Today is my stop on the blog tour for Enemies of the Crown by Peter Gibbons.

Here’s the blurb.

A weakened crown. A country besieged by Vikings, suffering under the oppression of a powerful church.

994AD

King Aethelred the Unready’s rule falters. Policies recommended by the controlling bishops invite more attacks upon his Saxon kingdom as Sweyn Forkbeard, Viking battle-king of the Danes, grows in power; bloodthirsty for conquest.

Beornoth, Viking-killer and kings thegn believed his days in the shield wall to be over until summoned by the king to enforce a policy of retribution against his enemies.

In a time of shifting loyalties, alongside a savage warband of cruel Norman warriors, Beornoth embarks upon a brutal quest to rid England of King Aethelred’s so-called Viking enemies.

However, when this murderous campaign leads to the door of an old friend, Beornoth must choose sides, as his loyalty to king, country, and his brothers of the sword are put to the test.

Can Beornoth triumph over insurmountable odds in this shield splintering battle for the future of England itself?

Review

Are we really up to book 5 in the series? Really.. it doesn’t feel like it.. there’s been so much that’s happened but everything feels so fresh and new still.. so much it’s hard to believe how far the series has come.. wow.

The battle of Maldon is over but King Aethelred reign is not secured…there’s increased raids from the Vikings.. some see this as what it is.. opportunistic aa=nd it can only get worse.. but many see this as the King losing Gods favour..

If anything the policies play a part in inviting some blood-thirsty foes to his very door.. Sweyn Forkbeard and Thorkell the Tall. These two are fascinating characters.. and not to spoil but they arent going to be easy to kill..

Beornoth thought his days with sword and shield in hand were behind him but the King needs his hand once more!

Beornoth sets out to crush the Viking threat.. the issue is he’s not alone..the king has decided in his wisdom to employ a band of ruthless Norman mercenaries! This can’t end well.

It’s not at simple as that either.. there’s more going on than Beornoth can see at first..which leads to the ultimate test… I really don’t want to spoil it but there’s so much depth behind the tests Beornoth faces.. you can’t really see a way for him to get out of this mess,

Peter Gibbons is a fantastic author, not only are the battles bloody and gory like any fan would want but there’s depth and emotion added.. you feel the need to pick up sword through the page.. it’s so vivid and emotive in it’s descriptiveness.

The Saxon Warrior series is a masterclass in storytelling and I was so glad to see there’s more to come. Each story has it’s own clear part to play in the series.. no messing around padding things out.. there’s direction and growth throughout each tale. I never know where Gibbon’s will take me when I pick up his one of his books but I always know it’s going to be good and Enemies of the Crown is the jewel of the series so far cementing Beornoth as someone I’ll never forget!

Shield smashing 5*

My thanks go to the author, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/Enemiesofthe

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Peter is the winner of the 2022 Kindle Storyteller Literary Award, and an author based in Kildare in Ireland, with a passion for Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and of course writing! Peter was born in Warrington in the UK and studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University, before taking up a career in Financial Services and is now a full time author. Peter currently lives in Kildare Ireland, and is married with three children. Peter is an avid reader of both Historical Fiction and Fantasy novels, particularly those of Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, David Gemmell, and Brandon Sanderson. His books include the Viking Blood and Blade Saga, the Saxon Warrior series, and the Chronicles of Arthur.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @PeterGibbonsAuthor

Twitter: @AuthorGibbons

Instagram: @PeterMGibbons

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PeterGibbonsNews

Bookbub profile:@petermgibbons1