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The Light of the North #3
A Forge of Frost
In the cruel, icy embrace of winter, the final battle for the soul of the north draws near.
Alternate history - 1118 AD. Two armies went into the deep woods of southern Sweden. The forces of the Crusade, fresh from triumph and conquests, marched proud and confident into the forest under the blazing banner of the cross. The lords of the west, so close to victory, must first defeat the land, political rivals, and the winter itself to claim the rewards.
On the walls of Jönköping the men of the north made their stand and held the Crusade at bay, paying the price in blood and the death of kinsmen. The Norse jarls, shaken and bloodied, must rally around their wounded and weakened king, or choose an alternative path to cling to power.
As the icy grip of winter falls, and the snow and the mud and the blood bind the oath-sworn enemies together in a lethal contest, hopes of glory are cast aside in the desperate fight for survival. Two armies marched into the deep woods in winter, only the Norns know who will emerge from the cruel embrace of the Frostforge.
Alternate history - 1118 AD. Two armies went into the deep woods of southern Sweden. The forces of the Crusade, fresh from triumph and conquests, marched proud and confident into the forest under the blazing banner of the cross. The lords of the west, so close to victory, must first defeat the land, political rivals, and the winter itself to claim the rewards.
On the walls of Jönköping the men of the north made their stand and held the Crusade at bay, paying the price in blood and the death of kinsmen. The Norse jarls, shaken and bloodied, must rally around their wounded and weakened king, or choose an alternative path to cling to power.
As the icy grip of winter falls, and the snow and the mud and the blood bind the oath-sworn enemies together in a lethal contest, hopes of glory are cast aside in the desperate fight for survival. Two armies marched into the deep woods in winter, only the Norns know who will emerge from the cruel embrace of the Frostforge.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
184 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Duncan
11 books55 followersJames C Duncan is a debut author fascinated with history and fantasy. He writes historical fantasy/fiction based on our world, but in an alternate timeline, past, present or future, where each book or series asks and tries to answer a question of 'What if?' His first series 'The Light of the North saga', asks the question 'What if the Norse didn't convert to Christianity, and instead the Viking raids continued.' And posits the answer, which you will have to read the book to find out! James does not create new worlds, he messes with the history and future of ours, grounded in our own history and the laws of our universe, but tweaked in events and often adding a soft sprinkling of the divine or fantastical, resulting in relatable historical and future fantasy.
Upcoming books include the questions:
'What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.' An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.
'What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.' A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary
James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.
Upcoming books include the questions:
'What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.' An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.
'What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.' A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary
James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 19, 2023
Thrilling!
This alternate history of how the Norse nations were converted to Christianity continues in a trail of blood and death. Convert or die! The story swings between 21st century archaeologists and 12th century participants. Between distrustful Norse nobility and scheming crusader aristocracy. It is told at a breathtakingly fast pace as the crusader army relentlessly battles its way across Sweden and Norway. European aristocrats, deeply suspicious and jealous of each other, strive for supremacy as they plot very different futures for themselves within the Holy Roman Empire, Italy and France. Alongside this manoeuvring we have a version of the Knights Templar emerging from within the Church and they also have unlimited ambition. Can the Norse survive as a united people, bound by their belief in the old gods, or will they succumb to the Christian invaders? The next instalment of the series is a must read!
This alternate history of how the Norse nations were converted to Christianity continues in a trail of blood and death. Convert or die! The story swings between 21st century archaeologists and 12th century participants. Between distrustful Norse nobility and scheming crusader aristocracy. It is told at a breathtakingly fast pace as the crusader army relentlessly battles its way across Sweden and Norway. European aristocrats, deeply suspicious and jealous of each other, strive for supremacy as they plot very different futures for themselves within the Holy Roman Empire, Italy and France. Alongside this manoeuvring we have a version of the Knights Templar emerging from within the Church and they also have unlimited ambition. Can the Norse survive as a united people, bound by their belief in the old gods, or will they succumb to the Christian invaders? The next instalment of the series is a must read!
November 6, 2022
Another excellent instalment
This series is a rodeo of battles for the norse, you will have heroes on both sides and find yourself arguing with yourself over who you want to win. There are no good guys d's bad guys, just some bad guys you like more than others as a psychotic northern jarl who follows the laws of the norse defends his nation from a European land grab and psychotic murderers posing as religious zealots and "men of God"
I can't wait for the next instalment and how james intends to keep up the breakneck pace of this series.
I also love the modern backstory going into the history of this mythical sword
This series is a rodeo of battles for the norse, you will have heroes on both sides and find yourself arguing with yourself over who you want to win. There are no good guys d's bad guys, just some bad guys you like more than others as a psychotic northern jarl who follows the laws of the norse defends his nation from a European land grab and psychotic murderers posing as religious zealots and "men of God"
I can't wait for the next instalment and how james intends to keep up the breakneck pace of this series.
I also love the modern backstory going into the history of this mythical sword
January 19, 2023
Another fabulous book in the series!
Ordulf's journey is truly spectacular whilst never seeming too outlandish or becoming unbelievable. It's the journey of a boy becoming a man in harsh and violent circumstances and it's amazing to watch
Also, the book has a recap! As someone with a terrible memory, I truly adore it when authors put recaps in their sequels, so that made me very happy.
The author has a replica made of the actual sword in the books and it's truly beautiful so I highly recommend looking that up and admiring the amazing skill that went into making it. Whilst the author didn't make that particular sword, he does bladesmithing himself and his knowledge comes through in the books without ever bordering on info dumping or slowing down the pace. Instead it makes me want to go and find a forge and wield a hammer every time I read one of his books.
There were a lot more battles in this one, which aren't my favourite thing, but the author manages to find a way to make them unique and interesting throughout, focussing on individuals instead of getting lost in the melee and always going back to that heart. The lives of the characters shine through and the depictions of life are vivid and engrossing. Brilliant book, bring on the next!
Ordulf's journey is truly spectacular whilst never seeming too outlandish or becoming unbelievable. It's the journey of a boy becoming a man in harsh and violent circumstances and it's amazing to watch
Also, the book has a recap! As someone with a terrible memory, I truly adore it when authors put recaps in their sequels, so that made me very happy.
The author has a replica made of the actual sword in the books and it's truly beautiful so I highly recommend looking that up and admiring the amazing skill that went into making it. Whilst the author didn't make that particular sword, he does bladesmithing himself and his knowledge comes through in the books without ever bordering on info dumping or slowing down the pace. Instead it makes me want to go and find a forge and wield a hammer every time I read one of his books.
There were a lot more battles in this one, which aren't my favourite thing, but the author manages to find a way to make them unique and interesting throughout, focussing on individuals instead of getting lost in the melee and always going back to that heart. The lives of the characters shine through and the depictions of life are vivid and engrossing. Brilliant book, bring on the next!
October 21, 2023
So Good..
I can’t explain my review in amazing words like an author, but this series has been like a gift. I’m following my path to Norse pagan/ heathen. So obviously this was a good choice of reading to learn more about their ways, how they lived and died. This author is extremely thorough even if parts and characters were made up. The history is there. You will learn much reading this series. However, it’s not for those sensitive to war a gore, because there’s lots of it. Again, probably accurate enough to seem like it actually happened. It’s an intense story line, very descriptive about smith work, and the lives of people through their rank. It was all about status and wealth, and war back then, and it’s all in this series. So if you’d like to know more in detail about Norse history this is it!
I can’t explain my review in amazing words like an author, but this series has been like a gift. I’m following my path to Norse pagan/ heathen. So obviously this was a good choice of reading to learn more about their ways, how they lived and died. This author is extremely thorough even if parts and characters were made up. The history is there. You will learn much reading this series. However, it’s not for those sensitive to war a gore, because there’s lots of it. Again, probably accurate enough to seem like it actually happened. It’s an intense story line, very descriptive about smith work, and the lives of people through their rank. It was all about status and wealth, and war back then, and it’s all in this series. So if you’d like to know more in detail about Norse history this is it!
September 24, 2022
A great read!
With each novel Duncan's dedication to an amazing plot rich with authenticity and well rendered character development, shines brighter and brighter. Fans of sagas like The Killer of Men or Cornwell's Saxon Tales have solid gold right here. A Forge of Frost is one of those rare books that leave me more excited than sad when it ended. That's a very good thing. With that said it's a very worthy read that belongs in your collection.
With each novel Duncan's dedication to an amazing plot rich with authenticity and well rendered character development, shines brighter and brighter. Fans of sagas like The Killer of Men or Cornwell's Saxon Tales have solid gold right here. A Forge of Frost is one of those rare books that leave me more excited than sad when it ended. That's a very good thing. With that said it's a very worthy read that belongs in your collection.
September 11, 2023
Exceptional.
I started reading this series a year or so ago and then forgot about it, waiting for this book to come out. But it kicked off how the last book finished. It's another novel that you just can't put down, and once you start reading it, it's continually in your mind day in, day out until you finish it. The best thing now is I don't have to wait for the following book as it's already out.
I started reading this series a year or so ago and then forgot about it, waiting for this book to come out. But it kicked off how the last book finished. It's another novel that you just can't put down, and once you start reading it, it's continually in your mind day in, day out until you finish it. The best thing now is I don't have to wait for the following book as it's already out.
July 23, 2023
Each book just gets better & better !
Great story telling again . Probably the most enjoyable Norse series that I have ever read … & believe me when I say that I have read many , so many .
Fast paced , packed with emotional highs & lows , that simply bring the tale to life .
Excellent
Great story telling again . Probably the most enjoyable Norse series that I have ever read … & believe me when I say that I have read many , so many .
Fast paced , packed with emotional highs & lows , that simply bring the tale to life .
Excellent
November 5, 2023
Human-very well written
The overall feeling while I read this book is a sense of sorrow. The story shows (to me) a very real look at war and how haunting it is. That a few people can decimate lives of others with no regret. It is very human with the feelings and lives depicted. Very good series.
The overall feeling while I read this book is a sense of sorrow. The story shows (to me) a very real look at war and how haunting it is. That a few people can decimate lives of others with no regret. It is very human with the feelings and lives depicted. Very good series.
November 5, 2024
I’m going to keep reading the series
I like the series. I think that the story of the blade smith gets interrupted to much for far too long. I get that the author is trying to get all the details of all the battles into the story, but I don’t like when he leaves the main character out of the story for long periods of time. I almost feel like this is two series weaved together.
I like the series. I think that the story of the blade smith gets interrupted to much for far too long. I get that the author is trying to get all the details of all the battles into the story, but I don’t like when he leaves the main character out of the story for long periods of time. I almost feel like this is two series weaved together.
June 10, 2023
As a follower of the Æsir, this book, though gripping, filled me with a great sadness. It may be an "alternative " history, but my gods were ultimately replaced by the Hvitekrist and his tainted followers
Great book, though.
Great book, though.
Read
February 4, 2024Living characters and a lively and interesting story line
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all its intrigue and got to know and understand the Viking mindset a lot more than previously. Thank you for writing such an interesting tale.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all its intrigue and got to know and understand the Viking mindset a lot more than previously. Thank you for writing such an interesting tale.
November 26, 2023
Fascinating fiction
A great piece of historical fiction, with believable characters , events and locations. I really enjoyed the books and would recommend them to anyone!
A great piece of historical fiction, with believable characters , events and locations. I really enjoyed the books and would recommend them to anyone!
December 27, 2023
Cracking good book.
What a cracking good series, totally engrossing, well worth reading. Can't wait to start the next book in this series.
What a cracking good series, totally engrossing, well worth reading. Can't wait to start the next book in this series.
May 1, 2025
Fantastic
This third book is the best yet, with modern era colliding with alternate Norse world. It's just a joy to read
This third book is the best yet, with modern era colliding with alternate Norse world. It's just a joy to read
November 9, 2025
great series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Great writing, fine character development, very good descriptions of the time, the battles and the context. Well worth reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Great writing, fine character development, very good descriptions of the time, the battles and the context. Well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews