Review: The Last Berserker by Angus Donald

Synopsis: 771AD, Northern Europe. An epic battle for the soul of the North.

Bjarki Bloodhand and Tor Hildarsdottir are journeying south into Saxony. Their destination is the Irminsul, the One Tree that links the Nine Worlds of the Middle-Realm. In this most holy place, they hope to learn how to summon their animal spirits so they can enter the ranks of the legendary berserkir: the elite frenzied fighters of the North.

One Christian king Karolus, newly crowned King of the Franks, has a thorn in his side: the warlike Saxon tribes on his northern borders who shun the teachings of the Church, blasphemously continuing to worship their pagan gods.

The West’s greatest warlord vows to stamp out his neighbours’ superstitions and bring the light of the True Faith to the Northmen – at the point of a sword. It will fall to Bjarki, Tor and the men and women of Saxony to resist him in a struggle for the fate of all Europe.

Another in a great line up of "hero quest" historical fiction that is set in the Northern Hemisphere - particularly Scandinavia - from the 8th -11th centuries. So if you are a fan of Matthew Harffy's A Time for Swords and Tim Hodkinson's Whale Road Chronicles, this this one is for you.

Recently outlawed Bjarki Bloodhand suddenly finds himself on the road in the company of shield-maiden Torfinna Hildarsdottir and the mysterious Valtyr Far-Traveller, Their destination is not certain as they head towards the Dane-mark of King Siegfried. For war is looming with the Franks under the charismatic leader Karolus. However, as both display traits of the Rekkr, it is to the mysterious and sacred groves of Irminsul to find out if they have what takes to be a true Rekkr (or Berserker).

There are - of course - many adventures and battles along the way as our intrepid duo find themselves at odds not only with Charlemange but also the new religion - Christianity - which is establishing a firm foothold.  Throughout, both struggle to find and harness the power of their "gandr" or warrior totem spirit.  Will they find this inner strength in time to save the north from the Frankish incursions or will they be too late ...

Love the historical context that the author then treats us to at the end - I always like to know - apart from the obvious - where they draw their inspiration from and if based on real life events. And for those wishing to delve into this genre and the sagas of the Scandinavians, you may find certain parallels in the story of Beowulf or the saga of Bodvar Bjarki.

A great start to what promises to be the first in a new action-adventure series.

Review: A Place To Hide by David Salner

 Synopsis

Wow! what a story! 1920s New York was not familiar to me and as a result, this story has led me rather astray as I delve into the many events mentioned throughout (see further reading below).

This is truly an evocative narrative about a parolee on the run, who finds acceptance within a community that is completely alien to him, whilst reminding us that in the great scheme of things, all men are equal.  For under the river, in the close confines of the tunnel they are excavating, these "sandhogs" find a comradeship known only to those who work in similarly dangerous occupation - it is one that surpasses the issue of race and religion - for theirs is a world defined by trust, reliance and mateship.

Bill takes us back to events that have led him to New York City in the 1920s - a city that "teemed with secrets" and where a man might seek sanctuary and find for himself a new life.  There were quite a few "on the edge of my seat" moments when you truly do hope that Bill finds the answers he seeks and hope that the price he pays will not be too high.  

The very real issues - dealing with employment, race & social conditions - are touched upon in a way that put me in mind of the only other author I had read that had sufficiently made "the reader participate in the actuality" of the story as it unfolded (if I might quote Steinbeck himself).  This Salner accomplishes with a truly engaging commentary of early twentieth century America society.

Further reading:

• Speculator Mine Disaster
• Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
• Holland Tunnel
• Sandhogs
• Major Disasters at Metal & Non-metal Mines
• Port Authority - Sandhogs

Peter James series on ITV tomorrow

From Jersey Evening Post:

Dead Simple, the first episode of the new Grace series, stars John Simm as Superintendent Grace and Richie Campbell as his sidekick, DS Glen Branson.

Mr James, who moved to Jersey three years ago with his wife, Lara, said that he had turned away a number of approaches to screen his fictional detective before agreeing on the current collaboration with Russell Lewis, whose screen credits include Inspector Morse, its prequel, Endeavour, and its sequel, Lewis, as well as Spooks and The Bill.

‘The key is to get the right writer, and Russ and I clicked. He told me he would not change anything I wasn’t happy with, and he has been true to his word. ITV involved me on every single casting decision from John Simm [as Roy Grace] to the smallest role, and they have a producer, Kiaran Murray-Smith, who is a Brighton boy, so he really gets and loves the city.

Harlan Coben, Suburban Dad With 75 Million Books in Print

From The New York Times:

The thriller writer Harlan Coben has some free advice for anyone who cares to ask: “If it produces pages: good. If it doesn’t produce pages: bad.”

With 32 published books and an estimated 75 million copies in print worldwide, he has produced many pages during the course of his career. His 33rd novel, “Win,” will be published by Grand Central on Tuesday. He recently added streaming media to his portfolio in the form of a 14-project deal with Netflix.

For all his success, Coben, 59, remains as unfussy as his favorite writing tip. A 6-foot-4 former college basketball player with a Bic’d head and an oeuvre full of kidnapping, murder and narrative twists, he is also a menschy suburban dad who likes to talk about his four children and dotes on his two shaggy Havanese, Winslow and Laszlo, who trail him around his New Jersey house like eager little mops.

Coben tries to stick to a schedule of publishing at least a book a year, a timetable he has kept up even as he’s added a new dimension to his working life: TV and streaming. In addition to Netflix, he has deals with Amazon Studios, MGM International and Apple.

read more here @ The New York Times

Review: Masters of Rome by Gordon Doherty & Simon Turney

Synopsis: Their rivalry will change the world forever.

As competition for the imperial throne intensifies, Constantine and Maxentius realise their childhood friendship cannot last. Each man struggles to control their respective quadrant of empire, battered by currents of politics, religion and personal tragedy, threatened by barbarian forces and enemies within.

With their positions becoming at once stronger and more troubled, the strained threads of their friendship begin to unravel. Unfortunate words and misunderstandings finally sever their ties, leaving them as bitter opponents in the greatest game of all, with the throne of Rome the prize.

It is a matter that can only be settled by outright war...

Book 2 in this series of the epic battle between Constantine and Maxentius for supremacy in Rome continues where Sons of Rome left off - 308AD and continues up to 312AD. Each man's story is again narrated by a single author, with an alternating overall narrative so that we get a sense of what is happening to both concurrently.

No spoilers here as events are well known - however the journey taken to get there is as thrilling and fresh as if it happened yesterday. It is not an easy journey for either man - both face the constant struggle to maintain their positions, both within and without the Roman Empire as territories are won and lost; there is personal tragedy and a deterioration of their fragile friendship; and religious dissent is on the rise as the supporters of Christ demand more freedom of worship; and add into the mix, the rise of rival contenders.

Though the more I read - and for me Constantine was ever present in my mind - the more I felt an empathy towards Maxentius. I was more drawn to his plight than his nemesis, for many of his deeds and achievements have latterly gone unrecognised. Maybe it has something to do with the way we like to support the underdog against an obviously stronger, experienced opponent. Maybe, it is just my knowing the outcome that has drawn me closer to getting to know this man more.

The final showdown take's place in book 3 for ".... it is in battle that this will end for one ..."

The struggle between Constantine and Maxentius is the only Roman civil war to be depicted on a monument and can be seen in the relief sculptures on the Arch for Constantine.