Land of the Wolf: A Novel of the Viking Age

by James L. Nelson

For nearly three years, Thorgrim Night Wolf has fought his way across Ireland, Engla-land, and Frisia, seeking riches and battling to keep him and his men alive. Through all that hardship, his foremost thought has been to return to his farm in Norway and to give up the life of a raider. With word that his eldest son Odd is fighting for his life against King Halfdan the Black, Thorgrim is more desperate than ever to return home. With Norway just beyond the horizon, Thorgrim, Harald, and the rest must still contest every mile, thanks to the Norns who weave men’s fates, and the many enemies who lie in wait.

For Odd, too, fate has nearly run its course. Determined to finally crush him and the rebellion he’s led, and frightened by rumors of the Night Wolf’s return, King Halfdan has gathered his kingdom’s best warriors. Now, he vows to lead them into battle, to destroy Odd, crush Thorgrim, and settle the matter of the kingdom’s rule in one last fight to the death.

Genres: Medieval, Historical Fiction

551 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2025

About the author

James L. Nelson (1962-) is an American historical nautical novelist. He was born in Lewiston, Maine. In 1980, Nelson graduated from Lewiston High School. Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two years, and then transferred to UCLA, with the ambition of becoming a film director. Nelson, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Betsy lived for two years in Steubenville, Ohio, while Lisa attended Franciscan University. They also have two boys, Nate and Jack. They now live in Harpswell, Maine, where Nelson continues to write full time.

Reviews

[Stephen M. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not only read "Land of the Wolf", but have read the full series of the Night Wolf collection. It was great, and I recommend it to anyone who loves history. Even though it s fiction, the research that has been put into the historical accuracy of the stories is like you are re-living the Viking Age. Character development make you think you are actually living with the men and women that are sailing the Dragon Ships. I am sorry that the Night Wolf series is at an end, but there is a continuation of the Norsemen Saga that I am looking forward to. Thank you James Nelson for letting me, "run with the Wolf in the end". That was the perfect ending.

[Steven Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book closes out the excellent series of Viking tales from Mr. Nelson. I've read all of them, and they are the most authentic and best written novels about the Viking Age, and I think, his best work, although he's written good novels about other periods too. This one is a formidable finale, bringing the tale to a satisfying conclusion that's in keeping with the Viking spirit as well as giving the reader closure, without, I'm pretty sure, infringing on history. (I need to mention this because one of the characters, Halfdan the Black, is a historical figure whose adventures are described in the Heimskringla, the saga of Norwegian kings. I have a copy but haven't read it in a long time so I haven't actually checked the character in the book against the chronicle.)

This book continues the tradition of quotes from the sagas, skaldic verses, or eddas at the beginning of each chapter. These add to our understanding of the culture, although they might not directly bear on the action of the chapter. I recognized many of them from the course in Icelandic literature I took in 1972-3, although I used different translations. One of my favorites which I still remember word for word is, "Best is the party one looks back on after, and remembers all that happened." That's quoted by the author in slightly different words but recognizable.

The action is nonstop, with battles on land and sea and Thorgrim Night wolf, the main character, conning his fleet of ships (laden with plunder by the way) north from Frisia towards his home of Agde, Norway. We come to see Thorgrim as a great leader of men, a genuine hero, something many readers wish for among fictional characters. Brave men do their thing, they are "silent but brave in battle" -- that's another quote from the Elder Edda. May the dead have a fine feast in Valhalla, and remember all that happened!

And along with the inevitable sadness that comes with reaching the end of a well-loved book, the author gives us a conversation that suggests that Thorgrim's sons Odd and Harald are planning a raiding expedition of their own, and therefore, setting up another riveting tale we readers can look forward to.

[Lynn S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good, but I'm sad to see the end of this series. I loved the characters, Thorgrim Night Wolf, Starri Deathless, Harald and Odd; I loved following their adventures. I was happy to see there will be a new series featuring Harald and Odd in the future.
I was reading the paperback, not the kindle edition, but it looks like the kindle edition is the only one on Goodreads at the moment.

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

After three years, the gods finally grant Thorgrim “Night Wolf” Ulfsson his one desire – to go home. His wolf dreams, a rarity of late, leave him with a sense of urgency. His oldest son, Odd, needs him. As always, the gods only allow Thorgrim’s return at their speed and a stop on a beach brings Starri Deathless’s warning that men are massing to attack. In the ensuing fight, Thorgrim falls and his men take him to Ribe because they don’t know how to heal him.

Wanted for rebelling against the king, Odd Thorgrimson tries to get to Fevik, where he can raise more men to fight the king. Bragi Shipslayer runs their leaky vessel onto the rocks. Fishermen-pirates surround them, but Odd doesn’t know whether they come to help or harm. When they realize who Odd is, they offer assistance, and with his help, they capture one of the king’s longships also heading to Fevik. Tired of eluding, Odd decides to stand and fight, regardless of the odds. The questions are who will get to Fevik first and will his mish-mash army be able to stand against trained warriors.

Dealing with Odd is at the top of Halfdan the Black’s to-do list even his own ambition and greed started the rebellion when he declared Night Wolf dead and seized his land. A man with firsthand knowledge that Thorgrim still lives arrives, which adds to Halfdan’s growing concerns. Thorgrim is well-liked, respected, and admired, which makes him dangerous. The only solution is to kill Thorgrim and his men. Once the father is dead, the son will be even easier to put down. The problem will be finding Thorgrim, for the betrayer doesn’t know where Night Wolf is.

Skorri Thorbrandsson has done nothing wrong, yet this most loyal of the king’s men is now imprisoned within the royal fortress. Halfdan says he believes Skorri innocent of the charges against him, but as king, Halfdan must test that loyalty and makes Skorri run a gauntlet. Only then is his status returned and he is trusted to command an army to hunt down Odd Thorgrimson once again. False accusations, unfair imprisonment, and bad treatment alter Skorri’s thinking. Will Hafldan turn on him in the future? Or can he achieve his ambitions and desires by playing one enemy against the other to become a powerful and wealthy jarl?

Land of the Wolf is the twelfth and final book in The Norsemen Saga. It is as complex, entertaining, and edgy as the first, except this time around we bid final farewells to those who survive and those who do not. The story is deceptively complex yet expertly interwoven as a fine tapestry spun from love, honor, respect, betrayal, ambition, and greed. The skirmishes are inventive and bold. The battles, both at sea and on land, are fierce, galvanizing, and heart-stopping. Together they show readers the true meaning of dying with honor, as well as what Norsemen believed. Land of the Wolf is a fitting end to the saga of Thorgrim Night Wolf. A new adventure one involving his sons shows equal promise and is just around the corner.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/JLNelson.h...)

[Priscilla Jayne Canterbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Conclusion!

I have eagerly anticipated each of the novels in this saga. This is the last and concludes the story of Thorgrim Night Wolf and many of his men as they return to Norway. It also tells more of Odd’s rebellion, and introduces us to the brave fisher folk.
I’m SO looking forward to the new series!

[Francis J. Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exceptional adventure

Another fantastic book in the series. Of the hundreds of Viking novels I've read, this series truly stands out. Nelson's talent for capturing the spirit of the warrior, the thrill of battle and the call of the sea is unmatched. Highly recommended.

[DeWayne Landwehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harald finally makes it home to Norway, only to find that his younger brother is in deep trouble with the king. New alliances, battles, plot twists, make this another interesting book--but still plagued with spelling errors.

[Kenneth McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Can hardly wait for Odd an Harold adventures . I'm sure the Med will hold a lot of fantastic adventures .

[bruce w sanneman]

loved it. A fitting end for Starri!!! Now the brothers are off on there adventures!! Can't wait. Going to start the whole series over.

[Michael Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure

Another great story from from the master storyteller. This is book twelve of the series and it would be worth your time to start at book one.

[brian Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite authors best book

I have read the whole series and really enjoyed all but I could not put this one down. Highly recommend you read series first.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting finale

The entire Nigh Wolf saga can only be described as awesome! I absolutely loved this series and cannot wait to see what comes next for brothers Odd and Herald.

[438008 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Thorgrim gets home

A great build up to a long voyage home, seeking justice, his family and a last fight to welcome his home coming.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Familiar names and interactions with the inevitable demise of one of our favourite characters. This feels like the end of the series and an enjoyable one it was.

[Kai Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another great book. The characters are so real and the descriptions of the battles exciting.

Can't wait for the next one.

[jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this series

I absolutely loved this series and hate to see this portion of it end. Definitely recommend to others. Onward to the next.