Today is my stop on the blog tour for Kings of Conflict by MJ Porter.
Here’s the blurb
The final, thrilling instalment in MJ Porter’s The Brunanburh Series.
Can King Edmund of the English banish the Norse invaders from England one final time?
AD942
In the wake of the agreement reached at Lincoln between Edmund and Anlaf Sihtricson of the Norse, Edmund returns to Wessex to reflect and rebuild, impatient to reverse his losses at Lincoln.
But this is the winter of discontent. In Jorvik and the kingdom of the Scots, those who’ve waited too long to become kings in their own right grow restless.
As the enemies of the English turn on themselves, Edmund senses the opportunity to reclaim all his brother, the victor of Brunanburh, managed to gain before his untimely death plunged England back into war with her many foes.
With his sights set firmly on York, can he recreate the England his brother built, or will the enemies of England realise the error of their ways and once more unite to drive Edmund back to Wessex, leaving York in the hands of the Norse.
A thrilling conclusion to MJ Porter’s epic retelling of the consequences of the battle of Brunanburh.
Review
Apprehensive was the word starting this next instalment in The Brunanburh Series… not because I’ve not enjoyed the series immensely so far.. no I’m just gutted this is the last in the series.. I know there’s only a finite number of pages that could be written but MJ Porter has really made these characters come to life and I just wish we could have more..
Edmund returns home after coming to an accord with Anlaf Sihtricson but if we’ve learnt anything about the period and the King’s in play at the time we all know peace won’t last.
For each power In play it’s a chess game, trying to second guess what the other will do, wondering which way they should align themselves… or do they wait it out?
Something I really enjoyed was that the narrative switched between the characters effortlessly. I can’t imagine the time taken by the author to put everything in order but the flow was perfect and the change in focus so suitable you can’t help but be absorbed into the tale.
The story is rich in detail, depicting the time.. the connections..the infighting and plotting..it’s all there.
For me the star is, and always has been Constantin, now former King ot the Scots. Kings of Conflict solidifies his shrewdness and his place in history… I won’t spoil it but wow.. what a man he must have been.
What really shines through is the research and time the author has clearly put into the tale, and it’s so expertly woven that it brings history to life.. credit where credits due.. it’s a talent to make a subject exciting and while I know with historic fiction there’s some leeway with events and characters etc but they are based around known facts.. and to use those facts.. and to be able to weave such a wonderful engrossing series..wow.. it’s a masterclass in historical fiction writing and further cements MJ Porter’s as one of, if not thee best, historical fiction writer out there!
Throughout the final instalment the tension mounts and the pace meant it perfectly mirrored the tension rising within myself as events played out.. the excitement growing with each page turn.
To create such a wonderful series, with such a plethora of characters, and egos.. utterly astounding it’s so perfect.
Earth shaking 5*
My thanks go to the author, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour, I’ve been a fan of the author for a while so was my pleasure to jump on the tour. Big fan of the authors work here on David’s Book Blurg.
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/KingsofConflict
Why not follow the rest of the tour to find out more?
Author Bio –
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJPorterauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coloursofunison
Instagram: MJ Porter (@m_j_porter) • Instagram photos and videos
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MJPorterNews
Bookbub profile: MJ Porter Books – BookBub
David's Book Blurg 