From the bestselling author of Hakon’s Saga comes Forged by Iron, the first in a series of thrilling tales about Olaf Tryggvason, one of the most legendary and enigmatic kings of the Viking Age.Norway, AD 960. The fabric that has held the Northern realm together is tearing. The sons of Erik Bloodaxe have returned and are systematically killing all opposition to the High Seat. Through treachery, … Erik Bloodaxe have returned and are systematically killing all opposition to the High Seat. Through treachery, Harald Eriksson slays Jarl Trygvi, an heir to the throne, and then comes for Trygvi’s wife, Astrid, and son, Olaf.
Astrid and Olaf flee their home with the help of Astrid’s foster father, Torolv Loose-beard, and his son, Torgil, who are oath-sworn to protect them. The group escapes east, through the dark, forested land of the Swedes and across the treacherous East Sea, all the while evading the clutches of Harald’s brutal henchmen.
But the gods are fickle and the group is torn apart, leaving them to fend for themselves in Forged by Iron, a must-read for all who enjoy action-packed historical fiction.
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Olaf Trygvasson was one of those colorful Viking kings whose life was almost too elaborate to be believed. But I never knew his early story, so this book was a real treat for me. Told from the point of view of Torgil, Olaf’s boyhood companion and protector—to an extent—we see a youth who was almost a dreamer, naughty, disobedient, and willful. Torgil didn’t like him very much and often found himself wanting to thrash him—in fact, he did once, before he learned to control his temper. We see no indication of a future king in this boy prince. From the very beginning they were beset by misfortune, as King Trygvi is betrayed by a trusted Jarl, and his wife Astrid and son Olaf are on the run, under the protection of Torgil’s father, along with Torgil and two female servants. Things go from bad to worse and they find themselves captured and sent into slavery, when Torgil’s father is killed:
My father did not hesitate. He swung the axe over his head, meaning to cleave the Estlander’s skull in two, but the Norns and their tapestry of fate intervened. Two arrows slammed into my father’s back, staggering him. Yelling his fury, he righted the blade and brought it down, but the Estlander sidestepped the awkward blow, bringing his own hand axe up and into my father’s temple.
Not an auspicious start! But you get a taste of the vivid action scenes from the nimble pen of the author. We don’t get full-fledged battles in this book, but we witness many bloody altercations. As a thrall, Olaf seems to take each day as it comes, though several years pass before he gets lucky and is purchased by a relative who recognized him at the yearly market. Poor Torgil and party are left behind and need to plot their own way to freedom. And plot they do! Ultimately Torgil’s path meets up with Olaf once again and they are ready to take the next step forward toward Olaf’s destiny.
“I cannot explain it, but the Norns have great things planned for me. They always have. My father used to tell me such things when I was little, but it is only now that I understand his words and feel that calling in my bones. And here.” He patted his chest. “It is as if the Norns have woven a better path for my life.” Still a pagan, Olaf doesn’t foresee his future as a Christian. How does he get there? I predict many adventures ahead!
A fantastic debut to what I hope will be an engaging and informative series. Told in the first-person narrative, Mr. Schumacher tells the story of one of the Viking Age’s most intriguing characters through the eyes of a close friend. Thrilling, action-packed, and most importantly, well-researched, Mr. Schumacher has outdone himself and has set the stage for what may be one of the better Viking-themed series on the market.
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BLURB
From the bestselling author of Hakon’s Saga comes Forged by Iron, the first in a series of thrilling tales about Olaf Tryggvason, one of the most legendary and enigmatic kings of the Viking Age.
Norway, AD 960. The fabric that has held the Northern realm together is tearing. The sons of Erik Bloodaxe have returned and are systematically killing all opposition to the High Seat. Through treachery, Harald Eriksson slays Jarl Trygvi, an heir to the throne, and then comes for Trygvi’s wife, Astrid, and son, Olaf.
Astrid and Olaf flee their home with the help of Astrid’s foster father, Torolv Loose-beard, and his son, Torgil, who are oath-sworn to protect them. The group escapes east, through the dark, forested land of the Swedes and across the treacherous East Sea, all the while evading the clutches of Harald’s brutal henchmen.
But the gods are fickle and the group is torn apart, forcing them to fend for themselves in Forged by Iron, a must-read for all who enjoy action-packed historical fiction.
REVIEW
Good grief, just what I need, another fascinating series to get wrapped up in. My Kindle is overloaded…my to be read pile of paperbacks has exceeded the weight limit of my bookshelf. However, when an author produces a book like Forged By Iron, I welcome it despite the rapidly decreasing space on my Kindle, and the groaning of the pine boards of my bookshelf. I was captivated by this tale, so much so that I abandoned my usual reading habit. I tend to have 3 books going at the same time, and divide my reading time between them, but in the case of Forged By Iron, the other 2 current reads were temporarily shelved. A true page turning experience, Forged is replete with wonderful characters, and scintillating action. I could tell from the first chapter that the relationship between Olaf and his oath bound protector Torgil was not going to be an easy one, and that theme drives the narrative. Without giving away too much, the trials, tribulations, and the agonizing situation they are forced into are as exciting as anything I’ve read in the historical-fiction genre. This is indeed a well-crafted tale…and it is just the beginning.
5
Forged by Iron is the first book in The Saga of King Olaf that sweeps you into a Nordic adventure in 960 AD. The Viking-era book is based on the tales of King Olaf but is told in first-person by Torgil, a twelve-year-old boy sworn to protect the reckless 8-year-old Prince Olaf. The story begins when the shy but courageous Torgil helps rescue Olaf after the young prince recklessly jumps off a cliff with a dare from his older companions. The resentment that Torgil holds for Olaf is established at the beginning of the tale as the Norns weave the fates of the young boys. They are both caught up in the political machinations of Holger who betrays and kills Olaf’s father. Under the protection of Torgil and his father, Queen Astrid and Olaf are forced to escape with their lives on a harrowing journey through Norway, into Sweden, and modern-day Estonia. The travails the boys face forge them into hardened young men bent on vengeance.
Author Eric Schumacher masterfully captures the essence of the characters while telling a riveting adventure and coming of age story of two boys who must face almost insurmountable challenges. Torgil is an engaging character. Although he is sometimes jealous of Olaf, Torgil nonetheless does his duty to protect the young prince even though they sometimes clash. What makes this tale rise above others in this genre is the author’s ability to vividly capture the Viking culture and the harsh landscapes they must traverse. The story is rich with vivid, unique descriptions as seen through the eyes of a boy. One of the aspects I liked most is Torgil’s confused feelings about the queen’s handmaiden, Turid, in a budding relationship in which they reach out to each other at difficult times. The poignant moments are juxtaposed with the harsh realities that they face as they are chased by enemies bent on their destruction. Extra bonuses in the book include regional maps and a glossary of Viking terms which are used in the narrative.
Forged by Iron immerses you in the legendary tale of King Olaf as told by his protector’s point of view. I highly recommend this character-driven Viking adventure for those who are swept up in the Nordic culture, landscape, and clashes. I look forward to continuing this saga when the next book comes out in this series.
This is a tale of the northern peoples. It’s filled with the cruelty of the ages and the loyalty that some lived by. To say action packed is putting it mildly. The King is dead, but his heirs live on and his enemies come for them. One of his warriors and his twelve-year-old son rescue the wife and her son Olaf. They have sworn to protect them and they flee across the landscape into the Eastern Sea, but are betrayed. The warrior is killed and the rest are sold as thralls (slaves) to extract the bog iron. The misery of all is documented.. The king-to-be was recognized when the owner had taken him along on an iron selling day and bought back. Then the son of the warrior hatches a plan after eight or ten long years and once again the fight continues. The dead are left for the animals and the birds as the imprisoned thralls make their break. Will they succeed? Will the man the boy king has become return for them?