You know those restaurants that offer a twelve-course sample menu designed to give you just a little taste of all the varied and marvellous flavours they have to offer? Well with Valhalla Steel, author Sean Crow has managed to create the literary equivalent of just that.

A wild, energetic story that mixes Norse fantasy, dystopian futures, sci-fi, action, folklore and just about everything else you can think of to create a melting pot of exciting characters in a vastly different and intriguing setting.

Admittedly I’m not normally a fan of future-set fiction, so Valhalla Steel was an unusual choice for me. My experience of sci-fi particularly is limited; however, Crow’s book is a great option for those looking to bridge the gap between fantasy and science. Did I know what was going on all the time? No, I did not, but I sure-as-hell enjoyed the ride.

You see, what the author has done is create a world so vivid and enjoyable that it didn’t matter if I didn’t always understand it. To be clear the fact that, at times, I had no idea what was happening is in no way the fault of the writer. Sean builds every scene and interaction well, and any time I got a little lost was purely due to my own lack of experience in the genre. That being said, I might not have recognised or known what some of the weapons used in the epic fight scenes were – but I do know they were awesome.

And herein lies the foundation upon which Valhalla Steel is built.

It is utterly, unapologetically awesome.

In all the places Crow could have settled for going big, he goes massive – bigger characters, bigger weapons, and bigger action. Despite a unique concept, Valhalla Steel also manages to give the reader a real sense of nostalgia. The vibe is one of 80’s action films, of Mad Max and Highlander – to the point where I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the Kurgan make a cameo in the background.

Crow twists his multiple story lines together in a way that, while still structured with care, presents a sense of chaos to his world.

This could have easily left the book a little messy but instead takes the reader on a fast-paced, full-throttle journey akin to hitching a ride on a vehicle going hell for leather through a dystopian city. Constantly throwing out sharp turns, unexpected detours but always en route to something exciting.

Character-wise, Crow instils a welcome touch of heart in the deftly built bond between Jarl Angus and his brotherhood of Huscarls. The dynamic between them is believable, touching, and funny.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Yuri.

Ah, Yuri – sage, pragmatic, and effortlessly compelling. Trudging about like a battle-worn old berserker, if Valhalla Steel were ever to be a TV series, I would request – nay demand – Yuri receives his own spin-off.

In summation, this book presents readers with everything you love about action movies, video games and quite frankly, ought to have its own thrashing guitar solo intro. You know the sort, with pyrotechnics and a riff so catchy you could call it a cold. Throwing you right into the action, Crow provides something fresh, exciting, and unashamedly fun.

Highly recommended. 5/5.