The Last Berserker

by Angus Donald Book 1 in the Fire Born series.

First published 2021

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4.4(3,770)

AD 771. Bjarki Bloodhand and Tor Hildarsdottir travel south towards the Irminsul, hoping to learn how warriors summon the animal spirits associated with the legendary berserkers. Their initiation is interrupted by the advance of Karolus, the newly crowned Frankish king, who intends to break the independence of the pagan Saxons and impose Christian rule by force.

Bjarki’s capacity for battle rage offers power at the risk of losing his humanity, while Tor’s loyalty draws her into the Saxon resistance. As Frankish armies destroy shrines and punish defiance, the young warriors must decide what they are prepared to become in defence of a people not originally their own. The novel places Norse myth and berserker tradition within the opening phase of Charlemagne’s long Saxon campaigns.