The Fall of the Iron Prow
In this story of a young man and woman’s attempts to save Constantinople during 13th-century wars among Byzantine princes, Venetians, Crusaders, and Vikings, Niall Alreksson, son of a traitor, and Melania Comnena, daughter of one of the city’s ruling families, work together to save their endangered city. The story is their journey and the people they meet. Few of these characters are well fleshed-out, and their actions are often vaguely presented, although the climactic chapters offer some vivid characterization. The epilogue presents an interesting account of the relationships between various Viking factions, as well as a reason for some of Alrek’s actions.
