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Valhalla Burning
For fans of The Witcher and the novels of Joe Abercrombie and John Gwynne, comes a bloody Norse tale of grief, vengeance, fear, and fate from emerging SFF writer Michael Pogach.
It’s 9th century Norway and Rúnr Njalson has been gifted supernatural warrior abilities as Odin’s chosen Berserkr. Enemies and allies quake in fear at his approach. But when the unbeatable hero cannot save his own daughter Yrsa during a rival clan’s raid, his only choice is to seek vengeance to gain her entry into Valhalla.
Plagued with horrific visions and grappling with the loss of his precious child, whose ghost torments his nights, Rúnr seeks the direction of a seeress’s prophecy, and is told he must find a mysterious red temple and there face Yrsa’s killer to save her soul from a fate with Hel. He abandons his homeland on a hunt spanning the dark forests of the Slavs and the Rus to the fabled city of Constantinople, along the way throwing in with a motley band of Viking Captain Garmr’s ferocity fits the namesake of Hel’s hound; the nervous merchant Erasmus hides secrets he’ll never tell; the warrior Ingimar whose quick temper is going to get them all into trouble; and the fierce shieldmaiden Ingirid who may be the only one able to break through Rúnr’s tough exterior.
While Rúnr’s love for Ingirid grows, his Berserkr rage become more volatile, testing the crew’s bonds and leading him to face an impossible sacrifice.
Lift a horn of ale and taste sweat and blood in this rich and brutal dark Viking adventure.
It’s 9th century Norway and Rúnr Njalson has been gifted supernatural warrior abilities as Odin’s chosen Berserkr. Enemies and allies quake in fear at his approach. But when the unbeatable hero cannot save his own daughter Yrsa during a rival clan’s raid, his only choice is to seek vengeance to gain her entry into Valhalla.
Plagued with horrific visions and grappling with the loss of his precious child, whose ghost torments his nights, Rúnr seeks the direction of a seeress’s prophecy, and is told he must find a mysterious red temple and there face Yrsa’s killer to save her soul from a fate with Hel. He abandons his homeland on a hunt spanning the dark forests of the Slavs and the Rus to the fabled city of Constantinople, along the way throwing in with a motley band of Viking Captain Garmr’s ferocity fits the namesake of Hel’s hound; the nervous merchant Erasmus hides secrets he’ll never tell; the warrior Ingimar whose quick temper is going to get them all into trouble; and the fierce shieldmaiden Ingirid who may be the only one able to break through Rúnr’s tough exterior.
While Rúnr’s love for Ingirid grows, his Berserkr rage become more volatile, testing the crew’s bonds and leading him to face an impossible sacrifice.
Lift a horn of ale and taste sweat and blood in this rich and brutal dark Viking adventure.
- GenresFantasy
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2026
About the author
Michael Pogach
11 books52 followersMichael Pogach is the author of the dark fantasy VALHALLA BURNING (July 2026, from Diversion Books), which has been hailed as "a roaring epic" (Darby McDevitt, lead author of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and the author of The Halter) and "a compelling and powerful story" (Sam Davey, author of the Pendragon Prophecy series). His previous novels include the Gothic thriller SLIP (a 2023 Pencraft Award runner-up), and the dystopian thriller Rafael Ward series: THE SPIDER IN THE LAUREL (a 2018 Kindle Book Award finalist), THE LONG OBLIVION (a 2019 Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), THE TYRANT GODS, and THE HIDDEN EMPIRE.
When not working on his next book, Michael teaches literature and creative writing in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley where he lives with his wife, two kids, and a black cat named Wednesday.
www.michaelpogach.com
www.michaelpogach.com
When not working on his next book, Michael teaches literature and creative writing in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley where he lives with his wife, two kids, and a black cat named Wednesday.
www.michaelpogach.com
www.michaelpogach.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 4.25
Valhalla Burning is a dark Viking saga about a father driven across the world by grief, prophecy, and a desperate hope to rescue his daughter’s soul.
Pogach builds a harsh, myth-saturated Viking world where history and Norse mythology blur together. The setting feels rooted in real medieval geography, yet supernatural forces subtly guide events beneath the surface. By grounding the story in recognizable historical backdrops, the world feels authentic and lived-in. The novel captures essential aspects of Norse society such as violence, survival, loyalty, and honor, while weaving in the spiritual beliefs that shaped how people understood their lives. These mythic elements influence character decisions throughout the story, particularly Rúnr’s relentless quest to save his daughter’s soul. One of the most striking fantasy elements is the berserker state, a divine battle fury that goes beyond mere psychology. It can be seen as a gift or a curse from the gods, granting immense power while steadily eroding the hero’s stability.
The character development centers on how trauma, guilt, and destiny reshape those caught in the story’s path. Rúnr himself is compelling, though often difficult to sympathize with. His grief and guilt feel authentic, and his gradual surrender to uncontrollable berserker rage sustains tension throughout the narrative. However, his singular focus on revenge can sometimes make him emotionally distant, which may leave some readers wishing for more variety in his inner life. Fortunately, the supporting characters provide balance. Companions encountered along the journey bring perspective, conflict, and moments of humanity to a tale that might otherwise sink completely into its darkness.
Overall, Valhalla Burning is grim, mythic, emotionally heavy and a story about vengeance, fate, and the devastating cost of both. Readers who enjoy dark Viking fantasy and morally complex heroes will likely find plenty to appreciate here.
Valhalla Burning is a dark Viking saga about a father driven across the world by grief, prophecy, and a desperate hope to rescue his daughter’s soul.
Pogach builds a harsh, myth-saturated Viking world where history and Norse mythology blur together. The setting feels rooted in real medieval geography, yet supernatural forces subtly guide events beneath the surface. By grounding the story in recognizable historical backdrops, the world feels authentic and lived-in. The novel captures essential aspects of Norse society such as violence, survival, loyalty, and honor, while weaving in the spiritual beliefs that shaped how people understood their lives. These mythic elements influence character decisions throughout the story, particularly Rúnr’s relentless quest to save his daughter’s soul. One of the most striking fantasy elements is the berserker state, a divine battle fury that goes beyond mere psychology. It can be seen as a gift or a curse from the gods, granting immense power while steadily eroding the hero’s stability.
The character development centers on how trauma, guilt, and destiny reshape those caught in the story’s path. Rúnr himself is compelling, though often difficult to sympathize with. His grief and guilt feel authentic, and his gradual surrender to uncontrollable berserker rage sustains tension throughout the narrative. However, his singular focus on revenge can sometimes make him emotionally distant, which may leave some readers wishing for more variety in his inner life. Fortunately, the supporting characters provide balance. Companions encountered along the journey bring perspective, conflict, and moments of humanity to a tale that might otherwise sink completely into its darkness.
Overall, Valhalla Burning is grim, mythic, emotionally heavy and a story about vengeance, fate, and the devastating cost of both. Readers who enjoy dark Viking fantasy and morally complex heroes will likely find plenty to appreciate here.
September 6, 2026
4.5 Stars - Rounded up for Goodreads.
This book called to me - I'd never heard of the author, and I'm not particularly well read in this type of Norse based historical fiction/fantasy either (though there are several Gwynne series on my shelves which I'm now even more excited for). I guess my review is why it called to me so strongly and what I found.
The core is revenge - but that's too simplistic. It reduces the feeling, the pain, the yearning into a single word. It's what that word makes people do, how it affects their interactions, their choices, their relationships - that's what this is really about. Fundamentally I felt like it wasn't so much for me about the revenge but about the oath for it. That's what spoke to me. The dedication. The swearing and commitment and just how much that type of dedication requires. It bled here on every page. And they were all aware of it - and they all understood patience and yes even honor.
This had horror as well as a touch of fantasy with the berserker and the various more mythological elements. It's gruesome and bloody - intentionally so. I was always struck by the circumstances that changed in how both Rúnr (the first part) and the group (the other parts) felt about what they were doing. At times it is brutal efficiency but at other times it brought regret and emotional conflict. I think that resonated with me not because of the gory parts, but because of choice and impact. It had me thinking more than I do in an action tale. In spite of it again being a simple concept (revenge and acting on it) the ramifications of it - on the person, the group, community, others were all a part of what was happening.
I was pretty mesmerized by Rúnr's journey - and I thought the end was excellent. Maybe it's me being older that makes this ending feel more satisfying in some ways. No spoilers - but wow.
I loved the mix of historical realism and how the religious/lore based ideas were blended. It just felt so organic - like this could exactly be how it would have happened in history. In particular Yrsa's story as Rúnr daughter being the central core here - feeling deeply for the young child and what has happened. I like all the pieces that come together for her- how she is in the story in a more active way.
I am mostly Scandinavian (though a couple of generations removed from immigrant), but I did not hear much of anything of Norse Myths or other stories from that area of the world when I was young. This book made me wish I had - because they are a part of me. lt has made me very curious to read more about them and in greater depth.
I will say the first part was much heavier on momentum - it didn't really let up for me and I ate it up. When the group forms it takes on more of a travel story, the pace slows but it is steady with out a lot of lulls, and there is more introspection and of course dealing with people more issues coming to the forefront. I enjoyed both parts. A bit surprising as I far prefer action and quick plot movement at times, though characters are my first love, because a very slow plot often has me abandoning the book.
This is one I will think about in the future.
This book called to me - I'd never heard of the author, and I'm not particularly well read in this type of Norse based historical fiction/fantasy either (though there are several Gwynne series on my shelves which I'm now even more excited for). I guess my review is why it called to me so strongly and what I found.
The core is revenge - but that's too simplistic. It reduces the feeling, the pain, the yearning into a single word. It's what that word makes people do, how it affects their interactions, their choices, their relationships - that's what this is really about. Fundamentally I felt like it wasn't so much for me about the revenge but about the oath for it. That's what spoke to me. The dedication. The swearing and commitment and just how much that type of dedication requires. It bled here on every page. And they were all aware of it - and they all understood patience and yes even honor.
This had horror as well as a touch of fantasy with the berserker and the various more mythological elements. It's gruesome and bloody - intentionally so. I was always struck by the circumstances that changed in how both Rúnr (the first part) and the group (the other parts) felt about what they were doing. At times it is brutal efficiency but at other times it brought regret and emotional conflict. I think that resonated with me not because of the gory parts, but because of choice and impact. It had me thinking more than I do in an action tale. In spite of it again being a simple concept (revenge and acting on it) the ramifications of it - on the person, the group, community, others were all a part of what was happening.
I was pretty mesmerized by Rúnr's journey - and I thought the end was excellent. Maybe it's me being older that makes this ending feel more satisfying in some ways. No spoilers - but wow.
I loved the mix of historical realism and how the religious/lore based ideas were blended. It just felt so organic - like this could exactly be how it would have happened in history. In particular Yrsa's story as Rúnr daughter being the central core here - feeling deeply for the young child and what has happened. I like all the pieces that come together for her- how she is in the story in a more active way.
I am mostly Scandinavian (though a couple of generations removed from immigrant), but I did not hear much of anything of Norse Myths or other stories from that area of the world when I was young. This book made me wish I had - because they are a part of me. lt has made me very curious to read more about them and in greater depth.
I will say the first part was much heavier on momentum - it didn't really let up for me and I ate it up. When the group forms it takes on more of a travel story, the pace slows but it is steady with out a lot of lulls, and there is more introspection and of course dealing with people more issues coming to the forefront. I enjoyed both parts. A bit surprising as I far prefer action and quick plot movement at times, though characters are my first love, because a very slow plot often has me abandoning the book.
This is one I will think about in the future.
October 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance audiobook of this novel. All thoughts are my own.
Valhalla Burning is a Norse tale of a grieving father on a scorched-earth path of revenge for the death of his daughter..
What I Loved
I loved the character of Rúnr. He's ultimately a tragic character, reeling from the death of his daughter, betrayed by his clan, and set upon a gory path of vengeance. The political intrigue of the jarl-ship (is that even a word? Eh, we're going with it) was interesting, and the cast of characters Rúnr meets along the way was compelling. I especially liked Ingirid, who is a bad ass and on a path of vengeance in her own right.
Audio Narration
For this audiobook, Michael David Axtell takes the reins. I thought he was fantastic.
Overall
I enjoyed this quite a bit. It's dark, gritty, and pairs well with TV's Vikings and John Gwynne.
Valhalla Burning is a Norse tale of a grieving father on a scorched-earth path of revenge for the death of his daughter..
What I Loved
I loved the character of Rúnr. He's ultimately a tragic character, reeling from the death of his daughter, betrayed by his clan, and set upon a gory path of vengeance. The political intrigue of the jarl-ship (is that even a word? Eh, we're going with it) was interesting, and the cast of characters Rúnr meets along the way was compelling. I especially liked Ingirid, who is a bad ass and on a path of vengeance in her own right.
Audio Narration
For this audiobook, Michael David Axtell takes the reins. I thought he was fantastic.
Overall
I enjoyed this quite a bit. It's dark, gritty, and pairs well with TV's Vikings and John Gwynne.
October 8, 2026
This was so good. The lore. The world building. The character development. So good.
August 30, 2026
This one delivers if you want Norse mythology, a dash of history, and revenge done right. No slow build here, the action starts on page one and doesn’t let up. What sold me was the character work; I was genuinely invested in what happened to these people. The full-circle structure running underneath the plot lands the ending exactly right. Killing, prophecy, a little godly mischief, this is a strong one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a wild, emotional, and occasionally bloody ride this was! Rúnr, our protagonist went to hell and back in service to vengeance, and I was completely satisfied what he saw, the things he did, and how his character evolved in the course of his journey. Will we see a sequel, perhaps? I hope so. Props to the author for enlightening me (while entertaining me) about a culture I knew little about. I'm sure he had some fun playing with the mythology.
April 20, 2026
This is a story of revenge… and for good reason. The world building is top notch, the mythology too. Valhalla Burning is a perfect for people who love a gritty, suck you in and hold you there plot.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Valhalla Burning is a fierce, atmospheric, and tightly plotted thriller that hooks you from its opening pages and refuses to let go. Michael Pogach masterfully blends mythology‑tinged intrigue with gritty suspense, creating a story that feels both cinematic and deeply human. It’s the kind of book that keeps your pulse elevated—not just because of the action, but because you genuinely care about the characters navigating its dangerous world.
The protagonist is a standout: flawed, resilient, and compelling in the way they confront both external threats and internal demons. Pogach writes with a sharp emotional sensitivity that gives the narrative real weight. Every decision the characters make feels earned, and every twist lands with satisfying impact.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its world‑building. Pogach effortlessly weaves Norse‑inspired elements into a modern, high‑stakes plot, grounding mythic references in realism rather than spectacle. The result is a setting that feels atmospheric without ever overwhelming the story. The tension builds steadily throughout, punctuated by explosive moments that heighten the urgency without sacrificing clarity.
The pacing is tight, the prose confident, and the tone gripping from start to finish. If there’s a minor critique, it’s that a few plot threads could have used a bit more breathing room. But even these moments add to the book’s relentless momentum, pushing you onward chapter after chapter.
Overall, Valhalla Burning is a riveting, emotionally charged thriller with just the right touch of mythic flare. It showcases Michael Pogach at his best—bold, imaginative, and masterfully in control of his craft.
A gripping, atmospheric knockout—easily worth 4.5 stars.
The protagonist is a standout: flawed, resilient, and compelling in the way they confront both external threats and internal demons. Pogach writes with a sharp emotional sensitivity that gives the narrative real weight. Every decision the characters make feels earned, and every twist lands with satisfying impact.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its world‑building. Pogach effortlessly weaves Norse‑inspired elements into a modern, high‑stakes plot, grounding mythic references in realism rather than spectacle. The result is a setting that feels atmospheric without ever overwhelming the story. The tension builds steadily throughout, punctuated by explosive moments that heighten the urgency without sacrificing clarity.
The pacing is tight, the prose confident, and the tone gripping from start to finish. If there’s a minor critique, it’s that a few plot threads could have used a bit more breathing room. But even these moments add to the book’s relentless momentum, pushing you onward chapter after chapter.
Overall, Valhalla Burning is a riveting, emotionally charged thriller with just the right touch of mythic flare. It showcases Michael Pogach at his best—bold, imaginative, and masterfully in control of his craft.
A gripping, atmospheric knockout—easily worth 4.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When the god-trance takes hold, brace yourself.
Valhalla Burning delivers everything fans of Viking culture and Norse mythology could want. Runr, a berserkr determined to avenge the murder of his daughter, sets out on a journey far from his home, fueled by grief, rage, and an unrelenting thirst for retribution. He joins a band of Viking raiders with secrets of their own, to find the red temple, where Runr expects to find the man who killed his daughter. The action scenes are visceral, and the body count is vast. Yet amid the carnage, the novel cleverly slips in moments of dark humor and human connection, giving the story heart beneath all the blood and fury.
The writing is vivid and immersive, balancing brutal action with emotional depth and flashes of humor. Runr’s grief and rage feels raw and authentic, making his journey compelling from start to finish. The chemistry between Runr and Ingiriid, one of the Viking raiders with him on his journey, is striking, reminding me of the classic Red Sonja film from 1985. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gritty Vikings kicking a** with a touch of the fantastical. Bring on the sequel!
*I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
Valhalla Burning delivers everything fans of Viking culture and Norse mythology could want. Runr, a berserkr determined to avenge the murder of his daughter, sets out on a journey far from his home, fueled by grief, rage, and an unrelenting thirst for retribution. He joins a band of Viking raiders with secrets of their own, to find the red temple, where Runr expects to find the man who killed his daughter. The action scenes are visceral, and the body count is vast. Yet amid the carnage, the novel cleverly slips in moments of dark humor and human connection, giving the story heart beneath all the blood and fury.
The writing is vivid and immersive, balancing brutal action with emotional depth and flashes of humor. Runr’s grief and rage feels raw and authentic, making his journey compelling from start to finish. The chemistry between Runr and Ingiriid, one of the Viking raiders with him on his journey, is striking, reminding me of the classic Red Sonja film from 1985. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gritty Vikings kicking a** with a touch of the fantastical. Bring on the sequel!
*I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
Read
July 17, 2026My feelings are more mixed than a bloody mary.
When I hear “vikings” in a story, I immediately feel that it’s going to be epic and I get super excited for heroic adventure, wild beliefs and gut-wrenching battles.
What I liked:
Immediately hooked by Runr’s tragic loss of his daughter. This sets things into motion and I was curious how he would avenge his daughter. The mythology was awesome, greatly woven into Runr’s mission. His visions and nightmares had me questioning if he was losing it or if he was paying the price for his powers.
Everything leading up to Runr meeting his new crew kept me intrigued. But things started to seem somewhat repetitive, especially when his story was continually brought up but without more details or different perspectives.
The ending…left me wishing for more. My thoughts were, “that’s it?” “What was it all for?”
I wanted to like this story. I’ve even questioned the resolve of the story, thought about how the dust can settle, and how a soul can become weary. I pushed myself to finish the book in hopes of a satisfying end, but I’m left unsatisfied like a cheeseburger missing its cheese.
Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set during the cusp between Norse beliefs and the rise of Christianity, Vahlhalla Burning follows Ruhr, adopted son of the town Jarl. When the Fenns attack his town in the middle of the night, Ruhr fights to save Ysra, his 4 year old daughter from slaughter. His failure to save her puts him on a path for vengeance against the Fenns. When the local seer tells him of his fate through a cryptic prophecy from the Norse gods, Ruhr sets out to meet his fate head on. A story of vengeance, found family, and betrayal, Vahlhalla Burning is a bloody ride.
If you enjoy Norse mythology, a touch of a history lesson, and tales of revenge, this book is for you. The pacing was quick, jumping into the action at page one. The character development is strong, making me care about the fate of the characters. There is an underlying theme of events coming full circle throughout the story that perfectly set up the ending. Overall a really strong read, with a lot of killing, prophecy and a little mischief from the gods.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
If you enjoy Norse mythology, a touch of a history lesson, and tales of revenge, this book is for you. The pacing was quick, jumping into the action at page one. The character development is strong, making me care about the fate of the characters. There is an underlying theme of events coming full circle throughout the story that perfectly set up the ending. Overall a really strong read, with a lot of killing, prophecy and a little mischief from the gods.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Valhalla Burning is not for the weak. It’s a gory, twisting tale of the hero, outcast, and, most importantly, father, Rúnr, that surprises like a knife to the stomach time and again. Rúnr’s self-isolating berserkr abilities create morally complex opportunities for others to take advantage of, if they dare to get close enough. Rúnr himself wrestles with his berserkr gift from Odin, which leaves death in his wake and builds a tension within himself that he must eventually face.
Couched between the action scenes are characters bearing the weight of grief, ambition, and duty while discussing what philosophical and religious forces drive them forward. While set in a violent, adventurous, and unpredictable time, I found myself most enraptured by the friendships, familial relationships, and bit of romance, all of which kept me coming back to find out what happens next.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
Couched between the action scenes are characters bearing the weight of grief, ambition, and duty while discussing what philosophical and religious forces drive them forward. While set in a violent, adventurous, and unpredictable time, I found myself most enraptured by the friendships, familial relationships, and bit of romance, all of which kept me coming back to find out what happens next.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
October 22, 2026
I had mixed feelings about this book in the beginning. As the story progressed and the characters found themselves in one unexpected situation after another, I struggled to see how these events were moving the plot forward. At times, it felt like the story was wandering without a clear direction, and I wondered how everything would eventually come together. However, by the end of the book, I was pleasantly surprised to see how all the pieces fit together. Each situation, even the ones that initially seemed unrelated, turned out to serve a purpose and helped bring the story full circle. I appreciated how the author tied everything together in a way that made sense and gave the earlier events new meaning. What started as a somewhat uncertain read turned into an enjoyable and satisfying experience. I’m glad I stuck with it, and I would definitely recommend it to others. Great read!
October 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook.
2.5 stars. This could have been so much better than it was. The premise was great and the ending was pretty good with an unforeseen twist, but man the writing really needs some work. There were so many opportunities to have such awesome parts and pieces that fell completely flat because the writing was so bland. There were many chances for epic fight scenes or diving further into Runrs god trance and the implications of it. But every time there was build up to what could be such an amazing part of the story, it was rushed through and immediately onto the next. This really could have been a 4/5 star book had their been more detail that mattered.
2.5 stars. This could have been so much better than it was. The premise was great and the ending was pretty good with an unforeseen twist, but man the writing really needs some work. There were so many opportunities to have such awesome parts and pieces that fell completely flat because the writing was so bland. There were many chances for epic fight scenes or diving further into Runrs god trance and the implications of it. But every time there was build up to what could be such an amazing part of the story, it was rushed through and immediately onto the next. This really could have been a 4/5 star book had their been more detail that mattered.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are many books I’ve found myself trying to immerse myself in the character, setting and action but Valhalla Burning did the heavy lifting for me. The book nails the gut wrenching story telling, exquisite exploration of sentiments surrounding failure of tribulations, and the connections that felt as though they were my own. Definitely a story I will share with friends, especially those who find themselves comforted, thrilled and entertained with pop culture staples like Vinland Saga, Senua’s Saga and Assassins Creed Valhalla.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review
*I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews