Raven: Sons of Thunder [Paperback]

I ordered this in 2/2010 from amazon.uk and was very pleased. I suggest everyone start with the 1st book of the trilogy Raven: Blood Eye. This author's 2nd novel was a big improvement over the first, which I also enjoyed, but at times it read like an author's first book. If I had any questions about Mr. Kristian's story telling skills, they are laid to rest because this was a fun story.

The Wolfpack's trail of revenge leads them to Charlemagne's Kingdom in Frankia. The series is very similar to Cornwell's Saxon Chronicles in some respects, so if you liked those the Raven series will resonate. This series is full of great characters, provides just enough detail to fire the imagination, and reads at a fast pace.

In the first book, it took a while to warm to the main character Raven, who has 1 blood-red eye. By the middle of the first book Raven starts to grow on you. In book 2 he develops, yet maintains an inner innocence despite the hard life he is dealt. The Jarl Sigurd is a great character who made me want to follow him. Unlike the godi in "The Eye of Odin" who was noble and wise, The Wolfpack's godi Asgot is a more dark character, with human bones tied in his hair and a wicked knife that always seeks a human sacrifice to the gods. There's lots of great Vikings and even a good Englishman or two.

The book will not disappoint anyone seeking Viking-style violence, with good fighting and longship action, a battle at sea, an epic dual, another fools errand, more battles, etc. A real crowd pleaser for any fan of the Viking genre. This is a great series and I highly recommend it. Looking forward to getting book 3!

I've spent a lifetime studying the Viking Age from a scholarly viewpoint, and know the period about as well as anyone alive today. I also thoroughly enjoy well-written historical fiction that takes place in this period. I say, "well-written", because sadly enough, most books on this period are sadly lacking in anything approaching realism from a historical standpoint. Most of what I have read have been tossed in the trash, given away, or sold to be rid if them. Very few books on this period have reached a level of excellence that I want to keep them in my permanent collection. One writer whom I am a big fan of, is Robert Low, and his Oathsworn series is part of my permanent collection. Robert understands the time period and it shows in his books. It was through Robert that I first became aware of Giles Kristian and his Raven: Blood Eye. I read that book almost in one sitting, letting my responsibilities in life sit on hold as I became absorbed in this enthralling tale of a Norse-Englishman and the Wolf pack of Norsemen who adopted him as their own. The book has everything you might want in a good tale told by a Norse skald (story-teller), from battles, to intrigue, to romance and adventure. I've just finished reading his second book, Sons of Thunder: The Second Raven Adventure, and knowing that it would be awhile before a third book comes out, I took my time with this second book, savoring it like a well-cooked meal. Giles Kristian has outdone himself in Sons Of Thunder, and it far exceeds his first book. I will add that the reader should read the first book first, although it is not necessary. You'll appreciate some of the minor details a little better if you do. Many times in Sons of Thunder, I thought I could see where the author was going with his tale, and a couple times I inwardly cringed as I thought to myself "Why is he having them do that?" at where I imagined the story was going. To my utter shock and amazement, the story took a turn and a twist, and went somewhere I hadn't even considered, and things turned out very differently than I expected. Giles Kristian is a story-telling genius. I absolutely loved this book. I now find myself in a funk, knowing that I will have to wait until the third book comes out. Giles Kristian is a great new writer, but also a natural born Norse skald of the first order. If you were a Norseman sitting around a fire 1000 years ago, with a belly full of food and mead, and wanting to hear a fabulous story being told, this is the kind of stuff you'd want to hear. This book is now part of my permanent collection, along with Raven: Blood Eye. If you like historical fiction related to the Viking Age, you'll love Giles Kristian's work. If you've never read anything in this genre, then this would be a good place to start. Personally, I hope Mr. Kristian has a long career filled with many such great tales! This man is a great talent! I want to take this opportunity to thank the Master Story-teller, Robert Low for making me aware of his Padawan, Giles Kristian. Between these two authors, I look forward to a long life of excellent reading before Odin calls me home to Valhalla! To Giles Kristian, I thank you for such a thoroughly enjoyable tale fit for any Norse hall!

Giles Kristian is a brilliant story teller. I found his first book, Raven Blood Eye, while vacationing in Scotland & I couldn't put it down. Usually when I find a great movie or a great book, the sequal disappoints me. I was happily surprised to find that this was NOT the case with Sons of Thunder which proved to be an even more action packed, intriguing, and unpredictable voyage than the first! I absolutely loved it & will be restless with anticipation awaiting the continuation of the story. I even used the books to entice my eldest son to read for pleasure. He hated reading until he met Raven & Sigurd & the lads, now he's as impatient as I am for the next book to come out. Long live Woden's Wolves!

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