• The Dream of the Iron Dragon

  • An Alternate History Viking Epic (Saga of the Iron Dragon, Book 1)
  • By: Robert Kroese
  • Narrated by: J. D. Ledford
  • Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (243 ratings)

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The Dream of the Iron Dragon  By  cover art

The Dream of the Iron Dragon

By: Robert Kroese
Narrated by: J. D. Ledford
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Publisher's summary

Trapped 1,300 years in the past, they have one mission: survive.

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. Pursued by the power-hungry King Harald, the four surviving crew members join a ragtag band of Vikings as they pillage their way across Europe. It will take all their ingenuity, courage, and technical know-how just to survive. But survival is only the beginning. To save humanity, they must somehow return to the stars.

Thus begins a decades-long effort to teach the Vikings to build a craft capable of reaching space - a ship that will come to be known as the Iron Dragon.

The Dream of the Iron Dragon is the first installment in the Iron Dragon trilogy. The sequel, The Dawn of the Iron Dragon, was released in June 2018. The saga will conclude with The Voyage of the Iron Dragon in December 2018.

The Iron Dragon trilogy is being produced as part of the phenomenally successful Saga of the Iron Dragon Kickstarter, which raised more than $10,000. Meticulously researched and packed with action, The Dream of the Iron Dragon is a must for sci-fi and alternate history fans.

©2018 Robert Kroese (P)2018 Robert Kroese

Critic reviews

"Terrific storytelling, letter-perfect alternate-history, and the highest stakes for humanity imaginable combine to make this a thrilling start to an exciting new Viking saga. Kroese avoids both romanticizing and demonizing the Vikings, showing them to us in all their humanity, while spinning a tale that pulls no punches and leaves us gasping for more." (Lars Hedbor, author)

What listeners say about The Dream of the Iron Dragon

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

bumbling fools. with incomplete Tech.

As a former member of the United States armed forces I am embarrassed by the actions of the characters supposedly protraing military professionals.
I would suggest that the author at least talk to a former Marine before they attempt to write about one.
My last gripe is the BattleTech. A railgun should be able to engage targets out to sevral thousand meters, no grenade or Claymore equivalents on a military scout ship during a time of War.
I apologize if this sounds like nitpicking, however the Space Marine got his ass kicked buy a bunch of Bronze Age barbarians. instead of holding them at the bridge and killing them one by one with his sidearm.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Huge Kroese fan. I approve.

I'm a huge Kroese fan and have probably listened to Starship Grifters more than a dozen times, plus at least 10 others by him. This one lacks the humor and satire you might be used to but it is still highly enjoyable. JD does a great job narrating.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Holy SLOW

Had to listen at x1.25 speed. No action or Vikings until 4 hours in. Could not finish. Poor execution of a decent plot.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a great book!

I can’t wait for more. This is going to be wonderful. Thank you for a wonderfully
fun book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t stop listening!

Space battles, Aliens, Vikings, chemistry/physics...this book has it all! The narrator does a very good job without sounding like she is trying hard to differentiate male voices. The progression and logic behind the plot ideas are excellent. You will love the book. You will find yourself asking when this series will show up on the big screen. I’m now on the second book. Happy reading!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • JD
  • 11-04-18

This book is okay for an average sci-fi fan.

however if you are a fan of nordic culture this book will leave you feeling very bored and disappointed. sadly the book could have been great but the premise and the characters involved will leave you scratching your head asking what's wrong with all of them.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

more of this series

The story is intriguing and exciting also, could the rest of the series be made available please.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Q
  • 09-13-18

incomplete

I understand that it's only the first of a series, and it is a very damn good book. But it is such an obvious grab to try to get you to buy the next book. A book should be resolved within itself period a few loose ends are okay but there has to be some kind of resolution. Some kind of completion. This book lacks that and forces you to buy the next one to find out what happens. I'm probably going to buy the next one because I did enjoy this one, but I feel like I have been forced into that path instead of choosing it.

also, the woman who reads this doesn't do as good a job as I feel she could have, especially when the characters get emotional or serious. she always sounds like she's doing a slightly moving charicature of a person's voice.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great sci-fi/alt hist

There were a few glitches in the recording, some repeated lines in one or two spots, but the guts of the story were strong. Not too slow anywhere, and it really gave you a boots-on-the-ground feel. A solid blend of future tech and Earth analog living.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

this story was a good idea but written poorly

it's almost as if the author knows nothing of Vikings .
the Vikings are very secular ....

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1 person found this helpful