Shieldmaiden - Fearless Women of the Viking Age


Book Description

Shieldmaiden - Fearless women of the Viking Age: myth and reality of Norse heroines Norse mythology is rich in stories about courageous warriors who entered the legends as shieldmaidens. In “Shieldmaiden - Fearless Women of the Viking Age: Myth and Reality of Norse Heroines”, these fascinating figures are explored in depth. This book provides a comprehensive account of the best-known shieldmaidens such as Brünnhilde, Lagertha and Aslaug and combines the mythical tales with historical evidence and archaeological finds. It shows that the stories about these warrior women were not just figments of the imagination, but deeply rooted in Norse culture and history. Learn more about the role of women in the Viking Age, their portrayal in the sagas and their significance in modern pop culture. This book is aimed at anyone interested in Norse myths, strong female figures and the history of the Vikings. Be inspired by the stories of these fearless women and discover the impressive world of the shieldmaiden - between myth and reality.




Black Shield Maiden


Book Description

From Willow Smith and Jess Hendel comes a powerful and groundbreaking historical saga about an African warrior in the world of the Vikings. “Intimate, tender, and fiercely epic.”—Tomi Adeyemi, author of Children of Blood and Bone Lore, legend, and history tell us of the Vikings: warrior kings on epic journeys of conquest and plunder. But the stories we know are not the only stories to tell. There is another story, one that has been lost to the mists of time: the saga of the dark queen. This saga begins with Yafeu, a defiant yet fiercely compassionate young warrior who is stolen from her home in the flourishing Ghānaian empire and taken to a distant kingdom in the North. There she is thrust into a strange, cold world of savage shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods. And there she also finds something unexpected: a kindred spirit. She comes to serve Freydis, a shy princess who couldn’t be more different from the confident and self-possessed Yafeu. But they both want the same thing: to forge their own fate. Yafeu inspires Freydis to dream of a future greater than the one that the king and queen have forced upon her. And with the princess at her side, Yafeu learns to navigate this new world and grows increasingly determined to become one of the legendary shield maidens—to fight not only for her freedom but for the freedom of others. Yafeu may have lost her home, but she still knows who she is, and she’s not afraid to be the flame that burns a city to the ground so a new world can rise from the ashes. She will alter the course of history—and become the revolutionary heroine of her own myth.




The Saxon Wolf


Book Description

'Compelling, disturbing, entertaining, this is a bloody riot from start to finish. In every good sense' Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea Conflict flares once more in Saxony... March, AD 773. Bjarki Bloodhand is now Fire Born – a legendary berserker inhabited by the ferocious spirit of a bear in battle. Yet he has sworn never again to allow that sacred rage to possess him, lest he for ever lose himself in the madness like his father. Tor Hildarsdottir yearns to save pagan Saxony from the grip of the Christian Franks, who now occupy half the region. But she also has serious problems closer to home with her fast-growing pet bear cub, Garm, and, worse, she seems to be falling in love. Widukind, new lord of the Saxons, is on a mission to reconquer the lands of his fathers from the Franks. He will stop at nothing to win the hearts of the men and women of the North, and bind them to his cause. But will they follow the Saxon Wolf in an unwinnable war? And will Bjarki join them? The epic second novel in the Fire Born saga, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Giles Kristian, and Matthew Harffy. Praise for The Saxon Wolf 'Donald has spun another terrific yarn, skilfully interweaving heart-thumping action sequences with a compelling plot... his writing is original and completely convincing. The Saxon Wolf is another step forward and a step up in the Fire Born series. Compelling, disturbing, entertaining, this is a bloody riot from start to finish. In every good sense' Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea Praise for The Last Berserker, Volume One in the Fire Born series ‘Donald has taken the legendary berserkers, those frothing-at-the-mouth shield-biters, and made them human, which once again proves that Donald is a writer not only at the top of his game, but of the game ... It is a wonderful, rich and violent brew. I welcome Angus Donald to the shield wall of Viking fiction like a thirsty man welcomes a mead-brother to the feast ... A tale worthy of the skalds’ Giles Kristian, author of the Raven series ‘With The Last Berserker, Donald has given us the first cut of some serious Dark Age beef. By turns heart-racing, intriguing, and touching, this is not a book for the faint-hearted – I can’t wait for more’ Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea ‘The Last Berserker strikes with the thundering power of Thor's hammer... rich with the earthy depth, historical detail, intrigue, violence and adventure that we expect from Donald. But it is Bjarki and Tor that make The Last Berserker stand out... Donald's masterful creations will live on in the imagination long after the final page’ Matthew Harffy, author of the Bernicia Chronicles 'A wonderful, blood-soaked tale of redemption and revenge, set amidst the eighth century clash of civilisations between Pagan Vikings and Christian Franks, by a master of the genre’ Saul David, author of Zulu Hart 'Loved this tale of a berserker facing up against the tidal wave of Charlemagne’s expansion. Great characters, brilliantly paced and explosive, gritty battle-scenes. Highly recommended' John Gwynne, author of Malice ‘Well researched detail and stunning battle scenes make The Last Berserker a white knuckle ride. A thrilling, up-all-night read’ C. R. May, author of The Day of the Wolf 'I loved it. Bjarki and Tor are great characters, instantly relatable. The depth of the immersion in their world and their values gives the book authenticity and weight' Cecelia Holland, author of The Soul Thief




When Women Were Warriors Book I


Book Description

The classic hero of myth and legend is defined in masculine terms, but to judge a woman by the strengths and virtues of the typical male hero does her an injustice. The hero of "When Women Were Warriors" becomes a hero by learning to master herself and to understand the human heart.




Shieldmaiden Squadron


Book Description

Eighteen-year-old Ingrid Tirsdatter is a shieldmaiden—a Viking warrior tasked with protecting her clan while upholding their virtues of honor, valor, and total domination. She’s one-hundred-percent focused on climbing the shieldmaiden ranks, and not at all focused on Axel Andersson—the overly confident and unnaturally good-looking warrior who saved her life exactly one time . . . and hasn’t let her forget it. When an unparalleled enemy threatens Ingrid’s clan, she vows to do everything in her power to protect her home. But saving Valkyris will require her to travel one thousand years into the future, join an elite Southern California sorority, capture a magic-wielding psychopath . . . and not fall for the one warrior in all the realms who could be her undoing. Ingrid’s new assignment is a nightmare in the making, but she’s determined to do her clan proud. After all, she’s a shieldmaiden. And shieldmaidens never back down. This is a full length, young adult fantasy for readers who love action, adventure, subterfuge and romance.




Shieldmaiden


Book Description

You are your father's daughter... A young Viking woman picks up her sword and goes in search of retribution and justice. In 934 the English are fighting the Norse for supremacy over the North. Worship of the old Norse gods is challenged by Christianity. Traditional loyalties are tested and revenge can be swift and violent. In Cumbria a man is outlawed and killed. Faced with a life of destitution and servitude, his daughter Sigrid's only option is to appeal to the King of Norway to reverse his judgement on her father and allow her to inherit the family farm. But Norway is far away and Sigrid has only her wits and her skill with the sword to help her cause. Sigrid sets out to regain her birthright, encountering kings, warriors and villains on her quest. While her fighting skills earn her admiration, she must also learn about duty, honour and loyalty if she is to grow from a headstrong teenager into a woman and a respected warrior.




The Viking's Captive


Book Description

Prophecy spoken. Alliances broken. Will duty come before love? The Viking's Captive is the exciting sequel to The Viking's Chosen by USA Today best-seller Quinn Loftis. Torben is faced with a terrible choice: rescue the woman he loves from the clutches of a madman or save his people from attack by a ruthless foreign invader. He longs to save Allete, especially since the clan's oracle has prophesied that she will become his queen and help unite the clans. But if saving the princess means abandoning his clan, the choice would be unconscionable. Torben races across land and sea on a collision course with Magnus, Allete's kidnapper, and Torben's former king. Their meeting will change the fate of Clan Hakon - either saving it from destruction or splintering it forever. Will Torben be able to rescue Allete before Magnus' actions ruin them all? Or will Cathal find the princesses first, enslaving them and using them for his own twisted purposes? Swords will clash and arrows will fly before the fate of Allete and Torben is finally decided.




Herald of the Storm (Steelhaven: Book One)


Book Description

Dark, funny and intricately plotted, the first novel in R. S. Ford's Steelhaven trilogy is perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie and George R. R. Martin. Welcome to Steelhaven . . . watch your back. 'You'll find yourself looking forward to what Ford dreams up next' SFX Under the reign of King Cael the Uniter, this vast cityport on the southern coast has for years been a symbol of strength, maintaining an uneasy peace throughout the Free States. But now a long shadow hangs over the city, in the form of the dread Elharim warlord, Amon Tugha. When his herald infiltrates the city, looking to exploit its dangerous criminal underworld, and a terrible dark magick that has long been buried once again begins to rise, it could be the beginning of the end. . . Praise for R.S. Ford: 'Exciting and different' The British Fantasy Society 'Violent, vicious and darkly funny' Fantasy Faction 'A perfect example of tight, gritty, character-driven storytelling' Luke Scull, author of The Grim Company




New Mutants By Abnett & Lanning


Book Description

Collects New Mutants (2009) #38-50, Exiled #1 And Journey Into Mystery (2011) #637-638. Abnett and Lanning’s electrifying run concludes with a bang! The team returns to the scene of Cypher’s death, only to confront an evil reanimated into a terrifying new form of horror. On an island consumed by a super-virus, the New Mutants fall one by one Then, the worlds of mutantkind and gods collide when a forgotten hero returns! But will the truth behind this hero’s exile consume Loki and the New Mutants? But wait, there’s more! Undead cannibals on the loose! San Francisco turned inside out by forbidden magic! And what do Doctor Strange and the Defenders want with the New Mutants? Plus: Cannonball and Karma return — but why are they suddenly years older? And what’s up with the Warlock tech they’re wearing?




The Lost Magic


Book Description

Never underestimate the power of a vigilant witch. Twenty-one-year-old Bianca Monroe has one goal: to keep the status quo. She's finally happy. The Central Network has recovered from the war, peace remains steady enough, and she loves teaching the new Guardian recruits how to use a sword. The last thing she wants is change. At the third annual Celebration of all Networks, Bianca is thrust into an unexpected challenge: a mortal girl named Ava lands in her lap with a most unwelcome surprise. As the Celebration continues, it's clear that the only witch who cares whether Ava lives or dies is Bianca. And Bianca's magic has stopped working. As the Celebration continues, it's clear that the only witch who cares whether Ava lives or dies is Bianca. Can Bianca save Ava from the high-ranking witches that want her blood, even if it means the end of the blossoming peace? Or does Bianca protect her Network the only way she knows how? The Lost Magic is the fifth novel in the Network Series, and a continuation of the beloved tale that has captivated over half a million readers. Get ready for life-changing YA Fantasy. Because Bianca Monroe is back.