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The Norsemen Saga #2
La corona de los tres reinos
Irlanda. Mediados del siglo ix.
Dubh-Linn acaba de ser reconquistada a los daneses por la flota vikinga noruega comandada por Olaf el Blanco.
Thorgrim Lobo Nocturno solo piensa en volver a sus tierras en su Noruega natal, pero se encuentra atrapado en Dubh-Linn sin barco y sin dinero. No le queda más remedio que aceptar participar en una última incursión en tierras irlandesas bajo el mando de Arinbjorn Diente Blanco, un hombre en el que no confía.
Pero las cosas se complican; Brigitnic Máel Sechnaill, la heredera del trono de Tara, tiene que huir precipitadamente y se refugia en Dubh-Linn, donde le pide a Arinbjorn que la ayude a recuperar su corona. Flann mac Conaing se proclama nuevo rey de Tara con la ayuda de su intrigante hermana Morrigan, que tiene en su poder la Corona de los Tres Reinos, que, según dice la leyenda, quien la ciña será el rey supremo de Irlanda..
Thorgrim, su hijo Harald, su suegro Ornolf el Incansable, el berserker Starri el Inmortal y el resto de sus hombres, se verán inmersos en la batalla por el trono de Tara, una batalla que pondrá a prueba su fuerza y su lealtad como nadie jamás lo había hecho.
Dubh-Linn acaba de ser reconquistada a los daneses por la flota vikinga noruega comandada por Olaf el Blanco.
Thorgrim Lobo Nocturno solo piensa en volver a sus tierras en su Noruega natal, pero se encuentra atrapado en Dubh-Linn sin barco y sin dinero. No le queda más remedio que aceptar participar en una última incursión en tierras irlandesas bajo el mando de Arinbjorn Diente Blanco, un hombre en el que no confía.
Pero las cosas se complican; Brigitnic Máel Sechnaill, la heredera del trono de Tara, tiene que huir precipitadamente y se refugia en Dubh-Linn, donde le pide a Arinbjorn que la ayude a recuperar su corona. Flann mac Conaing se proclama nuevo rey de Tara con la ayuda de su intrigante hermana Morrigan, que tiene en su poder la Corona de los Tres Reinos, que, según dice la leyenda, quien la ciña será el rey supremo de Irlanda..
Thorgrim, su hijo Harald, su suegro Ornolf el Incansable, el berserker Starri el Inmortal y el resto de sus hombres, se verán inmersos en la batalla por el trono de Tara, una batalla que pondrá a prueba su fuerza y su lealtad como nadie jamás lo había hecho.
398 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2014
464 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
James L. Nelson
61 books362 followersJames L. Nelson (1962-) is an American historical nautical novelist. He was born in Lewiston, Maine. In 1980, Nelson graduated from Lewiston High School. Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two years, and then transferred to UCLA, with the ambition of becoming a film director. Nelson, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Betsy lived for two years in Steubenville, Ohio, while Lisa attended Franciscan University. They also have two boys, Nate and Jack. They now live in Harpswell, Maine, where Nelson continues to write full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 3, 2020
Back for the second in a series of Vikings in Ireland & as the title would suggest it’s based in the fair city of Dublin which originated as a Vikings Slave trading port. Been a few years since I read the opener so the run through of whose who in the opening prologue was welcome.
The story picks up jus after the last one & follows the opposing (Norsk/Irish) sides in turn.
The Irish being involved in a wedding which in reality is a political alliance of the old kings daughter Brigit & one of the lesser kings…. Its all very involved with various names as the Irish manoeuvre to take the reigns of power before taking on the invaders & driving them from the Isles but they seem to battle amongst themselves as much as take on the Norsk/Dane invader. Morrigan appears from the first story, Brigit’s relative (Aunt?) & arch rival for the crown, there is certainly no love lost between the women from the off. We follow their POV’s for the Irish side along with an Irish priest Father Finnian who seems to be part rogue, part Saint.
