Welcome to this week’s post. Today I am going to write about two books from the same series. I have chosen these for escapism because I have been feeling very ill and stressed out. Reading books like these really helps…

My first book of last week was Warrior of Mercia by M J Porter, #03 The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. Series like this remind me of the books I enjoyed when I was a child. Books by such authors as Henry Treece with his series about Vikings: Viking’s Dawn, The Road to Miklagard and Viking’s Sunset.

Anyway, here is the blurb:

“Icel is a lone wolf no more…

Oath sworn to Wiglaf, King of Mercia and acknowledged as a member of Ealdorman Ælfstan’s warrior band, Icel
continues to forge his own destiny on the path to becoming the Warrior of Mercia.

With King Ecgberht of Wessex defeated and Londonium back under Mercian control, the Wessex invasion of Mercia is over.

But the Wessex king was never Mercia’s only enemy. An unknown danger lurks in the form of merciless Viking raiders, who set their sights on infiltrating the waterways of the traitorous breakaway kingdom of the East Angles, within touching distance of Mercia’s eastern borders.

Icel must journey to the kingdom of the East Angles and unite against a common enemy to ensure Mercia’s hard-won freedom prevails.”

This is my response on Goodreads:

Warrior of Mercia by M.J. Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting and absorbing tale set in the “Dark Ages” of British History. There were a few very repetitive phrases and moments, and also some spelling and homonym issues that made me drop one star. In addition, I do wonder whether a young man of that era would have known quite so much about the geography and history of his place and time? Nevertheless, I am enjoying the series and am already reading the next book!

View all my reviews

---

On to the next book: Eagle of Mercia, #04 in the series. Here is the blurb:

“A mercy mission in the heart of Wessex is beset with deadly, bloody dangers.
Tamworth AD831

Icel’s profile continues to rise. Lord of Budworth and warrior of Mercia, he’s acknowledged by King Wiglaf and his comrades to keep Mercia safe from the ravages of Wessex, the king-slayer of the East Angles, and the Viking raiders.
But, danger looms. Alongside Spring’s arrival comes the almost certain threat of the Viking raiders return.

When Lord Coenwulf of Kingsholm is apprehended by a Viking and held captive on the Isle of Sheppey in Wessex held Kent, Icel is implored by Lady Cynehild to rescue her husband.

To rescue Lord Coenwulf, Icel and his fellow warriors must risk themselves twice over, for not only must they overpower the Viking raiders, they must also counter the threat of Mercia’s ancient enemy, the kingdom of Wessex as they travel through their lands.

Far from home and threatened on all sides, have Icel and his fellow warriors sworn to carry out an impossible duty?”

I found this episode much more interesting than the previous one and awarded it four stars. This is what I wrote:

Eagle of Mercia by M.J. Porter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was definitely better than the previous one with much more adventure, dangerous moments and nail-biting excitement. Our “hero”, Icel, continues on his journey to being a warrior-healer in Anglo-Saxon England, fighting Vikings and men from Wessex and getting into all kinds of scrapes and scraps.

I must admit that I’m becoming quite addicted to this series. So, the question is: should I go on to the next book immediately, or take a break with something different? Choices, choices!

View all my reviews

---

Well, I have to admit that I am now reading the next book – more about that next week. When I have finished, I will definitely choose something very different, I promise!

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

📚📕📚📕📚