

About MJ Porter –

MJ Porter is the author of over fifty fiction titles set in Saxon England and the era before the tumultuous events of 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building and told from a young age that it housed the long-dead bones of Saxon kings, it’s little wonder that the study of the era was undertaken at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

MJ Porter has written a collection of interconnected fiction series focusing on the Saxon kingdom of Mercia and books set in the newly formed ‘England.’

MJ Porter is published by Boldwood Books for The Dark Ages Series, The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles and The Brunanburh Series.

MJ Porter has also written three 20th-century mysteries and historical fantasy.

Say hello to MJ Porter on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to their newsletter. 

Men of Iron is book one in the Dark Age Chronicles and was released by Boldwood Books on 15th April 2025. Click to buy on Amazon, Kobo and Waterstones.

by

Chris Parish