PRESENTS. . .
Éire's Devil King
Book 3 of Éire's Viking Trilogy
by Sandi Layne
Release Date: April 2 , 2015
Published by The Writers Coffee Shop
Genre: FICTION / Historical Fiction Time Periods/ Medieval / Viking
A man of ability and ambition, Tuirgeis Erlingrson has nurtured the desire to carve a place of leadership for himself on the Green Island, Éire, that he has raided multiple times. After the death of his wife in Nordweg, he takes his surviving son to Éire. Having connections with his adopted brother, Cowan, and Agnarr, his former countryman, Tuirgeis feels he has the support he needs to make his claims strong.
Agnarr is torn. His promise to Aislinn to remain with her on Éire is still in force, and he resists Tuirgeis’s requests to join the conquering forces from Nordweg. He desires above all things to maintain a safe home for his wife and children in Dal Fíatach. Charis encourages Cowan to do the same, though this makes for tense moments between them.
After initial disastrous attempts to achieve his ambition, Tuirgeis comes to learn that there is more to claiming a kingship than merely overpowering the locals. Tuirgeis finds himself at odds with the very people he had hoped would reinforce him. In addition, he wants to establish his father-line. He has one son; he wants another to be born of Éire. Will the woman of his choice accept and support him?
At length, Agnarr and Aislinn—though she is heavy with child—sail with Cowan and Charis to join Tuirgeis as he battles over one final summer to attain the High Kingship of the island.
Tuirgeis knows he doesn’t have long to make his claims; the Danes are coming in greater numbers than before. As he wins men of Éire to his cause, he has to maintain the relationships he has already fostered with Agnarr and Cowan. Charis finds that her Otherworldly gifts are needed by a man she considers her enemy.
This is the final installment in the trilogy and I have reveled in the stories of these characters. It's been fascinating, and enlightening, honestly, getting the perspective of the Viking invaders as well as seeing the blending of pagan and Christian beliefs of the Irish people as their island changes. Ms. Layne's attention to detail in the history, customs, language, and even the brutality of battle only heightened the experience. Add to that the complexity of the characters, Agnarr, Charis, Cowan, Aislinn, and Tuirgeis...
Ah, Tuirgeis...we met him in Eire's Captive Moon and he's appeared throughout the story. In Eire's Devil King, he is a more central character and I didn't find him as compelling as the others. Tuirgeis is a charismatic man--he has to be to inspire men to follow him. He showed his more compassionate side at times. But his behavior otherwise rather negated any connection I may have felt, and I found myself feeling animosity and mistrust towards him as Charis and Aislinn did. Unlike Agnarr, who was willing to assimilate into life in Ireland, Tuirgeis wanted to rule the Irish and impose his beliefs on them. That difference in his character made him less likable for me. Of course, he still evoked intense emotion, so maybe that was the point.
Despite my lack of empathy for Tuirgeis, Eire's Devil King did deliver what I've come to expect from Ms. Layne: a well-crafted story, rich in detail and characters. I was moved by the characters' lives--their triumphs and trials. I feel like I not only read a fabulous story but I also received a history lesson. Both were greatly appreciated.
The timeline changes were somewhat confusing for me at times. I had to pay attention or I was lost. I did like the switching of POVs. It enhanced the feeling of really knowing the characters when I know the thoughts behind their actions.
I'm very pleased with how this trilogy wrapped up. It is an incredible, sweeping historical tale with danger, romance, and a wee bit of supernatural. It provided insight into they history of Ireland and I fell in love with Ireland a little more, as well as with a Viking.
~~EXCERPT~~
It was dark in the langhús, save for the glowing of the coals banked in the fire ring. Agnarr enjoyed his wife’s responsiveness to him, and when they made love, he never forgot to thank his new God for letting her live through the births of the children their bodies made together. Before the sun crept under the door and through the shutters over the new windows, they were smiling and silent and relishing the moments—he knew there would only be moments—before the children stirred in the bench-bed they shared.
Later, as their son and daughter began shifting restlessly prior to awakening, Agnarr sat up and blew out a breath. “Wife.”
“Yes, husband?” She joined him, finding his hand with hers in the shadowy enclosure of their private area.
“We need to be ready. You need to be ready. You and the children.”
She sighed and shifted on the blankets so that she was looking directly at him. As was her habit, she continued to touch him with her fingers as she spoke. “I can fight. And you gave Dow a real knife at the Christ Mass.”
Discomfort tightened his stomach as he shook his head. “You need to be able to escape, just in case.” He knew far too well what would happen if someone found his attractive wife. Someone whom he didn’t know. Someone who would find her dark hair appealing and the tatú on her cheek mysterious and alluring. Someone who would want to take her as their leman, as he had once taken Charis.
Someone who might take his son as a slave.
Jaw tightening in anger, he shook his head again. Hard. “You know what can happen to you.” Her eyes were on his face, and he met their steady gaze. “And the children. You need to be able to get away. We should find a way to make you safe.”
Later, as their son and daughter began shifting restlessly prior to awakening, Agnarr sat up and blew out a breath. “Wife.”
“Yes, husband?” She joined him, finding his hand with hers in the shadowy enclosure of their private area.
“We need to be ready. You need to be ready. You and the children.”
She sighed and shifted on the blankets so that she was looking directly at him. As was her habit, she continued to touch him with her fingers as she spoke. “I can fight. And you gave Dow a real knife at the Christ Mass.”
Discomfort tightened his stomach as he shook his head. “You need to be able to escape, just in case.” He knew far too well what would happen if someone found his attractive wife. Someone whom he didn’t know. Someone who would find her dark hair appealing and the tatú on her cheek mysterious and alluring. Someone who would want to take her as their leman, as he had once taken Charis.
Someone who might take his son as a slave.
Jaw tightening in anger, he shook his head again. Hard. “You know what can happen to you.” Her eyes were on his face, and he met their steady gaze. “And the children. You need to be able to get away. We should find a way to make you safe.”
~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Award winning author of short Celtic fiction, Sandi Layne is the creator of the Éire's Viking Trilogy, as well as works of contemporary Christian romance.She began by self-publishing her novels in 2000, garnering a loyal group of readers whom she continues to appreciate to this day.
Married for more than twenty years to a fantastic man, she has two sons, no pets, and a plethora of imaginary friends. Her interests range from ancient civilizations to science fiction. With degrees in English and Ministry, she also claims Theology’s crimson Masters collar which she has been known to don on rare occasions.
If you drive by her window before dawn, it is likely she’ll have a light on for you. Or at the very least, she’ll be alert on twitter. She invites you to visit her online space at http://sandyquill.com.
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website * Tumblr
~~PRAISE FOR EIRE'S DEVIL KING~~
"This is how historical fiction should be done. ... love was a deep and abiding theme, as was loyalty to family and leaders. Bonds will be tested and hearts will be broken."
- Lissa Bryan
~~PRAISE FOR EIRE'S DEVIL KING~~
"If you are looking for a read that makes history read real, this is the series for you."
- Kathie on Goodreads
"This is how historical fiction should be done. ... love was a deep and abiding theme, as was loyalty to family and leaders. Bonds will be tested and hearts will be broken."
- Lissa Bryan
~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~
5 worms!! I'm glad the series ended very well. It sucks when they bungle up the conclusion. No more room to fix things
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear it was a good ending for the triology
ReplyDeleteWell, I completely missed this trilogy somehow *hides face in shame*. So I'll have to remedy this fast. It sounds really interesting and, more importantly, unique. I love to read stories I haven't heard before, especially if they're full of names I can't pronounce, lol :) Loving the review <3
ReplyDeleteGreat review and excerpt. I haven't heard about this series but I am curious about Vikings so I might pick it up. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that excerpt and it sounds like a really interesting trilogy. I can get confused with lots of POV changes too but I'm glad that it all still worked out so well for you.
ReplyDeleteI was just really pleased with the trilogy, Trish. It was so good and gave insight into so much because of the history. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shane. I do recommend it if you like historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteIt is unique, well researched, and very well written, Ramona. I love it when an author can paint images in my head with their words, and Ms. Layne certainly does a fine job. I could even smell the wood smoke. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteIf you like historical fiction, Brandi, I recommend this trilogy. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that would have sucked since I enjoyed the first two so well. I'm happy to have taken the journey with these characters. I learned a lot on top of enjoying a great story. :)
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this series. I am glad you loved it so much!
ReplyDeleteThis is a new series to me. I don't think that I have read a viking book before... I sure am interested *wink*
ReplyDelete