Book: Warrior Prince
Author: JC Duncan
Series: The Last Viking, Book #1
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Length: 278 Pages
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Blog Rating: 4 Saltire Flags

Norway 1098

If you love Viking history then this is definitely the book for you. This is so much better than the History channel! It is the story of Harold Hardrada/Sigurdsson. It shows all he had to deal with from his exile, death of his brother and to eventually become the King of Norway.

An old warrior is the storyteller in this book who tells the story which I absolutely loved. It also reveals how these warriors dealt with battles, politics, war, murder, deception and treachery. Fascinating to hear of King Harold’s early years, it is no wonder he became such a legend in Viking history!

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish plus I am fascinated with Viking history and I enjoyed the fictional elements too. This book was definitely riveting with detailed storylines and the characters had so much depth that I was swept away in this spectacular read! It was a book I could not put down which I read late into the night to finish it in one setting! The rare book I will read again!

This is a phenomenal read not to be missed and I can't wait for the next book in this extraordinary series! It

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary ARC from the Boldwood Books and NetGalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, write, and blog an advance copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

I must admit I know very little about Harald Hardrada – other than the story of his death at Stamford Bridge, England, in 1066. With the Norman invasion and its impact on Anglo-Saxon society in England following on its heel, this battle, and Harald's story, have shifted into the background. So I was intrigued about the novel, and the series, about this famous Norse king.

The novel begins in 1098, in Nidaros, Norway, where Jarl Hakon and his 16-year-old son, Invarr, arrive to attend a gathering with King Magnus. Invarr, keen to become a worry – but resembling a rather over-excited puppy – immediately gets himself into trouble, but his mockery soon turns into fervent admiration when he learns that the old warrior he's ridiculed was, in fact, Eric Alvarsson, advisor and warrior in service to the late King Harald Hardada. So, while they await the arrival of King Magnus, Eric begins to recount Harald's life.

Harald was a younger half-brother to King Olaf, with whom he shared the mother, who'd had to live in exile at the Swedish court. When Danish / English King Cnut's right-hand man in Norway died at sea, Olaf took his chance and returned to Nidaros, but the attack failed as he was slain by his own subjects. Harald and his father's men flee back to Sweden, but they can't stay long as the Swedish king doesn't want to make enemies of Cnut.

So young Harald, then only 15 but already an experienced warrior, leaves for Kyivan Run with those followers who remain true to him. But soon, they stumble across their first obstacles, and Harald's inexperience and youthful arrogance nearly leads to his death.

And this is only the beginning of a gripping adventure that sees Harald, Eric, and their huskarls face political intrigues, threats to their lives, losses of men, and so much more he didn't anticipate. I won't give away any more, as so much is happening in this novel that it's hard to believe a young man like Harald would experience all this. But it does sound realistic, in keeping with the times. Check out the novel to discover Harald's full adventure!



Warrior Prince is an utterly engrossing read. Despite the narrative through the eyes of a now old warrior, the pace is relentless. The narrative itself does seem stilted at times, and it takes some getting used to, but once you're immersed in the plot, it's hard to put this novel down.

Harald is an impetuous youth, and there's a slight comparison to young Invarr, though without the illustrious pedigree. Early on, he is aware of his station and his intention of gaining the throne of Norway. But then he learns of an illegitimate son of his father, Magnus, and his outlook changes. Now, he bides his time. After his disastrous early experiences which nearly cost him and his men their lives, he slowly accepts counsel from two men closest to him, Eric and Rognvald, both seasoned warriors. I liked Harald's code of honour – something that is severely tested repeatedly, and his unwavering confidence.

But what I particularly liked is that he is sometimes really just a youth, with lots of growing up to learn, and this turns him from a character in a novel to a real person. His bravery in battle is renowned, as is his ruthlessness towards his enemies. Harald learns as he grows up, and it's a fascinating insight into the life of a young warrior in the 11th century.

Eric is a likeable character with plenty of flaws, but also immensely loyal. His narrative, told from 1098 in a style reminiscent of a grandfather telling his grandkids story of his early life – except that his life was very different from modern Norwegian grandfathers! His uncertainty at times, and his emotions, makes for gripping reading. Through his eyes, we see the positive and negative impact their journey has. Eric has no family in Norway. His sole purpose is to help young Harald grow into a powerful man worthy of respect.

In Warrior Prince, JC Duncan vividly brings to life one of history's often overlooked men: Harald Hardrada, king of Norway. It is a story of coming-of-age at a time of great upheaval and violence, and of honour, intrigue, and power. It is utterly compelling. I can't wait for the next instalment in Harald's fascinating life.

A highly recommended read!

This is the first book I have read by this author and is a brilliant book based on Harald Sigurdsson. The book is set in 1030AD and is the story of Harald after being exiled. It is told by Eric, an older character as he looks back and recounts his life with Harald the battles they fought, and the people they met it is full of facts, and information and it is a brilliant historical fiction book to sit down and read.

Eric is an adviser to Harald and the author uses him to great effect as he can get the reader into the thick of things, being a witness to events and hearing of Eric's views. Harald was exiled after his brother King Olaf was killed, he takes a war band with him as he journeys to Kyiv and fights for Prince Yaroslav.

The author brings the story of Harald's early years into life with his writing and while this is very factual in its content the research that has gone into this is great. It is not dull for a moment and this is what makes this such a good book, it is also the first in the series and I cannot wait to continue Harald's saga.

Some things have been changed to make it fit within the context of the author's timeline and this is nothing major but keeps the action and the adventuring of the war band at a great pace.

If you are a fan of Vikings, European history and historical fiction then this is a book you want to be looking at. It is a fabulous historical fiction that I would definitely recommend.

A wonderful historical book by J.C. Duncan's "Warrior Prince", set during the era of Viking warriors. Our protagonist, Harald Sigurdsson, is a compelling character whose journey from exile to a ruler is narrated by one of his warriors.

The detailed battle scenes was one of the most endearing part of the book and I just couldn't resist rereading part of the fights again and again. Duncan's storytelling is engaging, the "Warrior Prince" is a recommended read.
My thanks to Netgalley.com for providing me a copy of the book for my unbiased review.

With a tag line like “Perfect for fans of Matthew Harffy, Peter Gibbons” I immediately took notice.. these writers are my bread and butter.. they get what their readers love and give them it in spades full.. Did I have high expectations? Yep.

Firstly what I loved about this book from the start is that it felt fresh and new.. historical fiction is a well read genre for me but to see Harald Hardrada before he became the man most of know was fascinating!

After King Olaf dies in battle, Harold and Olaf’s other men are forced into exile or face death. It’s not much of a choice but being so downcast after their defeat means it’s even harder going. These men..they have lost everything.. but Harold also has the unenviable task of learning his role with the men and has to grow fast.

The depth of Harold was without fault..you see him struggle.. and adapt with the sheer strength he has within.. determination runs in his veins. I also loved that things didn’t come easy for him. Warriors look for leaders.. but it never felt like that was Harold’s role take on things..he doesn’t just want to become a leader.. he earns it.. he’s just got the passion burning that drives him forward and it’s this that the warriors ultimately see within him.

As is typical of the genre there’s plenty of battles but what sets Warrior Prince apart is the sheer amount of little details.. you can see how much research has went into the story to depict the characters, the period and the battles.

For fans for the genre I’m in no doubt you’ll love this and if I had to some up in one word it’s “depth”. Almost everything I’ve read about Harold has been fascinating but can’t touch upon the depth and intensity that’s been added by J. C. Duncan!

I was hooked and can’t wait to see what happens next in the series, I loved the connections Harold made with the men so excited to see how this grows.

Warrior Prince is an immersive, absorbing story, which gives an in-depth vision of the convoluted politics, intrigues and treacherous exploits of the times. The historical characters blend seamlessly with the fictional ones.

Duncan brings the brutal historical period to life with gritty realism, without embellishments and glamorising.

The blog review is published in full on my blog, see the link below.
#BlogTour with Rachel's Random Resources

This book gives you a Viking’s realistic point of view not found in historical documentaries or fluffy fairytales. I’m giving it three stars only because it is not my usual cup of tea. I couldn’t connect with the characters because they were so different from me. I’d say the four and five star reviews are well deserved. Pop over to my blog for the full review.

Plot

Warrior Prince is full action and daring. Harald Sigurdsson is exiled from his homeland. In order to build reputation to one day claim the throne, he sets out with a warband of battle-hardened men loyal to him. His travels take him to Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and from there, across territories contested and hard fought for by many… including Harald and his men. 
The battle scenes and conflict are the main drivers of the plot, and they are the scenes I most enjoyed in Warrior Prince. They are the essence of life as a Viking warrior. To emphasise their importance, they are very well written to immerse us in each battle as they play out. The danger of every moment is apparent, and has us questioning whether our favourite characters are safe throughout. 
However, there is more to the book than endless battles. Harald, in the service of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, has to deal with court politics - something he is not used to or adept at. In his quest to make a name for himself and become a leader, he has to learn when words serve better than swords, and who to watch to avoid a knife in the back… 
  


Characters

Harald is already established at the beginning of the book as a capable man with a weapon. What becomes apparent quite quickly is that he has very little knowledge or experience when it comes to diplomacy; if he can’t use his sword to get his way, he’s lost. 
It’s a character arc we see develop over the course of the narrative. It doesn’t seem to come naturally to him. But, Harald proves his determination to become a leader by learning from his shortcomings as they present themselves. He and his warband are tested repeatedly, and by individuals out to discredit or outright kill them. As a result, we see this repeatedly over the course of the book! 
 


Setting

It was for the book’s unique setting that I wanted to pick it up in the first place! I have read a lot of Viking fiction based around conflict for and within English land. And I have enjoyed those books very much. However, I was excited for the promise of something a little different. Warrior Prince is set across Eastern Europe and the Nordic countries. It’s not a setting I have read before, and consequently, it provided a unique and compelling narrative.
Naturally, there is far greater scope for travel and new scenery… and of that we see plenty. Harald and his band travel extensively over the course of the book, and we get to see and experience more variety in characters, setting and culture. 
Each location, and even the narrative whilst traveling, is finely balanced between description and action. There is plenty of detail to paint a vivid description in a reader’s mind whilst not bogging down the action within the plot. 
 


Narrative Style

Warrior Prince is told in the form of a recollection of one of Harald‘s right-hand men. When I realised this was the format of the book, I got really excited. It is a style I have loved in fantasy books such as Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind, R. R. Virdi’s The First Binding and Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Vampire. All of these books got a five star rating from me. Consequently, I went in to this book with high expectations. Warrior Prince met them! 
It is an interesting narrative style, because it makes us question the perception we get. Is the story being told from a wiser and more rounded individual than that same person in their youth? Or, are their perceptions of events coloured through time and/or outcomes? For example, would battles in this book be considered foolhardy in circumstances of defeat, where they are painted as phenomenal feats when recalled after victory? I suppose we will never know. But, if you enjoy thinking about that sort of thing, then it adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Do we believe all we are told?
 


Summary 

Full of action and intrigue, Warrior Prince gives us everything we’d expect from a Viking novel, but in a new setting and with new challenges to face. Unable to know what is immediately around the corner for Harald and his men, the book keeps us readers on the edge of our seat throughout!
Firstly, having read books in the genre by Bernard Cornwell, Matthew Harffy and Peter Gibbons, fans will enjoy Warrior Prince. Secondly, the book has its own unique spin on the genre and deviates from these authors in a way that makes it readable and standalone in its own right. So do it - you won’t regret it!

This is a really fantastic new series that I just read and loved! It's the first book by this author I've read, and I can't wait to read more because it is so good. The story is told by a warrior named Eric, who talks about a guy named Harald. Harald tries to be a good warrior after his brother is defeated and killed. The story is full of battles, people dying, and historical stuff that the author researched well. I learned much from this story and am excited for the next book. People who like this story will remember it for a long time. It's mainly about Harald's time in a place called the Rus and how he has to fight against many enemies. He also needs help fitting in with the people there because they have different ideas. Harald makes a lousy guy mad at him, and it causes problems for him throughout the story. But it'll keep happening in the following books, too. This is a huge story, and some things happening in the background will be important later. The person telling the story skips over some boring parts to keep it exciting. Harald is a tough guy who doesn't like making mistakes or looking stupid. He wants to be famous and take back his brother's kingdom. Sometimes, he acts like he knows everything, but is still a fantastic character. This book is challenging because there's a lot to understand, and it takes you to a different place. But it's exciting, and people will enjoy it.

A epic new series that I have read and fell in love with, this is the first book I have read by this author and I am keen to read more as I was definitely not disappointed. This is told from the point of view of Eric a old warrior. He tells the story of Harald who is trying to gather himself and become a well battled warrior after the defeat and murder of his brother. A tale that would be engrossing to read sitting around a fire. It's full of battles, death and plenty of historical details that have been well researched. I enjoyed learning more and from a story that I also am passionate about and I can't wait for the next book. This book will stay with readers of this genre for a long time.

An interesting story about the early years of Harald Hardrada, from the death of his brother to his exile from the Rus. It would have been better if the POV was Harald himself instead of a fictional warrior follower, but it was still an interesting read as few people know much about Harald Hardrada before Hastings.

This is a new series dealing with a Norse fighter called Hadrada. It's told in a unique way for this type of book. An aged warrior called Eric is the storyteller, and it's as if you are listening to it a fireside.
I wasnt sure if this would work for a whole book and it would lack in tension, but I'm pleased to say, I was wrong.

It's a cracking tale, full of heroes and battles, killing and death, but the characters are multi-layered. Many in this genre sink into cliche but this steers well clear of that. The development of Hadrada as a leader, as he learns and becomes a man, is impressive. I'm really looking forward to the next one. Bravo.

Harald Sigurdsson, who we know more often as Harald Hardrada, is a historical individual who is 'on my radar' as it were for my The Earls of Mercia series. So far, he's only had the odd mention because I'm still 20 years from the events of 1066 at Stamford Bridge, but never fear, for JC Duncan is telling Harald's story from the events that see his half-brother, Olaf, later St Olaf, cut down at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030.
Adopting a narrator style for the book, we see Harald trying to regroup after his brother's defeat and murder. He seeks somewhere for him and what remains of his brother's warriors to retreat to, and the tale is told through the eyes of the fictional Eric, who has seen it all and now, as an old man, wants to share his stories of Harald with an appreciative audience back in Norway.
This is very much a story of Harald's time in the lands of the Rus and the overwhelming odds he often faces in battle as he rises through the ranks to serve Prince Yaraslov. We also see him struggling with the clash of cultures - the more sophisticated and complex ideals of the Rus flummoxing a man more used to seeing warriors have a bloody good fight.
Harald quickly earns himself an enemy, one who bedevils him at various points throughout the story and who I'm sure will continue to do so as the young man tries to discover who he is while learning to command his warriors.
This is an epic tale, with elements burbling away in the background that will continue to develop in later books. Using a narrator enables the tale to skip over some of the more mundane aspects of Harald's story, ensuring the reader is constantly faced with some new dilemma for Harald to surmount or fail. However, failure is never really an option. After all, he is a Hard-ruler, and many of his decisions may stun the reader as the body count increases.
JC Duncan's Harald is indeed a hard man, unhappy making mistakes or being embarrassed, determined to build his reputation, even while bidding his time, determined that one day he'll claim back his brother's lost kingdom of Norway. He is perhaps too naïve and a little too sure of himself on occasion, and these very real character traits lend themselves to an engaging retelling. However, this isn't a quick read. There's much to absorb as you, alongside the character, embark on a very real journey to the land of the Rus and encounter their enemies and allies, the knowledge that our narrator still lives, the only hope for Harald’s success.
An engrossing tale of Harald Hardrada's early years, brimming with historical detail and brave daring do. This is the story of a man who will become a legend, told lovingly through the eyes of one of his loyal followers and sure to delight readers.