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Legend of the Last Vikings: Taklamakan seamlessly explores the thoughts, lives and haunting
experiences of the Vikings of the eleventh century. Halsted’s narrative is written with such fiery
conviction it radiates passion and a thirst for knowledge.
This action adventure novel is injected with a full body of painstaking research, undoubtedly born
out of Halsted’s transparent fondness for this subject.
Taklamakan follows the journey of Ulf Uspakson and his comrades who
decide to “go a viking” one last time, to discover the final resting place of the
lost Ingvar Vittefarne. However, their journey takes an unforgiving turn, when
the Black Scorpions, a red blooded, evil organisation cross their path. Soon
they find themselves marked men, pursued and suffering fatalities at the
hands of this brutal group.
Taklamakan follows the path of history through a brilliant fictional plot in which
every character is vividly depicted and developed, giving the readers a good
opportunity to explore worlds that they may never encounter and experience.
Halsted manages to escape the trappings of a drawling long historical account
and instead bounds beautifully page to page on a confident and flourishing
narrative. He musters up enough fast paced action sequences to keep thrill
seeking readers enthralled, as well as drawing our attention to the finely drawn
details of the beautiful civilizations Uspakson encounters. Between historical
facts and fictional events, the whole book moves with ease between agonizing
accounts of torture chambers that leave your hands shaking and the
beauteous occasions of marriage and childbirth.
Taklamakan tears away the stereotypes of the Viking way of life, producing a
full and fruitful picture of well educated, well mannered and progressive people,
as opposed to the harsh brutish images usually associated with them.
An accessible glossary for those who wish to delve deeper is added at the and
of the work, making it even more enriching and captivating.
Competing with the ever popular masterpieces of the type, this novel certainly
holds its ground, proving with each turn of the page its right to be included and
celebrated within the action and adventure genre.
Francesco Bordo. Book Promotions.
conviction it radiates passion and a thirst for knowledge.
This action adventure novel is injected with a full body of painstaking research, undoubtedly born
out of Halsted’s transparent fondness for this subject.
Taklamakan follows the journey of Ulf Uspakson and his comrades who
decide to “go a viking” one last time, to discover the final resting place of the
lost Ingvar Vittefarne. However, their journey takes an unforgiving turn, when
the Black Scorpions, a red blooded, evil organisation cross their path. Soon
they find themselves marked men, pursued and suffering fatalities at the
hands of this brutal group.
Taklamakan follows the path of history through a brilliant fictional plot in which
every character is vividly depicted and developed, giving the readers a good
opportunity to explore worlds that they may never encounter and experience.
Halsted manages to escape the trappings of a drawling long historical account
and instead bounds beautifully page to page on a confident and flourishing
narrative. He musters up enough fast paced action sequences to keep thrill
seeking readers enthralled, as well as drawing our attention to the finely drawn
details of the beautiful civilizations Uspakson encounters. Between historical
facts and fictional events, the whole book moves with ease between agonizing
accounts of torture chambers that leave your hands shaking and the
beauteous occasions of marriage and childbirth.
Taklamakan tears away the stereotypes of the Viking way of life, producing a
full and fruitful picture of well educated, well mannered and progressive people,
as opposed to the harsh brutish images usually associated with them.
An accessible glossary for those who wish to delve deeper is added at the and
of the work, making it even more enriching and captivating.
Competing with the ever popular masterpieces of the type, this novel certainly
holds its ground, proving with each turn of the page its right to be included and
celebrated within the action and adventure genre.
Francesco Bordo. Book Promotions.
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EXCELLENT! The book tells a story that captures the reader on several levels.
What appears to be an historical novel becomes an adventure set in a background of rich experiences and wide diversity.
This adventure, alongside the stories of the different settlements and religions, and that of a moving love story, means
that this book provides a compelling and exciting journey of discovery for both the characters in the book and the reader
themselves.
Laura Stannard
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An adventure which skilfully combines history and fiction into a page-turner. A wonderful story.
David Lighterness
