This was a brilliant story that I really enjoyed reading. If you have watched the TV series vikings then you will definitely love this book. It definitely reminded me of it when I was reading it. It had some great characters and was well wrote. I loved that the author created some great atmosphere and that the story flowed so well. It was a very interesting story that kept my attention throughout. I definitely recommend reading this book.

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/warrior-protector-by-peter-gibbons-boldwood-books-4-stars

Posted as part of the blog tour, sorry I thought i'd already updated NetGalley

The Vikings.. previously defeated.. fled home.. but many years have gone by and time does not heal, some still hold a grudge and it’s time to return.. time for vengeance!

These Vikings are true blood.. not the settled kind who embraced the shores of England.. the brutal murderous kind ready to spill blood.

The King needs warriors to stop this Viking force from shedding more blood, the scars from the last time at sill raw. Real warriors are needed, ones who know how to stand up to these Vikings.

This is when we meet Beornoth, he’s a man of pure strength but he’s broken. The loss of his family to Viking’s sent him spiralling into the drink.. he tumbled so far down he even lost the title Thegn and everything that comes with it!

There’s a chance to reclaim the title.. reclaim the honour associated but Beornoth is bitter and rightly so.. but a chance encounter..and a stupid amount of ale help set Beornoth on his journey of redemption… he’s pretty much left with no choice!

Along the way he faces internal battles as well as the physical ones.. can he stop the drink long enough to become the man he once was? Can he face his demons.. Will fighting the Vikings ease his suffering?

Beornoth struggles playing second fiddle a little, he’s not in command and has also been tasked to look after a boy, the son of Ealdorman Aethelhelm! He’s to train him in battle..yeh this isn’t going to be easy.

The best character for me was Wulfhere, another fallen warrior who swears his sword to Beornoth and the first 5 or 6 chapters really do hook you in and set the scene and cast and give so much development before you really even get stuck into the blood and guts of the tale. To have characters stick in your mind in so few pages is awesome and a credit to the author.

I’ve heard many a good thing about the author but this is my first foray into his world and imagination, and I’m so glad a jumped on this one and feel rather disappointed in myself that it’s taken me this long to pick up one of his books…I’ll learn from this error! Ha.

Set in 10th century England you know the book is going to be filled of blood and guts but that’s only part of it, Gibbons manages to add a wealth of depth and feeling and sets the scene so well, it’s a fiercely powerful tale of redemption.. One I’m fully committed to now!

Warrior and Protector is not your typical warrior tale of battle, it has that but it has the character depth needed to make a series succeed and I’m excited for more!

I really wish I could put some spoilers in to really give you an idea of Beornoth’s journey, there’s soo much history and meaning and this leads to some quite intense and emotional scenes that really hit you.

I don’t like to compare but I always see people do this so here we go.. you’ll love this if you enjoy authors such as Gordon Doherty, Matthew Harffy and C. R. May, each of these 4 have their own style but what they really have in common is depth. A warriors tale, a journey, with pure raw emotion flowing.

Warrior and Protector – A skull cracking 5 star!

If you enjoy fiction based on English history, then Warrior and Protector is an approachable fictional novel exploring 10th-century Britain. It is a turbulent period; conflict is rife and political instability has made England ripe for plundering. At just over 300 pages, Warrior and Protector is a comfortable size novel for somebody wanting to explore the genre. Or, as I found, it's great to pick up and delve into a quick palette-cleanser read. I temporarily set aside a more dense dark-academia novel to read this. The pace and tone make for easy reading and a refreshing change.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this book is the pace. There is plenty of action driving the narrative forward at all times. Beornoth is a man who wants to be in the thick of the fight. Scarred by his past, he jumps at the opportunity to take vengeance for the wrongs against his family. But, in order to do so, he has to fight his own personal battle in the first place. After the attack that devastates his family, he will do anything to blunt the pain. Only when the Vikings return does he clean up his act and vow to do what he can to protect others from the same fate. 
Of course, this is not easy, and something he struggles with throughout the book. It might be easy to assume that Beornoth is a shallow character, hell-bent on vengeance and war, but otherwise hollow. That is not the case at all. He is a man who does not shy away from taking up a blade, but he does so in the defence of others as much as for vengeance. Beornoth is actually a well-rounded and developed character, and I expect we can see more from him in subsequent books.
Naturally, you can expect a lot of violence and all the unpleasant things that go along with it from this narrative. The book is easy to pick up and read. However, there are some difficult subjects broached within the text. In particular, death, abuse, and references to torture are themes that come up throughout the book. If this is something that would be difficult for you to read, then perhaps this book is not for you. I would say that the content isn’t really unexpected in a novel of this type and setting. 
The books are set a little later than Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories, (aka The Last Kingdom). Even if you have read these books before, you are not going over well-trodden ground in Warrior and Protector. The overall setting is familiar. References to significant individuals in that period of history ( Alfred the Great and his daughter Ethelflaed for example) help give some grounding. Otherwise, this is a unique story in its own right; it is well worth a read if you are a fan of the genre! 
I can’t wait to read further into this series. Peter Gibbons also has another historical fiction series already published. I have a sneaking suspicion it is going to end up on my TBR!

Beornoth is a conflicted man, and one who needs to regain his standing - not just for himself either. He needs to retrieve a certain level of respect from those around him. Perhaps facing his demons will awaken the part of his soul and the warrior inside him when he gets the opportunity to confront his enemy.

It's an epic tale of battle-hardened men on both sides of the conflict. Some more battle hungry than others, because many are just forced to defend themselves against the invaders. Brutal, bloody battles fought - names are made and echo through the vast halls of history till this very day.

I enjoyed the way the author steers the story sharply away from misconceptions and tropes that are usually associated with the Vikings, Saxons and used frequently in fiction. It also gives an interesting insight into how the conflicts between them influenced history, and left a visible footprint ingrained even now in our daily lives.

Not sure why, but the title instantly brings Highland or Viking spice-rom to mind. Aside from that this is a vigorous and exciting start to a new series - Saxon Warrior. It's historical fiction or historical war and conquering fiction (is conquering fiction a thing - it should be a sub-genre). The author melds fact with fiction, but in a way that lets the read become both an enjoyable and learning experience - the best kind of historical fiction. Roll on the next book, which promises to be an exploration of a fierce and destructive period in time.

My Review: I am pretty new to this genre and it takes me a while to read through but I am completely fascinated by the story. The old maps, bellies full of beef, the fights and language used and the Kingdoms. I can lose myself in the darkness and light of the story. The Author has done a great job putting this story together. I definitely recommend it to those who are already fans of the genre

Trying to retrieve his reputation, Beornoth will fight to protect the Saxons against the degradation of the Vikings, in particular Skarde Wartooth, Viking leader. A brutal and skilled fighter, Beornoth fights not only for the Saxon people, but the family he lost due to these raiders. Awaiting the 2nd installment...

I really enjoyed this book. A great read from one warriors perspective throughout the whole book.
The story takes you back to a Britain plagued by fragile peace, war and of course Viking raiders. We follow the main character ‘Beo’ through thick and thin and you really start to understand his personality, the good and the bad.

Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy a more bloodthirsty battle emphasis story line.

This action-packed historical novel is a feast for fans of books set in Anglo-Saxon England.

After several peaceful years, the Vikings are back. Under the leadership of Olaf Tryggvason, Skarde Wartooth is keen to wreak havoc on unsuspecting English settlers, seeking revenge for the ousted Norse at York decades earlier.

Meanwhile, we meet Beornoth, a former Saxon thegn whose life has taken a turn for the worse. Now living as a drunk, in a miserly position of guarding a village from thieves, he is a poor shadow of his former warrior self. But when he is recalled to face the new threat from the returning Northmen, he has the opportunity to redeem himself.

Warrior and Protector is a gripping tale of warfare, revenge, and battles. Set against the fascinating historical background of a uniting England and renewed attacks from Vikings seeking revenge, you find a riveting, fast-paced plot full of rather unlikeable characters (but perfectly fitting into their era).

I didn't like Beornoth at all early on, and my sympathies lay firmly with Skarde to start with, as the more interesting character. But Beornoth turns it around as the story progresses. His learning curve is a steep one, and it's fascinating to read.

The author has a real grasp of the history and the characters of those turbulent times, and it shines through strongly in the novel. At times too much historical description, perhaps, slowing the pace down in places, but I found it very interesting.

Warrior and Protector is not for the faint-hearted. It is rough, honest, and brutal in places. The harsh reality is not glossed over. But we also see personal development as well, which gives the novel a realistic, human edge.

A great start to a new series!

I love this period of history and found this book both fascinating and exciting. The author has obviously put so much research into this, it just reads like I can see it playing out on a screen. Most definitely unputdownable, I raced through it wishing for more. I really hope there will be more in this series very soon. In the meantime you will find me reading The Viking Blood and Blade series!

The Vikings have been expelled from York following the death of Erik Bloodaxe. A blood thirsty battle presumes between the Saxons and the Vikings.
I was slightly hesitant to read this one as it is very different from my usual style of book but I really did enjoy reading this as it was something different. A change is as good as a holiday! It did take me a while to understand the language but I was grateful for the index at the beginning of the book.I particularly enjoyed the descriptive and intriguing battles. This is so action packed it is not exciting.
The start of a brand new series that is unputdownable and fast paced and action packed. Fans of Bernad Cornwell will devour this.

Warrior and Protector by Peter Gibbons: Another Netgalley request. I made it because the author namechecked Bernard Cornwell and David Gemmell, but I think Gibbons took different things from them than I did. The book’s start centres on a bloodthirsty, vengeful Viking warrior, but the most interesting battles in either of the namechecked’s books were always internal – either in the hero’s mind, or between the heroes and his supposed allies. Maybe if I’d stuck with it longer I’d have found that, but, well, see the bit about where I’m impatient.

Warrior and Protector takes the reader to England in the late 980s.

While England may have been largely peaceful and free from attacks from the Viking raiders for the last thirty years, Beornoth, once a respected thegn, is tormented by his own failings as a husband, warrior and father. Only the return of his despised enemy can rouse him from his drunken stupor. And luckily for Beornoth, but not for the English, the Viking raiders are about to make an unwelcome return to the eastern shores of England. Beornoth is forced to face his enemy and his past and, in the process, make a few new enemies as well.

This tale of England in the 980s resounds with the fierceness of battle-hardened men, both the English and the Viking raiders, and the concluding battle is portrayed in fierce and bloody detail.

I'm looking forward to following this series that will take readers to one of the best-known battles in Saxon England.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

I really enjoyed Peter Gibbons series "Viking Blood and Blade" so I was thrilled to see a new series starter from him.
I absolutely could not stop reading this and tore through it in one sitting, much to the dismay of my sleep schedule. This was an exciting read, the battles were well detailed without losing the action in the tiny bits, Characters were life like and likeable. I loved this historical details and facts as well.

I look forward to more stories in the series!

Scar is fighting for revenge. Beorneth has something to prove but in the end it will become personal between these two men. This is one of the best Viking stories I have ever read. Not only worth the fight scenes intense but it was historically accurate with a pulse pounding plot and unlike in most biking stories does even a man to route four in Beorneth. He is the bastard son of the Saxton King mistreated by the Saxton‘s that should treat him like Brother his only friend is wolf and I could go on and on. Despite a four-year peace treaty score his back and looking for revenge and land that doesn’t even belong to him. There are many other reasons why the fight is an evitable but the Vikings will not win as easily Escobar believes. I love this book and can’t wait for the second one. If all those authors books or historically accurate and intense is this one signed me up. I wish I could give a better summary but I’m just here to tell you if you love warrior stories this isn’t your typical tail. I will have to call this a legitimate war story it was awesome! I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Wow! I can honestly say I was surprised how good this story was and I can't recommend it enough. Great characters, great story and uncontrollable ride. A must read,!!!

I read this in a few days ! Couldn’t put it down. Just when you think nothing else could possibly happen in this story something comes along and makes your jaw drop. It was an emotional ride !

What a great read. Was tough to put down, and a joy to pick up. Rubbish for reading in bed because my blood was pumping in every battle scene. Well done. Beornoth is a cracking character to rival Logan Ninefingers, and Wulfhere and him make a great team. Looking forward to reading the next one!