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Eagle of Mercia Chronicles #2
Wolf of Mercia
As a lone wolf inside a Wessex stronghold, Icel must ensure his own and Mercia’s triumph.
Icel is becoming a warrior of Mercia, but King Ecgberht of Wessex still holds the Mercian settlement of Londonia and its valuable mint.
King Wiglaf of Mercia is determined that the last bulwark be reclaimed from his sworn enemy to complete his rehabilitation as Mercia’s rightful ruler.
In the heart of the shield wall, Icel suddenly finds himself on the wrong side of the battle and thrust into the retreating enemy stronghold where he must take on the pretence of a Wessex warrior to survive and exact a cunning plan to bring down the Wessex force cowering behind the ancient walls.
His allegiances are tested and the temptation to make new allies is overwhelming but Icel must succeed if he’s ever to see Tamworth again and bring about King Wiglaf’s victory, or will he be forced to join the enemy?
Icel is becoming a warrior of Mercia, but King Ecgberht of Wessex still holds the Mercian settlement of Londonia and its valuable mint.
King Wiglaf of Mercia is determined that the last bulwark be reclaimed from his sworn enemy to complete his rehabilitation as Mercia’s rightful ruler.
In the heart of the shield wall, Icel suddenly finds himself on the wrong side of the battle and thrust into the retreating enemy stronghold where he must take on the pretence of a Wessex warrior to survive and exact a cunning plan to bring down the Wessex force cowering behind the ancient walls.
His allegiances are tested and the temptation to make new allies is overwhelming but Icel must succeed if he’s ever to see Tamworth again and bring about King Wiglaf’s victory, or will he be forced to join the enemy?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2022
207 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Porter
111 books257 followersI'm an author of historical fiction (Early English (before 1066)/Viking) and now five 20th-century mysteries..
The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles (featuring a young Icel from The Last King series) is now available from Boldwood Books. As is the complete Brunanburh Series and the first two books in the Dark Age Chronicles, my foray to before Saxon England was Saxon England. Enjoy.
The Ninth Century Series (The Last King), are stories of ninth-century England, but not as it's been written before, (featuring an older Icel and some other familiar faces too).
The Erdington Mysteries now has a third book in the series—The Secret Sauce. (Did you know Erdington would have been in Mercia back in the Saxon period? I know, you can't get me away from the place.) The Barrage Body is coming soon.
The Royal Women Who Made England, my first non-fiction book about the royal women of the tenth century, is available now.
I like to write. You've been warned.
Find me at
www.mjporterauthor.com or at www.mjporterauthor.blog where I blog about books and films and sometimes, writing!
https://linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor
https://mjporterauthor.sumupstore.com
You can join my monthly subscriber newsletters and gain access to the restricted page on my blog at the same time.
https://BookHip.com/MGWHLDC (Saxon stories)
https://BookHip.com/THPKCKP (mysteries only)
(I have odd reading tastes - there's no need to notice though!!) I'm also exceedingly anti-social - that you may notice but must accept!
The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles (featuring a young Icel from The Last King series) is now available from Boldwood Books. As is the complete Brunanburh Series and the first two books in the Dark Age Chronicles, my foray to before Saxon England was Saxon England. Enjoy.
The Ninth Century Series (The Last King), are stories of ninth-century England, but not as it's been written before, (featuring an older Icel and some other familiar faces too).
The Erdington Mysteries now has a third book in the series—The Secret Sauce. (Did you know Erdington would have been in Mercia back in the Saxon period? I know, you can't get me away from the place.) The Barrage Body is coming soon.
The Royal Women Who Made England, my first non-fiction book about the royal women of the tenth century, is available now.
I like to write. You've been warned.
Find me at
www.mjporterauthor.com or at www.mjporterauthor.blog where I blog about books and films and sometimes, writing!
https://linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor
https://mjporterauthor.sumupstore.com
You can join my monthly subscriber newsletters and gain access to the restricted page on my blog at the same time.
https://BookHip.com/MGWHLDC (Saxon stories)
https://BookHip.com/THPKCKP (mysteries only)
(I have odd reading tastes - there's no need to notice though!!) I'm also exceedingly anti-social - that you may notice but must accept!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 11, 2022
Wow my heart is still racing. What an amazing battle from start to finish. Engaging till the last word.
Its brutal, its bloody, its fantastic. My boy Icel cannot catch a break and I am at the edge of my seat reading what happens next and if he survives.
You can feel the cold, damp and pain seeping through the pages.
Loved every second and cannot wait whats next. Bloody brilliant indie historical fiction!
Its brutal, its bloody, its fantastic. My boy Icel cannot catch a break and I am at the edge of my seat reading what happens next and if he survives.
You can feel the cold, damp and pain seeping through the pages.
Loved every second and cannot wait whats next. Bloody brilliant indie historical fiction!
June 29, 2022
An absolutely fantastic novel!! Dramatic and exhilarating, this book had my heart racing from the first page to the last. It moves at an incredible pace with event after event, each of which is an incredible step in the story.
Essentially the novel is about Mercia and Wessex forces fighting to hold London with a number of twists from each side. You can feel the emotions of the people in the book and you can sense exactly what they are going through. I detail I particularly liked was the story from a few ranks back in a Shield Wall. All to often authors focus on the battle of the front rank – hearing the story from further back adds a new dimension and a rawness that I really enjoyed.
Icel is a wonderful character, he isn’t the heroic warrior (yet – although all the traits are there) and is growing into manhood and these escapades are formative in who he will become. It is this ‘innocence’ that sets the tone of the book early as he finds himself alone, the wrong side of the Londinium gates and having to exist and survive amongst his Wessex enemies. Will he succeed in his task to open the gates for his Mercian brethren, will he survive, will he be found out and how will he escape? These are questions that will feature time and time again as his story amongst the Wessex forces develops.
I have only recently found M J Porter and I’m really glad I did – he is a fantastic story teller. I was also able to see how his writing style has changed from his first book (The Last King) to this book. I’m hooked and already adding his back catalogue to my Kindle library.
Disclosure: The Pursuit Of Bookiness received a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own
Essentially the novel is about Mercia and Wessex forces fighting to hold London with a number of twists from each side. You can feel the emotions of the people in the book and you can sense exactly what they are going through. I detail I particularly liked was the story from a few ranks back in a Shield Wall. All to often authors focus on the battle of the front rank – hearing the story from further back adds a new dimension and a rawness that I really enjoyed.
Icel is a wonderful character, he isn’t the heroic warrior (yet – although all the traits are there) and is growing into manhood and these escapades are formative in who he will become. It is this ‘innocence’ that sets the tone of the book early as he finds himself alone, the wrong side of the Londinium gates and having to exist and survive amongst his Wessex enemies. Will he succeed in his task to open the gates for his Mercian brethren, will he survive, will he be found out and how will he escape? These are questions that will feature time and time again as his story amongst the Wessex forces develops.
I have only recently found M J Porter and I’m really glad I did – he is a fantastic story teller. I was also able to see how his writing style has changed from his first book (The Last King) to this book. I’m hooked and already adding his back catalogue to my Kindle library.
Disclosure: The Pursuit Of Bookiness received a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own
November 18, 2022
Another good book from the author. However, the graphic gore didn't really suit me. It is still well written and absolutely fascinating in storyline, plot, and characters though. Young Icel continues his journey as a warrior of Mercia. We see the passionate and just, young man who will grow into being an honourable and brave warrior. The characters are well rounded and likeable. I love the human-animal interaction. This book shows both sides of the battle and how the men are not really that dissimilar - with their fears, loyalties, friendships, and ambitions. There are some good plot twists. I preferred the first book as it is less gory than this one which focuses more on the heat of the battle and the ruthlessness with which a warrior must kill to survive, or be killed. Definitely a captivating book and bought the next book in the series.
October 30, 2022
4.5 rounded to 5.
This is the second installment from the perspective of Icel and simply it is a truly brilliant and action packed historical fiction book
What I love about Porter's style is the sheer audacity to fill a book with 70 percent fighting and action. Where other authors don't always attempt these scenes, Porter relishes them. This always creates books that I find near impossible to put down.
The action doesn't stop you having time to become attached to the main characters of the story, it does the opposite in fact. You feel the trepidation and continually have anxiety about how the characters will survive
I think the books work better if you have an understanding or/and interest in the Saxon era. There are some parts where you as the reader, have to visualise what the scenes and world building looks like in the backdrop of helter-skelter fighting and action. I think it's more than an acceptable tradeoff , if the book is jammed wall to wall with excitement.
I just love everything Porter puts out and hope more people read these books
This is the second installment from the perspective of Icel and simply it is a truly brilliant and action packed historical fiction book
What I love about Porter's style is the sheer audacity to fill a book with 70 percent fighting and action. Where other authors don't always attempt these scenes, Porter relishes them. This always creates books that I find near impossible to put down.
The action doesn't stop you having time to become attached to the main characters of the story, it does the opposite in fact. You feel the trepidation and continually have anxiety about how the characters will survive
I think the books work better if you have an understanding or/and interest in the Saxon era. There are some parts where you as the reader, have to visualise what the scenes and world building looks like in the backdrop of helter-skelter fighting and action. I think it's more than an acceptable tradeoff , if the book is jammed wall to wall with excitement.
I just love everything Porter puts out and hope more people read these books
September 25, 2024
A visceral, action packed sequel that left me on the edge of my seat. A must-read for readers looking for a fully immersive narrative into ancient Britain's bloody past.
Porter did it again! I'm completely hooked on this series. Once again we follow Isil, who is now a soldier of the king of Mercia. During the chaos of battle to drive the Wessex king from Londinium, Isil is thrust behind enemy lines. He is forced to blend in with the Wessex soldiers or be discovered as a spy and die. Shenanigans ensue.
I'm well acquainted aith the narrator now and I'll be continuing this series on audiobook imminently. Porter is a master at battle scenes. I felt as if I was right there, forming the shield wall and bracing against the enemy, dodging stray sword thrusts and spear jabs, stumbling over the dead and dying. I'm in awe. How is this series not on Netflix yet?
I love Isil's character journey. Porter's writing engages me with his arc on a deep, emotional level. His actions and motivations are believable, his feelings in every mome t are visceral and engaging. Excellent.
Highly highly recommend for fans of The Last Kingdom, historical warfare fiction, ancient historical fiction, and medieval fiction. Can't wait to start book 3!
Porter did it again! I'm completely hooked on this series. Once again we follow Isil, who is now a soldier of the king of Mercia. During the chaos of battle to drive the Wessex king from Londinium, Isil is thrust behind enemy lines. He is forced to blend in with the Wessex soldiers or be discovered as a spy and die. Shenanigans ensue.
I'm well acquainted aith the narrator now and I'll be continuing this series on audiobook imminently. Porter is a master at battle scenes. I felt as if I was right there, forming the shield wall and bracing against the enemy, dodging stray sword thrusts and spear jabs, stumbling over the dead and dying. I'm in awe. How is this series not on Netflix yet?
I love Isil's character journey. Porter's writing engages me with his arc on a deep, emotional level. His actions and motivations are believable, his feelings in every mome t are visceral and engaging. Excellent.
Highly highly recommend for fans of The Last Kingdom, historical warfare fiction, ancient historical fiction, and medieval fiction. Can't wait to start book 3!
December 30, 2022
Another great read! Often quite exhausting, though, following the details of the hand-to-hand fighting in many parts of the book. But the excellent writing always leaves you feeling that you've been looking over Icel's shoulder throughout. Looking forward to the next book in the series, once I've had a well earned rest and recovery!
August 29, 2022
Really enjoyed the 2nd instalment of the series. Read the second half of the book in a day. Icel’s character develops during the book and it’s interesting to explore Saxon London. Will definitely be reading book 3 later this year
June 8, 2022
The second book of the series sees Icel continue his reluctant journey as a warrior of Mercia. Icel is one of many ready to face off against the Wessex King and his men in an attempt to reclaim London back into Mercia hands.
Icel is still finding his feet as a warrior but has been taken under the wing of Wulfheard, a warrior of reputation and experience, and one of the only men who appear friendly to Icel.
Events don’t go as planned as Icel finds himself alone, behind the walls of London. Surrounded by the enemy with no way out Icel must take his chances to survive until he can be reunited with his comrades.
The suspense in this book is immense, I lost count of the amount of times I held my breath wondering if Icel was about to find himself in a very difficult situation. This is definitely a dramatic sequel that had me absorbed from page one.
Icel begins to understand his uncle’s loyalty to Mercia but also finds himself unable to hate all Wessex men, especially where some offer him help and protection.
This book kept me up into the early hours as I was so eager to find out what happens. MJ has continued Icel’s story in a dramatic, bloody and action packed story where we see the return of an old friend as well as the introduction of some new brilliant characters. It’s not all serious though as MJ manages to weave in some humour along the way through the banter of the characters and of course it wouldn’t be an MJ Porter book about Mercia without some bad behaviour from horses along the way.
For those who enjoy the Coelwulf series it is brilliant to see Icel begin to grow into the warrior we know he becomes but also the events that influenced his life and made him the man he later became as one of Coelwulf’s closest companions.
Icel is still finding his feet as a warrior but has been taken under the wing of Wulfheard, a warrior of reputation and experience, and one of the only men who appear friendly to Icel.
Events don’t go as planned as Icel finds himself alone, behind the walls of London. Surrounded by the enemy with no way out Icel must take his chances to survive until he can be reunited with his comrades.
The suspense in this book is immense, I lost count of the amount of times I held my breath wondering if Icel was about to find himself in a very difficult situation. This is definitely a dramatic sequel that had me absorbed from page one.
Icel begins to understand his uncle’s loyalty to Mercia but also finds himself unable to hate all Wessex men, especially where some offer him help and protection.
This book kept me up into the early hours as I was so eager to find out what happens. MJ has continued Icel’s story in a dramatic, bloody and action packed story where we see the return of an old friend as well as the introduction of some new brilliant characters. It’s not all serious though as MJ manages to weave in some humour along the way through the banter of the characters and of course it wouldn’t be an MJ Porter book about Mercia without some bad behaviour from horses along the way.
For those who enjoy the Coelwulf series it is brilliant to see Icel begin to grow into the warrior we know he becomes but also the events that influenced his life and made him the man he later became as one of Coelwulf’s closest companions.
August 12, 2022
Oh wow, what an amazing and exciting book and a brilliant second instalment in the series. After swearing an oath to the king and fighting for him, Icel now finds himself and the rest of the Mercian forces fighting against Wessex to take back the city of Londonia which the Wessex king has tried to take for himself. The battle is fierce but when the enemy begin to retreat to the safety inside the ancient Lodinium walls, Icel finds himself suddenly among the Wessex forces and has to find a way to escape and help his Mercian allies, without anyone suspecting him of being the enemy.
This is such an exciting story, I just couldn’t put it down from the first pages! I loved the first book in the series, Son of Mercia, so I was excited to see what happens next for young Icel after the events of the last book. This one begins with the Mercian forces heading towards Londonia, what is known as London today. I love what happens and how the two sections of Londonia are explained, both the ancient Roman Londinium and the market settlement of Lundenwic. There is a map at the start of the book which shows you these two parts of Londonia and I liked seeing this as it shows all the areas where the action takes place and where Icel spends a lot time in the story.
I love the twist that happens when Icel finds himself suddenly among his enemy. It was brilliant and I enjoyed what happened next when he finds himself amongst all the Wessex men and has to be careful not to give himself away as a Mercian. What happens during his time in Londinium is interesting, the encounters he has with certain characters, and I loved the descriptions of the place feling old and a little eerie. It’s interesting to get a sense of the old Roman building from the perspective of someone living hundreds of years later.
As the story moves on, Icel finds himself trying to escape the place. I love what happens and the eventual route of escape that’s chosen. I won’t say how it happens, but there are some funnier moments in the story, like when certain characters are trying to get in and out of places. The story never stops being a page-turner, every moment exiting, even when Icel is using his healing skills on others. There are lots of interesting moments where I didn’t know what would happen, great twists and a brilliant final battle which is exciting but didn’t finish the book off quite as I’d hoped.
The ending is a good one, however the last chapter is the ending of a battle and then the story just ends. It’s a decent ending but I was hoping for another chapter or page to shows us what happened to some of the other characters like Icel’s friend or just another chapter to help calm down the story after that final exciting battle scene, like with the first book, but the story just ends there. There will clearly be more in the series but I would have liked a final chapter just to see more of some characters. The book has author’s notes at the back which is interesting to read, especially about the mint at the time.
This book is more fast-paced than the last one which made it really exciting to read, but it’s also a lot more gory. There’s a lot of fighting and pretty detailed descriptions of the violence, blood, other bodily fluids including a lot of vomiting. There is one use of the f swear word and occasional uses of the s words too. The story was good for me, I like Icel’s narration of what’s happening and how things go, but for me this book was edging on a little too gory for me, and I just wish I knew what happened to a couple of characters at the end. No doubt there will be a third book in the series though, and I’m looking forward to reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the ninth century, which is fast-paced and exciting, and who doesn’t mind some pretty gory battles and deaths.
-Thanks to Boldwood Books for a ffree copy.
This is such an exciting story, I just couldn’t put it down from the first pages! I loved the first book in the series, Son of Mercia, so I was excited to see what happens next for young Icel after the events of the last book. This one begins with the Mercian forces heading towards Londonia, what is known as London today. I love what happens and how the two sections of Londonia are explained, both the ancient Roman Londinium and the market settlement of Lundenwic. There is a map at the start of the book which shows you these two parts of Londonia and I liked seeing this as it shows all the areas where the action takes place and where Icel spends a lot time in the story.
I love the twist that happens when Icel finds himself suddenly among his enemy. It was brilliant and I enjoyed what happened next when he finds himself amongst all the Wessex men and has to be careful not to give himself away as a Mercian. What happens during his time in Londinium is interesting, the encounters he has with certain characters, and I loved the descriptions of the place feling old and a little eerie. It’s interesting to get a sense of the old Roman building from the perspective of someone living hundreds of years later.
As the story moves on, Icel finds himself trying to escape the place. I love what happens and the eventual route of escape that’s chosen. I won’t say how it happens, but there are some funnier moments in the story, like when certain characters are trying to get in and out of places. The story never stops being a page-turner, every moment exiting, even when Icel is using his healing skills on others. There are lots of interesting moments where I didn’t know what would happen, great twists and a brilliant final battle which is exciting but didn’t finish the book off quite as I’d hoped.
The ending is a good one, however the last chapter is the ending of a battle and then the story just ends. It’s a decent ending but I was hoping for another chapter or page to shows us what happened to some of the other characters like Icel’s friend or just another chapter to help calm down the story after that final exciting battle scene, like with the first book, but the story just ends there. There will clearly be more in the series but I would have liked a final chapter just to see more of some characters. The book has author’s notes at the back which is interesting to read, especially about the mint at the time.
This book is more fast-paced than the last one which made it really exciting to read, but it’s also a lot more gory. There’s a lot of fighting and pretty detailed descriptions of the violence, blood, other bodily fluids including a lot of vomiting. There is one use of the f swear word and occasional uses of the s words too. The story was good for me, I like Icel’s narration of what’s happening and how things go, but for me this book was edging on a little too gory for me, and I just wish I knew what happened to a couple of characters at the end. No doubt there will be a third book in the series though, and I’m looking forward to reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the ninth century, which is fast-paced and exciting, and who doesn’t mind some pretty gory battles and deaths.
-Thanks to Boldwood Books for a ffree copy.
September 4, 2022
Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow fans will be gripped by MJ Porter’s latest historical novel, Wolf of Mercia.
Icel is a lone wolf inside a Wessex stronghold who must ensure his own and Mercia’s triumph. Icel is working hard towards becoming a warrior of Mercia, however, King Ecgberht still dominates and he still holds the Mercian settlement of Londonia and its valuable mint – something which naturally does not sit right with King Wiglaf of Mercia who wants to reclaim the last bulwark from his sworn enemy to its rightful place to become the kingdom’s ruler!
Yet, when Icel finds himself in the heart of a shield wall and on the wrong side of the battle, he is thrust into the retreating enemy stronghold where in order to survive he must masquerade as a Wessex warrior, where he plans to bring down the Wessex force cowering behind the ancient walls. Icel is going to be tested like never before as he tries to bring about King Wiglaf’s victory – even though he is surrounded by dangerous enemies wherever he turns.
Will Icel be successful in his quest for victory? Or will Icel end up paying the harshest price of all behind enemy lines?
MJ Porter’s Wolf of Mercia is an action-packed, heart-pounding and brilliantly atmospheric historical novel full of propulsive adventure, nail-biting intrigue and plenty of pulse-pounding adrenaline to keep readers glued to its pages. MJ Porter certainly knows how to bring the past to life and in Wolf of Mercia has written a top-notch historical novel that will leave readers wanting more!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Icel is a lone wolf inside a Wessex stronghold who must ensure his own and Mercia’s triumph. Icel is working hard towards becoming a warrior of Mercia, however, King Ecgberht still dominates and he still holds the Mercian settlement of Londonia and its valuable mint – something which naturally does not sit right with King Wiglaf of Mercia who wants to reclaim the last bulwark from his sworn enemy to its rightful place to become the kingdom’s ruler!
Yet, when Icel finds himself in the heart of a shield wall and on the wrong side of the battle, he is thrust into the retreating enemy stronghold where in order to survive he must masquerade as a Wessex warrior, where he plans to bring down the Wessex force cowering behind the ancient walls. Icel is going to be tested like never before as he tries to bring about King Wiglaf’s victory – even though he is surrounded by dangerous enemies wherever he turns.
Will Icel be successful in his quest for victory? Or will Icel end up paying the harshest price of all behind enemy lines?
MJ Porter’s Wolf of Mercia is an action-packed, heart-pounding and brilliantly atmospheric historical novel full of propulsive adventure, nail-biting intrigue and plenty of pulse-pounding adrenaline to keep readers glued to its pages. MJ Porter certainly knows how to bring the past to life and in Wolf of Mercia has written a top-notch historical novel that will leave readers wanting more!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 3, 2022
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the second book of this excellent series, and while there are some references to previous characters and story it does work as a standalone novel. This is one of my favourite genres and I have had the pleasure of standing in the 'Shield Wall' with Bernard Cornwells 'Uhtred ' Giles Kristians 'Raven' and the 'Oathsworn' of Robert Low, and this book is the equal of them, but in this book I had the unique experience of being in the second line behind the main action but still a part of the gruesome action. This was a book of virtually non stop action well written and researched with superb characterisation throughout. Our coming of age hero continues to develop and I look forward enormously to his next adventure. Engaging and entertaining from first to last page absolute quality throughout.
Completely and utterly recommended.
This is the second book of this excellent series, and while there are some references to previous characters and story it does work as a standalone novel. This is one of my favourite genres and I have had the pleasure of standing in the 'Shield Wall' with Bernard Cornwells 'Uhtred ' Giles Kristians 'Raven' and the 'Oathsworn' of Robert Low, and this book is the equal of them, but in this book I had the unique experience of being in the second line behind the main action but still a part of the gruesome action. This was a book of virtually non stop action well written and researched with superb characterisation throughout. Our coming of age hero continues to develop and I look forward enormously to his next adventure. Engaging and entertaining from first to last page absolute quality throughout.
Completely and utterly recommended.
April 1, 2024
Our hero, Icel, finds himself in the enemy camp and must figure out how to survive and then escape. He makes some new friends, but he doesn’t understand they are enemies and won’t stand by him in the end. He’s still good hearted and wants to help and heal even his foes.
The battle scenes are as vivid and gruesome as expected during these dark times. Quite a bit of gory scenes are depicted here. Many events happen that can change age things in favor of Wessex or Mercia. But you have to read to find out how Icel starts to unwittingly become a warrior.
The battle scenes are as vivid and gruesome as expected during these dark times. Quite a bit of gory scenes are depicted here. Many events happen that can change age things in favor of Wessex or Mercia. But you have to read to find out how Icel starts to unwittingly become a warrior.
August 1, 2022
Wolf of Mercia Serie
1. Uses historical facts & weaves with fiction to create exciting stories
2. So mesmerising that I do not want to take the time to review as I have the next book yo read. And daily things to accomplish
3. Really well written 👏
1. Uses historical facts & weaves with fiction to create exciting stories
2. So mesmerising that I do not want to take the time to review as I have the next book yo read. And daily things to accomplish
3. Really well written 👏
May 21, 2022
Loved this one. Our hero Icel, at heart a healer has to prove his mettle as a warrior in his fight for his homeland if Mercia. While not reading the earlier book of the series was a personal loss for me, the book can be read as a standalone though i would love to spend time on the first book too. In this book, Icel gets a taste of his first shield wall fight, gets thrust into the enemy fort as a lone wolf, fights his way out through a drainage pit, leads the way back to capture the fort and keeps fighting and healing others in between. An engrossing book and made enjoyable with the references which we have at one time or other read about in our history classes.
Recommended read.
Recommended read.
August 22, 2022
What an intriguing time in history! This book is set in the English midlands in the first millenia. It’s a time we don’t explore often (or, more precisely, we sum up with there were many kings and many wars) and yet so much change was happening in almost every corner of the world.
Young Icel has already faced more death and fear than most modern humans experience in a lifetime (unless they attend an American grade school — then it’s just a usual Thursday gun drill). In this novel, his integrity is tested alongside his courage. We are carried along in battle on both sides as he struggles to find his place in this harsh world.
Young Icel has already faced more death and fear than most modern humans experience in a lifetime (unless they attend an American grade school — then it’s just a usual Thursday gun drill). In this novel, his integrity is tested alongside his courage. We are carried along in battle on both sides as he struggles to find his place in this harsh world.
October 2, 2024
Review soon.
March 15, 2025
Wolf of Mercia is the second book in the Eagle of Mercia Chronicles and the first one that I have read. I would definitely recommend reading the previous book because I found myself getting confused about what was happening. I still really enjoyed the story and the characters.
I found Icel to be a very interesting character and I liked the fact that he never gave up no matter what happened.
The author notes were one of my favourite parts of this book because they filled with a lot of very interesting information.
I found Icel to be a very interesting character and I liked the fact that he never gave up no matter what happened.
The author notes were one of my favourite parts of this book because they filled with a lot of very interesting information.
July 3, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd book in the Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. Book one in this new trilogy by M J Porter was the first time I have read one of his books , and although the style is slightly different to my usual fayre, it is enjoyable nonetheless. Looking forward to the third edition which is out later in the year.
September 10, 2022
Having enjoyed Son of Mercia, I was thrilled when I was invited to take part in the blog tour for Wolf of Mercia. Like the first novel, this second instalment is a riveting adventure.
Fast-paced, gritty, but also with a subtle sense of wry humour, Wolf of Mercia sees young Icel, our hero, outside the fortified gates of London – which consisted in two parts back then: the ancient, walled city of the Romans and the newer town, divided by a bridge across the Fleet.
We dive straight into a lengthy battle, where the author goes into great detail about his adventures near the back of a shield wall. It's nice to see it not only described from the front. I found the scene a little too long, with some details that may have been skipped, but it was nonetheless absorbing as we go through Icel's fears and emotions.
But as the Mercians gain traction, he finds himself pushed towards the retreating Wessex men, and through the gates of Londinium, the old town. In his scramble, he'd been given another seax after his own got stuck in the mud, and his Mercian shield was replaced with one showing the Wessex wyvern. As he stumbles through the closing gate, he is, for all to see, a Mercian warrior. But Wulfheard has given him a mission: to spy on the enemy and seek a chance to attack.
But how to go about it? Adjusting his accent and pretending to be a man of Kent, Icel follows his real calling – healing – and in the process makes a dangerous enemy. And what is he doing saving the Wessex warriors to fight another battle?
As the days go by, he begins to make friends, and soon finds himself in a true dilemma. He is still a Mercian, sworn to support King Wiglaf, but some of the Wessex men are not his enemies.
The author portrays Icel's inner thoughts very well. Torn between the terror of finding himself pushed into the enemy camp and his friendly, caring nature, we see him go through a plethora of emotions. His task is dangerous, and he could lose his life any moment, but he cannot deny his true self.
The pace remains fast throughout this gripping story, and you find yourself swept away alongside Icel in another incredible adventure.
MJ Porter portrays the setting very well, and we get a real sense of being trapped inside Londinium's ancient walls. My only issue would be Icel's accent, as, early on in the novel, it is mentioned that a Wessex spy was discovered in the Mercian army due to his accent, who'd been promptly dispatched. I'd have thought Icel speaking out loud would have given him away. He tries to adjust to Wessex dialect, but would it be that easy? I don't know.
Wolf of Mercia is a clever adventure: fine historical fiction with details that draw you right into the 9th century. Highly recommended reading!
Note: I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
Fast-paced, gritty, but also with a subtle sense of wry humour, Wolf of Mercia sees young Icel, our hero, outside the fortified gates of London – which consisted in two parts back then: the ancient, walled city of the Romans and the newer town, divided by a bridge across the Fleet.
We dive straight into a lengthy battle, where the author goes into great detail about his adventures near the back of a shield wall. It's nice to see it not only described from the front. I found the scene a little too long, with some details that may have been skipped, but it was nonetheless absorbing as we go through Icel's fears and emotions.
But as the Mercians gain traction, he finds himself pushed towards the retreating Wessex men, and through the gates of Londinium, the old town. In his scramble, he'd been given another seax after his own got stuck in the mud, and his Mercian shield was replaced with one showing the Wessex wyvern. As he stumbles through the closing gate, he is, for all to see, a Mercian warrior. But Wulfheard has given him a mission: to spy on the enemy and seek a chance to attack.
But how to go about it? Adjusting his accent and pretending to be a man of Kent, Icel follows his real calling – healing – and in the process makes a dangerous enemy. And what is he doing saving the Wessex warriors to fight another battle?
As the days go by, he begins to make friends, and soon finds himself in a true dilemma. He is still a Mercian, sworn to support King Wiglaf, but some of the Wessex men are not his enemies.
The author portrays Icel's inner thoughts very well. Torn between the terror of finding himself pushed into the enemy camp and his friendly, caring nature, we see him go through a plethora of emotions. His task is dangerous, and he could lose his life any moment, but he cannot deny his true self.
The pace remains fast throughout this gripping story, and you find yourself swept away alongside Icel in another incredible adventure.
MJ Porter portrays the setting very well, and we get a real sense of being trapped inside Londinium's ancient walls. My only issue would be Icel's accent, as, early on in the novel, it is mentioned that a Wessex spy was discovered in the Mercian army due to his accent, who'd been promptly dispatched. I'd have thought Icel speaking out loud would have given him away. He tries to adjust to Wessex dialect, but would it be that easy? I don't know.
Wolf of Mercia is a clever adventure: fine historical fiction with details that draw you right into the 9th century. Highly recommended reading!
Note: I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
June 8, 2022
What a joy it is to be back with Icel! When we last we saw him war had broken out and his uncle had died.. his whole world shattered after striving for so long in the hope his uncle could be saved! Icel now finds himself a warrior of Mercia under King Wiglaf who is determined to take back what King Ecgberht of Wessex has stolen!
In the heat of battle Icel’s world continues to be turned upside down. Deep inside he wants to be a healer but he can’t be both a warrior and healer can he?
Icel is suddenly thrust behind enemy lines as the gates close behind him…and he must use all his wit and skill to blend in… not so easy as you can imagine.
The next task after staying alive is to figure out how to get the gates open again so King Wiglaf and his men can finish the job they started.. a tall order for anyone but Icel doesn’t know his way around.. there’s eyes all over the place and inevitably his skill as a healer comes to the foreground.. no matter man of Mercia or Wessex he has to help.. he can’t watch men suffer, Afterall they are only fighting because their King commands it.
Along the way his allegeiances are tested, we see the men of Wessex in a different light and you feel Icel’s internal struggle building.
Development wise this offering was fantastic. In book 1 we were introduced to King Wiglaf but I didn’t feel we had enough time to really get to really know the character, Afterall the tale is Icel’s journey but I really wanted to get to grips with the King. This offering however gives development by the bucket load and I felt I understood him and his motivations and really found myself liking the character.
Another major factor for the love I have for this book was the injection of new characters and their story arcs. I won’t spoil it for you but some names to look out for are Brihtwold, Tyrhtil, Theodore, Gaya and Ecgred.
Oh how I loved the scenes with Ecgred!
Book 1 in the series was very much Icel’s journey and was a 5* read for me, Book 2 surpasses even that.. if that’s even possible. It’s still Icel’s tale but the plot has developed so fast but in such a natural flow.. at the end of the book when you sit back to reflect its just amazing to see how far the journey has come and it leaves you with that urge for more!
I really enjoyed the action too, really easy to follow but detailed and exciting with every thrust 🙂
I really do try and give no spoiler reviews. It can be difficult to sum up a book perfectly but in all honesty you shouldn’t need my review to tell you that you need this book, the synopsis says it all!!! It’s a corker!!!
In the heat of battle Icel’s world continues to be turned upside down. Deep inside he wants to be a healer but he can’t be both a warrior and healer can he?
Icel is suddenly thrust behind enemy lines as the gates close behind him…and he must use all his wit and skill to blend in… not so easy as you can imagine.
The next task after staying alive is to figure out how to get the gates open again so King Wiglaf and his men can finish the job they started.. a tall order for anyone but Icel doesn’t know his way around.. there’s eyes all over the place and inevitably his skill as a healer comes to the foreground.. no matter man of Mercia or Wessex he has to help.. he can’t watch men suffer, Afterall they are only fighting because their King commands it.
Along the way his allegeiances are tested, we see the men of Wessex in a different light and you feel Icel’s internal struggle building.
Development wise this offering was fantastic. In book 1 we were introduced to King Wiglaf but I didn’t feel we had enough time to really get to really know the character, Afterall the tale is Icel’s journey but I really wanted to get to grips with the King. This offering however gives development by the bucket load and I felt I understood him and his motivations and really found myself liking the character.
Another major factor for the love I have for this book was the injection of new characters and their story arcs. I won’t spoil it for you but some names to look out for are Brihtwold, Tyrhtil, Theodore, Gaya and Ecgred.
Oh how I loved the scenes with Ecgred!
Book 1 in the series was very much Icel’s journey and was a 5* read for me, Book 2 surpasses even that.. if that’s even possible. It’s still Icel’s tale but the plot has developed so fast but in such a natural flow.. at the end of the book when you sit back to reflect its just amazing to see how far the journey has come and it leaves you with that urge for more!
I really enjoyed the action too, really easy to follow but detailed and exciting with every thrust 🙂
I really do try and give no spoiler reviews. It can be difficult to sum up a book perfectly but in all honesty you shouldn’t need my review to tell you that you need this book, the synopsis says it all!!! It’s a corker!!!
June 13, 2022
I must admit that I am glad to be back in Mercia and the life of Icel. In book 2 we definitely get to know Icel in depth. He really would prefer to heal than fight, although he absolutely steps into his warrior shoes when he is called upon. Icel’s’ inner battle is huge. Can he honestly be a warrior and a healer at the same time?
Wolf of Mercia is full of dramatic events and the detail held within it’s pages is immense. I always feel that not only am I reading a superbly written book but i am learning along the way. An interesting read indeed. The story telling is truly compelling and you really get drawn into the lives of the characters.
To be honest there isn’t much more I can say as I really don’t want to give the game away and I never include spoilers. The synopsis is spot on with the story and it alone will make you feel like you need to get hold of a copy. I would however recommend you read the whole series. Although you can read Wolf of Mercia as a standalone it is much better if you learn about Icel from his childhood and his new battles and struggles as he enters manhood. There is plenty of action and the story flows well. A great read that deserves all the praise I am sure it will receive.
Wolf of Mercia is full of dramatic events and the detail held within it’s pages is immense. I always feel that not only am I reading a superbly written book but i am learning along the way. An interesting read indeed. The story telling is truly compelling and you really get drawn into the lives of the characters.
To be honest there isn’t much more I can say as I really don’t want to give the game away and I never include spoilers. The synopsis is spot on with the story and it alone will make you feel like you need to get hold of a copy. I would however recommend you read the whole series. Although you can read Wolf of Mercia as a standalone it is much better if you learn about Icel from his childhood and his new battles and struggles as he enters manhood. There is plenty of action and the story flows well. A great read that deserves all the praise I am sure it will receive.
June 21, 2022
One of my favourite things about this series is the unique perspective of our protagonist. Icel is a young man in a world full of strife. Thrust into a war he has no desire to take part in, we get to see Icel battle with his own internal conflict and his loyalties in this book. In this kind of time period it’s typical for men like Icel to become warriors. It is the expectation.
However, Icel is a man who likes to heal. Having spent his childhood learning how to mend hurts and treat wounds… he does not enjoy inflicting such on others. This is particularly prevalent in the first book, and I really enjoyed his perspective. What I have also enjoyed through reading Wolf of Mercia is that we get to see a lot of character development that has taken place. Icel still does not relish hurting people, however he has stepped up in his duty to defend his country and he will do what is necessary, even if he doesn’t enjoy it. He has grown up from the cowardly boy he used to be.
Even though he can step up and do his part as a warrior, Icel maintains his authenticity in not wanting to do what he has to do. Although we’ve seen a marked change in him, his core principles have stayed the same. It is a challenging angle to take with a character, but MJ Porter has done this very well. She has enabled this development whilst keeping the character fundamentally the same in terms of his root beliefs and values. As one of the biggest selling points for me for this book and series, I’m really glad this has been done so well!
There is a lot more action in Wolf of Mercia than the first book of the series, and through the perspective of Icel, we are quite literally thrown into the middle of it. From the first battle in a shield wall in the opening chapters to the subterfuge of hiding amongst the enemy, there is never a dull moment. It took our main character completely out of the context we have seen him previously and gave him the opportunity to grow. I feel like events like these can either make or break a character… And it certainly made Icel. he is one of my favourite book characters.
I flew through this book in just a handful of days. The narrative and storyline are so immersive that it is easy to get lost in. It is the kind of book you can lose track of time in. The chapters are just the right length to convey what is going on, without being too lengthy either. It is just the perfect balance to justify telling yourself that it’s okay to read just one more chapter… Just one. But it never is! On the whole, Wolf of Mercia, compared to the first book of the series Son of Mercia, exceeded my expectations and it is a very easy five star rating from me. This is a fantastic sequel to the series and personally I can’t wait to see what happens next!
However, Icel is a man who likes to heal. Having spent his childhood learning how to mend hurts and treat wounds… he does not enjoy inflicting such on others. This is particularly prevalent in the first book, and I really enjoyed his perspective. What I have also enjoyed through reading Wolf of Mercia is that we get to see a lot of character development that has taken place. Icel still does not relish hurting people, however he has stepped up in his duty to defend his country and he will do what is necessary, even if he doesn’t enjoy it. He has grown up from the cowardly boy he used to be.
Even though he can step up and do his part as a warrior, Icel maintains his authenticity in not wanting to do what he has to do. Although we’ve seen a marked change in him, his core principles have stayed the same. It is a challenging angle to take with a character, but MJ Porter has done this very well. She has enabled this development whilst keeping the character fundamentally the same in terms of his root beliefs and values. As one of the biggest selling points for me for this book and series, I’m really glad this has been done so well!
There is a lot more action in Wolf of Mercia than the first book of the series, and through the perspective of Icel, we are quite literally thrown into the middle of it. From the first battle in a shield wall in the opening chapters to the subterfuge of hiding amongst the enemy, there is never a dull moment. It took our main character completely out of the context we have seen him previously and gave him the opportunity to grow. I feel like events like these can either make or break a character… And it certainly made Icel. he is one of my favourite book characters.
I flew through this book in just a handful of days. The narrative and storyline are so immersive that it is easy to get lost in. It is the kind of book you can lose track of time in. The chapters are just the right length to convey what is going on, without being too lengthy either. It is just the perfect balance to justify telling yourself that it’s okay to read just one more chapter… Just one. But it never is! On the whole, Wolf of Mercia, compared to the first book of the series Son of Mercia, exceeded my expectations and it is a very easy five star rating from me. This is a fantastic sequel to the series and personally I can’t wait to see what happens next!
July 5, 2022
A warrior comes of age
The adventures Icel, a young Mercian warrior who would rather be a healer continue in "Wolf of Mercia". If you have not read the first book in the series, " Son of Mercia", I suggest that you do for character and background.
This book is basically the account of the battle for Londonium, or what is left of the Roman ruins of London, and the scruffy hovels of the Mercian village Lundenwych. The Mercian army aims to drive off the Wessex forces encamped there and kill their king.
As noted the book is one long bloody battle. Gore, blood entrails ,rage and fear are on nearly every page. The is an interlude when our hero,Icel, gets inside the walls of London him with a goal to find a way to get a force inside.
"Wolf of Mercia" is recommended for those who enjoy the Saxon books of Robert Cornwell. It lacks Cornwell' s attention to character and depth of world building, but it
It will certainly satisfy the need for all out men at dark ages war.
The adventures Icel, a young Mercian warrior who would rather be a healer continue in "Wolf of Mercia". If you have not read the first book in the series, " Son of Mercia", I suggest that you do for character and background.
This book is basically the account of the battle for Londonium, or what is left of the Roman ruins of London, and the scruffy hovels of the Mercian village Lundenwych. The Mercian army aims to drive off the Wessex forces encamped there and kill their king.
As noted the book is one long bloody battle. Gore, blood entrails ,rage and fear are on nearly every page. The is an interlude when our hero,Icel, gets inside the walls of London him with a goal to find a way to get a force inside.
"Wolf of Mercia" is recommended for those who enjoy the Saxon books of Robert Cornwell. It lacks Cornwell' s attention to character and depth of world building, but it
It will certainly satisfy the need for all out men at dark ages war.
October 10, 2022
in the Eyes of the Beholder
Not my favorite “hero.”
He’s whiney, arrogant a powder-puff, has no concept of planning and a lack of wisdom.
This is primarily about a hypocritical ‘wise guy’ (male form of a ‘Wise woman’), only he hasn’t a wise bone in his body.
There is awat too much time gushing over herbs and plants with (supposed) healing attributes, and it can go on and on and on for pages, just trying to describe a bunch of boring so-whats when Icel tries fixing someone’s hurt.
He think shrieking like a seven year old is becoming to a young adult male. Or closing his eyes because he doesn’t want to see something bad….until he’s pushed far enough in the heat of battle…but always in extremis. Then he does the heroic things.
The author does a very good job, except for the words uttered (above) that fit the more modern English idiomatic language vocabulary.
Not my favorite “hero.”
He’s whiney, arrogant a powder-puff, has no concept of planning and a lack of wisdom.
This is primarily about a hypocritical ‘wise guy’ (male form of a ‘Wise woman’), only he hasn’t a wise bone in his body.
There is awat too much time gushing over herbs and plants with (supposed) healing attributes, and it can go on and on and on for pages, just trying to describe a bunch of boring so-whats when Icel tries fixing someone’s hurt.
He think shrieking like a seven year old is becoming to a young adult male. Or closing his eyes because he doesn’t want to see something bad….until he’s pushed far enough in the heat of battle…but always in extremis. Then he does the heroic things.
The author does a very good job, except for the words uttered (above) that fit the more modern English idiomatic language vocabulary.
November 20, 2022
This was a poor follow up to the first in the series. What it mostly consisted of was blood and gore: back stabbing and throat cutting. There was no character development. There were no women characters. It was boring and also badly written (or edited), full of malapropisms and incorrect grammatical structures. I won’t be returning to Icel.
March 6, 2023
In this the second ICEL book to me there is definitely to much fighting and the storyline is somewhat boring with constant battles , so not enough in the first and to much in the second. I shall try the third book, but if not better will not bother with the fourth, you are way off bernard cornwell by the way.
June 29, 2023
Excellent series.
Wow, this was a cracking read! Very much enjoyed the first book and this one just confirmed that this is a great series. Further development of Icels life was great and I really liked the battle scenes. A nice fast paced story that kept me reading and sadly, I finished it too quickly.
Wow, this was a cracking read! Very much enjoyed the first book and this one just confirmed that this is a great series. Further development of Icels life was great and I really liked the battle scenes. A nice fast paced story that kept me reading and sadly, I finished it too quickly.
September 13, 2025
Hard work...
Tried hard to get into this book, but it didn't flow for me. There are too many repetitions and not needed explanations. I got about 44% into the book and gave up. It seemed to be historically well founded, and the language was easy to read, but I'm sorry, I became frustrated in reading the same thoughts and situation explanations. It needed to flow more.
Tried hard to get into this book, but it didn't flow for me. There are too many repetitions and not needed explanations. I got about 44% into the book and gave up. It seemed to be historically well founded, and the language was easy to read, but I'm sorry, I became frustrated in reading the same thoughts and situation explanations. It needed to flow more.
November 5, 2022
Redemption
A massive leap in this reader's enjoyment compared to Book 1. The hero is still prone to tripping over his own feet but redeems himself with displays of courage and steely determination. The action is fast-paced throughout and makes for a truly enjoyable yarn.
A massive leap in this reader's enjoyment compared to Book 1. The hero is still prone to tripping over his own feet but redeems himself with displays of courage and steely determination. The action is fast-paced throughout and makes for a truly enjoyable yarn.
February 9, 2023
Loving this series!!
Discovered this series by accident and now can't stop reading it. Watch out Vikings there's a new threat in town!
Discovered this series by accident and now can't stop reading it. Watch out Vikings there's a new threat in town!
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