Following on from The Heathen Horde, Sword of the Saxons is a brilliant second book in Mckay's series on the life of Alfred the Great.

Starting with Alfred stuck in the marshes of Athelney with his remaining loyal followers, the story charts his gradual return to power in a thrilling page turning action novel. Even better than book 1, this further develops the character of Alfred into a believeable King struggling with the invading Saxon horde.

Its set up perfectly for book 3 to bring the trilogy to an exciting conclusion next year.

I had yet to find a writer of Norse fiction that is at the level of Bernard Cornwell- and boy, have I found it! Steven A McKay is an incredible writer of Norse fiction and I am absolutely obsessed! I'm very particular with this category, and I am blown away. Sword of the Saxons was everything I look for and everything I needed! The characters were so well written and fleshed out, and the world building was written with care and precision. Definitely need to read more by McKay, immediately!