Protector of Mercia by MJ Porter

Release: 5 September 2023
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Source: Rachel’s Random Resources
Find it at: Barnes & Noble , Amazon , Apple Books

A deathbed oath leaves the lives of two infants hanging in the balance.

Tamworth AD833. After successfully rescuing her husband from the Island of Sheppey, Icel hears the deathbed confession of Lady Cynehild . Then ,he starts questioning what he knows about his past, as well as his future.

Icel has to protect his sworn oath for the sake of two ailing sons . This is when the Mercian ruler, King Wiglaf punishes and banishes Lord Coenwulf for his treason against him. Icel has the dilemma to live between oaths and the secret he knows.

When kidnapping of the two children happens, Icel, good to his word, fear for their safety. He pursues their abductors into the dangerous Northern lands. He wants to discover who is behind the audacious attempt on their lives. May be the queen, the king’s son, or even Lady Ælflæd, a friend to him in the past but now the king’s son and aunt to the two abandoned children.

Alone in the Northern lands, Icel finds himself facing his worse fears. Can he rescue the children from their captor, or will he fail and lose his life in the process?

About the Author:

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels from Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. They were raised in the shadow of a building that they believed housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia – so their writing destiny was set.

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Protector of Mercia Review:

I have enjoyed watching Icel grow from the first book and his unwavering commitment to his principles, his internal turmoil, and the impending clash of loyalties and ambitions within Mercian nobility. It’s a tale of personal growth, moral integrity, and the complexities of power and responsibility in a medieval world. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world filled with power struggles, family rivalries, and uncertain loyalties. The characters grapple with their own desires, responsibilities, and the ever-present specter of political intrigue in the kingdom of Mercia.

This plot is filled with complex emotions, family dynamics, and interpersonal relationships, providing insight into the characters’ personalities and the political intrigue within the community of Kingsholm. Some of my favorite moments were the tense and uncertain political landscape within Mercia as Icel, Wulfheard, and Oswy set out on a border patrol mission while discussing the internal power struggles and the potential threats facing their kingdom.

There were moments that also had me at the edge of my seat. For instance, the author brilliantly conveys the Icel’s internal turmoil and despair as he contemplates the situation he faces. He grapples with thoughts of his loved ones, his past mistakes, and his own insignificance. There are moments like with the wolf, where we see the tension and fear escalate. The vivid descriptions of the wolf’s behavior and the carnage that follows create a sense of impending horror. Icel’s desperate struggle to free himself adds to the intense and suspenseful atmosphere, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next.

Overall “Protector of Mercia” is a wonderful addition to the series, and I hope the author continues to write more.