Wolf of Mercia
Saxon England, 830 AD: the continuing story of Icel, a healer at heart but a soldier by compulsion. Wolf of Mercia is the second book in a promised four-book series. I have not read the first book, Son of Mercia (HNR 101); however, the author cleverly intertwines snippets of backstory in sufficient amounts to allow readers to enjoy this book as a standalone novel, but also make them hungry to know more and to go and read the prequel.
Icel is obliged by his king, Wiglaf of Mercia, to fight in a battle which becomes a siege, aimed at removing the rival King Ecgberht of Wessex from the walled city of Londinium and its close neighbour, Lundenwic, an important trading centre. Fighting in a shield wall, Icel finds himself partially isolated when the enemy wall collapses. He is forced to enter the Wessex stronghold, with instructions to find a way for the Mercians to break in and defeat the enemy within the walls. He finds companionship within the enemy army, making his loyalty to his king and Mercia complicated.
The essence of a great historical novel is extensive research, and here the author has exceeded expectations. Details of herbal and plant-based remedies available to, and used by, Saxon healers are covered in fascinating detail. The shield wall is brought to life in all its horror, gore, and sheer brutality. The countryside and detail of the main settlements are realistic and properly set within their time.
There are one or two occasions where some scenes set behind the shield wall during battle do not feel totally realistic, with too much time available for events to occur. However, this does not spoil the story, which is a great addition to great novels of this period, which are in too short supply.
