Book Review: Dragons from the Sea

Sequel to Viking Warrior (See [link])

Judson Roberts has crafted a masterful second chapter in his already spellbinding historical fiction series. Not only has he expanded the physical scope of the world and culture of the vikings, but his characters begin to display more and more layers to their personalities, drawing the reader ever closer to the sights and sounds of the Middle Ages. Above all, the overriding theme of this volume is the vikings' strict code of honor and morality, and how the popular image of these people as savage brutes is disproved time and time again.

For someone who until recently knew only the life of a slave, its amazing how much young Halfdan Hrorikson has accomplished in a matter of weeks. After fleeing the pursuit of the henchmen of his treacherous step-brother Toke (and killing many of them in the process), Halfdan arrives at the Danish capital of Hedeby, where he joins the crew of a longship preparing to mount a massive raid into the heartland of the Frankish Empire (modern-day France). By proving his service in war, Haldan hopes to gain a powerful set of allies to help him in his quest for revenge against Toke.

However, acceptance does not come quickly, with many warriors and crew members skeptical about Halfdan's youth (he's only just turned 15) and inexperience in battle. Yet with his dazzling skill in archery, Halfdan eventually becomes one of the most valuable members of the ship's crew (and his ability to speak Latin comes in mighty handy as well).

Once in Frankia, things do not always go smoothly for Halfdan (he kills members of his own army and scuffles with one of Toke's cronies), but the most dramatic episode of his experience is completely unexpected. While out on a scouting mission, he encounters Genevieve, the daughter of a Frankish nobleman who was forced by her father into a nunnery (more on that later), whom he captures and intends to ransom. The Frankish perception of the Danes is as savage killers, but Halfdan and Genevieve develop an unlikely rapport, and perhaps their lives run more parallel to each other than either of them realize.