Customer Reviews

Viking Warrior (The Strongbow Saga, Book 1)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"In one moment the Norns changed the pattern they were weaving in the fabric of my fate."

From the first line of Viking Warrior, Book One of the Strongbow Saga, I was drawn into the story of Halfdan, a fifteen-year-old boy who starts life as a slave but soon must meet the challenges of becoming a warrior. Set in the world of the 9th century Danish Vikings, Halfdan's life story is changed radically when his mother offers to sacrifice her own life so he can become a free man.

As the illegitimate son of a captured Irish princess and a Viking chieftain, Halfdan labors as a thrall, or slave, in his father's household. His only escape is into the woods he loves, where he masters the use of a bow and arrow. Whenever possible, he works for the estate metalsmith, becoming skilled at creating fine weapons out of molten iron.

When his father, Hrorick, is mortally wounded in battle, the Norns, or fates, weave Halfdan's life in a new direction. His half-brother, Harald, and half-sister, Sigrid, are forced to acknowledge him when his dying father makes him a free man. In exchange, his mother is sacrificed and buried beside the father that Halfdan has despised.

After his mother's death, Halfdan struggles to adjust to wearing fine clothes, dining at the head table in the longhouse, and accepting his new status as master instead of slave. Harald trains Halfdan in battle arts. Soon Halfdan has mastered the use of a sword and shield. He proves himself superior to his brother in the skill of archery.

Halfdan is thrilled to learn he has inherited lands of his own from Hrorick. But before he can claim his inheritance, he must survive the treachery and deceit of Hrorick's stepson, Toke. In the heat of battle, Halfdan faces danger and death, and discovers the hidden depths of his own warrior spirit.

Viking Warrior is a page-turner. Once I started reading the book, I was hooked and found it difficult to stop. There's something for everyone here: history, mystery, action, danger, and even a little romance. Historical details give the book depth and a sense of immediacy that draws you into the story from page one. More books are promised in the series, but this book comes to a satisfying stopping place in what one hopes will be a continuing saga of Halfdan's adventures.

Readers should be warned that the book doesn't wince away from describing the heat and fury of combat. Parents of readers under 12 may want to read the book along with their children. Halfdan lives in a violent world, but nothing is gratuitous. Every detail moves the story along at a fast clip.

Viking Warrior is a gripping story for young and old alike, and will appeal to male and female readers alike. Teachers will definitely want to include this on a reading list for any study of Viking history. It left me wanting to know more about the Vikings, so I was happy to find that the author has set up a website, [...], where you can find interesting articles, bibliographies for further reading, and links to websites.

Judson Roberts has in this book started a historical series well worth reading, first and foremost because it's an enjoyable read but also because he takes the reader inside Viking society and culture as it existed in real history rather than in the inaccurate portrayal we are familiar with from the movies.

The characters are complex and well-drawn, and Roberts does not flinch from setting the stakes high for them or from killing off characters that you come to care about. I thought he was particularly good at showing Halfdan, the story's narrator and main character, himself has to reassess what he thinks of people as events bring sudden changes to his life, realizing that what he once perceived things was not necessarily the whole picture. His thinking is forced to change, sometimes in very difficult ways, as when at fifteen his situation abruptly evolves from that of a mere thrall (slave), to that of not only a free man but an acknowledged son of a Viking chieftan, and then all to soon to that of a fugitive fighting for his life. A passage towards the end provides a good example:

"Though my heart protested, in my mind I knew Einar's counsel was wise. It was ironic. I'd often dreamed, as a thrall, of crossing the seas as a Viking raider. I'd dreamed of it as a path to adventure and glory. Now, it seemed, it was to be my path to vengeance. I wondered how long a journey it would be."

Roberts does a very good job of taking his time to develop the characters as real people and to show what Viking life was really like, particularly in how they viewed themselves and the rest of the world. But at the same time the action parts of the novel, particularly when Halfdan and his brother Harald and their companions come under attack and later as Halfdan must survive on his own, are very compelling and draw the reader completely into the struggle.

The only reason I do not rate this as five-stars instead of four is that, while Roberts does a very good job in taking the reader into the heart of Viking times and culture, it is not quite on the level I have seen achieved by writers like Bernard Cornwell and Patrick O'Brien. This in no way detracts from the merits of the book as a read, however, and I do recommend it for anyone interested in that period of history and for anyone who just enjoys a good read. I very much look forward to reading the next volume in the series.

At first this book was hard to get into for me because I am use to modern language, but after the first two chapters the intensity of the building situation involving the main character's mother drew me in. Soon I didn't even notice and the book was so good I couldn't put it down. There are only a few books that I have finished in a time span of two days (Harry Potter book 6 being one of them) but this one managed to make the list. With a wonderful historic setting this book creates the illusion of Denmark A.D. 845 so vividly you'd swear it were real. My only problem with the book is it is the first in a series and since it only just came out, it will be a while before I am able to read the next one. I will tell you it is not a cliffhanger ending so you will not die of anticipation. Other than that I loved the book.

When the Vikings raided Ireland, they captured several women including Princess Derdrui, whom like all the prisoners was made a slave. Danish Chieftain Hrorik Strong-Axe took his needs with Derdrui leaving her pregant. She gives birth to Halfdan, but because his mother is a slave and his father refuses to free him, the lad is raised as a slave too.

Over the years Halfdan dreamed of becoming a warrior like his dad, but only a free man learns to truly use weapons. When he was fifteen, the Saxons invaded and killed Hrorik. Derdrui wanting her son to live free strikes a bargain with Hrorik as he is dying; she would accompany him on his death ship provided that he frees Halfdan. The clan leader agrees making his second offspring a free man.

Already quite proficent with some weaponry especially for a slave, Halfdan undergoes rigorous training beyond that seen by anyone but may not be enough to persuade the clan, especially his half-brother Harald ,that a former slave can truly become a free warrior. Still in spite of the skeptics and his grief over his mother's sacrifice, Halfdan puts his heart into achieving his goal of acceptance as a free warrior.

The first Strongbow Saga tale, VIKING WARRIOR, is a vivid look at the Viking culture during the Dark Ages through the efforts of a teen to become an accepted warrior. The story line is extremely graphic not trying to dumb down or hide abuses from the targeted audience, high school teens. Thus historical fiction readers of all ages will appreciate this deep look at a bygone way of life in which the flow of blood is the norm.

Harriet Klausner

Simply engrossing, I couldn't put it down, and neither can all my friends whom I have lent the three books to. The story and journey of Halfdan, a young Viking thrall whose life greatly changes with the death of his father, a famous Viking chieftan. If I thought the first book was great, " Viking Warrior", the second book "Dragons from the Sea" was even better, and the third book "The Road to Vengeance" even better than the second!
Wonderful descriptive writing, interesting characters, and an imaginative and engrossing plot. If you like Vikings you don't know what you're missing! I would give all three books 10 stars and wish writers could write as fast as I can read. Quality writing from page one.

Wow, what a great surprise this book was! I guess the reason it's marketed as a teen book is because the main character is fifteen and there are no graphic sex scenes. Otherwise, this book is every bit as bloody and action packed as anything written by Cornwell or Iggulden. If you like historical fiction based on solid research, don't hesitate to buy Viking Warrior. I couldn't put it down. Judson Roberts is a gifted storyteller; I enjoyed Viking Warrior as much any historical novel I've read.

Having posted a review on "how can an eBook be out of stock", the author contacted me to explain it had to do with the publishers and should be available shortly. Appreciated the time and effort to explain and from the reviews, it will be worth waiting for Book 1 to start the series on Kindle. Thanks you Judson.

It has been quite some time since I have been unable to put a book down. I can't even remember the last time I finished a book in less than a week. But that is precisely what happened with the series I discovered written by Judson Roberts, the Strongbow Saga.

I first picked up book one, Viking Warrior, on the recommendation of Orson Scott Card. Card calls it a "serious historical novel," but you would never know it. Although the story is extremely well researched, set within the context of actual 9th century events, and uses vivid details to bring the world of the Vikings to life, you are too caught up in the main character's whirlwind journey to take notice.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of this and the other 2 books in the series. For a more detailed review go to www.groundlings-review.com.

Halfdan is the son of a captured Saxon Princess and a Viking Chief. Although a love match his mother is officially a slave and so is he. His father acknowledges him on his death bed elevating him suddenly to heir to part of a chiefdom. When the unexpected occurs Halfdan must make his way in the world as a Viking Warrior a feat that he is adept in.

Robert's is knowledgeable of the viking culture and time period. His attention to descriptive details makes the world in which Halfdan is trying survive colorful and realistic. This time period does seem to be fairly violent and that is reflected in the writing. It doesn't seem over done but may be more graphic then some are used too.

It doesn't seem like this book has much "buzz" which is unfortunate because I think those who try it will enjoy it. I think Middle School boys would also like this story. Robert's has just released the 3rd book and I am hoping their will be more books in the future. I would love it anyone could suggest a read-alike for me.

This is a marvelous book. I am old enough to be Halfdan's mother so this is NOT just for teenagers. This is storytelling at it's finest. I can't wait for more from Judson Roberts!! If you like this book try Nigel Tranter's novels, these are not about vikings but are good historial fiction.