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After the treachery and slaughter they met during the raid on Glendalough, Thorgrim Night Wolf and his small band of surviving Northmen have returned to Vík-ló where Thorgrim again sits as lord of the Viking longphort. But the Northmen are a restless lot, and soon they find themselves eager to put to sea. Loading weapons and supplies aboard the four longships under Thorgrim’s command, they set out in search of the rich merchant ships that now ply Irish waters. But not all cargoes are the same, nor all merchant captains easy targets for the Norse raiders. Crossing wakes with a Frisian shipmaster who could be Thorgrim’s equal in seamanship and cunning, the Northmen soon find themselves seeking vengeance even as they fight to keep from a watery grave.

343 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2017

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About the author

James L. Nelson

62 books363 followers
James L. Nelson (1962-) is an American historical nautical novelist. He was born in Lewiston, Maine. In 1980, Nelson graduated from Lewiston High School. Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two years, and then transferred to UCLA, with the ambition of becoming a film director. Nelson, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Betsy lived for two years in Steubenville, Ohio, while Lisa attended Franciscan University. They also have two boys, Nate and Jack. They now live in Harpswell, Maine, where Nelson continues to write full time.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Mark.
477 reviews80 followers
September 30, 2017
So, Thorgrim is my jam. Easily the best series about Vikings, Ulfric Ormsson coming in at a close second. That being said, the last couple of books were disappointing. Enter RAIDER'S WAKE. Whereas in the last two books we followed Thorgrim on several marches through Ireland (suckfest), RAIDER'S WAKE takes place almost completely on the deck of ships (radical Viking action).

This is the biggest thing that's right about these books. They are thoroughly nautical. Even on land the Norsemen think in nautical terms. This is what many Viking fiction writers miss. Sure, their Vikings ride ships places but they don't seem to be in love with seamanship. Their Vikings are battle hardened, blood thirsty raiders but little is said about sailing. After reading these books I feel fairly competent in the area of sailing, though a lot of my terminology is archaic (larboard is definitely no longer a term).

The biggest let down of this book? Thorgrim does not become a werewolf once! Thorgrim is a werewolf! He needs to change forms at least once a book. Thank you!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Profile Image for Benjamin Thomas.
2,003 reviews372 followers
October 13, 2020
I’ve been a long-time fan of James L. Nelson and am on record as describing him as the author I would most like to see become more recognized for his work. He’s just too good not to be a household name. This sixth book in his “Norsemen Saga” has done nothing to change my opinion and, in fact, I believe this is his best novel yet.

One reason this one is so good is it returns to the author’s strengths. After several land-based Viking adventures with Thorgrim Night Wolf and crew, this one returns to the sea. This is James Nelson’s passion. just take a look at his website to see how much he knows and loves ships and all things related to sailing.

This novel opens with Thorgrim in a good place: safe and generally happy in his role as Lord of Vik-Lo, a Viking long port on Irish soil. But to be happy is to be bored and it isn’t long before Thorgrim decides to take the long boats out for a grand ol’ time of raiding the coastal towns or fat merchant ships. Unfortunately for Thorgrim (but happily for the reader), Thorgrim encounters a worthy adversary in the form of a greedy Frisian merchant ship captain named Brunhard who just happens to be as remarkable and crafty a sailor as Thorgrim.

Plenty of sea-faring action abounds. The moves and countermoves by these two sea captains play out with the strategy of two chess masters but with the deadly combat of a brawl to the death. I was happy to see the character growth of Thorgrim’s son, Harald who finally comes into his own in this novel and displays true leadership skills. Other characters from prior books make a return as well, promising more exciting books to come in the series.

Can’t wait for book seven.
166 reviews4 followers
December 30, 2021
and again…

Thorgrim is a strange mixture of smart and dumb.
He definite is a guy that seems smart, yet at times he can’t see the elephant in the room. Mix in a series of totally impossible circumstances that are author dreams, and you can end up with a maddening, frustrating feelings.

Again too many “of” when it’s meant to be “on,” along with a hundred or more other words the auto change has generated, which is quite distracting.

