Favourite son and heir to the powerful Norwegian king Harald Fairhair, Eirik was destined for greatness from the moment he was born. But his journey to becoming the second king of Norway was not an easy one. His first taste of battle comes at eleven when his father gives him three longships. Eirik spends the next nine years as a Viking, raiding in the east, west and north. Spurred on by his cunning wife Gunnhild, Eirik grows ever more ambitious and stops at nothing to achieve his goal of ruling all of Norway. His methods are brutal and bloody, and he gains a reputation as one of the most fearsome warriors in all of Scandinavia -- earning him the nickname Bloodaxe. As Eirik's power grows, so too does his list of enemies. Among them are vindictive berserks, wealthy jarls, and a dozen of his half-brothers conspiring to seize the throne. His conquests even lead him to Northumbria, where he clashes with the mighty King Athelstan of England. Through it all, Eirik remains fiercely determined to succeed, and his iron will and unshakable courage make him a force to be reckoned with. Åsli and Bakkejord deftly weave together history, action, and drama to create a fascinating portrait of Eirik Bloodaxe. Their vivid descriptions of Viking life and battle scenes are sure to transport readers back in time to this fascinating era. At its heart, this is a story about a man who was both a hero and a villain; a man driven by ambitions and desires, who left a lasting impact on Norway and England alike. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or just looking for a thrilling read, Bloodaxe is not to be missed.
