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The Light of the North #4
The Weeping Winter
In their darkest hour, a hero will rise, and give the people of the North their last great weapon: Hope.
Alternate history - 1119 AD. The bright banner of the Crusade flies over the ruins of Uppsala. The Norse army is shattered, the survivors scattered to the winds, and the sword that was fated to save them is lost to the enemy. A small band of refugees flees before the relentless foe, searching for a new place to call home.
Gjaldir goes with them, choosing to fight for his erstwhile captors and the woman and child he loves, rather than seek shelter with his Christian kin, the men who have brought death and destruction to the lands he once hated.
The great victorious host of the crusade marches on the last free lands of the Norse and there is nothing left to stand in their way. As the iron fist of their rule closes around the Northlands, for the people entombed within its grasp, survival is the only victory left to fight for.
Alternate history - 1119 AD. The bright banner of the Crusade flies over the ruins of Uppsala. The Norse army is shattered, the survivors scattered to the winds, and the sword that was fated to save them is lost to the enemy. A small band of refugees flees before the relentless foe, searching for a new place to call home.
Gjaldir goes with them, choosing to fight for his erstwhile captors and the woman and child he loves, rather than seek shelter with his Christian kin, the men who have brought death and destruction to the lands he once hated.
The great victorious host of the crusade marches on the last free lands of the Norse and there is nothing left to stand in their way. As the iron fist of their rule closes around the Northlands, for the people entombed within its grasp, survival is the only victory left to fight for.
540 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
116 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Duncan
11 books60 followersJames C Duncan is a debut author fascinated with history and fantasy. He writes historical fantasy/fiction based on our world, but in an alternate timeline, past, present or future, where each book or series asks and tries to answer a question of 'What if?' His first series 'The Light of the North saga', asks the question 'What if the Norse didn't convert to Christianity, and instead the Viking raids continued.' And posits the answer, which you will have to read the book to find out! James does not create new worlds, he messes with the history and future of ours, grounded in our own history and the laws of our universe, but tweaked in events and often adding a soft sprinkling of the divine or fantastical, resulting in relatable historical and future fantasy.
Upcoming books include the questions:
'What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.' An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.
'What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.' A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary
James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.
Upcoming books include the questions:
'What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.' An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.
'What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.' A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary
James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 23, 2023
Breathtakingly good!
This alternate history of how Christianity overcame the old Norse gods continues at a furious pace. The old Norse nation is broken and few warriors are left to oppose the crusader army. Surviving in the cold, harsh environment of Norway they are reduced to carrying out guerrilla raids on Christian forts and supply depots. Morale is low and final subjugation is close. However, much of the crusader army has gone home and the Machiavellian Bishop, Rheinhard, continues to scheme and plot. Anyone who stands in his way or is merely suspected of disloyalty does not live long. The fanatically loyal crusader army continues with its destruction and subjugation of the Norse people, committing ever sickening war crimes along the way. All in God's name of course! Will the despicable Bishop Rheinhard achieve his ultimate ambition to become Pope? Roll on the next instalment.
This alternate history of how Christianity overcame the old Norse gods continues at a furious pace. The old Norse nation is broken and few warriors are left to oppose the crusader army. Surviving in the cold, harsh environment of Norway they are reduced to carrying out guerrilla raids on Christian forts and supply depots. Morale is low and final subjugation is close. However, much of the crusader army has gone home and the Machiavellian Bishop, Rheinhard, continues to scheme and plot. Anyone who stands in his way or is merely suspected of disloyalty does not live long. The fanatically loyal crusader army continues with its destruction and subjugation of the Norse people, committing ever sickening war crimes along the way. All in God's name of course! Will the despicable Bishop Rheinhard achieve his ultimate ambition to become Pope? Roll on the next instalment.
August 8, 2023
I truly loved this saga.
I’m a little upset that I have finished this wonderful story, I have loved it, the characters are beautifully drawn, in my opinion & it doesn’t matter a jot to me which bits are known to be truth & which fiction, for without the one, I would still be woefully uninformed of both the 12th century crusade, in Europe, too. I believe a bit of research is in order for me too, now. Thanks, Mr Duncan.
I’m a little upset that I have finished this wonderful story, I have loved it, the characters are beautifully drawn, in my opinion & it doesn’t matter a jot to me which bits are known to be truth & which fiction, for without the one, I would still be woefully uninformed of both the 12th century crusade, in Europe, too. I believe a bit of research is in order for me too, now. Thanks, Mr Duncan.
September 22, 2024
Fantastic
Thank you Mr Duncan for this tale. I wasn’t sure at the beginning but it has just got better and better. I’ll be reading more of your works, probably all them. When is Book five coming out?
Thank you Mr Duncan for this tale. I wasn’t sure at the beginning but it has just got better and better. I’ll be reading more of your works, probably all them. When is Book five coming out?
July 7, 2023
Best of the series!
I've been blown away by the rich storytelling, epic action, and top notch characterization since book one. The Weeping Winter shines in the firmament of The Light of the North Saga which is among the best Viking series right up the with Raven by Giles Kristian and Saxon Tales by Bernard Cornwell. Page after page I was enthralled as Duncan built his balanced and nuanced tale of two colliding worlds to a crescendo. There's something for all lovers of medieval fiction as Duncan serves readers realistic battles, twisted intruige, and expertly researched world building to bring readers not just vikings but knights as well. The end result is a singularly satisfying read. Five stars
I've been blown away by the rich storytelling, epic action, and top notch characterization since book one. The Weeping Winter shines in the firmament of The Light of the North Saga which is among the best Viking series right up the with Raven by Giles Kristian and Saxon Tales by Bernard Cornwell. Page after page I was enthralled as Duncan built his balanced and nuanced tale of two colliding worlds to a crescendo. There's something for all lovers of medieval fiction as Duncan serves readers realistic battles, twisted intruige, and expertly researched world building to bring readers not just vikings but knights as well. The end result is a singularly satisfying read. Five stars
November 11, 2023
Wow. This has been an fascinating journey.
It is not a happy series…it is a very human, haunting series that I can’t help keep reading. Every bit of the story along the way-it is very well written and a great story. Heart breaking. I know it is fictional but it is very real, too. I just know I keep reading each book and this one was great.
It is not a happy series…it is a very human, haunting series that I can’t help keep reading. Every bit of the story along the way-it is very well written and a great story. Heart breaking. I know it is fictional but it is very real, too. I just know I keep reading each book and this one was great.
October 2, 2023
It pulls you in
Another fantastic instalment to the series. For a lengthy novel it still has you struggling to put it down from the moment you start. It's a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Even though it has a bit of a twist.
Another fantastic instalment to the series. For a lengthy novel it still has you struggling to put it down from the moment you start. It's a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Even though it has a bit of a twist.
October 25, 2023
A Viking saga series
A very enjoyable read keeping me awake into early morning light spellbound looking forward to new series thank you for for giving me such enjoyment long regards Fred
A very enjoyable read keeping me awake into early morning light spellbound looking forward to new series thank you for for giving me such enjoyment long regards Fred
November 22, 2023
This series!! Just when I finally think I've decided which side I'm rooting for something bad happens to the other side that makes me furious 😆
Some incredible reveals in this one and I cannot wait for the fifth and final book!!
Some incredible reveals in this one and I cannot wait for the fifth and final book!!
April 4, 2024
Brings hero's & the Gods of old alive blended with modern science & politics
Can the downtrodden become heroes? Can belief in Pagan Gods be realistic? Does politics try to bend science to suit its purposes? A great read blending past & present!
Can the downtrodden become heroes? Can belief in Pagan Gods be realistic? Does politics try to bend science to suit its purposes? A great read blending past & present!
May 3, 2025
Continues being a fabulous read
This is listed as fantasy and is the first fantasy I have managed to read. There no characters with pointed ears or wings, it's a nicefabulous and thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable read
This is listed as fantasy and is the first fantasy I have managed to read. There no characters with pointed ears or wings, it's a nicefabulous and thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable read
January 8, 2024
Another cracking good read.
Absolutely brilliant set of books, totally engrossing. Definitely can't wait to get pages deep into the next book in the series .
Absolutely brilliant set of books, totally engrossing. Definitely can't wait to get pages deep into the next book in the series .
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January 19, 2024Great fun
Enjoyed book a little brutal at times. As needed. It showed the characters of the church as all bad there must have been one decent man
Enjoyed book a little brutal at times. As needed. It showed the characters of the church as all bad there must have been one decent man
August 8, 2023
as before … the tale just keeps getting better !
Great narrative . The characters just feel “real “ … on both sides .
I’ve often felt sorry to finish a book , howevever the twists & turns of this tale really do uplift & simultaneously deliver moments of unexpected shock , or disbelief .
Simply put … storytelling at its best .
Great narrative . The characters just feel “real “ … on both sides .
I’ve often felt sorry to finish a book , howevever the twists & turns of this tale really do uplift & simultaneously deliver moments of unexpected shock , or disbelief .
Simply put … storytelling at its best .
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews