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 factoids). 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 exploring the strange, brutal, and fascinating world of the Viking Age and its real history. Through my novels and articles, I dig into new research, uncover forgotten threads, and dramatize the past in ways that (hopefully) make you forget you’re learning something.

Under the pen name C.J. Adrien, I’m the bestselling and award-winning author of Viking historical fiction, including the Saga of Hasting the Avenger series. My books were born from research I conducted while preparing for a doctoral program in early medieval history, combined with a healthy obsession with writers like Ken Follett and Bernard Cornwell.

I’m also a published historian whose work has appeared in journals such as L’Association des Amis de Noirmoutier. I’ve also spoken about Vikings at events like the International Medieval Congress in Leeds, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and various conferences across France.

If you’re into deep dives, odd historical detours, a dash of irreverent humor, and a behind-the-scenes look at how historical fiction gets made—stick around. Subscribe, challenge an idea, or lurk judgmentally from the shadows. I won’t judge (much).

Let’s explore the Viking world—one raid, one fact, and one well-crafted sentence at a time.

Stay up-to-date

You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.