HISTORICAL FICTION: Raven: Son's of Thunder - Giles Kristian

BOOK BLURB:

If you betray a Fellowship, you are a dead man, and Ealdorman Ealdred of Wessex had betrayed us. With revenge on their minds, Raven and the Wolfpack plough the sea road in pursuit of the traitor Ealdred. Having left the Fellowship for dead, the ealdorman has sailed in search of the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne and the promise of riches beyond his imagining. In following Ealdred, Raven and his sword-brothers find themselves in the heart of a Christian empire that would wipe their kind from the face of the earth. And danger waits round every bend of the great river up which they travel - Sigurd will fight for his life while Raven will be betrayed, imprisoned and left to rot...A mysterious young man with no memory and a blood-tainted eye, Raven has found friendship and purpose amongst this fierce brotherhood. He has proven himself in battle and is certain now that Viking blood flows in his veins, but to survive, his cunning must now be as sharp as his blade. This thrilling new chapter in the Raven saga confirms that, in Giles Kristian, action-packed historical fiction has a new master.


REVIEW:

I loved the original tale by Giles so when I heard of this second outing for Sigurd, the Wolfpack and Raven I just had to commandeer a swift trip to the nearest bookshop, pillage my way through the stacks and stop for a flagon of Mead at the tills. That done, it was a swift trip on the Whale road home and with a roaring fire, a huge mug of tea and of course some biscuits to keep my strength up I knew that I had an adventure on my hands.

What Giles brings to the fore is well written and with characters that really do jump off the pages into the readers imagination and whilst his descriptive prose are a tad spartan in style, it only adds to the mystery and wonderment of the journey. A cracking tale of daring as the crew venture in the lands of the Franks to sell a manuscript at the court of Charlemagne which can only be akin to sticking your head in the dragons maw for this band of heathen worshippers.

Definitely a tale to keep the spirits of the reader up and one where you’ll pray for the crews survival as things go not only pear shaped but spectacularly so. Finally add to the mix that Giles’ plays for keeps and you know that you’ve got a tale to please even the most blood thirsty reader. I’ll await the next instalment with bated breath.