Book Review: The Dream of the Iron Dragon by Rob Kroese

A starship holds a secret weapon that may save humanity from extinction. An accident sends it back in time 1300 years. But these humans will keep fighting!

A starship holds a secret weapon that may save humanity from extinction. An accident sends it back in time 1300 years. But these humans will keep fighting!

The story

In the 23rd century, humanity has been hunted to the verge of extinction by an alien race. When an exploratory ship accidentally travels back in time to Viking-age Scandinavia, the human race is given a second chance. Thankfully, the crew has the skills, the dedication and the grit to do what has to be done to keep hope alive.

Traveling by horse and ship and foot, trying to learn about Viking life and politics, and fighting for their lives, the crew of the Andrea Luhman will do what it takes to survive, and stop the future extinction of humanity.

Eventually, the chief engineer figures all the options are closed.

Except to build a new ship...

The characters

Kroese is a master of characterization. The crew of the Andrea Luhman are living, breathing individuals, and their backgrounds are woven seamlessly into the story.

Humanity's rivals, the Cho-ta’an, are skillfully built up as characters and people, with plausible language, customs and culture.

The Vikings are...real. The author has obviously done a lot of work and study to get the details of his Vikings right (they're Norwegian, by the way, and really don't like the Danes). Viking weapons, tactics, ships, social organization and customs all seem solid, and fit together to make a holistic picture of the society the 23rd century spacers find themselves dropped into.

The world

The future world, of star travel and the conflict with the Cho-ta’an, is very interesting in its details, especially how humanity has responded to the existential threat it faces.

The past world, of the Vikings, is brilliantly detailed and realized. It seems so natural, after a few pages the reader feels right at home, running around with Vikings.

The politics

To focus on the Vikings again--the politics of the time period, as King Harald attempts to consolidate Norway under his rule, is an important part of the story and determines many of the actions the crew is able to take. There's an undercurrent of localism and libertarianism here, freedom-loving people and villages resisting the offers of "protection."

We also get a glimpse of Cho-ta’an politics, and it ends up being a vital part of the events that lead to the situation the crew finds itself in.

Content warning

There is violence and death, but it's done with discretion. Probably not for very young children, but it's not their kind of story.

Who is it for?

People who like classic science fiction, good stories, and great characters. Even if you're not into "hard" SF, this book is simply a well-told tale of humans, their struggles and triumphs.

So, anybody who likes a good novel.

Why read it?

The book reminds me of  Niven and Pournelle's The Mote in God's Eye, which those with some knowledge of classic science fiction will recognize as high praise. But Kroese's work is not derivative in any way, instead it's original, well-written and it satisfies. A book so entertaining one is glad it's the first in a five-book series.