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The Rule
In Helvik, a single rule governs the ‘No person of Helvik may kill another person of Helvik. Any person who breaks this rule is no longer a person of Helvik.’
Gunnarr remembers a time before the rule, when blood feuds and petty rivalries led to endless death. In the days since, an uneasy peace has fallen over the town, and Gunnarr has made himself the man to enforce it.
When an innocent friend suffers from a breach of the rule, Gunnarr rushes to deal retribution. Too late, he discovers that what appeared a mindless act was actually something far more sinister. And now he has left his unborn child and family unprotected, just when they need him most.
A vast host of warriors is at the gates of Helvik, and with Gunnarr gone, nothing and no one stands against them…
Gunnarr remembers a time before the rule, when blood feuds and petty rivalries led to endless death. In the days since, an uneasy peace has fallen over the town, and Gunnarr has made himself the man to enforce it.
When an innocent friend suffers from a breach of the rule, Gunnarr rushes to deal retribution. Too late, he discovers that what appeared a mindless act was actually something far more sinister. And now he has left his unborn child and family unprotected, just when they need him most.
A vast host of warriors is at the gates of Helvik, and with Gunnarr gone, nothing and no one stands against them…
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2015
9 people want to read
About the author
Jack Colman
6 books2 followersJack Colman was born in rural North Yorkshire in 1987. In 2012 he submitted a manuscript to HarperVoyager via their open submissions programme, and was one of the lucky few selected from some 5000 entrants. His debut novel The Rule was released in March 2015.
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June 26, 2016Historical fiction from the viewpoint of the ?Danes ?Norse? Effective creation of a bleak and unforgiving Scandinavian setting, though vagueness of location and of events - where do they raid? Is it close-by? Is it far? Is it a reference to the raid of Lindisfarne? - does let it down a little. Rivalries are established and maintained well, and the relationship between Gunnarr and Kelda is touching, as is Gunnarr's relationship with his mother. However I did struggle to empathise with Gunnarr - on occasion I found myself feeling more towards Hakon, which I don't think was the intent! Solid effort for a first book, and for a local boy as well, so major kudos. Recommend.
July 24, 2015
It's called the Rule, but it should have been called, the-Rule-That-Will-Be-Broken-Through-the-Whole-book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews