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No Snakes in Iceland
Set in the wild edge of the world in the 10th century, No Snakes in Iceland is the story of Edgar, an English poet adrift in the world of his enemies, the heathen Vikings.
Though far from home and seething with bitter hate, Edgar is recruited by a strange young man to come to a farm in a far-off glacial valley—and kill a ghost. Accompanied only by his confessor Sifrid and an arrogant young monk, Edgar rides to the winter-bound farm and meets hostile fighters, outlaws, berserks, a family torn asunder by a generation of strife, and, always looming, the fearsome mound-dweller that terrorizes the farmstead by night.
No Snakes in Iceland is the story of both one man lost and lonely in the world, and of a world in the grip of supernatural forces it cannot understand.
Though far from home and seething with bitter hate, Edgar is recruited by a strange young man to come to a farm in a far-off glacial valley—and kill a ghost. Accompanied only by his confessor Sifrid and an arrogant young monk, Edgar rides to the winter-bound farm and meets hostile fighters, outlaws, berserks, a family torn asunder by a generation of strife, and, always looming, the fearsome mound-dweller that terrorizes the farmstead by night.
No Snakes in Iceland is the story of both one man lost and lonely in the world, and of a world in the grip of supernatural forces it cannot understand.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2016
6 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Jordan M. Poss
5 books115 followersJordan M. Poss is a native of Rabun County, in the beautiful north Georgia mountains. In 2010 he graduated from Clemson University, where he studied Anglo-Saxon England and military history, with an MA in European History. He currently teaches Western and US history at a small technical college in upstate South Carolina, where he lives with his wife—a Texas native—and five children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 1, 2023
I really liked it. If you're a fan of Buechner's Godric, Gardner's Grendel, Ishiguro's The Buried Giant, or C. S. Lewis's concept of northernness, you'd like it too.
January 30, 2021
Although this historical-fiction/fantasy aligns with the classic "Hero's Journey", Jordan Poss puts an interesting Icelandic spin on it, making it somewhat unique.
I actually got this book as a Christmas present for my son who is into all things Icelandic. While he finished up some other reading, he allowed me to read his gift. I haven't been very keen on fantasy since I devoured (again and again) Tolkien as a teen; however, I was curious about what a modern take on an Icelandic saga might look like, so I dove in.
Edgar "the Song-Shaper" has run away from a tragic family life in England, having lost both his young daughter and then his wife in short succession, and right into the northern land of his enemies, the Vikings. We first find him in Iceland as a chronicler in a Christian monastery where he is sent on a quest with two monks to literally kill a ghost who is wreaking havoc in a small farming area nearby. Before Edgar can come to terms with the rampaging ghost and figure out the story behind the specter, he most also fight some inner demons and come to terms with his personal losses. I found the story somewhat predictable, and the pacing and wording was sometimes a bit awkward; however, the overall plot and characters are interesting and keep the reader on tenterhooks wondering how things will all play out.
Considering this was Poss's first novel--he is a daytime college history professor-- I think it showed a fair amount of promise. I especially like the way he brought in various aspects of Icelandic history and culture, even including a glossary at the back of the book. If you are interested in Viking history with a sprinkling of the occult, give this yarn a try!
I actually got this book as a Christmas present for my son who is into all things Icelandic. While he finished up some other reading, he allowed me to read his gift. I haven't been very keen on fantasy since I devoured (again and again) Tolkien as a teen; however, I was curious about what a modern take on an Icelandic saga might look like, so I dove in.
Edgar "the Song-Shaper" has run away from a tragic family life in England, having lost both his young daughter and then his wife in short succession, and right into the northern land of his enemies, the Vikings. We first find him in Iceland as a chronicler in a Christian monastery where he is sent on a quest with two monks to literally kill a ghost who is wreaking havoc in a small farming area nearby. Before Edgar can come to terms with the rampaging ghost and figure out the story behind the specter, he most also fight some inner demons and come to terms with his personal losses. I found the story somewhat predictable, and the pacing and wording was sometimes a bit awkward; however, the overall plot and characters are interesting and keep the reader on tenterhooks wondering how things will all play out.
Considering this was Poss's first novel--he is a daytime college history professor-- I think it showed a fair amount of promise. I especially like the way he brought in various aspects of Icelandic history and culture, even including a glossary at the back of the book. If you are interested in Viking history with a sprinkling of the occult, give this yarn a try!
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November 12, 2018Read a lengthy excerpt at my website here.
Begun in Novel Writing Class, January 2007. Large chunks written at the University of Heidelberg in August 2007 and back home in Rabun County in November 2007. Finished St. Valentine's Day, 2008. First revisions that summer, with tweaks for the next several years. Serious revisions in fall and winter 2015. Published 2016, my first published novel.
Begun in Novel Writing Class, January 2007. Large chunks written at the University of Heidelberg in August 2007 and back home in Rabun County in November 2007. Finished St. Valentine's Day, 2008. First revisions that summer, with tweaks for the next several years. Serious revisions in fall and winter 2015. Published 2016, my first published novel.
September 14, 2018
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as it's one I downloaded for my husband to read. But instead, the book drew me in and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Part mystery, part history, part horror, this book follows an English poet, Edgar, as he attempts to kill a Viking ghost. The writing style is different and at times it was almost too stilted, but Poss did a great job of creating a believable world and characters that developed as the story went on. 4/5 stars.
April 25, 2016
I received a free copy of this book as the winner of a Goodreads giveaway.
Now, to the review. I loved this book. The setting is obviously intriguing - Iceland in Viking times. Told from the viewpoint of an outsider who is forced to get involved in a local problem, the book gives a fascinating view of life in this place and time. But that's not the whole appeal of the book. The narrator is a person who grows and changes over the course of events, a very sympathetic figure trying to deal with old memories and hurts. The Icelandic cast is large and fascinating. There is plenty of action, the questions and deaths to be understood and solved are plausible, and the story is paced well. You care about what happens to the people in the story, and for me, that is the most important thing in a book.
I also found the speaking style of the characters beautiful and poetic (not surprising in the narrator, since he is a poet, but the overall language use is really pleasing). There is plenty of detail about life in Iceland woven in, but not in a way that is intrusive or didactic. It seems very obvious the author knows his subject.
I also appreciated the glossary of terms and the extensive list of sources.
Altogether an absorbing story and well done.
Now, to the review. I loved this book. The setting is obviously intriguing - Iceland in Viking times. Told from the viewpoint of an outsider who is forced to get involved in a local problem, the book gives a fascinating view of life in this place and time. But that's not the whole appeal of the book. The narrator is a person who grows and changes over the course of events, a very sympathetic figure trying to deal with old memories and hurts. The Icelandic cast is large and fascinating. There is plenty of action, the questions and deaths to be understood and solved are plausible, and the story is paced well. You care about what happens to the people in the story, and for me, that is the most important thing in a book.
I also found the speaking style of the characters beautiful and poetic (not surprising in the narrator, since he is a poet, but the overall language use is really pleasing). There is plenty of detail about life in Iceland woven in, but not in a way that is intrusive or didactic. It seems very obvious the author knows his subject.
I also appreciated the glossary of terms and the extensive list of sources.
Altogether an absorbing story and well done.
April 5, 2016
It's hard to pick a genre for this first novel from Jordan Poss---it's a solid historical adventure novel that goes into supernatural\horror territory; the author does it so confidently you doubt it's a first novel. It's not 'quirky' or 'odd' by any means, but a grounded, fascinating journey through a medieval Iceland where myth and reality collide.
The story follows an English missionary as he's dispatched to a small Viking village to kill what is, essentially, a zombie that's been ravaging the countryside. But don't be fooled by the horror movie byline: No Snakes in Iceland is superbly paced, introspective in tone, reads like an adventure novel, and deals powerfully with themes of hate, sin, and redemption.
What impresses me about this novel most is what it's not: It's not ugly; it stays focused on character, especially its self-doubting protagonist; its slow-burn first half pays off with some superb action scenes in the second.
Really liked this one. Pick it up.
The story follows an English missionary as he's dispatched to a small Viking village to kill what is, essentially, a zombie that's been ravaging the countryside. But don't be fooled by the horror movie byline: No Snakes in Iceland is superbly paced, introspective in tone, reads like an adventure novel, and deals powerfully with themes of hate, sin, and redemption.
What impresses me about this novel most is what it's not: It's not ugly; it stays focused on character, especially its self-doubting protagonist; its slow-burn first half pays off with some superb action scenes in the second.
Really liked this one. Pick it up.
January 7, 2017
Well crafted and thoughtful historical fiction with Vikings, a ghost, and a whodunit. Some nice Bernard Cornwell type action and a overlaying Christian element that is not heavy handed. Highly recommended.
February 26, 2016
First review!
Disclaimer: I know the author personally.
* * * WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS * * *
Set in 10th century Iceland, No Snakes in Iceland pays brilliant homage to the great Norse epics. Think Beowulf with an internalized protagonist [never fear; there's still a good old fashioned incorporeal ghost]. Readers of Tolkien & Pratchett will find familiar landmarks along the way.
This work contains all the power of a great epic contained in the simplicity of modern English. No Snakes in Iceland earned my five star rating unequivocally. For me, five stars means that a book is so good it will actually make you a worse person if you don't read it. That's quite a claim to make.
I do not give this praise lightly; in fact, I went into this book looking for reasons to mark it down lest I be accused of patronage/nepotism/graft or what have you. And, truth be told, there are certain grammatical choices I found distracting - mainly reading 300+ pages of first-person narrative. However, a good story can transcend the language used to convey it, and for me, No Snakes in Iceland did just that.
Poss has combined a classic ghost-feud-revenge tale with a unique protagonist. Our hero is no warrior, no prince, no humble farmer. Instead of these morality tale tropes, we cheer on a poet begrudgingly wielding his sword in defense of what seems right - or, at times, what he is told is right. It's not often the scop tells his own tale with such introspection.
Like all good epics, our protagonist must face his inner demons; or, in this case, decapitate his own snake. As this internal struggle is integral to the story, I won't divulge it here. There's such a thing as too many spoilers.
I encourage you to read it yourself and judge for yourself. It will be time well spent.
Disclaimer: I know the author personally.
* * * WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS * * *
Set in 10th century Iceland, No Snakes in Iceland pays brilliant homage to the great Norse epics. Think Beowulf with an internalized protagonist [never fear; there's still a good old fashioned incorporeal ghost]. Readers of Tolkien & Pratchett will find familiar landmarks along the way.
This work contains all the power of a great epic contained in the simplicity of modern English. No Snakes in Iceland earned my five star rating unequivocally. For me, five stars means that a book is so good it will actually make you a worse person if you don't read it. That's quite a claim to make.
I do not give this praise lightly; in fact, I went into this book looking for reasons to mark it down lest I be accused of patronage/nepotism/graft or what have you. And, truth be told, there are certain grammatical choices I found distracting - mainly reading 300+ pages of first-person narrative. However, a good story can transcend the language used to convey it, and for me, No Snakes in Iceland did just that.
Poss has combined a classic ghost-feud-revenge tale with a unique protagonist. Our hero is no warrior, no prince, no humble farmer. Instead of these morality tale tropes, we cheer on a poet begrudgingly wielding his sword in defense of what seems right - or, at times, what he is told is right. It's not often the scop tells his own tale with such introspection.
Like all good epics, our protagonist must face his inner demons; or, in this case, decapitate his own snake. As this internal struggle is integral to the story, I won't divulge it here. There's such a thing as too many spoilers.
I encourage you to read it yourself and judge for yourself. It will be time well spent.
Read
August 14, 2017FANTASTIC! I loved it from the beginning. It reads like a classic and it had everything I look for in a great book: interesting characters, great story, mystery and surprises that really caught me by surprise. It felt authentic and made my "brain-helmet" want more! Thank you Mr. Poss. I am looking forward to another!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews