On Viking Seas is the third book in the Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista and the first I have read. It is a page-turning story that is packed with action, especially for a reader like me who has always been fascinated by tales of Vikings and the Norsemen. This author creates a world similar to the one in the television series Vikings, featuring characters that are not just well-developed but that espouse the Viking spirit; siblings who are separated from each other after a grueling defeat at war, each pursuing his path amidst insurmountable challenges.

They are all children of the Agneson clan: Cub is a slave toiling in the tin mines of Devonshire; the forerunner Thorfinn faces supernatural powers as he fights to lift a Jarl’s curse; Kara is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want; Karl and his crew struggle to survive in a mysterious floating island. Sorven and Finn have their own battles to wage. Can each of them survive the ordeals and can they ever be reunited again? On Viking Seas is suspenseful and Jay Veloso Batista, a master craftsman of this action thriller, shows a perfectly fashioned understanding of the world the characters inhabit, mysterious and magical, with creatures of legend such as elves, ghosts, witches, and a dragon. There is a pervasive, dark energy that follows the characters, and each of them is molded with the grit that makes them face adversity with courage and the will to come out alive. On Viking Seas has hints of adventure, mystery, and intrigue; it is a story that is told in bold writing with characters that no one wants to leave behind. The story is packed with terrific descriptions and unrelenting action.

On Viking Seas is the third novel in the Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista. Thorfinn’s family has severe problems. Each of them has their own battles to fight and survive. Kara is forced into a marriage of convenience; Cub is enslaved in Devon; Sorven looks to exact revenge in Jorvik, and Karl and his people are trying to survive the surreal happenings on a floating island. In the midst of it all is Thorfinn as he tries to protect himself from supernatural enemies that seem to be coming from all directions. Lifting a curse was challenging enough; he now has to figure out a way to tackle the issues coming from Midgard. What will Thorfinn do? The occurrences of the past months have taken a toll on his mind. Can Thorfinn find the courage and the resilience to do his job? Was this the end of the road for his family and his clan?

As expected, author Jay Veloso Batista did an excellent job of creating a great background and atmosphere. I don’t know how he does it, but each character tells a complete story. Each of them is given proper page space to tell their story. The subplots are incredibly rich and well-woven. I think Cub is in the worst condition of all of them, but he has the resilience and courage to get out of every situation. As always, Thorfinn’s journey is far more dynamic and intricate. He has to go against his nature to break the curse, and he also has to make do with a new companion who he doesn’t understand. The narrative, the legends involved, and the character development were all on point in this novel. I highly recommend it!

On Viking Seas is the third book in the Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista, an action-packed fantasy that will appeal to readers who enjoy tales of Vikings and their bloody wars. It has strong hints of history and mythology, inspired by the lives of the offspring of Agne, Son of Ironfist in the Viking Era, circa 880. After the fall of the Danish army at the battle of Ethandun, the members of the Agneson family are scattered, each facing a unique predicament. Cub is trapped and slaving in the Devonshire tin mines. Kara is coerced into a marriage by her Saxon uncle, and all she wants is to escape her fate. Sorven is out plotting vengeance on Jorvik. Karl and his crew are stranded on a floating, mysterious Island. Thorfinn, the forerunner, must deal with supernatural forces as he struggles to break a curse and save a Jarl’s daughter. Can each of these characters overcome their trials and will they be reunited again?

This is a tale of powerful men — rough, strong, and full of grit. The world in which they evolve is filled with dangers and all sorts of creatures — unscrupulous monks, deceitful aldermen, slavers, wicked elves and trolls, ghosts, shapeshifters, and a dragon. The novel is suspenseful, and the shifts from one character’s ordeal to the next just make it even more gripping. Jay Veloso Batista knows what it takes to grab and retain the attention of readers from one spellbinding chapter to the next. This is a work that will appeal strongly to fans of epic fantasy and lovers of stories with magical worlds to explore. The universe the author creates is nothing like ours and readers will have the magical experience of navigating landscapes that are similar to the creations of J.R.R. Tolkien. On Viking Seas melds magic with adventure to create a reading experience that readers will enjoy, with characters that are fleshed-out and memorable.