Review of Viking Blood and Blade

[Teletha]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Viking Blood and Blade" by Peter Gibbons.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Viking Blood and Blade by Peter Gibbons is a book that tells the stories of Viking warriors who lived for honor, reputation, riches, plundering, and killing. Hundr, Sten, Einar, the Valkyries, and the Seaworm crews illustrated how Vikings lived in a world where brutal power controls one's life.

I recommend this book to adult readers. It has minor profanity, and it has rape depictions. I believe most of the characters introduced were written well, like Sten, Einar, Ivar, Ragnhild, the Seaworm crews, and the Valkyries. I like how the author depicted the remains of fallen warriors. I pictured the places they traveled, the mountains, the forest, the villages, and the fortresses they plundered. However, the book seemed to fall short of describing life amid the vast sea, when it is a part of Vikings' life. I will say that this story started strong, but it went on a downward slope in the middle of the story.

I perceive that Hundr was the main protagonist of this story. He was a streetwise character, and I loved that about him. However, while Sten and Einar kept their story strong, Hundr lost his when he met the princess. I think his plot was weak, and his interaction with the princess led to his character assassination. If the author intended that Hundr felt that he was in love, I did not felt that. If the author intended that Hundr felt the princess loved him too, I didn't see any signs. I could say that being a fool in love is just Hundr's personality, but his sworn vengeance on Hakon justifies his character assassination. If I compare Einar, who lost his life-long reputation, title, crew, and ship, Hundr just lost his new warrior status. Also, the story didn't confirm that the princess was his. Hundr's oath to revenge his loss is based on shallow claims. I also felt that the purpose of Hundr's challenge to Ivar to get the princess back was to feed his ego. Because I didn't see any sign that the princess loved Hundr, I found it unnecessary. He also introduced that he was a son of a prince. However, before this event, the story has not told any importance on his father's title. I don't feel any weight in the revelation. Hundr won the fight, but I think he won because he has plot armor.

The book also has a handful of quotation misuse in the book that made reading the story distracting. Some dialogue was compressed in a sentence when some parts could be separated and created a new one.

If I could wish something about this book, I would like Einar to be the face of the story. I rate this book 2 out of 4 because, despite the downsides of the book and technical correction needed, it illustrated an honorable Viking life through Einar and Sten.

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Viking Blood and Blade
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[Chinaza Nnabuenyi]

Vikings stories sounds very interesting. I like your review.

[IamJc_Bembo12]

Such a fascinating book, worthy of time commitment. The heinous acts that happened in the book, indeed, will transcend me into a different horrific adventure. Thanks for this great review, bud!

[Nkgchidimma080]

I don’t really love violence and Vikings lifestyle but from your review I think this is going to be an intresting book,nice review.

[Astral Magi]

I am fascinated by the Viking era and their lives. Although the life at sea was not properly addressed, I am sure one's imagination can fill in the gaps. Thank you for your review.

[marta baglioni]

I am all about Vikings! I am sorry to hear that the book had plot and technical flaws, though. Thank you for the honest review

[Rwill0988]

Great review. Perhaps with edits or revisions this would be a book of interest. Viking stories are interesting but think the technical errors and the story dwindling halfway through would bother me too much.