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The Norseman Chronicles #1
The Norseman
The Norseman is the first volume of the vividly-detailed historical chronicles of Halldorr, an orphan whose entire desire was to lay beside both a warm hearth and a plump wife, but fate had another thread to spin. Instead, he found himself exiled, resigned to a life of raiding, killing for plunder and survival. He became bodyguard to a king, brutally fighting in monumental battles - Maldon and Swoldr - to be handed down for centuries in skaldic verse.
Because of a blood-oath made years before the murder of his father, Halldorr was adopted by an exile, Greenland’s discoverer, Erik the Red. Halldorr believes his life is his to command when Freydis, the fierce, fire-haired enchantress, at last desires to be his wife. However, destiny strikes, forcing him to flee from Greenland to Ireland to England to Norway without her. He fights his way to wealth and in an epic battle, defending his king against overwhelming odds, he finds that it was not destiny, but betrayal that sent him into banishment thirteen years earlier.
Because of a blood-oath made years before the murder of his father, Halldorr was adopted by an exile, Greenland’s discoverer, Erik the Red. Halldorr believes his life is his to command when Freydis, the fierce, fire-haired enchantress, at last desires to be his wife. However, destiny strikes, forcing him to flee from Greenland to Ireland to England to Norway without her. He fights his way to wealth and in an epic battle, defending his king against overwhelming odds, he finds that it was not destiny, but betrayal that sent him into banishment thirteen years earlier.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2012
74 people are currently reading
1028 people want to read
About the author
Jason Born
20 books115 followersSee also: Emily Hawk
Jason Born is a popular historical novelist of many series as well as stand-alone titles. His latest work, On Love & War, is an epic tale of devotion and pain in Napoleonic Europe. The Long Fuse is an ongoing series that thrillingly captures the violent period of America’s rise from ragtag colonies to independence. He is the author three other gritty series of works spanning time and place. Lions & Devils vividly describes the heroes and villains of the monstrous Islamic assault of Western Europe during the Eighth Century. The Norseman Chronicles center on the faithful Viking, Halldorr, who desired peace, but found only war in the Old and New Worlds. The Wald Chronicles describe the rugged conflict and improbable outcome in Germania during the wars between Rome and her tribal adversaries over 2,000 years ago. League of the Lost Fountain is his first work for kids of all ages. Jason lives in the Midwest with his wife and three children.
Jason Born is a popular historical novelist of many series as well as stand-alone titles. His latest work, On Love & War, is an epic tale of devotion and pain in Napoleonic Europe. The Long Fuse is an ongoing series that thrillingly captures the violent period of America’s rise from ragtag colonies to independence. He is the author three other gritty series of works spanning time and place. Lions & Devils vividly describes the heroes and villains of the monstrous Islamic assault of Western Europe during the Eighth Century. The Norseman Chronicles center on the faithful Viking, Halldorr, who desired peace, but found only war in the Old and New Worlds. The Wald Chronicles describe the rugged conflict and improbable outcome in Germania during the wars between Rome and her tribal adversaries over 2,000 years ago. League of the Lost Fountain is his first work for kids of all ages. Jason lives in the Midwest with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 28, 2012
I didn't think I was going to like this book, I've found some viking literature to be overly graphic and lacking in actual plot; but by the end of it I was ready for the next in the series! It's a beatifully written, well researched story that carries you through and leaves you caring about the vast majority of the characters, however flawed they are.
I do wish I could do half stars as I would like to give this four-and-a-half.
The story centres around the story of Halldorr starting with the prelude of his exile from Greenland and covers the 13 years of that absence until his return. It covers sea-faring, battle, boat-building, treasure, childbirth, double-crossing and politics... though those last two are kinda the same thing!
If you're a fan of adventure stories then this will tick all the boxes. Very enjoyable and quite addictive. Can't wait for the next one!
I am obliged to say that I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways and would like to thank Jason Born for the opportunity to read it!
I do wish I could do half stars as I would like to give this four-and-a-half.
The story centres around the story of Halldorr starting with the prelude of his exile from Greenland and covers the 13 years of that absence until his return. It covers sea-faring, battle, boat-building, treasure, childbirth, double-crossing and politics... though those last two are kinda the same thing!
If you're a fan of adventure stories then this will tick all the boxes. Very enjoyable and quite addictive. Can't wait for the next one!
I am obliged to say that I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways and would like to thank Jason Born for the opportunity to read it!
May 22, 2017
First...I don't usually read historical fiction, but this is Vikings, so it almost feels like reading fantasy a la Game of Thrones without so many dang characters to keep track of. In other words I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. A lot of good characters....hoping to see more Lief in the next one since our time was short in this one. Congratulations, Jason. I can't get over the fact that you wrote a NOVEL! Just doesn't add up with the Jason I knew, but really thrilled that you did it.
September 27, 2013
I really liked this book from the beginning because of the depth that the story had to it and all the characters were very real and most likable. I loved how weren't only about great battles but they were humorous were great friends to each other. It was a really great book over all and I can't wait to read the next in the series. I won this book through Goodreads First Reads.
April 14, 2012
Great book filled with interesting characters and suspense. Fife was a fun character in this book! Anxious to read the next book in this series.
January 29, 2014
I really enjoy historical fiction and this one did not disappoint!
August 14, 2019
To quote a fellow reviewer: "The author's style and voice just didn't work well for me. I'm sure it works well for others, and I love this sort of story, it's just that this one wasn't for me."
I wanted to like this book, I normally like books about Vikings but it just seemed so flat to me. I didn't connect to the main character and therefore didn't care what he did or where he went. I gave up around page 79.
This book appears to be self published and I admire that, to me it takes guts. However, the cover was ugly and the interior was too plain. For example, Chapter 9 was all in caps and only a size or two larger than the regular print with maybe half a dozen lines until the regular print started. I guess I've gotten spoiled by regular books that are not self published that have a few more frills and a distinctly better cover.
I recommend that if you are interested in historical fiction or Vikings in particular that you should read this book if you can get your hands on it and decide for yourself what you think. It has gotten overall really good reviews and chances are you'll be one of them.
I wanted to like this book, I normally like books about Vikings but it just seemed so flat to me. I didn't connect to the main character and therefore didn't care what he did or where he went. I gave up around page 79.
This book appears to be self published and I admire that, to me it takes guts. However, the cover was ugly and the interior was too plain. For example, Chapter 9 was all in caps and only a size or two larger than the regular print with maybe half a dozen lines until the regular print started. I guess I've gotten spoiled by regular books that are not self published that have a few more frills and a distinctly better cover.
I recommend that if you are interested in historical fiction or Vikings in particular that you should read this book if you can get your hands on it and decide for yourself what you think. It has gotten overall really good reviews and chances are you'll be one of them.
April 12, 2017
I've read it (in pieces while my husband was writing it) and I'm finished with my second *uninterupted* read! ...and I liked it better! I love the comedy he throws in:) I like the fact that I can feel like I know more about Erik and his son Leif through Halldorr's freindship with them! I adore the fact that they are real. His characters have what I like, depth...they have problems they have to solve, people they don't like but have to deal with and joy! But they get to go on awesome sea adventures and step into new surroundings! And...best of all, I learned! If I an learn AND be entertained...it's a win/win! Thanks for a good viking story, Mr. Born! Can't wait to see where Book 2 takes me, hurry up and finish!!!
It's available at amazon.com for your kindle for $2.99
It's available at barnesandnoble.com for your nook for $2.99
and soon to be available in print from amazon!
Enjoy:)
It's available at amazon.com for your kindle for $2.99
It's available at barnesandnoble.com for your nook for $2.99
and soon to be available in print from amazon!
Enjoy:)
June 24, 2012
Received this book through Goodreads First Readx.
A very solid and enjoyable 1st book in a series which will be known as the Norseman Chronicles. Obviously well researched, this book lays the background for the series which I will look forward to reading. The author does a superb job in creating a realistic environment - you can almost feel the dirt, grime and sweat in which the characters lived. The characters are well devekoped and interesting. The war (battle scenes) are well described and graphic but not excessively drawn out.
All in all a solid debut to a series which hopefully provide further insights into the lives of the Norsemen.
A very solid and enjoyable 1st book in a series which will be known as the Norseman Chronicles. Obviously well researched, this book lays the background for the series which I will look forward to reading. The author does a superb job in creating a realistic environment - you can almost feel the dirt, grime and sweat in which the characters lived. The characters are well devekoped and interesting. The war (battle scenes) are well described and graphic but not excessively drawn out.
All in all a solid debut to a series which hopefully provide further insights into the lives of the Norsemen.
December 26, 2012
Not my favorite of all Viking historical fiction, but a good one (3.5 stars), and surprisingly well written, despite its hyperbolic introduction above. Actually inspired me to do a little research of my own to compare actual events to this fiction.
February 7, 2023
Readable but not particularly well written. Repetition of details, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors take away from my enjoyment. Not to mention the odd anachronism. I will probably read the next instalment.
June 2, 2018
really enjoyed the book will be reading more of this series. easy read with great characters and great story line.
July 15, 2020
Historical fiction
Which I sometimes call hysterical fiction. Good story from which I learned much from. Well written, good pace and characters that jumped off the page.
Which I sometimes call hysterical fiction. Good story from which I learned much from. Well written, good pace and characters that jumped off the page.
December 14, 2020
Review
Enjoyable read but not a page turner, characters were boring and the plot not gripping, a good holiday read perhaps.
Enjoyable read but not a page turner, characters were boring and the plot not gripping, a good holiday read perhaps.
September 29, 2015
what a tale...full review coming
Though I have been a prolific reader all of my life, I didn't embark on my reviewing career(?) until early in 2013. At that point I discovered, through some new author friends I made on social media, the wonders and benefits of sites such as WordPress and Goodreads. It was while setting up my to be read list on Goodreads that I added The Norseman by Jason Born, it being my intention to get to this pretty quick as I was hungry for some good Viking stories. Alas, my to be read list kept growing, I kept reading and reviewing trying to whittle it down but my reviews caught the eyes of some more authors who then started requesting that I read and review their labors of love. I succumbed to their wishes, lured on by the promise of autographed copies. Yes, dear readers, your humble scribe was guilty of the sins of greed and pride. However, I have repented and have resolved to make a dent in that to be read list so let this review be a testament to that fact.
This tale starts the story of Halldorr, a Norseman who along with some historical figures, such as Erik the Red, Leif Ericsson and a host of Scandinavian kings, Olaf Tryggvason, Sweyn Forkbeard and Haakon, fill the pages with relentless action and drama. Halldorr is an old man recounting his life from his youth on Greenland, to his exile and the subsequent travels and adventures that mold him into a feared and respected warrior in the service of Olaf. As well as the expected ferocity and violent action, the author has also portrayed the more human aspects of life, love, hate, sorrow and joy intermingled with the harshness of survival in northern Europe in the 11th century. The narrative certainly grabbed my attention from the beginning but then the Battle of Maldon happened. As stated earlier, I read a lot of historical fiction and as such I read a lot of battle scenes. While there are scenes of violence and fighting prior to Maldon, it is that battle that thrust the author into the rarified air of being compared to some of my favorite battle authors, Ben Kane, Simon Turney, Gordon Doherty, to name but a few. Mr. Born evokes not only the visceral sights but enables the reader to feel the sword and axe strokes, to smell the gruesome by products of the violence, to enter into the minds of the combatants; in short, the author puts you in the action, makes you part of the shield wall. All told, this tale is a fine example of good research coupled with imaginative creativity and I will certainly pursue the rest of this series. Ironic isn't it? I'm whittling down my to be read list but now that I have found Jason Born to be to my liking, I now have to add his books to the pile. :-) 5 stars
Though I have been a prolific reader all of my life, I didn't embark on my reviewing career(?) until early in 2013. At that point I discovered, through some new author friends I made on social media, the wonders and benefits of sites such as WordPress and Goodreads. It was while setting up my to be read list on Goodreads that I added The Norseman by Jason Born, it being my intention to get to this pretty quick as I was hungry for some good Viking stories. Alas, my to be read list kept growing, I kept reading and reviewing trying to whittle it down but my reviews caught the eyes of some more authors who then started requesting that I read and review their labors of love. I succumbed to their wishes, lured on by the promise of autographed copies. Yes, dear readers, your humble scribe was guilty of the sins of greed and pride. However, I have repented and have resolved to make a dent in that to be read list so let this review be a testament to that fact.
This tale starts the story of Halldorr, a Norseman who along with some historical figures, such as Erik the Red, Leif Ericsson and a host of Scandinavian kings, Olaf Tryggvason, Sweyn Forkbeard and Haakon, fill the pages with relentless action and drama. Halldorr is an old man recounting his life from his youth on Greenland, to his exile and the subsequent travels and adventures that mold him into a feared and respected warrior in the service of Olaf. As well as the expected ferocity and violent action, the author has also portrayed the more human aspects of life, love, hate, sorrow and joy intermingled with the harshness of survival in northern Europe in the 11th century. The narrative certainly grabbed my attention from the beginning but then the Battle of Maldon happened. As stated earlier, I read a lot of historical fiction and as such I read a lot of battle scenes. While there are scenes of violence and fighting prior to Maldon, it is that battle that thrust the author into the rarified air of being compared to some of my favorite battle authors, Ben Kane, Simon Turney, Gordon Doherty, to name but a few. Mr. Born evokes not only the visceral sights but enables the reader to feel the sword and axe strokes, to smell the gruesome by products of the violence, to enter into the minds of the combatants; in short, the author puts you in the action, makes you part of the shield wall. All told, this tale is a fine example of good research coupled with imaginative creativity and I will certainly pursue the rest of this series. Ironic isn't it? I'm whittling down my to be read list but now that I have found Jason Born to be to my liking, I now have to add his books to the pile. :-) 5 stars
August 11, 2016
I had a lot of fun reading this one. The storyline itself is very entertaining and moves along a good pace while still giving the reader time to settle in between exciting portions and really get to know the characters. But what really made this book so interesting was all of the history that the author has woven in with his fictional storyline. Characters and events from the time period appear here and there and and an extra richness to events. I also could tell that Mr. Born really did his homework and presented the lives of the principle characters very accurately and gave the reader a window into how things may really have been in those times.
