Member Review
Review by
Niki M, Media/Journalist
Book Review “Son of Mercia” by MJ Porter
FEBRUARY 16, 2022 ~ NIKIPRESTON
SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB
Son of Mercia
Tamworth, Mercia AD825.
The once-mighty kingdom of Mercia is in perilous danger.
Their King, Beornwulf lies dead and years of bitter in-fighting between the nobles, and cross border wars have left Mercia exposed to her enemies.
King Ecgberht of Wessex senses now is the time for his warriors to strike and exact his long-awaited bloody revenge on Mercia.
King Wiglaf, has claimed his right to rule Mercia, but can he unite a disparate Kingdom against the might of Wessex who are braying for blood and land?
Can King Wiglaf keep the dragons at bay or is Mercia doomed to disappear beneath the wings of the Wessex wyvern?
Can anyone save Mercia from destruction?
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3qTnTNN
REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS
Son Of Mercia is an extraordinary book. I was thoroughly drawn in from the beginning and my attention was held right to the end. I will absolutely be awaiting the next book in this new series with eagerness.
The story is told from the main Character, Icel’s point of view. We learn about the life and struggles taking place Mercia. The subsequent kings that take, what they feel is their rightful place only to make things for Mercia and it’s people ever worse.
Icel is a young boy being cared for by his uncle, His Mother died in child birth and he does not know who is Father is. No one else appears to know either. We do find out but I am not going to spoil that revelation but does Icel ever learn the truth? would he really want to? he is a caring young boy helping the old woman healer prepare her medicines and potions. He watches her closely and learns a lot ftom her as she tends to wounded warriors returning from battles. This knowledge proves helpful to Icel as his journey into manhood continues.
MJ Porter skilfully portrays the hardship felt by Icel and his brother Edwin. Edwin is not really his blood relative but they are brought up together. Edwin wants nothing more than to be a brave warrior, whilst Icel is content with his healing. He compares himself often to Edwin and admires him greatly, but is betrayal round the corner? The writing is wonderfully descriptive and holds the readers attention. I found myself caring about Icel and willed him to find a life that he wants.
The author’s notes are really interesting and shows the extent of the research into this era that MJ Porter has gone to and this shines through his writing. I have always loved historical fiction surrounding Scottish Clearance Novels and Irish history and for me the Son of Mercia is right up there with the best of them. This is a well written, well rounded story that takes you on a journey of a child, becoming a man and living in treacherous times. He has to survive not only betrayal but a great loss along the way and I can not wait to see what becomes of Icel. Based on true historical facts alongside some artistic licence, Son of Mercia is an entertaining story of Anglo-Saxon history with a damn fine story thrown in.
Author Bio –
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.
Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/coloursofunison
https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163404.M_J_Porter
With thanks for the Advance copy for a #Blogtour to….
Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/
MJ Porter https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/
Boldwood Books https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/
FEBRUARY 16, 2022 ~ NIKIPRESTON
SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB
Son of Mercia
Tamworth, Mercia AD825.
The once-mighty kingdom of Mercia is in perilous danger.
Their King, Beornwulf lies dead and years of bitter in-fighting between the nobles, and cross border wars have left Mercia exposed to her enemies.
King Ecgberht of Wessex senses now is the time for his warriors to strike and exact his long-awaited bloody revenge on Mercia.
King Wiglaf, has claimed his right to rule Mercia, but can he unite a disparate Kingdom against the might of Wessex who are braying for blood and land?
Can King Wiglaf keep the dragons at bay or is Mercia doomed to disappear beneath the wings of the Wessex wyvern?
Can anyone save Mercia from destruction?
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3qTnTNN
REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS
Son Of Mercia is an extraordinary book. I was thoroughly drawn in from the beginning and my attention was held right to the end. I will absolutely be awaiting the next book in this new series with eagerness.
The story is told from the main Character, Icel’s point of view. We learn about the life and struggles taking place Mercia. The subsequent kings that take, what they feel is their rightful place only to make things for Mercia and it’s people ever worse.
Icel is a young boy being cared for by his uncle, His Mother died in child birth and he does not know who is Father is. No one else appears to know either. We do find out but I am not going to spoil that revelation but does Icel ever learn the truth? would he really want to? he is a caring young boy helping the old woman healer prepare her medicines and potions. He watches her closely and learns a lot ftom her as she tends to wounded warriors returning from battles. This knowledge proves helpful to Icel as his journey into manhood continues.
MJ Porter skilfully portrays the hardship felt by Icel and his brother Edwin. Edwin is not really his blood relative but they are brought up together. Edwin wants nothing more than to be a brave warrior, whilst Icel is content with his healing. He compares himself often to Edwin and admires him greatly, but is betrayal round the corner? The writing is wonderfully descriptive and holds the readers attention. I found myself caring about Icel and willed him to find a life that he wants.
The author’s notes are really interesting and shows the extent of the research into this era that MJ Porter has gone to and this shines through his writing. I have always loved historical fiction surrounding Scottish Clearance Novels and Irish history and for me the Son of Mercia is right up there with the best of them. This is a well written, well rounded story that takes you on a journey of a child, becoming a man and living in treacherous times. He has to survive not only betrayal but a great loss along the way and I can not wait to see what becomes of Icel. Based on true historical facts alongside some artistic licence, Son of Mercia is an entertaining story of Anglo-Saxon history with a damn fine story thrown in.
Author Bio –
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.
Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/coloursofunison
https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163404.M_J_Porter
With thanks for the Advance copy for a #Blogtour to….
Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/
MJ Porter https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/
Boldwood Books https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/
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