One King's Way (Hammer and the Cross, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Harry Harrison (Author), John Holm (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hammer and the Cross, Book 2 | Publication Date: April 1995

An alternate version of the Dark Ages is set in a Viking-conquered England, where a mighty new ruler plans to build an unstoppable navy of catapult-bearing warships while preventing his many enemies from rising against him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cleverly combining mystical visions of Norse and Christian mythologies with an alternative history of the ninth century, Harrison's (The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues) latest is an entertaining follow-up to The Hammer and the Cross. Though returning hero Shef Sigvarthsson has been made co-king of the English, at every opportunity he shucks the trappings of power and returns to his much-preferred role as blacksmith and inventor. Fleeing a disastrous attraction to his foster sister, Godive, he heads north into Viking territory, where the Way-College, run by priests dedicated to technological innovation and the god Rig, is located. Meanwhile, the Christians, led by the scholarly priest Erkenbert and the warrior Bruno, are also heading north, in search of the lance that pierced Christ's side on the cross?a relic they believe will help them build an invincible Christian Empire. In the first book, Shef angered the Ragnarsson brothers, favorites of the god Othin; now they seek to send him to Hel, where he will be their slave for eternity. The story is richly laden with detailed accounts of period naval warfare and changes in technology and culture, but one of its most satisfying pleasures is the intertwining of pagan mythologies and Christian dreams.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Shef Sigvarthsson, coruler of England, takes the fledgling navy he has chosen to build on a journey of exploration, a journey that brings him into conflict with his long-time Danish enemies as well as the rising power of the Holy Roman Empire. Set in an alternate world in which Viking culture did not fall prey to Christianity, this latest novel by Harrison (The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues, LJ 3/15/94) evokes the true spirit of the period falsely termed the Dark Ages. Fascinating details of the various Norse societies provide a rich backround for a compelling saga of a hero who rivals Arthur. A good choice for fantasy collections.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 399 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312856911
• ISBN-13: 978-0312856915
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,714,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm sold on Harry Harrison, April 16, 2010

By 

Glendal P. Robinson "glenchen" (North Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: One King's Way (Hammer and the Cross) (Mass Market Paperback)

OK, I realize that the last two books in this series were written by someone other than the original author, Harry Harrison. But I do give him credit for the original idea that these books sprang from. I'm a sucker for alternate history stories, and this one is a good one. What makes it good is a fresh perspective--Vikings and English, rather than the Civil War, or Kennedy's assassination, or even the Roman Empire. I stumbled across an old Harry Harrison book in my personal library when I was looking for something to read, and was impressed by his mastery of writing. I am a Christian, and have always been aware of his anti-Christian bias (perhaps more anti-Church?), but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying these and other books by the old master.

Harry, we hardly knew ye....

4.0 out of 5 stars Gods & Men Push Shef's Quest!, January 19, 2010

By 

Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: One Kings Way (Hammer and the Cross Book 2) (Hardcover)

Harry Harrison is a great sci-fi writer, has authored many series on different subjects.
Alternate history is one of his favorite themes.
"One King's Way" is the second volume of "The hammer and the Cross" trilogy and I do recommend reading the first volume to fully understand this novel.

The story starts with Shef going on a two level quest. The explicit one is to deter the Ragnarsons raids onto the British coasts. The second quest is more or less imposed to him, by Gods or fate or destiny, Shef alternatively complies or resist to it. In this quest new characters come to his help and tie their destiny to his.

Shef's journey touches all Norse's world, their myths, legends and beliefs are shown in a thrilling story.
The first book of the saga shows an accurate picture of early Middle Ages, this one starts to create a different alternate reality, evolving distinctly from the new facts introduced by Harrison.
The Lance Order appears in this volume and will grow step by step as an important element in the saga. Finally, the confrontation with the Ragnarsons, comes to an end somewhat abruptly without freeing all the previous mounting tension.

This book is a valuable continuation of the saga; I keep looking forward for the next and final step.

Reviewed by Max Yofre.

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Pronged Quest!, November 22, 2006

By 

Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Harry Harrison is a great sci-fi writer, has authored many series on different subjects.
Alternate history is one of his favorite themes.
"One King's Way" is a sequel of "The hammer and the Cross" and I do recommend reading it first to fully understand this novel.

The story starts with Shef going on a two level quest. The explicit one is to deter the Ragnarsons raids onto the British coasts. The second quest is more or less imposed to him, by Gods or fate or destiny, Shef alternatively complies or resist to it. In this quest new characters come to his help and tie their destiny to his.
Shef's journey touches all Norse's world, their myths, legends and beliefs are shown in a thrilling story.
The first book of the saga shows an accurate picture of early Middle Ages, this one starts to create a different alternate reality, evolving distinctly from new facts introduced by Harrison. The Lance Order appears in this volume and will grow step by step as an important element in the saga. Finally, the confrontation with the Ragnarsons, comes to an end somewhat abruptly without freeing all the previous mounting tension.

This book is a valuable continuation of the saga, I keep looking forward for the next and final step.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.