Attila's Treasure

by Stephan Grundy

In Rhinegold, Stephan Grundy brought to life the myths that inspired Wagner's Ring Cyle -- a tale of proud Viking ships, dazzling Valkyries, and roistering mead halls. Now he returns with a breathtaking new novel combining myth and history, magic and adventure...Attila's Treasure.

From out of the icy steppes they came, the fiercest and most feared warriors the world had ever known. At their head was the wily and ferocious Attila of the Huns, and behind him lay a trail of pillage and carnage. To forge peace with the mighty Attila, a young Burgundian prince is sent as a foster son to the merciless warlord. Here young Hagan learns the fighting arts of the Huns as he develops an uneasy relationship with his unpredictable new foster father.

But it is during his first battle that Hagan learns the most important -- and most dangerous -- lesson of all. A gasp away from death, he discovers the pathway to the otherworld -- a knowledge he must guard carefully, for it makes him a dangerous adversary of Attila himself.

Bold, lyrical, replete with the timeless themes of war, brotherhood, sacrifice, and romance, Attila's Treasure is an unforgettable novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, German Literature

549 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Dr. Stephan Grundy (born 1967 in New York, U.S.) is an American author. Being versed in particularly the Germanic mythology and cultural history, Grundy is known best for his modern adaptations of legendary sagas. Some of his work is published under the pseudonym Kveldulf Gundarsson.

Reviews

[Col · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very silly. It is clearly the product of a wide-eyed kid who had way too much fun in his Introduction to Early Germanic Literature class and had a brain explosion moment figuring out that the Hungarion táltos has some connection with Central Asian shamanism and then went to the library to go apeshit over this idea. It is not written very well with all those friths and siths, and the ending is incredibly rushed, and it contains an early iteration of that annoying Pagan Strongk Christian Weagk dynamic that pop culture suffers with even today...

but it's fun, and it's inoffensive, and Grundy is so obviously deeply in love with this world and the little dramas he can extract from Atlakviða and the Nibelungenlied, and it has an...interesting address of the No Homo problem that so infested Books for Boys in the 90s (Hagan is deeply in brotherly love and has no problem being made fun of for it because, well, he loves his bros). It's a fun little romp and I for some reason couldn't put it down.

[Juan Gallardo Ivanovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on Hagan living with Attila
Young Hagan is sent to live with Attila as peace bonder between the burgundians and the Huns. He doesn't know that we will meet an also young Waldhari, while they both will gain reknown and honor on Attila's band. Hagan will learn the ways of the shaman and be pivotal on some Attila's decisions.
But things will start to turn and problems will take the form of a woman, who will be bethroted to Attila. That will send thing in motion and reveal tragedies and brotherhood for all.

This story is set meanwhile Hagan was with Attila in Rhinegold and has an interesting take on the Duel between the Gebicunds and Waldhari, so if you have read Rhinegold you must read this one as well, bexause there is a re interpretation on that scene.

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hardly could put this book down. The story of Hagan, Hildegard, Attila, etc., is told so well in this version of the old Germanic Saga. He especially brought to life the multi-faceted and often misunderstood person of Hagan. Very well done.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would suggest reading Rhinegold prior to starting this book. It made a big difference to understanding the story, particularly the end.
I enjoyed the historical aspects of this story and actually was quite interested in Hagan. I am not in anyway familiar with the characters or the era it is set in and found both to be quite fascinating.
It was well written, if a little to detail oriented for my taste. Worth the read.

[Kathee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historically interesting to learn about the Huns and their interaction with various tribes in Europe, but I wanted to feel more invested in the characters. Perhaps reading Rhinegold first would have given more context and helped with that.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mine has a different cover.