Adrien’s novel is a well thought out, deeply researched narrative that marries history with young adult fiction. In a time where females are popular among the young adult sector, this male focused novel is a welcome reprieve and appeals to a need for an action packed novel.”

– Portland Book Review

C.J. Adrien presents a story that is historically accurate, colorful, and complex in it’s many issues. The level of detail in his story was striking from knowledge of ancient maritime skills, maritime warfare tactics, and the complexity of tribal or medieval warfare.”

– D.W. Roach, Author of Marauder

An epic fictional Norse saga set in the ninth century, featuring royalty, repressed love, battles, and the raw appeal of untrammeled nature…steeped in period detail and political backbiting in a richly imagined world.”

– Kirkus Reviews

C.J. Adrien, passionate about early medieval history, grew up with tales of the Vikings. His paternal family, natives of the island of Noirmoutier, claim to trace their ancestry to the Norwegian conquerors who used the island as a base in the 9th Century to launch raids along the coast of what is now Western France and Brittany.

The idea that Vikings might comprise part of his paternal heritage launched Adrien on a life-long quest of research. He has his whole life sought to uncover the true history of a people who forged for themselves a lasting reputation during an obscure and oft-misunderstood time period. He shares much of his research and knowledge on his Viking history blog and through his Viking historical fiction novels. To learn more about the historical sources for the blog, visit the selected bibliography page.