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The Whale Road Chronicles #1
Odins Zorn
Die Flucht soll ihn retten, doch im Exil warten Gefahren und Intrigen.
Die Flucht aus seiner Heimat Island führt Einar Unnersson im Jahr 915 auf die Orkney Inseln und an den Hof seines Onkels. Jarl Thorfinn gilt als grausam und empfängt Einar keineswegs mit offenen Armen, im Einar muss seine Treue erst beweisen. Er schließt sich den brutalen Wolfmäntel-Wikingern und der nord-irischen Kriegerprinzessin an, um in der Schlacht der Götter und Könige zu kämpfen. Einars Exil wird zum Überlebenskampf gegen Schwerter, Schilde und Verrat. Inmitten der unübersichtlichen Schlacht fragt er sich bald, wer der wahre Feind Christen, Könige oder gar Odin selbst?
Ein historischer Wikingerroman über mutige Krieger, brutale Kämpfe und die raue See.
Die Flucht aus seiner Heimat Island führt Einar Unnersson im Jahr 915 auf die Orkney Inseln und an den Hof seines Onkels. Jarl Thorfinn gilt als grausam und empfängt Einar keineswegs mit offenen Armen, im Einar muss seine Treue erst beweisen. Er schließt sich den brutalen Wolfmäntel-Wikingern und der nord-irischen Kriegerprinzessin an, um in der Schlacht der Götter und Könige zu kämpfen. Einars Exil wird zum Überlebenskampf gegen Schwerter, Schilde und Verrat. Inmitten der unübersichtlichen Schlacht fragt er sich bald, wer der wahre Feind Christen, Könige oder gar Odin selbst?
Ein historischer Wikingerroman über mutige Krieger, brutale Kämpfe und die raue See.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2019
669 people are currently reading
1380 people want to read
About the author
Tim Hodkinson
20 books186 followersI love reading and writing historical fiction.
My interest in ancient times, and particularly the medieval period, goes back to my childhood when my parents took us kids around the castles and megaliths of Ireland. I remember riding my bike as a boy to the see the various remnants of the Normans within reach of my home town of Lisburn. What would appear to most as uninspiring hillocks to me became in my imagination the site of heroic battles and I suppose that's where inspiration for some of my stories came from.
My interest only deepened with studying Old Norse, Medieval English and Celtic civilization at university and these topics have informed my first novels, along with a passion to tell stories about areas of Irish history that are sometimes overlooked and forgotten.
"Lions of the Grail" is set in Medieval Ireland, at the time the Scots invaded. Its a tale of knights and tournaments set against a war that time has forgotten. "The Waste Land" carries on the tale where Lions left off, while the novella, "The Savage Forest" takes the hero of this series, Richard Savage back to a time when he was still a young idealistic member of the Order of Knights Templar.
"The Spear of Crom" goes back to the time of the druids and is the story of a celtic cavalry officer in the Roman Army and his hunt for a mystical spear.
"The Undead" takes place in Victorian Belfast and moves into Gothic Horror, taking inspiration from Chapter 20 of Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein", which takes place in North Ireland.
Apart form that I have a couple of short stories set in the world of the Anglo-Saxons - "All the Kings Thanes" is my retelling of a true story treachery and the paranoia of power, while "Beowulf's Return" is set in the time of myth & legend.
My novels are available in print at all good online retailers and also (as well as the short stories) in Kindle format from Amazon.
I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing them.
My interest in ancient times, and particularly the medieval period, goes back to my childhood when my parents took us kids around the castles and megaliths of Ireland. I remember riding my bike as a boy to the see the various remnants of the Normans within reach of my home town of Lisburn. What would appear to most as uninspiring hillocks to me became in my imagination the site of heroic battles and I suppose that's where inspiration for some of my stories came from.
My interest only deepened with studying Old Norse, Medieval English and Celtic civilization at university and these topics have informed my first novels, along with a passion to tell stories about areas of Irish history that are sometimes overlooked and forgotten.
"Lions of the Grail" is set in Medieval Ireland, at the time the Scots invaded. Its a tale of knights and tournaments set against a war that time has forgotten. "The Waste Land" carries on the tale where Lions left off, while the novella, "The Savage Forest" takes the hero of this series, Richard Savage back to a time when he was still a young idealistic member of the Order of Knights Templar.
"The Spear of Crom" goes back to the time of the druids and is the story of a celtic cavalry officer in the Roman Army and his hunt for a mystical spear.
"The Undead" takes place in Victorian Belfast and moves into Gothic Horror, taking inspiration from Chapter 20 of Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein", which takes place in North Ireland.
Apart form that I have a couple of short stories set in the world of the Anglo-Saxons - "All the Kings Thanes" is my retelling of a true story treachery and the paranoia of power, while "Beowulf's Return" is set in the time of myth & legend.
My novels are available in print at all good online retailers and also (as well as the short stories) in Kindle format from Amazon.
I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
March 6, 2021
I received a review copy of Odin's Game in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Tim Hodkinson, Aria Fiction, and Head of Zeus.
Odin's Game begins the tale of Einar, a young lad from Iceland who spends his time helping his mother on their farm, hoping to win the affections of one of the local ladies, and practicing at Knattleikr in preparation for the yearly showdown with the neighbouring village. Events take an unfortunate turn for our protagonist quite early on in the novel and he finds himself outlawed from his estate and Iceland as a whole. Following the prompting of his mother he leaves the only home he's known and travels to the Orkney Islands where his uncle resides as Jarl. How he will be received and what will happen to him during his two years of exile is uncertain. Einar goes to seek his fate and hopes along the way he can unravel the mystery of who his father is.
"'Don't feel bad,' he said. 'To jarls and kings, the lives of men like us are just pieces in a game of tafl. But the nobles in turn are just pawns in Odin's greater game.'"
Set in the 10th century, Odin's Game is a quick fun read, full of excellent action passages, great supporting characters and exciting twists. The chapters can be devoured in 5-10 minutes and being as riveting as they were, "just one more chapter" easily turned into reading 100+ pages in one session. Einar is a fine protagonist and it was enjoyable to see how he handles himself, and the thoughts that go through his mind, during some of the awkward and worrying scenarios he finds himself in throughout his adventure to the Orkneys and then to Ireland.
Hodkinson's Dark Ages Europe was presented really well, being just descriptive enough to paint a clear image in my mind's eye without detracting from the intense, well-worked set pieces and thrilling pace. I have no idea how historically accurate any of what is presented throughout The Whale Road Chronicles is, but I knew after about 40-pages that I was absolutely all-in, just going with the novel's flow as if it was a fantasy read set in a world I'm more familiar with. The old gods like Odin and Thor are revered by many but the messages of the Christ God are circulating throughout Europe too.
I've had a bit of a reading drought recently and could not decide what to read next. I decided to pick up Odin's Game because I had no expectations and knew nothing about it other than that it was supposed to be fast-paced historical fiction. I'm glad I made that choice. Odin's Game is very solid historical fiction that is gritty and violent, yet was still a joy to read. My only, very minor issue is that there were a few errors that I believe an editor should have picked up but that didn't distract me from my extremely positive reading experience and I'll be moving on to the next book shortly. Recommended.
"When he was a boy the thought of travelling at night had evoked terror at the idea of what monsters lurked in the dark. Trolls, witches, dark elves and, the most fearsome of all, the dreadful walking dead, the draugr, who rose from their burial mounds at night and haunted the darkness, waiting to pounce and kill. This night, however, Einar was in the company of the monsters."
Odin's Game begins the tale of Einar, a young lad from Iceland who spends his time helping his mother on their farm, hoping to win the affections of one of the local ladies, and practicing at Knattleikr in preparation for the yearly showdown with the neighbouring village. Events take an unfortunate turn for our protagonist quite early on in the novel and he finds himself outlawed from his estate and Iceland as a whole. Following the prompting of his mother he leaves the only home he's known and travels to the Orkney Islands where his uncle resides as Jarl. How he will be received and what will happen to him during his two years of exile is uncertain. Einar goes to seek his fate and hopes along the way he can unravel the mystery of who his father is.
"'Don't feel bad,' he said. 'To jarls and kings, the lives of men like us are just pieces in a game of tafl. But the nobles in turn are just pawns in Odin's greater game.'"
Set in the 10th century, Odin's Game is a quick fun read, full of excellent action passages, great supporting characters and exciting twists. The chapters can be devoured in 5-10 minutes and being as riveting as they were, "just one more chapter" easily turned into reading 100+ pages in one session. Einar is a fine protagonist and it was enjoyable to see how he handles himself, and the thoughts that go through his mind, during some of the awkward and worrying scenarios he finds himself in throughout his adventure to the Orkneys and then to Ireland.
Hodkinson's Dark Ages Europe was presented really well, being just descriptive enough to paint a clear image in my mind's eye without detracting from the intense, well-worked set pieces and thrilling pace. I have no idea how historically accurate any of what is presented throughout The Whale Road Chronicles is, but I knew after about 40-pages that I was absolutely all-in, just going with the novel's flow as if it was a fantasy read set in a world I'm more familiar with. The old gods like Odin and Thor are revered by many but the messages of the Christ God are circulating throughout Europe too.
I've had a bit of a reading drought recently and could not decide what to read next. I decided to pick up Odin's Game because I had no expectations and knew nothing about it other than that it was supposed to be fast-paced historical fiction. I'm glad I made that choice. Odin's Game is very solid historical fiction that is gritty and violent, yet was still a joy to read. My only, very minor issue is that there were a few errors that I believe an editor should have picked up but that didn't distract me from my extremely positive reading experience and I'll be moving on to the next book shortly. Recommended.
"When he was a boy the thought of travelling at night had evoked terror at the idea of what monsters lurked in the dark. Trolls, witches, dark elves and, the most fearsome of all, the dreadful walking dead, the draugr, who rose from their burial mounds at night and haunted the darkness, waiting to pounce and kill. This night, however, Einar was in the company of the monsters."
January 15, 2024
Review to follow
December 20, 2022
Northern Irish author Tim Hodkinson brings us the first in a series of historical fiction books, which is set in Iceland, the Orkney Islands of Scotland, and the coast of Ireland in the tenth century. This is a romping adventure yarn of Vikings and celts, fair maidens and ferocious battles. It begins in Iceland with Einar the son of Irishwoman Unn Kjartinsdottir who is banished from his home and makes his way to the court of his uncle, the deadly Jarl Thorfinn 'Skull Cleaver' of Orkney. From here he is sent on a quest to Ireland where he meets the beautiful Norse-Irish princess Affreca and a band of fearsome bloodthirsty Wolf Coat warriors, the Úlfhéðnar.
The background is well painted giving a vivid image of Viking life. The adventure scenes are gruesome but flowing and fast paced. I found the writing fairly simplistic with a few scattered anachronistic phrases in the dialogue, but overall it was an easy-reading adventure yarn that I could picture making its way to the big screen some day. 3.5 stars.
The background is well painted giving a vivid image of Viking life. The adventure scenes are gruesome but flowing and fast paced. I found the writing fairly simplistic with a few scattered anachronistic phrases in the dialogue, but overall it was an easy-reading adventure yarn that I could picture making its way to the big screen some day. 3.5 stars.
January 23, 2021
Solid 3.5 stars.
Quick, easy and entertaining read.
Some distracting editorial issues.
Also a couple insignificant historical inaccuracies.
But all in all, great story, good action.
On to the next one!
Quick, easy and entertaining read.
Some distracting editorial issues.
Also a couple insignificant historical inaccuracies.
But all in all, great story, good action.
On to the next one!
September 14, 2023
4.5 stars round up to 5 for the amazing narration.
I did like the characters and the building of the warband. Also great insight how people lived on Iceland in these times.
Great start to the series and i am ver curious whats to come.
I did like the characters and the building of the warband. Also great insight how people lived on Iceland in these times.
Great start to the series and i am ver curious whats to come.
December 27, 2025
Odin’s Game is the first in the author’s The Whale Road Chronicles series. I’ve actually read several other books in the series (The Serpent King, Eye of the Raven and the final book The Blazing Sea ) but, as if often the case with me, not in the right order or from the very beginning.
I wondered if going back to the first book in the series would work given I’ve read later books but in fact I really enjoyed getting to know the young Einar and finding out where his journey began. Yes, there’s no sense of jeopardy as far as Einar is concerned but the same cannot be said for other characters.
When we first meet eighteen-year-old Einar he doesn’t possess any skills with a weapon and seems consumed by doubts and fears. His mother Unn’s past is shrouded in mystery, including the identity of Einar’s father. The fact Einar’s surname is derived from his mother’s name rather than his father’s as would usually be the case, plus his mother’s Christian faith, sets them apart from the rest of the community who worship other gods.
During the Icelandic equivalent of an ice hockey game, we get the first glimpse of the sudden outbursts of rage that will overwhelm Einar from time to time. Although not the trance-like fury of a ‘berserker’, these intense periods of ferocity contribute to him becoming a formidable warrior in later years. Unfortunately, on this first occasion, his momentary lapse in control results in him being adjudged an outlaw, effectively banishing him from Iceland.
From a fairly slow start because of the necessary scene setting, the pace really picks up and then it’s action all the way. Einar finds himself embroiled in the machinations of the rulers of Norway and Ireland, none of whom have any qualms about breaking alliances or turning on those to whom they pledged allegiance. Not even connections through kinship or marriage are sacred.
There are full-on action scenes in which the Wolf Coats prove just what a ferocious and seemingly invincible fighting force they are, leaving a trail of bloody remains in their wake. Einar does his share of the blood-letting too with his newly acquired skill with sword and axe, including a memorable one-on-one battle. And then it’s back to Iceland to save a life and enact revenge. ‘The game is set and we have to play to the end.’
The book is packed with detail about every aspect of life in the period, really helping to bring the story alive and a testament to the depth of the author’s research.
If you’re a fan of Viking age historical fiction where the action comes thick and fast, I can recommend this series.
I wondered if going back to the first book in the series would work given I’ve read later books but in fact I really enjoyed getting to know the young Einar and finding out where his journey began. Yes, there’s no sense of jeopardy as far as Einar is concerned but the same cannot be said for other characters.
When we first meet eighteen-year-old Einar he doesn’t possess any skills with a weapon and seems consumed by doubts and fears. His mother Unn’s past is shrouded in mystery, including the identity of Einar’s father. The fact Einar’s surname is derived from his mother’s name rather than his father’s as would usually be the case, plus his mother’s Christian faith, sets them apart from the rest of the community who worship other gods.
During the Icelandic equivalent of an ice hockey game, we get the first glimpse of the sudden outbursts of rage that will overwhelm Einar from time to time. Although not the trance-like fury of a ‘berserker’, these intense periods of ferocity contribute to him becoming a formidable warrior in later years. Unfortunately, on this first occasion, his momentary lapse in control results in him being adjudged an outlaw, effectively banishing him from Iceland.
From a fairly slow start because of the necessary scene setting, the pace really picks up and then it’s action all the way. Einar finds himself embroiled in the machinations of the rulers of Norway and Ireland, none of whom have any qualms about breaking alliances or turning on those to whom they pledged allegiance. Not even connections through kinship or marriage are sacred.
There are full-on action scenes in which the Wolf Coats prove just what a ferocious and seemingly invincible fighting force they are, leaving a trail of bloody remains in their wake. Einar does his share of the blood-letting too with his newly acquired skill with sword and axe, including a memorable one-on-one battle. And then it’s back to Iceland to save a life and enact revenge. ‘The game is set and we have to play to the end.’
The book is packed with detail about every aspect of life in the period, really helping to bring the story alive and a testament to the depth of the author’s research.
If you’re a fan of Viking age historical fiction where the action comes thick and fast, I can recommend this series.
June 4, 2021
I’m very surprised at the positive reviews for this book. There are many great authors, books and series in this genre, but this, so far isn’t any where near it.
The best I can say about it is that it’s a quick, cheap and somewhat entertaining read.
I have to assume this book is written for young teens as the writing style is extremely basic and the author treats the reader like an idiot with his need to explain every little thing several times over using the most basic of language.
The first 50% of the book i found to be fairly slow and is basically filled with a done to death storyline, lots of traveling around with tedious, rambling story telling. The action does pick up however and the fighting, whilst unrealistic, is actually fairly well written. The authors ability to write a fight scene, plus skimming all the corny, rambling nonsense is probably what kept me going.
The characters themselves are somewhat likable but unfortunately the dialog throughout is absolutely horrible. It’s just so cheesy and wooden, with every character talking and thinking basically the same and conversations consisting of the characters explaining every single thought and action in eye roll worthy awkward detail.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone but there’s enough cheap entertainment there that I will probably read the second with hope of drastic improvement in the writing.
The best I can say about it is that it’s a quick, cheap and somewhat entertaining read.
I have to assume this book is written for young teens as the writing style is extremely basic and the author treats the reader like an idiot with his need to explain every little thing several times over using the most basic of language.
The first 50% of the book i found to be fairly slow and is basically filled with a done to death storyline, lots of traveling around with tedious, rambling story telling. The action does pick up however and the fighting, whilst unrealistic, is actually fairly well written. The authors ability to write a fight scene, plus skimming all the corny, rambling nonsense is probably what kept me going.
The characters themselves are somewhat likable but unfortunately the dialog throughout is absolutely horrible. It’s just so cheesy and wooden, with every character talking and thinking basically the same and conversations consisting of the characters explaining every single thought and action in eye roll worthy awkward detail.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone but there’s enough cheap entertainment there that I will probably read the second with hope of drastic improvement in the writing.
April 19, 2021
Not half bad!
Took a bit for the story to kick in. When it did its not half bad. You have to know who the players are an if the game moves them on or off the board. Only the God's know. So lets see what the Gods has in store for this small group of misfits.
If you like a lot of fighting an hacking body parts in a blood rage. Will jump on in this is for you.
Took a bit for the story to kick in. When it did its not half bad. You have to know who the players are an if the game moves them on or off the board. Only the God's know. So lets see what the Gods has in store for this small group of misfits.
If you like a lot of fighting an hacking body parts in a blood rage. Will jump on in this is for you.
May 26, 2019
BLURB
AD 915.
In the Orkney Isles, a young woman flees her home to save the life of her unborn child. Eighteen years later, a witch foretells that evil from her past is reaching out again to threaten her son.
Outlawed from his home in Iceland, Einar Unnsson is thrown on the mercy of his Uncle, the infamous Jarl Thorfinn 'Skull Cleaver' of Orkney. He joins forces with a Norse-Irish princess and a company of wolfskin-clad warriors to become a player in a deadly game for control of the Irish sea, where warriors are the pawns of kings and Jarls and the powerful are themselves mere game pieces on the tafl board of the Gods.
Together they embark on a quest where Einar must fight unimaginable foes, forge new friendships, and discover what it truly means to be a warrior.
As the clouds of war gather, betrayal follows betrayal and Einar realises the only person he can really trust is himself.
Not everyone will survive, but who will conquer all in Odin's game?
REVIEW
Whenever I read or hear the name Odin, I almost inevitably am drawn back to a scene in the Tony Curtis/Kirk Douglas movie, The Vikings. Tony Curtis is tied to a pole anchored in a tide pool awaiting death by drowning, while an old woman (a volva) is praying in anguished cries, "ODIN", seeking the god's intervention. (Spoiler alert - Tony survives). In Odin's Game, the god does not directly intercede, but he plays an integral part in the lives of those who are gifted by him. Einar is one of those upon whom Odin has bestowed his gifts. Odin's Game is a wonderfully crafted tale of discovery, not only of Einar's shrouded in mystery lineage, but also finding out who he was in the eyes of men and gods, and who he was meant to be.
Any tale that wants to set the hook and reel me in has to have characters who are not only well developed, and interesting, but they also have to get me emotionally involved. The author has created a bevy of well developed, interesting characters to help, or hinder, Einar on his travels, some of who produced, in me, positive vibes, some of who I loathed from the start. The story, while in the main is Einar's search for identity, has some surprises along the way; twists and turns in the plot line giving the reader moments to pause and exclaim, "I didn't see that coming", or "I knew he was up to no good.' Odin's Game is an entertaining voyage along the Whale Road, and I for one am looking forward to more of Einar. 5 Stars
AD 915.
In the Orkney Isles, a young woman flees her home to save the life of her unborn child. Eighteen years later, a witch foretells that evil from her past is reaching out again to threaten her son.
Outlawed from his home in Iceland, Einar Unnsson is thrown on the mercy of his Uncle, the infamous Jarl Thorfinn 'Skull Cleaver' of Orkney. He joins forces with a Norse-Irish princess and a company of wolfskin-clad warriors to become a player in a deadly game for control of the Irish sea, where warriors are the pawns of kings and Jarls and the powerful are themselves mere game pieces on the tafl board of the Gods.
Together they embark on a quest where Einar must fight unimaginable foes, forge new friendships, and discover what it truly means to be a warrior.
As the clouds of war gather, betrayal follows betrayal and Einar realises the only person he can really trust is himself.
Not everyone will survive, but who will conquer all in Odin's game?
REVIEW
Whenever I read or hear the name Odin, I almost inevitably am drawn back to a scene in the Tony Curtis/Kirk Douglas movie, The Vikings. Tony Curtis is tied to a pole anchored in a tide pool awaiting death by drowning, while an old woman (a volva) is praying in anguished cries, "ODIN", seeking the god's intervention. (Spoiler alert - Tony survives). In Odin's Game, the god does not directly intercede, but he plays an integral part in the lives of those who are gifted by him. Einar is one of those upon whom Odin has bestowed his gifts. Odin's Game is a wonderfully crafted tale of discovery, not only of Einar's shrouded in mystery lineage, but also finding out who he was in the eyes of men and gods, and who he was meant to be.
Any tale that wants to set the hook and reel me in has to have characters who are not only well developed, and interesting, but they also have to get me emotionally involved. The author has created a bevy of well developed, interesting characters to help, or hinder, Einar on his travels, some of who produced, in me, positive vibes, some of who I loathed from the start. The story, while in the main is Einar's search for identity, has some surprises along the way; twists and turns in the plot line giving the reader moments to pause and exclaim, "I didn't see that coming", or "I knew he was up to no good.' Odin's Game is an entertaining voyage along the Whale Road, and I for one am looking forward to more of Einar. 5 Stars
June 9, 2019
I was immediately drawn to the first two words - Orkney 931. Finally some new historical fiction set in the 10th century, and littered with actual historical characters that were, themselves, larger than life. In the Scandinavian world, this was a period rife with political turmoil, with, at times, murderous power struggles between nations and families; it was an age of exploration and settlement as the Scandinavian world spreads out over northern Europe - to Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Kiev; it was an age where old Gods were being replaced by one God, though in some instances it was hardly a smooth and voluntary process.
This was a world I was familiar with, having read many of the Scandinavian Sagas - a must if you are looking to delve deeper into this era. The tale that Hodkinson weaves in the Skaldic tradition is a page-turner - a gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again. In fact the scene is set for more adventures.
read more here @ Melisende's Library
This was a world I was familiar with, having read many of the Scandinavian Sagas - a must if you are looking to delve deeper into this era. The tale that Hodkinson weaves in the Skaldic tradition is a page-turner - a gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again. In fact the scene is set for more adventures.
read more here @ Melisende's Library
February 16, 2021
A story that would make Odin proud! It follows Einar as he discovers the secrets of his past and embarks on a journey to become a hero as he is exiled from his homeland of Iceland.
For anyone who enjoys Norse history, and gruesome battles, this book will get you wanting more! As skulls are shatter shattered and limbs are severed in a story that makes Odin smile!
Well worth reading, and will leave you wanting more (which is perfect as there's plenty in the series!)
For anyone who enjoys Norse history, and gruesome battles, this book will get you wanting more! As skulls are shatter shattered and limbs are severed in a story that makes Odin smile!
Well worth reading, and will leave you wanting more (which is perfect as there's plenty in the series!)
September 20, 2023
I enjoyed my time reading this story, but it wasn’t as good as I expected.
The worldbuilding made Iceland and Ireland come to life. There were very good descriptions of these places. The plot was typical farm boy, who will go on to greater things. In this case Einar was also a very talented bard.
The characters took a long time to get to know and feel connected to.
Also the dialogue and choice of words and phrases were either too contemporary or awkward. I didn’t get on with the writing style.
But I enjoyed the last half more than the first half. There is potential here for the story to get better. I hope for exciting adventures will be in future books with these Wolf Coats.
The worldbuilding made Iceland and Ireland come to life. There were very good descriptions of these places. The plot was typical farm boy, who will go on to greater things. In this case Einar was also a very talented bard.
The characters took a long time to get to know and feel connected to.
Also the dialogue and choice of words and phrases were either too contemporary or awkward. I didn’t get on with the writing style.
But I enjoyed the last half more than the first half. There is potential here for the story to get better. I hope for exciting adventures will be in future books with these Wolf Coats.
June 19, 2019
This tale follows Einar whose mother fled her past many years ago. Life seems settled but after a disagreement Einar must leave his home behind or risk death! Unn, his mother, feels there is little choice but send him to the home of his uncle, known as Skull Cleaver.
Einar sets out to prove his worth but ends up in over his head, captured and held hostage..what price will his uncle pay to see him free?
The relationship between Jarl Thorfinn ‘Skull Cleaver’ and Einar is wonderful to see unfold with quite a few twists along the way..the past won’t stay buried for long.
Along the way we meet the Wolf Coats..Fierce warriors who utterly engrossed me..the dark humour they have made it such fun to read.
The plot was well planned out and paced perfectly to keep on the edge of my seat..there’s no time to be bored.. you just get sucked into this one so easily.
A word to describe this tale is deception.. nothing is what it seems…backstabbing and plotting are high on everyone’s agenda..who can you trust.
What I really enjoyed was that on the whole this is a dark and gritty tale of deceit with war brewing but you can see some moments where the author really had some fun.
Odin’s Game ticks the boxes for me, plot is fantastic and when you add in the very likeable characters you’ve got a hit!
Tim Hodkinson has written an epic tale and I can’t wait to see where this goes..that ending has me itching for more! The scene has been set.. an earth shattering saga in the making!
My thanks go to NetGalley for the ARC! Certainly a book I’ll happily buy myself on release tomorrow!
Einar sets out to prove his worth but ends up in over his head, captured and held hostage..what price will his uncle pay to see him free?
The relationship between Jarl Thorfinn ‘Skull Cleaver’ and Einar is wonderful to see unfold with quite a few twists along the way..the past won’t stay buried for long.
Along the way we meet the Wolf Coats..Fierce warriors who utterly engrossed me..the dark humour they have made it such fun to read.
The plot was well planned out and paced perfectly to keep on the edge of my seat..there’s no time to be bored.. you just get sucked into this one so easily.
A word to describe this tale is deception.. nothing is what it seems…backstabbing and plotting are high on everyone’s agenda..who can you trust.
What I really enjoyed was that on the whole this is a dark and gritty tale of deceit with war brewing but you can see some moments where the author really had some fun.
Odin’s Game ticks the boxes for me, plot is fantastic and when you add in the very likeable characters you’ve got a hit!
Tim Hodkinson has written an epic tale and I can’t wait to see where this goes..that ending has me itching for more! The scene has been set.. an earth shattering saga in the making!
My thanks go to NetGalley for the ARC! Certainly a book I’ll happily buy myself on release tomorrow!
April 15, 2020
This was such a wild ride of a book. I normally don't enjoy anything so gory (especially in the last part), but I do see how a fair amount of fighting would fit into the genre's expectations, and I do think that such an amount of violence would be an acurrate reflection of the times.
What I did enjoy immensely, and hence the five stars, was how amazingly well researched the novel was. All the details are so striking, from landscape to customs, clothing and even hair! Also, I think the author spent quite some time to consider the character's arcs and I also enjoyed the plot (and loyalties') twists.
I'm definitely buying the next one in the series.
What I did enjoy immensely, and hence the five stars, was how amazingly well researched the novel was. All the details are so striking, from landscape to customs, clothing and even hair! Also, I think the author spent quite some time to consider the character's arcs and I also enjoyed the plot (and loyalties') twists.
I'm definitely buying the next one in the series.
July 30, 2021
Quick and easy to read. Some of it didn't work very well- some historical inaccuracy. Not tempted to buy the next one but if it comes on offer I would read book #2
December 10, 2020
A good read
November 21, 2024
Ok vikingaroman. Märkligt att dessa nästan alltid skrivs av engelsmän.
August 1, 2024
Good story telling.
June 26, 2020
A beautiful battle story
I chose this rating be cuz you earn it, and I would be telling my friends and family what a great book this was, as far as survivor's change any of this book, I would not, I enjoy all of the different people of how u describe all of the different places made u feel like you were at these places
I chose this rating be cuz you earn it, and I would be telling my friends and family what a great book this was, as far as survivor's change any of this book, I would not, I enjoy all of the different people of how u describe all of the different places made u feel like you were at these places
June 20, 2019
Odin's Game by Tim Hodkinson begins with great promise. I hope, mirroring the writing style of the sagas, the story is simply told, occasionally a little monotonous, and yet, it's Viking Age Iceland - the promise is there, all the time, expectant that finally there is a novel about the Icelandic way of life.
Unfortunately, the novel moves away from Iceland quite quickly, and in doing so, becomes a more challenging read. The characters are two dimensional, there is some jarringly 'modern' dialogue in there, as well as some that is stilted, and yet all mixed with what must be a great deal of research and commitment to telling a story in a 'different way' to much that is written about the Viking Age - journeying to Orkney and Ireland along the way, if as so often happens, staying with the Pagan/Christian storyline.
Einar, the main character, is never fully formed enough to elicit a great deal of sympathy from the reader, and his 'talents' appearing from nowhere (apart from his ability to tell a good story which he has been trained to do) are supposed to be gifts from Odin, but are, again, not fully explored enough to make the novel feel 'well-rounded and finished.'
There is a huge amount of promise contained in this novel, but it slips away, never quite grasping the storyline firmly enough, and the ending is both rushed, and ultimately, unfulfilling. A true shame. Such an engaging idea, but a struggle to read. In the end, I willed myself to the end in the hope the ending would be as good as the beginning, only to be disappointed. The three stars are for the promise of what could be a great novel.
I received a free EARC from Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.
Unfortunately, the novel moves away from Iceland quite quickly, and in doing so, becomes a more challenging read. The characters are two dimensional, there is some jarringly 'modern' dialogue in there, as well as some that is stilted, and yet all mixed with what must be a great deal of research and commitment to telling a story in a 'different way' to much that is written about the Viking Age - journeying to Orkney and Ireland along the way, if as so often happens, staying with the Pagan/Christian storyline.
Einar, the main character, is never fully formed enough to elicit a great deal of sympathy from the reader, and his 'talents' appearing from nowhere (apart from his ability to tell a good story which he has been trained to do) are supposed to be gifts from Odin, but are, again, not fully explored enough to make the novel feel 'well-rounded and finished.'
There is a huge amount of promise contained in this novel, but it slips away, never quite grasping the storyline firmly enough, and the ending is both rushed, and ultimately, unfulfilling. A true shame. Such an engaging idea, but a struggle to read. In the end, I willed myself to the end in the hope the ending would be as good as the beginning, only to be disappointed. The three stars are for the promise of what could be a great novel.
I received a free EARC from Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.
October 29, 2020
Good read
Well written, action packed novel with just the right amount of everything. Taking place in a time where Vikings started to settle it has an interesting angle highlighting how belief systems affected the actions of the people.
Well written, action packed novel with just the right amount of everything. Taking place in a time where Vikings started to settle it has an interesting angle highlighting how belief systems affected the actions of the people.
September 4, 2020
Great historical fiction
A great fan of historical and I really enjoyed this book. Glad I bought the second book. Living in Scotland and being northern irish, I could feel as if I was there, watching everything that was being described.
Well worth a read.
A great fan of historical and I really enjoyed this book. Glad I bought the second book. Living in Scotland and being northern irish, I could feel as if I was there, watching everything that was being described.
Well worth a read.
July 17, 2020
3.5*. A quick and easy read. Although it felt like I was being given a History lesson (Inane, Medieval, Northern Pirates 101) it was a pretty decent read.
October 4, 2024
Really disliked this book.
Just wasn't for me.
Just wasn't for me.
May 30, 2021
Give Odin his due but never your trust. Odin plays his own games and if it suits him, just like any king or jarl, he will reward your loyalty to him with treachery.
Einar Unnsson never knew who his father was, his mother refused to talk of him and the events that led to her fleeing to Iceland. When Einar is outlawed from the only home he has ever known his mother sends him in the direction of his secret uncle, an infamous Jarl who may be able to offer him a new life.
I found Odin’s Game a little hard to get into but once I found my footing I was hooked. Tim Hodkinson did such a good job with making me feel something toward almost every character in the book. For me, I knew by about 75% of the way through that this a series I want to read until the end, although I have a horrible feeling I’m going to get Game of Thrones flashbacks if any of my favourite characters end up dying which, in a story as violent as this one, is likely.
The plot seemed to have constant twists and turns which kept me engrossed and needing to know more. Over the few nights it took me to read this, almost every night I ended up reading 3-4 more chapters than planned because I just needed to know what would happen next. Hodkinson has written a brilliant historical tale with all the things I hoped for – including a brilliant strong female who isn’t just stood around looking pretty! I’ve always found mythology to be interesting but have never really read up much on Norse mythology so learning bits and pieces about Odin that I didn’t know was also enjoyable for me.
All in all, Odin’s Game is a fairly quick read that, once the action kicks off, is a very enjoyable story full of violence and betrayal. I can’t wait to see where the series takes Einar as I’m sure there will be plenty more action ahead.
Einar Unnsson never knew who his father was, his mother refused to talk of him and the events that led to her fleeing to Iceland. When Einar is outlawed from the only home he has ever known his mother sends him in the direction of his secret uncle, an infamous Jarl who may be able to offer him a new life.
I found Odin’s Game a little hard to get into but once I found my footing I was hooked. Tim Hodkinson did such a good job with making me feel something toward almost every character in the book. For me, I knew by about 75% of the way through that this a series I want to read until the end, although I have a horrible feeling I’m going to get Game of Thrones flashbacks if any of my favourite characters end up dying which, in a story as violent as this one, is likely.
The plot seemed to have constant twists and turns which kept me engrossed and needing to know more. Over the few nights it took me to read this, almost every night I ended up reading 3-4 more chapters than planned because I just needed to know what would happen next. Hodkinson has written a brilliant historical tale with all the things I hoped for – including a brilliant strong female who isn’t just stood around looking pretty! I’ve always found mythology to be interesting but have never really read up much on Norse mythology so learning bits and pieces about Odin that I didn’t know was also enjoyable for me.
All in all, Odin’s Game is a fairly quick read that, once the action kicks off, is a very enjoyable story full of violence and betrayal. I can’t wait to see where the series takes Einar as I’m sure there will be plenty more action ahead.
November 2, 2024
A historical fiction about Vikings and the kingdoms in medieval Ireland. In the midst of all the action is Einar, a young man banned as an outlaw after a youth brawl from his home in Iceland. He find a place in the service of the Jarl of Orkney and sent on a mission to Ireland. But deceit is only the beginning of the game...
A book that started a bit slow and uncertain, a bit like our hero Einar that could best be described as clumsy and naive. It was actually a bit hard to find characters to like and sympathize with. But stay with it and both story and characters and will grow. It turns out to be a good historical fantasy adventure, not unlike your typical quest-story. It is a bit unbalanced though, sometimes more of an epic adventure, sometimes action with (a bit too much) blood and gore. There are some thematic similarities with Game Of Thrones.
But in the end, which clearly is just the end of the first book of many, I wanted to continue with Einar on his adventure. And isn't that what matters most...
A book that started a bit slow and uncertain, a bit like our hero Einar that could best be described as clumsy and naive. It was actually a bit hard to find characters to like and sympathize with. But stay with it and both story and characters and will grow. It turns out to be a good historical fantasy adventure, not unlike your typical quest-story. It is a bit unbalanced though, sometimes more of an epic adventure, sometimes action with (a bit too much) blood and gore. There are some thematic similarities with Game Of Thrones.
But in the end, which clearly is just the end of the first book of many, I wanted to continue with Einar on his adventure. And isn't that what matters most...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
Gripping read. Brought me back to reading habit after some years.
How an untrained farm boy can survive some fights against hardened warriors is not quite believable. But hey, no one wants the top characters to die.
Some interesting historical facts in the story.
• Dublin means Blackpool
• Dublin was founded by Vikings
• Dublin was very wealthy because it was the biggest slave trading centre in this part of the world (Europe(?))
• The main source of slaves were Celts. Even Irish tribes captured each other and sold them off, and were bought by traders coming from all over (Europe(?))
• Iceland was founded as a republic
• The story is based in 10th century, this is the time when English started " to call themselves Englishmen, though they’re really just the offspring of Danes, Angles, Saxons and Welshmen."
How an untrained farm boy can survive some fights against hardened warriors is not quite believable. But hey, no one wants the top characters to die.
Some interesting historical facts in the story.
• Dublin means Blackpool
• Dublin was founded by Vikings
• Dublin was very wealthy because it was the biggest slave trading centre in this part of the world (Europe(?))
• The main source of slaves were Celts. Even Irish tribes captured each other and sold them off, and were bought by traders coming from all over (Europe(?))
• Iceland was founded as a republic
• The story is based in 10th century, this is the time when English started " to call themselves Englishmen, though they’re really just the offspring of Danes, Angles, Saxons and Welshmen."
January 27, 2021
A Viking take of Houdini Houdinisson
If there's one thing I really dislike in a story it's repeated miraculous escapes , and this series is full of them. By the end you really do have to wonder if Einar half expects to wake up each morning with a lump on the head and wearing shackle accessories.
These are not bad books, but they do contain really frustrating flaws. Aside from the aforementioned, there does appear to be some continuity issues with the main characters, esp Einar who seems to change from one book to the next. Never heard of a part-time beserker before but it might be a thing.
Anyway after the 47th capture and "it all went dark" I'm out. I'll try and finish the Wolf Hunt some other time.
If there's one thing I really dislike in a story it's repeated miraculous escapes , and this series is full of them. By the end you really do have to wonder if Einar half expects to wake up each morning with a lump on the head and wearing shackle accessories.
These are not bad books, but they do contain really frustrating flaws. Aside from the aforementioned, there does appear to be some continuity issues with the main characters, esp Einar who seems to change from one book to the next. Never heard of a part-time beserker before but it might be a thing.
Anyway after the 47th capture and "it all went dark" I'm out. I'll try and finish the Wolf Hunt some other time.
April 30, 2021
Completely and utterly recommended.
This is a very well written and researched book full of excellent characters totally engaging from start to finish. A Viking coming of age tale atmospheric authentic with a real feel and sense of time and place. All of us who enjoy this genre, look forward to some gruesome violence of sword and axe of a shield wall, and this book does not disappoint. Whilst initially a slow start action wise, the story maintains your interest throughout, and makes up for it towards the end.
Totally gripping I look forward to further adventures of this merry band, right up there with Bernard Cornwell's 'Uhtred ' Giles Kristian's 'Raven' series and Robert Low's 'Oathsworn '
Totally and utterly recommended.
This is a very well written and researched book full of excellent characters totally engaging from start to finish. A Viking coming of age tale atmospheric authentic with a real feel and sense of time and place. All of us who enjoy this genre, look forward to some gruesome violence of sword and axe of a shield wall, and this book does not disappoint. Whilst initially a slow start action wise, the story maintains your interest throughout, and makes up for it towards the end.
Totally gripping I look forward to further adventures of this merry band, right up there with Bernard Cornwell's 'Uhtred ' Giles Kristian's 'Raven' series and Robert Low's 'Oathsworn '
Totally and utterly recommended.
December 13, 2023
Chapters 1-8: 3 Stars
Chapters 9-60: 4.5 Stars
Enough of the book was 4.5+ that I'm opting to round up my rating to a full 5.
Odin's Game is an easily digestible action romp that has me reaching for the next one in the series. If you're opposed to genre cliches and tropes this might not be for you, but if you're the type of person who gets a big smile when your heroes (and vilians and anti-heroes) do exactly what they're supposed to do, then this is the book for you.
The first 8 chapters (which are mercifully short), however, really struggled to keep my interest. Thankfully, once our protagonist answers the call to action and leaves home, the book really takes off.
All in all, this is some great brain candy.
Chapters 9-60: 4.5 Stars
Enough of the book was 4.5+ that I'm opting to round up my rating to a full 5.
Odin's Game is an easily digestible action romp that has me reaching for the next one in the series. If you're opposed to genre cliches and tropes this might not be for you, but if you're the type of person who gets a big smile when your heroes (and vilians and anti-heroes) do exactly what they're supposed to do, then this is the book for you.
The first 8 chapters (which are mercifully short), however, really struggled to keep my interest. Thankfully, once our protagonist answers the call to action and leaves home, the book really takes off.
All in all, this is some great brain candy.
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