The Viking’s Revenge. (Warrior Heroes). Benjamin Hulme-Cross. Illustrated by Angelo Rinaldi. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2015. 153 pp., pbk. & hc., $13.95 (pbk.), $23.96 (RLB). ISBN 978-0-7787-1771-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-1767-6 (RLB). Grades 8 and up / Ages 13 and up. Review by Laura Dick. **1/2 /4

excerpt:

He had taken barely three steps when he heard a hiss and a thud. An arrow, still quivering in the ground, had appeared at Arthur's feet. He jumped back, and another arrow hissed into the earth to his right. He leaped behind a tree and waited for the attackers to show themselves.

Soon, the girl emerged from the trees. She was being pushed along by a huge, red faced boy. Another boy followed with an arrow notched ready in his bow.

"You there!" shouted the boy with the bow. "My name is Brand Hallvardson, and this forest belongs to my father."

"Get out from behind that tree, coward!" yelled Red face.

"I have no weapons, and I mean you no harm," Arthur called back.

"No talking. I said show yourself!" The boy was shouting so loud that his voice cracked.

Slowly, Arthur stepped out from behind the tree. Brand Hallvardson looked straight at him along his notched arrow.

One in the “Warrior Heroes” series by Benjamin Hulme-Cross, The Viking's Revenge takes place during the Viking era in Scandinavia. A very interesting premise opens this book a young man named Finn explains that he and his brother, Arthur, broke into their great grandfather's museum, the Hall of Heroes, on the night before their great grandfather's funeral. Finn further explains that, when they broke in, they discovered that when either of the boys is touched by one of the ghost warriors in the museum, the boys get transported back to the time and place where that ghost lived and died. In the past, the boys must fix whatever it is that keeps the ghost from resting in peace before they are allowed to return to the present day. Every time they travel to the past they are immersed in different time periods and encounter various warriors whom they assist in some way.

     Each book in the series appears to focus on one specific warrior ghost, with this one being a Viking warrior who is seeking the whereabouts of his beloved sword, Blood Hunter. Finn and Arthur travel back to the Viking era, take part in many, many battles, kill some Vikings and, ultimately, save the day. Their quest to find Blood Hunter is successful, and the Viking warrior ghost is able to rest in peace.

     This title is not for the faint of heart. There is much violence, including death and dismemberment. The focus is on action at the expense of character development.

     Double spacing and lots of white space and a very clear font make The Viking’s Revenge very accessible for reluctant teen readers. I suspect that the subject matter may attract some otherwise reluctant readers. The design of the book makes success possible. However, the violent content is definitely for older readers.

Recommended.

Laura Dick is trying to raise four teenagers while attempting to maintain her sanity. She escapes to work as a manager at a mid sized public library in Southwestern Ontario.

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