Overall a good historical adventure that I'd highly recommend!
Overall a good historical adventure that I'd highly recommend!
January 17, 2015
A good 13 year tale highlighting the adventures of an upper class Viking. Several stories within the novel and it ends with the possibilities of more to come as our hero Halldorr embarks on a return home to Greenland.
This is the first book for the author and you can see q level of rawness in the writing. For example, some pretty major events just happen in 1 or 2 sentences. So Jason Born follows in the mold of Bernard Cornwell (the gold standard for Viking / middle age historical fiction), but not in the same league just yet.
The storyline was pretty entertaining and I like the realism (several main characters don't make it to the end... aka George RR Martin). An easy read. I am giving 3 stars, but do plan to read book #2.
This is the first book for the author and you can see q level of rawness in the writing. For example, some pretty major events just happen in 1 or 2 sentences. So Jason Born follows in the mold of Bernard Cornwell (the gold standard for Viking / middle age historical fiction), but not in the same league just yet.
The storyline was pretty entertaining and I like the realism (several main characters don't make it to the end... aka George RR Martin). An easy read. I am giving 3 stars, but do plan to read book #2.
November 21, 2016
Good Read but Remainder of Series not in Unlimited
I enjoyed this story and would like to read the series. However, this author has a few series. The first in each series is in kindle unlimited; other books in the series are not. This is the first time I have come across this situation and I feel cheated.
Kindle unlimited should not be a vehicle used to lure readers to books that are not in kindle unlimited.
I enjoyed this story and would like to read the series. However, this author has a few series. The first in each series is in kindle unlimited; other books in the series are not. This is the first time I have come across this situation and I feel cheated.
Kindle unlimited should not be a vehicle used to lure readers to books that are not in kindle unlimited.
July 16, 2016
This book surprised me. I've read a lot of historical fiction. Some of it is well done, some of it has flaws (poor character development, weak plot, too many liberties with history, etc.). This book is very well balanced: solid historical context, engaging plot, and excellent character development. I'll read more from Jason Born.
November 29, 2014
Nothing groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Fairly short book, but with at least 3 more books already published in the series I have plenty more to read. A lot of the storyline was predictable, but it's the type of bread-and-butter historical fiction that I find very enjoyable. On to book 2!
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April 29, 2016I enjoyed this book and it's worth reading if you enjoy books such as the Bernard Cornwell Saxon Stories with Uhtred the Saxon. My only real complaint about this book is the ending was a little anti-climatic. This is because foreshadowing was a little too heavy. However, I still enjoyed it a lot and will read the next in the series.
January 6, 2015
This was a great historical fiction read. The basic story line has to do with the early settlement of Greenleand and Iceland. The story alludes that in future installments the settlement will include America.
January 6, 2014
Decent - very obviously influenced by Bernard Cornwell (not that this is a bad thing). Not as immediately gripping as many of Cornwell's books, but still a good read. Will certainly read the second in the series at a later date
June 3, 2015
I got this book because the ratings were so high, and it sounded like what I'd just finished. I found myself avoiding reading it once I started. I'm a huge fan of new authors, but this was just hard to read.
June 1, 2013
Solid historical fiction. Characters are fleshed-out nicely, good dialog, crisp action. I thoroughly enjoyed!
November 26, 2013
Good story teller who relied as much as possible on historical documentation of life in Skandinavia.
May 15, 2014
Great book! I could hardly put it down. I was surprised how the story progressed, with the twists and turns. Love it!!
May 3, 2014
really enjoyed, when I wasn't sure I would.
March 27, 2015
loved this book, now I reading the second in the series.
July 23, 2015
I enjoyed this book, even though the author killed off characters I cared about (sorry Jason!)
October 26, 2015
The author's style and voice just didn't work well for me. I'm sure it works well for others, and I love this sort of story, it's just that this one wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews