Slee (New Town) fills his entertaining latest with mead-swilling Viking warriors, tense interpersonal struggles, and a thirst for conquest among a group of Vikings in 1010 Greeland. Freya Eriksdottir, 19, a Viking shield-maiden of admirable strength and training, is the daughter of Erik the Red, Greenland’s ruler, and she’s been put in charge of a mission to colonize Vinland (now Newfoundland). The lands had been previously visited by Freya’s arrogant brother, Leif, but he was run off by the indigenous Beothuk people. During the weeks-long crossing, Freya works to maintain her authority over her brother’s crony, Gunnar Gamlinsson, a hard-bitten, seasoned seaman who has been sent along by Leif, and who treats Freya with cocky condescension. Once they make landfall, tension builds as the Vikings prepare to confront the most fearsome Beothuk leader, Gobidin One Hand. The Beothuk believe Gobidin to be an invincible God, but the Vikings insist, “We are a rampaging tide.... And we will wash over his lands like a flood.” Slee shares Viking lore and songs along the way, adding a satisfying historical depth. The straightforward prose highlights the fierce battles and strong characters, particularly the many powerful women that populate the novel. Fans of historical fiction will want to take a look. (Self-published)