C.J. Adrien Books in Order

Where to Start Reading C.J. Adrien

C.J. Adrien has established himself as a premier voice in early medieval historical fiction. Because his work is divided into distinct series and standalones, choosing a starting point is relatively straightforward depending on your reading preferences:

• For Epic Viking Adventure: Start with The Lords of the Wind, the first book in his flagship series, The Saga of Hasting the Avenger. This series is ideal for fans of Bernard Cornwell or Ken Follett who enjoy gritty, adult-oriented tales of shield walls, political intrigue, and long voyages.
• For YA-Friendly Historical Fiction: Start with The Line of His People, the opening novel of the Kindred of the Sea duology. This series is highly accessible for younger readers while maintaining historical accuracy, focusing on identity, faith, and survival.
• For a Frontier Western Departure: If you want to skip the Vikings entirely, pick up The Road to Malheur, a standalone historical novel focusing on the 19th-century American fur trade.

The Saga of Hasting the Avenger

This is C.J. Adrien's primary series, charting the life, campaigns, and ultimate fate of the historical 9th-century Viking warlord Hasting (often associated with the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok). The series is planned as a 9-book epic. You should read this saga in publication order, which also matches the chronological sequence of Hasting's life:

1. The Lords of the Wind (2019) – Documents Hasting's transformation from a slave to a feared Viking warlord.
2. In the Shadow of the Beast (2020) – Deepens the conflict as Hasting navigates the brutal politics and betrayal of his allies.
3. The Kings of the Sea (2021) – Explores the height of Hasting's ambition and his dominance on the waves.
4. The Fell Deeds of Fate (2024) – Often considered the start of a second trilogy or Byzantium arc within the larger saga, following Hasting to Constantinople.
5. The Empress and Her Wolf (2025) – Finds Hasting working as a mercenary for the Empress of the Romans amid the dangerous intrigues of the Byzantine court.
6. The Snare of Vengeance (2026) – The sixth installment, where Hasting returns to Brittany to rescue his kidnapped son from his nemesis, Ersipoe.

Kindred of the Sea Duology

Set at the dawn of the Viking Age in A.D. 799, this completed duology follows a young monk named Abriel who survives a devastating Viking raid. Raised in a monastery, Abriel is forced on a journey to recover sacred relics, eventually uncovering a deep personal connection to the Norse invaders. Read these two books in order:

1. The Line of His People (2013)
2. The Oath of the Father (2015)

Standalone & Non-Fiction Works

Outside of his Viking epics, C.J. Adrien has written across different genres:

• The Road to Malheur (2023): A standalone historical fiction novel that moves away from early medieval Europe to the American frontier, following a young New Yorker navigating the dangers of the early 19th-century fur trade.
• Patta's Empire: Have Faith in Me (2023): A collaborative non-fiction work co-authored with Pattaraporn Lorwatcharasophon.

What to Know Before You Start

C.J. Adrien's novels stand out for their exceptional historical realism. As a dual French-American citizen with graduate training in early medieval history from Oregon State University, Adrien bases his narratives on primary sources and archaeological evidence. In late 2025, Adrien signed a major publishing deal with Vinci Books to rebrand and relaunch The Saga of Hasting the Avenger globally. Because of this relaunch, readers may notice newer publication dates (such as late 2026) listed on major retail platforms for earlier titles in the series as new editions hit the market.