Introducing Viking: Dragon Slayer — Jacob’s Origin Story

If your child is a fan of The Viking’s Apprentice series, you’ll know that Peter’s grandfather is no ordinary grandad. He’s a bit mysterious, wise, and always seems to know what’s coming. But what if he wasn’t always like that? 

When I first started writing about the world of Campbell’s Cove, I imagined a rich past behind the characters, especially Jacob. Spoiler alert, as the Viking, he’s at the heart of everything, but we never hear how he became the man that he is. Who was he before? What did he overcome? And how do you become a hero that other people look up to?

I wanted to go back to Jacob’s early life in Norway. To the moment he’s called upon to face something that no one else can defeat. And I wanted to explore the qualities that make him say yes. Jacob’s story is about courage, selflessness and sacrifice. I had a feeling that that’s the kind of strength and the kind of hero our kids need. 

Let me tell you more…

Why I wanted to tell Jacob’s story

When I was writing The Viking’s Apprentice, I saw Jacob as a link between the modern world and an ancient one. Over the years, many readers have asked me, “who is he really?”, and, to be honest, I had ideas in my head, but I’d never written them down. 

I started thinking about it, and I asked myself questions like, ‘what makes someone worthy of immortality?’ I thought it should be not just because they’re clever, or a great warrior, but because they wanted to use their strength for others. I wanted him to be a protector and a leader, someone kids could root for, because he’s brave enough to act.

So that’s why I wanted to tell Jacob’s story — to give kids a hero to look up to and it’s a major reason why I’ve written Viking: Dragon Slayer.

What makes a real hero in a story for today’s kids

When I was young, heroes were bold, loud, usually Marvel or DC superheroes bursting through walls, all muscles and magic. And that was fun! I wore my Hulk t-shirt just about every day when I was 5… 

The heroes I remember the most were the ones who really felt something. The ones who had to make hard choices, who didn’t always win, but kept going bravely anyway. 

In Viking: Dragon Slayer, Jacob doesn’t start out as the legendary warrior you hear about in The Viking’s Apprentice. He’s brave of course, but he’s also just a young man trying to live up to his father’s expectations. He has to earn his greatness.

What I hope kids see when they read this is that sometimes courage is a decision, a step forward, and a refusal to let fear rule you. As a parent myself, this matters to me. Our kids are under so much pressure to look perfect, act perfect, be unshakeable, that they need to see that heroes can fall down and come back stronger.

Why kids connect with characters like Jacob

My hope is kids identify with Jacob in his origin story. As a young man, he’s strong, but he’s not the loudest, he’s popular, but he’s not pushing for attention, he takes responsibility before he’s asked to, and when he speaks, people listen. 

In Viking: Dragon Slayer, Jacob answers a call for help from across the sea, from a stranger in a strange land and he answers it. But he doesn’t go because he cares about glory, or because he wants to be famous. He goes because he’s needed, and believes he can make a difference.

When kids connect with a character like Jacob, I hope they’re inspired to be trusted, capable, and brave. Even if they don’t always feel that way.

I’ve had emails from parents who tell me their child wouldn’t pick up a book before The Viking’s Apprentice, and now they’re asking for the next chapter at bedtime. I like to think they always find my characters inspiring, and I hope that Jacob’s story fires up their self-belief. 

What today’s heroes teach tomorrow’s readers

Stories have always shaped how kids see the world, and I reckon that kids today need to see characters who lead with compassion, who think before they act, who admit when they’re scared, but do the right thing anyway.

At the heart of Viking: Dragon Slayer, Jacob is offered immortality. His prize is to defeat the dragon and live forever. And I couldn’t help but think, what would we do if we were offered such a choice? I wanted to explore that idea.

Ultimately for Jacob, accepting his prize is a sacrifice. He’s not greedy, and he realises what really matters in the end. I think we could all do with being a little more like him.

The adventure begins: Preorder Viking: Dragon Slayer

I'm excited, because Viking: Dragon Slayer is actually the first chapter in a much bigger legend. It’s been written to be just the beginning of Jacob’s story, long before The Viking’s Apprentice is set in the modern day.

If you’ve read the original series, this book will show you how it all started — but if you haven’t, then actually, it’s the perfect place to begin. It’s packed with battles and ancient magic, so if your child loves adventure stories, or you’re looking for a book that might get them reading again, give this one a try.

Viking: Dragon Slayer is available to preorder on Amazon now, and it officially launches on 17th July! Thanks for coming on this incredible journey with me. I hope Jacob’s story means as much to your family as it’s meant to mine.

Preorder Viking: Dragon Slayer on Amazon and read on Kindle Unlimited for FREE

Download free Viking activities at kevinmcleodauthor.com