Hallow Wood

Furyck Saga #4

by A.E. Rayne

The Furyck Saga continues...

As the Arnesson brothers finally reach Oss’ harbour, Ivaar’s discomfort grows. Is he really willing to hand his long-dreamed-of throne to Borg Arnesson and his brothers?

With the signal fires burning down the headland, Eadmund makes his final preparations to the fort’s defences, hoping to see Jael and the Brekkan fleet appear on the horizon.

Landing in Andala, Jael and Aleksander must ready their ships before they leave for Oss, but will they arrive in time to help Eadmund?

The Dragos family has escaped with Hanna, but Berard is injured, and Karsten and Haegen must get him to safety before they can think about reclaiming their kingdom and avenging their father’s death.

In Hest, Morana and The Following have raised the woman. But who is she? And what will Jaeger do now that she wants to claim the power he so desperately sought for himself?

And as the Widow is drawn into the battle for the Darkness, will she finally be forced to reveal herself and make her true allegiance known...

Also in this
Winter’s Fury
The Burning Sea
Night of the Shadow Moon
The Furyck Books 1-3

And coming
The Raven’s Warning


What readers are

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Amazing series!!! Love how I’m pulled right into the story... This is a must read for all fantasy lovers...’

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘I could not stop reading! This series is highly entertaining and addictive. I hope book 5 will be coming soon! I can’t wait to find out what twists and turns Ms. Rayne has in store.’

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Great book... can’t wait for the next one to come out. Very good series... best I have read in a long time.’

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Love the storyline and the characters, she does a great job making you love the good guys and hate and I mean hate the bad guys!’

These books contain adult themes and mature content

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Epic Fantasy, Forced Proximity, Enemies To Lovers, Romantasy

686 pages, ebook

First published November 6, 2018

About the author

Introducing myself

Hello, I’m Amy!

I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and have done for three-quarters of my life. The other quarter was spent in England, where my kids were born. I have three of those, and they’re very cool. I’m a bit demented and thought it would be a good idea to have them a year or so apart. I’m still recovering from that misguided notion, but am convinced that a month in Bora Bora would set me right!

Speaking of travelling, as much as I crave a tropical island escape, you’re far more inclined to find me hankering after snow. We don’t have any of that in Auckland – not a drop! And, although it did snow occasionally in dear old England, I’m still looking for the up-to-your-window sort of snow experience. I come from Viking stock (my grandmother was Swedish), so maybe that’s why I have always craved the cold, white stuff. In fact, my husband and I bonded over our love of scarves.

'Twas love at first discussion about the pleasure of a good scarf!


My reading journey
I was drawn to historical romance as a young reader. I loved anything by the Brontë sisters, but I think Jane Austen was my favourite author at that time. It was a toss-up between Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre for my favourite book as a tween. As I got older and developed a real love of history, I became obsessed with anything do with Vikings. I fell in love with Bernard Cornwell and Robert Lowe, Giles Kristian, too. But there’s always been time to fit in the next Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander series is probably my favourite series ever (great tv too!). History is my one true love, so some of my favourites lately have been C.J. Sansom’s thrilling Tudor series and Patrick O’Brien 19th century naval adventures.

I always thought I would write the Furyck Saga as a historical fiction series, but I never found a period or place where it felt possible. Ultimately, I realised that actual history was far too limiting, so I stepped away from reality and entered the wonderful world of fantasy, and that’s when the fun started…


It took me a long time to become a writer.

I have ring binders and ring binders of stories, screenplays, tv show concepts, and book ideas that I’ve been creating since I was 10-years-old.
I was always very fast with ideas but seeing them all the way through was a lot harder, and eventually, as I grew up, life and work got in the way.
I would try writing Winter’s Fury off and on, but I never got very far, and dissatisfied, I always gave up, telling myself there simply wasn’t enough
time to fit writing in around three children, two dogs, a graphic design business, etc. etc. But what I quickly discovered is that time is what you make of it.

Inspired by an article I read about James Patterson, who got up early to write his first book and fit it in around his job, I started making writing a
daily discipline; the idea being that, bit by bit, I would eventually create an actual book. At first, it was tough. It felt like I was training for a marathon
and I didn’t even know how to run. But every day it got a little easier and eventually, I started to write more freely, and one day I had enough of a
book to show my husband. At this point it was either, forget it again, or keep going.

He read it and said… keep going. So, I did.

And I haven’t stopped!

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author seems to really be stretching out the story now (which I didn’t think was possible). Still like the writing style, just wish things moved along a bit faster, such that skipping 100 pages would actually cause me to miss something important. SERIOUSLY tired of Eadmund, as he really doesn’t seem to be worth all the trouble and hurt he causes.

[ShannaBanana✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books could honestly be 200 pages less even though it is a good read and I enjoy most of the characters. Eadmund being under this woman’s control is getting annoying. Can I just have him back already? Please let this next book be the last of that.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawn out

This is a good story but it's unnecessarily long winded. There's so much humming and hawing from different characters and every single hum and haw is written down and it just genuinely does not need to be. I want to know what happens, but the thought of having to plough through another 2 books is slightly nauseating. This one was a chore. It's always the absolute nonsense with Edmund and Evaine that is so very tedious to read. Not a fan of rape scenes in any story, and this didn't help as I just didn't want to come back to the book after that. I have forced myself through it though. Not sure if I'll be picking up the next one any time soon.

[Mario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I'm ready to kill half the characters in this story. Starting with Jael's mother who proved from the beginning of this story what a useless person she has been all her life. She cries she bitches and her high opinion of her self has no merit. There are numerous characters like that, including her hero Eadmund. I'm not sure why the author feels the constant need to name every person in the room. They need to rush, they need to figure something out immediately or they will die but then they never follow thru, when people die the walling starts up again and we need to know exactly where each of the tears is running or are falling. The author has a great story but destroys it by making so many excuses for some of her characters.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from my major criticism for the assault scene, I think that for a book that seems to mostly be setup with only a little payoff this was still an interesting installment! We got a lot more of the fantasy elements I was hoping for and Draguta really does deliver on her promise to be twice as dangerous as the Following. She’s justifiably terrifying while also being the villain I want to have the most page time in the series. I hope there’s not another villain acting behind her, because I want Draguta to be the Big Bad through to the end. I’m glad that more pieces of the prophecy are being discussed and revealed, since that’s been looming over Jael’s head for so long and we know so little about it in the end. I’m excited to see what happens with the Book of Aurea, and Eadmund’s journey, as well as see more payoff for Eydis and Ayla’s roles in figuring out how to defeat Draguta. Also Meena. Justice for Meena.

[Jsalt80 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Awesome Installment

The saga continues! Another amazing book! I can’t wait to read the next one. Jael is out here like the best Shield Maiden, putting Lagertha from Vikings to the test with her skills, and we all know Lagertha was bad af!

Eadmund is a side character, although something is revealed to show that he is supposed to be more than he is… but I can’t tell. He’s just a shadow… and an annoying one at that, always causing problems. I will say again, that I believe the prophecy was deliberately misconstrued and that Eadmund is not meant for Jael, not as her husband, but is meant to help win this war in some way. I just don’t see it at all. There’s more between her and Aleksander, hell even Thorgils! 🤣🤣🤣 I know I’m wrong but still.

See my notes, highlights and commentary on Goodreads. Happy reading!

[Threading Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you feel emotionally changed and drained at the same time? The saga continues and I MUST know what goes on next! After a short break to catch my breath of course.

[Mrs Amanda Lamyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the story but a little frustrated by the short jumps between characters within each chapter. I understand the need to build suspense but it's a little too much.

[Pam Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling read!!!

Sometimes you just read a book that’s so good it’s actually hard to review - words fail me! But I’m gonna try and do this book justice....
This book is epic, jaw dropping, thrilling, heart breaking, exciting and terrifying!!!! My nerves were shattered worrying about all the characters and I was sucked into this roller coaster story with them.
The storytelling talent of this author to weave such a complex tale with so many characters is mind blowing and it’s a privilege to read something so enchanting. Fans of this series are going to love joining Jael and all the characters as the story continues to unfold, I cannot wait for book 5!!!!!! 500 stars for this book ❤️

[christine dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

Absolutely love this series.
Didn't expect the monsters.
The battle scenes are well written as is the whole book.
Please hurry with the next book!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series from start to finish is a nail biter! Just when you think you know what is going on, things get crazy! What a great read!!! So grateful there is more to come!😁

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!!! The characters are so well developed, the world is so compelling, I just get lost in these books. Definitely a hidden gem 💎!

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like all my recent reads have been 3-3.5 starts lately. I have enjoyed the overall story. I just don't know if I can continue with this series or if it's worth it...ugh. It's been a commitment and it's hard to just stop when I only have two more books left. It's getting to the point though where I am skimming so much because the author has to divulge into every single little conversation and it makes the books unnecessarily long, in my opinion. It feels like you are just reading conversations and waiting, waiting, waiting for something to happen, then BAM! Something will happen, and we keep reading dialogue, dialogue, dialogue, and that cycle repeats. It starts to feel really redundant with the way Draguta and the antagonists come against our heroes. I am interested in the story, and I do want to find out how Jael is going to win out in the end, BUT I feel like this series as a whole was written like you are watching a TV series because literally, [LITERALLY], every few paragraphs (and sometimes sentences) it changes to another character's POV. So, at this point in the fourth book, we are actually reading 10+ people's perspectives and POVs, and I honestly am losing track of who the person is and I have to remind myself, but also...a lot of the excess people or extras in the story I JUST DON'T CARE about their perspective. I don't mind hearing the enemies side, and then maybe Jael, Eadumnd, ect. and I do like Ivaar actually, but besides that....it's just droning on. So, if reading a different perspective every few paragraphs is your thing, then go for it. It really is like GOT tv series in that way, you are watching the story through the eyes of many characters play out in these books and you have to be okay with that. The story seems to drag on...the length of time we just read about Jael and Aleskander making their way through Hallow Wood is torturous. Anyway, these are not short books, and I'm at the point where I'm not sure if I should just google the cliff notes to satisfy my urge to know how it ends. If anyone has finished the series, please advise if it's worth continuing.

[Yasmin Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I finish reading Raynes books, I have to sit for a while digesting, and finding my way home from what’s fantasy to reality.

Raynes writing style is similar to that of George R R Martins (author of GOT Series), she explores the struggle and exploitation for power amongst families throughout the Furyck saga, emphasising that whilst the story has undoubted elements of Love, not everyone gets a happily ever after.

~ refers to book/ storyline, not characters ~

I really loved Hallow Woods, particularly the first and last volume, we are introduced to action packed violence including sword fights and beheading, impending decisions and betrayal. Enemies become allies, and plans for an alliance amongst many is formed in order to overcome the powerful and magical.

Hollows Wood emphasises that’s its ‘Better to be doing something about what’s coming, than waiting for it to come..’. especially when adrenaline is high and war is on the horizon.

However, as the story progresses we see cracks in the characters who are essentially the foundations of this book - this isn’t a bad thing, it’s character development - and whilst it’s heartbreaking, particularly to see what can happen when bitter and twisted people take control of you like a puppet on a string, it’s an important parallel to real life, of not getting what we want regardless of how bad we want it.

I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen in the next instalment particularly for all currently in Andala and Hest, including Eadmund who is still lost in the in between.

5 Star Magical Medieval storyline

[Yezz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decline

Let's just add a bunch more enemies and drag the actual storyli.e another book or two. The fact that Morac is still alive goes to show how much of a decline the story has taken. I'm all for Jael doing what she needs to do for the sake of her ppl but there is no relationship worth saving between her and Eadmund. He's just a disgrace. Him and Evaine can keep each other. Jael deserves so much better. Curse or not idc, you can't come back from the damage done. Especially if things go as I think they will for the baby. Like save the world and cut off Eadmund, Morac and Evains heads. That the only way I'm going to continue to like this series. Might just skim through books five and six. No longer liking the series.

[Mica-Jade Rowswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic books and easy to read

I came to game of thrones late and have o my just felt the sting of the series being unfinished so I needed a series of books to slake my thirst for fiction. And I want disappointed! These books are very well written, give me game of thrones feel but mixed in with some Norse mythology. The only qualm I’ll say about the books which has started to irritate me is the authors use of explanation marks, they are every other sentence, it’s as if the characters are always shouting at each other and the audiobooks do not read that way. It sort of takes away some of the brevity of the tales in my opinion which is why I could t give full stars

[Tim Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Epic! Great story and characters! Must read for fantasy lovers!!!!

Great series, one of the best I've read in a while. Our heroine, Jael, fights against the forces of evil who seek to destroy the world. Will she be able to free her husband, Eadmund from Morana's spell that has bound her to Evaine? Well hopefully the answers will be in the next book in series! Happy Reading !!!!!
Tim

[Pamela Parodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book skipped around tremendously referring to people and situations in the previous books, which I had read but since forgotten. It was too long and tedious. I kept checking to see how close I was to the end. When the end came, nothing was resolved; and I felt as though I had wasted my time.

There was a note at the end that the author was working on Book 5. Forget it. I will have already forgotten Book 4.

My advice is not to waste your time.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another filler book. I would suggest to anyone reading the series to read the first 100 pages and the last 100 pages and continue on to book #5.

[Munky · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Honestly struggling to finish this one and wondering if that other reviewer wasn't on to something with the read the first 100 pages and read the last 100 pages. I still mostly still like the characters and I still mostly like the story but boy oh boy does it draaaggggg.

Leaving some bread crumbs here in case I ever want to re-read this series and wish to skip this book:
-Ivaar joins with some merc family equivalents to take the island and betrays them at the final moment. Island remains under Jael and Edmund control.
-Evaine and Morc leave the island for Hest after a dream shows them getting killed for the things they've pulled. Edmund grows more despondent the further and longer she is away.
-The Following summons Draguta in Hest. She then shows them animal possession over long distances doing serious damage to Jael and friends. Tricks the Following and kills them during one of the magic circles. Royal family flees. Summons large serpent and is taken down by magic sword. Summons dragon and knocks out wall with protective symbols.
-Elaine raped by Jaegar. Enchanted Edmund leaves to be with her. Thorgolis gives chase and gets stabbed.
-Jael and Alexander find Book and fight off the dead.
-Draguta stabbed by magic knife by Morgata. Body disappears.

[Udit Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

So many relationships, so many people in pain, in love. This is a story that feels like it's happening right next door. It feels like I am living it. So good. My fav characters are Jael, Ivaar, Alexander, Gant, and Thorgils. And Bram.

I can't wait to read how Ivaar's story develops.

I absolutely hated Jaeger. But I imagine the scenario is such that things like what he did can happen and still the victims are helpless to do anything. By no means is Jaeger one dimensional. He has his own motivations, his own strengths and weaknesses.

One gripe I would have is with the emergence of the dragon and the sea serpent. Where did they come from.. were they hiding somewhere (unlikely). The sea serpent emerged because draguta used a fang.. maybe she used something similar for the dragon.. but my mind couldn't just equate the emergence of the dragon from nothing.. even the draugrs came from the ground and were dead soldiers buried in the ground for centuries. So where did the dragon come from.. and why is it not an army of dragons.. I guess I have a sweet spot for anything dragons.

I hope Jael gets to ride a dragon one day.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been a joy to read, with each book being well written, engaging, and full of excitement, mystery and tension, plus they are packed with characters that you are soon emotionally invested in, and this book delivered on all fronts.

The story picks up where the previous book left off, with the Alekkans attacking Oss, and Jael desperately trying to get back there in time to help Eadmund fend off the attack. After that is settled, events are divided between Hest and Andala, as the newly resurrected Draguta starts to use her powers to solidify her position, hunt for the Widow and attack Andala and Jael. Meanwhile, Jael is trying to find ways to defend her people from those attacks.

The book is written in such a way that it heightens the tension of the events unfolding, giving you very few moments in between for you to catch your breath before diving into the next.

As a fan of David Gemmell, these books are some of the closest to his style of writing that I have come across, with superb action, fantastic characters, and an emotional punch that few authors achieve.

[Carol Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series!!! Love how I'm pulled right into the story... This is a must read for all fantasy lovers, great story line, awesome characters.... I was surprised this wasn't the finale, I was really dying to find out what happens! However, the author is so good at telling her story that you're just to interested in how it's all coming together to get frustrated that you're not getting to the end, because what you do know is being spun so well that you feel good that the author isn't rushing....

In ending this, I would like to beg the author to hurry with the next installment, I'm not gettin any younger... My bucket list is full of series I wanna finish and this one is at the top of my list!

[Karenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read series, one of THE BEST epic stories ever!!

This series, 'The Furyck Saga’ is one of THE best I've ever read. It's filled with some excellent characters and there's a lot of meat on the bones of these books, they're the right length and filled with so many twists & turns that will have you cheering, jeering, and sobbing in equal measure.

The only regret I have is that the books ended at all, but the story is truly epic & surpasses Game of Thrones and rivals Lord of the Ring in content, excitement & characters.

Be prepared to despise and love and lament in equal measure, but gift yourself this 6 book series, read our listened to in order - you'll be so glad you did!!

[E D · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one def had more fantasy/magic to it which i love - its not the whole series like the normal fantasy ones i read, but nice to have a little more in this book!
this is def the bridge book of the series where a lot of questions are answered but still a TON happens in the story line and with the characters.
Characters continue to develop and I just love them all!
Definitely a little long winded tho - kinda repetitive with some of the character issues and stuff and just some things that could be cut shorter - but i dont mind - gives me more time with the characters and book! :)
huge ending that i didnt see happening quite yet, and just a LOT happened in this book, so very excited to see how it all plays out in the next books

[Brooke (B for Books) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book can be summed up by the title:
Hollow: the plot is empty and void
Wood: the characters are wooden. Able to sway back and forth in the breeze but no growth.

I liked the main character (badass Viking warrior queen) in the first two books so I wanted to hear the rest of her saga. The author focuses too much on the disgusting bad guys whose dialogue consists mainly of grunting, or cutting off family members body parts.

Unfortunately I already wasted my money on the next book in the series so if I ever get around to begrudgingly read it then there will be another salty review. It’s so frustrating to read something that was not done with care (an editor, a publisher) It does a disservice to the main character. This could have been a lot better and that’s frustrating.

[Diane Diorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

edge of your seat

Cliffhanger again- generally frustrating but still can’t wait ! you assume you have it figured out then something you know will not,can not, just won’t happen or your ideas come crashing down ….happens at this point in the story you have characters you love as well as love to hate the most un likely hero comes out of the dark and the hero you want may not make it to the end that fairy tale couple or couples you have put your faith in to save the day is gone or going…. So get to the next book!

[j truswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking read.

Yet another cracking read from A E Rayne. This is a fantastic series that just keeps getting better the characters are extremely well written and continue to evolve through out the series and the action scenes are brilliantly well crafted. In this book there are armies of dead men a Dragon and a giant serpent for the Furycks to deal to with as well as a truly evil King and a really bad sorceress/God all of which keeps the pages turning rapidly. Now onto book 5.

[Hollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series started strong but I feel like it should have ended with this book. The series has now become tiring and redundant. I was hoping to complete the series only to find out that the final book isn't even going to be available for a couple more months. After reading 4 books with little to no closure I find myself more frustrated with this series then anything. I likely wont even read the last book.

[Cody Arko-Omori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and brilliant

She starts this with a bullet in the chamber then bang! You're up and running. The action is almost constant and her delivery is brilliant. You can see the struggles of the would be hero, Jael Furyck, who will do anything to save her people and her enemies if she can. This is a beautifully crafted story, with rich detail of the landscape and character depth that is believable. Her characters come to life in your mind.