Long before I developed my passion for nautical fiction, I read a lot of books steeped in Irish history and lore, with a smattering of Scandinavian stuff that stemmed from my early fascination with Norse mythology.

So when I received a book by James L. Nelson -- easily among my favorite authors of nautical fiction -- that was set in 852, during the Viking occupation of what is now Dublin, I was confused. "Stay in your wheelhouse, Jim," I thought. "You're in the wrong genre." And I laid it aside.

Well, apparently I was mistaken. In the years since, Nelson built that novel into a popular 10-book series. What was I missing? Having recently read Nelson's latest novel, The Buccaneer Coast, and yearning for more, I dug out my copy of Fin Gall and gave it a try.

Now I need to read more of them.

The novel begins, fittingly, at sea. Thorgrim and his father-in-law, Ornolf the Restless, are sailing their longship to Ireland in a storm. They plan to raid the coastline, as Vikings were known to do, but en route they spy a curragh, a small Irish vessel, and capture a valuable Irish crown. It's not just prized for its precious metals and gemstones, however, but for the authority it gives to one of Ireland's many regional kings to rule (temporarily, in times of crisis) over his fellow kings. The Vikings are the cause of the crisis, and now they hold the key to ending it in their hands.

If only they knew.

But Fin Gall doesn't simply pit Vikings against the Irish. Nelson has many wheels turning in this novel. Thorgrim and his men are Norwegian, but the Norwegian settlement of Dubh-linn has been taken over by Danes. And, while it's easy to lump all Vikings together in one vicious lump, the Norwegians and Danes didn't really get along all that well. Also, neither did the Irish, and they fight against each other as much as, if not more than, the Norsemen.

There are also extra layers as religions clash; the Irish at this point are solidly Christian, although some druidic mysticism remains in their beliefs, while the Norsemen follow Odin and Thor. There is a minor thread of magic in the story as well; Thorgrim may (or may not) roam the night in wolf form.

The story is captivating, as people fight, torture, betray and die, alliances are made and broken, tides are turned, and fortunes are made and lost. There are even Irish men -- and a couple of women -- who forge deals with the invaders to further their aims.

And, through it all, swords are wielded, flesh is hacked and readers get a lot of good Viking violence. There are far fewer men under Thorgrim's command by the end of the book, but the balance of power around Dubh-linn is changing.

There are a few minor quibbles in the book. Nelson mistakes a few details of arms and armor at the time this book is set, and some of his shipboard descriptions sound a little more suited to a later century, but overall this book is a phenomenal introduction to a new series that I'm sorry I waited so long to begin.

I have some catching up to do.