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New World #1
Blood on the Blade
When the world in which you live is ruled by a tyrant then there is only one choice; you must sail beyond the edge of the world.Erik and his family are Norse who live on the island of Orkneyjar. Their world is thrown upside down when the King of Norway colludes with their jarl to take over their home. They flee to the land north of Mercia. Hoping for a life free from the tyranny of a king they have to fight Danes and Saxons. When King Harald of Norway sends ships to destroy them then the Clan of the Fox is forced to flee to the newly discovered land of ice and fire. They travel beyond sight of land into an uncharted ocean to face a future which is uncertain. Their only certainty lies that their navigator, Erik, is their only chance to find a new home. A new series from the author of the best selling Dragonheart series this is the first part of a trilogy charting the colonization of America by the Vikings.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2018
254 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Griff Hosker
305 books419 followersI was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 18, 2019
A coming of age tale about a young boy who somehow manages to:
...be a better sailor than men with far more experience than he
...be a better navigator than men with far more experience than he
...be a better fighter than men with far more experience than he (despite never owning a sword, or a dagger)
...be a better leader than men with far more experience than he
...learn faster than his counterparts
...have wisdom well beyond his years
..make only noble decisions
...outwit all his opponents, despite his youth and inexperience, always in the nick of time.
A norse mary-sue tale. Yay!
The second Griff Hosker book I've subjected my better senses to, both of which were as fun and entertaining to read as explosive diarrhea is to have. Fool me twice, shame on me.
65% through, and I just couldn't handle the stupid any more.
...be a better sailor than men with far more experience than he
...be a better navigator than men with far more experience than he
...be a better fighter than men with far more experience than he (despite never owning a sword, or a dagger)
...be a better leader than men with far more experience than he
...learn faster than his counterparts
...have wisdom well beyond his years
..make only noble decisions
...outwit all his opponents, despite his youth and inexperience, always in the nick of time.
A norse mary-sue tale. Yay!
The second Griff Hosker book I've subjected my better senses to, both of which were as fun and entertaining to read as explosive diarrhea is to have. Fool me twice, shame on me.
65% through, and I just couldn't handle the stupid any more.
August 26, 2024
I liked this historical fictional account of Eric the Red as a young man. It was exciting. One adventure followed another. Someone said in their review that they didn't like that Eric had so much skill at so many things at such a young age. I feel that, like Davy Crockett and Paul Bunyan, Eric the Red had a mythical quality, so his skills didn't seem out of character with that "tall tale" type of narrative.
Though there was adventure, there wasn't anything that turned my stomach by its graphic nature and there were no sex scenes. I liked those things.
I plan to read the next one.
Though there was adventure, there wasn't anything that turned my stomach by its graphic nature and there were no sex scenes. I liked those things.
I plan to read the next one.
September 29, 2025
If Blood on the Blade were a weapon, it wouldn’t be a polished sword on display — it’d be the nicked, blood-soaked blade still warm from the shield wall, vibrating with the echoes of war cries. Hosker doesn’t just write historical fiction — he drags you into the mud, plants a shield in your hand, and dares you to hold the line.
This is history with teeth. You can smell the iron tang of blood in the air, hear the crack of splintering shields, and feel the sting of salt spray from longships gliding toward battle. Every clash is brutal, unflinching, and raw — the kind of combat that leaves you breathless, wondering how anyone survived the Dark Ages at all.
But it isn’t just gore for gore’s sake. Hosker weaves loyalty, betrayal, and ambition into the melee, showing the fragile humanity inside men who lived and died by steel. Amid the carnage, you glimpse moments of honor, fear, and the stubborn will to carve a place in a world where tomorrow wasn’t promised. If you’re obsessed with Vikings(like myself), if your heart races at the thought of shield walls and mead halls, or if you simply love historical fiction that doesn’t just tell you about the past but drags you right into the mud and glory of it — this one delivers the whole package. It's not perfect, but absolutely pulse-pounding.
This is history with teeth. You can smell the iron tang of blood in the air, hear the crack of splintering shields, and feel the sting of salt spray from longships gliding toward battle. Every clash is brutal, unflinching, and raw — the kind of combat that leaves you breathless, wondering how anyone survived the Dark Ages at all.
But it isn’t just gore for gore’s sake. Hosker weaves loyalty, betrayal, and ambition into the melee, showing the fragile humanity inside men who lived and died by steel. Amid the carnage, you glimpse moments of honor, fear, and the stubborn will to carve a place in a world where tomorrow wasn’t promised. If you’re obsessed with Vikings(like myself), if your heart races at the thought of shield walls and mead halls, or if you simply love historical fiction that doesn’t just tell you about the past but drags you right into the mud and glory of it — this one delivers the whole package. It's not perfect, but absolutely pulse-pounding.
November 22, 2020
Like all of the stories written by this author I was completely engaged. An insight into the story of the legendary navigator who fled his homeland to find the island of fire and ice. The early life of this famous explorer explains the character of this historical figure that enabled him to travel the oceans to find new worlds. I thought the narrator's performance was excellent. This is the first in the series and I plan to follow the story to its end.
July 9, 2023
great book
Really enjoyed this and a different kind of tale from Griff’s usual stuff. I am just about to download the second in the series. One problem was that there were dozens of typos and word errors. I’ve never seen so many in one book! It didn’t distract from the quality of the read but made me think there may have been a software problem at some point. Can’t possibly have been proof read
Really enjoyed this and a different kind of tale from Griff’s usual stuff. I am just about to download the second in the series. One problem was that there were dozens of typos and word errors. I’ve never seen so many in one book! It didn’t distract from the quality of the read but made me think there may have been a software problem at some point. Can’t possibly have been proof read
November 19, 2019
Typical Griff Hosker - GREAT !!!!!!
For everyone that wants a story to connect with, this trilogy should be in your library.
Griff Hosker has easily become my most prominent author with the most books in my library.
If you love history, or action, or being involved with the characters, then Griff Hosker offers you everything you want!
Take advantage and READ
For everyone that wants a story to connect with, this trilogy should be in your library.
Griff Hosker has easily become my most prominent author with the most books in my library.
If you love history, or action, or being involved with the characters, then Griff Hosker offers you everything you want!
Take advantage and READ
September 22, 2025
A lot of typos but still a good read
I like Mr. Hoskers books and always find them entertaining. There were however a lot of typos. Part of the word not there (“as” instead of “was”) and sometimes words added that mad no sense in the sentence. That said I always enjoy the story and characters of Mr. Hosker.
I like Mr. Hoskers books and always find them entertaining. There were however a lot of typos. Part of the word not there (“as” instead of “was”) and sometimes words added that mad no sense in the sentence. That said I always enjoy the story and characters of Mr. Hosker.
April 8, 2019
Great Book.
This was a really great book. Interesting and entertaining from from beginning to end. Of course I had just finished one of the worst books of all time “The Listener” by Robert McCammon when I read this so that might have something to do with my joy.
This was a really great book. Interesting and entertaining from from beginning to end. Of course I had just finished one of the worst books of all time “The Listener” by Robert McCammon when I read this so that might have something to do with my joy.
June 21, 2020
Where Griff succeeded with Lord Edward’s Archer, he failed here. The author had a lot to work with, but the story just fell flat. Also, I was expecting a book about the new world and apparently that doesn’t occur till book 2, which was quite a disappointment.
August 2, 2025
1 I was expecting a cheaper version of Bernard Cornwall’s Viking/Saxon series as Mr Hosker seems to like to write in the same historical eras. But this stood on its own and is pacy, atmospheric and full of well drawn characters.
December 14, 2018
Griff the Galdramenn!
More than 30 Viking tales and each one is a fresh and exciting adventure. This author has tapped a magical story telling power, long may it flow!
More than 30 Viking tales and each one is a fresh and exciting adventure. This author has tapped a magical story telling power, long may it flow!
December 24, 2018
Great
First in a new series. Keep them coming. Looking forward to reading many more of these Keep up the great books
First in a new series. Keep them coming. Looking forward to reading many more of these Keep up the great books
June 7, 2019
Captain John's review of Blood on the Blade
As a sailor, I enjoyed the nautical background of this book. The story is of raw courage set in a primative time. No exagerated glory.
As a sailor, I enjoyed the nautical background of this book. The story is of raw courage set in a primative time. No exagerated glory.
June 29, 2023
The Tale of a Norse clan that move from Orkney to first Lancashire and then to Iceland.
July 24, 2023
Great story
Another wonderful book by Griff Hosker. The story is engaging. I'm on the edge of my seat wondering what comes next.
Another wonderful book by Griff Hosker. The story is engaging. I'm on the edge of my seat wondering what comes next.
August 7, 2023
good book
This book was fast paced and grabbed my attention. There were some grammatical and spelling errors that the editing should have caught.
This book was fast paced and grabbed my attention. There were some grammatical and spelling errors that the editing should have caught.
August 25, 2023
enjoying
However Whit being a Viking saga…I expected a great deal more..
More raids more fights more mayhem.
I will read the next…happy to try one more
However Whit being a Viking saga…I expected a great deal more..
More raids more fights more mayhem.
I will read the next…happy to try one more
January 14, 2025
Interesting to see a story like this but I feel like I've heard this story before kind of enjoyed God of vengeance more
March 18, 2025
Somehow, this managed to be an emotionless read. A bildungsroman where our 15 yr-old protagonist is the best at everything. Outwitting even the most experienced. It becomes pretty boring and repetitive when we already know that no matter what happens, our young protagonist will succeed, winning praise and admiration from all.
December 5, 2022
I’m writing this review for the entire series of The New World. Erik is a Norse Viking who decides as a young boy that he wants to be a navigator/warrior. His father teaches him shipbuilding and navigation as a young boy and allows him to learn and grow into the role. His father breaks off from the rest of his clan to form his own clan when the Swedish king demands loyalty from his current clan. This begins the journey for the clan to remain free from any king and find a land to call their home.
The 5 books span Erik’s life and three generations, across multiple continents. Erik’s personality is that of a quiet, thoughtful leader. He never wanted to be a warrior, but he’s a great fighter. He never wanted to be a leader, but has the right disposition and strategic mind to be a great leader. He’s very likeable and provides readers with a great view of what it would have been like to move between people’s with different levels of cultural and technical advancement.
They begin by building a small settlement on the Mercian lands, then continue their journey to find their own land on the Island of Ice and Fire (Iceland). From there, Erik leads them across the sea to Vineland, or what is now Canada/America.
Highly recommend!
The 5 books span Erik’s life and three generations, across multiple continents. Erik’s personality is that of a quiet, thoughtful leader. He never wanted to be a warrior, but he’s a great fighter. He never wanted to be a leader, but has the right disposition and strategic mind to be a great leader. He’s very likeable and provides readers with a great view of what it would have been like to move between people’s with different levels of cultural and technical advancement.
They begin by building a small settlement on the Mercian lands, then continue their journey to find their own land on the Island of Ice and Fire (Iceland). From there, Erik leads them across the sea to Vineland, or what is now Canada/America.
Highly recommend!
September 30, 2020
The book was Conjunction Shy. The text had short sentences. Here are some examples:
"Finally, his fingers had two rings on each hand. One was a dragon. It was studded with stones. The jarl was rich. I wondered why my father did not wear such things. I was impressed by the jarl."
... or ...
"I looked up at him. He had a seax in his belt. His leather jerkin was well made. He wore no boots but his breeks were made of sealskin. I was going to ask him a question and thought better of it. I would not risk a clip."
A few more "and", "buts", "becauses", "therefores" and "despites" etc scattered about the text would have made the book flow and more readable.
Shame as I enjoyed the story and would like to follow the characters to Iceland and North America in the rest of the series, but not sure I have the patience.
"Finally, his fingers had two rings on each hand. One was a dragon. It was studded with stones. The jarl was rich. I wondered why my father did not wear such things. I was impressed by the jarl."
... or ...
"I looked up at him. He had a seax in his belt. His leather jerkin was well made. He wore no boots but his breeks were made of sealskin. I was going to ask him a question and thought better of it. I would not risk a clip."
A few more "and", "buts", "becauses", "therefores" and "despites" etc scattered about the text would have made the book flow and more readable.
Shame as I enjoyed the story and would like to follow the characters to Iceland and North America in the rest of the series, but not sure I have the patience.
December 9, 2018
Well done, looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews