Viking Kings of Norway

Step into the legend of the boy destined to shoulder the weight of a kingdom and shape the course of history.

In 860 AD, the sudden death of King Halvdan the Black thrusts the weight of command onto his ten-year-old son, Harald. Rival kings and jarls, drawn by the scent of a weakened throne, join forces, their armies dwarfing Harald’s band of loyal warriors by threefold. The unseasoned boy-king must rise above his father’s formidable legacy and earn the allegiance of his men.

Harald’s trials on the battlefield are paralleled by those of the heart as he falls for Gyda, the spirited daughter of King Eirik of Horthaland. Undeterred by his rejection, Harald makes a daring pledge — he will neither cut nor comb his hair until he has claimed every corner of Norway as his own.

Harald’s vow leads him to the tumultuous waters of Hafrsfjord, where an alliance of rival kings, incited by Gyda’s father, awaits. It is here that the fate of Norway — and Harald’s own destiny — will be sealed.

‘Fairhair‘ unfolds the epic tale of a boy who dared to dream beyond his years and set his sights on becoming the first King of Norway. It’s a story of determination, love, and the indomitable spirit of a young ruler.

The Viking Ventures

Plunge headfirst into a saga where the taste of sea salt mingles with the metallic tang of blood, where dragons rule the waves, and where the Viking spirit soars as boundless as the open ocean. Welcome to the year 841, the age of Viking dominion.

From the deck of a longship, the young Viking, Ulv, peers at the shores of Northumbria. A shiver of anticipation and fear runs through him as he embarks on his first raid. He is an outsider in Sigurd Jarl’s respected hird, not a seasoned warrior, but a youth desperate to earn his place among the Viking legends.

In the looming shadow of the dragon ships, stands Marcus, a Northumbrian of a similar age, equally inexperienced in the harsh realities of war. As the invaders near, their destinies intertwine, setting them on a collision course that will challenge everything.

As destiny unravels, Ulv and Marcus find themselves thrust into an unexpected alliance. Their story unfolds amidst the turmoil of war, sowing the seeds of a friendship that could alter the course of their lives.

Journey with Ulv as he stands shoulder to shoulder with Marcus and their Viking companions. Together, they face bloody battles, capture Dublin, and lay siege to monasteries. Watch as they encounter legendary figures such as Ragnar Lothbrok and Charles the Bald, and as they navigate the cut-throat world of the Vikings.

‘Viking’ is a historical adventure that pulses with vivid characters, relentless action, and an authentic depiction of the Viking age. Readers have lauded this debut of Viking Ventures for its skillfully woven narrative and attention to historical detail. It has been hailed as a ‘masterpiece of storytelling,’ celebrated for its ‘ceaseless action scenes.’

Don’t miss this opportunity to join Ulv on his thrilling journey, and experience one of history’s most formidable epochs through ‘Viking’!”

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Are You Ready to Embark on a Viking Adventure?

Ever wondered how Ulv found himself raiding alongside Sigurd Jarl and his fearless crew? Curious about the deep-seated animosity between him and Kjetil Korte? Dive into the untold story in this exclusive short tale.

The Authors

Ole Åsli

Ole has a PhD in psychology and a love for a good story.

He lives with his family in Tromsø, in the far north of Norway, where he is a researcher and a lecturer at the Arctic University of Norway.

In his spare time, he reads and writes stories. Most of his novels are co-written with his partner in fictional dark deeds, Tony Bakkejord.

Tony Bakkejord

Tony is a Norwegian psychiatrist and forensic psychiatrist. He has a university degree in history, and his favourite subjects are the Roman Empire, the Viking Age and the Second World War.

Tony lives with his wife and three kids in the Bodø, a town just above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway. He spends as much time as possible at his cabin, where he does most of his writing.

Since 2016, Tony’s been writing and publishing books with his friend and co-author Ole Åsli.

In 2017, they released the Norwegian edition of the first book in the Viking Ventures trilogy – a historical fiction trilogy about Europe in the Viking age. The remaining two books followed in 2018 and 2019, while The English translations were published in 2020-21.

Åsli & Bakkejord are currently writing a novel about Harald Fairhair, the king who united Norway in the 9th century.