Review: Vengeance of the Damned by Eric Schumacher

Blurb

Vengeance of the Damned is the gripping, final novel of Schumacher’s award-winning series chronicling the life and adventures of Olaf Tryggvason, one of Norway’s most controversial kings.

It is AD 995. Driven from his homeland as a lad, the long-wandering King Olaf Tryggvason has finally returned to Norway with an army at his back and vengeance on his mind. But Olaf does not just want to rule the Northern kingdom. He has more ambitious plans for the realm and will put to the sword anyone who stands in his way.

His cruel campaign sets him on a collision course with his former oath-brother-turned-enemy, Torgil. Unable to escape the coming clash, Torgil and his band of outcasts face the new king and his battle-hardened warriors. From the land of the Swedes, to the islands of the Vik, and finally, to a place called Svold off the coast of Denmark, Olaf and Torgil match their wills and their cunning in this brutal, action-packed conclusion to Olaf’s Saga.

My Review

As expected, this is an exceptionally well-written novel. But is very dark. I miss the old familiar relationship between Olaf and Torgil, that had its rocky moments but held together. No more. The break between them was total and uncompromising, since Olaf has rejected his old friend and even tried to have him killed. Yes, it’s all about religion. King Olaf is known as the Christian who converted his countrymen at the point of the sword, and this book really brings home how devastating this behavior was to the Northmen. It wasn’t just his own subjects who experienced the ordeal; Olaf converted as he conquered new lands, and it looked like nothing could stand in his way. Even at a pagan summer festival, there was no avoiding the intrusion:

“What is your business here, Sveinn Oakfist?”
Sveinn looked at the gathered guests, then back at Stig. “I come with a message from my king.” He raised his voice so that it carried to us all. “As of today, there will be no more worship of the old gods. Anyone caught doing so will be killed.” …
Stig crossed his arms over his thick chest. “Yet you waste your breath nonetheless. Your lord Olaf has no authority here. We serve Harald Grenske in these parts, so speak your foolish rules to him, not us, and, perchance, we’ll consider them at the upcoming law-thing.”

At least they had a warning! Torgil was able to defuse this particular incident, but once Olaf discovered where he resided—and ruled—his own colony suffered the worst depredations. We actually see very little of Olaf himself; the book follows Torgil and his challenges. But Olaf’s evil influence pervades the story, and there is very little left of the young man Torgil grew up with.