The Iron Castle (Outlaw Chronicles) Paperback – May 31, 2016

I devoured this book, word by word, line by line, page by page and finished it in two days, which considering it is a 'big read' in every sense, is saying a lot. The action never lets up, not once and living up to his previous novels, the reader feels that they are 'in the moment', a witness to the adventures of Robin Hood, his sidekick Alan A Dale and the Merry Men. To say that Angus Donald has put a new spin and twist to the beloved hero of Sherwood Forest, is an under-statement.This book has everything - betrayal, revenge, sex, loyalty, battles and gore! The fight scenes are detailed in blow by blow accounts using swords, daggers, mace and the often used but seldom acknowledged, decapitation by shield!I loved this book and didn't want to put it down or finish it - much like savouring a good glass of wine or a delicious meal. Good to the last sup or bite.

I'm in the midst of reading this now and as usual, I feel as if I'm involved in the battle scenes. I'm dying to know who the traitor is!!Ok, now I've finished and once again, I have experienced the very best in character development, plot and dialogue from Mr. Donald. This series is amazing in its consistency, something that is a very difficult thing to do. To create one, brilliant novel is a great accomplishment, to create a series where each installment is just as good as the others is amazing! Very satisfying ending here by the way!

King John... loses France... here, at Chateau Gaillard. HOW it happens is the key to this wonderful novel!

I love this series. Well written and well researched. So e things seem to be a bit stretched at times, but holes have to be filled with creativity from time to time. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Angus Donald is one of the best writers of medieval historical fiction out there, in the same vein as Cornwall, Iggulden, and many others. Recommended.

I really enjoy Angus Donald and his Outlaw Chronicles. There is always fast paced action with enough historical markers to make it really believable. I am currently a History major and can't pick out any huge faults. The plot is plausible and enjoyable. One thing to know is that Donald does not shy away from the way war was in the Medieval Ages. It is a graphic book with lots of description. If you know this going in, you're in for a treat!

Great book love the series.

Can't get enough of Angus Donald.

If you haven't read any of these Robin Hood novels - go away and read them.If you have read them - be prepared. You may have thought that Alan went through a hellish ordeal of battle and war in Holy Warrior. You may have thought that Alan and Robin were remarkably lucky to escape and survive in Grail Knight well you will need some calm pills or a fan to cope with the huge amount of high levels of gripping action unlike any other that will increase your stress levels with each life-or-death battle that Alan and Robin must face. Often on a personal and emotional level.And as the title says it does involve a specific castle and as the cover shows it is going to involve and does a battle not just of sword but of stone and arrows and missiles and fire and a weapon that I have never experienced as deeply as in this book - hunger. If you don't appreciate every litte bit of food you get to eat in the present day compared to the fare Alan and Robin and an army survive on - well all I can say is read it again when on an empty stomach.Thankfully it is not just a story full of battles but about loyalty, kingship, comrades in arms and honour in the face of all things.It is another masterfully crafted tale and a fantastic read. Cant wait to see where Robin and Alan go next and whether we will finally encounter the famous beginnings of the Baron's rebellion and the Magna Carter....

The whole series is easy to get into and I find myself finishing them fairly quickly and forgetting the time. We are on the 6th book now with Robin and Alan off on their adventure and we get to join them. I would say each book is like an episode of Sharpe or Hornblower in the adventure sense, but obviously more detail and spanning much more time.The Iron Castle in particular is probably the most castle/siege based book so far in my opinion (it's around 90% based in Normandy). The reader is introduced to many new characters as well as old favorites, I must admit to getting annoyed at Alan many times but I won't spoil why that is (you will likely notice it anyway). There are many new battle tactics, siege tactics and pieces of equipment in this story. You will absolutely hate King John and find yourself liking King Philip.The way the book ended gives many possibilities on how the next one could go and I personally doubt King John will stand by his word/action, he is far too petty, paranoid and a complete raving idiot for peace to happen in England or anywhere for that matter.If you've followed the series for five books so far, you will get this and enjoy it as you have the ones before.

