Caius became a monk, converting to the new religion, and
works as healer among his island monastic brethren. His
father, a hill-fort chieftain of Roman descent who raids
and ravishes, is furious, but having learnt to read and
absorbed heretical astronomy lessons, Cai never wants to
return. Now he gets wind of more Viking raids on the
exposed north British coastline.
In BROTHERS OF THE WILD NORTH SEA, a raid shatters the
monastery's peace and a new Abbot claims that the Vikings
were a punishment for not following strict rule.
Rebellious, Cai improvises weapons and teaches some monks
to defend the island. In the next raid, an injured Viking
is left for dead and against his own better judgement Cai
takes him in to the infirmary to treat him. The man,
Fenrir, speaks some Latin and says that they seek a
treasure hidden in the monastery. But Cai has never heard
of a treasure in the simple, bleak settlement and fears
that the sea wolves will keep coming until they have
destroyed every stone building.
I enjoyed reading about life in the 600s; shearing sheep,
fishing from coracles, making mead, driving a mare in a
chariot and fertilising fields with seaweed to grow oats
and barley. The contrasts between different ways of life
are well shown and we see that some aspects of science were
understood although the religious forbade their teaching.
Nature is always present, with seals, puffins and eider
ducks a normal sight. The Viking says, "All female oxen
are called Dagsauga in my country, or Smjýrbolli." These
names turn out to be Daisy and Buttercup. There's plenty
of challenges, between storms, ergot in the grain and
prowling wolves, and diseases or infections can kill.
BROTHERS OF THE WILD NORTH SEA is the latest action-packed
adult romance by Harper Fox, who lives in Northumberland
and writes gay fiction set in a variety of eras. With this
outing she has given us two fiercely determined young men
and a love to break the boundaries. This lengthy read will
appeal to many people, especially those who enjoy reading
about the Viking era.
His deadliest enemy will become his heart’s desire.
Caius doesn’t feel like much of a Christian. He loves his
life of learning as a monk in the far-flung stronghold of
Fara, but the hot warrior blood of his chieftain father
flows in his veins. Heat soothed only in the arms of his
sweet-natured friend and lover, Leof.
When Leof is killed during a Viking raid, Cai’s grieving
heart thirsts for vengeance—and he has his chance with
Fenrir, a wounded young Viking warrior left for dead. But
instead of reaching for a weapon, Cai finds himself defying
his abbot’s orders and using his healing skills to save
Fen’s life.
At first, Fen repays Cai’s kindness by attacking every
Christian within reach. But as time passes, Cai’s persistent
goodness touches his heart. And Cai, who had thought he
would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new
attraction.
Yet old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe and a
relentless quest to find the ancient secret of Fara—a
powerful talisman that could render the Vikings
indestructible, and tear the two lovers’ bonds beyond
healing.
Warning: Contains battles, bloodshed, explicit M/M sex, and
the proper Latin term for what lies beneath those cassocks.
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