God’s Hammer is a story about Hakon Haraldsson (later known as Hakon the Good), youngest and illegitimate son of Harold Fairhair, 10th century King of Norway. While still a boy, Hakon was sent to England for safekeeping and was fostered by King Athelstan, who took the trouble to raise him as a Christian. When his father died, Aethelstan sent the fifteen year-old Hakon back to Norway to claim the throne from his violent brother, Eric Bloodaxe. Of course, considering his upbringing, the Norwegians looked askance at young Hakon, but once he offered to remove the onerous tax imposed by his father over landed property, he gained popularity and went after his wicked brother, though the going was rough.
Author Eric Schumacher put together a rousing story of warfare, religious strife and tested friendships. Hakon was repelled by the human sacrifice practiced by his pagan countrymen, but knew he would lose all support if he tried to impose his beliefs on his followers. There was little-to-no Christianity in his native country, and he was constantly torn by necessity vs. faith. Necessity usually won. Hakon was a man—or boy—of his time, and knew when to follow the lead of his more seasoned allies. Many was the time I think he would have rather stayed in England, but his fate spoke otherwise and he embraced his destiny with fortitude. The plot moved along well and this young hero withstood great odds and came out on top despite his youth and inexperience.