The Fell Deeds of Fate: Kirkus Calls It a "Richly Developed Epic Viking Adventure"!
A riveting tale of honor, adventure, and redemption—discover why Kirkus is raving about this Viking epic.
I’m beyond excited to share some incredible news: The Fell Deeds of Fate has received a glowing review from Kirkus Reviews! For any author, having your work reviewed by Kirkus is a huge milestone. They’re renowned for their discerning and often critical reviews, so receiving such high praise is a true honor and affirmation of the hard work and dedication that went into creating this book.
Here’s what Kirkus had to say:
“In Adrien’s series-starting historical novel, an aging Viking goes on a journey to capture a great city—and to prove himself worthy by doing so.
Viking leader Hasting has retired to a comfortable life on a small island with his wife, Reifdis, but he’s still immature at heart; specifically, he’s still smarting that he never received the recognition he believed was his due for capturing Paris in the year 845. He’s certain he can be an honorable father to his newborn boy, but Reifdis, due to his drunken ways, has no such faith and divorces him. ‘Hasting, you are, as a result of this, commanded by the queen of this land to leave and never to return,’ says the local seer. Feeling cursed but driven to prove himself, he decides to lead a mission to capture Europe’s grandest yet most impregnable city, Istanbul (which the Vikings call Miklagard). It’s an audacious plan requiring a vast fleet, so he journeys through Europe to call on friends old and new, sailing around northern France, past what is now Denmark and Sweden, and then upriver to his target. Hasting was a real historical figure who effectively disappeared from the record for several years—a gap that Adrien has filled with this fictional but plausible adventure. The novel also includes historical details regarding ships, great halls, and much more. The lengthy historical notes following the narrative show Adrien’s dedication to accuracy. Hasting’s journey is regularly punctuated by battles, captures, and escapes, making for a staccato, episodic plot, and the protagonist reveals his backstory as the narrative progresses, including prior battles and triumphs; his memories of his first love with a woman named Asa; and his childhood in Christian Ireland. As a character, he’s impulsive, arrogant and aggressive, but also clever, loyal and jovial, making him easy to root for—particularly as he slowly learns that honor can’t be won by force. Still, Adrien skillfully crafts a satisfying resolution while teeing up the next series entry.
Richly developed fictional adventures of a real Viking on an epic journey through Europe.”
This review represents everything I set out to achieve with The Fell Deeds of Fate. Kirkus’ recognition of the rich historical details, the authenticity of Hasting’s journey, and the emotional depth of his character is a testament to the care and passion I poured into every page. Acknowledging my dedication to historical accuracy, paired with the adventure and drama of Hasting’s story, makes this review even more meaningful.
Receiving such high praise from Kirkus—a name synonymous with literary excellence—feels like a milestone in my journey as an author. Their review affirms that The Fell Deeds of Fate is a compelling story and a meaningful contribution to the world of historical fiction.
I couldn’t be more excited to share Hasting’s epic adventure with readers, and I’m thrilled that Kirkus sees it as the beginning of a journey worth taking. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up The Fell Deeds of Fate, I hope this inspires you to dive into the world of Vikings, honor, and epic quests. Thank you to all my readers and supporters for being part of this incredible adventure—there’s so much more to come!
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