Review of Tiel's Saga

[Alex Reeves]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Tiel's Saga" by Thom Simmons.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Myths and legends are some of the most intriguing stories ever told, and what we have here is a brilliant compilation of them that deeply touches the soul. Tiel's Saga by Thom Simmons is a book that tells five Scottish and Gaelic tales in two literary styles: prose and poetry. Tiel, son of Hakon the Powerful, a descendant of Odin, is the subject of the first story, Tiel's Saga. In this tale, Tiel is sent to establish authority over Glendale, a village on the Isle of Skye. Closely followed is a story written in the form of a poem, which tells of the King of giants, Thrym, who steals Thor's hammer, Mjölnir, and asks for Freyja, Odin's wife, as ransom. The next tale tells of Cam-Ruadh, also known as John Grant, who is said to possess the most repulsive appearance in history. One-eyed and stout, Cam is a fierce fighter who strikes out his enemies with a single stretch of the bow. The fourth tale, The Ballad of Lady Odivere, tells of a lady in great distress due to her marriage to a gentleman, Odivere. The last story is about a fairy flag that kills the bearer but gives good fortune to those for whom it is carried. These stories left me spellbound as they seemed both true and fictitious. However, I believe they're all true because the author made sure to leave a note as to where the stories were adapted from. Sincerely speaking, it was all very delightful and entertaining. Great job, Simmons.
 
History is one subject that intrigues me deeply, and I've always found myself wanting to know how things were done in the olden days. That was one of the factors that registered my approval of this book. I already have books about Celtic, Roman, and Greek mythologies, and I'm pleased to add this to my collection. Thom Simmons displayed unparalleled knowledge of his homeland, and this pleased me deeply. This book has a pronunciation guide, and I found myself pronouncing tongue-twisting Scottish words almost fluently. The guide helped me through the difficult words, and I commend the author for his thoughtfulness. All the stories told in this book were fascinating, enlightening, and entertaining. Though I was crestfallen due to a major event that took place in the story of Tiel, later on, everything clicked into place. I appreciate the fact that the author included notes at the end of each story to help clarify readers on some aspects of the book that seemed unclear. They were informative, and I learned countless Gaelic words after reading them. Myths impact wisdom in readers, and this book holds a fair share of knowledge. It wouldn't hurt to read it, and I hope you check it out.
 
There was nothing particularly negative about this book. However, I was bothered by the way the author elaborated on the appendixes more than required. The appendixes covered almost twenty pages, and what was being told there held nothing to capture the reader's mind. I had a hard time reading them (there were four appendixes in total), as it took more time to read the appendixes than the five tales in the book. They told stories of the derivations of the names of sacred Gaelic trees, fountains, and springs, and I was disinterested in it all. Although some readers may find them interesting because of the information they contain, I found them exhausting. However, checking it out for yourself may be a suitable option for you.
 
This book was a good read, and I was highly impressed with the literary devices used by the author in telling the five stories. Surprisingly, the poem about the giant, Thrym, fascinated me the most. The author did a remarkable job, and his efforts are bound to be fruitful. Though I found an error in it, the book seemed professionally edited to me. Overall, despite the fatigue reading the appendixes caused me, I believe that this book deserves a perfect rating of 4 out of 4 stars. The fact that the author provided boring, lengthy notes to explain certain Gaelic terms does not merit it losing a star. I hope many people get to read it, as it was highly entertaining.
 
I recommend this book to lovers of history. If Roman, Greek, or Celtic myths interest you, this book is right for you. In particular, if you're intrigued by the traditions of ancient Scotland, Norway, and Sweden, try to get a copy of this book. It is certain to be of great help. Good luck.

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Tiel's Saga
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[Wren Michaels]

I find History fiction of great interest. Your review was well-written and concise