Whilst on the Norsk side we have a band of warriors raiding along the coast & we follow their fortunes in battle as well as the aftermath as they attack a fortress called Cloyne, we learn of a berserker named Starri Deathless which is a grand name for one such, following his exploits in the opening battle. Our hero from the first book Thorgrim Ulfsson known as Thorgrim Night Wolf returns joining one of the ships of the band for one final raid before his return to Norway? Along with his son Harold & father Ulfson. All play prominent roles in the story.
The characters are well fleshed out, the scene set in the opening chapters & then we are into a tale of high adventure which encompasses political machinations/conniving, tales of battle, forbidden love shows its face, religion too….all giving a sense of the period & it’s people which comes through strongly in this venture.
A simple tale of power & greed in the end but one very well told I will say.
For those who follow Uthred & need another Viking to follow as that series wraps up, highly recommend you adopt Thorgrim night Wolf
A really enjoyable yarn which I rate highly. I shall endeavour to pick up more of the series when I can this side of the pond. 4.5 stars rounded to a 4
The story picks up jus after the last one & follows the opposing (Norsk/Irish) sides in turn.
The Irish being involved in a wedding which in reality is a political alliance of the old kings daughter Brigit & one of the lesser kings…. Its all very involved with various names as the Irish manoeuvre to take the reigns of power before taking on the invaders & driving them from the Isles but they seem to battle amongst themselves as much as take on the Norsk/Dane invader. Morrigan appears from the first story, Brigit’s relative (Aunt?) & arch rival for the crown, there is certainly no love lost between the women from the off. We follow their POV’s for the Irish side along with an Irish priest Father Finnian who seems to be part rogue, part Saint.
Whilst on the Norsk side we have a band of warriors raiding along the coast & we follow their fortunes in battle as well as the aftermath as they attack a fortress called Cloyne, we learn of a berserker named Starri Deathless which is a grand name for one such, following his exploits in the opening battle. Our hero from the first book Thorgrim Ulfsson known as Thorgrim Night Wolf returns joining one of the ships of the band for one final raid before his return to Norway? Along with his son Harold & father Ulfson. All play prominent roles in the story.
The characters are well fleshed out, the scene set in the opening chapters & then we are into a tale of high adventure which encompasses political machinations/conniving, tales of battle, forbidden love shows its face, religion too….all giving a sense of the period & it’s people which comes through strongly in this venture.
A simple tale of power & greed in the end but one very well told I will say.
For those who follow Uthred & need another Viking to follow as that series wraps up, highly recommend you adopt Thorgrim night Wolf
A really enjoyable yarn which I rate highly. I shall endeavour to pick up more of the series when I can this side of the pond. 4.5 stars rounded to a 4
June 26, 2015
I might have given Dubh Linn a five, had I not been reading Cornwall's Saxon series where a very similar main character just does everything a little better. Having said that, this is a great read for understanding the tumult, chaos and desperation of the times motivating the Viking invaders and the chaos pervading the Irish tribes, each chief a 'king', jockeying for the high kingship. What I like in this book is the textural quality; the foods they eat, the rooms they sleep in, just how rainy it is and how miserable it is to sleep out in the rain, how the interminable rain can go on for weeks, and how it takes a couple of weeks more for the mud to firm into dryer ground. People kill with abandon, the church has its own agenda and leaders make decisions based on personal agendas rather than the greater good. Hmmm.
October 3, 2017
3.5
Después de leer Vikingos me quedé sorprendida de que me gustase tanto y cuando vi que iban a publicar su segunda parte supe que quería leerla.
La corona de los tres reinos continúa la acción donde la dejamos, retomaremos las tramas de los diferentes personajes, en especial la de Thorgrim, que reflexionará bastante sobre su vida, su relación con su hijo y la situación social y política de Irlanda, que ha cambiado mucho durante las dos últimas décadas, desde la llegada de los vikingos a sus costas.
Algunos irlandeses solo desean expulsarlos, pero otros creen que ya forman parte de Irlanda y que su comercio les ha traído beneficios. No obstante, Morrigan y Brigit no opinan lo mismo, aunque eso no evitará que se relacionen con norteños.
