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Norse Family Saga #1
Warrior and Weaver
A Viking saga of love, revenge, sacrifice, and betrayal.
Bjorn Alfarsson cares nothing for the blood feud that has raged for years between his foster-father and brother. But when Bjorn’s best friend is killed by the son of their bitter enemy, he is drawn into the long-standing conflict. With the safety of his children at risk, Bjorn does whatever is necessary, but the hatred he has wrought threatens to unravel his world.
Astrid Tryggvisdottir is the daughter of a powerful jarl. What she wants most is to marry a man she loves, and to keep her loved ones protected, but hers is a world fraught with hardship and danger. Her father’s blood feud has now spilled over onto her and her brothers. Astrid must decide whether to sacrifice her own happiness or that of her family. If she chooses wrong, everyone she cares about will be in danger. It is up to her to weave the two families together.
Content Warning: includes violence, sexual content, and a depiction of miscarriage.
Bjorn Alfarsson cares nothing for the blood feud that has raged for years between his foster-father and brother. But when Bjorn’s best friend is killed by the son of their bitter enemy, he is drawn into the long-standing conflict. With the safety of his children at risk, Bjorn does whatever is necessary, but the hatred he has wrought threatens to unravel his world.
Astrid Tryggvisdottir is the daughter of a powerful jarl. What she wants most is to marry a man she loves, and to keep her loved ones protected, but hers is a world fraught with hardship and danger. Her father’s blood feud has now spilled over onto her and her brothers. Astrid must decide whether to sacrifice her own happiness or that of her family. If she chooses wrong, everyone she cares about will be in danger. It is up to her to weave the two families together.
Content Warning: includes violence, sexual content, and a depiction of miscarriage.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2020
222 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
K.S. Barton
8 books16 followersK.S. Barton lives in the desert of Tucson, Arizona and and writes historical fiction, primarily set in the Viking age. Reading and writing have always been a part of her life, and she works as a reading tutor at the public library. When she isn’t tutoring or writing, you can find K.S. either dancing or practicing Aikido, in which she holds a third degree black belt. In addition to her love of Vikings and Norse culture, K.S. is a self-professed Lord of the Rings and Star Wars (original trilogy only!) geek. She has an M.A. in Humanities and has always loved to learn about history through stories.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 21, 2021
Fabulous debut novel!
A fantastic and interesting storyline with well written characters and plot!
I love reading about the Viking era so I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
A fantastic and interesting storyline with well written characters and plot!
I love reading about the Viking era so I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 19, 2021
Can love overcome hatred?
Two Viking tribes are trapped in a never ending blood feud. Astrid and Bjorn are on opposite sides. They have each suffered grief and loss, they want revenge but they also want the fighting to cease in order to protect those still alive. Can they put aside their anger to create a marriage alliance that will bring peace to both communities? Can love overcome hatred?
I thought the writing in this book was really great. Boy am I glad to be alive now and not during Viking times! The characters and their predicament immediately hooked me. I liked both Astrid and Bjorn, and I wanted them to get together, but the prejudices and grievances keeping them apart felt very real and compelling. Excellent writing here. K. S. Barton has especially good fight scenes, that had me hooked and turning pages as fast as I could to find out what happened.
An excellent series for fans of Vikings and of love triumphing over all.
Two Viking tribes are trapped in a never ending blood feud. Astrid and Bjorn are on opposite sides. They have each suffered grief and loss, they want revenge but they also want the fighting to cease in order to protect those still alive. Can they put aside their anger to create a marriage alliance that will bring peace to both communities? Can love overcome hatred?
I thought the writing in this book was really great. Boy am I glad to be alive now and not during Viking times! The characters and their predicament immediately hooked me. I liked both Astrid and Bjorn, and I wanted them to get together, but the prejudices and grievances keeping them apart felt very real and compelling. Excellent writing here. K. S. Barton has especially good fight scenes, that had me hooked and turning pages as fast as I could to find out what happened.
An excellent series for fans of Vikings and of love triumphing over all.
February 20, 2022
I read more than 50% of this book. I should have known from the occasional coarse expressions and the warriors' base attitudes toward women that there would be graphic sexual scenes, but I was hoping for discretion. I was interested in the unfolding of this arranged marriage and the possibility of peace between the warring families and tribes. However, although the wedding celebrants had the good sense to exit the marriage chamber, the author did not. I, therefore, deleted the book at that point. Not for me. I like edifying literature that encourages the reader to reach for higher standards and this did not qualify. Not recommended and a disappointment for me.
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November 18, 2022I enjoyed the story of following a Viking woman and a warrior through this historical fiction that depicts Viking life well. The intrigue of family, friends and politics weave a grand story I could not put down. It had twists and turns I did not expect and some definite ups and downs to sail through.
If you want historical fiction true to the Viking way, this is it. If you want fiction that keeps you reading, this will also cover that.
I'm looking forward to reading more of these and I know I'm behind because she is putting out her 5th one now.
If you want historical fiction true to the Viking way, this is it. If you want fiction that keeps you reading, this will also cover that.
I'm looking forward to reading more of these and I know I'm behind because she is putting out her 5th one now.
August 27, 2022
The author pulls the reader into her view on the Norse world. We follow Asta as she experiences this life as a child, then a young woman.
In parallel the author introduces the reader to a related but violently opposed Norse group. The reader gets to see the aggressive oppositional group which sets the conflict for this story.
Asta is a weaver and it becomes her job to weave a peace between these two groups, groups that don’t really want peace. The author will really draw you in. The action scenes will grab you and the emotions will hit you hard.
In parallel the author introduces the reader to a related but violently opposed Norse group. The reader gets to see the aggressive oppositional group which sets the conflict for this story.
Asta is a weaver and it becomes her job to weave a peace between these two groups, groups that don’t really want peace. The author will really draw you in. The action scenes will grab you and the emotions will hit you hard.
January 13, 2025
This is a good story about how two brothers made war on each other until the King of the region settled the score by making and arranged marriage between the brothers or they would be excommunicated and lose their lands. Astrid and Rikki were the daughter and son of Tryggvi one of the Jarls and Bjorn was the adopted son of Harald the other Jarl. The whole book is about how Astrid and Bjorn meet and fall in love but K.S. has other thoughts.
January 13, 2025
The marriage just destroyed the character build up. Tryggvi didn't win anything out of the marriage proposal. He basically gave his daughter to Harald like a hostage. How could he agree with the King just like that? Could he not wager anything better? After being a "rich and powerful" jarl all this time?
Nah, Rikki all the way.
Nah, Rikki all the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2021
Beautiful Character-driven Story
Barton has a wonderful way of establishing complicated, compelling characters and weaving in beautiful descriptions. This historical fiction romance ends with a bang, and I can't wait until the next book comes out!
Barton has a wonderful way of establishing complicated, compelling characters and weaving in beautiful descriptions. This historical fiction romance ends with a bang, and I can't wait until the next book comes out!
March 28, 2023
If you are into Vikings, then KS Barton's books are for you. She weaves a gripping tale, staying true to the history of the Vikings and their culture. This is book one of a series and I need to get the rest so I can continue the journey, though it has standalone quality.
October 6, 2024
Set during the turbulent Viking age, this novel is an enthralling read of impossible love between two enemies sworn to avenge the death of family members slain in an ongoing feud between rival clans.
The world-building is immersive, and the plot engaging. A truly enjoyable read!
The world-building is immersive, and the plot engaging. A truly enjoyable read!
November 23, 2021
Excellent Author
History Quill recommended this book, great recommendation. Well written and great character building. I look forward to reading the other books in this saga.
History Quill recommended this book, great recommendation. Well written and great character building. I look forward to reading the other books in this saga.
December 16, 2021
Wonderful
Vivid storytelling and engaging characters are calling me to the next book. I'm looking forward to the continuing journey of Astrid and Bjorn.
Vivid storytelling and engaging characters are calling me to the next book. I'm looking forward to the continuing journey of Astrid and Bjorn.
March 7, 2022
wonderful Viking tale
Great. Viking saga by KS Barton. It was very hard to put down and I recommend it for and of the Vikings.
Great. Viking saga by KS Barton. It was very hard to put down and I recommend it for and of the Vikings.
July 7, 2022
Awesome!
Love the charecters! Can't wait to read the second book in the series. Great storyline and very mesmerizing descriptions. Love love love this book.
Love the charecters! Can't wait to read the second book in the series. Great storyline and very mesmerizing descriptions. Love love love this book.
November 19, 2022
loved it
I really really enjoyed this read! I am going to keep this short and sweet cause book 2 is downloading!!
I really really enjoyed this read! I am going to keep this short and sweet cause book 2 is downloading!!
March 1, 2023
Really great read! Sets the scene and the characters emotions it’s hard to put it down!
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February 8, 2024Dnf, couldn’t get into it
June 5, 2022
I ate this book up! I love any stories about Vikings, but what makes this one special is that it includes the lives of women. It's fun to read about shieldmaidens, but I liked the focus here on wives and daughters, women who stayed home and worked to keep their families together, afraid for the men they loved who went off to fight. It was not an easy life, and they were brave too!
I'm now completely engrossed in this story of Astrid and Bjorn, who come from two warring families. It's NOT a Romeo and Juliet story, though... There's so much more to it! I felt for both characters, especially Astrid as she sees her family torn apart. This book does not sugarcoat what life must have been like for a Viking.
The story is very well-written, too. The author uses beautiful metaphors and descriptions that made me enjoy reading carefully. The battle scenes are especially vivid!
I can't wait to see what happens in book 2. Highly recommend for anyone who likes Viking stories, action, and romance.
I'm now completely engrossed in this story of Astrid and Bjorn, who come from two warring families. It's NOT a Romeo and Juliet story, though... There's so much more to it! I felt for both characters, especially Astrid as she sees her family torn apart. This book does not sugarcoat what life must have been like for a Viking.
The story is very well-written, too. The author uses beautiful metaphors and descriptions that made me enjoy reading carefully. The battle scenes are especially vivid!
I can't wait to see what happens in book 2. Highly recommend for anyone who likes Viking stories, action, and romance.
June 9, 2021
Can’t wait to read the next in this series
I thoroughly enjoyed the Warrior and Weaver. I felt like I was sitting in Astrid’s village living the life of a Viking. The author did a fantastic job juxtaposing the life of male and female Viking people, how they must have looked at the world, and their complex relationships. The characters now feel like they’re my family and I’m chomping at the bit for Barton’s next book in the series to see what happens!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Warrior and Weaver. I felt like I was sitting in Astrid’s village living the life of a Viking. The author did a fantastic job juxtaposing the life of male and female Viking people, how they must have looked at the world, and their complex relationships. The characters now feel like they’re my family and I’m chomping at the bit for Barton’s next book in the series to see what happens!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews