Yaayss:

I. Alfred's evolution from a spare who primarily cares about drinking and women, to his evolution as the king with all his pressing responsibilities

2. The battle scenes - for all their gore and comedy and unexpected turns - were a pleasant surprise.

3. Alfred's use of religion (and expensive churches and relics) as a uniting point for splintered loyalties of the thanes, especially against the Danes and their evocation of their gods and legends.

4. The unexpected bloodthirstyness of the men of the cloth. I was gawking at them cheering on some of the going ons.

Mehs :

1. Time and time again, Alfred is caught asleep at the wheel when the Danes come raiding almost to his front door. I really wanted to see a strategic side to his kingship.


My thanks to Netgalley and the author for the eARC. All opinions my own!

A very bloody read. If you like Vikings and want a graphic read than this is an excellent selection for you.

The story of an English king, Alfred the Great, whom most of us have heard of but know very little about. He lived at a time of great violence with the constant threat of invasion from the marauding Vikings.
The author has clearly undertaken a great deal of research into Alfred and has used his vivid imagination to fill in the unknown gaps in the King's life. Alfred was a sickly man, who had to hide his medical condition, possibly Crohn's disease, from his warrior lords.
He was a great tactician & warrior who knew instinctively when to retreat to save his men, to enable the ragtag army to fight another day.
I found it fun trying to translate the ancient names of towns into their current names eg Exanceaster (Exeter).
The battle scenes against the Danes are particularly gory and are very true to the type of tactics used by both sides.
In summary, a well-written book, and I am really looking forward to the sequel to better understand Alfred's impact on the foundations of England.

Pretty quick read. This is Alfred the Great's story from Alfred's viewpoint. He is shown as a warrior, brother, husband, father, and king, and an emotional character. Then end leaves us concerned for Alfred and ready for more.

The Heathen Horde by Steven A. McKay takes readers on a gripping historical adventure set in the tumultuous times of Viking invasions and the rise of Alfred the Great. While this period of historical fiction isn't my usual genre of choice, this book provided a welcome departure from my typical reading fare. McKay's meticulous attention to historical detail is evident throughout the narrative, immersing readers in the brutal and unforgiving world of 9th-century Britain.

The story revolves around the rise of Alfred, a young warrior destined to become a pivotal figure in British history. The relentless onslaught of the Great Heathen Army, with their feared longships, is depicted with a savage intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat. McKay paints a vivid picture of the brutality of the time, and while the level of detail can be overwhelming at moments, it undeniably adds depth to the narrative.

However, I found myself struggling to fully connect with the story due to the writing style. While the historical accuracy is commendable, I felt a slight detachment from the characters and their experiences. Nonetheless, for enthusiasts of Viking fiction and historical dramas, this book offers a thrilling ride through a crucial period in British history.