Al igual que en el primer libro, estamos en una trama llena de aventuras, lucha, conspiraciones y algún que otro romance. Las mujeres en esta historia son todas irlandesas y aunque no pueden ocupar directamente el poder, serán lo bastante inteligentes como para saber controlarlo y participar activamente por la guerra de tronos en el complejo mapa político irlandés, en el que también se incluyen ahora las ambiciones de algunos hombres del norte, los fin gall.
Toda esta acción me ha gustado, hace que la novela se pase muy rápido. He disfrutado siguiendo los avances de Brigit y Morrigan, posiblemente las grandes estrategas de esta novela, aunque tengo mis reservas con ellas. En este libro hay dobleces, creo que ambas son personajes un tanto ambiguos, así como otro personaje femenino que vemos en este nuevo libro. Puede que el hecho de la imagen que se tiene de ellas al final no me guste mucho, parece que los únicos buenos en esta historia son Thorgrim y Harald, aunque este último no queda como alguien muy inteligente.
Una de las cosas que más me gusta de los libros de este autor es que no solo se limita a describir batallas o personajes típicos, les da otra profundidad, los hace ambiguos e incluye interesantes reflexiones de los propios personajes sobre la vida, la política, la guerra, el amor, la paternidad…
Los personajes están bien construidos y hay algunos muy peculiares, como Starri o el padre Finnian que son nuevos y dan un toque diferente muy interesante.
Mi visión general es positiva, pero sí que creo que me ha gustado un poquito menos que el primer libro. He visto el final un poco precipitado y me ha sabido a poco la información que se nos da de lo que les ocurre a los protagonistas, ha sido un poco agridulce, supongo.
A pesar de eso, estoy contenta con estas lecturas y son libros que recomiendo si os interesa leer algo sobre la temática vikinga, desde luego, de las novelas que yo he leído estas destacan, son bastante completas, enganchan mucho y tienen ese punto diferente de mostrarnos cómo se desarrolla en Irlanda la presencia de los vikingos.
Una continuación que sigue en el tono de la anterior. Retomamos la trama de los personajes principales que conocimos en Vikingos, en especial la de Throgrim y vemos las nuevas aventuras que les deparan.Lucha, acción, conspiraciones, amor, traición… Una novela histórica de vikingos que merece la pena, si bien me ha gustado un poco menos que el primer libro y el final ha sido un poco agridulce.
Después de leer Vikingos me quedé sorprendida de que me gustase tanto y cuando vi que iban a publicar su segunda parte supe que quería leerla.
La corona de los tres reinos continúa la acción donde la dejamos, retomaremos las tramas de los diferentes personajes, en especial la de Thorgrim, que reflexionará bastante sobre su vida, su relación con su hijo y la situación social y política de Irlanda, que ha cambiado mucho durante las dos últimas décadas, desde la llegada de los vikingos a sus costas.
Algunos irlandeses solo desean expulsarlos, pero otros creen que ya forman parte de Irlanda y que su comercio les ha traído beneficios. No obstante, Morrigan y Brigit no opinan lo mismo, aunque eso no evitará que se relacionen con norteños.
Al igual que en el primer libro, estamos en una trama llena de aventuras, lucha, conspiraciones y algún que otro romance. Las mujeres en esta historia son todas irlandesas y aunque no pueden ocupar directamente el poder, serán lo bastante inteligentes como para saber controlarlo y participar activamente por la guerra de tronos en el complejo mapa político irlandés, en el que también se incluyen ahora las ambiciones de algunos hombres del norte, los fin gall.
Toda esta acción me ha gustado, hace que la novela se pase muy rápido. He disfrutado siguiendo los avances de Brigit y Morrigan, posiblemente las grandes estrategas de esta novela, aunque tengo mis reservas con ellas. En este libro hay dobleces, creo que ambas son personajes un tanto ambiguos, así como otro personaje femenino que vemos en este nuevo libro. Puede que el hecho de la imagen que se tiene de ellas al final no me guste mucho, parece que los únicos buenos en esta historia son Thorgrim y Harald, aunque este último no queda como alguien muy inteligente.
Una de las cosas que más me gusta de los libros de este autor es que no solo se limita a describir batallas o personajes típicos, les da otra profundidad, los hace ambiguos e incluye interesantes reflexiones de los propios personajes sobre la vida, la política, la guerra, el amor, la paternidad…
Los personajes están bien construidos y hay algunos muy peculiares, como Starri o el padre Finnian que son nuevos y dan un toque diferente muy interesante.
Mi visión general es positiva, pero sí que creo que me ha gustado un poquito menos que el primer libro. He visto el final un poco precipitado y me ha sabido a poco la información que se nos da de lo que les ocurre a los protagonistas, ha sido un poco agridulce, supongo.
A pesar de eso, estoy contenta con estas lecturas y son libros que recomiendo si os interesa leer algo sobre la temática vikinga, desde luego, de las novelas que yo he leído estas destacan, son bastante completas, enganchan mucho y tienen ese punto diferente de mostrarnos cómo se desarrolla en Irlanda la presencia de los vikingos.
Una continuación que sigue en el tono de la anterior. Retomamos la trama de los personajes principales que conocimos en Vikingos, en especial la de Throgrim y vemos las nuevas aventuras que les deparan.Lucha, acción, conspiraciones, amor, traición… Una novela histórica de vikingos que merece la pena, si bien me ha gustado un poco menos que el primer libro y el final ha sido un poco agridulce.
February 22, 2019
Thorgrim Night Wolf is stranded on the Irish coast with no desire other than to return home to his native lands of Vik, content with riches earned over a lifetime of plundering. But he and his son Harald are stuck with a band of Viking warriors led by a greedy and duplicitous Arinbjorn who insists on more raiding. Thorgrim goes along with one more raid in return for passage back home. Meanwhile, the Irish are in the midst of complex political maneuvering to fill the role of High King of Tara. They are not above using the less sophisticated Norsemen as allies for their own causes which, in turn leads to splintering of the various factions for both the Norsemen and the Irish.
Another fine read by James L. Nelson, one of the truly underappreciated historical novelists working today. Before this series, he specialized in maritime fiction but this series is perhaps one that is drawing more fans to his work. This novel is filled with interesting and diverse characters, all with their own competing agendas. Since it is a story involving Vikings, you can be sure to expect a lot of battles involving axes, swords, and shield walls but this is balanced with some nicely developed characters and settings. The author obviously put a lot of research into this story and I am learning a lot more about early Ireland than I expected.
If you enjoy Bernard Cornwell’s work, especially the Saxon Tales, then I urge you to give these a spin. Like those novels, battles aren’t always won by sheer strength in numbers. Rather strategy and innovative tactics often take center stage. But, as always, it’s the characters that keep bringing me back for more.
Book three awaits.
Another fine read by James L. Nelson, one of the truly underappreciated historical novelists working today. Before this series, he specialized in maritime fiction but this series is perhaps one that is drawing more fans to his work. This novel is filled with interesting and diverse characters, all with their own competing agendas. Since it is a story involving Vikings, you can be sure to expect a lot of battles involving axes, swords, and shield walls but this is balanced with some nicely developed characters and settings. The author obviously put a lot of research into this story and I am learning a lot more about early Ireland than I expected.
If you enjoy Bernard Cornwell’s work, especially the Saxon Tales, then I urge you to give these a spin. Like those novels, battles aren’t always won by sheer strength in numbers. Rather strategy and innovative tactics often take center stage. But, as always, it’s the characters that keep bringing me back for more.
Book three awaits.
October 17, 2022
The author tells a good tale but the execution could be better. A slow progression with some howling anachronisms - church spire, tapestries, desks etc. and the battle scenes felt contrived. Generally easygoing entertainment. I have to confess though that I did not follow through to the end which is a shame, as I feel there was potential here.
August 31, 2021
Valoración real 2,5/5 estrellas.
Este libro llevaba años en mi estantería, años en que me puse como objetivo leerlo de una vez y nunca encontré el momento. Hasta ahora.
Situado a mediados del siglo IX en Irlanda, en plena invasión del país por parte de los guerreros nórdicos, este libro nos narra la historia de Thorgrim Lobo Nocturno, un noruego deseoso de volver a su lugar de nacimiento pero atrapado en Irlanda porque carece de barco y dinero y, además, su reputación como guerrero hace que los otros jarls (jefes vikingos) desconfíen de él, ya que creen que pondrá a prueba su autoridad. Eso lo lleva a unirse a Arinbjorn, un hombre que no le inspira confianza, pero que es el único dispuesto a contar con él.
Además, en Irlanda tienen más problemas que la invasión y el saqueo de los nórdicos, ya que los pequeños reyes se pelean entre ellos por el poder basándose en excusas absurdas. La única forma de unirlos bajo un mando común es coronar en Tara a alguien capaz de unirlos, y eso lleva al enfrentamiento entre la princesa Brigit, hija del anterior rey de Brega, Máel Sechnaill, y a Morrigan, que pretende hacerse ella misma con el poder coronando a su propio hermano bajo el pretexto de que es primo del anterior rey.
Con una trama que prometía ser así de interesante, el libro me ha resultado un poco aburrido, con una trama predecible y con unos personajes que, por lo general no me despertaron ningún interés. La clara excepción son Starri el Inmortal, el berserker que busca morir de una vez en batalla para alcanzar el Valhalla, y Morrigan nic Conaing, la astuta mujer que intenta controlar Tara en un mundo hecho por y para hombres.
No obstante, sí me apetece seguir leyendo más libros de esta saga, puesto que aunque la ejecución me resultó bastante pasable, la premisa de la historia sí me parece muy atractiva, y tengo muchas ganas de descubrir qué le espera a Morrigan, y si Thorgrim y su hijo Harald lograrán volver a Noruega, sobre todo después de lo que sucede con Brigit al final del libro.
Este libro llevaba años en mi estantería, años en que me puse como objetivo leerlo de una vez y nunca encontré el momento. Hasta ahora.
Situado a mediados del siglo IX en Irlanda, en plena invasión del país por parte de los guerreros nórdicos, este libro nos narra la historia de Thorgrim Lobo Nocturno, un noruego deseoso de volver a su lugar de nacimiento pero atrapado en Irlanda porque carece de barco y dinero y, además, su reputación como guerrero hace que los otros jarls (jefes vikingos) desconfíen de él, ya que creen que pondrá a prueba su autoridad. Eso lo lleva a unirse a Arinbjorn, un hombre que no le inspira confianza, pero que es el único dispuesto a contar con él.
Además, en Irlanda tienen más problemas que la invasión y el saqueo de los nórdicos, ya que los pequeños reyes se pelean entre ellos por el poder basándose en excusas absurdas. La única forma de unirlos bajo un mando común es coronar en Tara a alguien capaz de unirlos, y eso lleva al enfrentamiento entre la princesa Brigit, hija del anterior rey de Brega, Máel Sechnaill, y a Morrigan, que pretende hacerse ella misma con el poder coronando a su propio hermano bajo el pretexto de que es primo del anterior rey.
Con una trama que prometía ser así de interesante, el libro me ha resultado un poco aburrido, con una trama predecible y con unos personajes que, por lo general no me despertaron ningún interés. La clara excepción son Starri el Inmortal, el berserker que busca morir de una vez en batalla para alcanzar el Valhalla, y Morrigan nic Conaing, la astuta mujer que intenta controlar Tara en un mundo hecho por y para hombres.
No obstante, sí me apetece seguir leyendo más libros de esta saga, puesto que aunque la ejecución me resultó bastante pasable, la premisa de la historia sí me parece muy atractiva, y tengo muchas ganas de descubrir qué le espera a Morrigan, y si Thorgrim y su hijo Harald lograrán volver a Noruega, sobre todo después de lo que sucede con Brigit al final del libro.
February 13, 2017
Well written and well researched, October 28, 2016
This review is from: Dubh-linn: A Novel of Viking Age Ireland (The Norsemen Saga Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
A rousing novel of Viking age Ireland and the early days of Dublin from its establishment as a Danish base to its takeover by the Norwegians as a permanent trading post. Readers should be aware that in this historically accurate story of a violent period in Irish and Viking history, there are no "good" guys by modern American standards. The Irish double deal and murder, scrambling for power. The Vikings steal and murder for a living. All parties capture, keep and deal in slaves. Most people in this time and place lived short, brutish lives. For that matter, for most of history that has been the human condition. Mr. Nelson delivers an exciting, well written novel which should appeal to those interested in history and adventure.
