“Kings of War" by MJ Porter is an epic masterpiece that takes readers on a thrilling journey through Medieval England. Porter brings the reader back in time to a world of intrigue, betrayal, and courage - effectively making history come to life! I was never someone who enjoyed history during school - this has drastically changed since I found this talented author. Porter's skillful storytelling effortlessly immerses readers in a richly detailed world filled with complex characters and high-stakes political intrigue. From the first page to the last, the tension never wanes, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I eagerly turned each page.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its meticulously crafted characters, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. Porter breathes life into every character, from the noble kings and queens to the cunning advisors and fearless warriors. The relationships between the characters are beautifully nuanced, adding depth and complexity to the story. Additionally, Porter's prose is masterful, with vivid descriptions that bring the world of "Kings of War" to life in stunning detail. Whether it's a sprawling battlefield or a lavish royal court, every setting is rendered with precision and clarity, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story.

So if you haven’t read any of Porter’s books - this is the perfect book to jump into and enjoy!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book Boldwood Books Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, bookbub, and blog. 🦄

Kings of War by M.J. Porter is the second book in the new Chronicles of the English/Brunanburh and WoW What a fantastic magical this book this was! Just like the first one which I just adored from the very first page till the very last.

Can the King of the Scots and the Dublin Norse triumph against a united England?
AD934

King Athelstan of the English has been successful in uniting the many kingdoms of Britain against one enemy, the Viking raiders.

But men who are kings don’t wish to be ruled.

Constantin, King of the Scots, rebelled against the Imperium and was forcibly brought to bend the knee to Athelstan and England at Cirencester.

His son Ildulb seeks bloody vengeance from Athelstan following the battle at Cait and the death of his son.

Olaf Gothfrithson, king of the Dublin Norse, having asserted his power following his father's death has his sights set on reclaiming Jorvik.

Can the united might of the Scots and the violence of the Dublin Norse, descendants of the infamous Viking raiders, bring King Athelstan and his vision of the united Saxon English to her knees?

An interesting and powerful read and I really enjoyed it, especially as it was beautifully written. This series of books are books that I would read again in a few years.

M J Porter brilliantly blends power, ambition and vengeance in another superb historical novel: Kings of War.

King Athelsan has successfully managed to unite all the kingdoms of Britain against one common enemy: the Viking raiders. However, jubilation is the last thing the kings of Scotland and Ireland are feeling. Being ruled by somebody else is anathema to them and they are not going to sit idly by while Athelsan calls the shots. As the son of the King of Scots, Idulb has revenge on his mind after the death of his son and nobody – least of all the King of the English – is going to come between him and his insatiable thirst for vengeance.

Meanwhile, the King of Dublin, Olaf Gothfrithson, has got his sights set on reclaiming Jorvik – and woe betide whoever stands in his way. Joining forces with the united might of the Scots might help Olaf defeat Athelsan for good – but can he trust Idulb? Or is Olaf about to be betrayed in the worst possible way?

With everything to lose and the stakes having never been higher, Athelsan’s vision for a united Britain is in jeopardy like never before. Can he stay strong and ensure that nobody threatens his objectives? Or is the King of the English about to lose everything?

Bernard Cornwell and Game of Thrones fans will love M J Porter’s Kings of War. Action-packed, exciting, suspenseful and brilliantly atmospheric, Kings of War is a captivating historical epic that will hold readers in thrall from beginning to end. A must-read for historical fiction aficionados, Kings of War is another surefire hit for M J Porter.

Having read and reviewed the fantastic King of Kings previously, I was eagerly awaiting this instalment in the thrilling historical fiction series surrounding the battle of Brunanburgh. And what another exciting ride through early medieval times in the British Isles it was!

It begins with the humiliation of King Constantine of the Scots, at Cirencester in England, in front of the King of the English, Æthelstan, and his court. This situation arose following the disastrous defeat of the Scots at Cait, in the far north, by Æthelstan's army previously – where King of Kings ended.

So we have a deeply frustrated Scots king, a triumphant English king, but also other intriguing players in their households, such as Æthelstan's stepmother, dowager Queen Eadgifu, the mother of Edmund, his young half-brother.

Leading on from this embarrassment, we find Constantine back in Scotland, plotting. His son, Ildulb, has his own plan, seeking brutal revenge for the murder of his own son in battle. When Ildulb plots an allegiance with the Dublin Norse against the English, a plan begins to form. But the Dublin Norse under Olaf have their own problems on their doorstep – their distant kin in Limerick are nipping at his heel, and then there are the Irish Ui Neill, who constantly cut away at the invaders. Olaf still wants to retake Jorvik, but with these distractions, and now the Scots come begging, he must set his priorities.

And as with everything in those ’dark’ days, nothing is ever as it seems. There is a distinct lack of trust between fathers and sons, across Scotland and Wales, and between brothers, in Dublin. This allows for a continuing and growing sense of unease, which the author brings across very well in each character’s musings.

As in King of Kings, the narrative is split, with changing points of view of several historical characters. It's all clearly separated by chapters, to avoid any confusion, and this kind of narrative really shows the scheming and plotting of the various protagonists and antagonists (but who is which??).

Whilst we see less actual action, except perhaps during the battle of Brunanburgh, which is described in great detail, we instead follow the leaders’ thoughts, fears, jealousies, and (on very rare occasions) joys. This deep POV allows a great insight into the mind of these 10th-century warriors and their families. Some of the attitudes will send a chill down your spine, especially as regards the inevitable loss of many followers in battle, which is something these leaders take for granted, to stay in – or even extend – power.

Politics, machinations, lies and plots are revealed as they unfold, and it makes for utterly gripping reading.

So when the battle at Brunanburgh is over, with thousands of men lying dead, we have a great affirmation of power, but as always, a sense of uncertainty remains. Can these rulers truly trust one another? Will the warring factions cease their antagonisms? Will peace prevail on the isles, and for how long?

Kings of War is an absorbing tale of political intrigues, personal ambitions, and ruthless action. Another highly entertaining read from MJ Porter!

King Athelstan has united Britain but threats are close.. King Constantin of Scotland is not to be thought of as weak and while he puts on a good show in the background political rumblings mean peace surely won’t last… and a bloody war is just around the corner.

I really enjoyed this instalment as I loved the chapter style, each part of the story told from the perspectives of the main characters. This added a depth to the tale as you could see their gut reactions to events, it just made the characters feel real and you could see their own internal wars trying to maintain the power they have, not wanting to appear weak knowing to be King they need to show strength even if peace is the best option for all.

M.J. Porter is well known to me for bringing history to life and this is the perfect example of historical fiction done perfectly. Packed full of historical detail but with the added pinch of the authors style of development leads to a fast following, easy read. With the genre, names, places etc it’s often easy to get overwhelmed but M. J. Porter allows the time for the story to flow naturally, but at a good pace, introducing characters and their place within the story effortlessly.

When I read historical fictions books I’m mainly looking for the action.. the blood and gore and while King’s of War offers this if also gives me so much more, it’s the character development, their motivations, the fear not only of war but fear from your own people turning against you.. it just made what would have been a turbulent time feel more real.. so instead of just reading it.. I felt it.. my own blood racing as the pressure mounts… again it’s all about the build up baby and I loved it!

Being the 2nd book in a series I’d always suggest reading the 1st, just for added depth but King’s of War is perfect as a standalone just as much!

Another 5* corker from the prolific M. J. Porter!

I grew up in a Latin country and this means my knowledge of Anglosaxon reigns, Æthelstan and the political situation of the British Isles around X century were near zero. I think that books like this one are a fascinating way to learn about history and have fun at the same time.
There’s a lot going on in this book, there’s a lot of characters and events. I thanks for the summary of characters at the beginning of the book as it helped me to navigate the relationships and who’s who.
The story is fast paced, action packed and it kept me turning pages. I loved how the author was able to develop characters that are alive and well rounded.
The historical background is well researched and I appreciated the attention to the details.
MJ Porter’s historical novel never disappoints and this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for this arc, all opinions are mine

Constantin King of the Scots is still causing trouble for King of England and it results in a blood thirsty battle of Brunanburh. I loved each and every chapter told from the different points of view making it engaging and keeping me on my toes. I am now a huge fan of this genre and I particularly enjoyed the battles which resulted in injuries and deaths. I had never heard of Brunanburh but I am now eager to do some research and learn more. The characters in this are conniving and selfish which makes the story more intriguing. I have revelled in this series and I am hoping that there will be a third book. This book definitely doesn't disappoint.

The narrative revolves around the complex dynamics of kingship, revenge, and the pursuit of power. Athelstan, the first King of England, faces challenges from both his Scottish counterpart and the Norse invaders from Dublin. As alliances shift and ancient grudges fuel the flames of conflict, the stage is set for a monumental clash that will reshape the fate of the British Isles.
This is a thrilling historical fiction novel that combines political intrigue, gripping battle sequences, and well-developed characters. MJ Porter has spun yet another historical fiction which will be appreciated by many.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy for my unbiased feedback.
Overall rating 4.5 stars

King Eathalson despite his failed treaty still wants to bring Whales, Ireland and Scotland together but who’s going to bow down and bow out. They all have things on the line their egos, revenge and of course the kingdom and legacy. King Constantine is getting older and feels he may be losing his authority and maybe a battle will prove his strength but doubts turn into total second thoughts when faced with the English. The king of Ireland isn’t going to do anything until he gets his fathers lost legacy back and wealth has just as much to prove. In the end a battle for power can only have one winner, because when you can’t even trust those in your inner circle how can you trust someone from a whole different country? I love MJ porters books and the Brunanburg series it’s turning out to be an epic series. I usually do not read warrior books so true to life knowing the story as well as I do but MJ Porter had me on the edge of my seat when king Constantine was watching the battle and that is a rare occurrence I love these books and cannot wait for the next one she truly has a great grasp on the story she is telling and I know I have said it before but I absolutely love these books. I want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood books for the free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Really enjoyed this book
Written from the points of view of each of the protagonists which was unusual but make the scenes feel more real and intense.
Portrays the events in 937 AD when Athelstan King of the English and his heir Edmund battle to save England from invasion by Constatine King of the Scots and his ally Olaf King of the Dublin Norse.
Any fans of Bernard Cornwall, Simon Scarrow and the like will enjoy this.
I have read MJ Porter's books in the past such as Sons of Mercia but think this is his best book yet.
Felt realistic with each character expressing their hopes and feels, triumph and desolation in the clash of the shield wall amidst the blood and slaughter.

The next installment in King Athelstan series, possible to be read as a standalone but why would you miss the chance to read the first book.
King Constantin of Scotland is still causing problems for King Athelstan, first King of England. This time he joins forces with Olaf, a viking King in Dublin. Their disagreements culminate in in the bloody battle of Brunanburh where many warriors lose their lives.
Despite being historical fiction with lots of characters, many with similar names, I found the book an easy read. Each chapter is told from the point of view from the 4 main characters.

I’ve just started reading historical fiction set in the time when England was still a fledging country threatened by its neighbours and Danes, and I really enjoyed Kings of War by A. J Porter set in AD934.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.
This book focusses on the lead up to and the battle of Brunanburh (the author’s note at the end of the book makes fascinating reading) led by Alfred the Great’s grandson, Athelstan.
The fight to claim England is told from multiple points of view including the King of England, the Scottish and the Norse King, their noblemen and warriors as well as the mothers watching their sons go out to battle. Most of the historical fiction I have read in the past tend to focus on one character’s perspective. So, I loved this approach as the motives of the Kings are described along with horrifying impact of war.
But of course, Athelstan, Olaf and Constantin believe they are right.
The story leads up to war describing the political alliances made and broken, strategic marriages and covert warfare using song!
The vivid and visceral battle scenes were breath taking and I couldn’t put the book down till the end.

I have added M. J Porter backlist to my TBR list and look forward to reading more in this series.