Bear's Blade

The fifth novel in Tim Hodkinson's Whale Road Chronicles featuring Viking lord Einar and the Wolf Coats, his shipmates. The Wolf Coats must sail to Brittany, to find the famous religious scholar Israel of Trieste. But can Einar overcome his pride, and his injuries, and make it back alive? How do you defeat the undefeatable? Einar must take back control of his destiny in this thrilling Viking adventure. Although the rightful Jarl of Orkney, Einar is not yet strong enough to overcome his rival, King Eirik. Einar and the Wolf Coats raid the pagan ceremony that will confirm Eirik's power, but due to his injured sword hand, Einar fails to kill Eirik and he and his men must flee.They seek the protection of the King of the English. In exchange for his help, the crew must undertake a perilous mission: sail to Brittany and bring a renowned scholar back to England. But Brittany is besieged by Viking hordes, and the scholar is the prisoner of a legendary Viking warrior known as the Bear.To succeed, Einar must infiltrate the Bear's stronghold. But is a man who cannot wield a sword capable of being a true Viking warrior? With his whole future at stake, can Einar prove his worth – and make it back alive? PRAISE FOR TIM HODKINSON: 'A brilliantly written historical adventure which will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell, George R.R. Martin, and especially Theodore Brun' HISTORICAL NOVEL ASSOCIATION'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' MELISENDE'S LIBRARY'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' HISTORICAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION