Viking: Odinn’s Child

By Tim Severin

Published Jan 2010

Set in an ancient Viking world full of extraordinary characters, brooding Norse mythology and bloodthirsty battles, Viking – Odinn’s Child is the stunning first volume in a grandiose epic historical fiction trilogy. Our story begins in the year 1001 and the toddler, Thorgils Leiffson, son of Leif the Lucky and the sybil-witch Thorgunna, arrives on the shores of Bratthlid in Greenland to be brought up in the fostercare of a young woman – Gudrid. Thorgils is a rootless character of quicksilver intelligence and adaptability. He has inherited his mother’s ability of second sight and his destiny lies beyond the imagination of those around him. Virtually orphaned, he is raised by mentors such as Tyrkir the German and Thorvall the Hunter, who teach him the ancient ways and warn him of the invasion of the ‘White Christ’ into the land of the ‘Old Gods’. Thorgils is guided by a restless quest for adventure and the wanderlust of his favoured god, Odinn. His fortunes take him into many dangerous situations as well as to the brink of death by execution, in battle, disease and shipwreck … Packed with wonderfully reimagined Viking sagas and adventures, and fascinating and unique characters, Viking – Odinn’s Child gives historical novel writing a new dimension.