Akula

Erling Ravnåker #2

by Arnar Vik

En tilfeldig oppdagelse ved Andøya Space utløser et dødelig spill av storpolitiske dimensjoner. PST må beskytte et vitne under en konferanse ved NTNU i Trondheim, når en skruppelløs og godt organisert gruppe leiesoldater dukker opp. Jakten som følger drar det lokale politiet inn i en malstrøm av død, og i Trondheimsfjordens mørke dyp ligger fienden på lur.

Erling Ravnåker og Rubina Amini havner igjen i stormens øye, denne gang fra det ellers så søvnige kontoret til Politiets Sikkerhetstjeneste i Trondheim. Det skal vise seg at trusselen blir svært personlig for dem begge.

346 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Arnar Vik is a Norwegian author based in Oslo. Writing under a pseudonym, Arnar leads a professional life far removed from the literary world. His debut novel, Ospreys, is the first in a series rooted in the covert operations of Norway’s intelligence services. With a focus on realism and tension, Arnar aims to guide readers through stories that feel close to real life—where suspense drives the narrative forward. He makes no grand claims about his literary talents, but hopes the books will offer solid entertainment for anyone who appreciates a gripping thriller. Arnar is currently working with book number three in this series. Akula - the second book - has just come out on Amazon.

Reviews

[GOVIND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping techno-thriller!

Akula: a nail-biting, scintillating 80s style techno-thriller that weaves espionage, nuclear politics and the embarrassingly unappreciated personal morality involved in the seemingly gluttonous five-day descent towards moral responsibility. From the opening episode in a submarine gliding alone beneath the ice cap to the final grimace, poised at an icy crossroads, delving into a world this claustrophobic is thrilling; we can feel the submarine shuddering around us even as it dodges wolves we know are baying just outside.
What sets this book apart is its sure command of detail. The author deals with heady subjects — intelligence operations, international law, nuclear physics and covert warfare — with aplomb, never sidelining his story for exposition sake. The characters are well drawn, human — especially the morally conflicted professionals caught between duty, conscience and staying alive to continue doing what they were trained to do. Their decisions have real consequences, which helps keep the tension at all times.
The plotting builds slowly, its focus swiveling effortlessly between surveillance, political chicanery and sudden violence. It’s not just spectacle either, but the suspense of the uncertain, of secret-keeping, and the ratcheting horror of its central conceit in terms of a total lack of implausibility. The geopolitical overtones feel disturbingly plausible, giving the story gravity beyond escapism.
Talking about the shortcomings, I felt that the story could have been managed well under different chapter titles and the story could have been shortened a bit to make it more engaging and gripping. Yet it is a razor sharp, gripping and atmospheric tale; Akula is a brilliant read for my fellow lovers of modern spy fiction and high stakes thrillers. What it provides instead is thoughtful intellectual depth and pulse-quickening drama that is hard to put down once the story starts rolling.

[Damir Salkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardboiled PST officer Erling Ravnåker and a nuclear physicist turned whistleblower pursue a stolen fragment of apocalypse in this tightly wound geopolitical thriller. American physicist Dr. Hazel Cohen is thrust into a political crisis when she discovers weapons-grade plutonium in a satellite power source – evidence of a secret with potentially catastrophic international implications. As she defects seeking Norwegian asylum, CIA contractors, intelligence agencies, and kidnappers led by former Soviet officer Gustavs converge to retrieve her and the material.

In his latest novel, Arnar Vik exposes and examines power imbalances between small nations and superpowers. High-level treaties exist only until it becomes politically expedient to break them. Akula imagines a chillingly plausible scenario in which space exploration becomes the next frontier for nuclear brinkmanship. Vik’s writing excels in procedural realism and moral tension, grounding global stakes in human fear, determination, and quiet courage.

In Vik’s world, intelligence work is neither glamorous nor black-and-white. It’s bureaucratic, secretive, and ruthlessly pragmatic, with countless shades of gray. At times, the sheer density of operational detail stalls momentum, and character interiors are subordinated to plot mechanics. But this will hardly put off dedicated "hard espionage" fans. The novel’s unresolved ending underscores the fragility of international law and foreshadows terrifying future developments. It’s a cold-war thriller for an era that insists it has moved on.

[Sotto Voce · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride. A fast-paced, gripping espionage and political thriller that stands too close to reality. The plot revolves around a power struggle to get hold of some evidence that could lead to international conflicts and wars.

There are so many details in the first part of the book, including some unfamiliar terms. It takes a while to learn their sides, roles, and parties involved, but once the story moves along, everything falls into its place. All the intertwining incidents from various POVs are the strongest factor in this book. New characters appear throughout the span of the story, but they fit well into their roles, and no one overstays their welcome.

Unfortunately, the book is not easy to read because of the lack of formatting. The jumble of words without paragraphs and chapter breaks makes it a strain in the eyes. Fortunately, the story is very engaging and well-written, with a lot of real-life information to learn from. The submarine and what happens inside it led me to have a new favorite villain.

The ending is realistic, and everyone with a good head on their shoulder would know that this kind of cover-up exists. While the fate of one main character is very questionable and feels like plot armor, it opens up to the possibility of a sequel.

[Joseph Wadas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel throws you straight into a tense Norwegian thriller where a single discovery spirals into something far more dangerous and personal. The setting is vivid, moving smoothly from academic halls to icy waters, and it gives the story a strong sense of place. Erling Ravnåker and Rubina Amini are compelling leads, especially as the threat begins to cut close to their own lives rather than staying purely professional. The action is frequent and well-timed, keeping the stakes high without feeling cartoonish or overblown. At times the story feels a bit compressed, and I would have liked a few quieter moments to dig deeper into the emotional impact of what’s happening. Still, it’s a gripping and entertaining read that easily earns four stars for fans of international crime and security thrillers.

[Elizabeth Horst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast-paced and action-packed novel brings the reader on an adventure in Norway from land and air to underwater and everywhere in between. As the heroes struggle to protect others assigned to them, their lives are also at risk, and then they realize how the security of their country is also being targeted. Once you really see what’s taking place, it’s a whirlwind of a story that you’ll need to hang on for, as you’re taken for the rest of the wild ride.

While the book is gripping and well-written with a great plot and likable characters, it lacks formatting with no chapters and no paragraphs. That reading difficulty gives it just four stars, but it’s still a worthwhile read and recommended to anyone who enjoys military and police thrillers.

[Dilbatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akula is a tense, fast-moving thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish. I really enjoyed the Norwegian setting, especially how the Trondheimsfjord adds atmosphere and menace to the story. The plot ramps up quickly with mercenaries, intelligence agencies, and personal stakes for Erling and Rubina, which gave the investigation real emotional weight. Some of the procedural and technical details slow things down a bit, but the suspense never disappears. A solid, exciting continuation of the series that deepens the characters and raises the stakes.

[Neal Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I didn't enjoy the author's decision to remove chapters and paragraphs. It threw off the enjoyment of the read that is a well-written and detailed story. My favorite character of several well-liked was Rubina. I will not go into the reasons but after the read I think you will know why. This is a very good story. I believe it should be made into a movie. The storyline and characters are that good.