I’d give Hunting the Sun a solid 3.75 stars—Jean Gill’s writing is lyrical and layered, and it’s clear that this world has been built with care and complexity. That said, I likely would have been more fully engrossed in the tale had I read the earlier installments of the series first. There were moments where I felt a bit adrift in the lore and character dynamics, which I suspect would’ve had greater impact with the proper context. I’m planning to go back and read the previous books, then give this one another go, as I can see the potential for a richer experience with the full arc in mind.

Hunting The Sun by Jean Gill

I picked up Hunting The Sun by Jean Gill because this series has everything I love, well researched historical fiction, exquisite world building, complex political structures and intrigue, and well developed characters. This third installment in the Midwinter Dragon series did not disappoint and I cannot wait to see what we get in the next installment.

Thank you to The 13th Sign for the opportunity to read this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 28 2025

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I’ve really enjoyed the excellent Midwinter Dragon series by Jean Gill and was very pleased to read the third instalment, Hunting The Sun, and catch up with Skarfr and Hlif. The last book ended with the pair exiled to Sicily along with Seaborn, their adopted son, and most of this book is taken up with their time there, interspersed with events in the Orkney islands.

Gill has a real talent for creating a sense of time and place and it’s especially evident here. The previous novels were very evocative of life in Viking Orkney and that sense of the environment and hardships there helped to build the main characters and explain their beliefs and behaviours. She now creates Sicily just as well and beautifully demonstrates how alien the place must feel to them, so much busier and warmer and filled with Christian and Muslim believers who hold their faith very differently from the Vikings. Despite the wealth and the scientific progress in Sicily, though, there are just as many challenges and rivalries to face and their struggle to fit in is just as gripping as previous books. Throughout the book we also return frequently to what is happening in Orkney and that makes the contrast all the more dramatic.

For anyone who has an interest in this period, this is excellent historical fiction and the research is well handled, obviously very thorough but also very well integrated into the story. I’m already looking forward to seeing where we head next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Disclaimer I haven’t read the previous novels and historical is not my general read. This didn’t quite work for me and I can see why it gets fave reviews. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Jean Gill has adopted the final road for her characters to travel to for the next book she writes. She's been writing about stuff that people did during the period she writes about which she explains after the book ends. In her note she writes about King Roger II and what he created. The story changes from this by allowing Hilf, Skarfa and Sea-born to go outside the realm doing various things that deviate from the norms. But she has taken the liberty to follow in the realm of how things may have been in the past. Her story is full of people with befits honor to the ruler and many scenarios come from this kind of behavior to the detriment of others. She has many interesting things that happen during the story that I think you will like. I recommend this book for anyone who likes action.

Hunting the Sun is the third book in Jean Gill’s Midwinter Dragon series, and it’s another immersive journey into the medieval world of 12th-century Sicily. Picking up where the last book left off, we follow warrior-poet Skarfr and wise woman Hlif as they try to build a home in a foreign land while navigating the dangers of King Roger II’s court. There’s plenty of political intrigue, betrayal, and action, but what really stood out to me was the depth of the characters and their relationships.

Gill’s writing is incredibly detailed, making it easy to lose yourself in the historical setting. I could practically feel the heat of Sicily’s sun and the tension in the court’s scheming. The mix of historical realism with Norse mythology adds a unique touch, and the story moves at a steady pace, balancing action with emotional depth. Skarfr and Hlif’s bond is especially compelling, and I found myself rooting for them as they faced both external threats and their own struggles.

If you’ve read the previous books, this one is a must. And if you haven’t started the series yet, I highly recommend it—especially if you enjoy historical fiction with strong characters, rich world-building, and a touch of legend. Jean Gill continues to impress with her ability to blend history and storytelling, making Hunting the Sun a fantastic read.