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Viking Lore #1
Honor Bound
Jarl Radulfr is a warrior, the chieftain of his people. It is his duty to protect and fight for them. But duty comes at a price. Radulfr has no one to call his own. When his clan is attacked, he accepts a bride in a peace-pledge to avoid war with a neighboring clan. He doesn't know until he arrives that the bride he has come to claim is a man. His betrothed is not what he expected, but Radulfr has sworn upon his honor to accept the peace-pledge. It doesn't hurt that Ein is pretty damn cute. Radulfr decides to accept things as they are and begins to take Ein home. But there are those that don't want them to reach home—gods, mercenaries, and the man who started the war in the first place. Radulfr and Ein will have to use all of their wits, and the growing bond between them, to keep themselves alive because gifts from the gods come at a price.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2011
About the author
Stormy Glenn
315 books1,707 followersAbout Me
I believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two, or three men in cowboy boots. I also believes in love at first sight, soul mates, true love, and happy endings.
I live in the great Northwest region of the USA, with my gorgeous husband and soul mate, two boxer/collie puppies, one old biddy cats, and three fish. When I'm not being a mother to my six teenagers or cleaning up after my two 70 pound lap puppies, you can usually find me cuddled in bed with a book in my hand and a puppy in my lap. Or on my laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of my stories.
I welcomes comments from readers, so drop me a line. stormyglenn@hotmail.com
What do I do ?
I'm a writer of erotic, paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, and Ménage a Trois romances. I'm currently published with Siren Publishing, Torquere Press, and Noble Ellora's Cave.
I believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two, or three men in cowboy boots. I also believes in love at first sight, soul mates, true love, and happy endings.
I live in the great Northwest region of the USA, with my gorgeous husband and soul mate, two boxer/collie puppies, one old biddy cats, and three fish. When I'm not being a mother to my six teenagers or cleaning up after my two 70 pound lap puppies, you can usually find me cuddled in bed with a book in my hand and a puppy in my lap. Or on my laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of my stories.
I welcomes comments from readers, so drop me a line. stormyglenn@hotmail.com
What do I do ?
I'm a writer of erotic, paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, and Ménage a Trois romances. I'm currently published with Siren Publishing, Torquere Press, and Noble Ellora's Cave.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 7, 2017
Reread November 2017
Yes...I just read this a few months ago and yes I’m rereading it. I just love books with mythology and fantasy elements and I love mate stories. I do wish the author would write more in this series. There’s lots of interesting characters who need stories.
Originally read August 2017
**4.5 Stars**
Well, this was exactly what I needed right now. It checked all my buttons. It was a mix of fantasy, mythology and historical MM. Was it completely accurate? Probably not. Stormy gives us a warning in the beginning she took some creative license. I didn't care. I read Stormy Glenn's books when I need a sweet insta-love cheesy MM book. This one was so much more. I absolutely loved it.
Both heroes were great and perfect. They didn't fight their attraction and took care of each other. It was sweet and hot. You could tell the language was historical and every once in a while there'd be some more "modern" vernacular, but I didn't care.
I saw where she's only written one more in this series. I really hope she'll continue to write more. There are other characters that need books....hello...man on man ménage...and I love the mythological part of it. I just adored everything about this book.
I'm all kinds of happy right now!
Yes...I just read this a few months ago and yes I’m rereading it. I just love books with mythology and fantasy elements and I love mate stories. I do wish the author would write more in this series. There’s lots of interesting characters who need stories.
Originally read August 2017
**4.5 Stars**
Well, this was exactly what I needed right now. It checked all my buttons. It was a mix of fantasy, mythology and historical MM. Was it completely accurate? Probably not. Stormy gives us a warning in the beginning she took some creative license. I didn't care. I read Stormy Glenn's books when I need a sweet insta-love cheesy MM book. This one was so much more. I absolutely loved it.
Both heroes were great and perfect. They didn't fight their attraction and took care of each other. It was sweet and hot. You could tell the language was historical and every once in a while there'd be some more "modern" vernacular, but I didn't care.
I saw where she's only written one more in this series. I really hope she'll continue to write more. There are other characters that need books....hello...man on man ménage...and I love the mythological part of it. I just adored everything about this book.
I'm all kinds of happy right now!
October 30, 2017
4.25 stars...The only reason this isn't 5 stars is because I really wanted an epilogue. Otherwise, I really loved this book. Yes it was OTT but in the best way. I'm a sucker for adoring MCs, and boy did these guys adore each other.
Sweet read. This book really hit the spot for me in helping me fight off the dreaded reader's slump!
Sweet read. This book really hit the spot for me in helping me fight off the dreaded reader's slump!
June 13, 2011
A good start to a series. I can not wait to see how the rest will go. Ein is a strong man in his own way. He doesn't have the warrior strength of his mate Radulfr but a strength to defend all the same. Radulfr's heart awakens when he mates with Ein. I love sweet romances like this that can show men strong in a variety of ways but that complement each other.
October 24, 2012
This book is like this: someone took a giant bag of stuff and said, "I think I'll write a book with all of these elements combined." Or kinda like when my kid has 20 spelling words and has to write a paragraph using them all.
Okay so that probably sounds really harsh and now you think I am going to start ripping it to pieces right? Hardly. I am so easily entertained and I read a lot of Stormy's stuff so you know my standards are pretty low. I liked the characters. The sexy stuff was fun and hawt, all and all I was very entertained - even if I was rolling my eyes a few times too many. My only real big complaint was the huge amount of Viking terminology (sorry my little brain can only handle so much) it got a bit tedious to read.
But really in this story we have: Vikings, shifters, gods, demigods, elves, mpreg, insta-love, soul bonding, bigotry, a menage in the making (for a future story in the series?), sex on horseback, forced (arranged) marriage, matricide, magic, homophobia, and lots more. And it all unfolds in about 150 pages. Seriously.
Okay so that probably sounds really harsh and now you think I am going to start ripping it to pieces right? Hardly. I am so easily entertained and I read a lot of Stormy's stuff so you know my standards are pretty low. I liked the characters. The sexy stuff was fun and hawt, all and all I was very entertained - even if I was rolling my eyes a few times too many. My only real big complaint was the huge amount of Viking terminology (sorry my little brain can only handle so much) it got a bit tedious to read.
But really in this story we have: Vikings, shifters, gods, demigods, elves, mpreg, insta-love, soul bonding, bigotry, a menage in the making (for a future story in the series?), sex on horseback, forced (arranged) marriage, matricide, magic, homophobia, and lots more. And it all unfolds in about 150 pages. Seriously.
June 6, 2011
3.5 stars
There's not many books by Stormy Glenn I don't like. In fact, I quite enjoy her stories because they are easy and simple to read and she always writes themes I enjoy very much. With this story Ms. Glenn does a great job of making it unique enough to stick out. With Ein being a demi-god and Radulfr turning into a Berserkr, it made for quite an entertaining and intriguing plot.
While the story is most certainly fluff (insta-love, overused cute nicknames and constant words of love) I really liked it. The story had me captivated and I was ready to read more when I finished. I liked the characters (even though Ein will surely be too much of a woman for some) I really liked that. It made Radulfr that much more possessive and jealous over Ein. I found it cute.
However, the story had a lot of problems. Constant inconsistencies, bad editing (on not just sentence structures but even names) and above that I have so many questions about the story (the gods, the baby, the pregnancy, what happened to some people, etc.) There are a ton of plot holes that just opened up even more questions and it ends in a way that leaves you really hanging but it's not technically a cliffhanger because all I wanted was more info on their new lives and the baby! There was also the fact that while this is historical, none of the characters talked like they were. I was a little disappointed with that because they were Vikings but they talked like they were modern day adults. I don't know why that stood out so much to me but I noticed it almost from the beginning. Oh, and these names were so full of consonants I had no idea how to even pronounce them! It was a bit distracting so I eventually had to shorten them to Rad, Ali, Ul, Bal, etc.
All in all, I really liked the story. There's just something about it that made me like it so much even with all the problems I had. It's not a perfect book and for those who are looking to just critique the story should move right on by because it won't be for them. But for those who are looking for something nice and light with enough elements in a story to make it stand out from others, give it a try. It was a nice start to a new series and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
There's not many books by Stormy Glenn I don't like. In fact, I quite enjoy her stories because they are easy and simple to read and she always writes themes I enjoy very much. With this story Ms. Glenn does a great job of making it unique enough to stick out. With Ein being a demi-god and Radulfr turning into a Berserkr, it made for quite an entertaining and intriguing plot.
While the story is most certainly fluff (insta-love, overused cute nicknames and constant words of love) I really liked it. The story had me captivated and I was ready to read more when I finished. I liked the characters (even though Ein will surely be too much of a woman for some) I really liked that. It made Radulfr that much more possessive and jealous over Ein. I found it cute.
However, the story had a lot of problems. Constant inconsistencies, bad editing (on not just sentence structures but even names) and above that I have so many questions about the story (the gods, the baby, the pregnancy, what happened to some people, etc.) There are a ton of plot holes that just opened up even more questions and it ends in a way that leaves you really hanging but it's not technically a cliffhanger because all I wanted was more info on their new lives and the baby! There was also the fact that while this is historical, none of the characters talked like they were. I was a little disappointed with that because they were Vikings but they talked like they were modern day adults. I don't know why that stood out so much to me but I noticed it almost from the beginning. Oh, and these names were so full of consonants I had no idea how to even pronounce them! It was a bit distracting so I eventually had to shorten them to Rad, Ali, Ul, Bal, etc.
All in all, I really liked the story. There's just something about it that made me like it so much even with all the problems I had. It's not a perfect book and for those who are looking to just critique the story should move right on by because it won't be for them. But for those who are looking for something nice and light with enough elements in a story to make it stand out from others, give it a try. It was a nice start to a new series and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
June 10, 2011
This is the best book by Stormy Glenn that I have read yet. Radulfr is the Jarl or warrior chief of his clan. His clan was attacked by a neighboring clan and many of his people killed. The Jarl of the offending clan offers a betrothal as a peace-pledge to avoid having his son killed in retaliation. Radulfr agrees to the betrothal and leaves to get his bride. Little does Radulfr know that his betrothed, Ein, is a man. Once the couple meet, both men are really into the marriage idea. Surprises begin to pop up for Radulfr such as the fact that he's a wolf shifter and his husband is pregnant. Ms Glenn has put together a story of love, gods, hot male sex and blended it into the beginning of what I hope is a terrific series.
June 6, 2011
Even though the setting is ancient Norseland, this book manages to be a 'classic' Stormy Glenn. There is the super-alpha protector, the physically smaller mate (even though he is a half-god), there are shifters, there is even male pregnancy.
Radulfr is an amazing guy, perfect hero material. He's honorable, strong, takes everything in stride and protects those who need his help. Not even the fact that he's been duped and his 'bride' is a man can deter him from doing the right thing. You just don't meet guys like this in real life. Probably as much because he is almost too perfect as because he is a Berserkr (the Norse version of a werewolf - sort of).
Ein is the complete opposite physically, but mentally he is actually pretty similar. He is also honorable and wants to do the right thing, but he has always been told what to do so far. Radulfr still tells him what to do, but also allows him to voice an opinion of his own. I think Ein has the potential to take this further, and I look forward to seeing him grow.
I liked the way the legends were woven in with the story. Even if none of it is true, or even likely, it made for a very entertaining story. I can't wait to read the next one!
Radulfr is an amazing guy, perfect hero material. He's honorable, strong, takes everything in stride and protects those who need his help. Not even the fact that he's been duped and his 'bride' is a man can deter him from doing the right thing. You just don't meet guys like this in real life. Probably as much because he is almost too perfect as because he is a Berserkr (the Norse version of a werewolf - sort of).
Ein is the complete opposite physically, but mentally he is actually pretty similar. He is also honorable and wants to do the right thing, but he has always been told what to do so far. Radulfr still tells him what to do, but also allows him to voice an opinion of his own. I think Ein has the potential to take this further, and I look forward to seeing him grow.
I liked the way the legends were woven in with the story. Even if none of it is true, or even likely, it made for a very entertaining story. I can't wait to read the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2011
Really liked this start to a new series. Don't know that I've ever read viking m/m but I could be wrong. Love the possessiveness and caring of Jarl who could have really had a totally different reaction to his newly betrothed. Ein is simply adorable and sweet and I can picture him in my head as stunningly beautiful with that lovely aura of innocence (well, sort of). The m-preg addition is simply delicious, something I don't always feel positive about but in this case - bring it on. Can't wait for the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2011
4.5 Stars. This is a great start to a new series. Vikings, demigods, berzerkers, and mpreg! Oh my.
February 2, 2016
3.5 Stars rounded up because it was just fun. Honor Bound is not "Great Literature" but I had a good time reading it and smiled quite a bit. Well worth the time invested.
January 9, 2024
2.5 stars. I usually enjoy Stormy when i'm in the mood for some fluff. This one, not so much. There was just a lot going on in a short amount of pages. Insta love, i'm okay with, the mpreg, okay with that too. Unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me in this story. I know it's the first in a series but there were so many plot holes that i just couldn't enjoy the story.
Read
October 17, 2017Это как дешёвый спектакль по телевизору смотреть *facepalm*
March 2, 2018
Estuvo bueno e interesante, con todo esto del antiguo mundo y demás pero me dejó como muy meh
August 24, 2011
Jarl Radufr is a warrior and the Chieftain of his people. Radufr’s clan is attacked; he accepts a pledge of peace to avoid more war. He doesn’t know until his bride gets there that he’s been wed to a man. Out of duty, Radufr accepts the pledge.
Ein is both handsome and kind, it’s not a hardship to accept him and take him home. But there are those who don’t want them to get home, like the man who started the war. Radufr and Ein will have to work really hard to make it home. With help from their growing bond, will Radufr and Ein be able to stay alive and have a happy ever after?
Honor Bound by Stormy Glen is the introduction to a new series which I surprisingly found I really liked. I wasn’t sure about Vikings at first, but the way Ms. Glenn tells their story made me fall in love with Ein. He’s gentle, handsome and kind. When we first meet him, he’s a little naïve and has also been abused. He really needed an alpha male to help him out. Radufr is a strong and fair minded leader. I liked that he leads with both strength and intelligence. He really cares about doing what’s best in the interest of his people, he also adapts well. Finding out his bride is a man would shock most men but Radufr takes it in stride. He’s kind to Ein, kinder than anyone ever has been, and this made me really fall for them as a couple. I hope there are many more such pairings in this series; I can see it doing really well. I also like the paranormal elements which were thrown into the story. I didn’t see the end coming at all. Bring on the Vikings; I want to read more about them.
Ein is both handsome and kind, it’s not a hardship to accept him and take him home. But there are those who don’t want them to get home, like the man who started the war. Radufr and Ein will have to work really hard to make it home. With help from their growing bond, will Radufr and Ein be able to stay alive and have a happy ever after?
Honor Bound by Stormy Glen is the introduction to a new series which I surprisingly found I really liked. I wasn’t sure about Vikings at first, but the way Ms. Glenn tells their story made me fall in love with Ein. He’s gentle, handsome and kind. When we first meet him, he’s a little naïve and has also been abused. He really needed an alpha male to help him out. Radufr is a strong and fair minded leader. I liked that he leads with both strength and intelligence. He really cares about doing what’s best in the interest of his people, he also adapts well. Finding out his bride is a man would shock most men but Radufr takes it in stride. He’s kind to Ein, kinder than anyone ever has been, and this made me really fall for them as a couple. I hope there are many more such pairings in this series; I can see it doing really well. I also like the paranormal elements which were thrown into the story. I didn’t see the end coming at all. Bring on the Vikings; I want to read more about them.
January 23, 2014
I liked the mythology behind the story--especially since I'm currently in a mythology class and learned a bit about this culture earlier this semester; the insta-love/insta-bond worked in this scenario because there was a reason behind it ("'A gift from the gods,' Baldr said. Radulfr rolled his eyes. 'That's your answer for everything...'" lol); and there was good world building. I liked Radulfr and Ein together, even though it was all fluffy sweetness and roses--or perhaps because of that--because it worked in this story.
