Set during the twilight years of Rome's once all-powerful empire, The Barbarian is the action-packed, thrillingly authentic new historical novel from one of the genre's best.‘Exhilarating reading . . . full of incident and adventure’ SCOTSMAN‘Jackson has created another blockbuster historical fiction’ ASPECTS OF HISTORY‘Rightly hailed as one of the best historical novelists writing today’ DAILY EXPRESSAD 406. Abandoned by friends and hounded by enemies, Roman cavalry commander Marcus Flavius Victor and a small band of loyal warriors know that the time has come to leave an increasingly fractured Britannia.Their journey takes them across the bleak, pirate-infested seas of the Mare Germanicum to Saxonia and on into the dark heart of barbarism. It seems the Britons' only salvation lies with an old comrade, General Stilicho - based far to the east but still within the sanctuary of the Empire. But the general has troubles of his own: his influence with the Emperor Honorius is waning, and a great warrior people are on the march - for Radagaisus, king of the Ostrogoths, has promised his subjects all the riches of Italia, and they will leave a sea of Roman bones in their wake.But as Marcus and his companions battle their way towards what they hope will a safe haven of sorts, they stumble across a secret which could decide the fate of the Empire. But who can they really trust, and can Marcus reach Stilicho in time - because his every step is dogged by a son who wants him dead...Praise for Douglas Jackson:‘Amazing historical novel, such a treat to read’ *****‘WOW . . . WHAT A STORY’ *****‘Jackson continues to excel in his books’ *****‘Full of action, interesting characters, great battle scenes’ *****‘DOUGLAS JACKSON IS ONE HECK OF A WRITER’ *****

A band of fierce Viking warriors. A battle with enemies on both sides. A young man just trying to survive.Ulv, a youth raised on a tiny farm far from the jarls and warriors, faces his first raid with trepidation. With no seafaring or fighting experience, he's no warrior, no Viking. Yet he must prove himself to the Jarl and his crew. When disaster strikes, Ulv challenges a formidable warrior to a duel as his only means of escape. Against all odds, he must defeat an opponent twice his size if he is to survive. But survival seems unlikely, and victory even more so.Can Ulv rise from obscurity and earn honour in the eyes of the Jarl, or is he doomed to a life of enslavement?Viking' heralds the start of the 'Viking Ventures' series, a gritty Viking historical fiction saga. For those who enjoy underdog stories with intense action, fierce battles and authentic characters in an unforgiving world, Åsli and Bakkjord's latest instalment is a must-read.Pick up Viking today and immerse yourself in a gripping Viking saga book of honour, survival and prowess that will keep you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover.