In this sweeping historical novel, the life of Brian Boru is traced from his childhood as the youngest son of a deposed clan king. From fleeing the destruction of his home with his older brothers to rebuilding their village in the shadows of fierce Viking raiders, scheming rival clans, and tenuous allies, Brian grows as his brother's warrior prince. Bloody medieval battles, political marriages, infidelity, and love forge the complex man who must challenge his own brother for the leadership of the clan. Unifying the bloody-minded, revenge-seeking factions of the southern parts of Ireland is the first step toward a remarkable goal-someday unifying the entire island and driving out the invading Norsemen.