Godric the Kingslayer (Sons of Mercia, vol. 2)
Eadric Streona is an unusual swineherd who, by intelligent maneuvering and some good fortune, managed to elevate his position in medieval Mercia, becoming a significant property owner and associate of kings. His bastard son Godric, shunned by his parents, is favored by Thorkall the Tall, a Jomsviking ruler in Denmark and a friend of the English king. When Eadric is killed, Godric seeks vengeance and goes to Denmark, where he becomes a mighty warrior. He returns to England, where he’s involved in the endless intrigue, betrayal, deceit, suspicion, distrust, and jealousy inherent in the chaotic struggle for power that marked the period.
The author has given us a protagonist who must make endless decisions for which he does not seem qualified. The combination of Godric’s courage and his naivete often lead him into trouble, but even so, the author has provided an interesting story set in a period rife with conflict and strange characters.
