Sword of the Saxons (Alfred the Great, 2)
In AD 878, Alfred has been king of Wessex for only seven years when he’s chased out of his stronghold of Cippanhamme (Chippenham) by the Danes, led by the ruthless Guthrum. Alfred, with his family and loyal followers, must live off the land as his kingdom is torn apart.
Though plagued with doubts, Alfred, accompanied by the fierce warrior Ealdorman Wulfric and his spiritual guide Oswald the priest, rallies his forces and outmanoeuvres the invaders. His ultimate triumph is not in battle, however; it’s his conversion of the pagans into Christians. Yet every win of Alfred’s is countered by a setback. After he regains his lands, he begins a programme to educate the masses, but he’s thwarted by more attacks.
Alfred’s reputation for offering Christian mercy becomes a weakness that threatens his entire kingdom when he’s played for a fool. When Lundenwic (London) becomes the focus of the clashing armies, Alfred forges ahead into battle. His followers wonder if his charitable acts of faith will result in his death, allowing the Danes to overrun the country, or will he follow their advice to exterminate their enemies and end the attacks once and for all?
In his second instalment about the Vikings and Saxons, McKay brings light and humour to readers of Dark Age fiction. McKay uses more modern-day language in historic settings. For some readers, this contemporary approach provides an uplifting reading experience. For other readers, it won’t be as appealing. The book portrays one bleak and hard-fought battle after another, and occasionally some plot points are unnecessarily re-discussed. Yet readers feel as if they’re in Alfred’s band of merry men, which makes this novel feel like a Dark Age beach read.
