The Sea’s Edge
by Garth Pettersen
Genre:
Historical Fiction
About the Book:
In 1030 C.E., Cnute, king of England, Denmark, and Norway, sends Harald, his middle son, to the Kingdom of Dublin to meet with his Norse-Irish allies. Harald’s mission is to coordinate an invasion of the northern Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd, to replace King Rhydderch who is growing too powerful on England’s borders. Harald is reluctant to be involved in affairs of state, but agrees to go, even though his beloved wife, Selia, is unwell. Harald tells Selia he will not have to take part in the fighting.
While she waits for Harald to return, Selia and her friend Gudrun befriend a young and attractive gleeman (poet-minstrel). When the gleeman is accused of a crime, Selia seeks witnesses in his defense.
Harald becomes involved in a conflict with Dublin’s neighbor, and to appease the king of Dublin, he commits to leading their combined forces in the attack on Wales. The plan is to replace King Rhydderch with Iago, the weaker King of Anglesey. The more Harald learns of these monarchs, the more his allegiance leans toward the man he has been sent to kill.
Will Harald unseat a strong and just ruler to carry out his father/king’s commands, or will he tread a more righteous road, which will destroy the life he and Selia have built in England?
My Review:
About the Book:
In 1030 C.E., Cnute, king of England, Denmark, and Norway, sends Harald, his middle son, to the Kingdom of Dublin to meet with his Norse-Irish allies. Harald’s mission is to coordinate an invasion of the northern Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd, to replace King Rhydderch who is growing too powerful on England’s borders. Harald is reluctant to be involved in affairs of state, but agrees to go, even though his beloved wife, Selia, is unwell. Harald tells Selia he will not have to take part in the fighting.
While she waits for Harald to return, Selia and her friend Gudrun befriend a young and attractive gleeman (poet-minstrel). When the gleeman is accused of a crime, Selia seeks witnesses in his defense.
Harald becomes involved in a conflict with Dublin’s neighbor, and to appease the king of Dublin, he commits to leading their combined forces in the attack on Wales. The plan is to replace King Rhydderch with Iago, the weaker King of Anglesey. The more Harald learns of these monarchs, the more his allegiance leans toward the man he has been sent to kill.
Will Harald unseat a strong and just ruler to carry out his father/king’s commands, or will he tread a more righteous road, which will destroy the life he and Selia have built in England?
My Review:
The Sea's Edge is the fourth book in The Atheling Chronicles. I've not read the previous books but I didn't feel like that was a hinderance. Reading The Sea's Edge did, however, make me want to start the series from the beginning. I don't usually read a series out of order but book four sounded so good, I couldn't pass it up.
The author provides a list of historical characters, which was a very handy reference guide to the characters in the book. The author also provides a glossary of terms to assist the reader when one came across an unusual word. I'm glad the author included both the list of characters and glossary of terms, as I found both to be quite handy.
The author told a riveting story set in medieval Engla-lond. The book is filled with vivid imagery, wonderful storytelling, and a terrific plot. I was fully engaged in the story from the start and the author's writing style kept me enthralled throughout the entire book. The character interactions and dialogue were smooth and natural. Lovers of historical fiction will love The Sea's Edge.
I was provided a copy of this book.
My Rating:
Read an Excerpt:
King Iago sat upon an intricately carved throne, cushioned with a sheep fleece. I judged him to be of my height and gave him ten or fifteen more years above my own. He wore a jeweled gold circlet over dark brown hair grown long. His wispy beard had begun to show gray hairs among the brown. He wore a mail shirt over his tunic, which I thought to be odd. Either he distrusted his housecarls or he hoped to appear more warlike. It struck me that his clothing was of good quality—a tunic of red linen, belted with leather. He wore a cloak of beaver fur held by a brooch pin the size of my foot. There was no need to wear a cloak indoors, let alone one of imported fur and only one reason to fasten it with an enormous pin: King Iago wished to make a showing. I recognized him at once—a petty king with ambition for greatness.
At his right hand stood a regal woman whom I assumed was Iago’s wyf and queen. She wore a red dress of a shade similar to her husband’s garb, with an under tunic of light blue revealed in long sleeves and in the longer hem. A long head-covering of the same color swept over one shoulder. An embroidered headband held it in place. Her attractive face revealed a strong resolve and not a hint of kindness. I hoped my first impression would prove incorrect.
Iago stood to greet me, extending his weaponless hand. I gave him my own and we affirmed the peace between us. His hand was bonier than I expected. “Well met,” I said. Since he had spoken to me in Saxon English, I continued. “My friend and shield brother, Gwyn son of Emlyn.”
Iago again offered his hand.
“Mawredd,” Gwyn said in greeting.
Iago replied in Welsh. The words escaped my understanding, but Iago’s stance and attitude was neither relaxed nor welcoming, as if my arriving with another Welshman was reason enough for him to be on his guard.
Without removing his gaze from us, he swept his arm to indicate his consort. “My queen, Madwen.”
“Mistress,” I said, echoed by Gwyn.
“Well come to our hall, Harald Atheling.” Queen Madwen’s green-eyed gaze displayed no shyness. I recognized the true power behind the crown.
Meet the Author:
Garth Pettersen is a Canadian writer living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC. When he's not writing, he is riding horses or working on his acreage. Garth's short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies and in journals such as Blank Spaces, The Spadina Literary Review, and The Opening Line Literary 'Zine. His story, River's Rising, was awarded an Honourable Mention for the Short Story America 2017 Prize, and his fantasy novella River Born, was one of two runners-up for the Windsor Editions (UK) Short Fiction Prize. Garth Pettersen's historical fiction series, The Atheling Chronicles is published by Tirgearr Publishing and books one, two, and three are available at most online outlets (The Swan's Road, The Dane Law, and The Cold Hearth). The fourth book, The Sea’s Edge, will be released in November, 2023.
Purchase Links:
http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Pettersen_Garth/the-seas-edge.htm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://books.apple.com/us/author/garth-pettersen/id1292516225
https://www.kobo.com/ie/en/series/the-atheling-chronicles
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Garth%20Pettersen
Read an Excerpt:
King Iago sat upon an intricately carved throne, cushioned with a sheep fleece. I judged him to be of my height and gave him ten or fifteen more years above my own. He wore a jeweled gold circlet over dark brown hair grown long. His wispy beard had begun to show gray hairs among the brown. He wore a mail shirt over his tunic, which I thought to be odd. Either he distrusted his housecarls or he hoped to appear more warlike. It struck me that his clothing was of good quality—a tunic of red linen, belted with leather. He wore a cloak of beaver fur held by a brooch pin the size of my foot. There was no need to wear a cloak indoors, let alone one of imported fur and only one reason to fasten it with an enormous pin: King Iago wished to make a showing. I recognized him at once—a petty king with ambition for greatness.
At his right hand stood a regal woman whom I assumed was Iago’s wyf and queen. She wore a red dress of a shade similar to her husband’s garb, with an under tunic of light blue revealed in long sleeves and in the longer hem. A long head-covering of the same color swept over one shoulder. An embroidered headband held it in place. Her attractive face revealed a strong resolve and not a hint of kindness. I hoped my first impression would prove incorrect.
Iago stood to greet me, extending his weaponless hand. I gave him my own and we affirmed the peace between us. His hand was bonier than I expected. “Well met,” I said. Since he had spoken to me in Saxon English, I continued. “My friend and shield brother, Gwyn son of Emlyn.”
Iago again offered his hand.
“Mawredd,” Gwyn said in greeting.
Iago replied in Welsh. The words escaped my understanding, but Iago’s stance and attitude was neither relaxed nor welcoming, as if my arriving with another Welshman was reason enough for him to be on his guard.
Without removing his gaze from us, he swept his arm to indicate his consort. “My queen, Madwen.”
“Mistress,” I said, echoed by Gwyn.
“Well come to our hall, Harald Atheling.” Queen Madwen’s green-eyed gaze displayed no shyness. I recognized the true power behind the crown.
Meet the Author:
Garth Pettersen is a Canadian writer living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC. When he's not writing, he is riding horses or working on his acreage. Garth's short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies and in journals such as Blank Spaces, The Spadina Literary Review, and The Opening Line Literary 'Zine. His story, River's Rising, was awarded an Honourable Mention for the Short Story America 2017 Prize, and his fantasy novella River Born, was one of two runners-up for the Windsor Editions (UK) Short Fiction Prize. Garth Pettersen's historical fiction series, The Atheling Chronicles is published by Tirgearr Publishing and books one, two, and three are available at most online outlets (The Swan's Road, The Dane Law, and The Cold Hearth). The fourth book, The Sea’s Edge, will be released in November, 2023.
Purchase Links:
http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Pettersen_Garth/the-seas-edge.htm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07J2VLQG3
https://books.apple.com/us/author/garth-pettersen/id1292516225
https://www.kobo.com/ie/en/series/the-atheling-chronicles
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Garth%20Pettersen
Website: https://www.garthpettersen.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writeandride/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/garpet011
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writeandride/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/garpet011
Enter the Giveaway:
Garth Pettersen will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Garth Pettersen will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Thank you for reviewing today.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sapphyria's Books, for hosting The Sea's Edge on your site and thank you for the great review. Much appreciated. If any of your readers wish to receive my monthly newsletters, the link is: https://www.garthpettersen.com/subscription
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! I enjoyed the book very much :)
DeleteSounds like a really good read.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll give my series a go, Sherry. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete