Book Review: Betrayal of Mercia by MJ Porter

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming back MJ Porter to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for their latest book, Betrayal of Mercia – book seven in the Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. 

A King in crisis, a Queen on trial, a Kingdom’s survival hangs in the balance.

Londonia, AD835

The deadly conspiracy against the children of Ealdorman Coenwulf is to be resolved. Those involved have been unmasked and arrested. But will justice prevail?

While the court convenes to determine the conspirator’s fate, King Wiglaf’s position is precarious. His wife, Queen Cynethryth, has been implicated in the plot and while Wiglaf must remain impartial, enemies of the Mercia still conspire to prevent the full truth from ever being known.

As Merica weeps from the betrayal of those close to the King, the greedy eyes of Lord Æthelwulf, King Ecgberht of Wessex’s son, pivot once more towards Mercia. He will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal of ending Mercia’s ruling bloodline.

Mercia once more stands poised to be invaded, but this time not by the Viking raiders the so fear.

Can Icel and his fellow warriors’ triumph as Mercia once more faces betrayal from within?

*****

Queen Cynethryth is on trial. All kingdoms are in a constant state of war. Can Mercia stand against those who wish to see it fall?

This is the seventh book in the series and the first to land upon my desk.

I have read M J Porter’s wonderful Brunanburh series, so I was eager to leap into this one and I was not disappointed.

Despite not having read the previous books I was quickly caught up with major events and brought along on a fascinating ride so typical of this author.

M J Porter has a way of making you feel like you are there, and you even find yourself empathising with villains as well as the heroes.

This book was descriptive, well-paced and evocative. I will be looking for the prior books in the series so I can get the full immersive experience.

About MJ Porter –

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in 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.

The first novel in their new Anglo-Saxon series for Boldwood Books, Son of Mercia was published in February 2022. Betrayal of Mercia was released on 5th January 2025. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

Say hello to MJ Porter on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to their newsletter. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.