Soul Chaser

Freya's-Day Fun - Sneak Peak into the BRAND NEW Soul Chaser Chapter 2 - Blood and Feathers

2012-03-16T08:27:00.000Z

Well it seems like aaaaaages ago I last mentioned the words Soul Chaser or Valkyrie on here...but please don't take that as a sign that I've stopped writing the adventures of valkyries in modern day Jorvik (aka York for the uninitiated). Oh no, I have, albeit on and off due to the usual distractions in life and what's more it's been literally brand new writing in fact a whole brand new chapter has emerged!

It started when I tried to write a back story behind a sudden and mysterious disappearence of a certain Valkyrie readers meet in Chapter 1 (and no it's not the protaganist otherwise I wouldn't have a story to tell). It evolved so well and suprisingly naturally and turned out to be my most dramatic writing yet (makes Chapter 1 like a dip in the water whereas this new chapter literally throws the reader in the deep end).

I had intended originally for hints and clues to be dropped via the protagonist and other characters that this specific Valkyrie's disappearence after Chapter 1 wasn't natural or arranged etc and for a big reveal to come in a later chapter, which did tend to get further and further away from the intended part because another Valkyrie had to learn to fly which took a lot longer than planned. Anyway, this new sequence of events that I have nearly finished in its roughest form will now snuggle into the current 8 chapters to become the BRAND NEW Chapter 2 - called Blood and Feathers - there's a big hint for you!

I will add it to the sample chapter section once it is neatly tidied up and not too full of errors etc. So to celebrate the addition of an extra spark of imagination I'm going to give you a sneaky glimpse into what I've written for you. The scene you are about to read is at the very start of all the action as it builds up through the middle part so you still have yet to discover the start of it all and the end of the chapter which is also packed full of special secrets and another scene (hehehe) that I didn't intend to feature in the book but it just fitted the puzzle of this new chapter beautifully. I may yet release that secret part at a later date.

So read on and discover a new insight into the nordic modern day clash of worlds that is SOUL CHASER! Enjoy!

“It’s going to be ok Ben, trust us.” Kate quickly tapped his head with the tip of her own spear and he collapsed backwards into her arms. She looked up at me with a stern gaze. “Take him out of here. Now.”

I began gathering Ben up against my chest. “What is that…”

“Now Jennifer! You’re not trained for this.” She snapped at me, with a quick flex of her arm to unleash the full length of her spear.

“Ah, I see you’ve met my new friend.” A cruel voice announced the presence of another unwanted and unexpected and detested figure as Jake strode across the grass towards us.

“Since when did Hel let you have pets?” Kate hissed, standing in front of me and Ben protectively.

“Pets? Oh no, she would never let Garm out here! He has plenty to chew on down below. No, no, this is my companion.” Jake retorted, slowly circling the three of us, his eyes permanently focused on poor trembling Ben, like a kestrel on the hunt.

“She doesn’t believe you can snatch anymore, does she?” Kate somehow managed a smirk, her own eyes locked on his.

Jake’s grew large at such an insult to his pride, soul snatchers values their success rate as much as Valkyries did as soul guardians. He stopped to the right of the mysterious ‘companion’ and brushed back his wavy chestnut hair which looked bright against his cloud grey skin. I knew we were not in a situation to worry about which sad soul he had possessed to make this appearance.

I looked down at Ben and gave him a soft smile, to try and settle the fear I knew he must feel when around such cursed beings that come straight from Hel. It was as I looked back up that I caught a tiny spark of white. A second appeared to form within Kate’s right hand which was also holding her spear. She was summoning the power of the rune Is, meaning Ice and using the power held within the spear to conceal it. I knew it wouldn’t be enough to stop both Jake and the ‘companion’ rushing at us both upon any movement from us. I braced myself, with Ben held tight in my arms, for Kate’s move.

“You haven’t actually been introduced yet have you?” He sneered, resting his hand upon the ‘companion’s’ shoulders. “Ladies, meet Vasir. He was a great warrior long ago, but sadly got involved in a drunken brawl and had his head smashed open with a few wine jars. Hence the hood, he’s not a pretty sight. Even I don’t like to look at him.” He laughed bold and loud. A growl was the response Vasir gave for Jake’s remarks causing him to snatch his arm away quickly. “Ironic thing is he hasn’t lost a fight since, drunk or not.”

“Let’s see if he can still hold the right to such a claim.”

Vasir gave the roar of a wild bear and whirled out a large battle axe from behind his back. In the couple of seconds that one swift movement took Kate had already made hers. She had whirled her spear tip down and thrust it into the ground, forcing the combined energy of whatever runes she had summoned along with Is into the small point of impact. The resulting mix destabilized the runic energy creating a combusting force that struck out at all around. Ben and I were a few seconds ahead of the wave of the energy, soaring skywards with all I could pull from my cloak, Kate not far behind to my left. The maelstrom of dust and crackling lightening bubbling up below us into the air. The pressure helped propel me further, I thought we were going to make it as the eruption of power was slowing when I heard something like a series of fast metallic clinks. Something thin and black struck out of the dust and hit Kate in the back of her head. It shocked her enough to lose her focus causing her to fall away into the clouds of chaos beneath me.

TO BE CONTINUED.................

Becky Bookworm Book Review: The Sleeping Army by Francesca Simon

2012-03-07T08:09:00.000Z

There is a brand new addition to my Norse Fantasy collection over at FantasyGuide.com - click on the cover to see my review and open yourself to a whole new world of viking books.

Enjoy!

A glimpse into my hoard of viking books - worth all the danegeld in the world! - In honour of World Book Day 2012

2012-03-01T22:20:00.001Z

Spread some Viking Love on World Book Day 2012

Although I work in a Library, because we're with teenagers we didn't do a lot to celebrate World Book Day 2012 apart from mess about with some posters and create a nice display that was sadly put so far out of the way no one really noticed it. I couldn't even dress up as my favourite character (i.e. medieval maiden/viking volva).

Anyway to help spread the viking love on such a brilliant day for bookworms everywhere I have individually photographed all of my favourite viking books (fantasy, historical and non-fiction) and put them up in a FaceBook album for everyone to see including links to those I have reviewed on my blog/goodreads/FantasyGuide.com.

So please follow the link and take a peek if you can Hoard of Viking Books

New Friendships Forged during Jorvik Viking Festival 2012

2012-02-19T19:06:00.001Z

Well I have finally returned from my annual week raiding the great capital of the Danelaw, Jorvik (aka York) for the Jorvik Viking Festival 2012 and I can say that despite not attending the finale battle or the black tie banquet with viking escorts I still have had a fantastic time. I have witnessed the dramatic Holmgang Scandinavian duel, a norse handfastening marriage ceremony in the grand halls of York Minster which had some amazing folk/traditional singers regailing the audience with scandinavian and gaelic songs. I have also learnt to sew wool thread with a wooden needle using a technique known as Naal-binding and seen the beautiful Fulford Tapestry, depicting the first and often forgotten battle of 1066, the Battle of Fulford beck where King Harald Hardrada of Norway got his first and last victory against the anglo-saxon Earl Morcard before recapturing York and then of course meeting his doom at Stamford Bridge against King Harold Godwinson. At all these events I met like-minded people and made friends with a fair few of them, my new writer contact cards came quite in handy although we'll see if any of the lovely ladies I spoke to email me back hehehe I might have been too scary and viking obsessed for them.

Photographs of the Holmgang and the Battle of Fulford Tapestry (with a visual tour video) can found available in my Jorvik Collection on my Flickr account - just click --> HERE

But my 2 favourite highlights of Jorvik 2012 have to be meeting authors Victoria Campbell, writer of Viking Gold and James Aitcheson, writer of Sworn Sword. Two fabulous new historical fiction writers and two great people who I've become (I hope and presume quite rudely) friends with judging by the fact that not only did Victoria invite me out for a coffee afterwards (we had a great long chat about all things writerly and vikingy) but also James was very friendly and chatty with me and even hinted he reads this slightly insane blog of mine hehehe (nervous laugh).

Me and author Victoria Campbell - yes complete with my SC shirt - comes everywhere with me when I am lucky enough to meet famous people hehehe.

Me and author James Aitcheson

So let's see (yet again) if meeting such talented writers as Victoria and James can set my imagination a blaze and my fingers into a whirlwind and get Soul Chaser flying again. I must admitt that the previous week (starting 6th Feb) when I was raiding into Wales for my dose of librarian wisdom and knowledge I did do a suprising amount of writing on what I thought was just giving some of my protaganists backstory some substance but it's given me such a good feeling (even from a rough draft) that I might just pop in as SC Chapter 2 and shuffle the whole story on a little bit hehehe. It's still not completely finished but I think I have a few thousand words written at least, it's definitely going to be a big jolt of action at the start of the book which hopefully will get the reader excited or at least intrigued by the world they have entered. I just need to type it up from my hand written notes and see where else it takes me.

That's it for a recap of my mad viking week at Jorvik for 2012 - next time I blog it will be the enchantingly good norse fantasy book The Sleeping Army by Francesca Simon and maybe even a little sample of the new chapter that has decided to appear ages after I'd thought I'd written the start of the book hehehe.

Memories of Valhalla

2012-02-19T18:40:00.001Z

Jorvik Festival, a set on Flickr.

I've just added my favourite pictures from the Jorvik Viking Festival 2012 to my Jorvik photo collection on my Flickr account. So the first ones you see won't be from this year but a few years past but please feel free to browse through to the collection - the ones for this year will have the Jorvik2012 tag and feature the Holmgang I witnessed and the Battle of Fulford Tapestry.

I am now an official 'mad' (viking) Auntie!

2012-02-10T13:03:00.000Z

I would also like to announce that I can now officially call myself an Auntie! (and a truly mad one at that heheh)

My little sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy late on the evening of 9-02-2012.

Interestingly enough I had my suspicions it would be a boy (it was all going to be a suprise) as I saw 4 magpies:

1 for sorrow,

2 for joy,

3 for a girl,

and 4 for a.... BOY!

I did also see a Buzzard but I don't know what the relevance of that was hehehe.

There was also the small matter of him being born on Thors-Day so the Thunder God may well have had a small influence on the matter.

This in a way is even more of a good thing because as a boy he might be more easier to inspire to have a love or at least a fascination about all things Vikingy (muwahahahahahah!)

Becky Bookworm Book Review: Viking Gold by V Campbell

2012-02-10T13:00:00.001Z

I have just finished another fantast new viking historical fiction book by an author I will meet next week as part of the Jorvik Viking festival! YAY! Please find review by clicking on the cover image to be taken to my own viking book section on FantasyGuide.com where you can find this review and more from all my favourite books across the three genres of historical fiction, norse fantasy and non-ficiton too.

Becky Bookworm Book Review: The Vikings by Magnus Magnusson

2012-02-08T07:54:00.002Z

Took me whole nine months but I finally finished another detailed, interesting, fascinating and enlightening book on the complete history of the vikings. My review of it is now available from the Viking book section of FantasyGuide.com. Just scroll down to the non-fiction area at the bottom of the page. Please do go visit and discover a whole plethora of great books in a selection of genres for any viking fan.
Viking and norse fantasy books, series and more

Jorvik Viking Festival 2012 - 11th - 18th February

2012-02-05T13:40:00.000Z

YAY It's my favourite time of year again! The time of year when all viking lovers, renactors, medieval market stalls, historical authors and warriors from the past come alive again and gather at the once great and proud city of the former Danelaw, Jorvik! (Aka York to you modern people!).

I got my tickets aaaages ago and have already rejuvenated all my nordic custom clothing for the events I will be appearing at. So if you are hanging around York in a week's time and see a petite brunette wearing a cloak or a raven on her back that will probably be me! I'm pretty sure no one else, even the renactors will be wearing what I will be.

Currently my list of events are:

Monday:

Viking Holmgang battle duel in the morning, afternoon author event with V Campbell, who wrote Viking Gold which I am currently reading and loving and will definitely finish before I meet her.

Wednesdasy:

Author event with James Aitcheson who wrote Sword Sword (you can find review in a previous post) in the afternoon and then I'm attending the Jorvik Viking Wedding at York Minister in the evening.

Thursday:

At an all day norse textile workshop run by the Fulford Society.

Saturday:

Medieval market day! I'll be doing lots of trading for 2012 momentos.

For my favourite photographs of the 4 Jorvik Festival's I've been to so far please follow this link to my Flickr page - Jorvik Festival photographs

However the week before all the fun kicks off I'll be doing my regular raiding into Wales to loot Glyndwr University of all its knowledge and wisdom on how to be a good librarian hehehe. I'm pretty sure if Vikings were around today they would mistake Universities for monastaries and raid them instead, that is until they discover that it might be more profitable to raid shopping centres etc.

But I'll be digging my teeth into plenty of fab historical viking and norse fantasy books whilst I'm away so although this blog will be relatively silent for the next two weeks be assured I will return with as much viking themed loot as Harald Hardrada did when he fled Constantinople.

Until I return from my vikingr travels - keep spreading the Viking love!

Becky Bookworm Book Review: Sworn Sword by James Aitcheson

2012-01-29T22:41:00.000Z

Sworn Sword by James Aitcheson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The author James Aitcheson has not only written something pretty remarkable and captivating for his young age and in a difficult genre to crack which is often filled with middle-aged to old men/women, he has awakened and created a whole other aspect and slant on history and historical figures.
Most of the popular historical fiction is centred around Anglo-Saxons or Vikings or Civil Wars (in America and England) or royal courts from the sixteenth century onwards but yet I do believe James is the first writer to pick a part of history and not write it from the key event, and not write it from the point of view of those who's history it is; BUT He writes it in the first initial years AFTER the fateful year of 1066 where William, Duke of Normandy defeats the last Anglo-Saxon King, Harold Godwinson; James writes it also from the point of view of the invading NORMAN KNIGHTS - NOT - the defeated Anglo-Saxon people/nobles.
What James has written is a new, refreshing and original stance on a very significant point of history - now some readers may think that what on earth could be interesting enough about the bullyish Normans conquering England? Well I won't say a lot apart from the secret that is riddled cunningly throughout the story is as original and as powerful as the entire story view point itself. Involving a little known part of the aftermath of 1066 which could indeed shake the foundations of the new Norman rulers.
The plot isn't just gripping but the characters too are powerful enough for any reader to come to care, admire and like them regardless of their Norman identity. As a reader you are put on a rollercoaster of a learning curve to come to terms and understand that the Norman knights and nobles who invaded England with Duke William had lives, loves and losses of their own too. They fight with as much courgae, skill, honour and loyalty to friends and Lords as much as the Anglo-Saxons do to their Thegns and the Vikings (distant ancestors of the Normans) to their Jarls.
So if you are perhaps getting bored of reading of the Vikings killing Anglo-Saxons or The Red Coats fighting the Blue Coats or of courtly affairs in royal bed chambers but still want a great tale with strong and influential characters, packed with historical action then Sworn Sword is definitely a great book to revive anyone's love in history, beit fictional or not.

View all my reviews

Becky Bookworm Book Review: The Ship in the Hill by William L Sullivan

2012-01-16T23:05:00.000Z

Read the latest edition to adorn my shelves of favourite viking historical fiction and norse fantasy!

Last week I finished a thrilling blend of both genres and historical eras in a viking version of Sepulcher by Kate Mosse.

The Ship In The Hill by William L Sullivan

Click on the cover to be taken to Fantasyguide.com where you can find this review and all others my favourite vikingy books!

Angels? Lawyers? Supernatural intrigue? York? - Could only be the arrival of 'Eternal Law' on ITV

2012-01-04T23:12:00.001Z

I was genuinely suprsied when my own MOTHER rang up saying there seems to be a programme on TV soon involving angels, saving peoples souls and based in none other than my city of birth, York.

I thought BUGGER ME! Someone's beaten me to it before I have even finished a first draft of Soul Chaser - although my kick-ass valkyries are a lot more exciting than behaving like boring lawyers.

She said the writer and actor from this new series was on BBC Breakfast Wednesday morning (of course when I was at work damn it) but thanks to BBC iPlayer I could catch up.

Please follow this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/12550706 and scroll the timer to 8.40 to jump straight in.

Not only did the writer turn out to be the mad supernatural genius behind 'Life on Mars' which was an AWESOME series of many layers and levels but that SAMUEL WEST stars in this series (he features in my favourite norse film Sword of Xanten - look it up it's all about the tale of Sigurd and Fafnir the dragon and cursed gold) so I was delighted to see him star in a british supernatural drama series (albeit on ITV which means I have to grind my teeth through the irritating breaks).

BUT of course the amazing and unusual coincidental feature of this new series is ITS SET IN YORK! JORVIK I MEAN! OF ALL THE WONDERFUL HISTORICAL CITIES THEY COULD HAVE PICKED TO INVOLVE COURTS AND LAWYERS LET ALONE ANGELS THEY PICEKD THIS ONE!

In a way I'm in two halves about it - I'm glad they've picked my favourite city in the world, this will at least allow viewers and who knows potential readers to get accustomed to the idea of supernatural beings and mystery and secrets in this world heritage (should have been given the damned title it jolly well deserves curse you European Union!) city for Soul Chaser WHEN it reaches the masses (See I'm trying to be optimistic this year) but it also means I won't be the one to highlight the magical beauty of the place.

Anyway I hope you will join me to watch the first episode tomorrow night, it will certainly prove interesting as these are no typical angels of course and certainly not the type to fall in awful love triangles - but I'm sure a few angelic rules will get broken - as hinted in the BBC interview. If I find it interesting or at least enjoyable enough despite the irritating adverts I might well run a running blog commentary of each episode and what I think of each character and the way the plot goes etc.

See below for date, channel, time and a brief intro into the world of 'Eternal Law':

Eternal Law

ITV1

Thursday 5th January

9pm - 10pm

(To the left Samuel West (from Sword of Xanten) and Ukweli Roach - Angels in the disguise of Lawyers)

Series 1, Episode 1

New six-part drama series from Ashley Pharoah and Matthew Graham about two angels who are sent to Earth in the guise of lawyers in order to help humankind. Moments after Zak and Tom's arrival in York, the peace of the city is shattered by a shocking act of violence. The pair are then plunged into a court case involving an estranged family and a newlywed. Zak is alarmed to discover that his past has come back to haunt him in the form of old flame Hannah English - much to the delight of his nemesis, Richard Pembroke. With Samuel West, Ukweli Roach, Orla Brady, Tobias Menzies, and Hattie Morahan.

Becky Bookworm Book Review - New Year Bonanza! - Joanne Harris, Katherine Langrish and Michael Burr!

2012-01-04T21:52:00.000Z

Christmas 2012 didn't see me read just 1 FAB vikingy book, not just 2 vikingy books but

3 AWESOME Vikingy books!

2 from the Norse Fantasy genre

West of the Moon

by Katherine Langrish

Runelight (Sequel to Runemarks)

by Joanne Harris (*who is to me the mother of Norse Fantasy)

and 1 extra special Viking Historical novel

Harald Hardrada: The Last Viking

by Michael Burr

My reviews for each are now up on the Viking section of FantasyGuide.com so simply

pick a cover and enjoy!

Becky Bookworm Book Review: The Viking Dead by Toby Venables

2011-12-22T21:51:00.000Z

Do you like horror? Do you like vikings? Do you like endless battles? Do you like grizzly gorey details? Do you like - zombies?

Then you're bound to enjoy The Viking Dead by Toby Venables - read my review of this book at the FantasyGuide.com

- just click on the cover! .... IF YOU DARE!

Becky Bookworm Book Review : Conquest by Stewart Binns (Is 2 Hereward's better than 1?)

2011-12-19T22:31:00.001Z

Conquest by Stewart Binns

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sadly this book has a lot of good plots and interesting characters (Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardarada, William Duke of Normandy, El Sid and more) and covers many years worth of history from different countries that the author Stewart Binns really should have slowed the pace down, focused on a few key moments and maybe made this one book into a trilogy at least.

The side effect of cramming so much into one set of book covers made everything seem rather rushed, all the events tended to be almost glimpsted by the reader, the narrator never giving them a chance to settle to experience what the characters were experiencing in such turbulent years. This too also made some events either seem a bit out of place or maybe too set up in order to drag the reader along to the next big event of the characters life and so the reader can never really connect to the full dramaticness of each event occuring, just a mere acceptance is required. A lot of this is signalled by the narrator accounting a lot of stuff in brief details - we never get to encounter many of the great battles this portrayal of Hereward experienced in southern Spain or Normandy, let alone his more peaceful time spent living in Dublin with his new friends and lover Torfida etc, even the great battles of 1066 were over within a chapter or two!

Unfortunately I have recently finished another book focusing on the mysterious character of Hereward the Wake and it does exactly what Stewart Binns should have done, focued on a few select years, a few key events, not travelled so much across the globe and spent enough time showing the reader the depth of the characters lives and the world they lived in. I prefered Jame's Wilde's version (see my 'Hereward' review) to this one.

View all my reviews

Becky Bookworm Book Review - Hereward by James Wilde

2011-12-16T22:24:00.001Z

Hereward by James Wilde

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is defintely one of several Hereward based historical novels I'd recommend. It has a movie style epic and gripping start and the characters are so rich in detail and depth and the plots so intricately woven together that even Shakespeare's plots seemed simple compared to the ones in this book.
It truly takes the reader into the reality of the anglo-saxon world complete with characters from simple peasant folk through monks and priests, warriors and hurscals, noble ladies and the cut-throat (literally) power-hungry men of court, including one Harold Godwinson portrayed in a light never before seen or considered but is based well within his historical context of an ailing King with no heir.
There is as no suprise a lot of death, battle, sword fights, murder and gore in this novel but it demonstrates that despite the mixed and developed culture of the anglo-saxons the sword and honour in the face of death was still a powerful rule in the hearts of men, like Hereward, in particularly so due his own crazed bloodlust frenzy that arises within him when he is forced to draw blood.
The story does cover a lot but it does it with great care and sadly it ends all to soon at the start of Hereward's famous rebellion against William the Conquerer. I can only hope a sequel is planned.

View all my reviews

Soul Chaser - Grand Reveal of Chapter 8 - Dreams and Stories

2011-12-06T22:47:00.001Z

It's taken me more than 6 months to complete and even then this chapter deviated a lot from my original chapter plan but it has all been the better good as I hope it reveals even more about my main character and helps establish a firmer connection with the reader, it has done with me anyway, most of the secrets revealed in this chapter came about as quite a natural occuring suprise. And it creates a great build up to the excitement and runic magic planned for Chapter 9! Remember though that this is still a rought draft and may well complain plenty of spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes that I apologise in advance for but I just love to share the world of SC when it's straight from my finger tips like this. So please do have a scan through and let me know what you think - or better yet go to through chapters 1-5 via links above to emerse yourself truly into the world of gods, souls and legends that is ........

Chapter 8: Dreams and Stories

Water splashed and sloshed against the sides of the boat, almost creating a natural series of beats as the oars sliced into the surface of the sea. Each stroke was firm and gentle, strong and sure, but at a steady pace which suited the warmth on our backs and the gentle breeze tickling our naked arms. My hands gripped the sides not out of fear, but for the need to hold onto something, as the hands I wanted to hold were manning the oars. I looked up into the eyes of the man rowing us smoothly amongst the bigger and more expensive boats and ships docked that day. I sensed no ill intentions from his returning gaze, just the glow of happiness, the pulsating love he had for me, but something lingered behind it all, a small worry perhaps? I looked elsewhere, wondering who the people were who owned the rich yachts, what the rooms inside were like, whether there was caviar and champagne in the fridge. I noticed a vortex of seagulls swirling directly above our heads, their loud, mind piercing calls heralding the summer’s mid-day sunshine.

“Are you hungry?” The man asked making me turn my focus again.

I didn’t answer because I wasn’t sure. I didn’t feel hungry but then again I didn’t feel not hungry. I was afraid it might be sea-sickness which would spoil the day for us both. In the end I just shrugged.

“Mum made you an extra set of sandwiches in case we got hungry on the way out. You’ve got marmite and cheese or chicken salad?”

I knew the first option was my favourite but the fact that he offered me the other showed they were still trying to get me to eat healthier.

“Well I might have one of the chicken salad; this rowing has built up my appetite.” He put the oars at rest and knelt over the large food chiller container that sat between us.

As he unzipped the box open I felt a shadow swoop over us, I looked up and the seagulls were scattering across the vast blue sky, shrieking louder than before. I couldn’t detect anything wrong; I wasn’t even sure what predator if any the seagulls had in the sky. I could still glimpse the harbor side crammed with people out enjoying the day. It is out of that moving mass that one black thing emerged, gliding smoothly over the boats and swooping across the dappled sparkling sea. I watched, curious and fascinated as to what it could be. It grew as it shrunk the distance between us, its identity revealed as a bird as black as Whitby jet. It let out a call as harsh as rocks being crushed to dust in a grinding machine. Just the eeriness of its call made me grip the boat tighter. I tried to call to my companion, my curiosity transforming to fear. I looked down into our humble boat and neither he nor our chilled picnic box was there. Disappeared. Vanished. I was on my own and facing a terror that was so intense it had taken away my voice. My eyes were now bewitched with the incoming threatening black bird that now landed onto the vacant bench before me. It stood tall, twitching its head from side to side, showing one red eye and then one black eye. It fluttered its wings and opened its beak, I cringed expecting the horrid noise from before but my fear became shock as a croaking voice uttered. “Reignlief!” I lost control of my senses and felt myself fall into the bottom of the boat. The bird’s aged voice repeating that one word over and over again before the blackness that had consumed my vision finally blocked up my ears.

*** *** ***

Typical. Bloody typical. The Norn’s must be having hysterics when weaving my thread, to let my mind become so absorbed by a nightmare, that taunted me with memories I could not name in my heart. Those were my thoughts when for the first time in five years I lay in my bed, shivering with cold panic and tears blurring my vision. I gulped hard to control my weeping eyes and wrapped the blankets tighter against my body only to make myself jump at the unfamiliar sight of my wings mimicking my arms. I wrapped my front in my large white feathers. It was a very strange night I was having but then I laughed at myself without care when I remembered all the other strange nights I experienced previously. No, that night wasn’t strange, it was new, full of new lessons, new limbs, new challenges and the fear that comes with each snippet of memory my soul discovers.

I rubbed my eyes, shook my head a little and sat up slowly allowing my wings to recoil back behind my shoulders. For a moment I sat there focusing on their presence, it felt like I had a large, warm, friendly goose strapped to me. After another moment of relaxing in the security of their connection to me, I relit the candle on the table with a small flash of the rune Ken (^) and rummaged in the bottom of my trunk. Amongst the heavy shadows of clothing I came across, with some relief, the small ash wood engraved box containing parchment, quill and ink and a few pieces of my Valkyrie jewelry such as my silver torque bracelet. Bringing it up onto the table I caught myself marveling in a rather silly manner at the scenes the flickering candle light depicted before me.

Each side of the box had a scene from famous Norse legends and sagas. The one on the front with a silver clasp in the middle depicted Sigurd the Blacksmith, slaying the dragon Fafnir, the left side had Grettir the Strong being hurt by a wicked enchantment from a log that washed up at his secret hideout. On the right end was four figures holding what appeared to be a giant platter until you see beneath it is a small marking of a tree with a couple on its left and a cow and dog on its right. That was Yggdrasil at the birth of the world with the four Giant Dwarves, their names that of the four winds, holding up the sky so tree, man and animal could live. The rear side of the box though was particularly special, a scene very few of those who live outside the Norse Pantheon know about.

Engraved is a paradisiacal landscape with great plants and wondrous creatures, and under a pavilion in the centre are sat two women, one clearly older than the other due to the length of her dress but each holds a bird at her feet. The older and more regal holds what looks like a hawk or eagle, the younger and sterner of the pair is holding what could be first perceived as a goose but when examining the flair of its wings is clearly a swan. This secret scene depicts the untold legend of how Frigg and Freya recognized each other upon the Peace Treaty and Alliance with the Vanir. Frigg gave Freya the gift of a royal Eagle; Freya in turn granted her new Mistress the grace and beauty of the Swan. All Valkyries in training are granted magical swan feather cloaks in honour of that exchange yet only ever will Freya be allowed to adorn the wings of an eagle.

That box, like so many special items I’ve been given or earned during my handful of years with these gods and their shield maidens, always had some saga, tale or legend attached. Its own life story of how it came into being, how it came to be owned by whom and all that happened after. Such as Freya’s Brisingamen necklace, to be wrought of gold so fine that it glowed as bright as the sun even in a dark room. It was crafted by four dwarf brothers when they discovered a boulder sized lump of gold that had no impurities found in the much smaller lumps in their mineral mine. Only the Aesir Gods and some of the oldest Viking Einherjar remember the part of the saga where the four brothers had to slay a Wyrm King who slaughtered their family in pursuit of their discovery. No, everyone remembers the more exciting and even naughtier part of that necklace’s tale, how Freya sold her beauty and body in order to gain it.

It’s this eternal link to someone’s past, someone’s life, someone’s memories and experiences that I quickly appreciated as I learned that my own past life was missing from my soul. When I learnt that truth I felt cheated by some cruel force by not just ending what life I had young but withholding what life I did have. I was like a faulty toy on the production line, somehow, before, during or after my demise Death in whatever form it was, released my soul incorrectly, almost leaving a remnant of me behind in my physical body. A bit of me that may seem unimportant now I’m forging a new life but without the past I don’t truly know who I am or who I was. I know things about me unconsciously like what foods, music, and clothes I like and what things I don’t like but I have no real reason why. I have no truth or experience behind even the smallest of my decisions.

Martha compared my amnesia of the past life to those mortals who suddenly and quite randomly forget everything in a form of amnesia known as retrograde amnesia. They have to remake entire lives and relationships with those who knew the old them. Some of them never did revert back to their old ways and recall their old memories. Some never could rebuild those relationships that could be closest to them. Things had changed too much. They were too different. The major difference in my situation is I have no one to tell me I didn’t use to like marmalade or I used to be head over heels in love with some celebrity. I’m a blank page in the middle of a book with no story behind me and the story of my future yet to be written.

It was that great void in the centre of my being that drew me to gorge upon any and all legends and sagas I came across or heard a member of the Einherjar discussing and this ultimately led me to befriend my first Aesir God. Bragi, God of Poetry and Skalds. The father of narratives true and fictional, long or short, famous or folklore. He was the ancient story teller and he wrote special sagas for every single one of Odin’s Einherjar. There wasn’t a Norse epic or legend he didn’t know and he even knew ones set before the time of Ask and Embla.

During those first few weeks of my internal struggle to accept the truth Bragi was the only other Aesir to approach me without making me nervous or feel unworthy. He helped me gain a taste of what normal was like.

Bragi first introduced himself when he came across me, alone, by the side of a natural spring in the great woodlands surrounding the central citadel of Asgard’s old quarter. I was still yet without a role during those first weeks as Kate consulted as much as she could with the Norn’s, Freya and Frigg regarding my unusual memory condition.

“You don’t know who I am, do you?” He called across to me, not taking any further steps once we were aware of each other.

I observed his face, his delightful smirk, the sparkle in his oak brown eyes and his shoulder length hair the colour of golden sand.

“Should I?” I replied uncertain and nervous. I wasn’t yet sure what would happen to my already faulty soul if I did, by accident or purpose, anger a God.

“Depends on how much you like a good story.” He began walking casually towards me. “There are those that can only go to sleep if I weave them a tale to slumber by. There are some who shed not a single tear in regret, pain or grief yet when I describe two lovers kept apart they weep like I have broken their hearts.” He flung his leather satchel upon the grass and knelt down. “And there are some that have been around as long as I have and can’t stand my arrogant voice anymore.” He held out his hand. “I’m Bragi, the story man.”

How can you not smile when such a character walks up to you? I took his hand in a limp handshake and gave him a fragile smile.

“I’m Jennifer but I prefer it if you call me Jenny.”

“Well, Jenny, why are you enjoying the woodlands by yourself? Where are your friends?”

“They’re all busy.”

Bragi gazed down at me, his smile fading a touch. “When did you arrive in Asgard?”

“Only a week or so ago.”

“Have you not been assigned to a Hall yet?” Bragi enquired regarding the various Halls of resident Gods. Souls could seek employment to them be it Freya’s as a Valkyrie, Frigg’s as a Maid or even Idunn’s orchard as a Gardner tending to her Golden Apple trees. That is of course if you were a woman, men had the choice of Odin’s Hall, Valhall and become Squires to his Einherjar, live with Thor and you could become master blacksmiths or even become Watchers under Heimdall who will teach the many ways and signs of tracking both supernatural and natural foes. The third alternative was becoming a local in a sense and resuming a version of mortal life in the many district quarters and set up a shop or tavern to cater for other locals.

“They, I mean I, don’t quite know my talents yet. I haven’t decided.”

“Well why not base your new role on what profession you had in your past life?”

I stared away into the blades of grass and randomly picked a daisy to fiddle with. “I don’t know what it was.”

“Ah, I see, a little memory loss is normal with the conversion from death, you’ll remember in time and then you’ll know which Hall to choose.” He explained the problem as if it was a very minor setback. “Did you visit any nice woodland like this when you were alive?”

“I’m not sure.” I kept my eyes fixated on the daisy; its white petals glowed in the shafts of sunshine coming through the trees canopy.

“Ok then, did you leave any family behind in your past life? Parents already passed on or still alive?”

“I don’t think so…my memory is still fuzzy.”

“What can you remember from the time before?” That was the first time I detected a hint of concern in his voice but the shame of my condition still wouldn’t let me meet his eyes.

I could only give him an honest answer as what little truth I knew was all I had. “I know my name is Jennifer Wallace. I don’t remember what my life before was like. I don’t remember why or how I died. I remember Kate finding me and bringing me here. That is all I know of my life before, this.”

“Do you even know where you died?”

“No. I remember no names of people, nor names of places.”

“Hummm.” He turned around and delved into his bag, dragging pieces of paper out in a rush. “I think I might be able to help. Will you let me try?”

I let my eyes connect with his then, at the hope of learning all the truth about me, although I didn’t stop to wonder why Kate hadn’t introduced me to Bragi earlier if he was a possible cure in some way.

“Sure, I have nothing to lose if it doesn’t work.” I joked feebly. “What do we need to do?”

“Firstly I need you to write your full name on this bit of parchment and then coil it around this quill you will use to write it with.”

“Erm, don’t we need a pot of ink or something?” I was a bit confused.

“Oh, no, no, this quill is enchanted, as it writes it produces its own ink and never runs out. Perfect for when I’m collecting stories you see.”

“Ok.” I laid out the parchment across my leg and tried to write as clearly and as neatly as possible, although it did come out more like scribble than I’d hoped. I then wrapped the quill as he’d asked.

“Good now I want you to hold it at the feather tip end and I will take hold of the quill bit. We need to use both hands so just put it between them. That’s it. Hold it gently so you don’t bend the feathers just keep in contact with it.”

“Now what do we do?”

He shuffled around a bit to sit cross legged in front of me. “Now, I need you to close your eyes and focus in your mind on your own name. Imagine it up as words before you and keep repeating it over and over again inside. Keep concentrating on it until I tell you to stop, ok?”

I nodded once and closed my eyes. The shafts of sunlight passing over me as the soft breeze stirred the trees, turned my inner vision into a kaleidoscope of glittering gold and shimmering purple shades against a background of ruby red. I focused and imagined as Bragi instructed and I felt my breath become slow, my muscles ease and my mind less tense with the simple task of repetition. I could hear the fragile dappling sound of the spring gurgling up from the earth. The breeze rippling through the leaves in the towering trees made me think of the sea’s waves rushing against a stone and sand beach.

The vision inside was broken when Bragi’s voice reawakened my senses.

“Well, you certainly are unique.”

“Can I open my eyes?”

“Yes and you can let go of the quill and parchment too.”

The sunlight dazzled me for a tiny portion of time. I noticed Bragi turning the parchment piece over and over again, his quill stuck rather casually amongst the grass blades into the soil. I wondered if this enchanted quill would clean itself of dirt too.

“Well? Did it work?”

“Depends on what you mean. If you meant did I get to read your soul then yes. If you meant did I learn anything about you and your past, no, not really. Although…”

“Although what?”

“A connection was made. Your soul did leave its mark. See?” He handed the parchment back and where my name should have been written was now a small square written with the same ink. It was a blank square. Just four lines, a box.

“What does it mean?”

“That is actually a rune. Its name is Wyrd and is linked with Fate, the Unknown. It’s a rare and peculiar rune in that it has no defined mark and so it is often just symbolized as a blank square. Its meaning is always dependant on the person who has drawn it and the context it was drawn. I’m not as adept at runes as most of the other Aesir but I would advise in your case that this rune represents your transition from your old life into this. It perhaps suggests that whatever life you had before is not as important or as crucial as you might think, at least not yet. Wyrd’s symbol without a square is unending and thus has no beginning. In relation to you it means that your true purpose, not just in your life in Asgard, but your presence in the very universe, regardless of which realm and in what state, living or dead, is yet to be determined but it does not mean you will be without purpose forever. Certain events, choices or actions may yet have to be performed before you become aware of your true purpose and only then will your past and present become complete and help you follow your future destiny.” He took the paper gently away from me and stuck it back in his satchel along with this quill. “But, as I said, if you want a more precise rune reading you had best seek Freya or even Odin for that. They are the true masters at interpreting the signs.” He added with a smile which denied his bashful claim. “In simpler words, the presence of Wyrd represents you rather well at the moment, as a blank page. A story yet to be told or read. And you know what I always say about stories I don’t know yet?”

“What?”

“If there’s a story I don’t know, it’s either because it’s not worth knowing or, because the story is of such epic proportions that when it is enacted it leaves such a mark on the universe that its fame will echo through the ages, it won’t require me telling it by a million firesides.” He took my hand and held it in a caring manner. “So who knows what kind of story you will be part of, so do not despair just yet of your memory loss, it might be a key part of your life’s narrative.”

“Do you think I’ll ever remember what I’ve forgotten?”

“I sincerely hope you do Jenny, if only because you are now a great curiosity to me. And I mean that in a good way.”

“Thanks, I think.” I stared back into the pool of spring water as a dragon fly whizzed across it.

“Now, I’m pretty sure I know of a story that will make you smile, at least it will make you giggle.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes, most certainly because you will be the only person in the whole of Asgard who won’t know any of the stories I hold in my head. Would you like to know why Loki has no testicles?”

I chuckled which made his smirk bloom into a grin.

“Would it surprise you then to know how he lost them in an amazing feat of making the Giantess Skaldi laugh?”

And that was the beginning of my often daily story telling sessions with Bragi whose skill as a Skald for stories old and new numbed my loss and made me feel a bit more connected to the new world I found myself in. It was his idea a few months later that I keep a journal of any flashes of possible memories such as visions of places, faces, voices, scents or sounds.

So I recorded what I could remember of my newest nightmare vision into my journal. Its pages were well used due to the many evenings I’d felt lonely or sad and flicked through it in the hope reading the same notes over and over again will unlock the blackness in my head. That night though, just like the fresh feeling of shivers when I awoke from the nightmare, when I wrote the word,

Reignlief

as I presumed it was spelt, I could hear the echo of the raven’s harsh voice and recall the gentle smile of the man in the boat. It made me hold my breath just glancing over that word, a word I have no idea what its meaning is and what its purpose was in the nightmare, nor why a raven spoke it to me. I felt nervous at the strange and vague familarness of it. I was afraid because I did not know if it was some confused part of my lost life, contained in that one word, or perhaps the nightmare was something worse. Not a vision of my past, but of a possible link to the future, some yet unexplained peculiar side effect of being blessed with wings and having shared the blood of nine Elder Valkyries and Freya herself.

Not wanting to unnerve myself any further I quickly folded the parchment back into its well worn position and placed it right at the bottom of my chest of possessions, where my finger tips alighted upon something soft, warm and throbbed with familiarity. I pulled it out from the mass of shadows that was the contents and cradled it in my hands, I smiled. Even in the flickering light of the candle I could make out the runic letters representing J and W entwined in a similar fashion to Bindrunes, in gold and copper toned threads on the suede pouch.

“Hello fella’s”, I whispered to no one but myself and brought the pouch of runes up to my heart. I felt a light tingle spread out from my chest and down both arms and wings to the tips of my fingers and feathers. “I know I’ve forgotten you lately haven’t I? A lot’s changed, I’m sure you’d understand.”

“Is anyone at home?” Mist called through the tent entrance flaps.

“Yes, I’m awake if that’s what you mean.”

She strode in looking none the worse for her early hours visitor last night and to prevent myself looking even the slightest bit guilty I hurriedly packed my belongings away. But Mist stopped me before adding my pouch of runes.

“Keep them with you, their powers are needed today.”

“Why, what’s the plan?”

“I believe your soul has recovered enough from your transformation to begin the Scry of Seidr. It is a powerful ritual which will guide you, with the support your own runes, to identify the Seidr word locked deep within you. Knowing your Seidr word and understanding its meaning to you, will allow you to summon and dismiss your new wings at will. This will make it a lot easier for me to begin teaching you how to fly.”

“Fly! I’m finally going to learn how to fly!” I shrieked in rushed excitement.

“Hush Jennifer, not quite yet but soon, you must first complete the Scry of Seidr first if we are going to take your training to that level.” She held open the entrance flap, allowing the lazy dawn sunshine to light up the tent. “But first we must get you well fed; you will need all your energy and focus for this challenge.”

“Great, what’s for breakfast?”

“Eggs, bacon and beans.”

“You didn’t steal them all did you?” I added with slight suspicion, remembering the chicken from yesterday.

“Eggs yes, but I couldn’t steal bacon straight off a pig’s back now could I?” Mist laughed, guiding me out to face another new day on the north-east coast.

Follow my blog if you ever wish to gain even the slightest clue about the future of our young Valkyrie as she learns not just to master her wings but learns more about herself, and those around her, in ways she has yet to imagine - in Soul Chaser - to be continued....

Becky Bookworm Book Review: Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley

2011-12-03T17:14:00.000Z

Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a must read for fans of historical fiction and supernatural fantasy as it combines both in a fantastic explosion of forgotten gods, curses and spells, shamans and priests, ghosts and murder, love and revenge.

It all begins from the day Cleopatra is tricked into believing her lover Mark Antony is defeated in battle and he is tricked into believing Cleopatra has completed the suicide pact she made with him.

Of course when Cleopatra learns the truth it is too late to save Mark and the conquerer Augustus goes on to rub her nose in it which only makes her more pissed off as you would expect. So she makes an even more dangerous pact with a blood-lustful god of Sekhet who claims Cleopatra's soul and lives on in her spirit giving her body strange powers and strength.

It then of leads of course to the famous scene where Cleopatra is 'killed' by a a cobra but how can anyone die if they have no soul?

She of course espcapes from her own tomb thanks to her new enchanting relationship to creatures of the night like snakes and bats.

Augustus does his best to keep the rumours of her rising from the dead a secret but it has seriously spooked him enough to send out his soldiers far and wide to 'hire' powerful mages, shaman and forgotten Priestesses to protect him from whatever sorcery Cleopatra yields in her undead form.

At first Cleopatra merely wants to rescue her children from being royal hostages and escape to the south but after witnessing the death of one of the sons she bore with Mark Antony revenge and Sehket surge forth in ways beyond human imagination.

And so the story rolls on as the magic and power of Cleopatra's will and Sekhet's hunger for blood do battle across land and people with the sorcerers hired by Augustus (although each has their own motive and story to accompany they're powers) taking many lives both innocent and guilty to the god of death, Hades but will this endless savage quest for honour and revenge reunite Cleopatra with Mark and her son the way she hoped?

Although the first half of the story is truly seat gripping, heart wrenching and bone shaking in the gore and savagery of the new Cleopatra half human half god, it does lead to a bit of an unrealistic but gob-smacking battle of roman legions and the powers of gods from up high and down below as each part of this complex tale tries to accomplish their own agenda against each other.

View all my reviews

Becky Bookworm Book Review: A Discovery Of Witches by Deborah Harkness

2011-12-01T23:42:00.000Z

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a beautiful amalgamtaion of aspects of magic and shades of mystery. And all involving an often overlooked character in the world paranormal/supernatural that are not wolf like or drink blood, but have powers of their own and certainly do not fly brooms or have black cats. Yes, I'm talking about witches and how they are still around, powers, potions and spells and all, living amongst us mere humans just like the vampires and werewolves of Stephenie Meyers. Except this is definitely an adult novel, altough some older teenagers may also enjoy it simply for the deep love story involved. Yes there is that too, as some may almost expect nowadays when an author involves the paranormal creatures in our modern day world. But yet again Deborah Harkness deviates from the norm even in that respect by not just having a human fall in love with a vampire, but a witch which brings its own unique problems than a mere human, PLUS and it is a mighty big plus, they don't fall in love like troubled teenagers but over a book. But this is no ordinary a book, it is a book which rumours to contain the history, origins and future of the three races in this novel, Witches/Vampires and Daemons (imagine them as creative but mad geniuses like Mozart) and although no one race can say who created and more importantly who lost it many centuries ago, but when the key character Diana, mistakenly comes across it in the Bodlean Library in Oxford, England (brilliant new setting for this paranormal world) she suddenly gains the attention of all three races, in a manner that isn't all together entirely friendly. The key thing about Diana is, not only is she a witch with famous heritage (being from the family of some famous american witch trials) but she is a reluctant witch, she's trying her hardest to live a normal human life without magic involved in any way. Apart from the one moment she simply magics a book off a very high shelf and is caught by a mysterious and charming vampire. And a whole seat-gripping saga of suspicion, betrayal, seduction, romance, friendship, secrets, lies, danger and a covenant breaking love begins from that moment on....
View all my reviews

Norse Fantasy + Viking History (Non-fiction) Book Reviews now up @ FantasyGuide.com

2011-12-01T23:18:00.001Z

We have a duo of good books for fans of norse mythology and viking history alike today.

You can read my reviews of these recommended books:

Both are now up and available in the Viking History Non-Fiction and Norse Fantasy section

of the popular and growing Viking Book section of FantasyGuide.com

Becky Bookworm Book Review @ FantasyGuide.com - The Sea Road by Margaret Elphinstone

2011-11-30T12:06:00.002Z

You can now read my latest review of the classic viking historical fiction novel

The Sea Road by Margaret Elphinstone

@ FantasyGuide.com

Just click on the cover to be taken to the site where you can read this particular review and discover more of the my favourite Viking Historical fiction, Norse Fantasy and Viking History Non-Fiction reviews

My Fav Historical Viking + Norse Fantasy Book Review collection - all available at the Fantasy Guide.com!!

2011-11-23T15:29:00.000Z

Are you a fan of viking history?

Are you a lover of norse mythology?

Do you wish that someone would write books involving those two subjects?

Well never fear for Becky Bookworm and FantasyGuide.com are here to solve your cravings of viking and norse delight!

I've read AT LEAST 20 fantasic and highly recommended books in these two categories, suitable for all ages and I've even blogged about quite a few under the tag Becky Bookworm Book Review (you can also glance at the authors and titles down the side under my tag lists).

But now these FAB tales and reviews can all be found in one place ...

The new and improved VIKING BOOK SECTION @ FantasyGuide.com courtesy of my viking loving friend Will who's helping me to spread some nordic love around the world.

Simply follow the link at the end of this post to be taken to this special viking and norse lovers haven - you will find book reviews of individual and series on Historical Viking fiction, Norse Fantasy fiction and new on the scene Viking non-fiction (for you academic fans out there) PLUS brief guides written by myself to introduce you to these two fab genres if you've never come across them before.

The newest book up there this week is my review of Loki by Mike Vasich so go check it out!

http://fantasyguide.stormthecastle.com/viking-index.htm

New Norse Fantasy book to buy, read and enjoy - The Sleeping Army by Francesca Simon

2011-11-02T12:07:00.000Z

I came across this fantastic sounding new Norse Fantasy book via this very interesting article in the Guardian website regarding lots of new viking themed projects in documentary, film and books that the british public have to look forward to from the new year onwards (http://gu.com/p/32zcb/tw) and this author and book was mentioned. I immediatly looked it up on Amazon and I'm extremely happy to say it is available as a hardback book and as Kindle eBook!

The answer to your immediate questions is YES I am going to buy it (not sure if to go traditional or modern in format) and YES I will most definitely review it once I've finished it. The whole plot idea sounds truly original and featuring some famous archeological figures not many (or at least me) with vikings but it's good to see more Vikings, Gods and Myths come out in books.

Book Description

One of the bestselling children's authors in the world, the creator of the Horrid Henry series, launches an exciting new novel for children aged 8+

Product Description

Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. She's caught in her parents' divorce, and shuttling between bickering adults is no fun. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she is drawn to the Lewis Chessmen and Heimdall's Horn. Unable to resist, she blows the horn, waking three chess pieces from their enchantment; the slaves Roskva and Alfi, and Snot the Berserk. They are all summoned to Asgard, land of the Viking gods, and told they must go on a perilous journey to restore the gods to youth.If Freya refuses she will be turned into an ivory chess piece but, if she accepts her destiny and fails, the same terrible fate awaits her.Brilliantly funny, original and a wholly new take on the Norse myths - and the travails of contemporary family life.

Amazon.co.uk - Book link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005FQ1GUC/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_g351_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0C8C04SRYXKZEH5ZHGKM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

Waterstones.co.uk - Book Link:

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/francesca+simon/the+sleeping+army/8458032/

Becky Bookworm Book Review - Loki by Mike Vasich - Norse Fantasy Special

2011-10-30T14:50:00.000Z

Loki by Mike Vasich

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book to me personally contains enough captivating storytelling as Runemarks by Joanne Harris and enough fascinating character depth as Ice Land by Betsy Tobin - and until now they were my 2 top favourite for all time norse fantasy books - they have now just been joined by the masterpiece that Mike Vasich has created in Loki.
With each chapter you can feel his passion for norse mythology come through and the way he weaves the legends and myths so seemlessly and beautifully into his personfications of the Aesir and Giants and even right into the very landscape of Asgard and Jotunheim itself is genuinely mind blowing.
Although the whole story of events leading up to and including Ragnarok revolve around Loki's fortunate or misforunate role and explore his own characters evolution almost as he learns about his true heritage it also revolves around his opposite, Odin, the All-Father and reveals in a new light the curse and blessing of knowing what has happened, what will happen and what must happen.
Mike also interprets the myths in interesting new ways in particular the binding of Fenrir and how Loki's daughter Hel became rule of the Underworld kingdom. Each is so unique and different but also in a way fits the puzzle of his magnificent saga that even deep rooted norse myth lovers have no problem with accepting the small but significant changes he has made. And in these small changes he himself explores the origns of such myths and why they are told as they are and not how events actually unfolded in his world version of Asgard. I loved the way he portrayed Yggdrasil and it's awesomeness, the Norn's with their collective insight into past, present and future and the Valkyries with their spectral ability to shift instantly from one position to another. The only tweeny weeny problem I did have was with his depiction of the einherjar, Odin's army of loyal undead warriors. It irritated me slightly with the way Mike decided to make them truly undead without the ability to magically heal so when they fought and lost a leg, they really did loose it. It might have suited the aspect of death that accompanies Odin but surely after mellenia of years fighting there would hardly be any undead warriors left in any kind of fighting fitness? After all no warrior can fight for eternity perfectly without being hit, cut, stabbed, wounded and mortally wounded?? I kind of read over this as they didn't feature an awful lot until the end and even then there is no specifics about their physical condition just the way they died.
Otherwise this book is a 100% MUST READ FOR ANY FANS OF NORSE MYTHOLOGY! Mike Vasich really does pump new blood and energy into the old gods and their old tales. *Please note this fantastic saga is an eBook and is available on Amazon for Kindle*

View all my reviews

Viking and Norse Fantasy Tricks and Treats - pick an e-book - IF YOU DARE!

2011-10-29T13:16:00.000+01:00

Firstly to anyone who actually is a frequent reader or visitor to this blog I can't APOLOGISE enough for being absent from this little haven of viking madness for 2 whole months! Sadly real life just got pretty darn hectic and left me with little time or energy to put anything new up PLUS I've continued to be a very bad writer and not write a single extra word to Soul Chaser *hangs head in shame*. I think I need a big kick up the ass and possibly another six week holiday without any family matters distracting me.

Anyway, I have returned hopefully for the frequent future back to my little piece of the world wide web. And I have some possibly exciting yet some readers may curse me as black as Hel's body for this, in that my partner got me the newest cheap Kindle e-reader as an anniversary present and I am loving it! Not only is it just so easy to read from and still enables you to get lost in a good book (and yes I will still be reading proper books as they are now known as all the best viking history books have yet to appear as an e-book (although The Hammer and the Cross is available as an e-book so if you have a Kindle and LOVE vikings and history I can't recommend it enough - go to the tabs by the left hand side to find the title and it will take you to my review). But the other special thing is it's introduced me to a whole host of extra viking historical and norse fantasy books that aren't available in traditional form but the one I'm reading at the moment is pretty impressive and although some haven't had reviews yet I'm hoping I haven't picked any bad eggs but I will review them like proper books as I finish each one so you will learn as I do.

So here is my new Kindle Viking Historical and Norse Fantasy Fiction reading/to-read list - why not download one and share the experience with me:

New Norse Fantasy and Viking Historical Fiction Kindle E-Books

Loki

by Mike Vasich

tagged: currently-reading and norse-fantasy

Daughter of Fire and Ice

by Marie-Louise Jensen

tagged: to-read and historical-fiction

Sigrun's Secret

by Marie-Louise Jensen

tagged: to-read and historical-fiction

Immortal Souls

by Steven Grey

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

Loki: Why I Began the End

by Maia Jacomus

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

1066: Apocalyptic Visions

by Paul Bailey

tagged: to-read and historical-fiction

Bracelet of Bones

by Kevin Crossley-Holland

tagged: to-read and historical-fiction

Hereward

by James Wilde

tagged: to-read and historical-fiction

The Ship in the Hill

by William L. Sullivan

tagged: to-read, norse-fantasy, and historical-fiction

The Vikings: Revised Edition

by Else Roesdahl

tagged: to-read and books-of-interest

The Viking Dead

by Toby Venables

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

The Spear Of Odin

by Kieron Dann

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

Odin-Son:The Berserk Saga

by G. Alvin Simons

tagged: to-read and historical-fiction

The Mask of Freya

by Karl G. Larew

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

Erika T. Red

by Cyn Bagley

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

The Changeling

by Sile Rice

tagged: to-read and norse-fantasy

I am currently reading the top book 'Loki' and it is turning out to be a fantastic read with great depth to the characters and a riveting blend of myth into the plot line. Of course I'll put a review up as soon as I can when I've finished it. Which will be pretty soon as I'm 80% of the way through!

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish any and all readers a Happy Halloween - may you not get spooked in the night as Odin begins his wild hunt of all creatures that lurk in the dark. So if you hear a screaming wail outside under the moon, don't worry it's just Odin and his Valkyries whizzing by hehehe.

As I'm unforunately away in Wales again for my study week I won't get to participate in any halloween fun and games like normal but here's something I did earlier, like last halloween, to get you in the halloween spirit.

These were Halloween buns made in 2010 - the buns with runes on spell out 'SOUL' *middle row 'CHASER' *bottom row.

Food and Drink - A True Story - flash fiction biography

2011-08-29T22:39:00.000+01:00

Food and Drink: A True Story - A Flash Fiction Biography

It was Sunday and Mum has yet again set the table fit for a banquet of fifty not a small family of five, three members sat at the table, whilst two were absent. One being upstairs still sleeping through the daylight hours and the other had long vacated from the house to one of their own.

The souls of several hundred cooked garden peas drifted away in the streams of steam coming from each of the small, round, green bodies. Their flesh so tender they burst their guts open upon the lightest prick of a fork. Almost mimicking the similar explosion of flavour you get when eating fresh raspberries or ripe grapes. Roast potatoes glowed with their golden, crispy tan in the bowl next door. The only garish feature of the table was the bright orange of the carrots, although I guess it would have been worse if they were the vivid purple some people claim they can be. The slabs of lamb meat upon my plate were a deep brown which looked more appealing when I had decorated them with large dollops of moss green mint sauce and then soaked them in delicious bisto gravy. To accompany this feast I required a large tumbler glass of water, mainly due to the overdose on mint sauce which always made me thirsty.

The man whom I call Dad, but acts nothing like him, prefers to choose this meal time to open up a bottle of red Shiraz to wash his food down. He opens the bottle with a loud pop, as the cock jettisons out. Allowing him to pour the ruby liquid with a slosh into his large glass. He offers Mum one out of some small decency. She politely refuses. He simply shrugs and claims it for himself.

One plateful and three large glasses later the so called man of the house proclaims himself full and abandons the dining table for his prime seat in the living room. The half drunken bottle of wine goes with him to sit on the coffee table at his side. I am left to help Mum box away the left overs and deal with the washing up.

Only a few hours after six Mum and I say our brief and casual goodnights to him and escape to our rooms. The man is left with the TV remote in one hand and a new glassful of wine in the other.

The ten o clock news has been gone when I wake up suddenly in the night, for that is when I recognise him slowly making his way up the stairs, one creaky floorboard at a time, accompanied with a deep and weary sigh when he reaches the landing. I peer through the hinge gap on my bedroom door just as his teetering figure begins to make its journey to bed, from wall to wall. For that split second I spot the familiar oblong shape in his right trouser pocket, I can hear the tell-tale splish and splash of the bottle he is escorting to his bedroom. It is his only company these nights for Mum departed his bedroom many months ago and has claimed my brothers has her own.

Come morning two bottles stand empty on the kitchen side. Two more bottles that we add to the almost full glass recycle box outside. As I watch them collected to be reused I know it's my parts of my Dad's soul they are taking away also, constantly given in exchange for the deceitful poison we all know as alcohol.

Flash Fiction Fun - can you guess who/what it is?

2011-08-29T22:05:00.000+01:00

At one of my writing group sessions we were discussing the theme of light and had to come up with a common phrase and rewrite it in an original way.
One member gave me the line "the furnace burns bright" which of course made me think of one type of person who features quite often in norse myths and legends. From the flash fiction below can you guess who I'm describing?

"Flickering flames crunch and crackle through the pulsating glowing coals, casting a spall of heat and light onto the cylinder being held above. Creating the enchanting lure of gold under the watchful eyes and steady hands of the tamer of fire."

Becky Bookworm Book Review: Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

2011-08-29T21:55:00.000+01:00

Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book may at first reading seem to be directed more towards the teenage reader but it deals with some deep adult issues of power, ove, freedom, rules of society, right and wrong and more importantly childhood. This of course is all discussed through some very fascinating characters (although having read first person narrators for so long it took me a while to adjust to this omniscient narrator) and set within the 'backwards' seeming village society and reclusive world of Stonewylde. A place set in the Dorset countryside with all the majestic beauty and dark magic that lingers within the New Forest today. A place where the powers of the early druids still rule the hearts and minds of the villagers and Hallfolk (the aristocracy of Stonewylde) today.
The entire story was captivating right through to the end and I finished it within five days eager to grasp my hands on the three books which follow this wonderous tale. If you love the old ways, star crossed lovers, twists and turns and ancient powers and a web of secrets in a world set within our own but follows the ways of centuries past then you will LOVE this book as much as I did.

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Becky Bookworm Book Review: A Brief History of the Vikings by Jonathan Clements

2011-08-29T21:47:00.000+01:00

A Brief History of the Vikings by Jonathan Clements

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a suprisingly pleasant read and although it says Brief History on the front it doesn't feel like it. Each chapter gives enough details, dates, key characters, key locations etc that you are left satisfied not disappointed when it's time to move onto the next one. I am paritcularly impressed by the second to final chapter he's devoted to a key character not discussed in other history books I've read, Harald Hardrada. It allows you to follow him from his childhood through his years abroad gathering glory and treasure until he finally claims the throne of Norway and is lured to England with the death of Edward the Confessor. The other goods things are it of course looks at the Norse myths and gods and the influence on the Vikings, the Vikings impact on an international scale from the various countries they raided, fought in or discovered and settled. Whether this is a passing interest or a research project, you can not fail to learn a lot and have a developed understanding after reading this if you are interested in the vikings culture and history and people in any way at all.

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Becky Bookworm Book Review: Fenrir by MD Lachlan - Sequel to Wolfsangel

2011-08-23T12:04:00.000+01:00

Fenrir by M.D. Lachlan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MD Lachlan is proving to have as deep an imagination as Tolkein showed in Lord of the Rings, with his mind blowing sequel to Wolfsangel with Fenrir.

The sequel may still feature more brotherhoods of Vikings but he has taken the reader into the world of the early medieval French dukes, knights and princesses and most notable of all, monks and prophets. But to add a little to the rabble of viking armies around Paris MD Lachlan introduces some fascinating characters of Munin and Hugnin, a brother and sister who worship the All Father and his madness through some very dark magic.

The over all story is riddled with patches of shadow, twilight, horror and glorious blood but in such a way as to not be overwhelming but always used to make particular characters at particular moments in the plot develope into something the reader never ever expects. And that is the true beauty of this dark tale of mad gods, powerful runes and never ending love - that even though the reader may think they know how things will work out having read Wolfsangel but Lachlan always proves those expectations to be false. The reincarnations of the two brothers, one wolfman, another werewolf are never who you expect them to be and in this one we get the suprise of the original Witch returning in a very unlikely place and it goes even more so for the form Odin chooses to live and die by.

My favourite parts of this new blood fuelled saga has to the scenes where certain character evoke the power of Odin's runes. Lachlan describes them so beautifully I can't help but wonder that the way he describes them is the same magic that flows within his imagination. The way the runes are called upon and used seems so natural it strengthens the readers mind view of the scene. And what makes it even more special is that such runes weren't used in such ways in the first book but in this sequel it seems all aspects of the doomed gods and lovers and the magic that binds them together has increased ten fold with dramatic and stunning effects in the ficitonal world and upon the reader.

And on that note the only thing left to say is that MD Lachlan has succeeded in making a sequel that dwarfs the original, showing the strength of his imagination in more ways than one. And making it a good bet that the third in this series will undoubtedly be fantastic.
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Birthday Books: Vikings in Paris, Cleopatra isn't dead and a pagan adventure in Dorset

2011-08-06T20:00:00.000+01:00

It may come as a suprise or a shock to some that it is my birthday this Wednesday. I'm not going to say old I am, instead I will say how old I feel which is still just about 20 hehehe.

I'm not doing very much for my birthday this year, sadly I'm too old for bouncy castles and party games and I'm too sensible to get drunk but I can still do a good job at getting very silly when happy. What I am doing is going home to spend the day and the rest of the week with my family (who are sadly going through some very stressful and painful periods due to one serious health problem or another with certain close relatives). Then we're all off hopefully on our annual family holiday to Dorset from Saturday 13th. So as of Wednesday morning I will be locking the blog doors and galavanting around on Twitter to let you know all know what fun I'm causing down in the lands of the Saxons hehehe.

However I can reveal that I am already aware of not one but THREE birthday books I will be getting from my lovely partner of nearly 5 yrs (yes I know, I don't know why my viking madness hasn't scared him off either). If only because I picked them in the bookshop because he couldn't find anything he liked on the same offer hehehe. All the more books for me then. These will also be the three books I will be reading from my birthday until the end of my holiday and I'm so super excited about them that I'm certain I'll have at least 2 of 3 finished by the time I'm back in the good old Danelaw.

First off may I introduce you too the sequel to the fantastic Wolfsangel by M D Lachlan is....

What more can a girl ask for her on her birthday than more Vikings, a big dollop of Norse Gods and all set in the romantic medieval town of Paris? Yes the master of historical fantasy is back with even more bloodshed, darkness, fate-torn characters and of course some strong northmen!

Second is a book which is remarkably similar in its story idea of gods, history and fantasy but this time set in the far distant, hot and dusty lands of Egypt, and with perhaps the most famous female egyptian of them all....Cleopatra!

This is a new and possibly competitive tale (when set against Wolfsangel/Fenrir) written by another author mixing history and fantasy into one compelling story - Maria Dahvana Headley. It is rather odd of me to find this book A) on the same day I decide to buy or have bought Fenrir by MD Lachlan and B) After I have just had a go at writing a short story set in Ancient Egypt where the Egyptian Gods do make their presence felt amongst the select few.

Last is a story set a little bit closer to home, and ironically where I have my family holiday each year except this author is bringing back the magic and mystery of paganism in a little reclusive village called Stonewylde....

How can an admirer of anything remotely pagan and based in England, with the constant possibility of norse influences, not be grabbed by such a cover. Not only are there standing stones, a broody male on the front and mysterious title with enticing blurb on the book but any Norse fan will proudly take it just for the Raven on the front! Can't wait to dive into the magical and almost local world Kit Berry has created.

There you have it, three hopefully wonderful, exciting, page-turning books I can't wait to read for my birthday treat and holiday pleasure! Roll on Wednesday I say!

Twilight of the Gods - An Egyptian Tale

2011-08-05T15:04:00.000+01:00

In my local writing group HAC (Huddersfield Authors Circle) our annual competition theme is Light and me being a person with a keen interest in history and mythology have ventured off vikings a little and delved into the Egyptian pantheon and lands of Pharaohs. During my basic introductory research I came across the historical life of the one and only heretic Pharoah, Akhenaten, formerly known as Amenhotep the Sixth. He was a heretic because upon the fifth year of his relatively peaceful reign he embarked on a major spiritual revolution across his kingdom. Now the Egyptians had many if not more gods than the Vikings, each with their own animal mask, powers and purpose to the daily life of average egyptians. What Amenhotep did is do away with his name with originally meant (Amun is pleased) - Amun being the God of Pharaohs - and rename himself Akhenaten (Satisfier of the Aten). Now the Aten was the Sun Disk, a small god in its own right, being Egypt its hardly unlikely for the people of those hot desert lands not to associate anything with the Sun, but Akhenaten believed that Aten was the most powerful and most benefical of all the other Gods. So he changed his name, the name of his Queen, Nefertiti too, to link with the Aten and then sent teams of soldiers and masons out across the land to excise any and all mention of the other gods from monuments, statues and temples. He was effectively doing what Christianity did to Astaru (viking pagan beliefs) which took centuries, but over a few years and upon his own people. Akhenaten even went as far as to build a whole new capital city for his kindgom in a virgin peice of land in the desert and name it and build it in honour to the Aten. So not only did an awful lot of people have to adjust to new beliefs being enforced upon them but a lot also had to move several hundred miles away!

I can reveal however that this new religious regime only lasted as long as Akhenaten was alive, as soon as he died the whole system was reversed under the reign of the even more famous reign of Tutankhamun (he also had a former Aten-styled name but changed it to the one know in order to distance himself from his father's past - yes Akhenaten was his father, Tut's mum though was probably one of his many wives.)

It made me think what would it be like to be a Priest of one of the many gods to awake one day and find you have to renounce all your beliefs and worship a new god? Would you be able to go through with it? Would you be happy with it? What would be the reaction of the local people? Or maybe how do the soldiers feel about carrying out what seems to be sacriligious acts?

So I had a go at writing a short story about this dramatic shift in religious and political power with my usual mix of mythology and history. I don't think it is yet totally finished but I have just about got it under the 2000 word count. Hope you enjoy this little detour into history and do please tell me what you think - any thoughts and ideas are greatly encouraged and welcomed - be it good or bad. It is still a rough draft so I have probably made many mistakes be it with cliches, grammar, punctuation, spelling, lack of tension etc. Hence why I would like feedback.

Twilight of the Gods: The Reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten

Rasui found himself far from his bed, far from the Temple and far from the Nile. Yet he wasn’t afraid, for Amun-Re was with him.
The man with a falcon-head stood still, in the same pose of his statue in the Temple Sanctum. The God wearing a double plumed crown held the life-giving Ankh in his left hand and rulers crook in the right, both arms crossed against his bare chest.
Rasui placed his body flat upon the warm sands, palms up to the skies and the Gods.
    “Hail Amun-Re, King of Gods and Father of Pharaohs’. What do you command of your servant?”
Rasui could feel his heart pounding as loud as the drums on festival days, as unseen hands touched his and gently guided him back to his feet. He kept his face lowered, awaiting command. He felt another hand cup his face, although he could see none were physically touching him, but he allowed it to return his eyes upon the God he had devoted much of his life to.
Amun-Re had remained in the same pose but he no longer carried his divine Ankh and kingly crook. The God’s arms slowly unfolded and his right hand pointed to where his human ears would be and his left pointed to his glimmering falcon eyes.
Rasui nodded and kneeled in acknowledgement of this command. It was the one Amun-Re always gave to him when they met. It was very simple and clear to understand. Rasui was to watch and was to listen.
Amun-Re clapped his hands loudly to his left, then above his head and to his right. There was the roar of thunder and before Rasui now stood not Amun-Re but three Gods of old. Aten, the sun disk hovered and throbbed with light and warmth. Amun, a man wearing a double plumed crown; and Re, the body of a man with the head of a falcon.
The three divine beings joined a crowd of the other Gods and Goddesses, all with their own unique powers, roles and animal guises, who were sat feasting and drinking. Rasui watched in awe as the Gods and Goddesses he worshipped acted as a large family around the table.
Then something new and unexpected occurred upon the scene Rasui was watching. His cousin, the Pharaoh Amenhotep the Sixth, whom had continued his father’s peaceful reign the past five years, walked into and amongst the crowd of Gods and Goddesses. The divine gathering halted in their actions and watched, almost nervously, as Pharaoh Amenhotep walked towards the seat of Aten. It was only when Pharaoh Amenhotep bowed in homage to Aten that Rasui noticed the large basket of fruit and pot of wine which his cousin carried. The Pharaoh placed his offerings directly beneath Aten, whose glow turned to that of molten gold in acceptance. Pharaoh Amenhotep quickly began to take food and drink from the table and placed it on and around Aten’s seat. The Gods and Goddesses shook their fists, banged the table and spat in the Pharaoh’s face. Aten grew in size and brightness as his seat became covered in offerings. Soon there were just crumbs and spilt wine left upon the feasting table and Aten hovered above all the mess, as large as the temple columns.
A new sound then broke the eternally silent scene. Pharaoh Amenhotep, unharmed by the harsh light and burning heat of the large form of Aten, scrambled onto the table and became a blurry silhouette against the sun disk.
    “Pharaoh Amenhotep the Sixth is dead! All Hail the Aten!” He cried out, the power of his words pushing the overthrown pantheon to cower in the sands. “All Hail the Aten!”
    Something hit Rasui across his face.
    “Rasui! Wake up! Please!”
It took another slap before Rasui was released from the dream vision. The panic in his Priest’s eyes told him the chaos had only just begun.
    “Oh thanks be to Amun! Rasui, the Pharaoh’s guards, they are here to destroy the temple! They...”
    “Take me to them!” High Priest Rasui staggered out of bed, still haunted by the vision he had witnessed. His heart racing with anxiety and disbelief. He could hear the moans and yells of his small retinue of Priests quarrelling with the group of guards standing in the Temple hallway. “Who is your Captain?” Rasui commanded in his strong and booming voice.
    A member of the guards stepped forward. “I am High Priest, my name is Bomani. I have been commanded to lay claim upon all the statues of the old gods in temples in this district. Pharaoh’s orders.” He handed Rasui the small piece of papyrus scroll bearing the commandment of the exact same words. But there was a set of marks in the command that Rasui did not recognise.
    “This is not Amenhotep’s seal, whose is it?”
    “Pharaoh Amenhotep has been reborn by the glory of Aten. He has taken upon the name Akhenaten; he is our King and Pharaoh.”
    “Blasphemy!”
    “Only Amun can give Pharaoh’s rebirth!”
    “Amenhotep’s gone mad!”
    “We will not forsake Amun!”
The gathering of priests shouted in defiance and horror at this sudden change from the one man with enough power to be closer to the Gods then they were.
    “Hush brothers, Captain Bomani is only doing as he is being commanded. He knows not to question the Pharaoh’s orders or pass judgement on his decision. Hanif, please escort the guards through to the feast hall and give them drink, me and Captain Bomani have matters to discuss before anything is handed over.” Rasui gave Hanif a comforting grip on his shoulder and gestured for Bomani to follow him along the open walled corridor towards the temple lake.
    Now it was quiet Rasui could allow his heart beat to subside. In the tranquillity of the stars and the Moon, upon the undisturbed surface of the lake, Rasui felt a touch of peace and calm. He glanced over at Bomani more closely by the light of burning braziers and could see dark stubble around his face making him re-estimate the captain’s age. He noticed how Bomani clutched his spear close to his body and wouldn’t look at Rasui as they walked. To Rasui it meant three things. Either Bomani was nervous being around a High Priest alone or Bomani was nervous of not achieving his Pharaohs’ commands; or better yet, that Bomani feared the dramatic shift in power, not just with the emergence of Akhenaten, but the overthrow of the Gods themselves. It showed that Bomani was very aware of how dangerous his actions might be if he defied the new Pharaoh or the Gods he still undoubtedly believed in.
     “Tell me Captain, when was my cousin Pharaoh Amenhotep the sixth reborn as Akhenaten?” High Priest Rasui asked gently, slowing to a stop close to the water’s edge, its form a black obsidian oval in the shadows of the night.
    Bomani seemed to take confidence in being spoken to using his official title. “Yesterday at sunrise I believe, at least, that was when the stone workers came to change his name mark upon the palace walls.”
     “What of Queen Nefertiti and her daughters? Has this new Pharaoh accepted them as the royal family?”
    “Queen Neferneferuaten as she is now known remarried the new King only last night. The palace household have all renewed their vows of allegiance and loyalty.”
    “This just leaves the kingdom’s masses to appease with this change. I, myself am pleased we still have a Pharaoh, regardless of name; it means the Gods haven’t entirely deserted us yet, but why does he wish for their statues to be removed? Have his own Priests not warned him about such action?”
    “Pharaoh Akhenaten will only listen to those who follow and worship Aten. He has already issued by royal command that no more offerings should be made to any other God but Aten. It is Aten, he says, that gave him a second life, not Amun-Re, despite what we have all been told.”
    “The people will find this very hard to accept, let alone priests of the other temples, such as my own. You saw how angry they were when you arrived; I can’t say many others will be as kind to as merely hurl words at you. Some may not even believe you. The common worshippers may well revolt over what you and your men do tonight. And I must say I do not know how this new Pharaoh intends to insure everyone worships only Aten. Some may well resort to doing it in secret regardless of how many statues you seize.”
    “The Pharaoh knows about that and he has already made plans.” Bomani sighs long and deep, casting a look of sadness and regret to Rasui.
    “What does he plan to do?”
    “He’s been shown a vision by Aten. In that vision was a city which will be named in the Gods honour. That city will become the new capital of Egypt. Several teams of builders and workers have already been sent to the location to begin work on the new royal palace.”
    Rasui shivered as the madness of his cousin was revealed to go deeper than he thought. “That will take at least two seasons to build let alone any new temples or noble houses of Thebes. What disciplinary rule does he intend to use in the meantime to insure worship of Aten?”
    “Besides removing statues from all major and minor temples, masons will work across the lands from the next sunrise to excise their names and images from any visible stonework. They will also create new images of Aten showing his blessings upon Akhenaten and his family.”
    “Reminding us all that the true way to the Gods is through the Pharaoh. I can only pray that Pharaoh deems that the service of my brothers is still needed.” Rasui turned and grasped Bomani’s hands and felt them tremble. “Where are the God’s statues being taken to?”
    “To the Royal temples at Thebes, I’ve heard that they will be remade into the image of the Pharaoh and then Aten’s High Priest will bless them again to be fit for temple worship once more.”
    “Don’t fear me Captain; I will not hinder your tasks set by the Pharaoh. I wish no one hurt during this awkward time. Everyone has got many new changes to adjust to and I know it won’t be easy for many. You and your men can escort our Amun-Re statue to Thebes. As for the other holy items, inform the new Pharaoh’s overseer that I will present them to him myself.”
    “Thank you High Priest, I will make them aware of how much you are co-operating with us on this matter and I will guarantee that my men will not desecrate the statue on its journey.” Bomani smiled with relief as the prospect of having to use force faded from his mind. He saluted Rasui and turned to march back to his men, he paused at the entrance to the Temple building. “Is what the Pharaoh claims true? Is Aten, the most powerful of all the Gods?” He hesitantly asked, not meeting Rasui’s look.
    “I don’t know Bomani. All the Gods have their own powers and own purpose in the world. The reign of this Akhenaten will show whether it is best to worship one and not all.”
    “What if....”
    “Our new Pharaoh is wrong? It is possible, although his soul is sent by the gods his mind is still that of a mortal man. But if the Pharaoh has made the mistake I fear he has, then keep prayers to the Gods in your heart. That way they may still bestow small blessings upon you and you may just avoid the vengeance they perform when and if they return to the heavens. They will undoubtedly punish all that have renounced them for the sun.”

Every Good Viking has a Good Hoard of Loot - My Nordic Treasures

2011-08-01T21:08:00.000+01:00

We all know Vikings liked a bit of what we may now deem as 'bling', although they didn't just like a nice bit of silver around their neck or fingers, they loved the shine of strong and sharp metal from a deadly sword, axe or spear, they admired the strength found in good shield design and of course the security found in a good of armour be it a well made peice of mail or a resilient outfit of padded leather.

I too, more due to being a girl, have my own collection of treasured items, all with their own nordic qualities and unique meaning and worth to me. So for this week I am sharing my hoard with you and their story in my life.


My Petite Hoard Chest - bought at Festival of History 2011 - not entirely sure the style of the engraving but I like to think it's Norse. Let's open it up and see what is inside.....

It isn't exactly full but it sure has plenty of trinkets, charms and secrets to show and tell. Let's begin....

Norse Talismans - From Left to Right: My first Pewter Thor's Hammer (Jorvik Viking Centre) bought at my first Jorvik Viking Festival 2008, Valkyrie in Pewter (Jorvik Centre 2009) taken from a viking stone picture carving in Sweden I think, bought as a personal treat for completing my degree, Moon Gazing Hare (Jorvik Viking Fest 2009, medieval market) which is a animal and symbol linked to Freya and Travellers in Ship pendant in Pewter (Jorvik Centre 2010).

Special Charms - On the left is the hand-made runic snake pendant made and given to me by Runemarks author Joanne Harris when I entered her Fan Fiction competition in Summer 2009. The rune on the blue cube above the snake is Tyr (imagine a small arrow pointing upwards), on her note she wrote "Perfect for a Valkyrie". On the right is a Valkyrie Feather pendant hand-made by good and wickedly crafty friend Julie.

Viking Broaches - On the left is a Raven bannered longship, can't actually remember where or when I got this, probably from the Jorvik Centre many years ago. In the middle is a green Baltic amber celtic swirl broach I treated my cloak to at a hand-made fair at Castle Howard (vikings loved amber as much as silver, it was thought to be the tear drops of Freya). And on the far right is a new broach bought from the Runesmith stall at Festival of History 2011 which explains this to be an "Clonmacnoise brooch, from a 10th century Irish design of the Crucifixion. A decoration from a Bible, the original was made into jewellery by a pagan viking raider."

Runic Pendants - Good Luck Shield (Jorvik Viking Centre) and another nice talisman from the Runesmith stall in 2009, Rune Circle although I'm not sure if it's the sun or a flower in the middle but it does display the spiritual runes I'm familiar with.

Runic Pendants - Runed Purple Valknut, is the symbol of Odin, the Knot of the Dead is is also know by but this one is extra special not just in it's colouring but the way it has runes engraved within it which links to the story of Odin hanging himself in order to gain the knowledge of the runes. The rather well worn pendant on the right is a Silver-coated Bindrune of Creation, this was a very special birthday treat from my great and fantastic relatives who got back from an Icelandic cruise. This is what the creators, a company called Alrun, had to say about this particular bindrune: "The Icelandic word Skapa translates as Creation. Skapa can refer to a view of the world that is large in scope, but it can also represent a personal creative vision. This symbol is for those who carry within them the impulse to create, and those who wish to recognize the creative forces active in the world."

Runic Pendants - Runic Celtic Cross, bought from Runesmith stall at Festival of History 2011, created by Nordic Lights/Eastgate Resource, here is how they explain the charm of this unique blend of design and runes: "An ancient Cross of Celtic origin encircled by Viking runes, the nine stars represent the nine nights Odin hung on the World Tree to learn their secrets. This symbol was worn for knowledge and magical ability."

Runic Pendants: Front design of a Bronze Traveller's Charm, made by St Justin group, taken from the Lillbjar's picture stone found in Stenkyrka, Gotland, Sweden, which dates back to 8th Century BC.

Runic Pendants: Back of Traveller's Charm - the runic inscription on the reverse translates as "Venture forth, safe from harm."

Runic Torque - specially commission from Runesmith, stainless steel sadly as silver was a bit too expensive when I treated myself to this during my first year at Uni. The rune inscription along its length translates into "Frigg Guide Me, Freya Guard Me."

And there we have it, a photographic show and tell of my prized norse hoard.

Malton Roman Festival 2011

2011-07-27T15:00:00.001+01:00

Malton Roman Festival 2011, a set on Flickr.

This Roman Festival may be a drop in the ocean compared the vastness of the Festival of History now nearly two weeks ago but they still put on a good Gladiator contest with two viking sized fella's being brought in from the Roman group at Newcastle as the show piece. I particularly enjoyed the authenticity they added by having a Roman Priestess bless the arena and gladiators.

Festival of History 2011 and Favourite Authors: Giles Kristian and Robert Low

2011-07-21T12:59:00.000+01:00

Well I have returned from my second annual pilgrimage to the awesomeness that is the Festival of History down near Northampton. Weather wasn't perfet but I still had a wicked time and met 2 of my favourite viking authors, Giles Kristian (after this third meeting I think I'm nearing the title of author stalker hehehe) and Robert Low. Below you will find some of my favourite pictures from the weekend.


Giles Kristian (left) and Robert Low (right) opening their discussion event titled The Vikings are Coming!

Robert Low

Giles Kristian reading from his latest viking book Odin's Wolves

Giles Kristian against Organisers backdrop screen - this is the first inaugural meeting of the HWA which was set up after last years Festival of History

Me meeting Giles Kristian for the third time hehehe and getting him to sign my copy of Odin's Wolves. He wrote "You have come again!" Which is not only true but is also the very first line of the prologue in that actual book. Very clever and flattering.

Me getting my cope of Whale Road signed by Robert Low who sadly wasn't as talkative as Giles was but I still admire him.

A snapshot just before this clash of Knights in the Medieval Joust we watched.

A Roman Legion showing off their defensive and offensive battle formations, displaying why they dominated a lot of the world for quite a while.

They're the highlights of the weekend anyway and to my utter shock and horror I could find no Vikings at this years event. The camp of people that re-enacted them last year have for some reason transformed into Muslim warriors from the Crusades era sadly.

Anyway it end with a picure of Romans for a deliberate reason as it is the 3rd annual Roman Festival of my humble home town of Malton/Norton this weekend and hopefully I'll get to attend if my Mum can bare to tag along with me, so I should have some more cool and interesting snaps of Roman history to show off next week.

Go to the We Love Malton website for more details on the events, directions and timings. Hope to perhaps catch you there.

Becky Bookworm Book Review: Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

2011-07-21T12:32:00.001+01:00

Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Warning: this book contains A LOT of adult material.

Although the story depicts a world I'm not familair with featuring various types of mythical beings under the name Lore etc I did find it easy to slip into and the overall story arc does keep you gripped into this paranormal tale of seperated lovers. It was handy having the definitions and explanations for various names and terms at the start.

However that is far as my praise goes as there quite a few things that I simply found wrong and didn't agree with - primarily with relation to Norse Mythology.
Firstly the Valkyrie character of Regin (a slightly nordic name although her sister valkyrie had the unnordic name of Lucia) is depicted is having claws that protrude from her fingers not just when she's angry but also when she's in a lustful mood and I cringed with disgust at the idea of those said claws 'curling' when she's in such a mood. I did like the idea she plays with Lightening as a weapon or electricity depending on how you looked at it - but you ever saw one example of this in the entire book. I understand creative licence an all and I know there is little documentations on the specifics of Valkyries but if you create them with too much imagination they drift away from the core of their characters as female warriors. I feel Kresley has done this.
Secondly her lover is described and called several times as a Viking in the book which makes sense with his berserker powers BUT both he and his Valkyrie lover refer to ODIN AS WODEN! WRONG WRONG WRONG! Any true northman and valkyrie would call Odin - Odin! Only the Anglo-Saxons called Odin, Woden due to the Saxon heritage. I don't understand how Kresley Cole could ever get Woden and Odin mixed up especially when the symbol of two ravens in flight is used heavily throughout the book and the fact that she is using a character from the NORSE PANTHEON not Anglo-Saxon pagan beliefs.

Over all if you like paranormal romance, paranormal adventure and seeing how many times a writer can give the private parts of a woman and man different names then you might enjoy this book but if like me you know at least the good basics about norse mythology then don't read this as you will be bitterly disappointed. I almost regret buying it as I seem to know more about Norse Mythology than the author.

View all my reviews

Historical events occuring in the next 2 weekends and a new Norse Fantasy book with a twist :

2011-07-11T20:05:00.000+01:00

THE FESTIVAL OF HISTORY 2011

FESTIVAL OF HISTORICAL LITERATURE

@ KELMARSH HALL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

16th-17th JULY

Click here for more details about the festival events and how to purchase tickets: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/festival-of-history-2011/

MALTON ROMAN FESTIVAL

@ MALTON, ORCHARD FIELDS, NORTH YORKSHIRE

23RD-24TH JULY

Click here for more details about the event: http://www.welovemalton.co.uk/news/57/61/Malton-Roman-Festival/d,Whats%20On/

Norse Fantasy meets Paranormal Romance in:

I have just bought this book today after a long wander around WHSmith to see what the latest book crazes are and supringly Angels are still coming to the foreground more than vampires although that is still mainly in Teenage fiction. But I came across the book above in the Fantasy section and it was the word warrior that intrigued me and then I was even more curious when I read about the struggle of two lovers, one a northern warrior and the other a valkyrie he was meant to wed but got murdered before he could. So these two then spend the next few hundred years reincarnating, finding each other and loosing each other again. From the cover I can already tell it's not only going to get dark and violent but there may be a good dollop (or not) of adult material in there as well which I will probably just skim over. I'm really eager to see how Kelsey Cale has protrayed the character of a Valkyrie into such a peculiar mix of genres and whether it meets my expectations and understanding of norse mythology (no matter how limited).

I plan to begin reading it on my 4 day weekend away with my partner as I attend for the second year the FABULOUS FESTIVAL OF HISTORY and meet (again hehehe) Giles Kristian of Raven fame and another favourite author (whom will be the last in my favourites collection to get books signed) Robert Low of Oathsworn fame (both viking historical fiction authors).

So there won't be any blog post until next week when I'm back from the event with stories to tell and pictures to show but if I'm lucky I might tweet the odd pic or two so simply follow me on @soulchaserbecky because if I have signal out in the northamptonshire countryside you can guarantee I will be tweeting about my excitement and enjoyment all day every day when I'm there.

See you in a week or so!

Becky Bookworm Book Review: The Penguin Book of Norse Myths

2011-07-04T17:44:00.000+01:00

The Penguin Book of Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first recieved this book I thought it would be like one similarly titled that I'd read before but I was greatly suprised to learn I was wrong. The other book had the more classic and popular myths whereas this book contained prose translations of all the norse myths/legends/sagas taken from Snorri Sturllsons Poetic Edda series. Which of course does contain some of the classics but there were many out of the 35 that I haven't heard let alone read before. And each new myth not only helped me imagine the norse pantheon and norse view of the world to an even better extent than before but it also revealed a few insights into the Gods themselves, their lives and history, their relationships with each other and most notably with their enemies, Giants.
The lengthly introduction at the start of the book does cover a lot of areas albeit in paragraph sized chunks but it does help to read it first, particularly if this is your first delve into norse mythology.
The myths are all entertaining to read although some of the Lay's (where it doesn't feature a God as the main character but somehow involves them such as the Lay of Grimnir) are also interesting as they are examples of how the Norse gods interact with particular mortals, most notably Kings and Princes.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this area as it shows what great imaginations and strong, vivid, powerful beliefs the Vikings as a race had to explain how their world works.
View all my reviews

Soul Chaser - Sneak Peak at Chapter 8 Omens in the Ash - Introducing the Story Man

2011-06-28T21:23:00.000+01:00

Well I've finally did it! After a 2 week gap I finally stopped messing about making a novel business card for a novel that isn't even finished it and actually did some writing on said novel. Chapter 8 Omens in the Ash is evolving quite nicely, it's kind of gone backwards a bit with a fair bit of recollections of Jenny's first initial days as a traumatised soul and one god, Bragi, decided to walk straight in there and become her first Aesir friend. Kind of nice when he's the God of Storytellers and Skalds and he just magically appears in Soul Chaser - I'm kind of hoping its a blessing of some kind he linked in to my imagination. Anyway in honour of this God and to celebrate a little bit that Soul Chaser has literally just this minute hit the 33 thousand word mark I'm releasing this key scene featuring him. Enjoy!

*please note this is still a very rough draft so any feedback is appreciated but only give some if you have kind of idea of what's happening etc.*

I knew Bragi was one of them, one of Odin’s family, by the way he dressed in the traditional greens of a national park ranger yet he had a ruggedness about him that made me think traveler of some type. He wore a moss green wool jumper with a long waistcoat of various green patterned and tartan fabrics. His trousers were patterned like army camouflage and I remember raising an eyebrow at the modern hiking boots he wore. I tried not to look too much at him. I didn’t want his company or attention. I just wanted to be alone and away from others so I didn’t feel so out of place.
“You don’t know who I am, do you?” He called across to me, not taking any further steps once we were aware of each other.
I observed his face, his delightful smirk, the sparkle in his oak brown eyes and his shoulder length hair the colour of golden sand.
“Should I?” I replied uncertain and nervous. I wasn’t yet sure what would happen to my already faulty soul if I did by accident or purpose anger a God.
“Depends on how much you like a good story.” He began walking casually towards me. “There are those that can only go to sleep if I weave them a tale to slumber by. There are some who shed not a single tear in regret, pain or grief yet when I describe two lovers kept apart they weep like I have broken their hearts.” He flung his leather satchel upon the grass and knelt down. “And there are some that have been around as long as I have and can’t stand my arrogant voice anymore.” He held out his hand. “I’m Bragi, the story man.”
How can you not smile when such a character walks up to you? I took his hand in a limp handshake and gave him a fragile smile.
“I’m Jennifer but I prefer it if you call me Jenny.”
“Well, Jenny, why are you enjoying the woodlands by yourself? Where are your friends?”
“They’re all busy.”
Bragi gazed down at me, his smile fading a touch. “When did you arrive in Asgard?”
“Only a week or so ago.”
“Have you not been assigned to a Hall yet?” Bragi enquired regarding the various Halls of resident Gods souls could seek employment to be it Freya’s as a Valkyrie, Frigg’s as a Maid or even Idunn’s orchard as a Gardner tending to her Golden Apple trees. That is of course if you were a woman, men had the choice of Odin’s Hall, Valhalla and become Squires to his Einherjar, live with Thor and you could become master blacksmiths or even become Watchers under Heimdall who will teach the many ways and signs of tracking both supernatural and natural foes. The third alternative was becoming a local in a sense and resuming a version of mortal life in the many district quarters and set up a shop or tavern to cater for other locals.
“They, I mean I, don’t quite know my talents yet. I haven’t decided.”
“Well why not base your new role on what profession you had in your past life?”
I stared away into the blades of grass and randomly picked a daisy to fiddle with. “I don’t know what it was.”
“Ah, I see, a little memory loss is normal with the conversion from death, you’ll remember in time and then you’ll know which Hall to choose.” He explained the problem as if it was a very minor setback. “Did you visit any nice woodland like this when you were alive?”
“I’m not sure.” I kept my eyes fixated on the daisy; its white petals glowed in the shafts of sunshine coming through the trees canopy.
“Ok then, did you leave any family behind in your past life? Parents already passed on or still alive?”
“I don’t think so…my memory is still fuzzy.”
“What can you remember from the time before?” That was the first time I detected a hint of concern in his voice but the shame of my condition still wouldn’t let me meet his eyes with mine.
I could only give him an honest answer as what little truth I knew was all I had. “I know my name is Jennifer Wallace. I don’t remember what my life before was like. I don’t remember why or how I died. I remember Kate finding me and bringing me here. That is all I know of my life before, this.”
“Do you even know where you died?”
“No. I remember no names of people, nor names of places.”
“Hummm.” He turned around and delved into his bag, dragging pieces of paper out in a rush. “I think I might be able to help. Will you let me try?”
I let my eyes connect with his then, at the hope of learning all the truth about me although I didn’t stop to wonder why Kate hadn’t introduced me to Bragi earlier if he was a possible cure in some way.
“Sure, I have nothing to lose if it doesn’t work.” I joked feebly. “What do we need to do?”
“Firstly I need you to write your full name on this bit of parchment and then coil it around this quill you will use to write it.”
“Erm, don’t we need a pot of ink or something?” I was a bit confused.
“Oh, no, no, this quill is enchanted, as it writes it produces its own ink and never runs out. Perfect for when I’m collecting stories you see.”
“Ok.” I laid out the parchment across my leg and tried to write as clearly and as neatly as possible although it did come out of more like scribble than I’d hoped. I then wrapped the quill as he’d asked.
“Good now I want you to hold it at the feather tip end and I will take hold of the other end. We need to use both hands so just put it between them. That’s it. Hold it gently so you don’t bend the feathers just keep in contact with it.”
“Now what do we do?”
He shuffled around a bit to sit cross legged in front of me. “Now, I need you to close your eyes and focus in your mind on your own name. Imagine it up as words before you and keep repeating it over and over again inside. Keep concentrating on it until I tell you to stop, ok?”
I nodded once and closed my eyes. The shafts of sunlight passing over me as the soft breeze stirred the trees, turned my inner vision into a kaleidoscope of glittering gold and shimmering purple shades against a background of ruby red. I focused and imagined as Bragi instructed and I felt my breath become slow, my muscles ease and my mind less tense with the simple task of repetition. I could hear the fragile dappling sound of the spring gurgling up from the earth. The breeze rippling through the leaves in the towering trees made me think of the sea’s waves rushing against a stone and sand beach.
The vision inside was broken when Bragi’s voice reawakened my senses.
“Well, you certainly are unique.”
“Can I open my eyes?”
“Yes and you can let go of the quill and parchment too.”
The sunlight dazzled me for a tiny portion of time. I noticed Bragi turning the parchment piece over and over again, his quill stuck rather casually amongst the grass blades into the soil. I wondered if this enchanted quill would clean itself of dirt too.
“Well? Did it work?”
“Depends on what you mean. If you meant did I get to read your soul then yes. If you meant did I learn anything about you and your past, no, not really. Although…”
“Although what?”
“A connection was made. Your soul did leave its mark. See?” He handed the parchment back and where my name should have been written was now a small square written with the same ink. It was a blank square. Just four lines, a box.
“What does it mean?”
“That is actually a rune. Its name is Wyrd and is linked with Fate, the Unknown. It’s a rare and peculiar rune in that it has no defined mark and so it is often just symbolized as a blank square. Its meaning is always dependant on the person who has drawn it and the context it was drawn. I’m not as adept at runes as most of the other Aesir but I would advise in your case that this rune represents your transition from your old life into this. It perhaps suggests that whatever life you had before is not as important or as crucial as you might think, at least not yet. Wyrd’s symbol without a square is unending and thus has no beginning. In relation to you it means that your true purpose, not just in your life in Asgard, but your presence in the very universe, regardless of which realm and in what state, living or dead, is yet to be determined but it does not mean you will be without purpose forever. Certain events, choices or actions may yet have to be performed before you become aware of your true purpose and only then will your past and present become complete and help you follow your future destiny.” He took the paper gently away from me and stuck it back in his satchel along with this quill. “But, as I said, if you want a more precise rune reading you had best seek Freya or even Odin for that. They are the true masters at interpreting the signs.” He added with a smile which denied his bashful claim. “In simpler words, the presence of Wyrd represents you rather well at the moment, as a blank page. A story yet to be told or read. And you know what I always say about stories I don’t know yet?”
“What?”
“If there’s a story I don’t know, it’s either because it’s not worth knowing or, because the story is of such epic proportions that when it is enacted it leaves such a mark on the universe that its fame will echo through the ages, it won’t require me telling it by a million firesides.” He took my hand and held it in a caring manner. “So who knows what kind of story you will be part of, so do not despair just yet of your memory loss, it might be a key part of your life’s narrative.”

The dream of Soul Chaser - Potential SC Novel fan cards and the question of Novel support material

2011-06-24T20:58:00.000+01:00

I know it's always best to not count your hens before they've hatched or run before you can walk or rush into things like a bull after a red flag BUT I have been doing a lot of almost physical day dreaming about Soul Chaser in its hopeful one day published form.

It came about because I was looking through my memorabilia file on all my favourite authors and I have small business like cover designs etc of Giles Kristian's Raven Bloodeye book. It made me think, what would Soul Chaser's be like if it was published and popular enough?

So I got messing about on Vista Print website just making designs up etc and wierdly enough I made 8 possible good ones.

So here they are for your inspection and consideration, I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on them and if it's a good idea or not to have such novel supporting material for fans to collect? Should I go ahead and make one now simply to network to potential readers, gain a little populatiry, boost blog numbers and maybe catch the eye of an agent or publisher? Or should I just stop daydreaming and get on with finishing the damn book!

1) SC Card - Wings, Ink and Pen

2) SC Card - Angelic Statue

3) SC Card - Dark, Blood and Pale Woman

3) SC Card - Books on Shelf

4) SC Card - Black and Red Celtic Dog Design

5) SC Card - Dark Void

6) SC Card - Raven Grafitti

7) SC Card - Starry Skies

8) SC Card - Young Woman looking behind

The Ghosts of Scandinavian Kings and Valkyrie Names

2011-06-23T21:29:00.000+01:00

Well I am sorry to say that since my sudden and quite suprising 1k splurge of words on Chapter 8 - The Omens in the Ash I haven't done any more but that's not to say I haven't been doing anything involved with Soul Chaser. Oh no!

In fact I've been busy plotting away the major plot twists further ahead in the novel and reading up on my Penguin Book of Norse Myth.

Firstly my novel plot has become entangled in the ghosts of four famous Scandinavian Kings who sadly all have viking heritage but were either brought up Christian or converted for one reason another. Their appearance is a quirky idea I had about the Christian God and the Norse Gods safeguarding each others sacred objects - so I imagined Odin drinking from the Holy Grail, Heimdall practicing with the spear that pierced Christ and Hel, Queen of the Underworld being given Jesus's Crown of Thorns. On the other holy side God and his saints or more note worthy followers would guard secretly Sleipnnir Odin's steed, Thor's hammer Mjollnir and a rather uknown pagan treasure - Ravenslandeye, a greatly feared Raven battle flag that Odin will ride under at Ragnarok.

The reason for this spiritual trade off is the truce between the faiths now that Christianity has dominated most of the souls in the world and the poor Aesir are left with the souls unclaimed for by any particular faith and so theu 'supposedly' pose no threat (well we shall see how that pans out in Soul Chaser).

These Scandinavian Kings are involved because they are the eternal ghostly guardians of one particular holy pagan object (and no I'm not going to tell you which one it is!).
Anyway the 4 Scandinavian Kings I intend to introduce to my novel are:

Eric Bloodaxe - who was crowned King of Northumbria (effecively the entire north of England) for a few years on and off.
King Cnut - The ruler of not just Denmark and Norway but also England for a good 20 years.
Guthrum aka Athelstan - the great viking raider that eventually converted to Christianity by Alfred the Great's own blessing and ruled in East Anglia for a short while a relatively minor king.
Harald Hardrada - the final kind of viking heritage to raid and plunder England before the domesticated Vikings i.e. The Normans, came over in 1066 and finally conquered all of England.

These four kings hold the secrets that unlock a puzzle which locks away the special Aesir artefact.

I don't know yet when they will feature in Soul Chaser, I still have so much planned for Jenny to face, learn and experience just up to chapter 11 let alone beyond that but after discovering more about her past life and the history and cause of her death it will all tie up eventually. Kind of like the Jelling style engravings of entwines animals, there's lots of twists and turns but it will all join up seemlessly together when you reach the final corner.

In other valkyrie related news, in my Penguin book of Norse Myths I read a myth/legend I haven't before, 'The Lay Of Grimnir' involving Odin and Frigg setting a challenge towards two particular kings they both watch over. Odin of course travels down to Midgard in disguise and causes some trouble by not saying a word untill one prince shows him kindness and from which he goes into a long description of everything there is in Norse Mythology. He even mentions his 13 Valkyries, not by their norse name, but their name meaning:

Here are the norse Valkyrie names and meanings according to my Dictionary of Norse Mythology:

Geirolul = Spear Waver/Bearer

Goll = Tumult

Herfjotur = Host Fetter

Hildr = Battle

Hlokk = Noise/Battle

Hrist = Shaker

Mist = Cloud

Reginleif = Power-trace

Radgrid = Counsel-truce

Randgrid = Shield-truce

The 8 above are marked as Valkyries in the Index the following are actually named in the section on Valkyries:

First in reference to the Grimnismal (the myth mentioned above)

" I want Hrist and Mist to bring me a horn

Skeggjold* and Skogul*,

Hild and Thrud*, Hlokk and Herfjotur,

Goll and Geirolul,

Randgrid and Radgrid and Reginleif:

they bring the Einherjar ale."

So if I were to look up each individual name mentioned above of those that are not highlighted as belonging to a Valkyrie I get the following meanings:

Skeggjold = Axe Age

Skogul = Shaker

Thrud = not mentioned in the Index of Valkyrie names

Having tried to discover the means of each of the 13 Valkyrie names from a different source to the 'Lay of Grimnir' I'm now going to attempt to translate their names into the extract taken from the Prose translation in the Penguin Book of Norse Myths:

" In Valhalla, Shaker (*Skogul) and Mist (*actual name given), Axe Time/Age (*Skegjold) and Raging (*Goll-Tumult) take it in turns to bring me my brimming horn. And nine other Valkyries bring ale to the slain warriors. Their names are Warrior (*Thrud???) and Might (*Hrist-shaker???), Shrieking (*Hlokk-Noise/Battle), Host fetter (*Herfjotur) and Screaming (*Hrist-shaker), Spear Bearer (*Geirolul), Shield Bearer (*Randgrid), Wrecker of Plans (*Radgrid-Council-truce) and Kin of the Gods (*Reginleif-Power-trace) ."

This of course has been my own interpretation - if any readers think they have more knowledge of Valkyrie names and meanings please do feel free to share them with me. I would be very much interested.
The meaning of these Valkyrie names features strongly in Chapter 5 Rise and Fall when Jenny is whisked away for her ascension ceremony and has to acknowledge each Elder Valkyrie in a very formal chant procession. Although I only take 9 names from mythology. Below is how I embelleshed upon their brief meanings given in the Dictionary of Norse Mythology:

Hrist, shaker of battle grounds and of cowards’ bones.
Hlökk, the sound of berserk warriors and a cowards dying scream.
Mist, the natural shield that enables the cunning killer and misleads those unworthy blindly to their deaths in your embrace.
Skögull, shaker of shield walls and of enemies will.
Skeggjöld, who is the beautiful killing blow of the axe and feller of unworthy souls.
Göll, you are the sword song and drums of shields meeting in the dance of battle.
Hildr, you are what drives men berserk in battle or drive them mad with fear.
Geirölul, you bless spear warriors with aim and skill to perform the perfect hunting kill.
Herfjötur, you bind courage around warriors’ hearts and shackle fear into their souls.

This is the ultimate gift for anyone interested in viking history, people and myths!

2011-06-20T21:49:00.000+01:00

READ BELOW FOR THE ULTIMATE GIFT FOR VIKING LOVERS!

*I am only blogging about the product below as I am personally recieving it for my birthday and I feel many others who are interested in the viking era and all its fascinating aspects and influences would benefit from it too.*

Vikings
Course No. 3910 (36 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture)
Taught by Kenneth W. Harl
Tulane University
Ph.D., Yale University

As explorers and traders, the Vikings played a decisive role in the formation of Latin Christendom, and particularly of Western Europe.
In this course, you will study the Vikings not only as warriors, but also in other roles for which they were equally extraordinary: merchants, artists, kings, raiders, seafarers, shipbuilders, and creators of a remarkable literature of myths and sagas.
Professor Kenneth Harl synthesizes insights from an astonishing array of sources: The Russian Primary Chronicle (a Slavic text from mediaeval Kiev), 13th-century Icelandic poems and sagas, Byzantine accounts, Arab geographies, annals of Irish monks who faced Viking raids, Roman reports, and scores of other firsthand contemporary documents.
Among the topics you will explore in depth are the profound influence of the Norse gods and heroes on Viking culture, and the Vikings' extraordinary accomplishments as explorers and settlers in Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland. With the help of archeological findings, you will learn to analyse Viking ship burials, runestones and runic inscriptions, Viking wood carving, jewelry, sculpture, and metalwork.
From 790–1066, virtually invincible Viking fleets fanned out across Europe, raiding, plundering, and overwhelming every army that opposed them.
By 1100, however, the Vikings had disappeared, having willingly shed their identity and dissolved into the mists of myth and legend. How did this happen, and how should we remember this formidable civilisation that, for being so formative, proved so transient?

A Wide-Ranging Story, a Versatile Historian

The Vikings were a people whose history stretched from the Vinland settlements in Newfoundland to Baghdad. Accordingly, the telling of their story requires a historian of Professor Harl's considerable powers.
As he has shown in his other Great Courses courses, The World of Byzantium, Great Ancient Civilizations of Asia Minor, The Era of the Crusades, and Rome and the Barbarians, Dr. Harl has a special knowledge of Europe and the Near East, from antiquity through the Middle Ages. His expertise on nearly all of the peoples the Vikings encountered enables him to endow his lectures with the nuance and detail only a trained specialist can deliver.

The Past Is Never Dead: Scandinavian Beginnings

Professor Harl begins with a virtual tour of the unique Scandinavian terrain that determined that Viking civilisation would be a culture like no other, a land and people apart from the rest of the world. Scandinavia was cut off by dense forests that kept individual settlements isolated from one another. The Scandinavian way of life was inherently temporary, for agriculture would not progress beyond the slash-and-burn technique until the end of the Viking Age. Villages lasted only a generation before soil exhaustion forced their abandonment, negating the possibility of permanent towns or lasting structures, political or otherwise. Anyone seeking wealth rather than mere subsistence had to look to the sea.
In this early part of the course you will also study in great detail the origins of the Vikings' ancient Germanic religion. You will learn the stories of the Norse gods and how the Vikings sought to honour them.
The lectures also examine how Scandinavians venerated their ancestors, great heroes of the past whom they emulated in life. Professor Harl demonstrates how we can glean the ambitions of the great Viking sea kings by examining the legendary exploits of their role models, such as the saga of the great ride of Hrolf Kraki, the 6th-century king of legendary Hleidr, a great Danish hall.

The Viking Edge

But culture only takes us so far. The Viking Age would have been impossible had the Scandinavians not possessed superiority in shipbuilding and warfare, and Professor Harl devotes two in-depth lectures to this achievement.
You will explore in detail how the design features of Viking ships allowed them to ride the waters rather than fight the waves, to be dragged across land from river to river, and to be beached in any port and sail almost anywhere. Many Viking victories resulted from the fact that their ships could sail several times faster than opposing armies could move on foot.
Contrary to the stereotype of slashing homicidal maniacs in horned helmets, Professor Harl discusses a precise, organized, battle-hardened army of men trained in warfare since boyhood. Vikings were extraordinarily fit, skilled in boarding ships, in leaping and jumping, archery, swordsmanship, and the wielding of axes. Even more frightful, they were fearless, regarding battle as a state of ecstatic joy and expecting thrill in victory or glory in Valhalla as they rushed at their foes.

Traders and Raiders

Viking warfare wasn't driven by any primitive, atavistic malice, or undirected rage. To them, it just made economic sense. We go a long way towards understanding Scandinavians' motivation and debunking popular stereotypes by seeing Viking raids as a logical extension of trading activities.
You will follow the Vikings as merchants who exploited trade routes in the Baltic, the North Sea, and on the river systems of Western Europe. They operated from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, selling everything from sealskin, whalebone, and amber to slaves.
Raiding was simply trade by other means. Vikings raided towns throughout the Latin West, and then set up impromptu markets to sell back the booty. They were indeed shocked to find a novel commodity in abbots whom the Christians paid handsomely to get back.

In Professor Harl's lectures we see the great adaptability of these Scandinavians, their willingness to evolve according to their local environment. Consider the divergent fortunes and destinies of just a few of the Northern peoples that left their Scandinavian homeland:

    * Under a deal negotiated with King Charles the Simple by their sea king Hrolf, the Vikings were awarded land in Normandy in exchange for protecting the Franks. Hrolf's descendants preserved their military prowess; they conquered England and Italy, eventually cutting off their ties to the sea and adopting the French language.
    * Swedish Vikings, known as "Rus," established outposts in Kiev and Novgorod. They used their Slavic subjects to clear the forests, allowing market towns to evolve into great cities, and a Rus king, Vladimir, would adopt Christianity as the official religion of the Rus state.
    * In a lightning campaign, the mostly Danish Great Army conquered three English kingdoms from 865–878 and settled in the northern half of England. They exerted a profound influence, transmitting 600 words into modern English and innovating the jury system that eventually passed into English law.

Because stereotypical images of the Vikings have long obscured the Vikings' importance in European history, you may learn something new in nearly every minute of these lectures. Did you know that:

    * We have Iceland to thank for preserving most of our information about what a pure Viking society was like. Icelanders preserved the old Norse traditions through storytelling during the long Icelandic winters. They eventually wrote down these poems, myths, and legends to create literature considered to be one of the miracles of the Middle Ages, deserving a place beside the Greek and Roman classics in the Western tradition.
    * Iceland functioned successfully without cities, taxes, or a complex government. You will study the simple yet effective political system—the Thing, the Althing, and the Law Rock—that made Viking Iceland a remarkable experiment in self-government.
    * An early Icelandic settler, Helgi the Lean, once remarked with characteristic Viking pragmatism and typical Icelandic wit, "On land I worship Christ, but at sea I worship Thor." A jest though it may have been, it seems prescient in light of the Scandinavian tendency to slough off the ancient gods at the water's edge.

The Beginnings of Modern Scandinavia

In the last part of the course, Professor Harl discusses how a variety of factors—wealth gained through Viking adventures, the creation of ever more professional Viking armies, increasingly better ships, and notably, conversion to Christianity—enabled Scandinavian monarchs to impose control and set up territorial kingdoms.
The creation of kingdoms and national churches was a testimony to the organizational skills of the Scandinavians, who lacked a history that connected them to the benefits of urban-based Roman civilization.
Who were the Vikings? Much more, perhaps, than you may have thought: raiders, seafarers, kings, and writers, a people who truly defined the history of Europe, and whose brave, adventurous, and creative spirit still survives today.

Course Lecture Titles
1.    The Vikings in Medieval History
2.    Land and People of Medieval Scandinavia
3.    Scandinavian Society in the Bronze Age
4.    Scandinavia in the Celtic and Roman Ages
5.    The Age of Migrations
6.    The Norse Gods
7.    Runes, Poetry, and Visual Arts
8.    Legendary Kings and Heroes
9.    A Revolution in Shipbuilding
10.    Warfare and Society in the Viking Age
11.    Merchants and Commerce in the Viking Age
12.    Christendom on the Eve of the Viking Age
13.    Viking Raids on the Carolingian Empire
14.    The Duchy of Normandy
15.    Viking Assault on England
16.    The Danelaw
17.    Viking Assault on Ireland
18.    Norse Kings of Dublin and Ireland
19.    The Settlement of Iceland
20.    Iceland—A Frontier Republic
21.    Skaldic Poetry and Sagas
22.    Western Voyages to Greenland and Vinland
23.    Swedes in the Baltic Sea and Russia
24.    The Road to Byzantium
25.    From Varangians into Russians
26.    Transformation of Scandinavian Society
27.    St. Anskar and the First Christian Missions
28.    Formation of the Kingdom of Denmark
29.    Cnut the Great
30.    Collapse of Cnut’s Empire
31.    Jarls and Sea Kings of Norway
32.    St. Olaf of Norway
33.    Kings of the Swedes and Goths
34.    Christianization and Economic Change
35.    From Vikings to Crusaders
36.    The Viking Legacy

Follow this link to purchase this fantastic course on all things viking at reduced sale price until 7th July!

http://www.greatcourses.co.uk/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=3910

Hurry before it ends!

English Heritage Festival of History + Festival of Historical Literature: DO NOT MISS!

2011-06-14T18:19:00.000+01:00

What: THE HWA inaugural FESTIVAL OF HISTORICAL LITERATURE – in partnership with English Heritage
Where: Kelmarsh Hall Estate, north of Northampton. NN6. The entry is on the A508, close to its junction with the A14. – See the Kelmarsh website for details of access: http://www.kelmarsh.com/
When: 16^th and 17^th of July 2011
Who: The HWA, in partnership with English Heritage, bring you our first Festival of Historical Literature.
Imagine a pavilion set in the middle of a battlefield. Then imagine it set in the middle of three battlefields… of different eras, with different weapons and different armies and different rules of engagement. Imagine the spitfire fly-past and the military parade that takes in battalions from the dark ages through to the second world war. This is the English Heritage Festival of History at Kelmarsh: one of the biggest festivals of living history in the country, and now one of the biggest festivals of historical literature.
The full schedule is laid out in detail below, but spread over two days, we will have a combination of debates: (‘What did the Romans do for us?’ Manda Scott vs Tony Riches); author panels: (‘Criminal History’ Andrew Taylor and others; ‘Great Battles of History’: Simon Scarrow and friends; ‘Myths and Legends through the Ages’ – Robyn Young and others); dual and single author events (‘The Vikings are Coming!’ Rob Low and Giles Kristian; ‘Warhorse’ Michael Morpurgo interviewed by Nick Clee; Michelle Paver) that will make this a weekend to remember for all concerned.
As well as the lecture pavilion, there will, of course, be a signing tent packed full of books, a ‘Green Room’ for authors to gather before their events – and a Hospitality Tent where readers can meet their favourite authors in less formal surroundings.
The events will be ticketed to monitor numbers, but the tickets will be free. You pay to enter Kelmarsh, but there is NO extra charge for the literary festival.
For those who want to explore the rest of the weekend’s events, the English Heritage website will have increasing details as we approach the date: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/festival-of-history-2011/

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY 16 JULY

10.30 – 11.30
THE ROMANS – WHAT DID THEY DO FOR US?
Debate format
Manda Scott vs Anthony Riches

11.40 – 12.40
SEX AND POWER: Love and Lovers Through The Ages
Karen Maitland
Jim Burge
Sarah Gristwood
Kate Williams

12.50 – 13.50
MYTHS IN HISTORY: the Truth Behind the Legends
Robyn Young
Angus Donald
Imogen Robertson
Tom Harper

14.00 - 15.00
WAR HORSE
Michael Morpurgo
Nick Clee (interviewer)

15.10 – 16.10
THE VIKINGS ARE COMING!
Robert Low
Giles Kristian

16.20 – 17.20
GREAT BATTLES OF HISTORY
Saul David
Tom Holland
Simon Scarrow
CC Humphreys

*********************************************

SUNDAY 17 JULY

10.30 – 11.30
PAX ROMANA: THE HEIGHT OF ROMAN RULE
Doug Jackson
Harry Sidebottom
John Stack
Ruth Downie

11.40 – 12.40
‘WHAT WOMEN WORE – AND WHY’
Hallie Rubenhold
Laura Wilson
Lesley Downer

12.50 – 13.50
ROMANS VS VIKINGS
Simon Scarrow
Robert Low

14.00 – 15.00
MICHELLE PAVER - solo event

15.10 – 16.10
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Andrew Taylor
Rory Clements
Judith Cutler
Mike Jecks

16.20 – 17.20
GREAT HEROES OF HISTORY
Ben Kane
Manda Scott
Adrian Goldsworthy
Giles Kristian

Becky Bookworm Book Review: The Valkyrie Sagas - Mimir's Well by Dr Gregory Pepper

2011-05-29T21:06:00.000+01:00

The Valkyrie Sagas: Mimir's Well by Dr. Gregory Pepper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr Gregory Pepper definitely put a whole new spin on the world of Norse Mythology and the role of the Valkyries. For a starters he maps out Asgard in quite a different way to many by having the Aesir as an actual race of people living in Asgard which is a land linked to Vanaheim the land of the Elves and in turn the land of the Giants, Jutunheim. Britfrost the rainbow bridge is colourful but it's more like a constantly shifting giant glacier between the lands and in another peculiar twist the Norns dont so much as weave people's fates but sing songs that make who ever listens have an urgent need for sex. That is one of the other more striking things about his twist on these legendary characters that he introduced sex into the equation. Not only does he have Odin making love to Freyja (suprisingly ok with Frigg) but he also allows his Valkyrie Warriors and Maids (There is a difference between the two classes of Valkyrie but I won't explain it and spoil the story) have intimate affairs with the other male Gods such as Loki, Baldur and Freyr. Thankfully it's not an overpowering influence in the overall story although it is constantly linked to the Valkyries in some way. Dr Pepper also spins so of the classic myths into the narrative such as the building of Asgard's Walls by a mason (who in legend is tricked by Loki becoming a horse and running away with the mason's) yet in Dr Pepper's version it is a Valkyrie with Loki cunning which ultimately outwits the giants building work although it did lead to some bloodshed.

To me personally as a huge fan of the norse mythology and as a writer who is also trying to bring norse myths back but featuring the Valkyries more prominently I find only A) the use of sex, B) the twist in the wall legend, C) the irritating way all the Gods addresses the Valkyries as 'fair Kat' or 'Fair Prudr' (just sounded a bit tooo old fashioned and posh for the strong rugged gods of Vikings and more like posh aristrocrats); and D) the way the omniscient narrator was a bit too free and would jump between characters quite often in the same paragraph apart from the in the same chapter (think a limited omniscient narrator focusing on one character per chapter would have been better) jarred with my overall enjoyment of the book.

It is a good book though and throughout the narrative you can clearly see how much detail and imagination Dr Pepper has put into inventing or discovering not just the role of Valkyries (in his version they don't just collect the best souls for obvious reasons but also have a darker purpose) but also the way they lived, the way they were chosen, how they got their names, their ranking and servitude under Freya and the other gods, and how any modern soul claimed by them can adjust and survive to become one of them. This also of course shows how much Dr Pepper has read the norse myths and soaked every detail from them to create them into a world (much like in the Thor movie suprisingly) where magic and science coexist so they act as one and the same. That fact however is realise more towards the end and linked with the object in the story title. It is a most definite refreshing and original take on the all the Gods and their roles as well as the land they inhabit. I would recommend it to others who love the same subjects but I also would warn them that things are quite different in Dr Gregory Pepper's nordic universe.
View all my reviews

Soul Chaser - Sneak Peak at Chapter 8 Omens in the Ash

2011-05-24T22:26:00.000+01:00

I have suprised myself and actually done some writing on Soul Chaser Chapter 8 Omens in the Ash, not alot and not often but enough to at least get the first 3 pages done and what's even more suprising is yet again through Jenny I am learning not just more about her but also about the Aesir themselves, legends which no ones knows about just act themselves out before my mind and evolve into my own writing.

There is still a lot more to write on Chapter 8 before it reaches the point where it should lead into Chapter 9 but it's proving to be a very revealing and thought provoking chapter already. So here's a taster of the norse treats I've discovered through my valkyrie muse - hope you enjoy - any feedback is appreciated.

*** *** ***

I relit the candle on the table with a small flash of the rune Ken (^) and rummaged in the bottom of my trunk. Amongst the heavy shadows of clothing I came across with some relief the small ash wood engraved box containing parchment, quill and ink and a few pieces of my Valkyrie jewelry such as my silver torque bracelet. Bringing it up onto the table I caught myself marveling in a rather silly manner at the scenes the flickering candle light depicted before me.
Each side of the box had a scene from famous Norse legends and sagas. The one on the front with a silver clasp in the middle depicted Sigurd the Blacksmith, slaying the dragon Fafnir, the left side had Grettir the Strong being hurt by a wicked enchantment from a log that washed up at his secret hideout. On the right end was four figures holding what appeared to be a giant platter until you see beneath it is a small marking of a tree with a couple on its left and a cow and dog on the its right. That was Yggdrasil at the birth of the world with the four Giant Dwarves, their names that of the four winds, holding up the sky so tree, man and animal could live. The rear side of the box though was particularly special, a scene very few of those who live outside the Norse Pantheon know about.
Engraved is a paradisiacal landscape with great plants and wondrous creatures, and under a pavilion in the centre are sat two women, one clearly older than the other due to the length of her dress but each holds a bird at her feet. The older and more regal holds what looks like a hawk or eagle, the younger and sterner of the pair is holding what could be first perceived as a goose but when examining the flair of its wings is clearly a swan. This secret scene depicts the untold legend of how Frigg and Freya recognized each other upon the Peace Treaty and Alliance with the Vanir. Frigg gave Freya the gift of a royal Eagle; Freya in turn granted her new Mistress the grace and beauty of the Swan. All Valkyries in training are granted magical swan feather cloaks in honour of that exchange yet only ever will Freya be allowed to adorn the wings of an Eagle.
That box, like so many special items I’ve been given or earned during my handful of years with these gods and their shield maidens, always had some saga, tale or legend attached. Its own life story of how it came into being, how it came be owned by whom and all that happened after. Such as Freya’s Brisingamen necklace, to be wrought of gold so fine that it glowed as bright as the sun even in a dark room. It was crafted by four dwarf brothers when they discovered a boulder sized lump of gold that had no impurities found in the much smaller lumps found in their mineral mine. Only the Aesir Gods and some of the oldest Viking Einherjar remember the part of the saga where the four brothers had to slay a Wyrm King who slaughtered their family in pursuit of their discovery. No, everyone remembers the more exciting and even naughtier part of that necklace’s tale, how Freya sold her beauty and body in order to gain it.
It’s this eternal link to someone’s past, someone’s life, someone’s memories and experiences that I quickly appreciated as I learned that my own past life was missing from my soul. When I learnt that truth I felt cheated by some cruel force by not just ending what life I had young but withholding what life I did have. I was like a faulty toy on the production line, somehow before, during or after my demise Death in whatever form it was released my soul incorrectly, almost leaving a remnant of me behind in my physical body. A bit of me that may seem unimportant now I’m forging a new life but without the past I don’t truly know who I am or who I was. I know things about me unconsciously like what foods, music, and clothes I like and what things I don’t like but I have no real reason why. I have no truth or experience behind even the smallest of my decisions.
Martha compared my amnesia of the past life to those mortals who suddenly and quite randomly forget everything in a severe bout of amnesia and have to remake entire lives and relationships with those who knew the old them. Some of them never did revert back to their old ways and recall their old memories. Some never could rebuild those relationships that could be closest to them. Things had changed too much. They were too different. The major difference in my situation is I have no one to tell me I didn’t use to like marmalade or I used to be head over heels in love with some celebrity. I’m a blank page in the middle of a book with no story behind me and the story of my future yet to be written.
It was that great void in the centre of my being that drew me to gorge upon any and all legends and sagas I came across or heard a member of the Einherjar discussing and this ultimately led me to befriend my first Aesir God. Bragi, God of Poetry and Skalds. The father of narratives true and fictional, long or short, famous or folklore. He was the ancient story teller.

Becky Bookworm Book Review : The Hammer and The Cross by Robert Fergson

2011-05-22T21:15:00.000+01:00

The Hammer and the Cross: A New History of the Vikings by Robert Ferguson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a brilliantly detailed, well researched, a laid out walk through from the earliest stages of the Viking era through to its demise not just at 1066 but in all the countries the Vikings made land fall and settled (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, Hebrides, Shetland, Greenland, North America, Istanbul and the Mediterranean, Russia etc) and of course their home nations of Scandinavia.
The brilliant thing about this book besides it great detail, research, anecdotes and use of archeological evidence and up-to-date findings is how Robert Ferguson examines the mythology and pagan religion of this mighty race of people and how it changed and adapted or in most cases became outlawed and faded away with the oncoming of Christianity. You meet the regular famous characters of this era, Ethelred the Unready, Alfred the Great, Guthrum, Ivar and Cnut etc but you also meet many other great historical power heads of the era not just from Britain but in any country that was invaded by the Vikings and their struggle to defeat and convert them from Marangian Kings to Holy Roman Emperors.
If anyone is interested in this era and of the Viking people then this book is for the keen learner and long-term researcher as it is a very long book due to its detail and knowledge but by the end of it you gain a new fascinating indepth insight into the world from so many different points of view.
View all my reviews

Becky Bookworm Book Review : Odin's Wolves by Giles Kristian (10/10 STARS)

2011-05-15T22:01:00.001+01:00

Raven Odins Wolves by Giles Kristian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If readers enjoyed Raven Blood Eye and Sons of Thunder then it's an unspoken guarantee that they will go literally beserk over the third installment of this fantastic viking saga, Odin's Wolves.
In this third adventure Raven and Sigurd and the rest of the crew along with the rescued Danes set their prow beasts in the direction of the mediterranean sea and the riches of Milkagard (aka Constantinople now known as Istandbul). They will not just have to survive new and treacherous waters but the new summer heat of there foreign lands and of course their strange and alien like dark skinned natives complete with new languages, rituals and trade goods. Yet as usual achieving their goal of fame and riches always comes with great challenges, great fights and great cunning to gain the best without shedding the most blood or loosing the most dishonour. The trouble Sigurd's crew and he get into as they visit the ruined city of Rome even before the reach Istanbul is enough to give them lots of good stories to tell in their mead halls back home - but when is it ever enough for these Vikings? How far can they sail and how often must they wet their sword with blood before the price of fame and fortune becomes too high?
This final book is so rich in its detail which softly immerses the reader into the dark age world for this band of vikings, with characters who develop so much through each chapter let alone each individual book any reader can't help but have a favourite let alone admire Sigurd for his prowess as a Jarl and of course a plot that is so full of twists, turns and suprises as complex yet as beautifully planned like the intricate jelling stone carving designs, taking readers though each emotion possible that Giles Kristian has truly proven himself in all areas that make a classic masterpiece of historical fiction that readers of Bernard Cornwell, Robert Low and Tim Severin should note this young viking at heart and in blood author as a writer with true talent at writing a thrilling and captivating story but one who clearly pushes ever last ounce of his admiration and love for this fine race of adventurers, warriors and craftsmen into each type of the keyboard or drop of ink from his pen.
Giles Kristian truly has brought the world of the Vikings into the 21st Century with enough power and a touch of skaldic magic that Cornwell, Low and Severin took years to establish.
View all my reviews

Thor's Day Special - The Fantasy Guide.com - A Mead Hall full of Top Viking Fiction!

2011-05-04T22:15:00.000+01:00

Now where do you go if, like me, you want to learn what books and authors there are in the world that take on the role of a Skald in the genre of Viking Fiction both Historical and Fantasy?

Well my discovery and subsequential naming of this relatively unknown genre has come about literally by chance from reading one book, discovering another author and so on.

Most Viking Historical Fiction and Norse Fantasy books I've read, reviewed and blogged here or shared on my Goodreads site (look up valkyrie1008) but a while ago, near the end of last year, I realised I'd actually amassed quite a collection of top rate fiction dealing with my favourite interest - vikings and norse mythology.

To try and spread the word I sent in a few reviews to Will Kalif at his Fantasy Guide.com site full of fantasy books reviews, author interviews, amazon offers etc. Well I ended up sending them all and because there was soooo many he decided to be super generous and even construct a page on his site dedicated to purely Viking Fiction. I even got to be a bit clever and write up a guide to the two sub-genres, Historical Fiction and Norse Fantasy to allow beginners work out what I was ranting on about.

And after recently submitting my two reviews of the Blood series by Melvin Burgess (a modern teenage retelling of the Volsung Saga in two parts) I've realised to my horror that I haven't shouted out about this great man, great site and great page nearly enough as I should!

So here it is - my BIG THORS-DAY SPECIAL SHOUT OUT!

FOR ALL VIKINGS FANS OF ANY TYPE

but esepcially for Vikingy Bookworms like myself

please do follow the link via the image below to sample the great deluxe of books and authors I've read and given a Vikingr roar in approval - I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

http://fantasyguide.stormthecastle.com/viking-index.htm

Here's a list of all the great names I've discovered who are bringing back the Old Gods and Old Heroes of old in fab new ways:

GILES KRISTIAN

BERNARD CORNWELL

ROBERT LOW

TIM SEVERIN

JOANNE HARRIS

SUSAN PRICE

JULIA GOLDING

WILLIAM MIEKLE

CHRISTOPHER SPELLMAN

BETSY TOBIN

JAMES LOVEGROVE

GREG VAN EEKHOUT

NEIL GAIMAN

M D LACHLAN

CRESSIDA COWELL

SIMON GREY

and recently to join this fine lot

MELVIN BURGESS

AND there is more planned to come! I always try to have at least 1 viking historical or norse fantasy book awaiting my attention in my ever growing to-read plans and Will and I have discussed plans to add a Viking Non-fiction book list (which I've also been reading) so you can also improve your knowledge and understanding of this fantastic period in history and revel in the wonders of these amazing explorers, poets, warriors, sea-farers and more!

So do keep checking on the site - it's going to possibly collapse the world wide web with all the Viking Love I'm pouring into it hehehe.

Go on spread the Viking Love - you know I'll drive you BESERK if you don't

Becky Bookworm Book Review - Bloodtide +Bloodsong by Melvin Burgess

2011-05-01T17:01:00.000+01:00

Bloodtide by Melvin Burgess

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very dark and frightening portrayal of what may well happen to British society if the government flees, gangs rule and technology goes too far.
Yet it is woven smoothly into an age old norse tale of two feuding families, the agendas of the old gods, the pursuit of revenge and how the quest for peace is never free from pain and sorrow.
The characters are all mainly over teenage years yet the struggles each goes through makes them more adult in mind then they appear on the skin.

It is a very good thriller and adventure tale as the saga should be although in some places it does slow down a bit if only to allow the reader to emmerse themselves ever deeper into the grim reality of the world portrayed in the book but the ending is as dramatic as befits the great saga that is being retold. Melvin really has brought fresh blood and misery to this norse legend.
View all my reviews

Bloodsong by Melvin Burgess

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The story of Sigurd really does begin quickly and Melvin doesn't waste too much time going over what's happened since Siggy became King Sigmund in Bloodtide but the basic gist is there is still great evil in the former United Kingdom. That comes in the form of a mutant being sterotyped as the dragon Fafnir and his hoard of gold is not just gold but all the many bizarre and sinister technologies of this dystopian world set in the future.
Over all it is a thrilling adventure story, the action never really stops although I did feel it lag a bit during the time Sigurd spent in 'Hel' with Bryony (aka Brighild the fallen valkyrie) right up to when he met the Nibblong siblings. Melvin did manage to keep the wicked mother-in-law in the plot which ultimately leads to the tragic love triangle.
Yet the only real difficulty I had with the story was the way he portrayed Sigurd's character from half way through to the end, it almost became Jesus-like with the millions of people crowding to see him and the way Sigurd kept questioning his own life, his feelings, his past etc. It just didn't seem much like a dragon slaying warrior king-reborn to me but perhaps like Jesus was in the garden before he was betrayed.
But either way yet again Melvin has managed to reinvigerate with fresh gore and woe this tragic norse legend of family betrayal, love and misfortune all because of a cursed ring.

View all my reviews

Vikings, Writing + More! Special Interview with author Giles Kristian! - Part of Odin's Wolves Blog Tour

2011-04-19T16:38:00.000+01:00

My Valkyries shriek their death cries

in honour of the arrival

of viking novelist

GILES KRISTIAN

as he enters the halls of the Valkyrian Sanctum.

*otherwise known as my online mental asylum for the viking obsessive hehehe

GILES KRISTIAN

THE THIRD RAVEN ADVENTURE NOVEL - ODIN'S WOLVES!

ME AND GILES KRISTIAN ON OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER AT THE FESTIVAL OF HISTORY 2010 - HE'LL BE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR AND CURSE HIS ROTTEN LUCK SO WILL I *muwahahahahaah! :P*

First off I’d like to say a very big thank you Giles (and his Publicist Lynsey) for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to get to know better not only one of my newest and favourite Viking historical Viking authors (alongside great names like Bernard Cornwell, Tim Severin and Robert Low) but also as I’m a keen fan of all things ‘Vikingy’ and of course as I’m a writer myself who is weaving a bit of the Vikings (in particular their mythology and legends) into my own stories.
I know I speak the minds of probably 100% of your fans when I say we are all going literally berserk with anticipation for your third (and hopefully not final) Raven adventure, Odin’s Wolves that’s been released on Thor’s-Day 14th April.

Now for those unlucky folk who have yet to praise his name or be hypnotised by the world of Raven here are my reviews of Raven Bloodeye (Book 1) and Sons of Thunder (Book 2) in this now complete trilogy.

Raven by Giles Kristian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Giles leads readers into the grim yet fascinating world of middle age england through the character of Osric, a young man with no memory of his past apart from a blood ruined eye. His world is disturbed by the appearence of a group of norse traders unsettling him and his common folk. Yet the peace is further disturbed when the local priest tried to posion the Jarl Sigurd and Osric forewarns the Jarl of this trick. A fight ensues and men are killed yet Osric is spared only by the quickeness of his tongue in saving the Jarl's life. He is taken away from the land he knows of has home with the warband and so begins another new way of life for him, of praying to the old gods to calm the seas as he is brought up upon the longships, to hunger after treasure of silver and jewels but most of all the importance of the bond men as warriors forge and the fatal penalty due when any man breaks such an bond as the fellowship of norsemen.

A definite must buy and read ASAP for any fans of Robert Low and Bernard Cornwell. Giles Kristian is a new kid on the block in this genre and he is definitly as talented for telling a good saga of sword brothers as Low and Cornwell who've been masters for years.

View all my reviews

Sons of Thunder: The Second Raven Adventure by Giles Kristian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book really does triumph as a sequel to Raven: Bloodeye. There's more drama, tension, suprises, battle and death as well a nice dollop of cunning in the new series of adventures experiecnes by Raven and his fellowship of Sigurd the Lucky. There's a even a bit of love thrown in for Raven but it has turned tainted and sour by the end of the book. And one character meets his ill-fated death by the hand of no norseman which is one of the many satisfying twists and turns Gile's weaves into his fine thrilling saga. All lovers of viking historical fiction should read this and take note of the amazing new young blooded talent that brings the lives of vikings once more into the fore of our imaginations.

View all my reviews

If these reviews are wetting your bookworm's taste buds for his brilliant viking saga go buy them!

I’ve decided to use this very generous opportunity to pick apart your Viking brain by asking a few of your fans here at Huddersfield New College, whom I know loved your Raven books, what questions they would like to ask you. So the first round is questions from me the latter half is from more of your fans.
    Right, please allow my questions to rampage and raid into the deepest part of your Norse mind and come back laden with the golden trinkets of your knowledge. I promise no rape or hall burning will take place during the event hehehe.

1.    As you grew up with a Norwegian mother, did you ever spend much time living in your ancestral homeland of Norway?

Norway has topped the United Nations’ global list of the best countries to live in for the last eight years. Growing up, I spent many holidays there. We have a cottage on the west coast about an hour’s drive from Bergen. It sits on an island overlooking a stunningly beautiful fjord and I have always enjoyed being around boats and fishing and ‘living’ a more simple life, if only in short stints. Then it’s back to London or New York or nowadays Leicestershire.

2.    Have you always been curious about Viking culture and history?

The land and seascape of the fjords has always proved an incredibly fertile environment for my imagination. I would conjure images of long ships threading their way through the countless tree-crowned islands, their oar banks beating like great wings, men at prow and stern looking out for submerged rocks. I would imagine families running down to the waterline to welcome their menfolk back from a raid, hoping to catch a glimpse of their loved ones at the benches. It’s so easy to picture these things because the islands are only sparsely populated and much of the scenery looks exactly the same now as it would have done a thousand years ago. You can touch a rock above the water line and imagine that a Viking touched that same rock all those years ago.

3.    When you were first writing Raven: Blood Eye, what made you decide to try and get it published?

It was always my dream to become an author. It took me a very long time to get the agent and the publishing deal, and I have enough rejection slips to wallpaper my study! But I absolutely refused to accept defeat. Not being published was simply not an option. If you write, you want other people to read it. I don’t believe anyone who says otherwise.

4.    Did you do any practical research such as visit museums to see genuine historical artefacts or visit places of historical importance to the period?

Seeing genuine artefacts (or faithful reproductions) with your own eyes is essential if you want to get under the skin of the people who made them. In fact, it was when I was standing in the incredible Viking Ship Museum in Oslo that I began weaving in my mind the idea of the RAVEN story. Similarly, I can go to the British Museum and stand in front of the Sutton Hoo treasure completely awe-struck. I could stare at it for hours. My deepest frustration in life – and this is on a cellular level – is knowing I can never go back and see the past with my own eyes. That is why I write historical fiction. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to a time machine.

5.    Did you do any research into the Norse Gods, Legendary characters or sagas?

The sagas are great fun. Obviously the most famous saga writer is Snorri Sturluson, and his King Harald’s Saga was definitely an inspiration to me when writing the RAVEN series. Another favourite of mine is The Saga of The Jomsvikings translated from the Old Icelandic by Lee. M. Hollander. These stories are so rich and wonderful and serve as a fantastic source of information about the Viking world despite being written long after the events they describe.

6.    How long did it take you to write each of the Raven books?

I wrote Blood Eye in bits and pieces over a couple of years. I didn’t have an agent or a publishing deal at the time and so I had to fit my writing around other work. Now I am contracted to deliver a new novel every year, which is doable. The first in a new series will usually take the longest because of the initial research. After that you’re on a roll. In theory.

7.    Did you find it harder or easier to write Sons of Thunder and Odin’s Wolves after Raven’s success?

I found it easier because I was so thrilled to have a publishing deal. There’s no better motivation to finish that WORD doc. than knowing that your publisher is going to turn it into a beautiful shiny hardback! Moreover, the more you write the better you become at writing. Also, the further into the series you are, the better you know your characters and the world you’ve created. To my mind Odin’s Wolves is the best of the three.

8.    How you would you describe the way your write? Casual or disciplined? Free flow or planned and plotted?

I usually stick to a 9-5 type discipline. This doesn’t sound very artistic but it does mean that I’m free in the evenings and weekends to enjoy life with family and friends like a normal person. Being an author doesn’t impact on my social life at all. Having said that, I do fancy experiencing a writing retreat. I recently watched the movie Tamara Drewe and thought a writing retreat could be worth a try. As for plotting, I’m very free with that. I have vague ideas about where I’m going but mostly the story weaves itself as I go along. It’s more exciting for me that way.

9.    Can you recommend one fact and one fiction book that involves Vikings?
The Vikings by the late Magnus Magnusson has never been far away as I’ve been writing the RAVEN novels. It’s a wonderfully written history that just leaps off the page. As for fiction, I’d recommend Robert Low’s Oathsworn series. Rob is a friend and a truly talented writer.

Terry Murphy, my boss and Senior Librarian at HNC asks:

1.    Why do you think the ‘whole Viking thing’ is so popular? (after all they did some terrible things)

I think it’s the same reason people like anything to do with pirates. There is a tremendous sense of Vikings having lived outside the law. That they did whatever they wanted and answered to no one. There is often something alluring about not conforming. On the one hand you’ve got the image of the pious Christians; monks, nuns and laymen constrained by religious laws and the moral teachings of their faith, and on the other hand these fun-loving pagans who spent their days drinking and feasting and stealing anything that took their fancy. I’m stereotyping here, of course, but if I had to choose between the life of a monk and the life of a Viking…well, I’m guessing it’s fairly obvious which I’d choose. As for them doing some terrible things, they certainly did. But then they were not alone. The light of Christendom, the Emperor Charlemagne himself, was reported to have executed 4,500 captive rebel Saxons in 782 because they would not convert to Christianity!

2.    Can you read the runes?

No I can’t. There are many different ways to read runes and it can be a complicated business. In fact there are several different runic alphabets. The three best-known are the Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, and the Younger Futhark. I do, however, have a runic tattoo, though you’ll have to guess what it says.

3.    Do you believe in having ‘second sight’? Foreseeing the future, using seidr magic for example? Have you had any such experiences?

I could write a book just trying to answer this question! The short answer is that I believe there are many things which we do not understand and for which we do not have scientific explanations. I believe that thoughts can jump from one person’s brain to another’s. I believe dreams can sometimes show us glimpses of the future. I have experienced both of these things but I do not have names or further explanations for any of it.

Kelsey Holdsworth, student at HNC who eagerly reviewed Raven Bloodeye, asks:

1.    What inspired you to go into writing?

I have always had two passions; expressing myself through writing, and history. Being an historical novelist I get to indulge both of these passions and get paid for it. There is no job in the world I would rather do.

2.    Did you do a lot of research for your stories?

I guess I did, though it never really felt like research because I have been learning about Vikings and their world all my life. That passion and knowledge just seeped into the books as I went along.
3.    Will there be a 4th book of Raven?

Yes! But we will have to wait for a little while. My motley crew deserve a rest after all they’ve been through.

Thank you ever so much for this interview, Giles, it has proved greatly interesting and revealing and I’m sure all the fans with any interest in Vikings have enjoyed it.

Well, for any blog readers who haven’t read Giles’ Raven trilogy, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! Read my reviews and Amazon book links and details below to tempt you down the vikingr path of the Dark Ages where you will discover adventure, honour and brotherhood galore. Keep a look out on YouTube as well on gileskristian1 channel for his exclusive special Odin's Wolves Prologue short film trailer! I've already had a sneak peak and this trilogy should soooooooooooooo be made it into a movie!

Also follow this link to Leicester Radio, scroll the bar until its just before 2 hours in and you will come to the part where Giles is live with the presenter for a WHOLE HOUR! http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00g03kx

I cannot recommend it enough – Giles is definitely the new kid on the block in this genre but his story gives Vikings a boost in fresh blood and imagination to stir the inner wandering warrior in us all.

Amazon UK - Raven Bloodeye

Amazon UK - Sons of Thunder

Amazon UK - Odin's Wolves

Dreamers of Dreams Anthology of Webfiction Volume 1 - Free eBook containing my Valkyries and a lot, lot more!!!

2011-04-17T20:28:00.000+01:00

Dreamers of Dreams: Anthology of Webfiction

Volume 1

is NOW AVAILABLE via Scribd

http://www.scribd.com/doc/52952284/Dreamers-of-Dreams-April-2011#page=10

April 11, 2011 marks the release of the first volume of Dreamers of Dreams: A Webfiction Anthology. This Ebook release, released simultaneously on several popular Ebook and webfiction stores, is a free book containing excerpts and opening chapters of several web fiction novels currently available for free online. The offerings of the Anthology include both completed works, and novels currently being serialized. A wide variety of genres is represented, from superhero to zombie apocalypse, urban fantasy to science fiction, folk tale to murder mystery, space opera to high fantasy. The purpose of this first installment of what promises to be a regularly released anthology series is to introduce the Ebook reader to free fiction available online that they may not be aware of, and highlight promising new writers who are taking the risks of self publishing online.

Volume one of Dreamers of Dreams will include the following authors and stories:
Ted Campbell – Flyover City!
Eva Shandor – Cold Ghost
Cassandra Stryffe – Zombie Diapers
Bex Aaron – Independence Day
J.J. Adams – The Undeadslayer
Alexander Hollins – Phoenix 2125
Rebecca Wilson – Soul Chaser
Christopher Wright – Pay Me, Bug!
Kyt Dotson – Black Hat Magick
G.L. Drummond – Midnight Intentions
Miladysa – Refuge of Delayed Souls
Meilin Miranda – Scryer’s Gulch
M.E. Traylor – Guts and Sass

The anthology is created and distributed by DreamFantastic Publishing, and more information on the anthology, as well as links to the individual authors represented within, can be found at http://www.dreamfantastic.com/anthology/ .

A .99 cent version of the anthology, the Author’s Support Edition, will be sold starting the end of April, and will contain additional bonus content from many of the represented authors.

Any questions or concerns, as well as requests to be included in future anthology’s, should be directed to Editor@dreamfantastic.com.

You can find my new Official Blurb for Soul Chaser and Chap 1 in this fantastic anthology of new writers and writing talent.

Here's a sneaky peak to wet your norse fantasy appetite...

The Anthology will become available in more places over the next few weeks such as Smarhwords, Nook and for Amazon Kindle when we release the special 'Author Support' edition around the end of April.

In the second release of Volume 1 of this amazing Anthology, where it will only cost $0.99 to download, my

EXCLUSIVE SOUL CHASER CONTENT

will be

Photographs of genuine places found in York (aka Jorvik) that inspired and are featured not just in Chapter 1 but in following Chapters including those I haven't released online yet. I might also throw in a few other suprise extras but it's proving soo hard to make my mind up. Either way the story location photographs are a guarantee.

So why not download the Free edition now, let your imagination take you on the many adventures and experiences inside and I'm sure it will leave you wanting more at the end of the pages to follow our blog links, read more of our online content and maybe just put a few little pennies towards the Exclusive Content Author Support Edition that's coming to an E-reader near you soooon!

ENJOY!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/52952284/Dreamers-of-Dreams-April-2011#page=10

Happy Thors-Day! Celebrate the release of Odin's Wolves by Giles Kristian + Soul Chaser in Dreamers of Dreams Anthology!

2011-04-14T22:22:00.000+01:00

Thursday 14th 2011 is a very special day for 2 (not just 1) very important reasons:

ODIN'S WOLVES BY GILES KRISTIAN

AND

SOUL CHASER CHAPTER 1

"The Old Ways Never Die" DEBUT IN

DREAMERS OF DREAMS ANTHOLOGY OF WEBFICTION EBOOK

IS RELEASED INTO THE WORLD TODAY!

Me and Giles Kristian at The Festival of History 2011 (proudly wearing my Soul Chaser t-shirt)

Odin's Wolves Book Cover

So in order to celebrate these two special events occuring on Thor's-Day I am repeating my reviews of Giles Kristian's earlier Raven viking historical novels in this trilogy (Odin's Wolves being the third) to give you viking fans a flavour of his superb talent.

Raven by Giles Kristian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Giles leads readers into the grim yet fascinating world of middle age england through the character of Osric, a young man with no memory of his past apart from a blood ruined eye. His world is disturbed by the appearence of a group of norse traders unsettling him and his common folk. Yet the peace is further disturbed when the local priest tried to posion the Jarl Sigurd and Osric forewarns the Jarl of this trick. A fight ensues and men are killed yet Osric is spared only by the quickeness of his tongue in saving the Jarl's life. He is taken away from the land he knows of has home with the warband and so begins another new way of life for him, of praying to the old gods to calm the seas as he is brought up upon the longships, to hunger after treasure of silver and jewels but most of all the importance of the bond men as warriors forge and the fatal penalty due when any man breaks such an bond as the fellowship of norsemen.

View all my reviews

Sons of Thunder: The Second Raven Adventure by Giles Kristian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book really does triumph as a sequel to Raven: Bloodeye. There's more drama, tension, suprises, battle and death as well a nice dollop of cunning in the new series of adventures experiecnes by Raven and his fellowship of Sigurd the Lucky. There's a even a bit of love thrown in for Raven but it has turned tainted and sour by the end of the book. And one character meets his ill-fated death by the hand of no norseman which is one of the many satisfying twists and turns Gile's weaves into his fine thrilling saga. All lovers of viking historical fiction should read this and take note of the amazing new young blooded talent that brings the lives of vikings once more into the fore of our imaginations.

View all my reviews

If you liked the sound of this you simply MUST come back to the Sanctum on Tuesday 19th April (next week!) when I reveal my Odin's Wolves special interview with Giles Kristian himself as part of his bookshop and blog tour to celebrate the completion of the trilogy. Just check out the poster for where else you can catch him and his viking band. Click on the poster to open it up as PDF.

NOW to my small SOUL CHASER DEBUT!

The free eBook Dreamers of Dreams Anthology of Webfiction has and has not been released.

Unforutenately releasing of the collection was put back from Monday 11th the hoped for official release date to roughly today due to various eBook sites wanting the anthology in a different format each time which meant our poor editor Alex Hollins has been busy rushing through so many changes. But today he managed to release it via the Scribd site (albeit without its official cover image design due to the designer having a lot of bad luck in life recently) BUT there is a small light at the end of this long tunnel of a week we've been waiting. You can now view the Anthology on Scribd at this link and download it as PDF all for FREE! We know it's a bit bland without any images etc but hey just let the words of our stories carry you away and your imagination will make it come to life :)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/52952284/Dreamers-of-Dreams-April-2011

Just be warned that depending on what Browser you use, Firefox, Explorer, Chrome etc it may or may not display correctly but just download it as PDF and it should work fine :) *Hint I'm on page 37!*

It will be further released on Smashwords, IBooks, and Nook store for free download with the offical cover image when that's sorted too.

You could hold on until after easter, at the end of the month, when we're releasing our special 'Author Support' edition of the Anthology just costs $0.99 where you get the same stories but EXCLUSIVE CONTENT INCLUDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO you might get an extra story behind the main feature, character profiles, author profiles, art work from the stories, sneak peaks at future chapters and all sorts!

For my EXCLUSIVE SOUL CHASER CONTENT I will be revealing with photographs the actual REAL PLACES IN YORK that feature in scenes in not just CHAPTER ONE but following chapters!

And that's all my good news for this Thor's-Day. Hope to see you all back here for more special Viking treats on Tuesday 19th April for my interview with viking author Giles Kristian as we disuss vikings, research, history and heritage, inspiration, his writing, more viking books and he tackles a few more questions from my friends who are also big fans.

Odin's Magic Number 3 - 3 days until a week full of Viking Madness begins! Come share and spread some Viking love!

2011-04-08T16:28:00.000+01:00

Odin's Magic Number is 3

The Number 3 is used quite regularly in Norse Mythology which is quite ironic as there is only

3 DAYS TO GO until Soul Chaser is released into the world as part of the Dreamers of Dreams Webfiction Anthology E-Book

on Monday 11th April!

Anyway, back in my homage to Norse Mythology you will see above the image of Odin's holy symbol, the Valknut, or Death Knot, made of THREE TRIANGLES eternally locked together. You will also see an image of the THREE Norns who live at one of the THREE ROOTS of Yggdrasil the World Tree. There are also 3 Ages of Ragnarok, Age of the Everlasting Winter, Age of the Wolf and Age of the Sword/Axe.

I even use the number 3 in Soul Chaser. Jenny must stamp her spear on the ground 3 times before summoning a soul and at the golden gates of Asgard upon the rainbow bridge Bitfrost before being allowed to enter.

Another interesting occurance of the number 3 recently is Giles Kristian's 3rd book in the Raven Trilogy 'Odin's wolves' is being released next week on Thors-day 14th April.

The number 3 also appears in the number of questions that will be asked as part of Giles's Bookshop and Blog Tour (visiting the Valkyrian Sanctum on Tuesday 19th April) special interview with me where will discuss all things viking from research to vikings in writing. As I wrote up 9 questions (which is 3 times 3) and then I got two fellow fans from work to ask him 3 questions each as well! Click on the Tour poster for a better view of the details.

So really you all have 3 things to do next week:

1 - Join me on Monday 11th to Celebrate Soul Chaser featuring Chapter 1 in the Dreamers of Dreams Anthology of Webfiction (download details will be provided on the day it's FREE!)

2 - Follow the newest kid on the block in the genre of Viking Fiction, Giles Kristian (www.gileskristian.com) as he visits Bookshops, Blogs and Websites revealing the long awaited Raven book trailer film, exclusive excerpts from Odin's Wolves and special interviews (including with ME!) Oh and I GREATLY recommend you buy the entire Raven trilogy.

In fact to help you along please find the links below to my beserk and raving mad reviews of his first 2 books

Raven Bloodeye http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/100112832

and Sons of Thunder http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/100113143

3 - Return to the Valkyrian Sanctum on Tuesday 19th April to join me for an interview on vikings, research, writing, reading and heritage with Giles Kristian himself.

The surge in the presence of Number 3 I can only take as a good omen that Odin and the rest of the Norse Pantheon are pleased with the great list of Viking events and festivities that are due to take place of the next coming week. So don't grudge the Gods! Come share, enjoy and spread the Viking Love!