There’s something about returning to a character who feels as real as an old friend—especially one as battered, stubborn, and quietly loyal as Icel. His journeys are never easy, but they’re always worth taking.
Storm of Mercia by MJ Porter
Series: Eagle of Mercia Chronicles #9
Genres: Fiction, Historical, Saga

Wessex has never been Mercia’s ally, neither has it been her only enemy.

Wessex, AD836

The Viking raiders' devastation has been halted once more by the shields of Mercia as opposed to Wessex. But their whereabouts are unknown.

King Wiglaf of Mercia is keen to ensure the Viking raiders are swept from his shared border with Wessex but these Viking ships are quick and difficult to track and Icel is once more deployed with Ealdorman Ælfstan warriors to do his King's bidding. However, Icel’s quest is beset with many more obstacles and it's not all about the seax and shield.

Worrying news from home overshadows Icel’s every deadly encounter. Will the storms of war keep him away or has he time to make one more desperate journey back to Tamworth?

With raging seas driving him ever further from Mercia’s shores, and the threat of a new conspiracy against the Mercian kingship will Icel overpower the sands of time, or will he be defeated by his deadliest nemesis yet?

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Other books from this Author Clash of Kings , Betrayal of Mercia , Men of Iron , Warriors of Iron , Shield of Mercia

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review

We are back with Icel, that curmudgeonly yet deeply loyal warrior of Mercia who seems destined to stumble from one hardship into the next. In this installment, all he wants is something simple—to reach Wynflæd before it’s too late. She has been like a mother to him, and that emotional drive adds a powerful layer to his journey. Of course, nothing is ever simple for Icel, and fate has other plans.

What follows is another physically and emotionally grueling adventure. Icel endures injury after injury, and at times you can’t help but wonder how he keeps going. His captivity aboard a Norse ship is especially vivid and harrowing—written with such detail that you feel every moment of discomfort and desperation alongside him. Porter has a real talent for pulling readers directly into these intense, often brutal moments.

Despite the hardship, there’s still room for the humor and camaraderie that make these stories so engaging. The banter between the men provides a welcome balance to the darker elements, and Icel’s dry, often self-aware thoughts gave me more than a few moments of quiet amusement.

It was also lovely to see the return of Brute, Icel’s faithful horse, who remains a steady presence throughout. The introduction of young Eadfrith adds another interesting layer to the story. His tragic background and surprising skills hint at a character with much more to offer, and I’m definitely curious to see where his journey leads.

The ending was particularly poignant and heartfelt. It struck an emotional chord that lingered long after I finished, adding a deeper resonance to the story.

Overall, this is another strong installment in Icel’s journey—gritty, emotional, and filled with both hardship and heart. A solid four-star read that continues to showcase why this series is so compelling.

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