by Anonymous
First published 1240
Egill Skallagrímsson grips his sword and considers his next move against King Erik Bloodaxe of Norway. This tenth-century warrior carries the weight of his father's exile and his own burning need for vengeance. Egill lives as both brutal fighter and gifted poet, his hands equally skilled at killing and crafting intricate verse. His path leads him from Norway's fjords to English battlefields, where he serves King Athelstan in wars against Scotland. Throughout his violent life, Egill faces questions that cut deeper than any blade. He must choose between loyalty and survival, navigate the complex bond with his brother when they both desire the same woman, and discover whether poetry can redeem a life steeped in blood. The saga follows Egill from his savage youth through his gradual transformation into a wiser man, though brutality never fully leaves him.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure, poetry
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, redemption
Setting: Norway, England, Scotland
Period: 10th Century
243 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books
Content warnings: violence