The problems I had were with the (lack of) editing and the length. There were plenty of grammatical issues, and since this was supposed to be set in the past/an alternate realm, the use of contemporary diction and syntax didn't feel natural. Also, instead of just having foreign words italicized, there would be whole paragraphs or lines after a foreign word that were mistakenly italicized as well and never fixed. The story cut out too early, and I feel like I missed out on some of the new experiences of that they would have had on the journey. I do hope there will be a sequel soon, because there was a lot of set up and this was published over 3 years ago. I really hope that the sequel will include , too, since that will be a monumental part of their lives.
So all in all, I liked this story and obviously want the sequel, but I'm not sure if I would read other books by this author.
The problems I had were with the (lack of) editing and the length. There were plenty of grammatical issues, and since this was supposed to be set in the past/an alternate realm, the use of contemporary diction and syntax didn't feel natural. Also, instead of just having foreign words italicized, there would be whole paragraphs or lines after a foreign word that were mistakenly italicized as well and never fixed. The story cut out too early, and I feel like I missed out on some of the new experiences of that they would have had on the journey. I do hope there will be a sequel soon, because there was a lot of set up and this was published over 3 years ago. I really hope that the sequel will include , too, since that will be a monumental part of their lives.
So all in all, I liked this story and obviously want the sequel, but I'm not sure if I would read other books by this author.
June 29, 2011
What a fantastic start to a new series. I was transported to a different world (kind of felt like Middle Earth to me at times, which is always cool) and drawn in by the characters. Radulfr and Ein were perfect together. So honorable, loyal, protective and in love. It was great to see the big Viking become smitten with his little wanton kisa. I found their attempts to have sneaky sex pretty erotic. Of course they weren't fooling anyone but the end results were still hot, especially with Ein so responsive to Radulfr's touch. They were insatiable and Ein's pregnancy was just the icing on the cake for me. The storyline and mythology were engaging (the terminology was a tad confusing at first though - sounded Elvish to me) and the numerous supporting characters were all interesting as well. I'm wondering if the next book will be about Radulfr's friends Vidarr and Haakon claiming little Alimi. Doesn't matter who it's about because I'm hooked and can't wait to see where the rest of their journey takes them.
June 5, 2012
What a surprising enjoyment! This is the first book I've ever read by this author and I have to say I would not have chosen it outside of being challenged to do so. Books involving male pregnancy, I have to admit, are not at the top of my reading list and I was worried going in to this. The over all story was a unique fantasy. Although not a ton of time was spent on building the world I think that was because of the self-explanatory nature of it. Of course I loved the characters but I absolutely swoon for insanely possessive alpha male types. The fantasy elements were pretty cool. I was debating between 3 and 4 stars and decided to go with the 4 because this book involves berserkrs and gods and hot men with swords! How cool is that!! I will definitely follow up with this series! Oh, and the male preggers wasn't weird at all and was managed very well by this author!
February 13, 2016
Jarl Radulfr wants nothing more than to keep his people safe. To that end, he agrees to a bride as a peace-pledge. When he goes to claim his bride, he finds a he. Ein is quite cute and Radulfr resolves to accept the peace-pledge and return home with Ein. But returning home is not as easy as it seems. There are those that do not want Radulfr to succeed.
The paranormal aspects of Honor Bound really make this an amazing story. Ein’s connection to the gods was well told and Radulfr’s decision to follow his own path shows how he wanted peace for his people and that he knew revenge would not be in anyone’s best interest. There are quite a few surprises Honor Bound and the stage is set for more, which can only be a wonderful thing.
The paranormal aspects of Honor Bound really make this an amazing story. Ein’s connection to the gods was well told and Radulfr’s decision to follow his own path shows how he wanted peace for his people and that he knew revenge would not be in anyone’s best interest. There are quite a few surprises Honor Bound and the stage is set for more, which can only be a wonderful thing.
June 11, 2011
4.5, with a lot of things I loved. Mpreg!! Berserkers are awesome and sex on the back of a moving horse. Very nice. I had a little issue with the vocabulary, and I wish the glossary had been in the front. I like the big strong warrior is strong enough to love his mate and not care who knows it. Ein, protected secret son of a god, is innocent without being childish and as Radulfr says "his happiness is infectious". He is adorable. I was worried about a scene of public claiming, but it was done well. Great start to a new series.
March 7, 2014
I love Stormy Glenn books but when I read the blurb I wasn't sure about a guy mate getting pregnant but I've got to say I really liked this story. the plot once into it explains really well how Ein could become pregnant. theirs a lot that goes on and something's aren't finished but I'm hoping with this been the first book the others that hopefully to come explain things. I liked that Ein wasn't too girly and wimpy because sometimes u find their are in MM books but he man up when needed but still was the softer side to the relationship. great HEA.
March 23, 2016
I really wanted this to have more story development than what is offered. There is a lot here that I would have loved to have explored more, but I was left a little empty at the end. No cliffhanger, but definitely a to be continued. I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with this series or not. Review to come.
June 7, 2011
Really enjoyed the twist with the viking lore and beserkers. It's a nice base for a new series.
August 25, 2012
Great first book in the series - I totally have a viking kink. :)
November 9, 2020
2020 = 2 stars / skim read
2024 = 3 stars / some skimming / review written
After reading a lot of mediocre Mpreg, I'm now more lenient when rating books with this trope.
😁 This novella:
▪️ held my interest until the end.
▪️ has a group of men who are good, loyal friends.
▪️ is sweet and somewhat sexy.
▪️ has a few of my favorite tropes.
☹️ However, it:
🔻gets a little too sweet.
🔻has weak bad guys. They're either easily defeated or not dealt with at all.
🔻has an abrupt, unsatisfying ending.
🔻has threads left hanging.
(In Book 2, the MCs and plot are different.)
The sex scenes were mostly good. The final one was too porny for my tastes.
S.G. is known for writing errors and inconsistencies. Her mediocre, overpriced books should be in KU.
Plot in a Nutshell: A great warrior and his special femme mate, blessed by the gods, are destined for greatness. Together with their future child, they aim to unite the gods and bring peace. (Since the series was dropped, it never happens.)
Favorite Tropes:
▪️bigger, stronger / smaller, effeminate
▪️strict top/bottom
▪️protective, possessive alpha male
🛑 𝐌ⱺ𝗋𝖾 𝚰𐓣𝖿ⱺ. & 𝐒ρⱺ𝗂ᥣ𝖾𝗋𝗌 🛑
ⓂⒸⓢ:
Radulfr (age?) is a warrior leader (Jarl/Chieftan).
Ein (20), a sweet virgin who's good with plants, was raised in a spiritual commune.
🟊 adequate character descriptions
Villains:
Jarl Dagr, whose clan borders Radulfr's.
Fafnir is Dagr's greedy son, who raids & pillages.
Opening Scene: Fafnir and his warriors raided Radulfr's clan, killing and injuring many. Radulfr demands a fight to the death. Dagr offers peace, pledging his secret second child, Ein, as a bride. Unaware Ein is a man, Radulfr agrees, thinking the bride price will help his clan. The betrothal is sealed with a hand clasp.
Ein has silver eyes, long white-blond hair and pointy ears because he's part Elvin.
• His mother got pregnant by the god Freyr; her husband Dagr killed her when he found out.
• Freyr is unkind to Ein b/c of his shrewish wife.
• Fafnir is his half-brother.
• Njord, a god and Ein's grandfather, helps him.
• Mixing the silver and gold vials given by his grandfather, is how Ein gets pregnant.
Radulfr:
• travels with his warrior friends, Vadirr and Haakon.
• is fine when he discovers Ein is a man, b/c he's attractive and a better match for him.
• must consummate the marriage before witnesses.
• calls Ein "kisa," meaning kitten.
• learns that he's now a Berserkr, the prophesied great warrior—a gift from the gods.
• bites and bonds with Ein in a sexy scene.
• gains enhanced senses and a very long life.
• is joined by four fellow Berserkrs and warriors.
Radulfr marries Ein, and they head home. Pursued by mercenaries, Radulfr transforms into a Berserkr and kills one attacker, prompting a race back to the village. There, Fafnir waits for Ein. He wants him b/c he's a demi-god, but Fafnir and his men are killed.
The MCs learn Dagr is en route with soldiers to start a war. Radulfr’s father betrays and banishes him. Ein’s father tries to kill Ein's baby, but his grandfather intervenes and reveals a safe stronghold where they can live. Few villagers choose to go with them. Those that stay, hope to negotiate with Dagr.
A dull scene occurs when Ein and Radulfr’s mothers appear to talk to them. The story ends abruptly as they reach the stronghold after a tough journey, leaving the future uncertain.
⚠️ AN ERROR:
🔸Radulfr rode through the night to reach Ein.
But returning home is much longer:
🔹Radulfr says - "It's just another few days before we reach home."
🔹Later: "We should be home in about a week, depending on weather and barring any problems."
2024 = 3 stars / some skimming / review written
After reading a lot of mediocre Mpreg, I'm now more lenient when rating books with this trope.
😁 This novella:
▪️ held my interest until the end.
▪️ has a group of men who are good, loyal friends.
▪️ is sweet and somewhat sexy.
▪️ has a few of my favorite tropes.
☹️ However, it:
🔻gets a little too sweet.
🔻has weak bad guys. They're either easily defeated or not dealt with at all.
🔻has an abrupt, unsatisfying ending.
🔻has threads left hanging.
(In Book 2, the MCs and plot are different.)
The sex scenes were mostly good. The final one was too porny for my tastes.
S.G. is known for writing errors and inconsistencies. Her mediocre, overpriced books should be in KU.
Plot in a Nutshell: A great warrior and his special femme mate, blessed by the gods, are destined for greatness. Together with their future child, they aim to unite the gods and bring peace. (Since the series was dropped, it never happens.)
Favorite Tropes:
▪️bigger, stronger / smaller, effeminate
▪️strict top/bottom
▪️protective, possessive alpha male
🛑 𝐌ⱺ𝗋𝖾 𝚰𐓣𝖿ⱺ. & 𝐒ρⱺ𝗂ᥣ𝖾𝗋𝗌 🛑
ⓂⒸⓢ:
Radulfr (age?) is a warrior leader (Jarl/Chieftan).
Ein (20), a sweet virgin who's good with plants, was raised in a spiritual commune.
🟊 adequate character descriptions
Villains:
Jarl Dagr, whose clan borders Radulfr's.
Fafnir is Dagr's greedy son, who raids & pillages.
Opening Scene: Fafnir and his warriors raided Radulfr's clan, killing and injuring many. Radulfr demands a fight to the death. Dagr offers peace, pledging his secret second child, Ein, as a bride. Unaware Ein is a man, Radulfr agrees, thinking the bride price will help his clan. The betrothal is sealed with a hand clasp.
Ein has silver eyes, long white-blond hair and pointy ears because he's part Elvin.
• His mother got pregnant by the god Freyr; her husband Dagr killed her when he found out.
• Freyr is unkind to Ein b/c of his shrewish wife.
• Fafnir is his half-brother.
• Njord, a god and Ein's grandfather, helps him.
• Mixing the silver and gold vials given by his grandfather, is how Ein gets pregnant.
Radulfr:
• travels with his warrior friends, Vadirr and Haakon.
• is fine when he discovers Ein is a man, b/c he's attractive and a better match for him.
• must consummate the marriage before witnesses.
• calls Ein "kisa," meaning kitten.
• learns that he's now a Berserkr, the prophesied great warrior—a gift from the gods.
• bites and bonds with Ein in a sexy scene.
• gains enhanced senses and a very long life.
• is joined by four fellow Berserkrs and warriors.
Radulfr marries Ein, and they head home. Pursued by mercenaries, Radulfr transforms into a Berserkr and kills one attacker, prompting a race back to the village. There, Fafnir waits for Ein. He wants him b/c he's a demi-god, but Fafnir and his men are killed.
The MCs learn Dagr is en route with soldiers to start a war. Radulfr’s father betrays and banishes him. Ein’s father tries to kill Ein's baby, but his grandfather intervenes and reveals a safe stronghold where they can live. Few villagers choose to go with them. Those that stay, hope to negotiate with Dagr.
A dull scene occurs when Ein and Radulfr’s mothers appear to talk to them. The story ends abruptly as they reach the stronghold after a tough journey, leaving the future uncertain.
⚠️ AN ERROR:
🔸Radulfr rode through the night to reach Ein.
But returning home is much longer:
🔹Radulfr says - "It's just another few days before we reach home."
🔹Later: "We should be home in about a week, depending on weather and barring any problems."
November 20, 2012
Here's what Ein's dad said:
But they still think he's a girl, hmm.
Stormy Glenn needs to learn how to write a medieval/fantasy novel. Just spelling a bunch of words strangely does not a medieval novel make, especially when they talk with words like 'okay' and some other sayings that were way too contemporary for the setting.
Just replacing the dozens of 'okay's with something like 'I understand' or even 'alright' would have made it less jarring. As it is, it stood out like a light bulb in a cave.
I hated this one. All the language just detracted from the experience. It had all the sophistication of a fanfic author copy-pasting sentences from Google translate. They may or may not be accurate, but the point is, it felt really, really pretentious.
I won't touch the instalove/standard Glenn works, because they're well, standard. If you must read Glenn, read something else from her unless you really love vikings. Or just go play Skyrim.
"Ein has been raised these last two decades, since birth, away from our clan due to the circumstances surrounding his conception and my wife's infidelity."
But they still think he's a girl, hmm.
Stormy Glenn needs to learn how to write a medieval/fantasy novel. Just spelling a bunch of words strangely does not a medieval novel make, especially when they talk with words like 'okay' and some other sayings that were way too contemporary for the setting.
Just replacing the dozens of 'okay's with something like 'I understand' or even 'alright' would have made it less jarring. As it is, it stood out like a light bulb in a cave.
I hated this one. All the language just detracted from the experience. It had all the sophistication of a fanfic author copy-pasting sentences from Google translate. They may or may not be accurate, but the point is, it felt really, really pretentious.
I won't touch the instalove/standard Glenn works, because they're well, standard. If you must read Glenn, read something else from her unless you really love vikings. Or just go play Skyrim.
April 16, 2014
It was a classic Stormy Glenn story, about as fluffy as it could've gotten without any bad consequences. I liked the possible Greek gods inspiration, what with the Gods being like powerful humans with their own fair share of faults, but still being a quite original piece.
I liked the story, but was I the only one who was sometimes bothered by the "old norse" words? Maybe because I'm swedish, but the spelling wasn't even correct for "old" norse. The repetition and every other of them word ending with an "r" made me come out of my reading frenzy and irritated me quite a bit. One funny thing about it was "godis", the so said name for the priests. Godis means candy in swedish and I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean priest or monk in norse. A possible name could've been "präst", "munk" or there about.
I liked the story, but was I the only one who was sometimes bothered by the "old norse" words? Maybe because I'm swedish, but the spelling wasn't even correct for "old" norse. The repetition and every other of them word ending with an "r" made me come out of my reading frenzy and irritated me quite a bit. One funny thing about it was "godis", the so said name for the priests. Godis means candy in swedish and I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean priest or monk in norse. A possible name could've been "präst", "munk" or there about.
August 26, 2012
3.7 stars
Feels unfinished.. And as some of the reviewers have mensioned, Ein is not a male but a female with a penis. Although the world the auther have created is amazing. The fact that it's created on Norse mythology is refreshing and making the fantasy world more precise in some dgree.
July 13, 2012
I will have to say that Ein was just too girly for me and the love that Ein and Radulfr shared came on too fast and too strong. They didn't have any conflict with each other and everything was perfectly happy. It was boring and not very fun.
November 9, 2016
3 stars!
I enjoyed reading this tho there isn't much in the way of plot. This feels very much like the first chapters of a novel rather than a whole book. I do find the mythology intriguing and would like to know more so I shall read on.
I enjoyed reading this tho there isn't much in the way of plot. This feels very much like the first chapters of a novel rather than a whole book. I do find the mythology intriguing and would like to know more so I shall read on.
June 14, 2011
Can't wait to see how the series develops. This is a good start.
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