Valhalla's Fury by Donovan Cook
Series: Charlemagne's Cross #4
Genres: Historical Fiction
Abandoned by his people and destined for Valhalla, do not stand in the way of his fury.
Ribe is lost, its hall burnt, and Charles is still missing. Sven must once more sail into dangerous waters to rescue his grandson.
King Louis of East Francia, the man who took Sven’s son from him almost twenty years ago, has Charles captive and uses him to force Sven to do his bidding and create chaos raiding his brothers Kingdom of West Frankia.
The long awaited meeting of Charles and his mother, Abbess Hildegard, is not what Charles dreamed it would be and soon it becomes clear that Charles is in even more danger. Torn between the heathen gods and his Christian god, Charles must decide where his future lies.
Sven must fight if he wants to see Charles again and keep the Cross of Charlemagne out of the hands of the Frankish kings. The only thing that Sven knows is that to save Charles, innocent people must die.
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
Valhalla’s Fury, the final installment in Donovan Cook’s Charlemagne Cross series, delivers an intense and gripping conclusion. Charles is still being held captive by King Louis, with Father Leofdag by his side as much as possible. When Charles is taken away, Leofdag is left in the dark about his whereabouts. Charles soon finds himself on a beach, facing his grandfather, only to realize that King Louis intends to use him as a pawn, not keep his promises. Finn the Boar recognizes this as well and knows there’s no way King Louis will allow Charles to leave West Francia alive.
Things take a turn when King Louis strikes a deal with Finn, asking him to raid towns in East Francia while his son Pepin seizes Aquitaine. Despite the small number of warriors at his disposal, Finn feels compelled to accept the deal, especially after Thora stays behind in West Francia to protect young Charles. As the group sets out to fulfill the king’s orders, Finn hopes Charles remains safe, while Charles himself struggles with his faith in God and the mystery of his mother. Thora’s presence nearby provides him some comfort in the midst of the chaos.
The story escalates into a thrilling climax, where Charles barely escapes death, saved by an unexpected hero. As betrayals pile up, it becomes clear that not everyone can be trusted. The ending is absolutely incredible, leaving me excited about the potential for future books featuring Charles, Thora’s niece, and Rollin’s son. Even if those stories don’t materialize, I’m beyond thrilled to have experienced this series.
Donovan Cook has a way of crafting suspenseful, action-packed narratives that keep you on the edge of your seat, even when you think you know what’s coming. The fight scenes are fierce, the dialogue sharp, and the historical context seamlessly woven into the plot. I love the way he intertwines real history with fiction, making you wonder what might have really happened. The footnotes at the end of the book are a great bonus, something I never skip. Anyone with a passion for Viking history will absolutely enjoy this series—it’s a must-read.
Meet the Author
About Donovan Cook
Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology. He was born in South Africa and currently lives in Lancashire, UK.
Leave a Reply