Loki's Deceit by Donovan Cook

"The gods are bastards. We all know that. They are mischievous and like to cause chaos just to amuse themselves. And it seems that was what they intended when they brought my grandson to me. Chaos." 

"All he knew was that God had placed the cross in his hands and the kings of Francia wanted him dead because of it".

Loki's Deceit by Donovan Cook is an enthralling and accomplished historical novel, set in Denmark and Francia, AD 854.

This is the second book in the Charlemagne's Cross series, following Odin's Betrayal. This book reads as a standalone, as the events of the first book are recounted here, though it would help reading the previous novel to better understand the dynamics between the main protagonists, and also the political intrigues that set the actions.

Blurb:

Loki's Deceit

A king, old and frail

A challenger filled with vengeance. A kingdom's fate at stake.

Sven the Boar is Jarl of Ribe once more. He and Charles try to settle into their new lives, but trouble and treachery are never too far away.

Tormented by recent events, Charles struggles to adapt to life among the heathens that mock his Christian God and the arrival of a priest from the south only makes things worse.

Meanwhile, Sven is burdened with the responsibilities of being Jarl again and protecting his grandson from those hunting him.

When forced into an alliance with King Horik's nephew who is raising an army to challenge his uncle for the throne of Denmark, Sven makes and important decision.

As the threat of war becomes real, Sven rides to fight the battle that will change the destiny of Denmark.

But while he fights, will Charles remain safe or are other games in play that threaten him?

Summer AD 854

Following the events narrated in Odin's Betrayal, we meet young Charles and his grandfather Sven the Boar in Ribe. After killing his own brother for the ultimate betrayal, Sven is a Jarl, albeit a reluctant one. All he is looking for is safety and protection for his grandson. 

"Sven had hated the gods because Odin refused to let him die, no matter how much he wanted to or how badly others had beaten him. He had survived when he should have died many times over... Sven lived because Odin wanted him alive. Or perhaps it had been Loki all along, tormenting Sven to amuse himself."

Once a powerful jarl and a warrior of great renown, Sven is not accepted by everyone as the new Jarl of Ribe. There are old factions which hate him and want him gone. And he would have left, if he didn't have to protect his grandson.

Like his late father, Torkel, Charles is a Christian. This puts a big strain on his relationship with Sven who adheres to the "false idols" rather than one true God. Despite being threatened many times, he doesn't believe in violence being a solution. The stubborn child doesn't even want to train and be able to defend himself, and insists that he wants to be a priest.

Charles "wondered if he would ever find a place where he would not be judged or beaten up because of who he was or who his family was".

On Sven's insistence, Charles is tutored by the shield maiden Thora to defend himself. 

Sven "knew it was his fault for the strained relationship between him and his grandson. He had tried to understand the boy, who looked more like Torkel every day, but Charles's Christianity was a difficult thing for him to accept..."

King Horik is weak, and his exiled nephew Guttrom is raising a rebellion against him, in order to usurp the power. Sven is approached by Guttrom with an offer he cannot refuse. His own and his grandson's survival will depend on the outcome of the battle for the throne of Denmark. 

Charles is a chess piece on a big board, played by two opposing parties. There are threats on all sides. Is he going to remain in a relative safety while the big events are taking place?

Charles' character is portrayed sympathetically. An orphaned child, surviving among the people who distrust his faith, he is vulnerable, earnest, naive.

The main characters are masterfully developed, and are multi-dimensional.

Love the character of shield maiden Thora, she is a total badass, courageous, brave and also compassionate and kind. She becomes a wise mentor to young Charles.

The pace of the story doesn't slow down. The intricate plot is full of twists and intrigues. The battle scenes feel realistic, with all the gore, sounds and smells.

If you're a fan of historical fiction set in the Dark Ages, you will not be disappointed.

Donovan Cook blends authentic period background with a cinematographic penchant for dramatic. You can easily see these novels adapted as a TV series.

Loki's Deceit is very enjoyable, intriguing and dramatic. A gripping page turner.

This post is part of the blog tour for Loki's Deceit. Many thanks to Donovan Cook and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/LokisDeceitSocial

Author Bio –

Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology

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