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ARKANE #5
Day of the Vikings
They were once the most bloodthirsty warriors alive. They will be again.
She has been called many things: murderer, madwoman, monster. She will become only one thing: a god.
The Crone. A woman of legend, a creature of blood. A Valkyrie. She has tortured, murdered, maimed — performing all the rituals needed to call forth the power of Odin himself and summon Ragnarok. She just needs one more thing: the staff of Skara Brae, and her plans will be fulfilled.
But the staff is already in the hands of Morgan Sierra. An agent of ARKANE, the British agency tasked with protecting the world from supernatural crises, Morgan knows that giving up the staff could spell the end of all things.
Now the Crone has taken dozens of staff members, visitors — even children — hostage at the British Museum, demanding that Morgan turn over the staff. Willing to kill, possessor of powers beyond anything ARKANE has yet encountered, the Crone seems unstoppable.
Morgan’s only advantages are her wit, her skill… and Blake Daniel (of the best-selling Brooke and Daniel crime thriller series). Cursed with clairvoyance, Blake’s powers may be just enough to help Morgan turn back the Crone and stop the end of the world.
But the Crone has her own secrets. Able to weave illusions, to wield fear, even to call forth the dead Vikings of old. She is the most powerful adversary Morgan has ever faced. But will she be the last?
The Crone beckons. Ragnarok looms. And it is up to Morgan and Blake to deny them both.
Day of the Vikings is the fifth thrilling story in the bestselling ARKANE series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.F. Penn, with an epic crossover to the Brooke and Daniel stories.
She has been called many things: murderer, madwoman, monster. She will become only one thing: a god.
The Crone. A woman of legend, a creature of blood. A Valkyrie. She has tortured, murdered, maimed — performing all the rituals needed to call forth the power of Odin himself and summon Ragnarok. She just needs one more thing: the staff of Skara Brae, and her plans will be fulfilled.
But the staff is already in the hands of Morgan Sierra. An agent of ARKANE, the British agency tasked with protecting the world from supernatural crises, Morgan knows that giving up the staff could spell the end of all things.
Now the Crone has taken dozens of staff members, visitors — even children — hostage at the British Museum, demanding that Morgan turn over the staff. Willing to kill, possessor of powers beyond anything ARKANE has yet encountered, the Crone seems unstoppable.
Morgan’s only advantages are her wit, her skill… and Blake Daniel (of the best-selling Brooke and Daniel crime thriller series). Cursed with clairvoyance, Blake’s powers may be just enough to help Morgan turn back the Crone and stop the end of the world.
But the Crone has her own secrets. Able to weave illusions, to wield fear, even to call forth the dead Vikings of old. She is the most powerful adversary Morgan has ever faced. But will she be the last?
The Crone beckons. Ragnarok looms. And it is up to Morgan and Blake to deny them both.
Day of the Vikings is the fifth thrilling story in the bestselling ARKANE series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.F. Penn, with an epic crossover to the Brooke and Daniel stories.
100 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2014
41 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Penn
56 books2,233 followersI'm the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, crime, dark fantasy, horror, short stories, and travel memoir.
Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...
The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."
The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.
The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...
A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.
You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/
I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page
I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.
Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...
The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."
The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.
The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...
A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.
You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/
I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page
I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 30, 2015
With this, the 5th entry in the ARKANE series, J.F. Penn returns to the feel and form that hooked me on the series in the beginning. The supernatural occurrences are ramped up without losing any of the historical facts and details expected from the author.
Day of the Vikings moves away from Christian relics (featured in the first four installments) in order to focus on Norse mythology and the magic of the Vikings. The story does still intersect with some Christian history, but the focus is on the Vikings.
This novella rekindled my love for the series that was dampened a bit by One Day in Budapest. I am now certain to read the next in the series, Gates of Hell.
Day of the Vikings moves away from Christian relics (featured in the first four installments) in order to focus on Norse mythology and the magic of the Vikings. The story does still intersect with some Christian history, but the focus is on the Vikings.
This novella rekindled my love for the series that was dampened a bit by One Day in Budapest. I am now certain to read the next in the series, Gates of Hell.
October 28, 2014
I'm not quite sure why I have this book on my Kindle -- it seems to be a freebie that showed up when I subscribed to an author's blog. Probably J. F. Penn's. Anyway, I started reading it out of curiosity, and before I knew it, I had finished it. It reads like a Dan Brown thriller -- it's both that page-turning suspenseful and that cheesy. The heroine has steel-blue eyes that turn hard when she gets ready to kick some bad male ass, that sort of thing, So it's simultaneously risible and compulsively readable. I wouldn't recommend the series unless you love that mixture of James-Bond-style action with a touch of the supernatural. If you can suspend disbelief long enough to get into the story, then you won't be able to put it down.
You may not even need to suspend disbelief for that long. I lost it at the opening, when the Viking Seer started chanting in the Vortex and presaging the end of the world. But nonetheless I couldn't put it down. Penn is an extraordinary crafter of page-turning prose. As such, I have huge admiration for her -- she's even better than Brown, really. I wish she would offer a master class on writing compulsively readable prose -- because she made me read on in spite of myself.
You may not even need to suspend disbelief for that long. I lost it at the opening, when the Viking Seer started chanting in the Vortex and presaging the end of the world. But nonetheless I couldn't put it down. Penn is an extraordinary crafter of page-turning prose. As such, I have huge admiration for her -- she's even better than Brown, really. I wish she would offer a master class on writing compulsively readable prose -- because she made me read on in spite of myself.
May 9, 2014
"Uh-oh, he's starting with a 'but...'". Sadly, yes. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, as I have all the others in Penn's ARKANE series, as rollicking good fun, fast-paced entertainment. In a topic area I like, the intersection of spirituality, history, psychology. Well-researched, readable. With a kick-butt hero (female heroes are called hero, just like female actors are rightly called actor) in Dr. Morgan Sierra, a character I want to learn so much more about.
But...
There's something missing in this book, and I don't just mean the page count nor the inevitable structural differences between a novella (this) and a full-length novel (the original trilogy of novels and arguably also "One Day in Budapest"). It's taken me about a day to put some solid thoughts and now words to it. What's missing is the whole set of support that Morgan supposedly has, the ARKANE-verse, so to speak.
For 2 and a half books now, her partner Jake is either in hospital, or out of it finally, but we don't even get a phone call or text message between them, even when she's in range. Trafalgar Square is a pretty quick walk to the British Library, but we don't get even an abbreviated-for-novella scene at ARKANE kicking off this expected-pure-academic mission. A moment of tension about "weapon or no weapon" in a "show-don't-tell", perhaps Maretti warning her to stop by the armory but still-wounded, both physically and mentally, Morgan, wants no part of violence today, she just wants to be the academic for the first time in what seems forever. This could have been half a page. Instead, it's just Morgan's excessive inner dialog, which is almost always to herself rather than a reply/analyze/agonize over an interaction in a flashback.
In "Pentecost", Penn set up our new hero Morgan with a rich supporting cast and backup. In "Prophecy" they were mostly still around, and their being whittled down or out of touch served the story. But by "Exodus" we keep hearing about them but not much seeing them, even in flashback. I'm tired of hearing about the risk to Jemma and to Jemma's mom, Morgan's identical twin sister. I want to see some jeopardy again, or see the family dysfunction caused by Morgan taking her secret career as a superspy for the religious analogue of U.N.I.T. or S.H.I.E.L.D. (Pick your universe, though since aliens are handled by "an entirely different unit" I think Joanna already gave us a clue.)
Plus, Jake. First book all this sexual tension. It seems as if Penn doesn't know how to resolve that or if she wants to, so we keep finding ways to keep them apart. Meanwhile Morgan is starting to collect her series of gender-swapped Bond Girl characters.
I'd love to get back to the characters, settings, organizations, which Penn did such a great job of making us care about in the first book, rather than all the "guest stars". This isn't like "licensed property franchise" novels where nothing substantial can happen to Kirk, Spock, the Doctor, or Captain America in the books, because it might impact what happens in the "real series". This is the real series, this is where the stakes and the prime crew are supposed to be. I think Penn maybe even knows this, because near the end Morgan's inner dialog touches on how she needs to get back to her real partner. If even the author's lead character is voicing this frustration, it's well past time for it!
One other thing struck me as unusual for this series, not where I expected it to go. Now that Penn has gone there, I hope she embraces it rather than backpedals. Which is, *and this next bit is spoilery so be forewarned*
Spoiler
Space
Is
The
Lord's
Work
According
To
ARKANE
This time, the power of religious artifact / ritual is unquestionably genuine. Even with the Pentecost stones of fire, the "demon" transformation in Sedlec, and some of the oddities around the events in the search for the Ark, Penn, and her lead, Sierra, always had an alternate explanation, something that may have been science, even if not quite as we know it. Maybe it was the Lord's work (or the Devil's) but maybe something explicable, someday. At least that was how I read it.
This time it's real. Unquestionable. Too many things that are explainable only by the supernatural. In front of multiple witnesses. And oddly, the first time Penn writes as if the supernatural or divine is unquestionably real, it is the first time she uses a non-Abrahamic, non-monotheistic religion, instead using the pantheon of the Norse Gods.
As a loyal reader, that took me by surprise. What also took me by surprise is that Morgan Sierra, brought up in Israel by a Jewish father, an academic in an Anglican Christian and secondarily Roman Catholic surrounding (Oxford), in a Judeo-Christian-Islamic greater milieu, does not seem surprised by it. Instead it's just more of the supernatural and divine that she has started to accept happens. I get it that Morgan is on a journey that will force her to accept that the stories of God may be real. But I think that she still was expecting HER God, not All-Father Odin, to be the one with the power.
Please don't take this as a pan of this book nor of the series. I totally enjoyed the read. But I do think there could be so much more, and I want Penn to fulfill the promise of the intriguing characters, settings, premises, and themes she has built.
But...
There's something missing in this book, and I don't just mean the page count nor the inevitable structural differences between a novella (this) and a full-length novel (the original trilogy of novels and arguably also "One Day in Budapest"). It's taken me about a day to put some solid thoughts and now words to it. What's missing is the whole set of support that Morgan supposedly has, the ARKANE-verse, so to speak.
For 2 and a half books now, her partner Jake is either in hospital, or out of it finally, but we don't even get a phone call or text message between them, even when she's in range. Trafalgar Square is a pretty quick walk to the British Library, but we don't get even an abbreviated-for-novella scene at ARKANE kicking off this expected-pure-academic mission. A moment of tension about "weapon or no weapon" in a "show-don't-tell", perhaps Maretti warning her to stop by the armory but still-wounded, both physically and mentally, Morgan, wants no part of violence today, she just wants to be the academic for the first time in what seems forever. This could have been half a page. Instead, it's just Morgan's excessive inner dialog, which is almost always to herself rather than a reply/analyze/agonize over an interaction in a flashback.
In "Pentecost", Penn set up our new hero Morgan with a rich supporting cast and backup. In "Prophecy" they were mostly still around, and their being whittled down or out of touch served the story. But by "Exodus" we keep hearing about them but not much seeing them, even in flashback. I'm tired of hearing about the risk to Jemma and to Jemma's mom, Morgan's identical twin sister. I want to see some jeopardy again, or see the family dysfunction caused by Morgan taking her secret career as a superspy for the religious analogue of U.N.I.T. or S.H.I.E.L.D. (Pick your universe, though since aliens are handled by "an entirely different unit" I think Joanna already gave us a clue.)
Plus, Jake. First book all this sexual tension. It seems as if Penn doesn't know how to resolve that or if she wants to, so we keep finding ways to keep them apart. Meanwhile Morgan is starting to collect her series of gender-swapped Bond Girl characters.
I'd love to get back to the characters, settings, organizations, which Penn did such a great job of making us care about in the first book, rather than all the "guest stars". This isn't like "licensed property franchise" novels where nothing substantial can happen to Kirk, Spock, the Doctor, or Captain America in the books, because it might impact what happens in the "real series". This is the real series, this is where the stakes and the prime crew are supposed to be. I think Penn maybe even knows this, because near the end Morgan's inner dialog touches on how she needs to get back to her real partner. If even the author's lead character is voicing this frustration, it's well past time for it!
One other thing struck me as unusual for this series, not where I expected it to go. Now that Penn has gone there, I hope she embraces it rather than backpedals. Which is, *and this next bit is spoilery so be forewarned*
Spoiler
Space
Is
The
Lord's
Work
According
To
ARKANE
This time, the power of religious artifact / ritual is unquestionably genuine. Even with the Pentecost stones of fire, the "demon" transformation in Sedlec, and some of the oddities around the events in the search for the Ark, Penn, and her lead, Sierra, always had an alternate explanation, something that may have been science, even if not quite as we know it. Maybe it was the Lord's work (or the Devil's) but maybe something explicable, someday. At least that was how I read it.
This time it's real. Unquestionable. Too many things that are explainable only by the supernatural. In front of multiple witnesses. And oddly, the first time Penn writes as if the supernatural or divine is unquestionably real, it is the first time she uses a non-Abrahamic, non-monotheistic religion, instead using the pantheon of the Norse Gods.
As a loyal reader, that took me by surprise. What also took me by surprise is that Morgan Sierra, brought up in Israel by a Jewish father, an academic in an Anglican Christian and secondarily Roman Catholic surrounding (Oxford), in a Judeo-Christian-Islamic greater milieu, does not seem surprised by it. Instead it's just more of the supernatural and divine that she has started to accept happens. I get it that Morgan is on a journey that will force her to accept that the stories of God may be real. But I think that she still was expecting HER God, not All-Father Odin, to be the one with the power.
Please don't take this as a pan of this book nor of the series. I totally enjoyed the read. But I do think there could be so much more, and I want Penn to fulfill the promise of the intriguing characters, settings, premises, and themes she has built.
March 1, 2016
Another novella to add to the ARKANE series, this being book 5. What begins as a trip to the British Museum to learn more about an artefact on display there, soon becomes a hostage situation. A group of Neo-Vikings, headed by their Shamen, are determined to seize the very same staff that Dr Morgan Sierra is studying. With the staff they hope to summon the ancient Nordic Gods and bring about the end of the world, or Ragnarok.
Without her usual partner, Jake Timber, Morgan receives help from an unlikely source, another academic employed by the museum. Once again this has been well written, and the reader will find it easy to picture remote Scottish Islands, as the story sweeps back and forth through time. As with the previous novella the action sequences seem to come quite thick and fast, and in some places can be a little gory.
Even if you have never read any of the other books in the series, this one is well worth a read. Maybe I'm slightly biased, as I do have a soft spot for Norse mythology.
Without her usual partner, Jake Timber, Morgan receives help from an unlikely source, another academic employed by the museum. Once again this has been well written, and the reader will find it easy to picture remote Scottish Islands, as the story sweeps back and forth through time. As with the previous novella the action sequences seem to come quite thick and fast, and in some places can be a little gory.
Even if you have never read any of the other books in the series, this one is well worth a read. Maybe I'm slightly biased, as I do have a soft spot for Norse mythology.
May 7, 2014
This novella with its short chapters wowed me! The tension was amped up by its fast pace. The action scenes showed Morgan Sierra as more formidable than ever, though she always makes room for her softer side...she took notice of Blake Daniel's ( from Desecration) alluring qualities. Morgan takes chances in this story that causes the reader great worry for her. The historical, religious and supernatural notes make this one of the most interesting thrillers I've ever read. I'll read anything Penn writes...she's that good. Fans of thrillers, in general, will love this story, especially fans of James Rollins, Steve Berry and Brad Meltzer. Highly recommended.
May 6, 2014
Another great short story about ARKANE. This one has Morgan and a new sidekick pitting themselves against a modern day Valkarie and Neo Vikings bent on finding a mystical object that will bring about the end of times. Excellently researched and written this time whisking the reader around the British Isles. Thoroughly recommended and looking forward to the next instalment. Thank you Joanna.
May 15, 2018
A thrilling fast paced read! I’ll be back for more!
April 22, 2021
It isn’t just that the Vikings are awesome. It isn’t just a personal preferences for novellas as a format. This was a test to find out if Penn’s Desecration was an adequate representation of her talent. This is the freebie you get when you sign up for the author’s newsletter. It’s from a different series than the Desecration, less dark, less psychological, more adventure style, more supernatural, but it still featured Blake Daniel the psychic, because apparently he is so dreamy that the author or her audience just can’t get enough of him.
This book is the 5th in its series and the events take place after Desecration and the lady who finds Blake irresistible in this book is Morgan Sierra, an agent of ARKANE. When she isn’t too busy gazing into his dreamy baby blues, she has to solve an ancient mystery and prevent Ragnarok. All in a day’s work.
So the story is one of those religious artifacts mystery adventures that are very popular featuring Vikings intent of having their day, some interesting historical elements, some Norse mythology, a bunch of action and some lovely locations.
The writing…well, it made Desecration (the book I had criticized for uninspired by the numbers writing) look good. This was sillier, more tediously romantic leaning and somehow even more low hanging fruit general population appeal altogether. It didn’t take too long to get through and it certainly helped to make up my mind about the author…no, that’s a definite pass. But it’s easy to understand her popularity, easy being the operative word, this is some very unchallenging reading, plain fun plainly told. Expect nothing more.
This book is the 5th in its series and the events take place after Desecration and the lady who finds Blake irresistible in this book is Morgan Sierra, an agent of ARKANE. When she isn’t too busy gazing into his dreamy baby blues, she has to solve an ancient mystery and prevent Ragnarok. All in a day’s work.
So the story is one of those religious artifacts mystery adventures that are very popular featuring Vikings intent of having their day, some interesting historical elements, some Norse mythology, a bunch of action and some lovely locations.
The writing…well, it made Desecration (the book I had criticized for uninspired by the numbers writing) look good. This was sillier, more tediously romantic leaning and somehow even more low hanging fruit general population appeal altogether. It didn’t take too long to get through and it certainly helped to make up my mind about the author…no, that’s a definite pass. But it’s easy to understand her popularity, easy being the operative word, this is some very unchallenging reading, plain fun plainly told. Expect nothing more.
March 29, 2017
I have forgotten about this book that I have downloaded in 2014, when just released. I suppose this is what happens when you are over zealous to read but the time simply runs away that you forget.
Now that I had the time I was happy to pick up this book again and what a wonderful read.
Although this is the first book that I read in the series I could catch up quickly the thread of the story and what's it about. And soon I was so involved in the book that everything around me could have erupted in chaos and I would not have known.
The characters are wonderfully developed and I cannot wait to read more about Blake and his extraordinary gift.
But the strong character of Morgan captured my imagination. This woman seems to enjoy her work so much that coincidences to her actions are secondary to save the day. But then she is equipped to act in such an events with the skill, grace and knowledge to save herself and the world around her.
The story itself was well researched and written to give you a superb thriller. It is extremely descriptive and takes you right to the heart of the action as it unfolds.
Truly a excellent book I can recommend as a standalone.
Now that I had the time I was happy to pick up this book again and what a wonderful read.
Although this is the first book that I read in the series I could catch up quickly the thread of the story and what's it about. And soon I was so involved in the book that everything around me could have erupted in chaos and I would not have known.
The characters are wonderfully developed and I cannot wait to read more about Blake and his extraordinary gift.
But the strong character of Morgan captured my imagination. This woman seems to enjoy her work so much that coincidences to her actions are secondary to save the day. But then she is equipped to act in such an events with the skill, grace and knowledge to save herself and the world around her.
The story itself was well researched and written to give you a superb thriller. It is extremely descriptive and takes you right to the heart of the action as it unfolds.
Truly a excellent book I can recommend as a standalone.
February 4, 2021
A short, fast-paced read about a special agent who must stop a Neo-Viking group from bringing about Ragnarok. I loved learning more about Norse mythology and was captivated by all the action. It was also fun to see characters from different JF Penn series come together. Recommended for fans of thrillers with a hint of the supernatural.
August 3, 2024
Another great thriller from J.F. Penn. I love Morgan and Blake and the little details about these characters. The historical details and the descriptions of the interior of the British museum were spectacular. The writing was explicit and the novel was good although I wish the end was a but more longer. If you are looking for a supernatural thriller this one is for you!
November 14, 2021
An intriguing blend of mythology, religious history and a fast paced thriller. Add in a dash of the paranormal and you've got a book you have to read in one sitting.
June 14, 2014
Joanna Penn is an accomplished storyteller. I have followed her progress with interest and been really impressed with her output. She researches the religious/spiritual/historical/psychological background of her stories well and manages to weave lots of intriguing facts and details into the action. I really enjoy the intersection between ritual and the potential for inexplicable and chilling events.
I came to "The Day of the Vikings" knowing that it was a short novella and therefore not expecting it to deliver great character exploration or depth of theme. It was what it claimed to be, a rollicking good tale. The action was vividly described and electric; the pace quick and dramatic. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the British Museum and the island of Iona, neither of which I have actually visited. After reading this, I am determined to visit both.
What fascinated me most about this particular book of Penn's was the sense of something lurking just beyond the edge, ready to break through into the known realm. As a student of spirituality and psychology, I hold to the view that all such premonitions of supernatural breakthrough are symptoms of hypersensitivity to shifts of consciousness. Is Penn giving expression to the enormous shifts taking place in the tectonic plates of popular culture? Or is it something more personal, a way of giving form to the massive shifts taking place in her own life as she comes to terms with her rapid rise to prominence in the world of fiction and internet entrepreneurship? The nearness of this threat makes for compelling plots and I look forward to more exploration on this front.
Finally, a word about Morgan Sierra. She is an appealing hero with lots of guts and insight into strange and dangerous phenomena. In this book, however, she lacked the charm of vulnerability. I hope to see more romantic interest in future books and perhaps some reference to her feminine health/wellness issues. As tough as she is, readers want to identify with her physically and emotionally, not just intellectually.
I came to "The Day of the Vikings" knowing that it was a short novella and therefore not expecting it to deliver great character exploration or depth of theme. It was what it claimed to be, a rollicking good tale. The action was vividly described and electric; the pace quick and dramatic. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the British Museum and the island of Iona, neither of which I have actually visited. After reading this, I am determined to visit both.
What fascinated me most about this particular book of Penn's was the sense of something lurking just beyond the edge, ready to break through into the known realm. As a student of spirituality and psychology, I hold to the view that all such premonitions of supernatural breakthrough are symptoms of hypersensitivity to shifts of consciousness. Is Penn giving expression to the enormous shifts taking place in the tectonic plates of popular culture? Or is it something more personal, a way of giving form to the massive shifts taking place in her own life as she comes to terms with her rapid rise to prominence in the world of fiction and internet entrepreneurship? The nearness of this threat makes for compelling plots and I look forward to more exploration on this front.
Finally, a word about Morgan Sierra. She is an appealing hero with lots of guts and insight into strange and dangerous phenomena. In this book, however, she lacked the charm of vulnerability. I hope to see more romantic interest in future books and perhaps some reference to her feminine health/wellness issues. As tough as she is, readers want to identify with her physically and emotionally, not just intellectually.
February 13, 2016
Book 5, in the Arkane series
Although this novella may be the 5th of a series of thrillers it reads perfectly as a stand-alone and the adventure can be enjoyed if the topic interests you.
The story is fast paced and is one to leave us on the edge from page one as we follow the main characters Dr. Morgan Sierra and Blake Daniel on another thrilling ride. This time our heroes become trapped in a terrorist attack on the British Museum of London where they will witness ritualistic murder by Neo- Vikings.
This story is an exciting blend of fiction and facts although where the author’s imagination took over is really up to historian to say. The plot is gruesome, fast moving and exciting. The author’s magic touch brings to life ancient mysteries and turns folklore into an out of this world experience, although a tad of improbability is also chiseled into it to captivate us. The story is vividly described and is very visual a sure sign that Ms. Penn love her subject. We are also whisked across the British Isles with fine details and rich words.
Not being familiar with Neo-Vikings and their rituals did not hinder my enjoyment although I must say that this series as yet to win my heart but is slowly doing a good job in trying to.
The author has graciously provided this book for an honest review. My thoughts have not been influence by the offer. This is the way I see it.
Although this novella may be the 5th of a series of thrillers it reads perfectly as a stand-alone and the adventure can be enjoyed if the topic interests you.
The story is fast paced and is one to leave us on the edge from page one as we follow the main characters Dr. Morgan Sierra and Blake Daniel on another thrilling ride. This time our heroes become trapped in a terrorist attack on the British Museum of London where they will witness ritualistic murder by Neo- Vikings.
