Hard not to compare to Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom. Vikings raiding the England that was Wessex in the early middle ages. The Uhtred tales are hard to beat, but Giles Kristian comes close with Raven in Blood Eye.Some pretty darn good battle scenes with good ole fashioned shieldwalls, battle axes, and the likes. I appreciate how Kristian lets the reader get to know various members of the Viking gang... not just 2 or 3 warriors but a majority of the crew. This lets you see the brotherhood that must have existed between the Scandinavians as they spent months and even years away from their homeland and families.Looking forward to closing out the trilogy with Raven and Jarl Sigurd. A truly unique book... A slow starting book with lots of characters to get used to very quickly... The first three chapters are slow and it takes time to come to life BUT when the Vikings make land for the second time with Redeye it comes to life, with fast action and fight scenes all in the way of gaining a rapport with the Wolfpack and why they have taken the dangerous journey from Norway to the shores of England. Although more and more characters become prominent the story revolves around Redeye gaining his Norse name RAVEN and finding his feet and place amongst these extraordinary fighting beasts from over the sea. The fighting scenes are epic and are fast paced, moving from page to page that they blur by. The dialogue between the Jarl and Raven are intense and enthralling with Raven (as the story goes on) becomes a naturally born leader and the respect shown by the other characters towards him changes three or four times throughout but still moving at a breath taking speed. The end leaves you purring for more and I cant wait to read the second instalment in this epic and exhilarating adventure series written by a truely wonderful writer...
I enjoyed every bloody ax swinging, sword thrusting bit
—kamiilaa
Probably well done, but too bloody for my taste.
—113195
Absolutely brilliant!
—Lady
