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ellisknox's review
3.0
I enjoyed the writing. I'm not a big fan of Vikings versus Saxons, but only because I'm much happier over on the Continent. No reflection on the book.
This is a short work and is fundamentally about a terrifying raid and how the MC responds to it. Supernatural beings get involved and bring about a pretty satisfying end. I don't want to say more along those lines, to avoid spoilers.
Not much character development here, but it's a short work and the story is really more about setting the scene and describing the action, which is done well. The author makes liberal use of various old languages to good effect (there's a clear and interesting postscript that talks about the history and languages), and he shows good understanding of the equipment of war.
If you'd like an action story with a liberal dose of both history and magic, you should give this one a look.
This is a short work and is fundamentally about a terrifying raid and how the MC responds to it. Supernatural beings get involved and bring about a pretty satisfying end. I don't want to say more along those lines, to avoid spoilers.
Not much character development here, but it's a short work and the story is really more about setting the scene and describing the action, which is done well. The author makes liberal use of various old languages to good effect (there's a clear and interesting postscript that talks about the history and languages), and he shows good understanding of the equipment of war.
If you'd like an action story with a liberal dose of both history and magic, you should give this one a look.
assaphmehr's review
5.0
I love historical-fantasy blends, and the promise of a realistic depiction of the dark ages caught my attention.
What to Expect
A novella based on Anglo-Saxon England in the 9th century. A village in Sussex is facing a Danish raid, with the chief and warriors away and his daughter ruling in his stead. With the aid of the forest witch, she rallies the young and old to fight back in their own way.
What I liked
I loved the attention to historical detail, in the sense of depicting what the world (with a touch of magic) would have looked like to the Saxons. When writing historical fiction, including historical fantasy, I always find it fascinating when the author gets into the mind set of the locals. Visser does an amazing job, and one feels like a local of the time period.
What to be aware of
Perforce from the scope of a novella, this isn't a deep tale of character development. It's a retelling of a Sussex legend, half-way to a bard's tale at the alehouse.
Summary
Highly recommended quick read for those who love deep, historical richness of the dark ages in their fantasy. I am certainly looking forward to more Wyrd Woode novels.
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Assaph Mehr, author of [[ASIN:B015TXPPG6 Murder In Absentia: Togas, Daggers, and Magic]] - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
A novella based on Anglo-Saxon England in the 9th century. A village in Sussex is facing a Danish raid, with the chief and warriors away and his daughter ruling in his stead. With the aid of the forest witch, she rallies the young and old to fight back in their own way.
What I liked
I loved the attention to historical detail, in the sense of depicting what the world (with a touch of magic) would have looked like to the Saxons. When writing historical fiction, including historical fantasy, I always find it fascinating when the author gets into the mind set of the locals. Visser does an amazing job, and one feels like a local of the time period.
What to be aware of
Perforce from the scope of a novella, this isn't a deep tale of character development. It's a retelling of a Sussex legend, half-way to a bard's tale at the alehouse.
Summary
Highly recommended quick read for those who love deep, historical richness of the dark ages in their fantasy. I am certainly looking forward to more Wyrd Woode novels.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of [[ASIN:B015TXPPG6 Murder In Absentia: Togas, Daggers, and Magic]] - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
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