This story is an exciting blend of fiction and facts although where the author’s imagination took over is really up to historian to say. The plot is gruesome, fast moving and exciting. The author’s magic touch brings to life ancient mysteries and turns folklore into an out of this world experience, although a tad of improbability is also chiseled into it to captivate us. The story is vividly described and is very visual a sure sign that Ms. Penn love her subject. We are also whisked across the British Isles with fine details and rich words.
Not being familiar with Neo-Vikings and their rituals did not hinder my enjoyment although I must say that this series as yet to win my heart but is slowly doing a good job in trying to.
The author has graciously provided this book for an honest review. My thoughts have not been influence by the offer. This is the way I see it.
May 13, 2016
It wasn't until I started to read this novella that I realised it was the fifth part in J.F. Penn's Arkane series. Not that this matters as it is a standalone story in its own right. I was attracted to it my the mix of Norse mythology, Vikings, and the present day, and it did not disapoint.
Day of the Vikings is a fast-paced, enjoyable romp (the author's own confession) that made me with think of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth if with more blood, guts, and gore. Some scenes are not for the faint-hearted, much like Game of Thrones, but none of it is gratuitous with it all having a place in the story.
If anything, my own criticism with Penn's story is that, with its clever plot, sharp writing, and fast-pace, I actually wanted more ... lots more. Ragnarok is a big event in the Viking calendar - the biggest you could say - and this could have an been an epic of a story to match that bigness. As it is, it remains a small, and perfectly - formed story.
Day of the Vikings is a fast-paced, enjoyable romp (the author's own confession) that made me with think of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth if with more blood, guts, and gore. Some scenes are not for the faint-hearted, much like Game of Thrones, but none of it is gratuitous with it all having a place in the story.
If anything, my own criticism with Penn's story is that, with its clever plot, sharp writing, and fast-pace, I actually wanted more ... lots more. Ragnarok is a big event in the Viking calendar - the biggest you could say - and this could have an been an epic of a story to match that bigness. As it is, it remains a small, and perfectly - formed story.
July 14, 2014
J.F. Penn dazzles again in this rollicking thriller. Dr. Morgan Sierra teams with Blake Daniel to stop a group of Neo-Vikings determined to resurrect the power of the Norse gods and bring about a cataclysm. The action is full-tilt from the onset and the reader is left little breathing room as the theft of a mythical staff leads to a series of bloody encounters.
Penn’s prose is evocative as usual, drawing the reader in with a solid sense of setting and attention to detail. Her historical insight and well-laden research also shines through the narrative, providing additional substance to the frenetic pace. Day of the Vikings scores another hit in the ARKANE thriller series, and I look forward to more adventures with Morgan Sierra.
Penn’s prose is evocative as usual, drawing the reader in with a solid sense of setting and attention to detail. Her historical insight and well-laden research also shines through the narrative, providing additional substance to the frenetic pace. Day of the Vikings scores another hit in the ARKANE thriller series, and I look forward to more adventures with Morgan Sierra.
December 30, 2015
I'll be honest, this is my favourite of the ARKANE books so far, not least because I'm familiar with the locations! I actually visited this exhibition AND I've been to Lindisfarne so it was possibly exciting due to that. Still, J.F. Penn throws us straight into the action and doesn't let off the pace until the final page. Morgan tears across Britain from London to Iona to stop the Neo-Vikings kickstarting Ragnarok, and this time she gets help from clairvoyant Blake. It is a tad implausible that all of the men Morgan meets should have impossibly chiselled movie star good looks, but hey, it's escapism and it's nice to live the fantasy once in a while!
I finished this book in a matter of hours and can't wait to get onto book 6.
I finished this book in a matter of hours and can't wait to get onto book 6.
July 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this quick read and its a definite page turner. I've had this on my Kindle for a while and just never got around to reading it. Now I feel compelled to go back to the beginning of the series and follow Morgan through all her adventures!
May 29, 2017
An enjoyable novella sized romp in the vein of Lara Croft - Tomb Raider & the Relic Hunter TV series.
January 17, 2021
Due to recent weather phenomena, which seem to fit a Viking prophecy, ARKANE agent, Dr. Morgan Sierra, has been sent to the British Museum’s Viking exhibition to study the Skara Brae, a key artifact used in deadly rituals. She meets museum researcher Blake Daniels, who has a gift of psychometry, allowing him to perceive historic information by touching an artifact. In their brief meeting, he was able to describe a gory sacrificial rite to the Norse god Odin, conducted by the Valkyrie, or witch, who channeled the supernatural powers of the Skara Brae.
The visit was interrupted by an explosion and occupation by a local Neo-Viking group and their Valkyrie, who demanded the staff be given to them. Without any back-up, Morgan was not able to stop the group as they proclaimed that Ragnarok was imminent. They then sacrificed the museum curator to Odin in a bloody ritual, and blew a hole in the roof to make their escape by helicopter. The group then needed was to search for the Eye of Odin, which would allow them to complete their mission and call up the sea monster that would destroy the world. Morgan was able to quickly research and make a guess where the group was headed and she set out to stop them.
Ms. Penn is a master story teller. It is obvious that she does painstaking research on the history and nuances of the subject matter and story locations. She adds enough detail so I feel like I’m watching a movie, seeing the museum exhibits and the areas the characters move through. She is able to combine religion, history, art and science elements with a vivid imagination to present a believable story that I did not want to put down. I have read and enjoyed several of Ms. Penn’s books, including her Mapwalker series and the first five books in the ARKANE series. I highly recommend them all, and that you read them in series order, to gain the most enjoyment. I received this book in an Instafreebie giveaway – this review is my honest opinion. I have already purchased copies of the next six books in this series and am eager to read them all.
The visit was interrupted by an explosion and occupation by a local Neo-Viking group and their Valkyrie, who demanded the staff be given to them. Without any back-up, Morgan was not able to stop the group as they proclaimed that Ragnarok was imminent. They then sacrificed the museum curator to Odin in a bloody ritual, and blew a hole in the roof to make their escape by helicopter. The group then needed was to search for the Eye of Odin, which would allow them to complete their mission and call up the sea monster that would destroy the world. Morgan was able to quickly research and make a guess where the group was headed and she set out to stop them.
Ms. Penn is a master story teller. It is obvious that she does painstaking research on the history and nuances of the subject matter and story locations. She adds enough detail so I feel like I’m watching a movie, seeing the museum exhibits and the areas the characters move through. She is able to combine religion, history, art and science elements with a vivid imagination to present a believable story that I did not want to put down. I have read and enjoyed several of Ms. Penn’s books, including her Mapwalker series and the first five books in the ARKANE series. I highly recommend them all, and that you read them in series order, to gain the most enjoyment. I received this book in an Instafreebie giveaway – this review is my honest opinion. I have already purchased copies of the next six books in this series and am eager to read them all.
March 9, 2020
I just finished reading the eBook “Day of the Vikings” by J.F. Penn. This is my first encounter with the author’s work. This eBook was offered as a free download via her website, The Creative Penn. As an accomplished author, J.F. Penn (Joanna) gives great insight for the self-published author.
The novella seized my attention immediately and as I journeyed through this adventure following an intriguing agent of ARKANE named Morgan, I realized that I was being introduced to a series I’d soon want to visit again.
The villain was fascinating, and quite horrific. Some of the violence may be too much for the queasy. Also, there are a few bad words, as much as you would expect in a Marvel movie.
If the “Day of the Vikings” is a strong indicator of what to expect in the works of J.F. Penn, you will find captivating, and entertaining thrillers indeed.
The novella seized my attention immediately and as I journeyed through this adventure following an intriguing agent of ARKANE named Morgan, I realized that I was being introduced to a series I’d soon want to visit again.
The villain was fascinating, and quite horrific. Some of the violence may be too much for the queasy. Also, there are a few bad words, as much as you would expect in a Marvel movie.
If the “Day of the Vikings” is a strong indicator of what to expect in the works of J.F. Penn, you will find captivating, and entertaining thrillers indeed.
July 29, 2019
Day of the Vikings was an action packed thriller filled with fantasy and history. The only reason I gave it four stars was because it is extremely graphic. Some of the violence was a bit much for me, but J.F. Penn is a master of description, and that is the only reason the death scenes bothered me so much.
This is a great book if you are looking for a quick and interesting read. With that said, this is not a book for the faint of heart. If you are easily offended by graphic violence this isn't the book for you. The imagery, history, and description of the landscapes are fantastic. I probably should have read the first four books in the series before picking this one up, but now that my appetite has been wet by the ARCANE series, I will definitely get the other nine books.
This is a great book if you are looking for a quick and interesting read. With that said, this is not a book for the faint of heart. If you are easily offended by graphic violence this isn't the book for you. The imagery, history, and description of the landscapes are fantastic. I probably should have read the first four books in the series before picking this one up, but now that my appetite has been wet by the ARCANE series, I will definitely get the other nine books.
August 28, 2019
I'm really enjoying the direction this series has taken over the past two books: it's super short, action-packed, and really episodic. If you've read any of the previous instalments, you'll see some satisfying character progression. If you haven't you won't feel like you missed anything.
What's more, Day of the Vikings is easily the best yet. You won't regret giving it a go.
Plus, I read this one particularly carefully, because someone mentioned that they'd found errors in it. I'll admit, I found a couple, but not too serious. And besides, I think most of them would be stylistic choices anyway.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/mVr6RM
What's more, Day of the Vikings is easily the best yet. You won't regret giving it a go.
Plus, I read this one particularly carefully, because someone mentioned that they'd found errors in it. I'll admit, I found a couple, but not too serious. And besides, I think most of them would be stylistic choices anyway.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/mVr6RM
May 4, 2021
Day of the Vikings is a fastmoving introduction to J.F. Penn’s ARKANE series. The plot revolves around a plan by some neo-Vikings to bring about Ragnarok by getting their hands on ancient Viking artifacts one of which is held in the British Museum. Mixed into the plot is a pleasant amount of history around the artifacts in question. There is some genuinely wonderful imagery like the rippling of the Midgard Serpent’s coils off the coastline, and the story moves fast enough to keep a casual reader interested. I was unfamiliar with the series when I picked up this book, but feel confident that I would enjoy another.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
June 13, 2024
Truely 4.5 Stars... I loved it!
J.F. Penn's new book in the Arkane series will draw you in and you won't be able to put it down. This thriller had me hooked from the prolougue (which up until now I usually skip but I am so glad I didn't.)
I love reading viking thrillers and this one, set in present day London, does not disspoint. Not for the squimish of heart this dark fantasy has lots of interesting twists and turns that will keep you wanting more.
What happens if you wake up and Vikings, who knew no boundaries, are terrorizing your town with ancient powers?
****SPOILERS****
I just wish they would have been time traveling Vikings.... or if they were that it was more clear. Had she not been able to take down the Crone all by herself, I would have rated this a 5.
J.F. Penn's new book in the Arkane series will draw you in and you won't be able to put it down. This thriller had me hooked from the prolougue (which up until now I usually skip but I am so glad I didn't.)
I love reading viking thrillers and this one, set in present day London, does not disspoint. Not for the squimish of heart this dark fantasy has lots of interesting twists and turns that will keep you wanting more.
What happens if you wake up and Vikings, who knew no boundaries, are terrorizing your town with ancient powers?
****SPOILERS****
I just wish they would have been time traveling Vikings.... or if they were that it was more clear. Had she not been able to take down the Crone all by herself, I would have rated this a 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2018
This was another quick read - I actually didn't realize that it was a novella and not a novel so when the end arrived I thought I was only about half way through and the climax was simply the midway point of the book (I was reading it in a box set on my kindle so it's a bit hard to tell where each book ends!).
I love Joanna's books but I struggle with the gore (not my scene) and this one seemed more graphic than usual which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. It was a bit too much for my stomach! But she sure can tell a rollicking good story and this was certainly that! Looking forward to reading The Gates of Hell next. I'll just make sure I don't read it while I'm out eating lunch!
I love Joanna's books but I struggle with the gore (not my scene) and this one seemed more graphic than usual which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. It was a bit too much for my stomach! But she sure can tell a rollicking good story and this was certainly that! Looking forward to reading The Gates of Hell next. I'll just make sure I don't read it while I'm out eating lunch!
May 4, 2021
An intriguing thriller about an ARKANE (a secret government agency that deals with paranormal threats) agent who gets caught up in an attack at the British museum. There's just enough real Norse mythology and British museum and geographical knowledge to make the story convincing and the characters are engaging although we don't see a lot of any of them because the book is only novella length. I'm guessing the heroine has more tales to tell so if you're a fan of series, this one might be a good choice.
I liked it quite a lot although there's a good bit of Viking style blood and gore so if you're squeamish you might want to skip those parts.
I liked it quite a lot although there's a good bit of Viking style blood and gore so if you're squeamish you might want to skip those parts.
December 25, 2022
An inventive story with lots of action around the threat of Ragnarok, basically the end of the world in Old Norsk.
The prologue threw me, though, opening with a list of colors I had to look up which turned out to be unnecessary.
The vague setting of the ritual had me wondering what time period I was in, but that was of no consequence either. You can safely skip the Prologue. Chapter 1 gets to viking lore quickly, and a similar repeats in chapter 5 and again in 6.
Spots in the middle with long info dumps had my mind wondering and a few missing chapter transitions required me to reread the previous ending.
The prologue threw me, though, opening with a list of colors I had to look up which turned out to be unnecessary.
The vague setting of the ritual had me wondering what time period I was in, but that was of no consequence either. You can safely skip the Prologue. Chapter 1 gets to viking lore quickly, and a similar repeats in chapter 5 and again in 6.
Spots in the middle with long info dumps had my mind wondering and a few missing chapter transitions required me to reread the previous ending.
December 21, 2023
Day of the Vikings is a fast paced supernatural thriller with a solid plot, although the characters were rather unremarkable. Although allowed small glimpses into the characters, I never got a real sense of who they were. There is Blake Daniels, who holds the potential to become a very interesting character, if allowed, but then it sounds like he has his own series. Even Morgan’s character seemed a bit flat compared to the bigger than life Valkyrie and her terror mongers and their onslaught.
See my full review here: http://writingtoberead.com/2023/12/03...
See my full review here: http://writingtoberead.com/2023/12/03...
March 30, 2025
This novella is a gripping blend of action, history, and mythology. The story follows ARKANE agent Dr. Morgan Sierra as she faces Neo-Viking terrorists who invade the British Museum to reclaim the staff of Skara Brae, an artifact with the power to summon Ragnarok—the Viking apocalypse. Alongside psychic Blake Daniel, Morgan must uncover the truth behind the staff's history and prevent the catastrophic events that could follow. The novella is set in iconic locations like the British Museum, the British Library, and the islands of Orkney, Lindisfarne, and Iona, weaving together present-day action with Viking history and myth.
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