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Runespear
The Nazis are beginning their diabolical plans for conquest. And three prisoners of the Reich will be forced to help them. They've been commandeered for an expedition to the frozen heart of Greenland - to recover Odin's Spear!
- GenresFantasy
278 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1987
42 people want to read
About the author
Victor Milán
77 books290 followersVictor Woodward Milán was an American writer known for libertarian science fiction and an interest in cybernetics. In 1986 he won the Prometheus Award for Cybernetic Samurai. He has also written several shared universe works for the Forgotten Realms, Star Trek, and Wild Cards Universes. He has also written books under the pseudonyms Keith Jarrod, Richard Austin (Jove Books The Guardians series), Robert Baron (Jove Books Stormrider series), and S. L. Hunter (Steele series with Simon Hawke, who used the pen name J. D. Masters). He also wrote at least 9 novels under the "house name" of James Axler for the Harlequin Press/Gold Eagle Books Deathlands series & Outlanders series.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 8, 2020
“Creatures of the far north, creatures from Nordic mythology become real, these were the terrible guardians of Odin’s spear – the weapon destined to fight the last battle on Earth. The weapon needed now to spearhead Nazi victory. The expedition, sent from Berlin, SS-guarded and armed, stared death in the face. And all the while the ravens, the eyes of the Old Gods, circled high above, watching, watching…”
Published in 1987, Victor Milan’s and Melinda Snodgrass’s 1936-set adventure promises a supernatural yarn in the Indiana Jones tradition: Nazis and a treasure hunt for a mystical, holy artefact in an unforgiving landscape. Fuelling this are the trio of heroes: the improbably named Melbourne Shrewsbury, the Oxford academic specialising in Nordic mythology; Billie Forsyth, the independent and free-spirited American journalist; and Rafe Springer, an adventurer with mixed heritage and a chequered career.
One of the appeals of this book is the build-up in Nazi Berlin – it’s also, arguably, one of the biggest flaws. In a 280 page book, the expedition doesn’t arrive in Greenland until page 167, and this may be off-putting for readers expecting a full-on arctic adventure. Still, there’s much to enjoy in the Berlin sequences. The research is impeccable, with much detail of everyday German life within the corrupt regime to satisfy the historian in me. We spend a long time with Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler, getting too close for comfort at times, especially when our main characters discuss the rights and wrongs of the National Socialist regime. More name-dropping comes with the revelation that Shrewsbury is a member of Oxford literary group the Inklings, and we read a letter from his old friend Tolkien, giving news of the possible acceptance of The Hobbit. A nice, knowing touch, or a cheesy shoe-horn? Given Tolkien’s fascination with Nordic mythology and its undeniable influence on his works, I’m inclined to the former.
As fun as all this is, you’re aware the pages are slipping by and the expedition has not yet set off. The romantic subplot with Billie and Shrewsbury becomes irritating very quickly. Intrigue with a sinister rival group determined to scupper the expedition leads to shoot-outs and chases, but comes a bit too late and is resolved a little too cleanly for my liking.
So, the board is cleared for the Greenland section. A lot happens in these 110 pages, and again the details are satisfyingly rich: the arctic dangers are beautifully and thrillingly described, and any stereotypical impressions of Eskimo life are blown out the water very quickly.
When their destination comes into view, the supernatural takes centre stage – as hinted by the UK edition’s back-cover copy. Magically-aided protection from an ice storm – as well as physical aid given to Rafe Springer by a mysterious sailor on the ship voyage to Greenland – hint that the expedition has friends in very high places, and when the battle with Gungnir’s guardians is resolved, a certain character from Nordic mythology makes an appearance. This for me was the weakest aspect of the book. Odin’s conversation with the three ties up all the loose ends and there’s no sense of awe or fear that meeting with a god would entail – especially when Billie Forsyth gives him a mouthful. Still, the resolution of the spear’s ownership and what Himmler will receive is fun.
Flawed and uneven, with some irritating turns from the main characters, this is still a hugely entertaining supernatural adventure. Not quite the Indiana Jones pastiche some may hope for (I’d recommend Max McCoy’s 1997 Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth if you’re disappointed by Runespear) but there’s much to enjoy here. I just wish our characters had understood the significance of the two ravens they first observed in Berlin on the very first page. Tolkien would’ve torn strips off Melbourne Shrewsbury for missing that.
Published in 1987, Victor Milan’s and Melinda Snodgrass’s 1936-set adventure promises a supernatural yarn in the Indiana Jones tradition: Nazis and a treasure hunt for a mystical, holy artefact in an unforgiving landscape. Fuelling this are the trio of heroes: the improbably named Melbourne Shrewsbury, the Oxford academic specialising in Nordic mythology; Billie Forsyth, the independent and free-spirited American journalist; and Rafe Springer, an adventurer with mixed heritage and a chequered career.
One of the appeals of this book is the build-up in Nazi Berlin – it’s also, arguably, one of the biggest flaws. In a 280 page book, the expedition doesn’t arrive in Greenland until page 167, and this may be off-putting for readers expecting a full-on arctic adventure. Still, there’s much to enjoy in the Berlin sequences. The research is impeccable, with much detail of everyday German life within the corrupt regime to satisfy the historian in me. We spend a long time with Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler, getting too close for comfort at times, especially when our main characters discuss the rights and wrongs of the National Socialist regime. More name-dropping comes with the revelation that Shrewsbury is a member of Oxford literary group the Inklings, and we read a letter from his old friend Tolkien, giving news of the possible acceptance of The Hobbit. A nice, knowing touch, or a cheesy shoe-horn? Given Tolkien’s fascination with Nordic mythology and its undeniable influence on his works, I’m inclined to the former.
