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Viking Storm
The last English kingdom is on the brink of extinction.
The English militia are no match for ferocious, professional Viking warriors who can strike at a time and place of their choosing thanks to their famous longships.
Viking armies have conquered Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia.
Now they are coming for Wessex and the young king Alfred cannot even rely on his own nobles.
Driven to the remote marshes in Somerset, Alfred must regroup his loyal supporters and organize the fight back.
He finds some unlikely allies: two young Saxon nobles out for revenge and, above all, Constantinos, a Byzantine soldier and diplomat and his bodyguards who all find their own reasons to fight – and die – in someone else’s war.
Viking Storm is the first in an action-packed trilogy that reveals just how narrowly England survived the Vikings, and why Alfred is the only English king known as ‘The Great’.
‘Julian Brazier has shone a light on the Dark Ages and given Alfred the Great the rip-roaring yarn he deserves. This generation has all but forgotten the astonishing achievements of the Saxon King, and how he saved England from a blood-crazed enemy - and re-founded the City of London. Viking Storm is a pacy and suspenseful blockbuster. Alfred lives!’ - Boris Johnson
‘New recruits to the territorial army should perhaps consult a copy of Viking Storm, a racy new novel by Julian Brazier, for tips on how to behave under fire. Brazier displays an alarming flair for describing violent conquest’ – Sunday Times
Educated at Wellington and Oxford, Julian Brazier is the Member of Parliament for Canterbury and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence responsible for reserve forces. He served for thirteen years as an officer in the Territorial Army, including service with the Territorial SAS Squadron. He is married with three children.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
The English militia are no match for ferocious, professional Viking warriors who can strike at a time and place of their choosing thanks to their famous longships.
Viking armies have conquered Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia.
Now they are coming for Wessex and the young king Alfred cannot even rely on his own nobles.
Driven to the remote marshes in Somerset, Alfred must regroup his loyal supporters and organize the fight back.
He finds some unlikely allies: two young Saxon nobles out for revenge and, above all, Constantinos, a Byzantine soldier and diplomat and his bodyguards who all find their own reasons to fight – and die – in someone else’s war.
Viking Storm is the first in an action-packed trilogy that reveals just how narrowly England survived the Vikings, and why Alfred is the only English king known as ‘The Great’.
‘Julian Brazier has shone a light on the Dark Ages and given Alfred the Great the rip-roaring yarn he deserves. This generation has all but forgotten the astonishing achievements of the Saxon King, and how he saved England from a blood-crazed enemy - and re-founded the City of London. Viking Storm is a pacy and suspenseful blockbuster. Alfred lives!’ - Boris Johnson
‘New recruits to the territorial army should perhaps consult a copy of Viking Storm, a racy new novel by Julian Brazier, for tips on how to behave under fire. Brazier displays an alarming flair for describing violent conquest’ – Sunday Times
Educated at Wellington and Oxford, Julian Brazier is the Member of Parliament for Canterbury and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence responsible for reserve forces. He served for thirteen years as an officer in the Territorial Army, including service with the Territorial SAS Squadron. He is married with three children.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2016
History is fascinating to me therefore I enjoyed this book of historical fiction full of well-described action. England survived the intrusion of the Vikings thanks to Alfred who is the only English king known as ‘The Great’. He struggled to create the united kingdom of England. Life in medieval was harsh, cruel and difficult and through this book the reader takes a glimpse of that life. There is a minor historical inaccuracy because potatoes were not introduced into Europe until much later, but certainly this didn’t take away the joy of reading this book.
February 11, 2020
Outstanding historical fiction.
Lousy title not reflective of true scholarly rendering of an important story esp. For all fans of Anglo-Saxon history. Fictional minor characters make it an easy and enjoyable read.
Lousy title not reflective of true scholarly rendering of an important story esp. For all fans of Anglo-Saxon history. Fictional minor characters make it an easy and enjoyable read.
May 18, 2017
Hard to find a story
All description. Just Fighting, finding food and shelter etc. Read 50% of this novel without finding much of a story.
All description. Just Fighting, finding food and shelter etc. Read 50% of this novel without finding much of a story.
September 27, 2019
Very good
I found it absorbing, plot is good and very believeable. I will continue with the series. My recommendation is buy it you will not regret it.
I found it absorbing, plot is good and very believeable. I will continue with the series. My recommendation is buy it you will not regret it.
Read
February 16, 2021Well written. Nice detail. No hyperbole.
June 9, 2016
What Comes Next?
This story covers the same set of historical events as chronicled in the Saxon Tales series by Bernard Cornwall, which I have read in its entirety and enjoyed imensley. There is an interesting contrast between the two. Viking Storm seems to be grittier--somehow more focused in reality, with blood, guts and mud. The Saxon Tales novels seem somehow more grand, more romantic perhaps? But I enjoyed them both. My question about the ending of Viking Storm: if we didn't have the benefit of historical hind sight, what would you think the future might hold for the Saxons, a united English nation, or Norse colonization?
This story covers the same set of historical events as chronicled in the Saxon Tales series by Bernard Cornwall, which I have read in its entirety and enjoyed imensley. There is an interesting contrast between the two. Viking Storm seems to be grittier--somehow more focused in reality, with blood, guts and mud. The Saxon Tales novels seem somehow more grand, more romantic perhaps? But I enjoyed them both. My question about the ending of Viking Storm: if we didn't have the benefit of historical hind sight, what would you think the future might hold for the Saxons, a united English nation, or Norse colonization?
April 17, 2016
Engrossing fiction with a historical feel to it.
I feel anyone who likes English history will enjoy this book. The characters are engaging, both Saxon and Vikings are in turn, brave, but many have characters flaws such as cruelty, and lecherous ways. Both sides seemed to have slaves.
Medieval life was harsh and often cruel. This book takes the reader inside their lives.
I feel anyone who likes English history will enjoy this book. The characters are engaging, both Saxon and Vikings are in turn, brave, but many have characters flaws such as cruelty, and lecherous ways. Both sides seemed to have slaves.
Medieval life was harsh and often cruel. This book takes the reader inside their lives.
August 16, 2016
Tragic and exciting
This was a book that I picked up on Kindle Unlimited and am glad I did. It is a tragic story but ultimately inspiring as it follows several different people including a Saxon Officer and his sister, a visiting Byzantine warrior/emissary and a young Viking warrior during Alfred's campaign in 878-79.
This was a book that I picked up on Kindle Unlimited and am glad I did. It is a tragic story but ultimately inspiring as it follows several different people including a Saxon Officer and his sister, a visiting Byzantine warrior/emissary and a young Viking warrior during Alfred's campaign in 878-79.
March 27, 2016
Excellent account of Saxon England
Well researched plot with credible characters, great storyline & very good action! An excellent read as well as an excellent historical presentation.
Well researched plot with credible characters, great storyline & very good action! An excellent read as well as an excellent historical presentation.
October 5, 2016
Great book
Character development was extremely good. Story line was excellent. The blending of fiction and fact was as good as any historical fiction I have read. Thanks to the author for sharing his imagination and historical research.
Character development was extremely good. Story line was excellent. The blending of fiction and fact was as good as any historical fiction I have read. Thanks to the author for sharing his imagination and historical research.
August 11, 2017
Good read
The book had lots of action and followed the actual history of the time, even though it was fiction. The old English names of the characters made it difficult to keep them straight. Over all worth while to read.
The book had lots of action and followed the actual history of the time, even though it was fiction. The old English names of the characters made it difficult to keep them straight. Over all worth while to read.
January 27, 2015
The first and only book so far in a series about King Alfred the Great. It was good enough that I will read the next one when it comes out.
February 15, 2015
A page turner really enjoyed a good read I recommend this book
April 4, 2016
A good book for those with Irish English, Welsh and Scottish Blood!
Yes it was violent and bloody, but if you've watched Vikings, you can stomach it and be proud of your heritage.
Yes it was violent and bloody, but if you've watched Vikings, you can stomach it and be proud of your heritage.
August 7, 2016
Very enjoyable!
I enjoyed this book very much and wish I could continue reading. Very sad that the story doesn't continue yet. Well worth your time and effort to read.
I enjoyed this book very much and wish I could continue reading. Very sad that the story doesn't continue yet. Well worth your time and effort to read.
October 18, 2016
blah didn't read
January 5, 2017
Great book.
I liked the descriptive narration of people, places and geography.the author brought them all to life
Almost like a movie.
I liked the descriptive narration of people, places and geography.the author brought them all to life
Almost like a movie.
March 29, 2016
Very good.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews