The Lords of the Wind
(The Saga of Hasting the Avenger, Book 1)
By C.J. Adrien
Audiobook narrated by Gildart Jackson
Orphaned as a child by a blood-feud, and sold as a slave to an exiled chieftain in Ireland, the boy Hasting had little hope of surviving to adulthood. The gods had other plans. A ship arrived at his master's longphort carrying a man who would alter the course of his destiny, and take him under his wing to teach him the ways of the Vikings. His is a story of a boy who was a slave, who became a warlord, and who helped topple an empire.
A supposed son of Ragnar Lodbrok, and referred to in the Gesta Normannorum as the Scourge of the Somme and Loire, his life exemplified the qualities of the ideal Viking. Join author and historian C.J. Adrien on an adventure that explores the coming of age of the Viking Hasting, his first love, his first great trials, and his first betrayal.
"The Lords of the Wind" by C.J. Adrien is a gold medal winner in the 2020 Reader's Favorite annual international book award.contest.
Praise for The Lords of the Wind
"If you want to sit down with an extremely well-researched tale involving heroic battles, first loves, and the making of a legend, this book is for you."
The Historical Novel Society
This is a story about a slave who became a great warrior. Born a Dane, Hasting suffers years of abuse. How he survived his childhood was a miracle in itself, but survive he did. But it isn't until he is almost killed by his master, Hagar, that Hasting's life really begins, and it is from that moment that he remembers the wise words of his father:
“What does not die is the reputation a man leaves behind at his death.”
Hasting was a character that made me feel all kinds of emotions - pity, fear, sadness, loss and love. There are moments when his calculated coldness left me with a shiver down my spine, but there were also incredibly touching and moving scenes, especially with regards to the scenes involving Gyda and Asa. Considering Hasting's dreadful beginnings it is surprising that he could function at all, but he grows into a confident warrior. During this novel Hasting learns who his friends are, he also learns that war is anything but predictable!
I had never heard the sagas of Hasting before, although there are plenty of names that die-hard fans of this era will recognise, such as Björn Ironside. Nothing much is knowing about the early years of Hasting's life, but I like the idea that the author had run with - a lost son of Ragnar!
If you love everything Viking, then this book should be on your to-read list. I enjoyed every minute of it.
This series is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.
Read the series in order:
The Lords of the Wind (Book 1)
In the Shadow of the Beast(Book 2)
C.J. Adrien
C.J. Adrien is a bestselling and award-winning author of Viking historical fiction novels with a passion for Viking history. His Saga of Hasting the Avenger series was inspired by research conducted in preparation for a doctoral program in early medieval history as well as his admiration for historical fiction writers such as Ken Follett and Bernard Cornwell. He is also a published historian on the subject of Vikings, with articles featured in historical journals such as L’Association des Amis de Noirmoutier, in France. His novels and expertise have earned him invitations to speak at several international events, including the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), conferences on Viking history in France, among others.
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Thank you to The Coffee Pot Book Club for giving me the opportunity to showcase this novel.
