This was an extremely engaging novel set in the late Iron Age at a time when the Catuvellauni tribe were the main conquerors of the Britons. Julius Caesar had been and gone but now new emperor, Claudius, is becoming ambitious. As other lands fall at Roman feet his sights are set on taming the Isle of the Mighty.

Cullen is the main protagonist whose first taste of the Catuvellauni comes when they destroy his township, Calleva (modern day Silchester). Cullen escapes through sheer luck - or is his path smoothed by the gods? He ends up at Camulodunum (Colchester) the stronghold of the Catuvellauni where he makes friends and powerful enemies.

As he grows into manhood, the threat from Rome grows. Will the tribes of Britons learn to fight together or will the Romans defeat the disparate kingships and will Cullen get vengeance against Caratacos of the Catuvellauni for slaughtering his family.

Michael Arnold certainly packs the action in to every page. There is a fair amount of blood and gore but it's not gratuitous violence. These were violent and uncertain times, full of treachery and deceit between tribes. Cullen is very likeable and the small band of friends he gathers around him play a big part in his growing into a man.

The blurb says this is Book 1 of 1. I sincerely hope that Michael Arnold intends to write more. I really want to know what happens to Cullen, Andoc, Cassia, Becan and Drest never mind the Romans. You certainly don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this book - just a fan of good writing and a well told story.

Very highly recommended.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Canelo for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.

42AD, Britannia. The tribes of this savage island are at war with each other. In a land of kings and druids, the conflict is at its breaking point between the two tribes of the Catuvellauni and the Atrebates.
One particular boy called Cullen is suffering more than most, captured by the Catuvellauni, he must do whatever he can to survive, even fight with for enemy to save himself from the head druid. A savage man who has plans for him.
All of this in shadow of the mighty Roman Empire who are waiting to pounce.
Michael Arnold has produced a very strong and powerful interpretation of Britannia.
His story of life through the eyes of the tribes of Britannia, rather than from the Roman perspective is fascinating.
I’m a big fan of Michael Arnold’s Stryker books and I found this book to be just as good.
I highly recommend this book and very much look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Thoroughly enjoyable coming of age tale about Cullen, a young lad who looks after the goats until a rival tribe sacks his village and captures him. He makes friends and enemies among the Catuvellauni, and we see him undergo his warrior's training, treading an uneasy line between hating the people who killed his family yet knowing that the only way he can survive is to be part of a tight-knit warrior band. We also see him clash badly with the chief druid, and make unexpected friends among the 'wise ones'.

The details really bring the setting to life, and it's also good to see a bit more inside the character's head rather than just endless descriptions of battle. The female characters are well done, too.

The start is a little slow, but it's worth persevering, and I look forward to the next in the series.

The Savage Isle by Michael Arnold was a book for life! Loved the story so much I'm planning to re-read it several times! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.