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J C Duncan
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The Fire of the Fallen: A Viking saga (The Light of the North saga Book 2) Kindle Edition

by J C Duncan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,116 ratings

The cruel blade of fate takes the bravest hearts first. New heroes will be forged in the fire of the fallen.

The second volume In J. C. Duncan's breakout Norse saga series

Alternate history - 1117 AD. The first Crusade has torn its way through Denmark, bringing fire and the sword to all who refuse to submit to the soldiers of Christendom. The lords of the west stand astride the ruins of Jutland and turn their eyes eastward across the cold sea, to the homeland of the Aesir themselves.

Ordulf faces the consequences of capture by a Norse warband. Taken to their capital in slavery, he now serves the enemies of the cross, making the very weapons they carry against his people. He faces a terrible choice; to accept his fate, or be destroyed by it.

Reeling from the loss of three kings and a kingdom, the Norse gather in the home of their gods to choose a new ruler and prepare to meet the coming storm. The great host of the crusade will march again, and the people of the North will meet them with steel and shields and the death cries of their heroes.

Reader's reviews of volume 1:

'This novel is an incredibly well-written book with a compelling storyline'

'Wonderfully written alternative history. Couldn't put it down.'

'Absolutely seamless! A song of Steel is a debut novel that heralds epic fantasy in its rawest form.'

'JC Duncan masterfully makes history take a different direction!'

'A heck of a fine yarn!'

'This is hands down one of the best debuts I've read in a long time and easily the best book I've read this year so far.'
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  1. Book 2 of 5
    The Light of the North saga
  2. Print length
    466 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    November 28, 2021
  5. File size
    2.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 5 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JFCBR7G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (November 28, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 28, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 466 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,116 ratings

About the author

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J C Duncan

J C Duncan

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James Duncan has always been an avid reader of Historical Fiction and Fantasy, with a bit of sci-fi and apocalyptic fiction on the side. He always loved reading and the desire to write eventually became insurmountable when he finally felt he had a story worth telling. That story was the saga of Ljós a Norðan; The Light of the North, an epic alternate history of the end of the Viking era, a legendary warrior and the magical sword he supposedly wielded. Inspired by the Norse and Icelandic sagas, and rooted firmly in reality with a sprinkling of alternate history and mythology brought to life, the series explores a titanic and climactic clash of civilizations between the Norse nations of Scandinavia, and the Christian nations of continental Europe.

James has a 5 book historical fiction series 'The Last Viking' about the extraordinary life of Harald Hardrada being published with Boldwood books starting with 'Warrior Prince'. This series will chart the life and adventures of the famous Norwegian king, whose life was beyond imagination, and whose death defined an era.

When he isn't writing or doing his full-time engineering job, James is happiest being an amateur bladesmith, forging knives in the shed he built in his garden.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,116 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's strong plot and wonderful characters. They find it absolutely brilliant to read, with one customer particularly appreciating Bernard Cornwell's writing style.

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8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, praising its strong plot and rich characterization, with one customer noting its well-researched content and another highlighting its engaging fight scenes.

"...as if by excellent actors in a film, conflicted, engaging and complex. Nothing wasted here, either in relationships or action." Read more

"...It was compelling to watch his struggle finding the balance of belonging to his new group versus doing what was in his own self-interest...." Read more

"...Best historical depiction I have read in a long while." Read more

"I have read the books in this series and I love the storyline and full and imaginative characters and the historical sides. I can't wait for more!" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book.

"Not at all formulaic or predictable. The characters are portrayed as if by excellent actors in a film, conflicted, engaging and complex...." Read more

"...the books in this series and I love the storyline and full and imaginative characters and the historical sides. I can't wait for more!" Read more

"...A couple of the characters are well drawn but their journey seems to be an endless one to get where they are hoping to arrive...." Read more

"The author has been able to make a great effort to develop the characters in his tales. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series.,..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book absolutely brilliant to read, with one customer particularly appreciating the perspective from both the North men.

"...the church, French, and Holy Roman Empire in this book was absolutely brilliant to read, and I loved the addition of Bishop Reinhard...." Read more

"a book worth reading. enjoyable reading." Read more

"...me, the best historical fiction I have read including the great stuff by Bernard Cornwell...." Read more

"Liked reading from both the North men & Saxon sides of the war, and the slaves lives. The funeral pyre ceremony at the lake brought me to tears...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mac Bogert
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well-researched, well- scripted series
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Not at all formulaic or predictable. The characters are portrayed as if by excellent actors in a film, conflicted, engaging and complex. Nothing wasted here, either in relationships or action.
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  • Christopher Monceaux
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Sequel with an Interesting Look at Viking Society
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    If you enjoy reading about the Vikings, this is definitely a series you don't want to miss. The author does a fantastic job of bringing their culture to life through multiple points of view. Ordulf's story continued here with him enslaved by Jarl Ragnvald, which provided a unique window into life within the lowest rungs of the Viking society. His journey in this book was one of accepting his circumstances and his place within them without losing his own sense of self. It was compelling to watch his struggle finding the balance of belonging to his new group versus doing what was in his own self-interest. He made some choices that shocked me, and I couldn't help feeling a bit heartbroken for him when things didn't go the way he expected. Ragnvald's POV allowed for the continued exploration of Viking politics and what it means to be an honorable Viking warrior. The Christian viewpoints in this book were just as interesting, though. The political maneuvering between the church, French, and Holy Roman Empire in this book was absolutely brilliant to read, and I loved the addition of Bishop Reinhard. He is probably my favorite character in this series now because of his ruthless political acumen and uncanny ability to read and manipulate others to get what he wants. The fights in the book were brutal, and the author made me squirm in my seat with his vivid descriptions of the violence. I also really enjoyed reading all the battle strategies from both sides of the fighting. It made me feel like I was in the planning room before the battle and, then later, in the midst of the fighting. Despite all the great things about the book, the thing I found most interesting was the incorporation of true historical figures and seeing how they might have reacted if history had taken a different turn. While reading, the book felt well-researched and authentic, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next. Therefore, it easily gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.
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  • Tammi Barnes
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing series!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I love how I see this war from both sides. From the perspective of the Christian knights to the honor and fighting code of the Norse. It is on the edge of your seat battle scenes where I can’t bear for either side to fall! Best historical depiction I have read in a long while.
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  • HARALD G. HALL
    5.0 out of 5 stars a must read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
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    a book worth reading. enjoyable reading.
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  • ROXANNE SANDERS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful characters!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I have read the books in this series and I love the storyline and full and imaginative characters and the historical sides. I can't wait for more!
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  • The New Achilles
    3.0 out of 5 stars A long muddy road that seems to have no end
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It's difficult to write a not so great review about an author that seems such a likable and earnest fellow. I read his discussion at the end of his first book about why he wanted to write and some of his favorite authors. I was taken in immediately when he was so effusive concerning Christian Cameron who is my favorite historical fiction writer, his series on the Long War is, to me, the best historical fiction I have read including the great stuff by Bernard Cornwell. Unfortunately, I don't think alternative history is a great starting point for this author. It seems much harder to write than actual historical fiction where you have some firm grounding points of historical events. Moreover, this author has a very difficult time writing battle scenes and while he does have a real interest and knack for describing forging and weapon creating techniques, he doesn't seem to have as much experience with battle set pieces. We forget sometimes that when an author writes historical fiction there are actual battles he is describing where the terrain and tactics are laid out in front of you which allows the author to just move his characters around in that already created environment. When you're writing fantasy, you can throw all sorts of nonsense into the game and have fun with it, magic, gods or anything else you want to throw in to push your narrative in an exciting way. In alternative history fiction you don't have that luxury, you are stuck with the historically correct tools of the time including weapons and the terrain you've chosen. This means you have to create battles out of whole cloth which is pretty difficult to do well; as generations of mediocre to bad generals can tell you. I've read two of the books now and perhaps they're going somewhere but I don't believe it's my destiny to find out where. A couple of the characters are well drawn but their journey seems to be an endless one to get where they are hoping to arrive. I admire this author's enthusiasm and he clearly has some talent but let the Norns snip the thread from this story and start one a little easier to guide.
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  • Nancy Roberts
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1st book of mostly Viking fighting that brought me to tears at the funeral pyre
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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    Liked reading from both the North men & Saxon sides of the war, and the slaves lives. The funeral pyre ceremony at the lake brought me to tears. In most books the Viking are not presented with such deep feelings!!
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  • Gary Brozenich
    5.0 out of 5 stars A unique look at an important time
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I was impressed to read that the list of authors suggested by Duncan was a list of people that I have read. It led me to compare. Duncan opened a new process of presentation that was special and fun at the same time. His descriptions of life in slavery opened a whole new understanding for the reader that easily transfers to slavery all through out history. It easily follows through all four books. I am anxious for book 5. Gary Brozenich
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Top reviews from other countries

  • froattj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Greatly entertaining
    Reviewed in Canada on December 15, 2021
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    Like Duncans first book in this series, it is well written, excellent battle scenes, great character development. Well worth the read. Looking forward to the next book
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  • andrew tinsley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in Australia on July 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love how I see this war from both sides. From the perspective of the Christian knights to the honor and fighting code of the Norse. It is on the edge of your seat battle scenes where I can’t bear for either side to fall! Best historical depiction I have read in a long while.
    Report
  • Keith Prangnell
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Fire of the Fallen
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I found this to be a cracking story and a good follow-up to the first in the series. The characters have now bedded themselves in and have become a focus for the readers interest, the whole story is becoming something rather special.
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  • Ted Kennedy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Warning Ending given away in Modern era chapters Dkip them!!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    First of all I really enjoyed the first book and quickly ordered the second It as good if not better than the first There is one major fault that very much disappointed me. As he did in the first the author begins and ends with current day chapters the both focus on the sword in the title and the Saga it inspired however in the second two professor types openly discuss the results of the Crusade and it’s place in Norse history Thanks for nothing I would have liked to have the ending as an ending instead of an introductory point Now a lot of suspense is gone If you want avoid this error fo not read the modern parts Save them until you finish Vol 3
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  • Matt M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Review
    Reviewed in Australia on July 25, 2024
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    Am really enjoying this while series. Very well written and detailed. You get to know the characters and their situation in the bigger picture.
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