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The Whale Road Chronicles #7
Eye of the Raven
Alone in a foreign land, Viking warrior Einar must choose his loyalties in the face of war. The gripping new instalment in the Whale Road Chronicles.
For the first time, Einar and the Wolf Coats find themselves divided, on opposing sides in a time of the Wolf Coats in Ireland, and Einar in the Saxon domains of England.
Einar leads a warband for King Aethelstan, but struggles to find acceptance as a Norseman in Saxon lands. Can he truly make common cause with the wily king of the English, if that means Vikings like himself are now his enemies? The rewards of alliance with Aethelstan could be all he desires... or a brutal death.
But other threats loom from the north and west. With war brewing and a great battle on the horizon, can Einar and his comrades reunite in time - or will a clash for the ages make their split a permanent one?
For the first time, Einar and the Wolf Coats find themselves divided, on opposing sides in a time of the Wolf Coats in Ireland, and Einar in the Saxon domains of England.
Einar leads a warband for King Aethelstan, but struggles to find acceptance as a Norseman in Saxon lands. Can he truly make common cause with the wily king of the English, if that means Vikings like himself are now his enemies? The rewards of alliance with Aethelstan could be all he desires... or a brutal death.
But other threats loom from the north and west. With war brewing and a great battle on the horizon, can Einar and his comrades reunite in time - or will a clash for the ages make their split a permanent one?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2024
77 people are currently reading
48 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 23, 2024
It’s 937 AD and the country we now know as Britain is an amorphous entity made up of multiple fiefdoms ruled by self-styled kings or jarls (Norse or Danish chieftans) who have little love for one another. Treaties are made, and frequently broken. At this time, the majority of central and southern England is controlled by the Anglo-Saxon king, Aethelstan of Wessex, the grandson of Alfred the Great. A devout Christian, he is determined to bring all of England under his control and combat the threat from the Scots, the Welsh and whoever else fancies a piece of his kingdom.
From being a member of the band of warriors known as the Wolf Coats, Einar has become their sworn enemy as a result of his actions at the end of the last book. The Wolf Coats’ leader, Ulrich, has vowed to kill him for what he perceives as his betrayal of the oath Einar swore. And there’s one particular member of the Wolf Coats who is keen to see Einar dead for their own very personal reasons.
There’s a thread that runs through the book, that of identity. For example, in order to be accepted by the Anglo-Saxons, Einar has adopted the garb of a Saxon, shaved off his beard and been forced – outwardly at least – to abandon his Norse religious beliefs in favour of Christian teachings. Cultural identity is often blurred: some of those on opposing sides may share a common cultural ancestry, whilst some on the same side may speak different languages and worship different gods. In some cases it’s possible to be too Saxon to inspire loyalty, in others not Saxon enough.
The action comes thick and fast with the battle scenes described in visceral detail. ‘The air was thick with the acrid scent of sweat and fear, the metallic tang of blood, and the stench of opened guts and emptied bowels.‘ I liked the fact that although we get the cut and thrust of battle, we also get to see the preparation for conflict that individuals go through, from the practical to the emotional. And we get a sense of just what it takes to face an enemy where the chances are you’ll end up dead or maimed. Not to mention the psychological toll of so much killing.
The climax of the book is the Battle of Brunanburh, a truly bloody affair. (In fact, it’s often cited as one of the bloodiest battles ever held on British soil.) The run-up to the battle is a game of bluff and double-bluff, and it’s here we see that Aethelstan is the master of that game, always a few steps ahead of everyone else. A bit of luck helps as well.
‘The slaughter, the sorrow, the cowardice, the shame, the cruelty, the bravery, the deeds of great renown. All is beheld in the eye of the raven.’ Eye of the Raven will appeal to those who like their historical fiction fast-paced and with plenty of full-on action.
From being a member of the band of warriors known as the Wolf Coats, Einar has become their sworn enemy as a result of his actions at the end of the last book. The Wolf Coats’ leader, Ulrich, has vowed to kill him for what he perceives as his betrayal of the oath Einar swore. And there’s one particular member of the Wolf Coats who is keen to see Einar dead for their own very personal reasons.
There’s a thread that runs through the book, that of identity. For example, in order to be accepted by the Anglo-Saxons, Einar has adopted the garb of a Saxon, shaved off his beard and been forced – outwardly at least – to abandon his Norse religious beliefs in favour of Christian teachings. Cultural identity is often blurred: some of those on opposing sides may share a common cultural ancestry, whilst some on the same side may speak different languages and worship different gods. In some cases it’s possible to be too Saxon to inspire loyalty, in others not Saxon enough.
The action comes thick and fast with the battle scenes described in visceral detail. ‘The air was thick with the acrid scent of sweat and fear, the metallic tang of blood, and the stench of opened guts and emptied bowels.‘ I liked the fact that although we get the cut and thrust of battle, we also get to see the preparation for conflict that individuals go through, from the practical to the emotional. And we get a sense of just what it takes to face an enemy where the chances are you’ll end up dead or maimed. Not to mention the psychological toll of so much killing.
The climax of the book is the Battle of Brunanburh, a truly bloody affair. (In fact, it’s often cited as one of the bloodiest battles ever held on British soil.) The run-up to the battle is a game of bluff and double-bluff, and it’s here we see that Aethelstan is the master of that game, always a few steps ahead of everyone else. A bit of luck helps as well.
‘The slaughter, the sorrow, the cowardice, the shame, the cruelty, the bravery, the deeds of great renown. All is beheld in the eye of the raven.’ Eye of the Raven will appeal to those who like their historical fiction fast-paced and with plenty of full-on action.
November 16, 2024
Read it in one sitting, Tim has a magic hand for these stories I tell you the SX century is totally his playground at this point, from the politics that crafted the anti Athelstan alliance to the petty conflicts between the Vikings of Limerick(Olaf Scabby head and Ragnhild his daughter make for excellent early book characters, you can see in Ragnhild what Affreca's fate could have been, nothing new in the series but explains once more how the era is) and Dublin.
Hodkinson truly tried a most daring approach for this one separating Einar and the rest of the crew after their ominous parting in Blood Eagle, it was a breath of fresh air seeing Einar grow as a man and as a character during his stay in Wessex and knowing that even our docile berserker couldn't handle mass made him even better in my eyes, Cynewulf is a character to remember a warrior turned monk that really cares about Einar and the desires of Athelstan his new king, he wants to convert him of course he doesn't bother hiding that but at moments he us almost a father guiding and counselling Einar giving him an advantage thanks to his wise assessment and knowledge of battle strategy. Einar has also a curious relationship with the Ine Athelstan's bodyguard who eventually comes to respect Einar as an honourable warrior, the northern earls and their plotline were quite significant from the traitor brothers(who had good reasons for their betrayal, how Athelstan's stole everything from their father) to the usurper of Bebbanburg as we know it belongs to Uthred which even Thorolf thinks(who we met in Blood Eagle, wink wink)! King Owain of Strathclyde is also around with the men of the brothers preferring to fight for the Cumbrian king than them Saxon fools, Strathclyde the last of the old North what an incredible realm, always been in love with it.
The portions of Ulrich & Co were also quite great, the Irish man's prologue seemed just like the work of legendary writers and it continues to be true when Tim switches POV the series only improve, Affreca is just the best and her relationship with Einar(Her arrows gave him quite the scare!) and her dealings with her ambitions brother Olaf were fascinating, the return of Eirik the red a beloved antagonist in the series that still holds the jarldom of Orkney gives much to talk about trying to break the alliance between King Constantine II of Alba and Olaf The Red(Amlaíb mac Gofraid), Constantine II is always impressive when he is portrayed in media and his verbal sparring with Eirik certainly memorable calling him "former King of Norway" and distrusting him from the get go you know Eirik tries to manipulate Olaf cause Constantine knows very well who that bastard is, Olaf trying to marry off Affreca again is becoming a classic of the series but worth mentioning it if the big battle of Brananbugh(great adaptation of such key event) didn't get him you bet Affreca would have, really liked the part where Olaf infiltrates Athelstan's camp alongside Ulrich made him feel like a quest companion in an RPG.
People will be surprised by the entry, as it happened with the Saxon Stories Egil Skallagrimsson and his brother Thorolf make a cameo and thanks to Einar's infamous luck stay with him until Brananbugh, the Icelandic sagas are respected with Thorolf's death and in general they really bring wit and humour to the end of Einar's story.
Einar returning to the crew on the other hand? Well it might have to happen but damn if I didn't enjoy how this novel played out they could have at least fought against each other directly at the end of the novel(it was somewhat expected that Einar against Ulrich showdown at Brananbugh), Einar having to think for himself and not following blindly a leader Ulrich or otherwise showed a face of him sometimes forgotten how impulsive he can truly be without a leader bossing him around, how the crew save grumpy Ulrich defended Einar was really cute(Einar did hide their presence when they sneaked into Athelstan's camp so there was a debt at least) so the suddeness of it can be overlooked, surely Ulrich will give Einar enough shit in the next entry! To the South it seems we go even though I would have loved adventures in the Holy Roman Empire(Otto's Empire!) but guess to the lands of Al-Andalusí we go!
Hodkinson truly tried a most daring approach for this one separating Einar and the rest of the crew after their ominous parting in Blood Eagle, it was a breath of fresh air seeing Einar grow as a man and as a character during his stay in Wessex and knowing that even our docile berserker couldn't handle mass made him even better in my eyes, Cynewulf is a character to remember a warrior turned monk that really cares about Einar and the desires of Athelstan his new king, he wants to convert him of course he doesn't bother hiding that but at moments he us almost a father guiding and counselling Einar giving him an advantage thanks to his wise assessment and knowledge of battle strategy. Einar has also a curious relationship with the Ine Athelstan's bodyguard who eventually comes to respect Einar as an honourable warrior, the northern earls and their plotline were quite significant from the traitor brothers(who had good reasons for their betrayal, how Athelstan's stole everything from their father) to the usurper of Bebbanburg as we know it belongs to Uthred which even Thorolf thinks(who we met in Blood Eagle, wink wink)! King Owain of Strathclyde is also around with the men of the brothers preferring to fight for the Cumbrian king than them Saxon fools, Strathclyde the last of the old North what an incredible realm, always been in love with it.
The portions of Ulrich & Co were also quite great, the Irish man's prologue seemed just like the work of legendary writers and it continues to be true when Tim switches POV the series only improve, Affreca is just the best and her relationship with Einar(Her arrows gave him quite the scare!) and her dealings with her ambitions brother Olaf were fascinating, the return of Eirik the red a beloved antagonist in the series that still holds the jarldom of Orkney gives much to talk about trying to break the alliance between King Constantine II of Alba and Olaf The Red(Amlaíb mac Gofraid), Constantine II is always impressive when he is portrayed in media and his verbal sparring with Eirik certainly memorable calling him "former King of Norway" and distrusting him from the get go you know Eirik tries to manipulate Olaf cause Constantine knows very well who that bastard is, Olaf trying to marry off Affreca again is becoming a classic of the series but worth mentioning it if the big battle of Brananbugh(great adaptation of such key event) didn't get him you bet Affreca would have, really liked the part where Olaf infiltrates Athelstan's camp alongside Ulrich made him feel like a quest companion in an RPG.
People will be surprised by the entry, as it happened with the Saxon Stories Egil Skallagrimsson and his brother Thorolf make a cameo and thanks to Einar's infamous luck stay with him until Brananbugh, the Icelandic sagas are respected with Thorolf's death and in general they really bring wit and humour to the end of Einar's story.
Einar returning to the crew on the other hand? Well it might have to happen but damn if I didn't enjoy how this novel played out they could have at least fought against each other directly at the end of the novel(it was somewhat expected that Einar against Ulrich showdown at Brananbugh), Einar having to think for himself and not following blindly a leader Ulrich or otherwise showed a face of him sometimes forgotten how impulsive he can truly be without a leader bossing him around, how the crew save grumpy Ulrich defended Einar was really cute(Einar did hide their presence when they sneaked into Athelstan's camp so there was a debt at least) so the suddeness of it can be overlooked, surely Ulrich will give Einar enough shit in the next entry! To the South it seems we go even though I would have loved adventures in the Holy Roman Empire(Otto's Empire!) but guess to the lands of Al-Andalusí we go!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2025
I have read many viking stories over the years and I have to admit that I have been a bit disappointed with several I have read recently. Their plots have been too simplistic and the use of language uninteresting. Eye of the Raven holds more interest for me with its quotes from ancient texts and the use of Norse words and names, plus a more fast moving and complex plot. The story sent me to Google looking up the places given in the story and I learned a lot from this, which was personally an enlightening experience, given that I grew up in what was once Northumbria, near Jorvik. There were a few disappointments when reading, the worst one being near the very end of the book when the 19th century expression "plonking" is used, something that Einar may well have done but he would not have recognize the word. All in all a very good and entertaining read.
September 14, 2024
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
HOORAY.
Einar Affreca and the rest of the gang are back, playing major parts in the battle that helped form Angland. As usual superb characters throughout this totally gripping story. Well written and researched with some classic battle scenes described in at times graphic gruesome violent detail. This series is right up there with the best of this genre. Unputdownable engaging entertaining storytelling of the highest order.
Completely and utterly recommended.
HOORAY.
Einar Affreca and the rest of the gang are back, playing major parts in the battle that helped form Angland. As usual superb characters throughout this totally gripping story. Well written and researched with some classic battle scenes described in at times graphic gruesome violent detail. This series is right up there with the best of this genre. Unputdownable engaging entertaining storytelling of the highest order.
Completely and utterly recommended.
January 24, 2025
His best yet
This is by far the best one of the series yet! This could probably be two books, but are one awesome instead. This book focuses mostly on Einar: but the others are there too. The ending is what I was hoping for and there will definitely be another one. Hopefully sooner than later. Read this book, you'll love it.
This is by far the best one of the series yet! This could probably be two books, but are one awesome instead. This book focuses mostly on Einar: but the others are there too. The ending is what I was hoping for and there will definitely be another one. Hopefully sooner than later. Read this book, you'll love it.
March 6, 2025
Another Gripping Read
Each time I pick up a new book in the Whale Road Chronicles, I wonder how it can possibly be as good as the last. And every time it’s at least every bit as gripping, nail biting and enthralling as its predecessor (if not better). Keep them coming Tim Hodkinson!
Each time I pick up a new book in the Whale Road Chronicles, I wonder how it can possibly be as good as the last. And every time it’s at least every bit as gripping, nail biting and enthralling as its predecessor (if not better). Keep them coming Tim Hodkinson!
November 17, 2024
The Whale Road Chronicles
I’ve read the whole series ! Excellent books each and every one well written I have but one complaint though …. they are to short ! They’re read in just one day and makes me wanting more !!
I’ve read the whole series ! Excellent books each and every one well written I have but one complaint though …. they are to short ! They’re read in just one day and makes me wanting more !!
July 22, 2025
The Ravens Eye
The Saga continues, once again Mr. Hodkinson has written an exciting story worthy of the best bards to sing about. The battles are believable and exciting. The whole story and series is a great read. I am happy that there is another book in this saga to read.
The Saga continues, once again Mr. Hodkinson has written an exciting story worthy of the best bards to sing about. The battles are believable and exciting. The whole story and series is a great read. I am happy that there is another book in this saga to read.
November 12, 2024
I know this book is 5 days old but I am going to need the next one soon.
This is one of the best series I have ever read and Mr. Hodkinson can't not put them out fast enough
This is one of the best series I have ever read and Mr. Hodkinson can't not put them out fast enough
November 14, 2024
Worthy addition
Worthy addition to an incredible series. One of my absolute favorites. Einar and company are always in the thick of things. Exciting and engaging reading.
Worthy addition to an incredible series. One of my absolute favorites. Einar and company are always in the thick of things. Exciting and engaging reading.
November 27, 2024
Brilliant
As always Tim as writen a brilliant book can't fault this one it's as good as the rest of the series hope there will be more to come in this series thank you Tim 5stars
As always Tim as writen a brilliant book can't fault this one it's as good as the rest of the series hope there will be more to come in this series thank you Tim 5stars
January 14, 2025
Fantastic Read!
I love how the author twists and turns the plot to draw you in throughout every book!! I adore the characters and want the series to never end!!
I love how the author twists and turns the plot to draw you in throughout every book!! I adore the characters and want the series to never end!!
February 12, 2025
👍
Another great mission for Einar , well written and full of battle lust ,look forward too the next adventure Einar and the wolf coats embark on.
Another great mission for Einar , well written and full of battle lust ,look forward too the next adventure Einar and the wolf coats embark on.
March 19, 2025
Great read! Looking forward to the next book to be written in this series…
June 5, 2025
Another great read. Looking forward to the next adventure in the series.
October 31, 2025
It's been a couple of years since I read the last Whale Road book, and I enjoy a good bloody battle epic at times, so when I saw this I knew it was time for another. Einar did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews