Trollsbane

Spear of the Gods #0.3

by Gregory Amato

The land spirits are panicking.

Ansgar knows how to listen to those spirits as he travels the wild lands of the North, and they’re telling him to watch his back. A vagabond viking with a unique approach to personal hygiene is looking out for him. Will one ally be enough? There are outlaws in the forest around them. And if the stories are true, there are trolls with a taste for human flesh not far beyond.

Which is probably just what those spirits are warning him about.


Trollsbane is a prequel story to Gregory Amato's Norse fantasy series Spear of the Gods, where the myths, magic, and monsters of the Viking Age are all real.

Genres: Fantasy

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2023

About the author

Gregory Amato made a career of selling his quill as a mercenary writer for many years. He wrote true and important things for newspapers, magazines, academia, and, for over a decade, intelligence analysis for the FBI.

Now, he writes fantasy stories based on the myths and sagas of the vikings. His fiction is often influenced by tales lost to time, usually full of high adventure, and always the sort that makes readers late to dinner.

Outside his time spent spinning yarns about vikings and wizards, he teaches Judo, brews beer, and plays DnD when he gets the chance.

Gregory lives happily with his family in the Pacific Northwest.

Sign up for updates, free fiction, and fascinating musings at AmatoAuthor.com!

Reviews

[Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short-story, 35 pgs., about the trial run of Ansgar. There is a character in the book called Bolli, he was a friend and seemed to lookout for Ansgar.

[Gregory Amato]

I won't be rating my own books, but I intend to use this space for updates:

31 May 2024: Trollsbane is now an audiobook!

22 March 2024: Trollsbane is coming to audio. Initial distribution will be to backers of my Spear of the Gods book two Kickstarter campaign. It's not too late to pledge and get Trollsbane on audio as a bonus freebie!

17 October 2023: Cover art is ready and the book is live! This book is FREE for my newsletter subscribers.

Use this link to sign up: https://BookHip.com/FGZBTTB

Use this link if you're already a subscriber: https://BookHip.com/GZLTJLQ

[Rowdy Geirsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good, fun short story set in the Spear of the Gods universe. A prequel to Burden to Bear (first in the series) same as The Skald in that sense. The story follows one of Ansgar’s adventures of old Norway as he and his traveling companions encounter trolls, thieves, and a volva. Free as an ebook if you sign up up for the author’s email list—so do that!

[Costanza Miccichè · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una novelletta in inglese di stampo fantasy-norreno di un autore che potrebbe piacermi. A parte la cover che trovo molto stereotipizzata, la storia non è affatto male. Parla di uno skáld (un poeta) che deve consegnare qualcosa a qualcuno di molto importante e che si ritrova in una situazione non proprio piacevole.
Mi è piaciuto il ritmo della storia e che la storia non scada nei soliti clichè che vedo girare attorno alle storie di questo sottogenere. Penso che darò un’occhiata al romanzo principale.
Nel frattempo, la novelletta si trova gratis sul sito dell’autore.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to read a short story for some more background on the characters in the Spear of the Gods series. Well written and nicely paced for a quick read. Looking forward to more such stories.

[Carla Zanghellini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild creatures. This story about trolls shows unpredictable creatures in their wild nature. It gives a hint into the Norse mythology, where great distances make it difficult to reach and people become afraid of the uncertainty on the way.
The book is recommended for those who want to gain insight into a mythology where stories are important

[Bret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little entertaining story. Can't wait to read more of Ansgar's and Bolli's adventures.

[Miranda Summerset · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 STARS! A short prequel & fun little troll fantasy adventure. Listened to the audiobook & definitely had a good time with it. Good & easy read!

[Already Overbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pack thief

[Andrew Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ansgar and Bolli make for a good team here, at least in the sense that they feed positively off of each other's sincerity for life. Others here, however, make a devastating team in how they feed off of ... well ... I won't spoil it but they definitely are not sincere about life. Heroic action from who you would want to be heroic, as well as from an unlikely source, the landscape is one of serenity riddled with parasitic monstrosities. Crom would probably give a nod of approval for Ansgar's ability to survive, even if that means avoiding violence. But I ramble. My second Amato story and I find them to be page-turners, with wit, humor, macabre beings, and a degree of introspection that is worth highlighting. I don't want to paint a false picture, but at times, I am reminded of Andrzej Sapkowski's landscape, a feel of old school grim fairytale and a modern sprinkling of humor. I'm working my way up to the full stories but the landvættir have guided me to many different books these days.

Trollsbane short
The Skald short
The Sorcerer's Reward short
Burden to Bear novel
Rune to Ruin novel
Fallen to Fury novel
The Once and Future Sword short