At times the action is pretty good. But then there are the oft-repeated references and explanations of sheets, lines, halyards and breitasses…(huh? - yep), and other kinda boring things. Almost like you’re writing in the 19th century and are paid by the word.
Profile Image for Cindy Vallar.
Author 5 books20 followers
July 23, 2017
Book six of The Norsemen Saga begins with the return of Conandil, who appears in an earlier volume. No longer a thrall, she is married to an Irish chieftain’s son. When Irish raiders attack their ringfort, she and her husband, as well as others, are driven to the beach where they are beset from the sea by Norsemen. Rather than become a slave again, she fights with her husband. But one of the Vikings thwarts her desire for a quick death and she is once again bound for the slave pens in Dubh-linn. There she, her husband, and the other captives are sold to a Frisian merchant who plans to sell them at a slave market in his homeland.

Lord of Vík-ló, Thorgrim Ulfsson is sick of Ireland, the Irish, and the eternal rain that plagues the country. Most of his men, including his son Harald Broadarm and beserker Starri Deathless, imbibe liberally when confined, so once the sun finally deigns to shine, Thorgrim announces it’s time to go a-viking. As his four longships prepare to set sail, he makes the unconscious decision to take their hoard with them. He has no intention of returning. Their first capture goes precisely as planned, but the victim is known to Thorgrim and is permitted to continue on his journey. First, though, he imparts knowledge of a Frisian merchant with three ships rumored to be heavily laden with treasure. Expecting these to be easy prey, Thorgrim and his men decide to lie in wait – but no one knows better than he that the gods can be fickle and one should never tempt fate.

Irish brigands ambush a traveling friar on his way to Dubh-linn, but they soon learn the error of their ways when he turns out to be adept with a sword. Once Louis de Roumois, the Frank who betrayed Thorgrim, dispatches the trio, he discards his disguise and continues on to the Norse longphort. He seeks passage home to bring his brother to account for banishing him to Ireland and then sending assassins to kill him. Louis knows nothing about ships and the sea, but he quickly discovers the vessel’s captain is a brutal madman whose thirst for wealth includes acquiring the silver Louis hides in his belongings.

A wealthy slave trader and master of a small, but fast, fleet of ships, Brunhard of Frisia loves to hear himself talk. He’s always thinking of ways to gain the most while losing the least. Such wily thinking and a no-holds-barred approach to dealing with his cargo is why he survives in an otherwise violent and often unpredictable world.

When the Norsemen spot the Frisian ships, the chase begins. Brunhard’s out-of-the-box maneuvers earn Thorgrim’s respect because the merchant is a savvy seaman. But one trick nearly destroys Sea Hammer, earning Thorgrim’s wrath and vow to make the man pay. The pursuit becomes a heart-pumping, careening-out-of-control thrill ride that leaves readers breathless and refuses to release them from its grip until the story ends.

Raider’s Wake is a welcome return to the sea, where Thorgrim once again demonstrates why Norsemen are remembered for their expert seamanship. What makes this an unforgettable and very believable tale are Nelson’s knowledge of and experience in sailing wooden ships. The nautical language adds a healthy dose of realism, but Nelson writes in a way that readers unfamiliar with the terminology still get the gist of what the sailors are doing. For those who wish to better understand, he provides a diagram of a longship and a glossary.

Although Harald Broadarm has played important roles in previous titles, he finally comes into his own in this one. He has matured over the series and has ably demonstrated both his bravery and skill at fighting. Yet now he finds himself in a command situation where his decisions and knowledge play a vital role in determining the fates of those aboard all the vessels.

Another crucial story element is the inclusion of two Irish women, Conandil and Failend. Rather than being mere window dressing, they are well-drawn characters who play critical warrior roles and they possess the determination to influence their own fates. As a result, Thorgrim makes some keen observations about women – ones that all men could learn from.

Front first page to last, Raider’s Wake is written by a master weaver who keeps readers spellbound and places them on the longship in the midst of the Vikings. This adventure is one treasure to savor and as memorable as, or even more so, than the Norsemen’s previous stories.
Profile Image for Charles  van Buren.
1,911 reviews306 followers
April 22, 2017
Thorgrim Nightwolf takes to the sea, April 21, 2017

This review is from: Raider's Wake: A Novel of Viking Age Ireland (The Norsemen Saga Book 6) (Kindle Edition)

This is another of Mr. Nelson's exciting, suspenseful novels of Viking age Ireland featuring Thorgrim Nightwolf, his son Harald and their friends, companions, associates and enemies. One of James Nelson's more interesting characters, the Frankish nobleman Louis de Roumois, returns in this volume. Just trying to get home to Frankia, Louis crosses paths with Frisnian slave traders which leads him again into Thorgrim's path. Though enemies, Thorgrim and Louis have in common that both have had enough of Ireland and want to go home but are continuously blocked in their attempts to do so. Other interesting characters from previous volumes also return. The story is told from the multiple view points of various characters, old and new.

This novel does not have the grand scope of armies, kings, would-be kings, great monasteries, feuding leaders and such as has been seen in previous novels in the series. This one is about men, women, and ships playing a deadly cat and mouse game across the face of the sea. But who is the cat and who the mouse? Those who enjoy seafaring tales should really like this one.

I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
1 review
February 7, 2025
Part of a terrific series.. just the weakest part

One of the major problems is how bloated and endless the final scene was. I kept skimming over it wondering when I was going to get to the part where they quit talking about what positions the ships were in as it seemed to go on forever and ever... A little more brevity and a lot more resolution. I do recommend the series in general. I just found this to be the weakest one. The wolf goes raiding and then is constantly unsuccessful. There are no real feel good sections or victories to get excited about. The main character always talks about going home but packs his boat with all his treasures and then doesn't (even after the discussion with the shipbuilder). Sometimes it's better to know when to wrap things up.. I think it would have been a much better book if it had been about him and his son going home and having to deal with nefarious ⁷events there. Instead of sailing around in circles and actually never really having one win or even a very exciting encounter... I think it was about time he took all his treasure and went the f**ck home.
...
183 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2017
The adventure continues!!! What an exciting read. James Nelson does not disappoint. I know nothing about sailing, but even though there are many nautical references the narration kept me informed as to what is happening and the excitement of the chase, battles, adventure is never diminished. I love Thorgrim Nightwolf and shall await with great anticipation for the next adventures of these Viking raiders.

Mr. Nelson is great at building up the suspense and makes each chapter a page turner and it is hard to put the book down. I highly recommend reading the saga from the beginning so you can get to know the characters. I also recommend Mr. Nelson's Full Fathom Five for a great mystery read. Definitely a favorite author of mine. My only complaint is that I read the books too fast and have to wait so long for the next one.
Profile Image for Mb Sheppard.
14 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2017
Another Great Book By One Of Historical Fictions Greastest Writer's!!

James L Nelson keeps the goods coming and thr Sixth installment in the Norseman Saga is a pure gem. Rather than rehashing and recycling previous ideas and concepts whic sometimes happens in collections of this number of books, Nelson keeps his stories fresh and most importantly enjoyable and edge of your seat exciting. Nelson more than anything is a master storyteller with action and characters painted in such vivid colors that this reader is left with an appetite for much, much more of the extraordinary prose of which these stories are composed. An exellent read which is wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who appreciates the efforts of a writer at the top of his craft.
Profile Image for Steven Toby.
237 reviews
June 7, 2018
Another very good one from Mr. Nelson. The fact this one takes place almost entirely at sea only adds to its authenticity. I did wonder if a real Viking crew would let itself get that close to a lee shore in the conditions described near the end of the book, but other than that all seemed believable and as usual for this series, readers are treated to a plot full of twists and turns where Fate plays a major role (if we look at it in the authentic Viking way). It could hardly be better -- I wonder if Thorgrim will ever get back to Norway in the last book of the series, and if so, how he will be received.
3 reviews
October 25, 2017
Excellent Series of Can't Put Down Books

This whole series of Viking Age Ireland rank right up with the best of historical fiction and it's a mystery of book publishing marketing that keeps them off of the NYT best seller list. The inventive and captivating story lines and breathless plotting--not to mention the disciplined character development that stays true throughout the series--marks these books and it's author as first class fiction and story telling. I can't wait for the next saga.
197 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2020
This far into the series, still enthralled

I am using the Covid isolation to binge read these books. Although reading the ebook doesn't have the same feel as a physical book there are advantages (reading in the dark). That helps me keep up with real characters that I actually care about, descriptive locations and a lot (maybe too much for a land blubber like me) nautical knowledge based around Vikings in Ireland. On to the next...
5 reviews
August 29, 2025
Mostly it was good, very exciting and entertaining. But in this one, the big motivation for us to hate the villain was by him basically threatening the captive woman with gang rape, and handing her over to his men. Non stop rape threats, I hated that aspect.
(I know this type of horror happened in real life, blah blah blah, but it is a cheap and cop out choice for the author to use this as a plot device).
Profile Image for Ted.
32 reviews4 followers
October 12, 2018
Another good read in the saga of the Night Wolf

This was a nice addition to the ongoing saga of Thorgrim Night Wolf and the quest to leave Ireland behind. The character development is great, making the book hard to put down. The ending leaves you wondering just exactly what comes next....
10 reviews
July 14, 2017
This book was very interesting to read. Sadly most of the action happens at sea which, at least to me, wasn't as appealing. The story goes back and forth between different characters, but instead of telling the story from one perspective, it tells the same situation from two, sometimes three different perspectives. I did like the story, but didn't much like the style it was told in.
Profile Image for Matt schmm.
53 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2017
Exciting. Funny. Keeps you turning pages

I love this series. If you like Vikings , Saxon tales, the oathsworn then this is for you. Every book in the series has a great story line and an excellent mix of characters with in depth back story's and character development. Graphic battle scenes. Love it
Profile Image for Uuencode.
11 reviews
August 14, 2017
This last addition to the saga of Thorgrim Night Wolf is great, just like the previous novels. I must complain those hated frisians died too easily, one would expect roasting on a spit at the very least. A knife in the throat was too merciful. High time for Thorgrim to help the Frank in his revenge. Dying to see longships in Seine.
1 review
September 1, 2019
If you like Viking stories, this series is on of the best.

The story begins in Dublin (but from a viking’s perspective) and builds throughput the series. Each book is better than the one prior in my opinion. Just finished Raider’s Wake, one of the best Viking tales I have ever read! Couldn’t stop ‘til I got to the end! Lots of nautical info. Very interesting.
Profile Image for James O'Brien.
15 reviews
October 13, 2019
Capture of split second delimma and solution in writing

A great detail of writing and descriptions! Wonderful record of split second thought and debat within each character’s dilemma and action ! Detail knowledge of sailing and its own dilemma regarding seamanship ! Finally historical knowledge of 8th and 9th century of Ireland
Profile Image for Sharon Osburn.
224 reviews4 followers
February 2, 2020
Another Thrilling Thorgrim Adventure

I love all the characters Thorgrim, Harold, Starri, & more! James L. Nelson always comes through pulling the threads from alk directions to gather a tremendous plot. And while it comes to an end you know there is more to come in the next saga! Keep up the great work I'm ready to start the next book in line!!!
51 reviews
May 28, 2022
new adventures for Thorgrim but then again his battles that don’t get him home are getting a bit redundant

The title says it all. Nelson comes up with new twists and plot lines but in the end Thorgrim and his men battle, come off worse in their situation, then gird up and Viking on.
58 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2017
I thought this book was excellent, I think the characters are interesting, the plot is great and the ending was a real nail biter. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Thorgrim Night Wolf, Harold and Starri and all their friends and enemies.
390 reviews7 followers
May 12, 2017
Great Story

Another well-written story by James Nelson. The plot continues those of the earlier books and the characters. Good descriptions, dialogue, and scenes. Great action and exciting conflict.
203 reviews
May 15, 2017
Great action

The addition of strong, smart & skilled female characters really adds to an already fascinating series. Had me running to research Viking ships so I could better understand all the action @ sea.
2 reviews
July 26, 2017
Raider's Wake

Well written with a surprise around every corner! I'm ready to continue the saga.
I Was wanting to read of their final voyage back home, but this is the end of the series.
Profile Image for Helen Hollick.
Author 57 books526 followers
October 2, 2017
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
'From first page to last, Raider’s Wake is written by a master weaver who keeps readers spellbound and places them on the longship in the midst of the Vikings.'
1 review
December 21, 2019
Masterfully done.

Nelson can spin a tale of the Viking age which is riveting and surprising. The plot reversals are unpredictable. If you love nautical books, you have found your author! I am working to read the whole series.
Profile Image for Tim Hernandez.
20 reviews
August 21, 2023
Inventive plot and action make a great saga

Following the continuing adventures of a few vikings in Ireland. Reoccurring characters and storylines weave into the current novel. Great unique action sequence at the end.
Profile Image for Cindy.
25 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2017
cant believe this is book six of a series that stands alone but indeed it is so good to again read of the further adventures of, thru the writing of a very talented skald. This one was intense from start to finish.
Profile Image for Alan.
71 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2017
As usual a great read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
5 reviews
May 10, 2017
Not good

Not worth buying if you are looking for a Viking saga.
Full of sea manoeuvre and not much else.
Would not have bought it if I knew itnin advance
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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