The Snare of Vengeance

The Saga of Hasting the Avenger #6

by C.J. Adrien

“Masterful storytelling, and lots of fun. Hands down the best Hasting adventure yet.”
— Septimus Brown, author of When the Sky Breaks and No Country for Old Dragons

A Viking historical epic of betrayal, political warfare, redemption, and brutal survival in ninth-century Europe.

Peace is far more difficult than war.

After years serving as a celebrated Roman commander in the Byzantine Empire, Hasting the Avenger begins to question the vengeance that has shaped his life. A near-fatal wound and a profound spiritual experience leave him changed, forcing him to confront the man he has become. But before he can decide what kind of future awaits him, political betrayal turns Miklagard into a death trap.

Driven from the empire alongside his loyal kin, Hasting undertakes a perilous journey back to Armorica through hostile waters and fractured kingdoms. But the dangers waiting at home are even greater. With his son kidnapped and old loyalties collapsing around him, Hasting is forced into a desperate struggle to save his family before everything he built is torn apart.

To protect his family and secure his future, Hasting is drawn into the centre of a bitter Breton civil war. Joined by the enigmatic völva Oðlaug, the exiled heir Salomon, and a dangerous alliance with a Danish fleet, he must wage a desperate campaign against enemies who know both his strengths and his weaknesses. But as war closes in once again, Hasting faces a question he can no longer avoid: can a man built for violence truly escape the life that forged him?

The Snare of Vengeance is Book 6 in The Saga of Hasting the Avenger series. Perfect for readers who love Bernard Cornwell, Giles Kristian, Viking historical fiction, and sweeping historical epics filled with war, politics, betrayal, and redemption.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2026

About the author

C.J. Adrien is a history teacher and a bestselling, award-winning author of historical fiction novels. Drawing on years of research into early medieval Europe and a lifelong study of myth, Jungian psychology, and the Hero’s Journey, Adrien’s Saga of Hasting the Avenger series blends historical realism with spiritual depth to explore the eternal battle between man and his shadow—a mythic reflection of his own journey toward wholeness and redemption.

Through his writing, Adrien invites readers to see the Viking world not merely as a distant past but as a mirror for our modern struggles with ambition, faith, and forgiveness. In addition to his novels, he teaches online courses for Medievalists.net and delivers guest lectures worldwide. He currently resides in France with his wife, sons, and pug, Captain Jean-Luc Pugcard.

Reviews

[Robert E.]

In The Snare of Vengeance both author C. J. Adrien and his semi-fictional protagonist Hasting have really hit their stride. With each new work in this now six book series, Adrien’s prose has become smoother, tighter, and more evocative. Hasting has become more nuanced and intriguing as a character, as have the other primary characters featuring prominently in the story. The action in this novel takes off from the first chapter and doesn’t let up. People and places come to life. As he often does, Adrien provides historical notes as an afterword to distinguish between the fictional and real elements in the narrative — this is something I really appreciate, as I’ve found I’m better able to remember historical or factual information when it’s embodied in engaging fiction. The Snare of Vengeance is by far Adrien’s best work yet.

[Johanna Wittenberg]

This installment in the saga of Hasting the Avenger is the best one yet! In the early part of the book, Hasting experiences a vision that sparks a spiritual transformation, a thread that continues throughout the book. When political strife and betrayal drive Hasting and his followers from Constantinople, he sets sail to his home in Armorica. He survives the perilous voyage only to find himself embroiled in a civil war. All the while, the völva Oðlaug guides him along the path to redemption.

Superbly written, The Snare of Vengeance is packed with the action and adventure we've come to expect, with an underlying thread of spiritual awakening that ties the events together and gives the story depth and meaning. Highly recommend!

[Raeleane]

Best book yet of The Saga of Hasting the Avenger by C. J. Adrien and it is amazingly incredible! The book starts out with action and is kinda non stop through the whole story. Adrien's is a master at writing fantasy blending historical facts and fiction seamlessly and is without a doubt absolutely superb. The story has plenty of action, adventure, battle scenes, betrayal, and some romance. The story explores Hasting's spirituality within himself. Does he believe in Odinn and the Gods? Or does he believe in just one God? Adrien's world blends and weaves beautifully, vividly and captivates the reader making you feel as if you are right there in the thick of it all! I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and I absolutely highly recommend reading it and the whole series!

[ukkindlecustomer]

That's Me in the Spotlight

Sixth book in the Hasting saga moves him back from the Middle East to his adopted homeland of Brittany with his remarkably loyal friends and family. Politics, treachery and seemingly perpetual war, inevitably lead to his fall back position of violence, whilst facing religious pressures from all sides.

[Emily A.]

Enjoyable and Informative

I like reading C.J. Adrien’s writing because it is clean, well organized, well researched and has a good plot. I like Hasting as a character and historical figure and appreciated the part of the story that dealt with his psychology and spiritual journey. Hoping there is another book coming.