The sixth in a series that keeps on giving and shows no signs of slowing down at all. Yes, the series is loosely based on the legend of Robin Hood but it has moved on to cover the Crusades and in this one the battles in France between King John and Philip of France. The main thrust here is the siege of Château-Gaillard where Robin and pro-King John barons hold out for a rescue by the King that would never come. The story is told by the real hero of the series, Alan Dale who is an honest God-fearing man who has the strength of loyalty to Robin.The author is a master story-teller and this series is very special indeed. Here he seamlessly gets so much into the novel, a story with pace, real characters and conflicts, the historical aspect and of course the siege itself. I do read a lot yet every time I pick up one of Angus Donald's books I am reminded what a true art it is to write historical fiction to this standard.

The Outlaw Chronicles are just getting better with every book. I rate the whole series on par with Cornwell's Saxon Chronicles, at the very highest quality. Iron Castle is simply brilliant. It is the best novel about siege warfare ever written. The action just doesn't cease and flows from the first to the final page. The plot is full of intriguing characters all of whom play outstanding roles against the violent background of medieval history. I just could not put the book down and cannot wait for the next in the series. Although Robin Hood is portrayed as the main character as seen through the eyes of one of his "merry men" Alan Dale, the author uses this famous and legendary character to witness and participate in historical events during the reign of Richard the Lionheart and later the unpopular King John. By the way, the best battle descriptions I have ever read in a novel.

This is a very good "read". Without hesitation I recommend it to anyone brought up on the legends of Robin Hood. Once one gets used to the idea of Robin as a ruthless bandit far from committed to the notion of robbing the rich to give to the poor, the story gallops along apace. The "Iron Castle" having fallen to the French as the result of treachery from within coupled with King John's broken promise to send reinforcements, the traitor must be unmasked and punished. The author engenders a suspense which he maintains to the end. I was left guessing until eventually all was revealed.

I've really enjoyed this book which I think is 5th in the Robin Hood series. If like me you want an action packed read, you've got it here. I grew up watching the BBC series on tv 'Robin Hood' so reading this series has been like meeting up with old friends. I love all the swashbuckling, swords clashing, maces crushing and horses biting and kicking and joining in the battles. Rough, tough men and women. Great read.

Alan Dale swore an oath to serve Robin until death. Throughout his service to Robin, Alan has remained loyal, but has continued to question Robin's honor. Alan is about 26 years old now and has seen the world for all its cruelty and duplicity at Robin's side. Alan's naivete and idealism continues to overrule his objectivity in The Iron Castle.The Iron Castle (as with all the Outlaw Chronicles by Angus Donald) is enjoyable on many levels as has been amply discussed in all the other reviews. What I've enjoyed throughout the series is the development of Alan's character.... who he is as a person. Alan continues to struggle with doing what he feels is the right thing which sometimes runs contrary to his oath to Robin.Read The Iron Castle if you are a fan of historical fiction or love a great adventure or a fictional character study of what it must have been like living 800 years ago. I read it for all these reasons.

A good yarn exceptionally well written, as are the others in the series that preceded this book. The Robin Hood legend that follows that of the accepted legend with a follow on possible one. Well worth reading, this series from the first to this the latest. Well worth reading a true page/can,t put down book.

This series is excellent. I've read them all and would urge anyone who enjoys a good read with interesting characters and intriguing plots to start at the beginning and read the lot. Not the Robin Hood I remember from my childhood! An excellent author and very glad I found him.

A fantastic read, the series just keeps on getting better.

new to Angus Donald, but I really enjoyed this - great sense of the tension around the siege building, and the action scenes are terrific. One quibble would be his depiction of female characters - there are barely any (fair enough, given the setting), but those there are were really terribly drawn

This Robin Hood series is nothing like the old Richard Greene. Following King Richard's demise in France, this sees Robin swearing fealty to his brother John who true to historic law commands Robin to hold the Iron Castle against the growing might of France while he, John, escapes to the safety of England. Excellent series.

Thoroughly good read. The twist of the Alan a Dale character writing his memoirs instead of a standard Robin Hood, Prince of thieves adventure story works well. Good historical notes and explanations at the end of each book in the series very informative. Read the story first though.

Hard to say what's the best book so far but this one is for sure one of them. Looking forward to the next

This book is one in a series of 7 written about Robin HoodAbsolutely love this story. Am on the last book now, soHopefully will find something else just as good.