Prologue: I grabbed ten thick volumes of this series on my last day working at the library as part of a just-in-case cache, y'know, in case this coronavirus thing somehow lasted more than a couple weeks and I actually got through the other 80+ graphic novels I already had checked out. Two months later, and I'm all done with all those books, and now Vinland Saga, and I've already been using Hoopla and Libby for the first time to read dozens of digital graphic novels. I'm down to my last six just-in-case GNs, giant omnibuses for Stray Bullets, Ex Machina, Berserk, Planetary, and For Better or for Worse. Good thing I'm on the verge of returning to the library.

Anyone remember the old Charlton series, The Peacemaker, with its "A man who loves peace so much that he is willing to fight for it!" tagline? Pacifist Thorfinn Karlsefni feels the same way, spending a good chunk of this volume dueling unarmed against the spear-wielding psycho assassin named Garm. And that fight is the least violent one to occur in the battle to take the fortress of Jomsborg.

Despite all the gore, this outing is actually one of the more humorous in the series thanks to Thorkell the Tall's larger-than-life personality and the slapstick bum luck of spurned hubby and aspiring war hero Sigurd.

Great series! So unhappy I have to wait months until the next installment! ( )

Series Info/Source: This is the 11th omnibus volume in the Vinland Saga series. I bought a copy of this book.

Story (5/5): This continues to be an amazing historical fantasy series. This time the story focuses on Thorfinn getting drawn back into war with the Jomsvikings. He is determined to stay out of it all until some of his party gets taken hostage. What follows is an amazingly bloody battle that Thorfinn wanted nothing to do with. As things play out Thorfinn will inadvertently change the path of history forever.

Characters (5/5): The characters in this series are amazing. All of them are fully developed and I loved reading about them. We spend a lot of time with Thorfinn, Gorm, Floki, Floki’s grandson, and Gudrid in this book. I do wish there was an illustrated guide to the characters in the beginning of these volumes; there are just getting to be so many characters in this series.

Setting (5/5): Most of this story takes place at a fortressed castle that the Jomsvikings are trying to invade. It’s a beautifully done historical setting and I enjoyed it a lot.

Writing/Illustration Style (5/5): These continue to be both amazingly well written and beautifully illustrated. The illustration here is so detailed, easy to follow, and just stunning. The writing flows well and is easy to follow; there is always a bit of humor to offset the violence and tragedy. I love the sections between books where Yukimura goes over the known history and Thorfinn’s geographical journey so far.

Summary (5/5): Overall this remains my absolute favorite manga series right now. Everything about it is absolutely perfect. It’s beautifully drawn, amazingly written, and just a joy to read. I want to pre-order volume 12 right now! ( )