The Who, the What, and the Why.

Welcome, fellow internauts.

My name is Christophe (yes, like in Frozen—but with fewer show tunes and more historical rabbit holes). I’m a 6'3" homo sapiens currently based in the Pacific Northwest—until I inevitably migrate, as sapiens tend to do.

I write stories rooted in the strange, brutal, and fascinating world of the Viking Age. As a novelist and former history teacher, I explore the Viking world to understand the past and why it still grips us today.

Under the pen name C.J. Adrien, I’m the bestselling and award-winning author of The Saga of Hasting the Avenger, a series of historical fiction novels based on deep research into early medieval Europe. My goal is to bring authenticity to my stories—enough that you feel the salt spray of the sea and the weight of a sword—while also sneaking in a bit of education (the teacher in me can’t help it).

This Substack is where I peel back the curtain: I share new research, odd historical detours, and behind-the-scenes insights into how historical fiction gets made. It’s also a space for reflecting on how we view the past, and what that says about us.

You're in the right place if you’re into Vikings, storytelling, historical mysteries, the blurred lines between fact and myth, and a dash of irreverent humor. Subscribe, leave a comment, or lurk from the shadows. I won’t judge (much).

Let’s explore the Viking world—together.

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