Book Review: Sword of Vengeance by Peter Gibbons

Published February 6, 2024 | By Chris Parish

We’re pleased to be welcoming Peter Gibbons back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his book, Sword of Vengeance.

In the aftermath of the great battle of Maldon, justice is demanded and vengeance will be served!

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King Aethelred’s the Unready’s army has been defeated at the historic Battle of Maldon by Viking invaders led by Olaf Tryggvason and King Sweyn Forkbeard.

The strategic turning point of the battle was when Godric, an East Saxon Thegn, fled the battlefield taking with him the Saxon army, leaving behind his brothers to be massacred in a welter of blood and Norse axe blades.

Saxon warrior Beornoth emerges from the ashes of defeat with his heart aflame with vengeance and when King Aethelred sends for Beornoth with orders to punish those traitors responsible for the crushing defeat, he heeds the king’s call.

With a small band of loyal warriors, Beornoth embarks on an unforgiving journey across the perilous landscape to seek out Godric and exact his bloody revenge. They must fight their way through a world teeming with political intrigue, shifting alliances and the ever-present threat of the Vikings.

Can Beornoth triumph over insurmountable odds in this pulse pounding quest for retribution?

*****

In the fourth instalment of the Saxon Warrior series, Godric has fled the battlefield with the Saxon army, leaving King Aethelred and the remaining solders to be defeated by the Vikings, led by Olaf and King Sweyn Forkbeard.

Saxon Warrior, Beornoth hears King Aethelred’s call and seeks vengeance against those who deserted the battle. Will he succeed in this quest?

Having read previous novels in this series, I was intrigued to see what was next for the vast array of characters. Once again, I was pulled into a rich, well-developed story where I became engrossed quickly.

If this would be your first dive into the Saxon Warrior series, reading the other novels would be beneficial but not essential. Enough background is given to bring the reader up to speed.

It’s clear that Peter Gibbons undertakes a massive amount of historical research for these books and it continues to be evident with Sword of Vengeance. A book like this appeals to my love of history and has ignited an interest in the time period.

Beornoth continues to be the quintessential Warrior who shows a loyalty to those who face injustice. Olaf continues to be his mirror, making decisions on what he believes in. Does this put either of them in the right? Is it just back to the continuous cycle of act, revenge, act, revenge until in the end, there are really no winners.

This book did not disappoint. It has plenty of action, intrigue and battles. Think Game of Thrones based on real events. I recommend.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

About Peter Gibbons –

Peter Gibbons is a financial advisor and author of the highly acclaimed Viking Blood and Blade trilogy.

He comes to Boldwood with his new Saxon Warrior series, set around the 900 AD Viking invasion during the reign of King Athelred the Unready.

The first title of the new series, Warrior and Protector, will be published in October 2022. He originates from Liverpool and now lives with his family in County Kildare.

Sword of Vengeance was released by Boldwood Books on 2nd February 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones.

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