As fun as all this is, you’re aware the pages are slipping by and the expedition has not yet set off. The romantic subplot with Billie and Shrewsbury becomes irritating very quickly. Intrigue with a sinister rival group determined to scupper the expedition leads to shoot-outs and chases, but comes a bit too late and is resolved a little too cleanly for my liking.
So, the board is cleared for the Greenland section. A lot happens in these 110 pages, and again the details are satisfyingly rich: the arctic dangers are beautifully and thrillingly described, and any stereotypical impressions of Eskimo life are blown out the water very quickly.
When their destination comes into view, the supernatural takes centre stage – as hinted by the UK edition’s back-cover copy. Magically-aided protection from an ice storm – as well as physical aid given to Rafe Springer by a mysterious sailor on the ship voyage to Greenland – hint that the expedition has friends in very high places, and when the battle with Gungnir’s guardians is resolved, a certain character from Nordic mythology makes an appearance. This for me was the weakest aspect of the book. Odin’s conversation with the three ties up all the loose ends and there’s no sense of awe or fear that meeting with a god would entail – especially when Billie Forsyth gives him a mouthful. Still, the resolution of the spear’s ownership and what Himmler will receive is fun.
Flawed and uneven, with some irritating turns from the main characters, this is still a hugely entertaining supernatural adventure. Not quite the Indiana Jones pastiche some may hope for (I’d recommend Max McCoy’s 1997 Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth if you’re disappointed by Runespear) but there’s much to enjoy here. I just wish our characters had understood the significance of the two ravens they first observed in Berlin on the very first page. Tolkien would’ve torn strips off Melbourne Shrewsbury for missing that.
January 18, 2026
I wanted to like this. It had everything I like.
A 1936 adventure team of a professor (Shrewsbury), a swashbuckling explorer (Rafe) and a pain-in-the-ass beautiful journalist (Billi) put together by a powerful and influential government (the Nazis) to find a holy relic (Odin's spear) that provides fantastical abilities to aide the wielder in ruling the world. Sound familiar Indiana Jones, Rick O'Connell? And it took forever to get the group to icy Greenland (most of the book). Way too much time in developing characters that are largely unlikeable. Billi was incredibly annoying. Wouldn't the Nazis have been better villains throughout??
A 1936 adventure team of a professor (Shrewsbury), a swashbuckling explorer (Rafe) and a pain-in-the-ass beautiful journalist (Billi) put together by a powerful and influential government (the Nazis) to find a holy relic (Odin's spear) that provides fantastical abilities to aide the wielder in ruling the world. Sound familiar Indiana Jones, Rick O'Connell? And it took forever to get the group to icy Greenland (most of the book). Way too much time in developing characters that are largely unlikeable. Billi was incredibly annoying. Wouldn't the Nazis have been better villains throughout??
January 23, 2019
Fantastic adventure for the winter in the Indiana Jones mold.
December 2, 2016
Good writing!
July 15, 2016
Runespear
Milán, Victor & Melinda Snodgrass
Professor Melbourne Shrewsbury, leading theorist, and historian of Viking literature, and culture, thought he would have a reunion with one of his favorite students, only to be drawn into the adventure of his life. Rafe Springer thought meeting his professor in the bows of a Berlin coffee house would be a moment to reconnect, but things changed when Billi Forsyth, walked in the room, but not in any way he expected. Billi was not to blame but the adventure of a life time awaited the three intrepid adventures as they go for a legendary adventure tracing the footsteps of Viking explorers who claim to have found a treasure trove of goods including a weapon that will always hit its mark, unfortunately for our three explorers they are sent on this mission for a country they don't belong to and do not wholly support. Would they give this ultimate weapon to the German Gestapo who forces them on the mission? Or does finding the treasure out weight the cost of its discovery? This is above all and beyond an adventure of exciting situations, espionage, and discovery. The characters are personable and as you read the through the situation your desire for successes is rivaled by your desire for failure. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, and anticipation keeps your breath baited.
Milán, Victor & Melinda Snodgrass
Professor Melbourne Shrewsbury, leading theorist, and historian of Viking literature, and culture, thought he would have a reunion with one of his favorite students, only to be drawn into the adventure of his life. Rafe Springer thought meeting his professor in the bows of a Berlin coffee house would be a moment to reconnect, but things changed when Billi Forsyth, walked in the room, but not in any way he expected. Billi was not to blame but the adventure of a life time awaited the three intrepid adventures as they go for a legendary adventure tracing the footsteps of Viking explorers who claim to have found a treasure trove of goods including a weapon that will always hit its mark, unfortunately for our three explorers they are sent on this mission for a country they don't belong to and do not wholly support. Would they give this ultimate weapon to the German Gestapo who forces them on the mission? Or does finding the treasure out weight the cost of its discovery? This is above all and beyond an adventure of exciting situations, espionage, and discovery. The characters are personable and as you read the through the situation your desire for successes is rivaled by your desire for failure. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, and anticipation keeps your breath baited.
December 31, 2011
I liked this book. The tone & style of the writing was enjoyable, and the characters & plot were intriguing. The ending seemed a little off, mainly with how certain characters were portrayed. I also tend to enjoy stories where Nazis are searching for ancient occult artifacts -- probably the result of being raised on Indiana Jones films. Overall though, I would recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews