Black Monastery

by William Stacey

The Viking north clashes with the supernatural east in an epic historical fantasy tale of heroism and redemption.

Banned from his homeland, Viking warband leader Asgrim Wood-Nose has been declared outlaw. Unless he can raise a princely blood debt, he will never see his beloved Denmark again. When a Saracen merchant brags of a great treasure hidden on the Frankish island of Noirmoutier—home to the Black Monastery—Asgrim believes fate is offering him a chance to go home again. But an ancient evil has escaped the Black Monastery, an eastern demon that wears the skins of its victims. Hunted by this monstrous foe and tormented by the ghosts of those he has slain, Asgrim’s only ally becomes another lonely soul, a Frankish woman abandoned by her people under suspicion of witchcraft.

Beware the foe behind the strange threshold.

Voted 'Outstanding in Genre' by Red Adept Select.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fantasy

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

A former soldier, William Stacey served his country for more than thirty years, including multiple combat tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. William loves exercise and all things martial and is a black belt in karate.

Reviews

[Chris Berko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful novel exceeded my expectations in every way, and who knew twenty pagers devoted to the building of a boat could be so entertaining? The characters are nicely done and I was so interested in what was going on with them I would forget it was a horror novel and then that's when something scary would drop. There were Braveheart-like scenes with large scale fighting and warfare but also smaller scare frightening stuff like tombs and the Black Monastery itself. I'm really glad I read this, I had bought it for my Kindle a long time ago and sort of let it sit there, one more on the tbr pile. Highly recommended, fast paced, and worth the price of admission.

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacey combines Vikings with the supernaturals in an unmistakably unique way. I enjoyed the mixing and meeting of cultures, mythologies, and religions. Stacey has lots of intricate world building that adds to the story rather than slowing down the plot to go on a long narrative. I appreciated the little bits of history and realism that were also scattered throughout. I found the process of building the longship very fascinating.

There is a sense of foreboding throughout that really kept me on my toes. The sense of darkness gave me chills at times. It was remarkably well done. Stacey’s well written, intimately crafted tale made me think and definitely had me coming back for more.

| quite enjoyed the characters in this novel as well. The fact that their ultimate role in the novel wasn’t immediately apparent was a treat. I enjoyed getting to know them and finding out where they belonged in the tale. I also enjoyed how each stayed true to their beliefs, rather than being swayed by those around them.

This was a bit of a dense read, but it’s definitely one that I’ll never forget. Stacey brought this entire world to life in a big and unforgettable way.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What man could change his fate?


William Shakespeare once said: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
Well, in Black Monastery , William Stacey took it one step further, as he showed us that, not only can a man decide his own destiny, but he can also turn the tables to his favor, even when it seems "fated" that he fails to do so.

Asgrim Wood-Nose, a Viking war band leader with a hideous face - thanks to a past duel - has killed the wrong person. In order to be able to return home, he has to pay a rather high wergild. Saracens tell him of a treasure in silver being kept at a Frankish monastery, so he sails to the island on which said monastery is located, ready to plunder and be done with it. But something dark and sinister that was kept captive there has been freed - a demon that "wears" its human victims like shirts. It's looking for a new vessel - and Asgrim is just the man it needs. Will the Viking Captain escape what seems to be his fate? Together with Alda, a Frankish woman declared witch by her people, he strives to survive, defeat the evil pursuing him - and avenge the deaths it caused.

I admit I was a bit sceptical when I first started reading this book. It started in an explosive manner, and got me hooked, then it somehow slowed down and got into so many details, I feared I was tricked by the cover and the blurb into believing it would be good. Turns out, Mr. Stacey is quite the tricky writer! He gets a reader hooked, then lulls them into a false sense of slow pace and security - a lethargic state, if you will. And, just when your head starts to fall forward, and you feel that familiar drowsiness that comes with boredom, he violently shakes you awake, shoves your face as close to the text as possible, and leaves it there! And do you pull your head back once it's free to do so? No, sir, not at all! Because at that point, you're busy trying to keep up with Asgrim, who turned out to be a delightful main hero! (and who I dare say deserves a spot in GR's list for misshapen heroes in romance!)
You're right there, by his side or hiding behind his broad back, and really, it's not like you can help it! Not only because you need to see for yourself whether things will finally look up for him, but also because the story itself tosses you in the middle of the most dangerous, scary, and intriguing adventure, where you must keep reading in order to take a breath. Stacey's writing is so good, he manages to cause a reader all sorts of emotional outbursts - and believe you me, there are a lot of those, and of any kind, in this story.

