Vengeance of the Damned: A Viking Age Novel (Olaf’s Saga Book 5)
The concluding book to the Olaf Saga opens in AD 995 at a time when the ruler of Norway, Hakon Jarl, has been weakened by revolt. After decades of raiding, Olaf seizes the opportunity to sail for his homeland, with an army of seasoned fighters at his back, and successfully claims the Norwegian throne for himself. A brutal campaign to convert his subjects to Christianity follows. Many reluctantly agree to be baptized, but those who cling to the old gods are killed, tortured, or driven from their homes. Not content to rule the Northern kingdom, Olaf sets his sights farther afield. His cruelty puts him on a collision course with his childhood friend, Torgil the Lucky, now the lord of a peaceful island people who follow the old Norse religion. As an inevitable clash looms large, it will take all of Torgil’s warrior skill and an armada of unexpected alliances to bring Olaf’s reign of terror to an end.
With action-packed narrative, rich detailing and finely portrayed characters, Vengeance of the Damned vividly brings to life the saga of Norway’s controversial king Olaf Tryggvason, as seen through the eyes of his former oath-brother, Torgil. By drawing upon events that occur across far-flung corners of Scandinavia, Schumacher skillfully weaves a tale that ties everything together in a final confrontation of daring, courage and unyielding determination. Although much of this period is lost to time, the author remains true to the fragments of poems and sagas that still exist, then builds upon them to deliver an immensely enjoyable novel that transports readers into the Viking world of adventure and battle. The author’s notes are particularly insightful.
