Hi all! I’m back again with my post for Ascent by Cathie Dunn on the blog tour from Rachel’s Random Resources. Thanks to both Rachel Gilbey and Cathie Dunne for the gifted copy of the book to post my honest and unbiased review.
A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy
Neustria, Kingdom of the West Franks
AD 890
Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Bérengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrólfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.
To her relief, Hrólfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.
When Hrólfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrólfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.
Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela, to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.
Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?
ASCENT is the first in a new series about the early women of the House of Normandy – women whose stories have been forgotten through time.
Until now!
Readers of Viking and medieval fiction will enjoy ASCENT, a fictional account of the life of Poppa of Bayeux, handfasted wife of Rollo the Viking.
Trigger warning: Loss of a child. Some battle and fighting scenes.
Historical fiction holds a fascination for me. I truly love history. Any time period and country, it doesn’t matter. I will read it. This book is set during the 9th century, and, believe me, I was there throughout
Cathie Dunn has written a spellbinding and immersive historical fiction novel based on Poppa and Hróflr, the founders of the House of Normandy.
We meet Poppa at fourteen, whose life takes a 360-degree turn when Northmen land near Bayeaux. Her father capitulated to them, and she finds herself handfasted to Hróflr, the Northmens leader. To her relief Hróflr leaves to go and conquest other lands and doesn’t return to claim her until years later. From here, she has to learn how to be a Viking wife. All the trials and tribulations that come hand in had with her new life are laid bare for us to see in this first book in the House of Normandy series.
I know a bit about the Vikings, but nothing about Hróflr, apart from I know him as Rollo. This book both educated and entertained me. That’s what I love, too, the education.
Cathie Dunn has woven a tale that was interesting, horrifying, and emotional too. Horrifying because of the way Poppa is treated by Hróflr, but that’s a modern take on how women were treated. I was so behind Poppa that I loved this woman who had to change her way of life for a man she didn’t even know, who bore his children, then got thrown aside.
The way Cathie Dunn describes the settings is so detailed, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was transported right back in time. The battles were ferocious, and she depicted that so well. Every word I read made it feel so real and almost tangible.
I couldn’t read this book quickly enough just because I was always intrigued with what would be next for Poppa. The only issue with that is that I finished it far too soon for my liking! Now, I’m off to add more of Cathie Dunn’s books to my tbr pile.
Purchase Links
International Buy Link: http://mybook.to/NormandyAscent
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Author Bio
Cathie Dunn is an award-winning author of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.
Cathie has been writing for over twenty years. She studied Creative Writing online, with a focus on novel writing, which she also taught in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites. A voracious reader, primarily of historical fiction / romance, she often reviews books on her blog, Ruins & Reading.
Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in south of France with her husband, and rescued Charlie Cat and Ellie Dog. Discover more about Cathie at http://www.cathiedunn.com!
Social Media Links
Website https://www.cathiedunn.com
Amazon Author Page https://author.to/CathieDunn
Twitter https://twitter.com/cathiedunn
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CathieDunnAuthor/
Ruins & Reading FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/722966445318513
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/cathiedunnwrites/_saved/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5066224.Cathie_Dunn
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