Book Review - The King of Rogaland: Book 6 in the Saga of Erling Skjalgsson.
Title: The King of Rogaland: Book 6 in the Saga of Erling Skjalgsson
Author: Lars Walker
Enjoyability: Five Stars
I’ve been trying to figure out how to review this series for about two years now. The series was well-established when I began reading it, which is to say I started reading in the middle with West Oversea. I find that I enjoy established book series and long running podcasts more when I start in the middle, and then work backwards and forwards. Growth, or lack of growth, as sometimes happens in creative ventures, is interesting to me. Lars Walker has absolutely grown as a writer. Full disclosure though — he is also a friend. I trust him, and all of you, to recognize that I no longer bother fully reading books I don’t enjoy and can’t recommend. Never mind stopping to review them. These are my opinions. If you don’t like them, I have others.
These books are set in the late Viking Age. I would say roughly between about A.D 990 and 1130; this might change, however, as the series is not yet finished. Erling Skajalsson is a real historical figure, as are many of the other characters, including Olaf Haraldsson and Astrid Olofsdotter. The books are largely set in Norway, featuring all the political maneuvering and strife of the actual time. Slavery, rape, battles, bloody murders, and pagan rituals all figure in as they would have in the actual time period. That said, none of it is ever played for the kink value; all these things are presented as what they are, human suffering and horror.
Father Ailill, the main character, is a kidnapped and enslaved Irishman turned fake Christian priest for survival purposes. Which brings the central conflict of the books into two areas in the spiritual realm. First, where pagan gods and other forces meet Christianity, and specifically Father Ailill. Odin is not his friend. Secondly, anywhere more militant forms of Christianity decide that the way they believe can and should be forced on others. The King of Rogaland in particular features witches. Other books in the series have contained deities, trolls (not the colorful cute ones from your childhood), and a couple monsters I had never heard of before.
This combination of history and myth produces a ripping yarn. There is no other way to put it. Father Ailill and Erling are by no means perfect. They are holy warriors only in the most flawed and human of ways — this makes them interesting, multi-dimensional, and armed, a compelling combination. I do not like the popular form taken by current fantasy novels, most of the time, as I find the characters shallow and the conflicts contrived. These books are the exception that proves the rule.
I personally think each of the books in this series is perfectly suited to be read without the others. If you are a stickler for chronology, the books, in order, are: The Year of the Warrior (which encompasses both of the first two original books, Erling’s World and The Ghost of the God-tree), West Oversea, Hailstone Mountain, The Elder King, and The King of Rogaland. While my favorite is The Elder King, I have throughly enjoyed all of them, not something I can say for every series I’ve read.
Scenes to Watch for: Queen Astrid saves the day.
Favorite Quote: I laughed. In the darkness, in the gallows’ shadow, I laughed as Easter morning neared and light began filtering in through the cracks in the wall, and the church bell tolled outside. I said, “Of all the follies in the world, I think the greatest folly is believing a thing true just because it’s ugly. Ugliness is a great bully. It screams in your face and pokes you where your wounds are, but it does so only because it’s weak. Because it knows itself to be weak when measured up against spring, and children’s laughter, and the warmth of the sun, and the grace of a woman’s walk when you love her. Your sickness should perhaps raise fear in me, Demon, but in the end it’s be a poor joke. The God of Heaven on His throne laughs you to derision. Behold, the sun rises, the stone is rolled away, and your Deliverer is at the door!”
Where to Read: I always have to have a jacket or a comfy afghan close by. Norway is freezing and so is the sea. I always end up cold as I read along as I am too suggestible by half. Hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate also help.