This review is from: Dubh-linn: A Novel of Viking Age Ireland (The Norsemen Saga Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
A rousing novel of Viking age Ireland and the early days of Dublin from its establishment as a Danish base to its takeover by the Norwegians as a permanent trading post. Readers should be aware that in this historically accurate story of a violent period in Irish and Viking history, there are no "good" guys by modern American standards. The Irish double deal and murder, scrambling for power. The Vikings steal and murder for a living. All parties capture, keep and deal in slaves. Most people in this time and place lived short, brutish lives. For that matter, for most of history that has been the human condition. Mr. Nelson delivers an exciting, well written novel which should appeal to those interested in history and adventure.
June 9, 2018
Good read
Good characters. Good series. Have to write 16 more words to get out of this site. If I dont want to leave a review how can I get off this site?
Good characters. Good series. Have to write 16 more words to get out of this site. If I dont want to leave a review how can I get off this site?
April 30, 2018
Sequel as Good as the First one
Yep...this second novel in the series on Viking Ireland continues where the first left off. We rejoin Thorgrim Nightwolf, his son Harald, and his captain Ornolf the Restless as they are comfortably stranded in Dubh-lin, the Viking settlement that was becoming a trading center on the site of today’s Dublin, in the 9th century. Both Thorgrim and Ornolf are middle aged men, and the former has realized he wants to go home. Ornolf would just as soon stay when he figures out that the settlement offers ample food, drink and other comforts without the need to face the ocean passage back to Norway (inconvenient because his ship was destroyed in book 1). That he has a family back home doesn’t matter to him.
Thorgrim is on his own and can’t just buy a ticket back — somehow there aren’t trading ships plying this passage routinely, perhaps an inaccuracy in the plot. He has to hitch a ride on someone else’s ship, and none of the other skippers wants to leave Ireland where the plunder is good. Plus there are some loose ends in the succession in a nearby Irish kingdom left over from the previous book.
The author brings this stew to a rolling boil in the first 2 chapters and keeps it heating up more throughout the book. Action is nonstop with twists and turns, back-stabbing and warfare that keeps you guessing to the end. The portrayal of Thorgrim and his troops is authentic as in the previous book with an added psychological depth as he realizes he’s too old for the irresponsible role of Viking raider. Yet he has the ability to receive visions at night from a wolf’s point of view, and in the culture of the time others conclude he turns into a wolf himself. The sagas show that the Vikings believed such things so this element falls neatly into place.
In this book the Irish culture and characters have a higher presence. While I have no special knowledge of this, the author uses Gaelic words freely so he must have done similar research to what he did for the Norse.
I recommend this book as a worthy successor to the first of the series. Its only defect is some editing errors where a person “keeps his council [sic]” or “a retreat becomes a route[sic]”. Probably too much reliance on spellcheck!
Yep...this second novel in the series on Viking Ireland continues where the first left off. We rejoin Thorgrim Nightwolf, his son Harald, and his captain Ornolf the Restless as they are comfortably stranded in Dubh-lin, the Viking settlement that was becoming a trading center on the site of today’s Dublin, in the 9th century. Both Thorgrim and Ornolf are middle aged men, and the former has realized he wants to go home. Ornolf would just as soon stay when he figures out that the settlement offers ample food, drink and other comforts without the need to face the ocean passage back to Norway (inconvenient because his ship was destroyed in book 1). That he has a family back home doesn’t matter to him.
Thorgrim is on his own and can’t just buy a ticket back — somehow there aren’t trading ships plying this passage routinely, perhaps an inaccuracy in the plot. He has to hitch a ride on someone else’s ship, and none of the other skippers wants to leave Ireland where the plunder is good. Plus there are some loose ends in the succession in a nearby Irish kingdom left over from the previous book.
The author brings this stew to a rolling boil in the first 2 chapters and keeps it heating up more throughout the book. Action is nonstop with twists and turns, back-stabbing and warfare that keeps you guessing to the end. The portrayal of Thorgrim and his troops is authentic as in the previous book with an added psychological depth as he realizes he’s too old for the irresponsible role of Viking raider. Yet he has the ability to receive visions at night from a wolf’s point of view, and in the culture of the time others conclude he turns into a wolf himself. The sagas show that the Vikings believed such things so this element falls neatly into place.
In this book the Irish culture and characters have a higher presence. While I have no special knowledge of this, the author uses Gaelic words freely so he must have done similar research to what he did for the Norse.
I recommend this book as a worthy successor to the first of the series. Its only defect is some editing errors where a person “keeps his council [sic]” or “a retreat becomes a route[sic]”. Probably too much reliance on spellcheck!
November 25, 2025
Kindle/Audible
I like the story well enough, but the execution wobbles. The book leans hard on the “plundering Vikings doing Viking things” formula, and after the fifth or sixth skirmish, the whole thing starts to blur together. Even the abduction of Brigit gets told twice from different points of view, as if repetition might make it more exciting. It doesn’t.
We also spend an oddly long stretch on dogs chasing the group, pages that feel like filler instead of tension. Thorgrim has the bones of a great series character, but here he’s mostly sidelined while the plot runs in circles without him.
Ironically, the Irish princess rivalry between Morrigan and Brigit is far more compelling than the Viking storyline. Their political sniping has more spark than any axe swing in the book. The violence itself feels oddly tame and the villains never lean far enough into villainy to be memorable.
And that golden crown. It’s treated like Tolkien’s One Ring, complete with characters stroking it like Gollum whispering “my precious.” It’s dramatic, sure, but unintentionally a bit silly.
I’ll move on to the next book, but the series is on thin ice. This one is just too simple for the potential it clearly has.
I like the story well enough, but the execution wobbles. The book leans hard on the “plundering Vikings doing Viking things” formula, and after the fifth or sixth skirmish, the whole thing starts to blur together. Even the abduction of Brigit gets told twice from different points of view, as if repetition might make it more exciting. It doesn’t.
We also spend an oddly long stretch on dogs chasing the group, pages that feel like filler instead of tension. Thorgrim has the bones of a great series character, but here he’s mostly sidelined while the plot runs in circles without him.
Ironically, the Irish princess rivalry between Morrigan and Brigit is far more compelling than the Viking storyline. Their political sniping has more spark than any axe swing in the book. The violence itself feels oddly tame and the villains never lean far enough into villainy to be memorable.
And that golden crown. It’s treated like Tolkien’s One Ring, complete with characters stroking it like Gollum whispering “my precious.” It’s dramatic, sure, but unintentionally a bit silly.
I’ll move on to the next book, but the series is on thin ice. This one is just too simple for the potential it clearly has.
January 12, 2018
Great writing, totally engaging, I can hardly stop reading. I’m getting up early, I’m going to bed late, I’m not watching Netflix, I can’t wait to see what happens next. I downloaded the next book the series BEFORE I started writing this review so I can keep going.
I am a picky reader. I like to enjoy, learn and, above all, not get bored when I read. This author is ticking all of my boxes.
The story lines twist and turn, you will be shocked, you will cheer, you will laugh.
If you like this kind of stuff, or if you just like a good read I would recommend this series.
I am a picky reader. I like to enjoy, learn and, above all, not get bored when I read. This author is ticking all of my boxes.
The story lines twist and turn, you will be shocked, you will cheer, you will laugh.
If you like this kind of stuff, or if you just like a good read I would recommend this series.
November 22, 2017
Al principio me costó un poco coger el hilo, pero después no pude soltarlo. Las batallas y enfrentamientos de la mitad en adelante son, para mí, lo mejor del libro.
Me ha gustado mucho el papel de Harald en esta nueva aventura, mucho más importante que en el anterior a mi modo de ver. Sus acciones y sus reacciones son lo que mueven el engranaje de la batalla final y lo ves venir, si, pero igual lo esperas con ganas.
Me ha gustado mucho el papel de Harald en esta nueva aventura, mucho más importante que en el anterior a mi modo de ver. Sus acciones y sus reacciones son lo que mueven el engranaje de la batalla final y lo ves venir, si, pero igual lo esperas con ganas.
June 12, 2022
Nachdem Thorgrim und seine Männer ihr Schiff verloren haben müssen sie erstmal auf Irland bleiben. Durch Plünderung wollen sie genug verdienen um sich ihre Heimfahrt nach Norwegen zu finanzieren. Dabei geraten sie in den Machtkampf verschiedener irischer Stämme die um die Königskrone kämpfen. Ich muss sagen das mir der zweit Teil noch besser als der erste gefallen hat. Sehr spannend geschrieben und ich freue mich schon auf das nächste Buch dieser Reihe.
July 3, 2025
Just a perfect escapist read for a tired dad trudging through the bullshit era of emails and apps and Google calendar alerts. A father son Odysseus saga featuring a war between the two nationalities of my blood. Always nice when you’re the exact target demographic for a book series and it consistently delivers on its promise.
July 28, 2017
Reflects the times well
This is the second of 5 books built around the Norsemen (Vikings) in Ireland, how they lived and how they probably influenced Ireland. Good read for those who like popular history.
This is the second of 5 books built around the Norsemen (Vikings) in Ireland, how they lived and how they probably influenced Ireland. Good read for those who like popular history.
October 9, 2018
Yet another..!
Norsemen......Irishmen......berserkers, warriors & so much more combined in an action packed, socio-culturally interactive as well as historically accurate yarn! For the Celtic buff.......the Norse buff or the medieval warfare buff.....this is an excellent read!!!
Norsemen......Irishmen......berserkers, warriors & so much more combined in an action packed, socio-culturally interactive as well as historically accurate yarn! For the Celtic buff.......the Norse buff or the medieval warfare buff.....this is an excellent read!!!
January 31, 2019
A well structured story, interesting plots and subplots, historical fiction as it should be.
The characters were usually believable and sympathetic. These Nordic sagas suggest the breadth of influence of Viking age on western culture
The characters were usually believable and sympathetic. These Nordic sagas suggest the breadth of influence of Viking age on western culture
April 13, 2021
Editor Needed!
Edit more carefully!! Good tale, but poor editing lessens reader enjoyment. Spelling errors, wrong word spelled, fragmented sentences that GOOD writing/editing should be free of to a greater extent.
Edit more carefully!! Good tale, but poor editing lessens reader enjoyment. Spelling errors, wrong word spelled, fragmented sentences that GOOD writing/editing should be free of to a greater extent.
December 24, 2021
Great Sequel
One of the best rates I have had in a long time. I have grown very fond of the Vikings and this book is one of the best ones that weaves history and fiction in such a way that it transports the reader there to the fields of Ireland. Great book!
One of the best rates I have had in a long time. I have grown very fond of the Vikings and this book is one of the best ones that weaves history and fiction in such a way that it transports the reader there to the fields of Ireland. Great book!
August 21, 2025
I think my enjoyment of this book was lower since the novelty from the first book had worn off. While still an enjoyable read, the "awe" factor wasn't there. I do appreciate that I was surprised by the ending.
May 9, 2017
Viking thugs
The book is very interesting. I like the idea of changing into a wolf and seeing things that will aid in winning the battles.
The book is very interesting. I like the idea of changing into a wolf and seeing things that will aid in winning the battles.
December 10, 2017
Loved it
More and more of Thorgrim's character and heart's longings are revealed, and the machinations of two women determined to rule Tara come to light. A darned good read.
More and more of Thorgrim's character and heart's longings are revealed, and the machinations of two women determined to rule Tara come to light. A darned good read.
September 12, 2018
Excellent!
October 25, 2019
Parts of the story were good, but I hated the deceit fulness of all of the female characters. They all seemed to be the same person in different situations.
February 10, 2020
Loved it!
March 31, 2020
Love this series. Needs better editing.
April 22, 2020
It was ok. I wouldn't put it on the same level as the Bernard Cornwall books.
August 1, 2022
Excellent
This book was excellent. Continue on Rom the first one. Had a different ending than I would have high. Book three on the way.
This book was excellent. Continue on Rom the first one. Had a different ending than I would have high. Book three on the way.
February 2, 2023
Very well written and researched. Good read, and the audible listen was well done as well
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