It always takes me a few chapters to fix in my mind on whom the characters are because of the similarity of the names but once I did I was in for a wild ride. William has defeated Harold, and as most conquerors do, he wants to put those faithful to him in key positions. That means the Norman invaders and their supporters and sycophants. There was plenty of rancour when he did has work down south but when he ventured into the north lands, not only does he need to contend with the ordinary push-back but with centuries old feuds between Danes and Saxons.

When the newly appointed Earl tries to take the land from the rightful one, his emissary is a much hated enemy. The two sides try to outwit each other and the end result is up for grabs more than once. But the local lads do fight off the interlopers that includes someone with whom our hero has a very bitter and personal grudge. It is exciting and bloody and very realistic. It is also good reading. Four purrs and two paws up.

This new series is going to be right up my alley. We find ourselves in Northern Britain right as William the Conqueror is entering the picture. We find ourselves in a small village with a minor Lord trying to get help defending his people from a warring neighbor who has recently moved in from across the channel in a long boat.

I’m intentionally being vague because it’s just a wonderfully complex time in English history. Paul Bernardi does a wonderful job of showing us how these major life changing events effect both a kingdom and a very minor leader just trying to do right by the people he’s responsible for and finding revenge for a dead brother.

I want to sing more praises but I don’t want to give more away. You really need to read this.

It was a fascinating period of history. William the Conqueror had defeated King Harold and was intent on subduing all of England. However, tribalism and violence were rife throughout the kingdom, spurred on by the Danes.

I really tried to enjoy this book, but I found that it didn't have any great depth of plot, and the main characters were not very believable.

The bloody battle scenes were very well described and quite shocking. However, they were a bit too repetitive for a short novel.

I hope that the next book in the series is a bit more readable.

Personally this is a genre and story that I love and enjoy reading but unfortunately I was unable to capture the essence of the story. I understood the concept of the story yet found it difficult to grasp and failed to hold onto my attention

For some reason I thought I would really like this book. Something was just missing for me, but I just can't put my finger on it.

This book was ok, there was not really memorable about it. However, I believe this book is part of a series and the characters and world are interesting enough where I may give the second book a read.

I typically love these types of stories but this one just didn't hit the mark for me. The writing is on point but it was just battle after battle with little interactions with villages and the people within. I'm sure there are many who will love this book but sadly it's not me.

At least Paul starts out with a good name, blood feud is what Acum Acomb and Hagustaldes Ham Hexham are villages that have a feud between the village leaders. It engulfs them during a period that leans itself to a trying period when a new King of England wants to take over the land in Northumbrian. By granting the land involved with an upstart that the people know of and hate. He uses characters such as Oslac and Earl Qswulf against Gundulf to make you understand why taking matters into your own hands will not let a blood feud end. This makes for a book to be made into a series that will make your enjoyment take root.