Snorri KristjanssonBesprekingen

Although I was irritated by some dumb anachronisms in this story (Peppers and tomatoes in Classical Rome: Really?), I still liked the high concept Kristjansson came up with, and the note he ended this book on, so that I expect that I'll read the second book.

This is basically the Viking version of 300, full of epic acts of manly cunning and violence and manliness. It's full of richly drawn characters set in opposition to each other, and nicely written (though I found the cinematic-style intercutting of sometimes very short scenes to be rather disruptive to a smooth reading experience). In that regard, it's probably a four-star book.

However, there are only three female characters in the entire book: a woman in a man's job who's out-manning the men at it, a battered wife who is being rescued by a newly arrived warrior, and an evil enchantress. Out of curiosity, I looked up the history of King Olav who brought Norway forcibly to Christianity, and there was a note about a woman who refused to marry him if it meant giving up her own gods, was smacked for her temerity, and then proceeded to unify Olav's enemies against him. That is a story I'm interested in reading. Just saying.

I do love when the second book is better than the first. Now what made it so? I am always so bad with that, cos honestly it was everything that helped. It seemed to flow better, better written, better story, hey the book was better. And since book 1 was already good, the better :) I am way to used to a series going downwards instead.

Right so the big bad happened, Ulfar and Audun are not immortal. That is something I like about this book. Yes there are magic, yes the Gods walk the earth. And it feels real. Because then Christianity came and swept away all that. But now it feels like the olden days sure were deadly and magical.

The story is a sort of road trip. Ulfar goes back to Sweden and wonders about why he can't die, why did the evil woman curse them? While Audun tries to flee to the south. But men like them can't run away. Something, someone is after them.

While in Norway that bastard Valgard is all cozy with King Olav (arghhh Valgard!). Valgard is also after the power of old. So I am sensing a big showdown maybe in the next book, or not.

Great story. These two men meeting strangers and trying to find themselves and what they will do next. And darkness gathering in Norway. So hard you know, cos Valgard is bad and should not get any power. But then I do not like King Olav either cos you do not force people to find faith.

A less bloody book than book 1 as that one was all anticipation before the siege of Stenvik. Here we get more of everything else. An interesting book that I could not put down. And I do wonder where their journey will take them next.

I think this one was the best of the series. I read it in a day, it felt so light. Just like it should. Many historical books puts in useless facts that drags down the book. Here he balanced it well, I felt like I was there, and then he mixed it with mythology and made it believable.

Audun and Ulfar are back together. They are still immortal, and they know that things are happening. A big showdown is coming.

First we have King Olav, arghh he made me so mad! So raping women who do not believe in Christ is ok. You are going down Olav, you and your religion! I kept waiting for ships to sail...if you catch my meaning...

But then we have the dark evil parts. Loki has a willing pawn who wants to start Ragnarrök. And that is not really ok. There is a lot of darkness going on there. You are going down Loki!

As you can see our two heroes who are not really heroes, just men, have their job cut out for them. Armies are marching. Trolls are coming. Loki is laughing and the Gods are watching.

I used to read a lot of his fic set around this time, but ever since I started reading in English not so much. A shame really, it's always interesting. It's fun, and this book is a mix if fiction and mythology. A great mix that works.

At first I will admit it's not the historical for everyone. This is about war, fighting, a siege, death. You get the idea.

Ulfar comes with his cousin to Stenvik. And he is not the only one. King Olav is coming there too, and others to plunder and kill. But before that Ulfar falls for a mystery woman (yes those things can never end well). And we gets to see the tension in the city. It was a brutal time after all.

The raiders and King do not come at once. We get to see city life, the raiders planning and King Olav telling people his way or the highway. Yeah, I have never been a fan of those who say this religion is better, follow it or die. So I can't really be on his side then. Go back to your heathen ways Norway.

Ulfar, he was interesting. Because he starts of, not naive, but in a way yes. He grows and see the bloody side of things. It's not like he is a stranger to fighting but things will get messy in this town.

Vikings as they were. A time of Thor vs White Christ. Tensions in society and like always, people doing things they should not do.

And the end, rather evil wasn't it? I will not tell you but it certainly made me wonder what Ulfar is up to next.

I really don't think it is a great idea to begin a book with an important character poisoning his father and a close friend for no apparent reason. I did not warm to any part of this book despite my great affection for Viking tales.

The pace is quite slow and overall the book compares unfavorably with contemporary works by Alis Franklin, Joe Abercrombie, Richard Morgan, or the TV show Vikings. I cannot recommend it.

I received a copy of "Blood Will Follow" by Snorri Kristijansson (Quercus) through NetGalley.com.

Very enjoyable read. Good tricky plot backed up by well developed characters. If you've been watching Vikings, pick this up.

It’s got Vikings in it, hundreds of Vikings. Sneaky ones, berserking ones, old wily ones, poisoners and sneak thieves and bloodthirsty warriors, ones that follow the old ways and ones on a crusade for the new. I am really not sure what else I need to say. I mean it’s got Vikings in it. If you like Vikings then err… you will like this book. I know I did.

Ok ok for those on the Viking fence. Then this is a fantasy-lite , slow burning tale culminating in one huge, very cool battle between Vikings!. For forces are on the move, the old gods demand respect and vengeance against a Christian god whose armies march ever onward towards a new future. The town of Stenvik is caught in the middle, between the longships seeking to burn it for its insolence and the army seeking to convert it by the sword.

The characters are (mostly) a joy, a multitude of Viking types and Kristjannsson’s love of them shines through, they are hugely fun to read about, to be in their company (plus inventive swearing, yay!). I said mostly though because there are three problems. First there are a multitude and it is a bit confusing and sometimes the story speeds past some of them. Second the few truly bad apples seemed a bit flat because of all that lovely non black and white characterisation. Third, women. Well ok Vikings but just 3? A witch, an abused wife/love interest and a foul mouthed warrior. Ok ok I really loved the last one, she makes up for it. Then again at this point of my reading I am pretty fed up with women being raped now. I know, I know, Vikings. But sigh.

The pacing is odd but on balance I think it works. It takes a while to get going and this being a debut you have to trust it will come off, that it won’t just stop and say “go buy the sequel”. Be relieved it doesn’t, lovers of battles and sieges will be happy as a Viking in Valhalla. It’s a great and fabulous battle and worth the build-up. Sometimes I wondered who to root for but that just makes me smile. Of course the ending feels slightly ill-fitting (minor non-specific spoiler) its seems a little too much into the darkness and too quickly done, a forced feel but I hate grim dark so what do I know? Still I will miss certain characters, sniff.

Still I really enjoyed and look towards a sequel with interest. Recommended to all Viking lovers everywhere.½