Author: Makoto Yukimura
Genre: Manga, Historical
Publication date: October 14, 2013
Book Description (from back cover): As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his family, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band's leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Sustaining Throfinn through his ordeal are his pride in his family and his dreams of a fertile westward land, a land without war or slavery...the land Leif called Vinland.
Review:
Note: Read from left to right.
This is a great start to what is an epic manga. Even for not manga readers, this is a pretty good fit- the characters, plot, and world-building is top-notch. The artwork is excellent and the action is non-stop. It has all the hallmarks of an epic Japanese manga, but it is set in the time of the Viking invasions of England. This is definitely an attention grabber.
It shows two timelines, as far as I can tell at least in the first volume. It starts in the Frankish Kingdoms. The whole gang, Askeladd, Thorfin, and the whole group are hired to help in an assault on a fortress, their ingenuity is noteworthy. They pick sides but eventually double-cross the team they join and run off with the riches of the fortress. Thorfinn is shown as an amazing fighter especially considering his young age. The other thing is made pretty clear is that he hates Askeladd.
The explanation comes in the second part of the book, this takes place a few years earlier. It kicks off with Thorfinn's childhood. He lives in a remote village, a child living a very carefree life very eager to travel with his father and even fantasizing to fight in wars with his father. Their innocent life is interrupted by the arrival of an elite mercenary force - the Jomsvikings. Thorns (Thorfinn's father) was part of their force known as Thorrs the Troll managing to rise to the rank of Captain. He is found and forced to rejoin their ranks to answer an English attack, the Denmark King decides to retaliate and is "requesting" Thorrs the Troll to return to the Jomsvikings ranks. On his way to join the main force, Thorr and his ships are attacked by Askeladd and his crew. That's when it happens. It shows us the fight and the reason Thorfinn hates Askeladd and why he continues to be part of his crew and yet continues to challenge the man to a duel trying to get avenge his father's death.
This book was used for the challenges:
Around the world- The author is from Japan
Translated work
Series- this is the start but the plan is to complete or at least catch up to the latest published one this year.
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