Michael Arnold Mages

The Romans have landed in Britain. The invasion is over, but the resistance has just begun.The legions march inland, but progress is slow, hampered by vast, ancient forests, swamps and treacherous rivers that must be crossed. But, guided by traitorous Celts blinded by self-interest, progress they do. Marshalling the fractious tribes, High King Tugodubnos plans the first major battle for the only fording point of the mighty Vaga River. Meanwhile, Cullen, now a warrior of renown, is dispatched by Aoife the Dread to seek out a mystic religious totem - the whetstone of the smith god, Gobannos - which could help unite the bickering clans. But will he be able to find the stone and return it to Aoife before the two great armies clas? he compelling second novel in the Savage Isle series, from the author of the Stryker Civil War novels. Praise for The Savage Isle'The lost world of the ancient Britons is vividly and memorably recreated' The Times 'There are several dawns in the history of these British Isles, but the dark before each one was never so impenetrable as that which preceded the Roman invasion of AD 43. Michael Arnold has shone a fascinating light on this period, capturing perfectly the anxiety, the high stakes and the conflicting interests of the moment. A warrior coming-of-age story unlike any I've ever read, with prose that sings like a druidic bard. Authentic, poetic, powerful. An epic overture to this savage isle's history' Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea'The Savage Isle tells the story of Iron Age Britain on the cusp of the Roman invasion. The evocation of the land of Ancient Britannia and the customs and way of life of the Ancient Britons is vividly and imaginatively brought to life' Alex Gough, author of Caesar's SoldierMichael Arnold's rich imagining of the island of Britain on the eve of the Roman invasion is lyrical and powerfully evoked but delicately described and packed with authentic human emotion... Simply masterful... will have you turning the pages long into the night' Angus Donald, author of The Last Berserker

The old ways are dying, and a mighty empire is reaching out across the sea.Britannia, 42AD. The wild island at the fringe of the known world is in chaos.Cunobelin, High King of the Britons, is dead. His heirs, warrior princes Togodubnos and Caratacos, have spurned the careful alliances that kept the irresistible might of the Roman Empire from Britannia’s shores for so long.In this land of warriors, druids and kings, riven by conflict, orphan boy Cullen must fight for survival within a tribe he despises. Captured by the Catuvellauni after a brutal raid on his own Atrebates tribe, he must find his purpose swiftly if he is to avoid the murderous attentions of the chief druid.As the Britons turn inward, jostling for dominion, avaricious eyes look on from across the Narrow Sea. The mighty legions gather…This is the epic story of Britain on the cusp of the Roman conquest, of a clash of civilisations and the last cries of resistance from a doomed way of life.Praise for The Savage Isle ''There are several dawns in the history of these British Isles, but the dark before each one was never so impenetrable as that which preceded the Roman invasion of AD 43. Michael Arnold has shone a fascinating light on this period, capturing perfectly the anxiety, the high stakes and the conflicting interests of the moment. A warrior coming-of-age story unlike any I’ve ever read, with prose that sings like a druidic bard. Authentic, poetic, powerful. An epic overture to this savage isle''s history'' Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea''The Savage Isle tells the story of Iron Age Britain on the cusp of the Roman invasion. The evocation of the land of Ancient Britannia and the customs and way of life of the Ancient Britons is vividly and imaginatively brought to life'' Alex Gough, author of Caesar''s Soldier

The old ways are dying, and a mighty empire is reaching out across the sea.Britannia, 42AD. The wild island at the fringe of the known world is in chaos.Cunobelin, High King of the Britons, is dead. His heirs, warrior princes Togodubnos and Caratacos, have spurned the careful alliances that kept the irresistible might of the Roman Empire from Britannia’s shores for so long.In this land of warriors, druids and kings, riven by conflict, orphan boy Cullen must fight for survival within a tribe he despises. Captured by the Catuvellauni after a brutal raid on his own Atrebates tribe, he must find his purpose swiftly if he is to avoid the murderous attentions of the chief druid.As the Britons turn inward, jostling for dominion, avaricious eyes look on from across the Narrow Sea. The mighty legions gather…This is the epic story of Britain on the cusp of the Roman conquest, of a clash of civilisations and the last cries of resistance from a doomed way of life.Praise for The Savage Isle ''There are several dawns in the history of these British Isles, but the dark before each one was never so impenetrable as that which preceded the Roman invasion of AD 43. Michael Arnold has shone a fascinating light on this period, capturing perfectly the anxiety, the high stakes and the conflicting interests of the moment. A warrior coming-of-age story unlike any I’ve ever read, with prose that sings like a druidic bard. Authentic, poetic, powerful. An epic overture to this savage isle''s history'' Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea''The Savage Isle tells the story of Iron Age Britain on the cusp of the Roman invasion. The evocation of the land of Ancient Britannia and the customs and way of life of the Ancient Britons is vividly and imaginatively brought to life'' Alex Gough, author of Caesar''s Soldier

Designers in public organizations face the challenges of managing influential stakeholders, shifting priorities, and the complexities of drafting and implementing policy. Often, they lack the headspace to think deeply about designing for effective public engagement. "Conversational Design" helps designers within public and social organizations improve co-design and informed decision making practices. The book offers practical tools and case studies to stimulate participation and foster better conversations, all aimed at achieving shared goals. It also provides a fresh perspective on consolidating data from civic conversations into actionable insights for policymakers. This critical, often overlooked step ensures that citizen voices have a stronger impact on design and policymaking processes. By presenting a novel understanding of design, this book serves both practitioners and scholars of design, as well as professionals in related fields that use objects and tools to shape social situations. It guides readers in making informed decisions on complex social challenges.