Release: April 23rd, 2020
Format: Paperback
Publisher: M J Porter
Source: HFVirtual Book Tours
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon US, Amazon UK.
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They sent three hundred warriors to kill one man. It wasn’t enough.
Mercia lies broken but not beaten, her alliance with Wessex in tatters.
Coelwulf, a fierce and bloody warrior, hears whispers that Mercia has been betrayed from his home in the west. He fears no man, especially not the Vikings sent to hunt him down.
To discover the truth of the rumors he hears, Coelwulf must travel to the heart of Mercia, and what he finds there will determine the fate of Mercia, as well as his own.
Author Bio:
I’m an author of fantasy (Viking age/dragon-themed) and historical fiction (Early English, Vikings, and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest). I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point in 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it’s little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!
I write A LOT.
Not sure where to start your journey through Early England? Here are some pointers.
If you like action-adventure, with a heavy dose of violence, foul language, and good old camaraderie – The Ninth Century series is for you, starting with The Last King, or The Seventh Century, starting with Pagan Warrior has a little more politics to go with the set-piece battles.
If you like stories about the forgotten women of history, then the Tenth Century series, starting with The Lady of Mercia’s Daughter, is a good place to begin. Or, The First Queen of England, with a little more romance.
If you’re interested in Early England’s last century (before 1066), then The Earls of Mercia series is for you.
If you want to read it all, you can read it in chronological order or mix it up. The series wasn’t written in chronological order.
The Last King Review:
The Last King is an action-packed adventure of backstabbing, bravery, and battles!
If you are in the mood for a gripping battle adventure, then this is the book! The author writes the battle scenes in a detailed and raw manner. Moreover, the author pulls you with the characters, and you feel like you are alongside Lord Coelwulf as his team battles the Raiders. The author also describes the violence and injuries in a gut-wrenching manner. It was interesting to see how some characters dealt with infections during that time.
I also enjoyed Coelwulf as the main character. He is ambitious, brave, and knows how to take charge. The main reason why I liked reading this story was the battle was between two powerhouses. The Jarls make for excellent villains. While you know that Coelwulf and his army are substantial, at times, you wonder if they are a match for the Jarls. There is never a dull moment in the story as the author keeps you on your toes with action.
However, some moments staggered for me in the tale. For instance, (and this is just my personal opinion), but there were many cusses that I felt was unnecessary. Similarly, it felt disconnected from the way they would have spoken at the time. Also, I thought the book focused a lot on the action and not much on the characters. The story is primarily plot-based, and it would have been nice to add character development as well. And lastly, at times, the story did feel slightly one-sided in favor of Lord Coelwulf while dumbing down the Raiders, which did not feel realistic.
Apart from that, I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to seeing how it continues.
Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of The Last King by M.J. Porter! Two paperbacks are up for grabs!
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on January 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
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Blog Tour Schedule:
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Last King by M.J. Porter Blog Tour hosted by HFVirtual Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!
