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simplymeh's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing is as it seems
I consider myself to be well versed in fantasy fiction but the book still managed to throw a few curves my way. Often, I fell frustrated by the protagonist's actions but they remained consistent with his character. I'm excited to see how this develops.
I consider myself to be well versed in fantasy fiction but the book still managed to throw a few curves my way. Often, I fell frustrated by the protagonist's actions but they remained consistent with his character. I'm excited to see how this develops.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
This is quite a good book, but for me it seems it didn't come at the right time. I had to backtrack a lot, as I somehow kept losing my place in the story.
Despite this, I quite enjoyed this dark, Norse inspired tale!
The Blood-Tainted Winter is full of loyalties, betrayal, duty, vengeance, war, plenty of fighting, and the occasional god.
It's a bloody and grim story, and the prose and tone fit perfectly into this world of warriors and battles.
I really liked the main character, who is honest to a fault and tries to do the best with what fate offers him. The contrast of him being very steadfast in his morals, and fighting with the way forward he has chosen, I front of this harsh time and setting worked really well.
All in all it is a well rounded story that was a joy to read!
Despite this, I quite enjoyed this dark, Norse inspired tale!
The Blood-Tainted Winter is full of loyalties, betrayal, duty, vengeance, war, plenty of fighting, and the occasional god.
It's a bloody and grim story, and the prose and tone fit perfectly into this world of warriors and battles.
I really liked the main character, who is honest to a fault and tries to do the best with what fate offers him. The contrast of him being very steadfast in his morals, and fighting with the way forward he has chosen, I front of this harsh time and setting worked really well.
All in all it is a well rounded story that was a joy to read!
jessicafee86's review against another edition
5.0
This turned out to be the perfect book to read after The Norse Mythology from Niel Gaiman! The Norse gods Odin, Thor, Loki ect all play a big part in both books. Super excited to read the second book!
diesmali's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable Viking adventure, where the old Norse gods lurk behind root and stone, and the flag of honour flies high...
dilaida's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
simone84's review against another edition
1.0
DNF 17%
Having a viking setting is good, though generic in execution. Writing is technically okay but *feels* flat and abrupt while the characters are lifeless cardboard cutouts.
Having a viking setting is good, though generic in execution. Writing is technically okay but *feels* flat and abrupt while the characters are lifeless cardboard cutouts.
simplymeh's review
5.0
Nothing is as it seems
I consider myself to be well versed in fantasy fiction but the book still managed to throw a few curves my way. Often, I fell frustrated by the protagonist's actions but they remained consistent with his character. I'm excited to see how this develops.
I consider myself to be well versed in fantasy fiction but the book still managed to throw a few curves my way. Often, I fell frustrated by the protagonist's actions but they remained consistent with his character. I'm excited to see how this develops.
richard_nell's review
4.0
Fantastic read. Absolutely recommended for really any fantasy reader, particularly for any fans of Norse mythology, but really even historical fiction lovers. Three main reasons:
1. The writing. For me, bad writing ruins a good story, and good writing hardly needs a story. Fortunately this book actually has a good story, but nevermind. Ms. Greylock knows how to show, rather than tell, and it's obvious on every page. The description is great, efficient, and nothing feels overly-described. Really, nothing. The only thing worthy of criticism here is quite a bit of passive voice. But even then, stories like Beowulf are full of passive voice, so it kind of works for this.
2. A slow build to a strong finish. Loved the ending, which actually is a little strange since it isn't the ending you'd expect after reading the first quarter of the book. Anyway, it's great, and at about 90% I completely ignored the world until I was finished.
3. The setting/style. Who doesn't like Norse mythology done well? Greylock presents it here in a genuinely authentic-feeling, magic realism style. These Norsemen are brash, glory-hungry, treacherous killers, just as they should be. And if there's a few half-gods living amongst them? Well, no big deal. So Loki's his dad. Not his fault. But maybe keep an eye on him...
I always like to critisize something, so...give me a...second here...oh! As an inhabitant of a mostly frozen wasteland, I quirked a brow as our heroes swam through a nearly frozen river for several minutes, and then went about their raiding like it was a quick dip in the pool. But you know what, they're vikings, so I let it slide. That's literally all I've got.
The only reason this isn't a 5 star review is because I'm stingy and 5 stars is reserved for my absolute favorite books of all time (and yours should be too, you overly generous other reviewers!).
Excited to see more from the author, and will certainly finish the series.
1. The writing. For me, bad writing ruins a good story, and good writing hardly needs a story. Fortunately this book actually has a good story, but nevermind. Ms. Greylock knows how to show, rather than tell, and it's obvious on every page. The description is great, efficient, and nothing feels overly-described. Really, nothing. The only thing worthy of criticism here is quite a bit of passive voice. But even then, stories like Beowulf are full of passive voice, so it kind of works for this.
2. A slow build to a strong finish. Loved the ending, which actually is a little strange since it isn't the ending you'd expect after reading the first quarter of the book. Anyway, it's great, and at about 90% I completely ignored the world until I was finished.
3. The setting/style. Who doesn't like Norse mythology done well? Greylock presents it here in a genuinely authentic-feeling, magic realism style. These Norsemen are brash, glory-hungry, treacherous killers, just as they should be. And if there's a few half-gods living amongst them? Well, no big deal. So Loki's his dad. Not his fault. But maybe keep an eye on him...
I always like to critisize something, so...give me a...second here...oh! As an inhabitant of a mostly frozen wasteland, I quirked a brow as our heroes swam through a nearly frozen river for several minutes, and then went about their raiding like it was a quick dip in the pool. But you know what, they're vikings, so I let it slide. That's literally all I've got.
The only reason this isn't a 5 star review is because I'm stingy and 5 stars is reserved for my absolute favorite books of all time (and yours should be too, you overly generous other reviewers!).
Excited to see more from the author, and will certainly finish the series.
mboi's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5