A New World

A New World is the first in a series of nine, telling the first phase of Jack Zimmerman's planned saga, who has labeled the phase the Odyssey of the Vikings. Written by Jack Zimmerman and first published on November 12th, 2008, the book did well in sales, selling 13 million copies. The book does a great job at establishing some of the greatest characters of all time like Ragnar, Lagertha, Bjorn, Athelstan, Rollo, Floki, and the main antagonist, Earl Haraldson. The book does a great job of providing adventure, drama, politics, questions of religion and fate, as well as epic battles. 
== Plot ==
=== Background ===
Twelve years prior to the start of the first book, a large conflict took place between the Vikings and the Slavics. Many came in support of the old King Arni, the most powerful of the Vikings and King of Sweden, last of a powerful line that claims descent from Gods, as he seeked vengeance for the deaths of his sons, leaving him without heir. Amongst them were the Lothbroks, hidden true sons of Odin. The war ran its course, leading to many deaths, the fall into insanity for Arni, the collapse of the old Viking standards, and a new legend, Ragnar Lothbrok.
Since then, Ragnar, his brothers, and his wife and children have resided in Kattegat, a small Viking trading center, nowhere near where it used to be under Jarl Toke, or even his late son, Earl Emund, but both were dead now, Toke to alcohol, and Emund to a trial-by-combat for the Earldom against the now Earl, Haraldson. Ragnar is leader of raids, and shares a hatred for the arrogant old Haraldson, supporter of the old King Arni, even when he was mad. Ragnar sees how Haraldson drives Kattegat into nothing, and Ragnar can do something no one else can: speak to Odin, his father. This ability and favoritism from his father allow him the ability to know things and get tips before they happen. A King named Horik now rules Sweden, or what was just northern Sweden under Arni, whilst what was southern Sweden, now Skane, is ruled by Jarl Borg, who was just elected following the death of the famous Jarl Anund. King Harald to the north has conquered the entire northern coast of Norway, declaring himself King of Norway, and has now conquered every bit of land right up to Orvar's borders. Ragnar plans to soon make his move and insert himself once again amongst the most powerful of Vikings.
=== Part One: A Strange World ===
We open with Ragnar and Rollo in a battle against a Pomeranian tribe known as the Komi. They return to their ships where Ragnar's lower commanders are waiting: Torstein (youngest of the brothers), Leif, Arne, and Armod. The three set off and return to Kattegat. Upon return Ragnar asks Earl Haraldson about heading west in search of new lands that aren't already plundered down to every last treasure, but Haraldson refuses, content with living his high life whilst his subjects struggle for money, but Ragnar has already planted a seed in their minds. After Ragnar returns home to his wife, Lagertha, a famed shield-maiden, yearning to return to battle, and his children, Gyda and Bjorn, he seeks out his younger brother, Floki, Earl Haraldson's boat-builder, and recruits him to his cause, asking a grand boat of him, capable of traversing both inland water and the open seas. 
After the long and harsh winter, Ragnar takes his son Bjorn to get his arm-ring at The Thing, making him a man. However, before the rest of The Thing commences, Ragnar visits the eldest of the brothers, Alvis, now known as the Seer, having forfeit his identity to become the first Seer in 40 years. Ragnar questions him on his fate, only to be given the same answer his father gave him, he already knows. Ragnar then asks if he will have any more sons, which his brother confirms, foreseeing that three of his sons will become Kings, one of them will spark a legendary war, and the other will crown three Kings. At the last half of The Thing, Ragnar once again asks Haraldson about going west, but he insults the idea. Ragnar then turns to Torstein and Leif, ever the diplomats, to find men who would be willing to go. 
After receiving word of followers, Ragnar returns to Kattegat. The meeting goes well, and Ragnar reveals him and his brothers' true identities to the men as a show of trust. The men agree and they all depart not long after. Ragnar leads the group, flying a raven banner high above the ship instead of Earl Haraldson's boar. The lower commanders are Rollo and Leif. They land on a monastery in Lindisfarne, raiding and massacring almost everyone there. They take back several slaves, including Athelstan, one of the main characters of the first half of the first series. Ragnar also allows only the children to live, spreading his name of "Ragnar Odinsson." 
Whilst training Bjorn, Lagertha is called for by Gyda. She comes to find the most trusted and feared of Haraldson's advisors waiting for her, Sigfus. He questions Ragnar's whereabouts and Lagertha answers that he is fishing. Sigfus then cuts the act and demands someone to take back to Kattegat, eyeing Gyda, but Bjorn steps up, axe in hand, ready for battle. Gyda's close friend, Asbrand, a slave boy around her age, then stepped forward, offering himself up. His parents tried to dissuade him, but to no avail. As the two rode away, the boy shouted back, "I love you!" To whom he was speaking, was unclear. 
Upon their return to Kattegat, they find Earl Haraldson awaiting them, having been informed on their betrayal of trust. He exercises his right as Earl and seizes the treasure and also the ship. He allows all raiders a single piece of the treasure, letting Ragnar go first. After Ragnar earns a few laughs messing around in front of the crowd, he chooses Athelstan to become his slave. After everyone picks their treasure, they disperse, and Ragnar immediately returns home with Athelstan. 
Rollo visits the family after a couple of days, having a brief sexual encounter with Lagertha, who is an ex-lover of his, before she pushes him away. Ragnar also sends Rollo to Haraldson as an envoy to return to the west under his banner with more raiders and ships, which Haraldson agrees to on one condition, his new councilor and the man who reported Ragnar after attending the meeting, Erik, has to go in Haraldson's place, supervising and raiding with them. 
=== Part Two: A Foreign King ===
A couple of weeks later, with Ragnar now knowing the customs, language, and hierarchy of the English-Saxons, Ragnar agrees to allow Lagertha to come, declaring Athelstan in charge of the homestead and village, somewhat trusting the monk now. Although Bjorn argues with it, Gyda's agreement puts it to rest. Ragnar makes arrangements with his captains: Rollo, Leif, Armod, Lagertha, and Erik. Bjorn and Gyda both plead to come, but are firmly denied. 
Not long after Bjorn and Gyda's father leave, the other raiders depart as well, heading for the Baltics as usual. Athelstan sees over the two, but Gyda takes charge over the village of slaves. But that is when Bjorn realizes they are being watched by men in the woods, and that it is likely Haraldson's men. He then brings it up to Athelstan, thinking to go to Kattegat to seek help from Gulli, the brother of one of Haraldson's councilors, known for having a distaste for the Earl, but Athelstan refuses, believing it too dangerous. 
The raiders arrive on a beach in Northumbria, but a local force of 45 soldiers quickly comes upon them, and Rollo jumps the men into battle, much to Ragnar's displeasure. They win easily, but one slips away. They move to the coastal village of Sunderland, raiding it and establishing a foothold, leaving 20 men there to hold it as the rest move further down the Tyne. The next day, they raid the village of Hexham. During the raid, Lagertha finds Erik raping a girl, stopping him. Angered, he attacks Lagertha and attempts to rape her. She is able to stop him and ends up killing him, telling Ragnar later that night when he finally asked. Armod then points out that Haraldson will likely be suspicious and will likely imprison her if they do not return now, but Ragnar insists that they continue raiding, doubting the capabilities of the arrogant old Earl. 
Athelstan wakes up one morning to find Bjorn gone. He, Gyda, and Berg, the butcher, go to Kattegat where he will likely be. Along the way, they are taken captive by a group of men under Earl Haraldson, believing it will earn them extra favor with the Earl. On the way to Kattegat, they are ambushed by another group of men. They are taken to a cabin in the high hills, finding Gulli, Bjorn, and Moldof. Bjorn explains that Gulli has agreed and will return with them back to the homestead. Upon their return, Gulli begins having light defenses built and training the slave men. Bjorn and Moldof also begin to grow quite close. 
Whilst holding camp in Hexham, they are attacked by a force of 2,500 Northumbrians led by Prince Arthur in the middle of the night. Rollo manages to lead a coup that buys them time to gather everything and head back down the Tyne where they reconnect with their foothold with Arthur hot on their heels. Ragnar ultimately decides that they should head south along the coast, closer to their capital of Bamburgh. 
They arrive at a small village, quickly raiding it and making camp. Ragnar declares that they wait for Prince Arthur to come down, knowing how to win thanks to his father, and sends out groups led by Leif, Arnkel, and Armod to reave the countryside in the meantime, saying: "We won't give them a battle, but we will give them blood." 
2 days later, Arthur finally makes camp across the valley from Ragnar. The two meet and negotiate to stop the reaving in exchange for a meeting with his brother, King Aelle. Ragnar agrees, but then questions if they fear death before leaving. That night, as the soldiers drink, sleep, laugh and shout, two Viking forces close in on them, one from the right and one from the left. The left force is led by Rollo, Floki and Leif, whilst the right group is led by Ragnar, Torstein and Arnkel. They squeeze the hectic men, and those who comes out the front down into the valley succumb to horrible traps made by the Vikings, whilst those who pour out the back are shot down by archers. When the sun rises, only 30 soldiers and Prince Arthur remained. Three days later, Ragnar, Rollo, Floki, Torstein, Lagertha, Leif, Arne, Arnkel, Armod, 30 raiders and Prince Arthur ride to Bamburgh. They are allowed in after seeing Arthur, but Ragnar turns Armod, 10 men and Prince Arthur back to camp before entering. They are showed in a join King Aelle and his family and Lords for dinner. Ragnar demands 1,000 pounds of gold and 3,000 pounds of silver, earning an uproar from the Lords. Ragnar replies that he can go right back to camp, killing the remaining soldiers and Arthur, then return to reaving their countryside, raping their women, stealing their children, and slaughtering their men. This causes a slight confrontation with the guards, but Ragnar holds his men, informing Aelle that if he and his Vikings do not return, then his Vikings at camp will have plenty to say about it. So Aelle begrudgingly agrees, asking for two weeks to accumulate the amount, and Ragnar agrees, returning to camp. 
Two days late, the wagon of treasure is delivered, full of chests. Two men go and check, only to find it empty. They are then ambushed by 4,000 Northumbrians led by Lord Wulfrid of York. The Viking traps are activated, killing 1,200 soldiers before Wulfrid calls off the attack, returning to Bamburgh. Many call for reaving, but Ragnar orders that Arthur be delimbed and sent back to Bamburgh, and that the other 30 soldiers be delimbed as well and placed throughout the countryside. Two days later, the treasure is delivered in full, and they return to their ships, heading back to Kattegat. 
=== Part Three: The Earl of Kattegat ===
Upon their return to Kattegat and Haraldson's questioning of Erik's whereabouts, Ragnar declares that he killed Erik to save his wife from being raped. With the only witness being Lagertha, Haraldson seizes Ragnar and imprisons him, declaring that he will stand a trial for this. Floki, Torstein, and Lagertha return to the homestead, finding the defenses. Floki and Torstein are both impressed by Bjorn's thought at having defenses built, but Lagertha worries for her husband. 
With Ragnar imprisoned for the past three days, Haraldson calls to see Rollo. Haraldson offers to make Rollo the Leader of Raids, his heir and give him his daughter, Thyri's, hand if he stands against his brother at the trial. Rollo accepts. 
Just two days later, with nearly the full population in attendance, trying to squeeze into the hall, as well as Lagertha, Athelstan, Gulli, Bjorn, Gyda, Moldof, Rollo, Floki, Torstein, Arnkel, Leif, Arne, Armod, and everyone else of importance, even the Seer. Haraldson calls for witnesses, and Lagertha states the case, and then Rollo comes forward, confirming that Ragnar did indeed kill Erik to protect his wife. The angered Haraldson declares that Ragnar is not guilty and has him released. Ragnar's supporters all join him at Gulli's cabin for a celebration, but are attacked in the middle of the night, resulting in the death of Gulli and some other men. Many urge for Ragnar to attack Haraldson back, but Ragnar, aware that there is no evidence that it was Haraldson's men, declares no action to be taken, leaving for his home in the morning, bringing Moldof with him. 
Some two and a half weeks later, Haraldson is finally convinced by an instinct and an eager Sigfus to attack Ragnar, gathering his men and leading an attack himself. The defense is held by Berg, whilst Ragnar gets his family away to safety, but Haraldson's men manage to finally break through and begin burning and killing everything and everyone. When Asbrand refuses to kill his father, Sigfus kills the boy savagely, then killing Berg. Ragnar then comes out of his house, surrendering. But as Haraldson looks down at Ragnar, Ragnar goes for his axe, killing many men, including Sigfus, although he takes many wounds as well, just barely escaping on a horse with men in pursuit. He manages to escape by jumping off a cliff into the water, where he is rescued by Athelstan. The family then goes to Floki's house, where Ragnar is nursed by his brother and Helga. However, Helga informs them that Ragnar has fallen into a coma. 
A week later, after having the house searched and having to hide the four, and after Ragnar's infected wounds get better, he awakes from his coma. The next day, Torstein arrives to stay with them and reveals that tensions have grown high in Kattegat, and that they are being watched, and that he had to kill several men to get there secretly. 
After Haraldson finds out that Torstein escaped, he orders that all supporters of Ragnar be captured and imprisoned. His wife, Siggy, who has been having affairs with Rollo, warns him, and Rollo attempts to escape but is captured and tortured by Haraldson, but reveals nothing. 
Arnkel escape to Floki's and reveal what has happened, prompting Ragnar to take action. Ragnar informs Floki to go to Kattegat as the raiders return and deliver a challenge of single combat for the Earldom of Kattegat to Haraldson on his behalf, and that if he refuses, he will be barred from Valhalla, challenging him in front of the majority of his population. The method is the very same Haraldson used on Earl Emund some years ago, earning his Earldom. He also sends Arnkel to the neighboring Earl Orvar, a close friend of Ragnar's, to ask his support. With no choice, Haraldson accepts in front of his raiders and Earl Rodmir, Earl of the Pass, who is to wed his daughter, and Ragnar begins to train. 
A week later, everyone comes to Kattegat, including Orvar, and all the prisoners. The impaired Ragnar and the old Haraldson begin their fight. And for a while, the fight is pretty even, but eventually, Ragnar overcomes the old Earl, sending him to Valhalla. After Siggy kills Earl Rodmir, Ragnar is proclaimed Earl of Kattegat by Torstein. Ragnar allows the men of Earl Rodmir's to go and fight for their piece of lands in the Pass, and he installs his council: Leif, Arnkel, Torstein, Armod, and Rollo. He names Floki his boat-builder and engineer, Rollo the marshall of Kattegat, and allows Varin to remain law-giver of the Earldom. Ragnar then begins discussing many changes with his council and prepares to go to Sigtuna for the Nine Years Festival, planning to make moves with King Horik.
== Franchise ==
A New World is the first of what will be a saga, likely one of the longest book franchises of all time, and easily the longest fiction book franchise. The first phase of his saga is named, Odyssey of the Vikings, and he has explained that even that has phases. A New World has been followed by 8 sequels, with a rumored ninth in the works, an unfinished spinoff, and a rumored second spinoff. Jack's plans for the future of the saga appear hectic and confusing, but has said that he has faith in the future for the franchise, and has said that it will be renamed following the end of the first phase.