'There's even worse to come, for you and your family. A large band of men are on their way to the fortress. They've been ordered to set light to it - to burn it right down if necessary. They've sent a message everyone has a single day - one day only! - to get out. They plan to arrive at sundown tomorrow. Anyone still within the walls at that time will be burned alive, along with all the buildings!' The Viking king is endlessly conquering more land enslaving the people. His formidable mother Queen Aud fears the slaves will rebel, and urges him to make peace before it is too late. Then her free-spirited granddaughter Gerd refuses to enter a forced marriage. In revenge, the rejected suitor treacherously murders the king, plunging the realm into civil war. The remaining royal family flees into the wilderness, but escape seems impossible - for the enemy has burned all the Viking ships. Can any of them survive the hardship? What will become of Queen Aud's buried treasure? How long can Gerd evade the monstrous brute she refused to marry? Is there any man from either side who they dare to trust? Under Queen Aud's bold leadership, they repeatedly manage to outwit the enemy. But a final attack by evil sorcerers puts her cunning to its greatest test. Is she really a woman who can never be beaten? This is a dramatic page-turner, full of unexpected twists and turns, family drama and romance. It vividly depicts the Viking Age in a way you've never seen it through the eyes of its strong, free-thinking women. REVIEWERS AND READERS HAVE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED THIS AUTHOR'S PREVIOUS BOOKS Rosalind Kerven is the author of over 70 books published in 22 countries. Her bestselling Viking Myths and u0026 Sagas is featured on the BBC History Extra website and was praised in The Bookseller for 'bringing Viking people, culture and beliefs vividly to life'. WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ROSALIND'S PREVIOUS 'This is a book to savour'- The Independent 'The perfect book' - Times Literary Supplement 'Engaging and totally readable. Perfect' - 5-star reader review on amazon 'The narrative voice is vivid and flexible, drawing in the reader from the beginning...a pleasure to read' - Folklore 'Such a well written book...Totally recommended' - 5-star reader review on goodreads.com 'I recommend it without reservation' - Grammarye 'Fantastic book. I absolutely loved reading it. I am definitely going to read this again' - 5-star reader review on goodreads.com 'The author's writing style is so excellent and at a perfect pace so that it truly feels like you are sitting round a fire at camp being told a story' - 5-star reader review on amazon 'There is a strong focus on character and dialogue' - Times Literary Supplement 'Easy to read and entertaining' - 5-star reader review on goodreads.com