Reviews of The Strongbow Saga
Viking Warrior
"9th century Viking history comes alive with unforgettable characters and a story teeming with adventure, heart and even poetry in the telling ... Highly recommended."
The Historical Novels Review(To read the entire review, click here)
"What a fantastic story, loaded with facts and historic
knowledge...one of the best books I have read in some time."
Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book
(To read the entire review, click here)
"Richly steeped in authentic Viking history and custom...reader
be warned: after some relatively leisurely accountings of battles
long past, we're suddenly in the thick of a tautly paced
massacre followed by a breathless escape and a tense chase, and
there's no looking up from the page until the danger is
past."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Judson Roberts has not just done his research, but has also discovered a plausible version of the
mind and heart of people from another time. Viking Warrior, despite its generic-sounding title, is the real
thing: A well-written, well-researched, exciting, moving historical novel that is definitely for adults."
Hugo and Nebula award-winning
author Orson Scott Card
(To read the entire review, click here)
Dragons From the Sea
"The second volume in the Strongbow Saga takes up the tale
of Halfdan Hroriksson in 845 CE ... Even readers who have not
read the previous novel in the series, Viking Warrior (2006),
will find it easy to follow Halfdan’s tale ... the current
tale of battle, siege, and reconnaissance features plenty of action
as well as bits of humor and reflection. An absorbing historical
novel told from the viewpoint of a young Viking."
Booklist
Reader Reviews
To read the full text of all reader reviews on Amazon for Viking Warrior, book one of the Strongbow Saga, here.
"Not just for teens! ... This is a marvelous book. I am old enough to be Halfdan's mother so this is NOT just for teenagers. This is storytelling at its finest.""[A] historical series well worth reading, first and foremost because it's an enjoyable read but also because [the author] takes the reader inside Viking society and culture as it existed in real history rather than in the inaccurate portrayal we are familiar with from the movies. The characters are complex and well-drawn, and Roberts does not flinch from setting the stakes high for them."
"Riveting action story that will keep you turning the pages?From the first line of Viking Warrior, Book One of the Strongbow Saga, I was drawn into the story of Halfdan, a fifteen-year-old boy who starts life as a slave but soon must meet the challenges of becoming a warrior."
"Don't let the 'teen' label keep you from this book ... Wow, what a great surprise this book was! ... every bit as bloody and action packed as anything written by Cornwell or Iggulden. If you like historical fiction based on solid research, don't hesitate to buy Viking Warrior. I couldn't put it down. Judson Roberts is a gifted storyteller; I enjoyed Viking Warrior as much any historical novel I've read."
"So Good, So Good, So Good!...Simply engrossing, I couldn't put it down ..."
"My 11 year old son likes to read, but only if he knows he will like the book. He'll quit after a few pages if the book doesn't 'catch' him quickly. We took the 3 Strongbow books on a long road trip we had planned. I read the first one and told him that he might like it if he could handle the battle scenes. I think saying that peaked his interest - to see what the 'battle scenes' were. Once he started the first book, I had to read fast to stay ahead of him. He wanted Book 2 within 2 days and we both finished all 3 books before our week-long trip was over...I enjoyed them as much as he did!"
"Halfdan is ... a really 'hot' guy that rivals Edward in the hot department - and that says a lot. I felt the series got better with each book."