Apart from the careful world building, the main characters were quite something, too. Each of them broken in their own way, yet they manage to mend each other's "scars" in the most beautiful of ways. The romance was fitting, believable, and never took the storytelling off the main plotline. It came naturally, and was every bit HOT and yet ADORABLE! I never thought I would see the day where I would suggest to female authors to take a look and study the way a man has developed a love story. Balanced in all its aspects, with a hero and a heroine that are far from perfect as individuals, but manage to reach complete perfection when together. A love story that survives despite the boundaries of different languages, races and religious beliefs - it only goes to show that Mr. Stacey wrote what is really important to make it work, and that's what is inside!

So, still wonder what man could change his fate?

He could.

***I was given a review copy from a LibraryThing Member Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

[Penny Minding Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can remember as a kid watching scary TV shows through the cracks between my fingers as I covered my eyes. Too scared to keep watching, but too interested to turn away! Reading Black Monastery by William Stacey was a lot like watching those scary shows as a kid. The book disturbed me, yet I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.

Asgrim is the hero of our tale. Disfigured in a duel and unable to return home until a debt is paid, he and his crew set sail with their sites set on an island that Saracens tell him is full of great treasure! Asgrim and his crew are ready to plunder the monastery and steal it’s treasures, but they weren’t prepared for the what they found. What the Saracens didn’t tell him, is that a dangerous demon with the ability to wear humans like cloak has been set free.

Asgrim not only battles with the demons on the outside, but he also wrestles with his own internal demons. With the help of Alda, woman who has been declared a witch by her community, will Asgrim find the power within himself to overcome the demons, inside and out?

Black Monastery by William Stacey is a gritty, extremely well written novel. It certainly won’t appeal to everyone. Mr. Stacey uses vivid imagery and creates a world full of the paranormal, death and he even includes a little romance. I put the book down on more than one occasion because of how it made me feel, but I kept picking it up again, I absolutely had to know how it turned out in the end. It certainly isn’t a bedtime story by any means. If you are looking for a great Viking Adventure Black Monastery is the book for you, but be aware it can be quite disturbing…


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this ebook from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review.

[The Lazy Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. DNF at 35%.I'm usually helpless to historical horror, where poor people from periods across history get terrorized by ancient, unmentionable evil entities in the name of science. Uptight, Victorian gentleman are usually the crowd favorites, but this time it was vikings. The writing's good enough I suppose, but it reads like fan fiction. Bland, blueprint stuff.
Was still willing to plod through for some good ol' creative murder but the sudden appearance of gang rape was my limit. Bye.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your books intense, exciting, and full of graphic detail; then this is the book for you.

Asgrim. A young man without a nose. Trying to defend those who were weaker than himself, he picked a fight with the wrong man, and now he must live with the consequences, now he is permanently disfigured.
He is told by his father to harden his heart, as he is a Danish raider, and that is his role and his life.

Asgrim and his brother Bjorn, take their crew of vikings and go to sea to raid and plunder for profit to help pay back a serious life debt Asgrim owes for killing a noblemans son. Acting on some gossip that came from a Saracen; which stated that at the Black Monastery there was treasure; Asgrim and Bjorn set off in search of it in the hope that it will be enough to pay what Asgrim owes.
However, this turns out to be a bad decision, which turns a promising viking raid into a terrifying progression into seeming madness. They find the place they seek but things go horribly wrong from the moment they get off the ship. The dead lay everywhere. Even the hardened men of Asgrim's crew are shocked by the carnage they discover. Soon they feel the presence of something terrifying that has them afraid for their lives. An ancient evil lurks in the shadows. Watching and waiting for its next victim.

I won't say any more about the plot or it will spoil the suspense but once you get into this story, it's hard to put the book down. I was a little surprised by the graphic descriptions of the deaths of some of the characters. Gruesome and vivid I think describes them best. Possibly they were a touch overdone.

Having said that, the story is riveting. I stayed up all night reading it! The characters were really easy to become involved with. I found myself feeling their anxieties and fears.

The plot is very well put together and gallops along at a rate of knots but that really works. Nothing feels rushed about it.

I love the whole idea of vikings going on a raid and finding more than they bargained for. The story has a real raw power to it. Possibly because it is described so graphically.

I honestly believe that this book, and its characters, will stay with me long after I have finished reading it.

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent dark fantasy/dark historical fiction. There is a rare blend of horror and Viking lore mixed with modern-day derogatory vernacular. The modern-day cussing did detract a little from the story and is the only reason I am rating it 4 stars. The storyline is intact, the theme is constant, and there is decent character development. There are several two-dimensional characters, but the main character grows through the story, as well as some of his ghostly encounter personalities. The author uses a mix of telling and showing his audience what his protagonist is going through. This is a solid story, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good hack-and-slash novel, complete with supernatural overtones. Lessons learned from this novel:

1. No matter how impossible situations in life seem, there is always a way through them.
2. Sometimes the best way through a situation is to accept that you may not live to see the end of it, but you should try regardless of your perceived outcome. The end of the ordeal may be surprising.
3. We carry elements of our relatives, friends, and acquaintances in ourselves and may draw upon them as needed throughout our lives.
4. Life is worth living long enough to see the ending.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could put this book into a nutshell it would be Vikings vs. Supernatural. However, to put it that way does not do the book justice. There is a lot more under the surface that makes this a really good read. The story is full of tense moments, moments where you want to tell the characters “Stop” or “Get out”. There is quite a bit of killing, some of which is graphic. The pacing of the story is such that it seems to fly by without having a sense of it being rushed. Overall a really good book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asgrim has left his Viking village with a huge "tax" on his head for the murder of his chieftain's son. Unless he can pay it, he and his crew will not be allowed to return. After hearing talk from some merchants, Asgrim attacks a monastery that he was told had a huge amount of gold inside. What he discovers is something else entirely.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some gore, some sex, some supernatural. This was a pretty good read that I almost wanted to be a series. If killing characters is a turn off, find something else.

[HiddenThousand]

Reading this was so much like watching a film or a series that I didn't really mind occasional issues with style.

[Lian · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good if you like vikings and the supernatural

[lqmzjjx · Rating 2 out of 5]

《黑色修道院》 类似中国古代志怪小说之类的。本来以为是吸血鬼，然而不是。

[M.G. Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book that has come to me through theindieview.com. I accepted willingly due to my interest and study of the early medieval period. It is a historical fantasy blending Viking and Eastern myth, telling the tale of a mysterious treasure located in the titular Black Monastery. However, the monks there have unleashed some ancient evils in the form of demons and ghosts.

OK, I need to get this off of my chest first. Some readers have commended the author for his research and this is good, mostly. Clearly the writer has an interest in the period – at least from the material point of view – however as an archaeologist who spent a couple of years studying the Vikings at undergraduate level, I was left with a few niggles.

For starters, the characters are supposed to be Danish but the writer uses Danish, Norwegian and Swedish names interchangeably. Bjorn for example was and is incredibly rare in Danish but is and was very common in Swedish – it is actually Norwegian in origin too. The naming conventions do not feel right, “son of” is rare as is the more common “(name)… the Bloodaxe” which would have added authenticity. For a good example of this level of research, read Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories.

