Fin Gall - A Novel of Viking Age Ireland: Norsemen Saga Series #1

This is a (superb and exciting!) novel about the Vikings in Ireland, and the rivalry between Norsemen, who took over Dublin in the early ninth century AD and developed it into a major port and the largest town on the island, and Danes, who rested it from them but did not keep it for long. The action takes place in AD 852, with Dublin still under Danish control. It ends a few months later with a Norse fleet under Olaf the White reclaiming it for the Norse.The Fin Gall - meaning white strangers in Gaelic - was the name the Irish gave to the Norse. Dubh Gall - black strangers - was the name given to the Danes or those of Danish descent. As the author notes in his historical note, the Irish were the only ones to make such a distinction. In addition to a little historical note, the author has also included a useful glossary since he uses a number of Irish or Scandinavian terms.The book evolves around the fictitious Crown of the Three (Irish) Kingdoms, witch the Irish have lost and seek to retrieve. Whichever Irish King is able to acquire it would be able to become supreme, and use this supremacy to drive out the hated foreigners from Dublin, their main base.It is also centred on three Swedes. The main hero is Thorgrim Night Wolf, the son-in-law of the middle aged Jarl Ornolf the Restless, the imposing warlord with a soft spot for drink and women. The third main character is Harald Broad arm, a young (he is fifteen) and naïve colossus on his first Viking expedition. He is the son of the first and the grandson of the second. Thorgrim is an extremely interesting character who has a special talent which I will (barely!) refrain from mentioning and which adds a nice touch of magic/fantasy to this novel. Ornolf, however, is perhaps my preferred character and the archetypical loud mouth, boisterous, boasting and taunting Viking.While I will not say anything of the plot, you can, of course, expect lots of grim fighting and desperate battles, with the Vikings - both Norse and Danes - depicted as ruthless, brutal, ferocious and heavily- armed warriors. The Irish, however, were no weaklings and they are shown as being just as brutal and cruel than the Vikings. However, as well shown in the book, they were divided into a multitude of kingdoms and sub-kingdoms - the author mentions some 150 chieftains at any one point in time, all of which tending to fight among themselves and raiding each other instead of uniting and fighting the invaders and predators. The Vikings also had the huge advantage of surprise, at least most of the time, thanks to their long ships from which they carried out their devastating sea-borne raids. All of these features are rather superbly present in this book.Another feature presented in the book is the beginning of the shift from pure raiding to colonisation and the gradual insertion of the Vikings into "Irish politics", with these taking sides in inter-Irish fights for power when they had a sufficient interest to do so. The author has, however, taken some liberties with what is known of historical events. Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid (Malachy I) was indeed King of Brega and High King of Ireland. However he did not die in AD 852 and in the circumstances related in this book. Rather, he did peacefully in his bed some ten years later.The character of Flann also seems to have been adapted for the purpose of this book from a historical character while his sister Morrigan, a very interesting character, is entirely fictitious, and perhaps not entirely plausible. Norse and Danes certainly did capture thousands of Irish slaves and sold many of them on the Continent or in England, with this representing a significant source of income in addition to other traded items and pillaging rich monasteries. It is however doubtful that the sister of a powerful Irish lord would have remained a slave for years without being ransomed, unless the Vikings were unaware of her true identity and her relatives either were unware of her whereabouts or deliberately left her with the Vikings to lead the resistance against them, as suggested in this book and the next one.The character of Birgit, daughter of High King Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid, also seems to be an adaptation of a historical character - Ailbe. She was indeed the High King's daughter but married Conchobar mac Taidg Mór, a king of Connacht who seems to have died in AD 882. Even if the adventures that happen to her are fictitious, the fact that all chirftains coveted her hand is rather easy to believeFinally, there are also a few little typos and some glitches. The use of the Anglo-Saxon term "fyrd" to describe the mustering of Irish troops is, of course, a bit inappropriate. So is having some of the characters shaking hands. All this, and the liberties taken with the historical record are, however, minor stuff that did not prevent me from liking this very exciting book and story. Four strong stars.

This is an incredibly exciting, almost invigorating and refreshing historical adventure with a superb cast of viking characters and in a part of the world not often fully explored - Ireland that then Vikings had as much impact on as they did in Ireland.The storytelling is great and it feels almost like watching a brilliant historical drama in your mind as you read each chapter and see how different choices, events and characters intertwine together to create the plaited story arc.Definitely recommend reading it, was a genuine pleasure and I am pleased to see 2 more books follow future irish adventures of this norwegian crew.

Three generations of Norsemen, Ornolf, his son in law Thorgrim and grandson Harald, go 'viking' (raiding for loot and plunder) around the cost of Ireland. In the first ship they come across, they loot the 'Crown of Three Kingdoms' a mystical jeweled headpiece that can unite the warring kings of Ireland. The story follows how they become embroiled with the various Irish factions fighting for power, not to mention the Danes, who also have their eyes on Ireland.This is a great adventure, told with lots of energy. It's 852, so no guns, cars or shoot outs. To win through Orlof and his men have to fight hand to hand with swords and spears, and use their endurance and cunning when out-numbered. I really didn't expect to like this as much as I did, as it's not my usual reading material. But while the focus is on the action, the author has also paid attention to the characters. By the end of the book, you really feel that you know these people.I very rarely give 5 stars, but this one is definitely worth it.

I have just bought the who series so far published having read this authors other works some years ago. If the first book is reflective of the series i have many happy hours of reading ahead.the tale is artfully woven together and lays future seeds without loosing any focus on the main plot itself. Gore , passion, adventure combine with complex loyalties in a beautifully crafted tale.Boy is this fun and well wrriten

A great first book of the Norsemen's entry and battle to make Ireland a part of their world. Showing the difference between Danes, Norwegians, Swedes ( Norsemen)etc and the Saxons and Celts.. The only issue I have with books of this genre is that everybody calls the protagonists Vikings. They were Norsemen, made up of Danes, Swedes,Norwegians and the term Viking comes about because they go raiding and going 'A Viking' means going raiding, it is not the name of any race but the description of an action.

Certainly it captures the atmosphere of Viking Ireland and provides a really good story.to boot. A lost crown, a tale of revenge and power set in Medieval Ireland, centered around the Viking port of Dublin. There are heroes and villains on both sides who fight with courage and conviction. I look forward to the next book in the series with enthusiasm.

I was good at Irish history in school , but reading this ,well written story has taught me more about Viking Ireland than I ever learned. witty at times , rough and brutal as well , but a story I could not put down.

It’s an ‘OK’ novel, but very slow in places, it takes a bit of getting into, but does move along eventually even if slower that I would like.