Again, Angus Donald has done a splendid job of recreating the Saxon world.
Fabulous battle scenes, really well choreographed.
Great storyline. Though not always pleasant, it moves along a great pace.
The characters grow and mature in the story, even the bear.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

Bjarki and Tor find themselves on opposing sides in a war to decide who will be King of the North. How can they avoid facing each other on the battlefield?

As you'd expect from Angus Donald's Viking series, this is gripping and breathless in its pace. It's based on a legendary battle, but tweaked to fit Bjarki and Tor's world of warfare, sorcerers, Fire Born berserkers and treacherous 'allies'.

It moves the brother and sister pair's story on, with some unexpected twists and changes, a sprinkling of hope and some heartbreak (even for this hard-hearted reader).

I did find some parts of the end unsatisfactory (a bit too much luck rather than agency) but it rounded things off well and set us up nicely for the next in the series.

Well written, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.

Number four in Angus Donald’s entertaining Viking series. Set in the 8th century there is a lot of wriggle room to put in strong characters and a little bit of mythical fantasy in a vaguely historical context.
Our main characters are Bjarki Bloodhand and his sister Torfinna Hildarsdottir. He is a berserker who can bring forth animal power based on his link with a bear. Tor? Her skill is wit and cunning as well as being handy with a blade herself.
So now the author throws in an legendary/infamous battle Bravellir between the Danes and Swedes. Amongst this bloodbath, the siblings will need their strength and cunning to survive and to try to be on the winning side. Trouble is, when you are oath-bound your very honour is at stake.
Angus has a real sweet pot here, so little historical evidence exists, he is not hampered by having to stick to known facts, he (and his characters) can deviate and get into all sorts of trouble. Which is, of course, great for the reader.
A series that is bloodthirsty, fun and thrilling.

The fourth book in Fire Born saga and omg what a fantastic read. I really did not want this book to end. The battle scenes are exquisite and steeped in blood. The storytelling is so realistic I actually felt like an invisible bystander watching this epic unfold. When I picked this book I did not realise it was part of a series, so I visited Amazon and downloaded the first three books. I have been in Viking heaven all week. Intrigue, loves and some heart breaking deaths. Wonderful characters. This book has everything you want from a fantastic and highly recommended Viking saga and I have found a new author. Absolutely loved it!!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

Want something sexy and swoon-worthy? Yes, this is the book for you. It's sexy, beautiful, lovely, and earth gripping yes!