When Bjorn tends to the grievously wounded Porunn (her face horrifyingly beaten by an English soldier), it’s uncle Rollo who reaches out to the boy, finding a way through Bjorn’s self-involved grieving, drawing on his own relationship with the gods (and perhaps his own experience with massive facial injuries). Rollo’s journey has been an inconsistent one, but his current characterization has taken on an appealing serenity—or as close to serenity as the axe-happy Rollo gets. Here, his advice to his nephew is less about worship, or pragmatism, and more emblematic of Rollo’s resigned understanding of his place in the Norseman’s universe: Some will always believe that mutual religious tolerance is impossible. The tension between the Christian Saxons and the Norse Vikings has begun to create problems on both sides as we are shown early on in parallel scenes in the episode. Two of Ecbert’s court (somewhat) hesitantly call their king out for his willingness to ally himself with the Northmen, even to the point of evicting his own people from their lands and giving it to the new arrivals. The fact that they feel strongly enough about this to admit the content of their muttering to him speaks a great deal to how serious a problem his people believe this to be. While any king rules, on one level or another, by the consent of the people, an English court of the time did not have the democratic tone that tended to be more true of a Viking one where anyone could, in theory, speak his mind. When Ecbert arrived with the good news that Mercia was defeated, I wasn't expecting Lagertha to invite him to a sacrifice ritual. Was Judith that obsessed with Athelstan that she recommended they stay? I've always enjoyed the way this show portrays Viking culture and their rituals. While it seems cruel and barbaric to us, those were there beliefs so why not explore them on the show? Lagertha is a vision even drenched in ox blood. Sorry, I just had to throw that out there. Lastly, we have the insta-lust, which I don’t mind even if it’s not slow burn (which this actually was so thank God) but my issue is after they mate?! Instantly, and I mean, automatically, they exchange I love yous and it’s all understanding and mate bond and sensing each others feelings and blah blah blah 😒

friendship family (it gave me the same warm feelings I got from the ACOTAR “inner circle”, while also being totally unique!) While Christianity embraces the idea that God already knows the day on which we will die as well as that about humans enjoying free will even to the point of rejecting God, few adherents live as the Vikings do. They instead believe the gods more actively select a day on which they will die, and since that day is set, they are free to act as they wish because nothing they do or fail to do will alter the time of their death–this is what Ragnar reminds Floki of after the battle when he points out that their mutual friend’s death was on his own terms, not those of his king. And if you were looking for a formula more likely to produce brave warriors, it’s hard to imagine one that would so thoroughly remove fear from the equation: if it’s not your day to die, nothing can kill you. Combined with the promise of Valhalla, it’s hardly surprising that the battlefield ferocity of the Vikings still fascinates us a thousand years after the last one died. The FMC was so badass. Fully grumpy but deep down stressed and anxious and trying to be strong and unbothered. When she said “down boy” I SCREAMED. She’s one of my all time favorites.I can’t stop recommending this book to anyone who loves adult fantasy romance—it’s everything I want in this genre! A brilliant ending to an amazing series of books and stories. With this, the Extinction Cycle is complete. I do think that the characters of Isla, Kai, Sebastian, Adrien, and Ameera were really well done. I didn't really care about the others. Ezekiel was clearly suspicious from the beginning, which everyone ignored for way too long into the book. But for the most part, I thought the author did a good job with the characters, romance, tension, and banter. Okay so this book was good but I did skim a lot at a certain point because it’s just so much information/thought flow from the main character. The concept is good I’ve always been a fan of the werewolf genre books. It was a LOT of information and investigating which I like but I also feel like it was WAY TOO much at a certain point. This book is way too long for what is at the end. This could’ve been shortened. I have a book series I loved on Wattpad but it went down hill because too much information was added to the point where I was confused about what was happening. I’m hoping the next book is not overwhelming and that it’s better than the first book. This book does leave you on a cliffhanger in my opinion because the entire “investigation” or “conflict” is STILL unresolved at the end of this book. I think This book could’ve been shorter and also left us with a bit more information than what was given at the end.

This book was an amazing work of fantasy and I enjoyed it immensely. I always find myself at a loss for words when I finish a truly impressive book, I just don’t have the words to do it justice. It is an through and carefully-written book - everything comes together and there are no unexplained or irrelevant plotholes- which makes reading it efffortless. The faith of some extends to martyrdom. It’s a feature of many religions, even today, that those who die in their defense or according to their rules will reap rewards in the next life. While we see none of the zealotry that tends to be a feature of the former in this episode, the title definitely references the latter. Torstein meets his fate head-on when he all but begs (or as close as a Viking gets to begging) Rollo to drag him to the battlefield so he can die fighting, thus earning his way into Valhalla. His faith (and the content of that faith) is highlighted because his death in the beginning of the battle is in counterpoint to Burgred’s surrender at its end. Of course, while we are intended to see that surrender as cowardly, it also marks out an important difference between the two belief systems: the attitudes of each towards fate and free will.

Gye Baek, Warrior’s Fate full movie

I admittedly was nervous to start this book. I am a person who likes to invest in the main protagonists relationship and to hear they are rejecting it made me pause. Thankfully I saw someone talk a little bit about it on Tiktok and decided to buy the e-book copy. Let me start off and say I am buying the physical copy to add to my shelf. What was wrong with Aslaug offering the stranger dinner, shelter and letting him know all the men were gone? Woman are you insane? Siggy's face was priceless. Just IMAGINE.. two fated mates who refuse to touch, (because if they touch the bond will fully form) who are from opposing sides of the political chain. I also adore the family and found family dynamics in A Warrior's Fate. Isla and Sebastian actually feel like siblings. I love their dynamic so much! The third member of the trio is their best friend Adrian, who happens to be heir to the Io throne. This trio is just great! There's also some more found family that appears throughout the book, and I just love how supportive they are.

It reminds me of the lord of the rings but not quite .... a bit like game of thrones but again it's more like it's own category with a LOT of potential and I can't wait to read the second book ! I'm sure the Wolves of Morai will be an absolute sucess and I hope to see the author gain the recognition she deserves! This book has an in depth world that is written and described intricately. The world building is fabulous. The character building is deep and I’m so impressed with how real these characters feel. The plot and storyline are so compelling that I was clutching my metaphorical pearls the entire time. There is suspense, there’s romance, there’s wolf shifters and witches and fae. There’s betrayal and intrigue; mysteries to solve. Kevin Durand was brilliant as Harbard, and completely unrecognizable with that beard and accent. Though he temporarily cured little Ivar, something is definitely off. Story time was fun, and it was Helga that figured out he was Thor in the story.

Athelstan was putting the moves on Judith, wasn't he? I can't imagine him kneeling in front of her in nothing but a towel helped matters much. Is it wrong I want to see those two give in to their desires? I know, I know... but she's married and he's an ex-Monk. Whatever, you only live once and when you find that kind of connection, I say go for it. The first 50% is a masterpiece- a slow burn, fated mates with warring nations, and soldier training? Art. 🤌🏽