The Varangian

Name: The Varangian
Rating: 4.4 (321 reviews)

by David Pilling Book 6 in the The Bloody Hand Saga series.

Amazon

4.3(321)

In 1086, the Roman Emperor, Alexios, has finally overcome the Normans. Yet the war has taken a heavy toll, and left much of his empire in ruins. Suddenly he is attacked by a host of enemies at once. In Thrace, the heretical sects of the Bogomils and Paulicians rise up against Alexios. Then the Pechenegs, a tribe of ferocious horse-warriors, storm across the Danube river. A vicious pirate, Çaka Bey, threatens the Roman navy. Trapped between so many fires, Alexios must fight for the empire's very existence. Once again he turns to his loyal Varangian Guard, now led by Thorkell Skaldsson. The tale of this bloody and brutal time is written by Thorkell, once a bard in the service of Waltheof, the last English earl.