Winter's Fire

New York: Bantam Press - An Imprint of Transworld Publishers, 2016. First Edition First Printing . Trade Paperback. Near Fine. 6" x 9. 310 Pages. No defects noted to this tight, bright book with flawless interior text pages. The Vikings return in this thrilling, heart-in-mouth sequel to God of Vengeance, acclaimed as a novel of unrelenting pace, brilliant action and characters. Set in 8th century Norway, this book continues the story of Sigurd and his blood-feud against those who betrayed and killed his family. Sigurd has proved himself as a warrior. Despite his youth he has shown cunning, courage, ruthlessness and audacity; all the qualities required of a jarl and leader. Having taken on and beaten the formidable Jarl Randver, he has gone a long way to avenging his family and establishing his fame. And yet his vengeance is not complete, for the oath-breaker King Gorm, who betrayed Sigurd's father, still lives. And so long as the king draws breath, the scales remain unbalanced. But Sigurd has lost good men and his band is reduced to a mere handful of loyal companions, oath-tied warriors who would follow him to Valhalla itself. And indeed it might, for how can this few hope to beat a king? Folk whisper all this and more, and King Gorm in his fortress perched on the hill at Avaldsnes cannot stop such thoughts gnawing at his mind. Some say the king should strike now while Sigurd is weak... that is if he can find the young man. For it is no small thing to have an Óðin-favoured killer for an enemy, and the king begins to fear that in betraying Sigurd's father he may have turned the gods against him and cursed his own wyrd. Either way, Sigurd's course is set. He will lead his war host against King Gorm in an epic fight to the death: shield-walls will clash and the spear din will shake the timbers of Valhalla itself. For when storms rip the sky men know it is Óðin the Wild Huntsman, calling away the souls of the dead. So Sigurd's coming to Avaldsnes is a presage of death. His bloodlust is like the Spear God's passing. And his revenge will be but the Wings of the Storm.