Riddle of the Gods: A Viking Age Novel (Olaf’s Saga Book 4)
It’s Spring of 977 CE when Olaf Tryggvason, renegade warrior-prince of Norway, sets sail on the Sea Wolf to plunder his way to wealth and glory. He has lost his wife and lands to tragedy. But despite uncertain prospects, he and his oath-sworn protector, Torgil the Lucky, embark on a journey of pillage and looting with their crew of Viking fighters. Six years of successful raiding eventually bring them to the streets of Dyflin (Dublin), where a gray-bearded priest singles Olaf out of the crowd to offer a prophecy—one that alters his life and legacy forever during a time of enormous political and religious upheaval. Warring factions compete for control of Irland (Ireland) and England. Christianity challenges belief in the old Norse gods. And Olaf finds himself caught in the middle, forced to make choices.
Author Schumacher dramatically sweeps readers into the world of 10th-century warfare and kingship, with Torgil’s vivid first-person account spinning all of it into the story of Olaf’s rise to power. The two men have battled alongside one another since childhood, although adversity looms ahead. For Torgil has decisions of his own to make, and it’s going to get pretty ugly. His inner conflict and despair are deeply involving. Will the two men finally part ways?
With narrative finesse and historic detailing, the author brings finely drawn characters to life in a gripping tale of swirling emotions, unbridled ambition and self-discovery. Viking sagas tell of Olaf becoming the Christian King of Norway, but not exactly how he gets there. Historical records are murky, too. However, Schumacher’s imaginative plotting pushes his characters across the threshold of one fast-paced adventure after another and has me eagerly awaiting Book Five in this thoroughly absorbing series.
