One King's Way (Hammer and the Cross, Book 2)

An alternate version of the Dark Ages is set in a Viking-conquered England, where a mighty new ruler plans to build an unstoppable navy of catapult-bearing warships while preventing his many enemies from rising against him.

Cleverly combining mystical visions of Norse and Christian mythologies with an alternative history of the ninth century, Harrison's (The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues) latest is an entertaining follow-up to The Hammer and the Cross. Though returning hero Shef Sigvarthsson has been made co-king of the English, at every opportunity he shucks the trappings of power and returns to his much-preferred role as blacksmith and inventor. Fleeing a disastrous attraction to his foster sister, Godive, he heads north into Viking territory, where the Way-College, run by priests dedicated to technological innovation and the god Rig, is located. Meanwhile, the Christians, led by the scholarly priest Erkenbert and the warrior Bruno, are also heading north, in search of the lance that pierced Christ's side on the cross?a relic they believe will help them build an invincible Christian Empire. In the first book, Shef angered the Ragnarsson brothers, favorites of the god Othin; now they seek to send him to Hel, where he will be their slave for eternity. The story is richly laden with detailed accounts of period naval warfare and changes in technology and culture, but one of its most satisfying pleasures is the intertwining of pagan mythologies and Christian dreams.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Shef Sigvarthsson, coruler of England, takes the fledgling navy he has chosen to build on a journey of exploration, a journey that brings him into conflict with his long-time Danish enemies as well as the rising power of the Holy Roman Empire. Set in an alternate world in which Viking culture did not fall prey to Christianity, this latest novel by Harrison (The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues, LJ 3/15/94) evokes the true spirit of the period falsely termed the Dark Ages. Fascinating details of the various Norse societies provide a rich backround for a compelling saga of a hero who rivals Arthur. A good choice for fantasy collections.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This is the second book (the first is The Hammer and the Cross [1993]) of what Harrison seems to be developing into an imposing alternative history saga about a Norse empire in ninth-century England. In it, the Norse ruler, Shef Sigvarthsson, is finding that both Christians and less civilized Norsemen want him dead, that the Norse gods are not as well suited to an established religion as was expected, and that he will need all his statecraft and technical ingenuity to keep the proverbial alligators from biting him, never mind draining the swamp. One of his creations is a huge war fleet, which is to be used for defense but also creates the potential for empire building beyond the Channel. As before, Harrison's pacing, characterization, narrative sweep, and evident research are all impressive, but the preaching against Christianity is a trifle less conspicuous. The latest saga (an apt name in this case) from Harrison's pen promises to be one of his most successful undertakings. Roland Green