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Alfred the Great #1
The Heathen Horde: A gripping historical adventure thriller of kings and Vikings in early medieval Britain
Northumbria, AD 864 . Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok is captured and killed in brutal fashion, an event that will shape the future of the nation for decades to come. Mercia, AD 868 . Alfred , son of Wessex and heir to the throne, draws his first blood on the battlefield. It will not be his last. A devastating scourge from the north is coming to Britain, one that will bring armies and entire kingdoms to their knees. Travelling along the whale road in their feared longships, the Great Heathen Army move fast, striking with a savagery unmatched, in a seemingly unstoppable tide of blood and iron. One inexperienced warrior will prove the difference, a young man who will lead from the front and, in time, aspire to become the saviour of the Saxons… Alfred the Great. A totally enrapturing historical adventure following the life of one of Britain’s most important ever kings, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.
400 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2023
About the author
Steven A. McKay
67 books453 followersI was born in 1977, near Glasgow in Scotland and live in Old Kilpatrick with my wife and two young children. After obtaining my Bachelor of Arts degree I decided to follow my life-long ambition and write a novel. The Forest Lord series now has four novels, and various short spin-off tales.
My new book "The Heathen Horde" is the first in a brand series following Alfred the Great. It comes out on October 26 2023 so please check it out and pre-order if you can!
I play guitar and write all my books while listening to extreme metal.
In 2022 I started a podcast with fellow historical author Matthew Harffy. You can subscribe to Rock, Paper, Swords! on all the usual podcast outlets and also find the audio on Youtube every fortnight.
My new book "The Heathen Horde" is the first in a brand series following Alfred the Great. It comes out on October 26 2023 so please check it out and pre-order if you can!
I play guitar and write all my books while listening to extreme metal.
In 2022 I started a podcast with fellow historical author Matthew Harffy. You can subscribe to Rock, Paper, Swords! on all the usual podcast outlets and also find the audio on Youtube every fortnight.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 15, 2023
Blurb
Northumbria, AD 864 . Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok is captured and killed in brutal fashion, an event that will shape the future of the nation for decades to come. Mercia, AD 868 . Alfred , son of Wessex and heir to the throne, draws his first blood on the battlefield. It will not be his last. A devastating scourge from the north is coming to Britain, one that will bring armies and entire kingdoms to their knees. Travelling along the whale road in their feared longships, the Great Heathen Army move fast, striking with a savagery unmatched, in a seemingly unstoppable tide of blood and iron. One inexperienced warrior will prove the difference, a young man who will lead from the front and, in time, aspire to become the saviour of the Saxons… Alfred the Great. A totally enrapturing historical adventure following the life of one of Britain’s most important ever kings, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.
Review
One facet of historical fiction that I find intriguing is how different someone like Alfred the Great is portrayed by different authors. My first exposure to Alfred's character showed a more pious, and less warrior-like man than the character portrayed in The Heathen Horde. I must admit that while both characterizations are plausible/believable, I find myself falling back on the premise that a good leader fights alongside his men gaining their respect and loyalty. If there is one thing Alfred needed in this tale in order to hold back the horde, it was the respect/loyalty of those men. A riveting tale of bravery against a seemingly endless number of foes; of deceit and betrayal; of internal conflict; of the God given belief in their cause. Strong characters fill the creative storyline bringing life to the 9th Century, and the unrelenting chaos and bloodshed. Methinks, my peeps, you'll be hard pressed to put this one down. Now, we await the sequel. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Northumbria, AD 864 . Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok is captured and killed in brutal fashion, an event that will shape the future of the nation for decades to come. Mercia, AD 868 . Alfred , son of Wessex and heir to the throne, draws his first blood on the battlefield. It will not be his last. A devastating scourge from the north is coming to Britain, one that will bring armies and entire kingdoms to their knees. Travelling along the whale road in their feared longships, the Great Heathen Army move fast, striking with a savagery unmatched, in a seemingly unstoppable tide of blood and iron. One inexperienced warrior will prove the difference, a young man who will lead from the front and, in time, aspire to become the saviour of the Saxons… Alfred the Great. A totally enrapturing historical adventure following the life of one of Britain’s most important ever kings, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.
Review
One facet of historical fiction that I find intriguing is how different someone like Alfred the Great is portrayed by different authors. My first exposure to Alfred's character showed a more pious, and less warrior-like man than the character portrayed in The Heathen Horde. I must admit that while both characterizations are plausible/believable, I find myself falling back on the premise that a good leader fights alongside his men gaining their respect and loyalty. If there is one thing Alfred needed in this tale in order to hold back the horde, it was the respect/loyalty of those men. A riveting tale of bravery against a seemingly endless number of foes; of deceit and betrayal; of internal conflict; of the God given belief in their cause. Strong characters fill the creative storyline bringing life to the 9th Century, and the unrelenting chaos and bloodshed. Methinks, my peeps, you'll be hard pressed to put this one down. Now, we await the sequel. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 26, 2023
When I was in college I took a course in British history and I remember the professor (former Rhodes scholar so it was safe to say he knew what he was talking about) telling us that throughout the history of that nation, only one king was ever given the title of "The Great" and that was Alfred, the subject of Steven McKay's latest book. Despite that, there aren't that many books written about Alfred compared to say, other more notorious kings such as Henry VIII. It's almost like poor Alfred has been forgotten despite being "The Great." And, were it not for him, there might not be an England today, but we'll leave that for later books in this series.
As usual, Steven McKay gives the reader a fascinating look at the principal character in this fictionalized work, the first he's ever done on a real character (which means, despite what a lot of people would like to believe, Robin Hood never existed!). To say that McKay has done an outstanding job of making the character of Alfred come to life is putting it mildly, sticking to historical fact, yet making the character real which isn't easy when you're dealing with someone who lived in the 800's, well over a thousand years ago.
We meet the pious Alfred, the fighting Alfred, and the sickly Alfred. Health-wise, Alfred was lucky to have lived as long as he did and there is still speculation as to what he suffered from.....the world's worst case of hemorrhoids ? Ulcers? Something else? Whatever it was, and it's obvious we'll never know for sure, Alfred spent a great deal of time being sick, yet still found time to pursue his kingly duties and lead his army, made up primarily of farmers to fight the Danes/Vikings (you decide what you want to call them) who spent most of their time invading what was to become England and when not there, going across the English Channel to invade what was to become France. And there you have your Heathen Horde - it's those damned Vikings! who were led by numerous warrior kings, three of whom were sons of the legendary Ragner Lodbrook (Anglicized to Lothbrook for the recent TV series). And this included the most brutal of the bunch, Ivar the Boneless who becomes Ivar The Detestable in this book. Maybe he was called both at the time, but this is the first time I've seen him called anything other than "The Boneless." Same character, different nickname, big deal.
As with all of McKay's books, there's more than enough action and fighting, blood and guts to keep any action junkie happy for weeks. And there's no getting bogged down with minor details that make you feel like you're reading a textbook - it moves along quickly and is great reading.
Now, if we only didn't have to wait so long for the second volume in the series!!!
As usual, Steven McKay gives the reader a fascinating look at the principal character in this fictionalized work, the first he's ever done on a real character (which means, despite what a lot of people would like to believe, Robin Hood never existed!). To say that McKay has done an outstanding job of making the character of Alfred come to life is putting it mildly, sticking to historical fact, yet making the character real which isn't easy when you're dealing with someone who lived in the 800's, well over a thousand years ago.
We meet the pious Alfred, the fighting Alfred, and the sickly Alfred. Health-wise, Alfred was lucky to have lived as long as he did and there is still speculation as to what he suffered from.....the world's worst case of hemorrhoids ? Ulcers? Something else? Whatever it was, and it's obvious we'll never know for sure, Alfred spent a great deal of time being sick, yet still found time to pursue his kingly duties and lead his army, made up primarily of farmers to fight the Danes/Vikings (you decide what you want to call them) who spent most of their time invading what was to become England and when not there, going across the English Channel to invade what was to become France. And there you have your Heathen Horde - it's those damned Vikings! who were led by numerous warrior kings, three of whom were sons of the legendary Ragner Lodbrook (Anglicized to Lothbrook for the recent TV series). And this included the most brutal of the bunch, Ivar the Boneless who becomes Ivar The Detestable in this book. Maybe he was called both at the time, but this is the first time I've seen him called anything other than "The Boneless." Same character, different nickname, big deal.
As with all of McKay's books, there's more than enough action and fighting, blood and guts to keep any action junkie happy for weeks. And there's no getting bogged down with minor details that make you feel like you're reading a textbook - it moves along quickly and is great reading.
Now, if we only didn't have to wait so long for the second volume in the series!!!
October 19, 2023
‘𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝘼𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙪𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙍𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙮.’
⛵The Heathen Horde by Steven A. Mckay - 1st in the Alfred the Great trilogy - is a historical fiction that explores the life of one of Britain’s most ever important kings, Alfred the Great.
Britain. 868 AD. The brutal killing of Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok in the past brought the wrath of his sons - Halfdan, Ubba, and Ivar who brought their great heathen army to the shores of Britain and overwhelmed its kingdom one after another. Wessex is next on their list, whose young atheling will not easily accept defeat and strike back with the same savagery to save his kingdom. His name is Alfred; he will one day rise to become a great king in the history of Britain.
‘𝙒𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙬𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙂𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙪𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨, 𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙭, 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘽𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙩!’
⛵I have read Steven's novels before but this is the 1st time he is writing something from the POV of an actual historical character, so my excitement level was high. I was hooked reading the first page of the prologue. The story is a riveting tale of bravery against a seemingly endless number of foes, deceit and betrayal, internal conflict, and the God-given belief in their cause.
⛵As the story unfolded from the multiple POVs I got completely immersed in it. Being a historical nerd I love historical detailings which were done perfectly without bogging down the pacing and making you feel like you're reading a textbook. His vivid description of the era gives you a vibe like you’re witnessing Alfred fighting the Vikings in the shield wall in Medieval Britain.
⛵The characterization of Alfred was flawless. His evolution from being a drunkard and womanizer to a loving husband and a responsible ruler was brilliant. The portrayal of other characters - Aethelred, Ealhswith, Wulfric, and Oswald and their relationship with him is perfectly explored. However, I feel the connection between him and Ealhswith is a bit rushed.
⛵The book ends with the fall of the Chippenham incident on Christmas. To know what it was you’ve to read the book. Without giving any spoilers I would like to say there is a great betrayal in the end that will set the stage for the next chapter of Alfred's life.
Overall the Heathen Horde was a masterpiece and I'm completely enticed for the next book. Highly Recommended for the fans of Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow, and Angus Donald.
𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
⛵The Heathen Horde by Steven A. Mckay - 1st in the Alfred the Great trilogy - is a historical fiction that explores the life of one of Britain’s most ever important kings, Alfred the Great.
Britain. 868 AD. The brutal killing of Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok in the past brought the wrath of his sons - Halfdan, Ubba, and Ivar who brought their great heathen army to the shores of Britain and overwhelmed its kingdom one after another. Wessex is next on their list, whose young atheling will not easily accept defeat and strike back with the same savagery to save his kingdom. His name is Alfred; he will one day rise to become a great king in the history of Britain.
‘𝙒𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙬𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙂𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙪𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨, 𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙭, 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘽𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙩!’
⛵I have read Steven's novels before but this is the 1st time he is writing something from the POV of an actual historical character, so my excitement level was high. I was hooked reading the first page of the prologue. The story is a riveting tale of bravery against a seemingly endless number of foes, deceit and betrayal, internal conflict, and the God-given belief in their cause.
⛵As the story unfolded from the multiple POVs I got completely immersed in it. Being a historical nerd I love historical detailings which were done perfectly without bogging down the pacing and making you feel like you're reading a textbook. His vivid description of the era gives you a vibe like you’re witnessing Alfred fighting the Vikings in the shield wall in Medieval Britain.
⛵The characterization of Alfred was flawless. His evolution from being a drunkard and womanizer to a loving husband and a responsible ruler was brilliant. The portrayal of other characters - Aethelred, Ealhswith, Wulfric, and Oswald and their relationship with him is perfectly explored. However, I feel the connection between him and Ealhswith is a bit rushed.
⛵The book ends with the fall of the Chippenham incident on Christmas. To know what it was you’ve to read the book. Without giving any spoilers I would like to say there is a great betrayal in the end that will set the stage for the next chapter of Alfred's life.
Overall the Heathen Horde was a masterpiece and I'm completely enticed for the next book. Highly Recommended for the fans of Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow, and Angus Donald.
𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
October 30, 2023
The book starts off strong setting the tone with the death of Ragnar Lothbrok. The Norse are a violent threat for many reasons, their passion for vengeance one of them..they want to be seen as the strongest, the best out there.. their sheer savagery unprecedented and something Britain just can’t match!
We soon meet Alfred, heir to the throne. I really enjoyed the early development of the main character. He’s not prepared for the role.. his life has never had a clear path.. as long as his brothers were around he was able to lead the life he wanted while they focused on learning what it takes to be King, but nothing lasts forever.
I loved seeing his motivations change as at first he’s a typical young man out for only two things.. booze and girls but with brewing tension and the constant threat of these invaders it’s time Alfred started playing his role.. and people aren’t too shy to tell him so.. and first things first is to strengthen the connections in Britain.. and the best way to do that is to find a bride.
It’s not easy at first for the man who’s never been tied down but there’s an almost instant connection and it kind of soothes his soul. I loved the connection, it felt real..Alfred is instantly comfortable with his bride to be.
If you think things are going to stay all nicey nicey then you are mistaken. The Great Heathen Army will soon be upon him and Britain.
Another thing I really loved about the development was Alfred’s religious beliefs. A lot of men will fight for the sake of fighting but it’s almost like Alfred fights at Gods command..it’s a constant battle for such a pious man to be involved in warfare but he grows quickly into the role.
McKay effortlessly imprints the brutality of the period within you. Not only depictions of war but real life, how little human life can mean to some.. and the horrors some may be put through. I particularly liked seeing the local population interactions. I can only imagine what the period was like but in my mind if I wasn’t a warrior, I felt like I would be like that tavern owner..I don’t want to die so I’ll just keep serving the ale and hope no one kills me..without leaders and warriors what else are they to do other than capitulate.
I know lots of historical fiction fans look for historical accuracy.. I’m no expert but I loved how much detail was added, even down to food eaten.. it was all there and made it so easy to implant myself into the story McKay had written.
Development wise the flow is perfect, and all that details is superbly mixed with plot.. one of my pet peeves is when detail is forced into a storyline.. if it doesn’t flow in naturally just don’t add it ha. McKay certainly knows how I like my books!
I think the best thing about the book was how it connects with the reader emotionally.. as you feed off Alfred. Elation, Pain, Guilt, Lust..I mean it’s a roller coaster with you right there next to Alfred!
As a reader familiar with the authors work you can imagine my joy when I heard a new book was on the way.. the difference being the author had a lot more leeway with his previous plots, the characters and their development. Even within defined parameters McKay shines and shows just how much of a master of his craft he is while losing none of his style and energy!
I’ve followed the authors work for some time now, he was a master from day one but honestly it’s great to see such an author continue to churn out superior novels and McKay seems to be going from strength to strength with his writing.
There’s more to come in the series but book 1 perfectly sets things up and entices the reader, leaving them wanting more!
An astounding 5* read!
We soon meet Alfred, heir to the throne. I really enjoyed the early development of the main character. He’s not prepared for the role.. his life has never had a clear path.. as long as his brothers were around he was able to lead the life he wanted while they focused on learning what it takes to be King, but nothing lasts forever.
I loved seeing his motivations change as at first he’s a typical young man out for only two things.. booze and girls but with brewing tension and the constant threat of these invaders it’s time Alfred started playing his role.. and people aren’t too shy to tell him so.. and first things first is to strengthen the connections in Britain.. and the best way to do that is to find a bride.
It’s not easy at first for the man who’s never been tied down but there’s an almost instant connection and it kind of soothes his soul. I loved the connection, it felt real..Alfred is instantly comfortable with his bride to be.
If you think things are going to stay all nicey nicey then you are mistaken. The Great Heathen Army will soon be upon him and Britain.
Another thing I really loved about the development was Alfred’s religious beliefs. A lot of men will fight for the sake of fighting but it’s almost like Alfred fights at Gods command..it’s a constant battle for such a pious man to be involved in warfare but he grows quickly into the role.
McKay effortlessly imprints the brutality of the period within you. Not only depictions of war but real life, how little human life can mean to some.. and the horrors some may be put through. I particularly liked seeing the local population interactions. I can only imagine what the period was like but in my mind if I wasn’t a warrior, I felt like I would be like that tavern owner..I don’t want to die so I’ll just keep serving the ale and hope no one kills me..without leaders and warriors what else are they to do other than capitulate.
I know lots of historical fiction fans look for historical accuracy.. I’m no expert but I loved how much detail was added, even down to food eaten.. it was all there and made it so easy to implant myself into the story McKay had written.
Development wise the flow is perfect, and all that details is superbly mixed with plot.. one of my pet peeves is when detail is forced into a storyline.. if it doesn’t flow in naturally just don’t add it ha. McKay certainly knows how I like my books!
I think the best thing about the book was how it connects with the reader emotionally.. as you feed off Alfred. Elation, Pain, Guilt, Lust..I mean it’s a roller coaster with you right there next to Alfred!
As a reader familiar with the authors work you can imagine my joy when I heard a new book was on the way.. the difference being the author had a lot more leeway with his previous plots, the characters and their development. Even within defined parameters McKay shines and shows just how much of a master of his craft he is while losing none of his style and energy!
I’ve followed the authors work for some time now, he was a master from day one but honestly it’s great to see such an author continue to churn out superior novels and McKay seems to be going from strength to strength with his writing.
There’s more to come in the series but book 1 perfectly sets things up and entices the reader, leaving them wanting more!
An astounding 5* read!
October 9, 2023
This was a pretty quick read. The author presents Alfred's story in a way that doesn't try to ape Bernard Cornwell's "The Last Kingdom," but presents it from Alfred's viewpoint. Some of the language is anachronistic, but that's hardly an obstacle to the type of story McKay has crafted. Alfred is shown as a warrior, brother, husband, father, and king—the culmination of which is not an easy task—and presented as an emotional character. Then end is one which we are sympathetic for Alfred, Ealhswith, and their children and anxious for the next round.
October 30, 2023
Goodreads giveaway win
received as a Goodreads Giveaway.
A story of the early years of Alfred the Great. Starting with his life as his brother's heir & continuing with his early years as King of Wesex.
Highly contentious of the Vikings & their Gods & sprinkled with modern idioms which sometimes break the flow, it is none the less a good addition to the telling of Alfred's legend.
received as a Goodreads Giveaway.
A story of the early years of Alfred the Great. Starting with his life as his brother's heir & continuing with his early years as King of Wesex.
Highly contentious of the Vikings & their Gods & sprinkled with modern idioms which sometimes break the flow, it is none the less a good addition to the telling of Alfred's legend.
November 19, 2023
Awesome start.
A great start to a brand new series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never been a fan of Alfred the great until reading this. I forget sometimes that he was the youngest of 5 brothers and never destined to become king. However, 3 of his brothers lie in the ground and his last older sibling Athelred is the current king. Add a sprinkling of the great heathen viking army slaughtering it's way around England and you have the recipe for disaster.
I am now impatiently waiting for the next. 5 out of 5.
A great start to a brand new series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never been a fan of Alfred the great until reading this. I forget sometimes that he was the youngest of 5 brothers and never destined to become king. However, 3 of his brothers lie in the ground and his last older sibling Athelred is the current king. Add a sprinkling of the great heathen viking army slaughtering it's way around England and you have the recipe for disaster.
I am now impatiently waiting for the next. 5 out of 5.
October 2, 2024
Action packed. I liked the characters. Lots of surprises.
January 24, 2025
The cover announces this book with the message that a legendary king will rise and that is a very apt description. Steven succeeds in bringing across Alfred's greatness and delivers a very exciting, action-packed historical fiction novel.
I'll be honest, I was a bit hesitant picking up these books as I've watched Vikings and read The Last Kingdom/The Saxon Stories and I wasn't sure if there was anything left that could surprise or excite me, but I will gladly admit I was wrong.
We follow (mostly) Alfred and experience the horror of the Vikings from his point of view, as well as his determination to overcome this ultimate test of his faith by God. I really enjoyed reading about him, both his successes and his failures (as a king and as a human being) were described in a detailed and gripping manner. I couldn't help rooting for the man, although at times I was spoiled due to my foreknowledge and certain twists and turns weren't very surprising anymore.
I appreciate Steven interspersing the Alfred chapters with some pov's from his contemporaries, this ensured I did not get bored by reading about the same man the whole time (a problem I started having at times with Uthred in the Saxon Stories), and gave some interesting insights which added to the story.
All in all a very enjoyable read, 4,5/5.
I'll be honest, I was a bit hesitant picking up these books as I've watched Vikings and read The Last Kingdom/The Saxon Stories and I wasn't sure if there was anything left that could surprise or excite me, but I will gladly admit I was wrong.
We follow (mostly) Alfred and experience the horror of the Vikings from his point of view, as well as his determination to overcome this ultimate test of his faith by God. I really enjoyed reading about him, both his successes and his failures (as a king and as a human being) were described in a detailed and gripping manner. I couldn't help rooting for the man, although at times I was spoiled due to my foreknowledge and certain twists and turns weren't very surprising anymore.
I appreciate Steven interspersing the Alfred chapters with some pov's from his contemporaries, this ensured I did not get bored by reading about the same man the whole time (a problem I started having at times with Uthred in the Saxon Stories), and gave some interesting insights which added to the story.
All in all a very enjoyable read, 4,5/5.
December 20, 2023
Yaayss:
I. Alfred's evolution from a spare who primarily cares about drinking and women, to being the king with all his pressing responsibilities
2. The battle scenes - for all their gore and comedy and unexpected turns - were a pleasant surprise.
3. Alfred's use of religion (and expensive churches and relics) as a uniting point for splintered loyalties of the thanes, especially against the Danes and their evocation of their gods and legends.
4. The unexpected bloodthirstyness of the men of the cloth. I was gawking at them cheering on some of the going ons.
Mehs :
1. Time and time again, Alfred is caught asleep at the wheel when the Danes come raiding almost to his front door. I really wanted to see a strategic side to his kingship.
My thanks to Netgalley and the author for the eARC. All opinions my own!
I. Alfred's evolution from a spare who primarily cares about drinking and women, to being the king with all his pressing responsibilities
2. The battle scenes - for all their gore and comedy and unexpected turns - were a pleasant surprise.
3. Alfred's use of religion (and expensive churches and relics) as a uniting point for splintered loyalties of the thanes, especially against the Danes and their evocation of their gods and legends.
4. The unexpected bloodthirstyness of the men of the cloth. I was gawking at them cheering on some of the going ons.
Mehs :
1. Time and time again, Alfred is caught asleep at the wheel when the Danes come raiding almost to his front door. I really wanted to see a strategic side to his kingship.
My thanks to Netgalley and the author for the eARC. All opinions my own!
April 18, 2025
For a King who later was given the moniker “the Great”, King Æfrǣd of Wessex has very few historical fiction novels written about him. So, when I came across Steven A McKay’s series I thought I would give it a go, especially as it was given a good write-up by Christian Cameron, an author I both like and trust. However, having recently bought trilogies that have disappointed, I only bought the first in the series, “The Heathen Horde”.
As you can see above, I gave it five stars and can confirm that I have just ordered the following two books. The story has great characterisations; the people in the book are very believable and you can get alongside them in their actions and thoughts and how they are drawn fits with what we know about them, especially the intense Christian beliefs of Æfrǣd and his elder brother, Æþelrǣd . The historicals are well researched and match the known timeline and, where not, are explained in the author’s notes. Many who do not study the period fail to understand the small size of the armies involved, but McKay does and he knows that the spear, not the sword, is the primary weapon. A book critic once said that my own novel, “Woden’s Wolf” read like a boy’s own adventure with so much action in so short a time, well for the time I was writing about, the resistance to the Norman Conquest, that was how it was and the story of Æfrǣd’s early years was also action packed in a very short time frame – history can be like that.
Two things that also pleased me were the facts that firstly there was none of the graphic sex scenes that so many author’s seem compelled to include. Secondly the “F” word only appears three times and each time it is appropriate and its shock value adds to the scene. This is far better from the author than in his Robin Hood series where my review of the books complain about how many times that word appears.
So, a good read, a story that follows the historical timeline and shews Æfrǣd in the way he was portrayed in his own lifetime. This is a book I can highly recommend. Is it without fault? Well, no; there are a few typos and when a bible quote is given it has Chapter and Verse (1227 was the first introduction of Chapters and Chapter and Verse did not appear until the Geneva Bible in 1565). Yeh, I’m a pedant on some things.
As you can see above, I gave it five stars and can confirm that I have just ordered the following two books. The story has great characterisations; the people in the book are very believable and you can get alongside them in their actions and thoughts and how they are drawn fits with what we know about them, especially the intense Christian beliefs of Æfrǣd and his elder brother, Æþelrǣd . The historicals are well researched and match the known timeline and, where not, are explained in the author’s notes. Many who do not study the period fail to understand the small size of the armies involved, but McKay does and he knows that the spear, not the sword, is the primary weapon. A book critic once said that my own novel, “Woden’s Wolf” read like a boy’s own adventure with so much action in so short a time, well for the time I was writing about, the resistance to the Norman Conquest, that was how it was and the story of Æfrǣd’s early years was also action packed in a very short time frame – history can be like that.
Two things that also pleased me were the facts that firstly there was none of the graphic sex scenes that so many author’s seem compelled to include. Secondly the “F” word only appears three times and each time it is appropriate and its shock value adds to the scene. This is far better from the author than in his Robin Hood series where my review of the books complain about how many times that word appears.
So, a good read, a story that follows the historical timeline and shews Æfrǣd in the way he was portrayed in his own lifetime. This is a book I can highly recommend. Is it without fault? Well, no; there are a few typos and when a bible quote is given it has Chapter and Verse (1227 was the first introduction of Chapters and Chapter and Verse did not appear until the Geneva Bible in 1565). Yeh, I’m a pedant on some things.
April 13, 2024
The Heathen Horde is a ton of fun; a very good, historic action adventure sort of novel. Very easy to recommend with one minor caveat: it is focused on the wars between the Danes and West Saxons, and so deals with much the same material as Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories (now known as The Last Kingdom series, thanks to the television series based upon them). That being the case, readers should be aware they may entering familiar territory—for anyone looking for a fresh take on Alfred the Great, then great (no pun intended)! McKay’s Alfred is quite different from Cornwell’s; he is a charming war leader rather than a dour politician, and also serves as the main protagonist in the novel (in Cornwell’s series Alfred was more of a side character whereas Uhtred son of Uhtred took the spotlight). The plot moves along at a quick pace, building a believe background, introducing a charming cast of support characters (I was particularly fond of Alfred’s right hand man, Wuhlftric), and weaving in some elements of Norse myth (Havamal and Ragnar Lothbrok both receive special attention). The book ends with a promising teaser into Alfred’s time in the Somerset marshes in the next volume.
One of the most unique aspects (that I enjoyed) is how unequivocal the Saxons were presented as the good guys and the Danes as the bad guys. Most recent novels dealing with this era/topic glorify the vikings/pagans and villify the Christian English/French/etc. or blur the lines entirely. I’m a huge fan of the whole viking thing (so I do like the whole pagan/raiding/whatever aspect and enjoy when they’re the protagonists) and have read many novels dealing with the theme, but seeing this rather traditional good vs evil portrayal is actually quite refreshing at present, since most fiction writers in the last couple decades just aren’t doing it.
All told, a great read and original take on the legendary English king but some of the territory may feel familiar to fans of Cornwell and I personally think it’s preferable to know that in advance so the decision to visit Wessex again can be more suitably determined for those who may have been there before.
One of the most unique aspects (that I enjoyed) is how unequivocal the Saxons were presented as the good guys and the Danes as the bad guys. Most recent novels dealing with this era/topic glorify the vikings/pagans and villify the Christian English/French/etc. or blur the lines entirely. I’m a huge fan of the whole viking thing (so I do like the whole pagan/raiding/whatever aspect and enjoy when they’re the protagonists) and have read many novels dealing with the theme, but seeing this rather traditional good vs evil portrayal is actually quite refreshing at present, since most fiction writers in the last couple decades just aren’t doing it.
All told, a great read and original take on the legendary English king but some of the territory may feel familiar to fans of Cornwell and I personally think it’s preferable to know that in advance so the decision to visit Wessex again can be more suitably determined for those who may have been there before.
July 3, 2024
The Heathen Horde comes out swinging!
This is a fresh and exciting new look at the historical Alfred the Great, one of Britain's most legendary kings and perhaps the Father of England.
Steven A. McKay fleshes out Alfred from the historical record and legends to give us a hero to cheer for and an authentic person to care about.
McKay's Alfred is a flawed man who must overcome his own weaknesses if he's to save his people from the seemingly unstoppable Viking invasion. His character reminds me a lot of Shakespeare's Henry V. Both are legendary for their roguish behavior during their youths, chasing women and drink before taking on the dire responsibility of kingship during a time of peril.
Alfred is equally known for his faith and poor health. Most scholars believe he suffered from Chrones disease. McKay lays a convincing path for Alfred that will take him from the wild party boy prince to the pious leader and ferocious warrior.
The book is exciting from the very beginning. Its ominous prologue portends the storm to come. The sons of Ragnar Lodbrok will have their revenge, and they're bringing their Great Heathen Army with them. Britain will made to pay.
The book picks up a young, rambunctious Prince Alfred during his brother's reign. Alfred is a mere teenager, just beginning to learn how to fight and lead men in battle as the Viking threat grows in Wessex. We follow him through battles with the Northmen and his own demons as he grows into a man, marries, and eventually becomes king.
The book is well-structured giving us a great "darkest hour" moment and resolution in the third act that not only satisfies the plot of this first novel of what will be a trilogy but also satisfies Alfred's development as a character. And even though there's a satisfying conclusion to this story, do not let your guard down during the denouement because there's a setup for the next book that will make you want to come back for more.
By the way, the bad-ass picture on the cover totally happens in the book. It's pretty metal. I think you'll like it.
This is a fresh and exciting new look at the historical Alfred the Great, one of Britain's most legendary kings and perhaps the Father of England.
Steven A. McKay fleshes out Alfred from the historical record and legends to give us a hero to cheer for and an authentic person to care about.
McKay's Alfred is a flawed man who must overcome his own weaknesses if he's to save his people from the seemingly unstoppable Viking invasion. His character reminds me a lot of Shakespeare's Henry V. Both are legendary for their roguish behavior during their youths, chasing women and drink before taking on the dire responsibility of kingship during a time of peril.
Alfred is equally known for his faith and poor health. Most scholars believe he suffered from Chrones disease. McKay lays a convincing path for Alfred that will take him from the wild party boy prince to the pious leader and ferocious warrior.
The book is exciting from the very beginning. Its ominous prologue portends the storm to come. The sons of Ragnar Lodbrok will have their revenge, and they're bringing their Great Heathen Army with them. Britain will made to pay.
The book picks up a young, rambunctious Prince Alfred during his brother's reign. Alfred is a mere teenager, just beginning to learn how to fight and lead men in battle as the Viking threat grows in Wessex. We follow him through battles with the Northmen and his own demons as he grows into a man, marries, and eventually becomes king.
The book is well-structured giving us a great "darkest hour" moment and resolution in the third act that not only satisfies the plot of this first novel of what will be a trilogy but also satisfies Alfred's development as a character. And even though there's a satisfying conclusion to this story, do not let your guard down during the denouement because there's a setup for the next book that will make you want to come back for more.
By the way, the bad-ass picture on the cover totally happens in the book. It's pretty metal. I think you'll like it.
October 11, 2024
Covering the early life of Alfred the Great, this novel shows us a prince who never expected to be king—nor did he want the responsibility. Alfred was happy to spend his time drinking, whoring, and doing all the stuff expected of a young noble. Alas, his greatness was thrust upon him in the most disagreeable manner, and Alfred wasn’t even sure he was up to the challenge. But what choice did he have? Wessex was the last unconquered kingdom in England, and the Danes were inexorable. Only one surviving brother stood between Alfred and the crown: Aethelred—oh, and Aethelred’s six year-old son. But that was soon sorted out, because a child could never defend the kingdom in this time of need:
Most of the men at the gathering probably thought Alfred could hardly wait to take the throne for himself, but, as he met Aethelred’s gaze they smiled at one another, just as they’d done since they were children. Wessex was stronger with the two of them around, Alfred knew. He truly hoped things would continue as they were for many years to come, even if that meant he would never be king.
Especially if it meant he would never be king!
Alas, it was fated otherwise, and the king died of his wounds from one of the many vicious battles. But though Alfred fought like a champion and tried his best to keep the enemy at bay, he was beset from both the Danes and his own countrymen. Not everyone agreed with his decisions, and it was easier for the thegns to blame Alfred when things went wrong than risk everything. We see him at his best and at his worst, and history tells us that the most amazing story is yet to come. This is a great introduction to a lesser-known phase of his life.
Most of the men at the gathering probably thought Alfred could hardly wait to take the throne for himself, but, as he met Aethelred’s gaze they smiled at one another, just as they’d done since they were children. Wessex was stronger with the two of them around, Alfred knew. He truly hoped things would continue as they were for many years to come, even if that meant he would never be king.
Especially if it meant he would never be king!
Alas, it was fated otherwise, and the king died of his wounds from one of the many vicious battles. But though Alfred fought like a champion and tried his best to keep the enemy at bay, he was beset from both the Danes and his own countrymen. Not everyone agreed with his decisions, and it was easier for the thegns to blame Alfred when things went wrong than risk everything. We see him at his best and at his worst, and history tells us that the most amazing story is yet to come. This is a great introduction to a lesser-known phase of his life.
November 6, 2023
Fans of Bernard Cornwall’s The Last Kingdom, either the books or the Netflix series, will love Steven A MacKay’s new entry into historical fiction, The Heathen Horde. The protagonist is none other than the greatest king of England, Alfred the Great and details primarily his story as a young man, ascension to the the throne and early battles with invaders from the North.
When an author tackles historical fiction, they can write about completely fictional characters which are swept up in the events of their time, or completely fictional stories set in historic period. Most authors will choose to write about ancillary characters who interact with or serve the true historical figure . These are all familiar and still enjoyable tropes of historical fiction. MacKay chooses to attack his subject head on by writing Alfred in the first person, a courageous and enjoyable choice.
Authors of historical fiction can be subject to many nit picking criticisms, such as place names, dialogue, anachronistic language and minute historical details. MacKay freely admits his errors of choice in his author notes.
Dialogue is a particularly difficult problem to solve. After all we don’t read much less speak Old English. Here, MacKay chooses to carefully season his work with Old English words and terms. He even adds several Danish quotes.
Overall the early history of Alfre the Great is handled masterfully. MacKay has written a real page turner with all the drama and suspenseful pacing you could want. I eagerly look forward to the next installment in this series.
When an author tackles historical fiction, they can write about completely fictional characters which are swept up in the events of their time, or completely fictional stories set in historic period. Most authors will choose to write about ancillary characters who interact with or serve the true historical figure . These are all familiar and still enjoyable tropes of historical fiction. MacKay chooses to attack his subject head on by writing Alfred in the first person, a courageous and enjoyable choice.
Authors of historical fiction can be subject to many nit picking criticisms, such as place names, dialogue, anachronistic language and minute historical details. MacKay freely admits his errors of choice in his author notes.
Dialogue is a particularly difficult problem to solve. After all we don’t read much less speak Old English. Here, MacKay chooses to carefully season his work with Old English words and terms. He even adds several Danish quotes.
Overall the early history of Alfre the Great is handled masterfully. MacKay has written a real page turner with all the drama and suspenseful pacing you could want. I eagerly look forward to the next installment in this series.
October 5, 2023
The Heathen Horde by Steven A. McKay takes readers on a gripping historical adventure set in the tumultuous times of Viking invasions and the rise of Alfred the Great. While this period of historical fiction isn't my usual genre of choice, this book provided a welcome departure from my typical reading fare. McKay's meticulous attention to historical detail is evident throughout the narrative, immersing readers in the brutal and unforgiving world of 9th-century Britain.
The story revolves around the rise of Alfred, a young warrior destined to become a pivotal figure in British history. The relentless onslaught of the Great Heathen Army, with their feared longships, is depicted with a savage intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat. McKay paints a vivid picture of the brutality of the time, and while the level of detail can be overwhelming at moments, it undeniably adds depth to the narrative.
However, I found myself struggling to fully connect with the story due to the writing style. While the historical accuracy is commendable, I felt a slight detachment from the characters and their experiences. Nonetheless, for enthusiasts of Viking fiction and historical dramas, this book offers a thrilling ride through a crucial period in British history.
November 2, 2023
The story of an English king, Alfred the Great, whom most of us have heard of but know very little about. He lived at a time of great violence with the constant threat of invasion from the marauding Vikings.
The author has clearly undertaken a great deal of research into Alfred and has used his vivid imagination to fill in the unknown gaps in the King's life. Alfred was a sickly man, who had to hide his medical condition, possibly Crohn's disease, from his warrior lords.
He was a great tactician & warrior who knew instinctively when to retreat to save his men, to enable the ragtag army to fight another day.
I found it fun trying to translate the ancient names of towns into their current names eg Exanceaster (Exeter).
The battle scenes against the Danes are particularly gory and are very true to the type of tactics used by both sides.
In summary, a well-written book, and I am really looking forward to the sequel to better understand Alfred's impact on the foundations of England.
The author has clearly undertaken a great deal of research into Alfred and has used his vivid imagination to fill in the unknown gaps in the King's life. Alfred was a sickly man, who had to hide his medical condition, possibly Crohn's disease, from his warrior lords.
He was a great tactician & warrior who knew instinctively when to retreat to save his men, to enable the ragtag army to fight another day.
I found it fun trying to translate the ancient names of towns into their current names eg Exanceaster (Exeter).
The battle scenes against the Danes are particularly gory and are very true to the type of tactics used by both sides.
In summary, a well-written book, and I am really looking forward to the sequel to better understand Alfred's impact on the foundations of England.
June 5, 2024
I struggled with this at first, probably because I've read too many Bernard Cornwell books that deal with the subject of Alfred, and even more so the Viking invasions.
However, it is worth persevering because once you start appreciating Steven's version and little nuances it becomes an easier read.
I do agree with another reviewer who thought he may have struggled with the writing in places - Steven admits himself at the end that writing a fictional story about a real character and trying not to embellish events and/or add in too many things that didn't happen can be hard, and I would certainly be in a similar place myself (if I could even write!).
Anyway, it ended up being an enjoyable book and the final paragraphs were quite gripping, certainly enough to make me look forward to the second book in the series!
However, it is worth persevering because once you start appreciating Steven's version and little nuances it becomes an easier read.
I do agree with another reviewer who thought he may have struggled with the writing in places - Steven admits himself at the end that writing a fictional story about a real character and trying not to embellish events and/or add in too many things that didn't happen can be hard, and I would certainly be in a similar place myself (if I could even write!).
Anyway, it ended up being an enjoyable book and the final paragraphs were quite gripping, certainly enough to make me look forward to the second book in the series!
February 9, 2025
Steven A. McKay’s The Heathen Hoard delivers vivid battle scenes that do not shy away from the horrors of war or the bleakness of its aftermath. What I enjoyed most, though, were the quieter moments, such as scenes of eating, drinking, and camaraderie. The relationship between Alfred and his brother, King Aethelred, is particularly engaging, highlighting both their struggles and the weight of leadership. I also appreciated how Alfred’s affliction and his struggles with alcohol were portrayed, adding even more depth to his character. A well-researched and enjoyable historical fiction tale that balances action with strong character work. I'm looking forward to following Alfred’s struggle and journey in book two.
November 28, 2023
A historical fiction with real people. King Alfred the great was a real king with real problems. In the 9th century his country was invaded by vikings. The book starts with the brutal killing of Ragnar the greatest viking ever lived. His kids heard of the death and took revenge on the king of England( I wish the author gave a description on the blood eagle done to the king). Anyway the whole novel was basically England mostly Wessex trying to defend itself. And king Alfred running for his life as the book closes. And we wait for book 2.
November 28, 2023
Like the author, I was not that aware of Alfred the Great, other than he was one off the first kings of the united England. While the author admits that he took some liberties with some of the historical events, some of them were "fill in the blanks" type of events. My wife is a large Anglophile and so I get some of the liking of British history through her. But I am also a history nut myself, so I found this account of Alfred the Great very enlightening and very enjoyable. I can't wait to read more of this story.
February 26, 2024
For those of us uneducated on the challenges Alfred the Great faced during his reign, this book is a great introduction to that fraught period. Alfred is portrayed as a young man, first a prince before succeeding to his brother's throne, not fully understanding the terrible internal and external threats he faced. By the end of the novel, he's learned well the depths of evil he faced.
The novel is exciting, well-paced, and vividly illustrates Alfred and his time. Looking forward to the sequel!
Highly recommended.
The novel is exciting, well-paced, and vividly illustrates Alfred and his time. Looking forward to the sequel!
Highly recommended.
December 25, 2024
I loved this book about Alfred the Great. Before reading, I knew a few things about Alfred but it was really interesting to see his development from a boy to a man and king. Alfred is portrayed as a really likable guy and I felt every frustration he felt in his war with the Danes! Steven has done a great job in recreating 9th century England and this book was left in such a place to make me want to buy the next book in the series without delay! The side characters were just as well created as Alfred, especially Wulfric who has become my favourite character in the series.
November 1, 2023
If you love Vikings or stories about in the coming era then this is the book for you. It is a story of the early years of Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex. He had his strong beliefs in God but had his high moments of doubts. This book is packed with action that will keep you on a continuous read and keep you on your toes.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion was not influenced in anyway
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion was not influenced in anyway
April 9, 2024
another legend
Steven McKay writes very good history based novels and the new King Alfred one is another to add to the various series that he has in place.
The research undertaken clearly comes through with the author providing source materials at the end of the book. His books bring history to life and encourage the reader to seek to validate and learn more about the events and times in which they are set.
Steven McKay writes very good history based novels and the new King Alfred one is another to add to the various series that he has in place.
The research undertaken clearly comes through with the author providing source materials at the end of the book. His books bring history to life and encourage the reader to seek to validate and learn more about the events and times in which they are set.
June 14, 2024
I had not come across this author before so my choice to read this book was a bit of a gamble. I'm so glad I did. Having read most of Bernard Cornwall's Last Kingdom novels it is inevitable that I compare these with Mr McKay's take on the same period of history. I have to say, in my opinion, the first novel compares very favourably. I'm certainly looking forward to reading the second part of Alfred's struggle against the Danes.
December 10, 2024
Je trouve que le livre a autant de points forts que de points faibles.
Concernant les points forts, le livre ne perd pas de temps, les personnages secondaires sont sympas et la fin est un bon cliffhanger.
Malheureusement, parfois les dialogues ont un brin de cringe (c'est très personnel comme avis), le personnage principal est un personnage historique bien connu donc vraiment pas surprenant et si la fin est un bon cliffhanger, je suis un peu déçu quand même que ça s'arrête là.
Concernant les points forts, le livre ne perd pas de temps, les personnages secondaires sont sympas et la fin est un bon cliffhanger.
Malheureusement, parfois les dialogues ont un brin de cringe (c'est très personnel comme avis), le personnage principal est un personnage historique bien connu donc vraiment pas surprenant et si la fin est un bon cliffhanger, je suis un peu déçu quand même que ça s'arrête là.
August 14, 2025
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Well written and researched, atmospheric descriptive with a real feel for time and place, plenty of action. The start of another Alfred the Great series and a very promising start too. Not quite Bernard Cornwells 'Uhtred ' series but a worthy contender. Engaging from first to last page.
Recommended.
Well written and researched, atmospheric descriptive with a real feel for time and place, plenty of action. The start of another Alfred the Great series and a very promising start too. Not quite Bernard Cornwells 'Uhtred ' series but a worthy contender. Engaging from first to last page.
Recommended.
February 2, 2024
Superb. The first novel of his I’ve read. I blame his podcast with Matthew Harffy (Rock Paper Swords - which is bloody brilliant). So, I’ll read more of his books. And as a consequence of the aforementioned podcast, the list of other historical novels I now need to read gets ever longer (what a terrible problem to have).
July 7, 2025
Brilliant, story of Alfred the Great.
Having had this in my to read pile I finally got started and it certainly didn't disappoint, excellent characters keep the tale flowing, moving quickly from one skirmish to the next battle with the added bonus of some political scheming. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Having had this in my to read pile I finally got started and it certainly didn't disappoint, excellent characters keep the tale flowing, moving quickly from one skirmish to the next battle with the added bonus of some political scheming. Looking forward to the next instalment.
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