Blurb
Northumbria, AD 864 . Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok is captured and killed in brutal fashion, an event that will shape the future of the nation for decades to come. Mercia, AD 868 . Alfred , son of Wessex and heir to the throne, draws his first blood on the battlefield. It will not be his last. A devastating scourge from the north is coming to Britain, one that will bring armies and entire kingdoms to their knees. Travelling along the whale road in their feared longships, the Great Heathen Army move fast, striking with a savagery unmatched, in a seemingly unstoppable tide of blood and iron. One inexperienced warrior will prove the difference, a young man who will lead from the front and, in time, aspire to become the saviour of the Saxons… Alfred the Great. A totally enrapturing historical adventure following the life of one of Britain’s most important ever kings, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.
Review
One facet of historical fiction that I find intriguing is how different someone like Alfred the Great is portrayed by different authors. My first exposure to Alfred’s character showed a more pious, and less warrior-like man than the character portrayed in The Heathen Horde. I must admit that while both characterizations are plausible/believable, I find myself falling back on the premise that a good leader fights alongside his men gaining their respect and loyalty. If there is one thing Alfred needed in this tale in order to hold back the horde, it was the respect/loyalty of those men. A riveting tale of bravery against a seemingly endless number of foes; of deceit and betrayal; of internal conflict; of the God given belief in their cause. Strong characters fill the creative storyline bringing life to the 9th Century, and the unrelenting chaos and bloodshed. Methinks, my peeps, you’ll be hard pressed to put this one down. Now, we await the sequel. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Historical Fiction reviews 