The author also seems to lack some ideas about Viking culture. Several times a character speaks of a concept of Danish nationhood and there are many references to “Denmark” as a coherent nation. For me, this is the biggest howler. Their primary adherence was to their local Lord and this is how the bands and Earldoms were broken down. They would fight each other and would often work for opposing forces as mercenaries without any concept of turning against their brothers. There was simply no concept of a Viking nation – it didn’t exist and wouldn’t exist until King Cnut nearly 200 years later. Even Guthrum who had become the undisputed leader of the Danelaw in England didn’t see himself as being in charge of a nation, just Warlord of a very large area.

Most of this will not bother the casual reader but for those passionate and knowledgeable about the period are going to feel there is a disparity in the research – great in some areas, awful in others.

So now to the rest of it. Does it stand up as a work of fantasy? Mostly, yes. Fans of the historical fantasy genre are likely to enjoy it. It does its job in entertaining the reader and it is largely well written. The battle scenes flow well and it is clear that this is where the writer’s passion lies – very well done on that score. However, the language could have done with being a little more archaic. I soon grew bored with the phrase “gods-damned”. It doesn’t work and its overuse becomes an annoyance. Characterisation was weak if I am honest. I never felt that anybody was written with much depth, particularly our protagonist. I felt they were often people reacting rather than acting. Even in an action romp you need some depth.

Not bad, not great. Correct the historical inaccuracies – most of them at least – and add some depth to the characters and you have a potential smash hit here.

See more book reviews at my blog

[Cate's Book Nut Hut · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Vikings’ and lots of them, so if you enjoy reading about this era this may be something you would like to pick up.

I was really taken by the main protagonists in this novel, each of them are damaged in some way, both emotionally and physically, but by working with and caring for each other they are able to begin to repair their wounds in the most unexpected of ways. Set in Viking times, I found the characters to be believable as far as my knowledge of these people went, but there were some aspects of them that didn’t ring true; gone were the hard living, hard fighting characters I had learnt about in history lessons to be replaced by a softer, more political correct Viking that I wasn’t particularly fond of. However, through a skilful use of words and phrases the Author has you right there next to the main character travelling with him on his journey of growth and self-realisation. What detail the Author did include in his main characters that immersed the readers into their lives totally was, unfortunately, not extended some of the lesser characters in the book and these had a tendency to feel a little one-dimensional to me.

I enjoyed the plot of the novel, and the horror aspects of this book were very well written, especially the ‘Vikings’ reaction to things they knew nothing about and attributed to their Gods. Descriptively the Author sets a chilling aura over the pages as the novel progresses, and this seeps into the reader affecting their ability to concentrate on what is happening. I’m not sure if this was an intentional move on this Author’s part, but if it was it worked well to jolt the reader into action and attention when the plot picks up, as if they were actually involved in the plot. Most times however, this inability to concentrate for me was due to the fact I felt at times the plot was going nowhere.

I did enjoy this novel despite some issues, such as the naming of the characters. I’m not sure if the ‘Vikings’ in this novel were supposed to be Danes, Norwegians or Swedes; such was the nature of the naming protocol used. I feel that if a little more research had been done into this, or the book had been looked at by an editor with some knowledge in this area the rating I gave would have been higher.
If you like a good historical novel with a touch of horror, I recommend this book to you.

Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/02/10...




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

[Laura of Lurking · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obtained a copy of Black Monastery from the author.

This is a Viking novel laced with fantasy, horror and mythology. I enjoyed how it started out as a straight forward Viking trip, giving the reader time to adjust to the lifestyle and familiarise themselves with the culture, before Asgrim, the protagonist's, past is revealed and things start to get more complicated.

The Vikings land on an island at the suggestion of others in the hope of treasure. However they instead find piles of dead, left where they were slaughtered, turning things towards the creepy side! This is only the start of their troubles.

The plot is well written and paced with a variety of characters filling it in. The detail was fantastic, especially on the Vikings themselves, really immersing the reader. Unfortunately the book fell slightly short on developing the same detail in the support characters, leaving it hard to care about the fates of some of them as much as I wanted to. Overall I did care for the protagonist and the few closest to him, many scenes and flashbacks pushed me in this direction. I think for the protagonist though in places these were too heavily placed, making it feel whiny rather than a depicting of a hard and often unfair life.

I enjoyed this novel and feel despite some issues I would be interested in a sequel.

I would give this novel a 3.5 but round it up to a 4 at the necessity of review sites.

[Lynn Give 'Em Hel Vetica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viking sword Dane and warband leader Asgrim Wood-Nose has been banished from his homelands following a drunken night of murder. He can never return unless he can raise a wergild (blood money) to pay for his crimes. His entire crew has sworn an oath to follow him in search of plunder and to aid him in this quest for redemption. His travels lead him to a Saracen that brags of a vast treasure beneath an ancient monastery, virtually unguarded but for a small force of soldiers and some monks. Unbeknownst to Asgrim he is being led into a trap, the likes of which no mortal man can hope to defeat. An eastern draugr (demon) that dons its victim's skin has been released by the monks who reside there. Asgrim, along with an unlikely new ally, must find a way for his crew to escape before they are all massacred.

He didn’t know what destiny his crimes had bought him, but whatever it was, he would face it like a man. If murder and misery were all the Nornar would give him, he would play out his part and drown the world in blood.

I felt the beginning of this was so much stronger than the end. Once Asgrim and his men reach the monastery I just lose interest for some reason. It may be that Asgrim keeps making such idiotic choices that I don't see how anyone could possible see him as a leader. I don't know, I wanted more but Asgrim kinda let me down.

Fantasy | Viking | Horror | Demons | Magic

[melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't the type of book that I'd normally pick up and read, but thoroughly enjoyed this book nonetheless. It is very well written and easy to follow. Very nicely done, especially for a debut novel.

Below is the author's summary:
In 799 A.D. Viking warband leader Asgrim Wood-Nose sails his prized longship Sea Eel south along the coast of Frankia to raid the island of Noirmoutier—the Black Monastery.

Banned from his homeland following a night of rage-filled murder, Asgrim has been declared outlaw. Unless he can raise a princely blood debt, he will never see Denmark again. When a Saracen merchant brags of a great treasure hidden deep within the monastery, Asgrim realizes fate is offering him a chance to go home again. But Asgrim has led his men into a trap: somehow, the monks of the Black Monastery have released a dark supernatural force, an eastern demon that wears the skins of its victims. Hunted by this monstrous evil and tormented by the ghosts of those he has slain, Asgrim’s only ally becomes another lonely soul, a Frankish woman abandoned by her people under suspicion of witchcraft.

The Viking north clashes with the supernatural east in an epic historical fantasy tale of heroism and redemption in the face of unimaginable horror.

[Michael Coorlim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obtained a copy of Black Monastery from the author. This review contains mild spoilers.

Black Monastery is a historical horror novel by former soldier William Stacey. Set at the end of the 6th century, it tells the story of a Viking raid gone horribly awry. Asgrim Wood-Nose, Viking war-chief and outlaw, sails against the Franks, raiding to raise the fortune he needs to amass in order to pay his blood-debt and return home. On the island of Noirmoutier, rather than the promised silver, he finds evidence of a horrible massacre... and an ancient lurking evil.

Black Monastery is a fast-paced and well written story of horror and adventure with a strong sense of verisimilitude when it comes to describing the attitudes and culture of the Danish raiders. Stacey perhaps digresses into needless historical detail on occasion, but it doesn't detract from the pacing, and most of the detail provided does add to the story he's telling.

The characters are strongly written, the principals standing out strongly from the mass of "generic Viking warriors," particularly the protagonist with his internal struggles regarding death, fate, and luck. If you like dark adventure, I highly recommend Black Monastery.

[Christopher Preiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I wanted to like this book more then I actually did. The Black Monastery is a good historical horror novel, with an interesting perspective. The idea of mixing Vikings And Middle eastern mythology was a nice touch and the action scenes were some of the best I've read in a long time. However, At no point did I ever really get to care about any of the characters. I Know we are supposed to sympathize with Asgrim, I know this because the author goes out of his way to make sure we see that he's moderately less bloodthirsty then his kin. but honestly more often then not he comes off as a angsty monologue with a really nice sword. Normally a character like this wouldn't bother me so much, after all it's not like my favorite stories aren't full of the same thing. The problem is that Asgrim is honestly the only character that gets any development at all. characterization aside this book did have a lot going for it. the author clearly knows more about Vikings then the average person writing about them these days, and as I said earlier the action sequences were very well done.
all in all a fun exciting and somewhat creepy read, that's what I was expecting and that's what I got.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic version of this book as an early reviewer through LibraryThing.

A supernatural novel set among medieval Vikings, Asgrim Woodnose is desperately seeking treasure to pay a wergild imposed on him for a murder of passion. He is led to a monastery but discovers an ancient evil that lurks within instead of treasure.

The strength of William Stacey's book is the historical detail and the context of Viking culture and thought which provided understanding and context for Asgrim's personal history. The book was well paced and moved along. However, the right combination of plot and character can be a tricky thing to achieve, and Mr. Stacey's book is slanted more toward plot and context than toward character. Because few characters aside from Asgrim are developed, the stakes and reader's attachment are low when considering the peril that is posed by the ancient evil of the monastery.

It was a fast and light read with a promise of a sequel. I would probably pick up a sequel to this story, but would hope the author raises the stakes for me with more character development that expands Asgrim's world.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic version of this book as an early reviewer through LibraryThing.

A supernatural novel set among medieval Vikings, Asgrim Woodnose is desperately seeking treasure to pay a wergild imposed on him for a murder of passion. He is led to a monastery but discovers an ancient evil that lurks within instead of treasure.

The strength of William Stacey's book is the historical detail and the context of Viking culture and thought which provided understanding and context for Asgrim's personal history. The book was well paced and moved along. However, the right combination of plot and character can be a tricky thing to achieve, and Mr. Stacey's book is slanted more toward plot and context than toward character. Because few characters aside from Asgrim are developed, the stakes and reader's attachment are low when considering the peril that is posed by the ancient evil of the monastery.

It was a fast and light read with a promise of a sequel. I would probably pick up a sequel to this story, but would hope the author raises the stakes for me with more character development that expands Asgrim's world.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

This was a great book combining both mythology (Viking and eastern) and horror. It was well-written with suspense and strong characters. The main character, Asgrim, was one of those characters whose good/bad ratio was kind of even; I never knew what to think of him. He's certainly made some bad decisions and hasn't always been the greatest guy, but at the same time, he redeems himself through other actions.

It took me a little while to sort things through at the beginning of the novel. There were a lot of terms I wasn't clear on (such as wergild and skald, for instance - a glossary might have helped for those readers not entirely versed in Viking/Norse/Danish history/mythology), and Asgrim's history was only slowly meted out to the reader, through insinuations and offhanded comments earlier in the novel. As the novel progresses, though, the reader gets clearer and clearer flashbacks that shed light on Asgrim's history. Once I figured it all out, I really enjoyed it.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Monastery is exactly the kind of book that belongs in my wheelhouse. It's a nice mixture of History, Mythology, and the Supernatural. The mix of different mythologies - Norse and Eastern was a nice unexpected surprise. While typically I would shy away from the semi-horrific scenes that is portrayed in this story I find it to be well written and historically accurate - though I might determine it unsuitable for delicate readers.

I really enjoyed the description of the characters towards the beginning especially the relationship between father and son and the relationship between the main character and his own guilt which seems to drive all his actions in this book.

The plot was well-planned and written and it doesn't leave you feeling like the story was unresolved which happens all too often in books now with authors feeling pressured to make sequels. I like the closure the book brings and the ultimate message that you can change your fate. It so thrilling and riveting I opened it this morning and had it read by lunch time. A wonderful read.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asgrim Wood-Nose is Viking warrior bearing a scarred face. Asgrim loves The Sea Eel as captain leads his men to The Black Monastery in search of treasure. Asgrim is beset by setbacks that leave the men grumbling about his leadership. The Black Monastery is plagued with an evil spirit that drives men to behave in ways they normally wouldn't. Asgrim comes to believe that he's been tricked into seeking this treasure for unknown reasons. Meanwhile Alda wants to find her sister and leave this island. Alda is being accused of being a witch by her brother in law and other villagers. Asgrim is forced to make decisions that he normally wouldn't make. Can evil spirit be stopped? What will Asgrim do? What will Alda do? Your answers await you in The Black Monastery.

I find fantasy tales to be fascinating and unique. The Black Monastery hits all of these notes and more. The characters are interesting and compelling. The story is compelling, fascinating, and raw. I will definitely read more of this author's work in the future.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book! The story of Asgrim, is told from a Viking perspective and is an excellent combination of dark and heroic. Asgrim, disfigured at a young age in battle learns to live his life on boldness and bravery rather than the charming good looks of his younger brother. All of his hardwork has paid off when he is chosen to lead a very important raid on Ireland. When things don't go as planned, Asgrim's aims change to take on the biggest raid yet, the Black Monestary.

Leaving one evil behind, it can't get any worse, right? Asgrim's seemingly simple raid takes everyone by surprise and leaves him with a choice; be the man people think he is or be the one that he really is deep down.

The action scenes were very well done. It takes a great writer to get them right and this was done well. The story had depth and the characters were well developed. I am days later still thinking about this book so, I highly recommend it!

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable enough read once you got past the How To Build a Long Boat lesson in the beginning. I enjoyed the complexity of the main character, in that he is not a nice man. Neither are any of his men. They're a Sword-Danes, Vikings. Murder, rape and pillage is the name of the game. But we're given enough of a glimpse of Asgrim's beginnings to know that he could have, in other circumstances, been a kind person. The fact that he isn't makes him hard to relate to and empathize with, however.

The villain is truly horrific and you feel the tension it creates. However, he's defeated in a bit of a Deus ex Machina move. There's a bit of a sex-equals-love romance element that I didn't feel was well developed. I found the writing repetitive, though clear and easy to read. All in all, I consider it worth the read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asgrim Wood-Nose, left disfigured after losing a duel in his youth is on a mission to buy his way back into the Earl’s good graces and return home. Following a rumour from a Saracen trader, Asgrim leads his Vikings to an island monastery where apparently the monks have an abundance of silver.

Instead of silver, Asgrim arrives to find a massacre. Monks and Frankish soldiers lay dead by each other’s hands, bodies inside the monastery are defiled and skinned, and an evil force that resided there has been released, and is intent on using Asgrim and his longship to escape the island.

I have a soft spot for medieval/historical horror, and this was a solid read for me. Asgrim is a well fleshed out character, and the demon that plagues him and his crew is relentlessly evil. This is a great read for fans of books like between two fires and company of liars.

[Tim Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Stacey's Black Monastery. Being a fan of both medieval historical fiction and fantasy, I think he did a great job of creating a great setting with lots of detail and adding just enough "magic" to be believable. Nice mix of Viking, Frank and Middle Age Arab cultures mixed in, very good description of the fighting and a monster that truly was evil. This book is very dark, however, without throwing out a spoiler, the good guys win but not until everyone else is butchered. My only negative comment is that I found the story to be rather short and that the author may have filled it in space with a lot of sometimes unneeded details. A little too long for a short story but a little too short for a novel. Still, a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Peter Giorno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won my copy of Black Monastery from Goodreads.com and right from the beginning I was totally enthralled with the story. Set in an era when Vikings ruled, Black Monastery has it all. Plenty of twists, turns, action, sorcery and a Viking-hero called Asgrim Wood-Nose. William Stacey has written a wonderful story that actually takes the reader on a journey of a lifetime. His detail to the time period is right on, and all the true to life characters really stand out. Every once in awhile a great adventure-action book comes out, and Black Monastery is one of those books. I certainly hope the author continues the Viking saga, and pens a sequel to this wonderful, and intriguing time period.