Synopsis:
HARALD SIGURDSSON, King Harald Hardrada of Norway, King of the Vikings, was born to rule. He embraced that birthright, dominating his world with the strength in his arm and the power of his will. In an instant, one brutal mistake and a shattering wound took all he valued from him. But what if . . .
Harald Sigurdsson fled his disgrace with a band of equally broken warriors still holding tight to his leadership. They ventured West, to Iceland, Greenland, into the darkness, to a land known only through legends and lies.
A land with no need of a king, no room fora ruler. A land where a king could hope to become something more. This enthralling, thought-provoking story begins a thousand years ago on a battlefield outside York, England, and then moves across the North Atlantic to Iceland and beyond.
Brent Olson’s biggest, boldest, and best book yet is a stunning work of alternative history. By moving the path of one arrow one inch, Olson has achieved an entire new script for the world.
Reader Review-Between the Helpless and the Darkness is one of the best alternate history novels I have ever read. Olson shows craftsmanship beyond most work in the genre, and the end result is a compelling story while never sacrificing the benefits of an explicitly alternate history work. It should be read by anyone who wants to write in this genre.
Rating: 5-stars
Review:
Between the Helpless and the Darkness by Brent Olson is an engaging read. It is a similar to reading Grimm’s Fairy Tales (the original dark ones) and a history book. From both the tales and history, there are valuable lessons to be learned and not repeated. Yet many forego reading the past and end up repeating the same mistakes. This alternate historical fiction book shows lessons that should be learned and avoided at all costs. But still, it’s up to the main characters to decide the ending. I love any book that contains historical figures and some history. It makes one live in constant wonder, especially with history involved. What if this or what if that, …? No one will ever know if an alternate route would have been better or worse until it happens. Brent Olson writes incredibly well. History reimagined brought to life on these pages.
The AR Critique 