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    Anvil of God: Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles
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    Anvil of God: Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles
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    Anvil of God: Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles
    Ebook552 pages10 hours

    Anvil of God: Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles

    By J. Boyce Gleason

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    About this ebook

    It is 741. After subduing the pagan religions in the east, halting the march of Islam in the west, and conquering the continent for the Merovingian kings, mayor of the palace Charles the Hammer has one final ambition—the throne. Only one thing stands in his way—he is dying.

    Charles cobbles together a plan to divide the kingdom among his three sons, betroth his daughter to a Lombard prince to secure his southern border, and keep the Church unified behind them through his friend Bishop Boniface. Despite his best efforts, the only thing to reign after Charles’s death is chaos. His daughter has no intention of marrying anyone, let alone a Lombard prince. His two eldest sons question the rights of their younger pagan stepbrother, and the Church demands a steep price for their support. Son battles son, Christianity battles paganism, and Charles’s daughter flees his court for an enemy’s love.

    Based on a true story, Anvil of God is a whirlwind of love, honor, sacrifice, and betrayal that follows a bereaved family’s relentless quest for power and destiny.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisheriUniverse
    Release dateJul 29, 2013
    ISBN9781475990218

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    Reviews for Anvil of God

    4/5

    29 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I was lucky enough to receive ARC from author.I enjoyed book and liked most of the characters.I disliked some of the violence as some it was a bit graphic.I was drawn to this book because of the cover and time period this taken in.
    • 5/5
      Compelling and fun! Makes me want to get a TARDIS and go back to bitch slap Carloman! More please!
    • 3/5
      giva away winner; contrary to what the others have written; the story was just so so
    • 3/5
      I went into this book knowing that I was going to probably have to brush up on my history as I hadn't learned much about the time period in which this was set. This was one book that while I didn't hate it, I didn't really love it either. Trudi was, by far, my favorite character because I could relate to her very well. She doesn't really enjoy the typical womanly things of the time and instead chooses to learn to sword fight, dress more like a man when she can, and take charge of her own destiny. The three boys on the other hand seem to fall right into the numerous traps laid out after their father's death. While I know the Christian vs Pagan feud was big during this time period, I didn't expect to see it so divisive of a concept, even in the royal family and even in the way they talk about it. It just wasn't something that I'd come to expect in my readings about the time period to catch up on the basics of what was historically going on. It seemed to me that the book was very Christian leaning in that Christianity = good, Paganism = terrible with no flexibility between the two and I just couldn't get into it much to enjoy it.
    • 5/5
      Anvil of God takes place in a period of history about which I know very little. The time period is pre-Charlemagne and the plot deals with many issues from the fight between Christians and pagans, brothers warring on each other, power, lust and love. It begins with Charles Martel (Charlemagne's grandfather) and his second wife, Sunni. Charles is committed to working with the church and relies on his childhood friend who has risen far in its hierarchy - Boniface - but he does not make his decisions solely based on what is best for the church. Sunni has ostensibly joined the church but she has not left her pagan beliefs behind.Charles feels his death looming so he divides the kingdom up between his three sons; Carloman and Pippin from his first marriage and Gripho from his marriage to Sunni. He has a ceremony where he makes his nobles swear fealty to the boys for after his death but we all know how those promises play out in time. A subplot has Charles' daughter Trudi refusing to marry the man of Charles' choice and running away to marry for love.All I can write about this book is - WHERE IS THE SECOND VOLUME AND CAN I HAVE IT RIGHT NOW.RIGHT NOW!I found myself lost in this 8th century world populated with fascinating and diverse characters and I was so very sorry when I turned the last page. I am thrilled that this is Book One because that means there will be more to come. Mr. Gleason writes a thrilling story taking what little is left to history and spinning it into a page turning look into the world before the countries we consider Europe were drawn. There are really 7 main charaters, Charles Martel, his three sons, Sunni and Charles' daughter Trudi. There are several very strong secondary characters and they are all distinctly developed and unique unto themselves. It took me a little to sort them out at the start but once I did I had a very hard time putting this book down. It carries some tough scenes as there are battles, scourgings, rape, pillage and all that you would expect in these times. These scenes are handled in a straightforward manner and not exploited.The weakest subplot I do feel was Trudi's but apparently there is some basis in history for it. Mr. Gleason leaves his reader with a detailed Author's Note which I appreciated. It is always a pleasure for me to find one at the end of a historical novel so I can glean fact from fiction. I will anxiously await the next installment of The Carolingian Chronicles.
    • 3/5
      Well-written and very nicely fleshed out, but not my type of story. I tend to shy away from books where you need a genealogical diagram and map to follow what's going on.
    • 5/5
      The first book in the Carolingian Chronicles series, Anvil of God is a sweeping tale set in 8th century France. Mystical, full of suspense, action and family intrigues, J. Boyce Gleason weaves a fascinating tale much of which is based on true events. Historical fiction aficionados are in for a great treat ruffling through the pages of this compelling book.In Anvil of God, Charles Martel, the Hammer, is dying and wanted to ensure the continuation of his legacy by dividing his kingdom among his three sons: Carloman, Pippin, and Gripho. The older two brothers are Christians while the youngest is a pagan. But his wish remained a pipedream. Consequent upon his death, what seemed to be a farsighted moved proved disastrous as a fierce battle broke out among the sons for consolidation of power. Charles Martel also had assured the hands of his only daughter, Hiltrude known as Trudi, in marriage to a Lombard prince to secure his borders. But she has a mind of her own. Sunnichild, the widow of Charles Martel, also has her own ideas.When the fight ensued among his brothers, Trudi, along with her second brother, Pippin, flees to the east in Bavaria. But the plan went horribly wrong as she is abducted on the way. Gripho, the youngest brother takes control of the city of Laon. In a bid to stamp his authority and dominion, the oldest brother, Carloman, lays siege to it. Anarchy and confusion is reigning in the kingdom.J. Boyce Gleason writes a truly well-researched book peopled by memorable and unforgettable characters. The author has painted vivid pictures of the battles, virtually taking you to the scene, and making the characters come alive. The book is simply fantastic and immensely enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      Despite knowing nothing about the more historical background to this book, I was intrigued by the idea behind it, and it really doesn't seem to matter as it is written well and developed in a way that means you can enjoy it regardless. I was mainly drawn to this book because of the religious aspect which is something that interests me and is something that held my interest. This is a book which is easy to get pulled into and hard to leave. Although sometimes requiring some extra concentration to understand, its definatly worth the effort. Trudi as a character is definitely my favorite, she is not the typical women you expect in something like this and that adds something to the book. Shes strong and unwilling to accept things most women of the time would. For me, strong female characters like this really make books like Anvil of God that bit better. Now all there is to do, is wait for the second book.
    • 4/5
      I am very happy to be able to recommend this book with no reservations whatsoever. It is thoughtfully researched and well written. I enjoy historical fiction quite a bit, and am looking forward eagerly to the sequels to this. I like for a book to be believable and entertaining, with characters that I want to follow and hear more about. Anvil of God is definitely all of those things. This period in history has not been covered by much, even nonfiction. I had to make a list of things to google later that I found interesting. I think you will be glad you picked this one up!
    • 5/5
      When I was first notified that I had won this book I can honestly say I wondered why I even requested it. I mean a period piece that takes place in AD 741. Not the kind of book I read. Then it arrived and I decided now or never and I could not put it down. When I had to put it down all I could think of was the book. It is a mix of fact and fiction. The characters are so well written they just jump off the pages. My favorite characters are Sunni, Trudi amd Pippin. It amazed me how easy it was to get lost in the story and also get emotionally involved in it. There is something for everyone in it and never a dull momment. I admit that there are a couple of places that actually had me tearing up.I received this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway and even if you don't like period pieces please give this book a try. You won't regret it. I can't wait for book 2.
    • 4/5
      I was so glad to be offered this book for review because I have not read any historical fiction surrounding the Carolingian dynasty. I am pleased to say that Anvil of God was a terrific introduction to the era. Gleason's impeccably researched novel takes us into the heart of the time period and tells us an exciting and interesting tale of a time when Christianity was striving to quash Paganism and warfare was a constant.

      Struck with the reality that he is dying, Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) devises a plan for his sons to rule the kingdom and to make an advantageous marriage for his daughter to achieve political stability. However, his offspring are not so ready to cooperate. Having different views on religion and wanting to choose marriage for love over political advantage, his sons and daughter have designs on choosing their own paths in life. What we are left with is a story of the bonds of family and what factors can cause those bonds to break.

      Gleason has written a fantastic historical novel. This being the first book in The Carolingian Chronicles, I am looking forward to the next book.

    • 5/5
      Anvil of God takes place in a period of history about which I know very little. The time period is pre-Charlemagne and the plot deals with many issues from the fight between Christians and pagans, brothers warring on each other, power, lust and love. It begins with Charles Martel (Charlemagne's grandfather) and his second wife, Sunni. Charles is committed to working with the church and relies on his childhood friend who has risen far in its hierarchy - Boniface - but he does not make his decisions solely based on what is best for the church. Sunni has ostensibly joined the church but she has not left her pagan beliefs behind.Charles feels his death looming so he divides the kingdom up between his three sons; Carloman and Pippin from his first marriage and Gripho from his marriage to Sunni. He has a ceremony where he makes his nobles swear fealty to the boys for after his death but we all know how those promises play out in time. A subplot has Charles' daughter Trudi refusing to marry the man of Charles' choice and running away to marry for love.All I can write about this book is - WHERE IS THE SECOND VOLUME AND CAN I HAVE IT RIGHT NOW.RIGHT NOW!I found myself lost in this 8th century world populated with fascinating and diverse characters and I was so very sorry when I turned the last page. I am thrilled that this is Book One because that means there will be more to come. Mr. Gleason writes a thrilling story taking what little is left to history and spinning it into a page turning look into the world before the countries we consider Europe were drawn. There are really 7 main charaters, Charles Martel, his three sons, Sunni and Charles' daughter Trudi. There are several very strong secondary characters and they are all distinctly developed and unique unto themselves. It took me a little to sort them out at the start but once I did I had a very hard time putting this book down. It carries some tough scenes as there are battles, scourgings, rape, pillage and all that you would expect in these times. These scenes are handled in a straightforward manner and not exploited.The weakest subplot I do feel was Trudi's but apparently there is some basis in history for it. Mr. Gleason leaves his reader with a detailed Author's Note which I appreciated. It is always a pleasure for me to find one at the end of a historical novel so I can glean fact from fiction. I will anxiously await the next installment of The Carolingian Chronicles.