Have a question or a comment about the Strongbow Saga or Judson Roberts’ other work? Want chat with other readers about the books or related subjects? Post here and look for responses from the author and other fans of the series.
Have a question or a comment about the Strongbow Saga or Judson Roberts’ other work? Want chat with other readers about the books or related subjects? Post here and look for responses from the author and other fans of the series.
Oh my god, I love your books! I was in the library and just happen to pass by it and oh my god, I’m so happy I picked the first volume up! When i finished reading i couldn’t wait to go back to the library for the 2nd and 3rd so please (I’m begging you :'( ) publish the 4th!
After looking at your pictures of the view at your new house and other places in Oregon, it sort of reminds me of both how I pictured Denmark in the story and also Tasmania, which is sort of like the Alaska of Australia.
I have not been able to visit Scandinavia yet, although some day I will. But from what I know from long distance research, Denmark seems to be mostly pretty flat. I think Oregon may most closely resemble Sweden, of all the Scandinavian countries.
Thanks for all of your comments here. The discussion has been lively!
I’m glad you feel it’s lively 🙂
Anyway, I’ve also never been to Scandinavia, apart from a 6 hour stop over on my way to Iceland, but it does have many, many islands. I would really love to visit Scandinavia one day as well.
First of all welcome to the willamette valley..
I’ve live here much of my life and understand why you appreciate it I just came across the Halfdan Series a week ago.. All devoured and wanting more 🙂 Are you familiar with bernard cornwell nd the saxon stories? I think he’s on book 5 now but not sure. Very similar time frame.. But from a british point of view. Uhtred and Halfdan have much in common and I have enjoyed those books also .. thank you for your research hard work and great stories. Mike
Thanks. I so love it here. Went to the Oregon Country Fair today–that was quite an experience!
I love Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe series, and a talk I heard him give back around 2001 actually inspired me to write the Strongbow Saga. But our vision of the Vikings and their culture is somewhat different.
Has anyone here realized that Halfdan’s half-sister Sigrid is still at home while all this (death of Harald, Halfdan in Frankia, and a million other things) is happening? I wonder what will happen to her once Halfdan gets home. Will she know all this happened? Awkward for her because Tore might have already have kidnapped her 😮
Yeah, I’ve thought about Sigred too. Even if she doesn’t know everything that is happening Haldan it’s still bad enough to be with her Step-Mother. Her Step-Mom is not the nicest person to deal with.
I know right! She would probably be one of the last people in the world I would want my step-mum to be.
Speaking of her family, what about that old Toke guy. Do you reckon he has stolen her and cause Halfdan even more troubles? Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
By the way if your interested in Scandinavian based books, I have started reading Kristin Lavransdatter. It is based in Norway but so far it is pretty boring compared to “The Strongbow Saga”.
I remember that Sigrid’s father promised that she could marry for love and not have an arranged marriage. I fear that Toke might that married her against her will.
Sigrid and her fate are major elements of the story in book 4. The book’s title, “The Long Hunt,” has a double meaning in relation to the story. How’s that for a teaser? 😉
Just finished all three books this week and the last one just 10 min. ago. Will there be anymore contact between Halfdan and the Frankish women Genevieve..
Haha, I asked that question just after I finished the three books as well to Judson. Anyway, hopefully Toke gets humiliated…
Or killed. Personally, I going for killed.
In many ways I wish I was Halfdan or one of his close friends.
I recently ran across a novel about Vikings and it featured a character called Halfdan. The title and author is “Bracelet of Bones” (The Viking Sagas) by Kevin Crossley-Holland. I bought it and read it. Compared to the Strongbow Saga it was NOTHING. I can’t believe that a publisher would publish this stupid “Bracelet of Bones” and a publisher would drop Strongbow. There is no justice in the world!
I’ve just been reading about casting rune stones. I wonder if Halfdan would consult the runes himself or if he would go to a shaman. It is really interesting to take a little time and read about each rune and learn what it means. I am wondering if the type of stone makes any difference. (Rose quartz, amethyst, lapis lazuli–there are so many choices.) I am not in the least “New Age”, but am thinking about getting some rune stones and trying to work with them. Judson, have you or your wife tried casting runes as part of your Viking research?
Hello Elizabeth,
Although I’ve read a little about rune casting, I’ve never come across any historical references that would suggest it was actually done back during the Viking time period. For that reason, and because I’m trying in this series to portray the Vikings as historically accurate as possible, I’ve not included anything about them in the story. Has anything you’ve read included any historical sources? I’d be interested if you know of any.
Hi Judson. In the old poem Sigrdrifumal, a valkyrie tells a warrior that he must know the runes in able to deal with difficult situations. He must know victory runes, sea runes, healing runes, speech runes, thought runes, ale runes, and saving runes. (This last is to save and loosen children from women: i.e. assist in childbirth.) There is a quick overview on Wikipedia (yeah, I know–but it’s so convenient)…I actually found my information in Judith Jesch’s book “Women in the Viking Age.” In my edition the information is in Chapter 5: Art, Myth, and Poetry on pages 142 and 143 under the subheading “Eddic wisdom”.
I have not been able to find anything in an original source about runes casting, but I have not read all of the sagas–I tend to jump around and just read the interesting parts that I find. I have Heimskringla, Njal’s Saga, and Grettir’s Saga. I checked the index carefully in Jenny Jochens’s book Women in Old Norse Society, and just didn’t find anything pertaining to runes casting. A quick Google search didn’t reveal anything either, so Sigrdrifumal seems to be the only place that connects warriors with needing rune knowlege. I wonder what they specifically had to do to access the knowledge. (Cast their own runes? Go to a wise woman such as the Valkyrie offering advice?) I wonder if anyone else participating on this discussion board has any more clarification.
I have multiple things to say, so bear with me.
One. I loathe you. I despise you and your books with a passion. Why? Multiple reasons. The first, being books four and five aren’t out yet. HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME HANGING!?!?!?!?!? I NEED MORE!!!!! Second, your books nearly caused me and my girlfriend to break up. I spent a full week reading books one, two, and three multiple times. She thought I was intentionally ignoring her, so I gave her the books to prove her wrong. Now, she spent another week ignoring ME to read the books. But it’s all good now, and now we have another thing to share and craze about. Finally, you’ve stuck me and my girlfriend in a Viking craze, so now all we have done is make costumes, weapons, and attack people who walk along a bike path. I haven’t been issued any citations, but I did receive a big whack from an old lady with a cane. Thank the gods for armor! (By the way, if you haven’t picked up by now that I love, not loathe, your books, I’m telling you now)
Two. I hope you could go into more of the details of Halfdan’s life in your next books. I’d like to see Halfdan looting a slain soldier, or perhaps shaping arrows or forging tools. I’d love to see more of the everyday actions of a Viking warrior. I’m not saying that I want to hear every time he has to make water or eat, but a few more details would be nice. Feel free to ignore this, as I’m certain that I’ll love your books regardless.
Three. Your former publisher was an idiot to drop these books. They are some of the best, if not the best, Medieval/Dark Age books I’ve ever read.
Fourth and final. Your books are suited for teens and above. My girlfriend and I are both 16, and we found the books perfectly enjoyable and acceptable. My parents and hers also love them, and they’re 50ish. So I guess they’re good for all ages. (Except little kids. I don’t think they’d understand them)
Thank you for enduring my rant and my great wall of text. Can’t wait to get the new books!
Great post–you got me. When I first started reading this, I felt mixed emotions: deeply hurt feelings, mixed with sword-slaying anger. I almost hit delete, but fortunately kept reading, which led me into much laughter. You have a wonderful sense of humor–thanks for how you wound me up! And thanks, too, for your requests–I do bear these kinds of suggestions from readers in mind as I work on the rest of the series.
Watch out for those old ladies on the bike paths!
Best regards,
Judson
I really enjoyed the Strongbow books. I am an avid reader of historical fiction. When I read that the fourth may be coming out at the end of the year, I read them again to freshen up on the characters and plot and I must I enjoyed them even more the second time! I am highly anticipatory of your next book! Congrats on a great series!
Thanks, Chris.
Hay my name is Adam im a big fan i love your books. you are im my mind one of the best righters of all time . BUT!!!!!! I have been waiting for two years for you next book of the saga and im going crazy mate please tell me how much longer or why its not out.
Thank you.
From your
Bigest fan
Adam Tawfik
Hello Adam, and thanks for writing.
Book 4 is not out because I’m still writing it. A number of different things have caused the delay, including problems with the original publisher, HarperCollins, that kept the fate of book 4 in limbo for several years (I’m now publishing the series myself). There have also been personal factors, including two deaths in my family last year, and a major cross-country move this year. But I’m still aiming to get book 4 out by the end of this year if at all possible, at least in a Kindle edition. Print and other versions may possibly take a little longer to get out–now that I’m in charge of publishing the series myself, the proofing and reviewing of each version of a book takes quite a bit of my time.
Good afternoon Judson – I have just finished the trilogy which I enjoyed immensely. I am from Scotland where we have a shared heritage with the Vikings but where in general terms, the Norse raiders are viewed as barbaric & uncultured. I found the tone of your novels both refreshing & challenging & I look forward to seeing how Halfdan moves down the road to the final denouement with his execrable stepbrother. Happy scribing – Regards Eric
Thanks so much for writing, Eric. And your comment about the Vikings generally being viewed as barbaric and uncultured is very interesting–in fact, I’m making a post today on this website’s home page that addresses that misconception. Thank you for raising the subject and giving me the idea for the post.
this was an amazing series i stumbled on to thanks to my mom. i am an avid reader and completed the series in two days can’t wait for more thanks for the good books 🙂
Thanks.