Usurper: an epic medieval adventure

In 1066, England is on the brink of a devastating war, and 17-year-old Cerdic, second in line to the earldom of Ripon, is caught in the middle. He longs to be a warrior and ride to battle, but his wish is about to come true. Paul Finch's Usurper is an action-packed, coming-of-age, adventure set against the upheaval and battles of 1066. Cerdic is a troubled hero thrown into the maelstrom of events, and we follow him as he deals with brutal Vikings, familial rivalries, unrequited love, invading Normans, and more. The novel is praised for its authentic and vivid depiction of life in England in 1066 and its brutal, blood-soaked thriller.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Canelo

In the year 1066, the throne of England was under threat from a Viking horde led by the dreaded Harald Hardraada, while William of Normandy, a wolf in human guise, waited in the south, greedily sizing up the wealthy kingdom. Seventeen-year-old Cerdic, second in line to the earldom of Ripon in northern England, was being trained for a future in the Church, but his soul longed for battle, like his brother Unferth. However, as the invasion fleets sailed, Cerdic found himself caught in a maelstrom that would utterly reshape the life he used to know.

A catastrophic war was coming to England, and Cerdic's wish for battle looked set to come true. As the invasion fleets sailed, Cerdic found himself caught in a maelstrom that would utterly reshape the life he used to know. A catastrophic war was coming to England, and Cerdic's wish for battle looked set to come true.

Cerdic, a troubled hero thrown into the maelstrom of events outside of his control, is followed breathlessly as he deals with brutal Vikings, familial rivalries, unrequited love, invading Normans, and more. The novel is an edge-of-your-seat coming-of-age adventure in early medieval England, perfect for fans of David Gilman and Bernard Cornwell.

Praise for Usurper: "Usurper is an action-packed, coming-of-age, adventure set against the upheaval and battles of 1066. Finch gives us Cerdic, a troubled hero thrown into the maelstrom of events outside of his control, and we follow him breathlessly as he deals with brutal Vikings, familial rivalries, unrequited love, invading Normans, and more!" - Matthew Harffy, author of the Bernicia Chronicles.

Usurper propels the reader from the very first page through a thrilling and action-packed journey, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 198 x 130 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804362051