Review: Son of Mercia by MJ Porter

Synopsis: Tamworth, Mercia AD825.

The once-mighty kingdom of Mercia is in perilous danger. Their King, Beornwulf lies dead and years of bitter in-fighting between the nobles, and cross border wars have left Mercia exposed to her enemies. King Ecgberht of Wessex senses now is the time for his warriors to strike and exact his long-awaited bloody revenge on Mercia. King Wiglaf, has claimed his right to rule Mercia, but can he unite a disparate Kingdom against the might of Wessex who are braying for blood and land? Can King Wiglaf keep the dragons at bay or is Mercia doomed to disappear beneath the wings of the Wessex wyvern? Can anyone save Mercia from destruction?

First in a new series from MJ Porter though the main character, Icel, is not new to the author's readers as he is in another series though much older. "Son of Mercia" is the story of his early years, and as such the build up is slow and steady, any action taking place in the last quarter of the narrative. The author has firmly placed herself and her books in the Kingdom of Mercia.

I will be interested in seeing how the second in the series progresses as I have not read the existing tome where a much older Icel appears.

This post is to coincide with the publication date, though I read this last year.