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Valhalla Steel
Step into the dark future where creatures of myth clash in the back alleys of an uncaring city run by all-powerful corporations. Will Valhalla Steel rise to prominence or will they join the untold millions in anonymity? This is a collection of short stories following the members of Valhalla Steel, a gun-running clan of Vikings guided by their leader, Angus Jarlson. Caught in a turf war with chem-dealing Fae, Angus desires only two things: a future for his people and bloody vengeance against his foes.
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Published August 17, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 3, 2025
My rating 4.5
The science fiction fantasy book "Valhalla Steel" by Sean Crow is an interesting combination of genres set in a parallel future. Everything is solidly integrated into an interesting story.
Now, a little about the story: Valhalla Steel, a gun-running clan of Vikings guided by their leader, Angus Jarlson, found themselves in disgrace after they killed a clan of chem-dealing Fae for killing his father. Many members of the Valhalla clan died in battle after these events, and Angus had to leave the ancient lands of his clan and flee to the other side of the world with the remnants of his followers. But the Fae have not forgiven him for the massacre he committed and want to destroy him at all costs. Angus must find allies so that he and his clan can survive, and whether this will be possible and whether his clan will disappear in merciless wars depends on the Gods themselves.
I would recommend this book to all fans of fantasy and SF action.
The science fiction fantasy book "Valhalla Steel" by Sean Crow is an interesting combination of genres set in a parallel future. Everything is solidly integrated into an interesting story.
Now, a little about the story: Valhalla Steel, a gun-running clan of Vikings guided by their leader, Angus Jarlson, found themselves in disgrace after they killed a clan of chem-dealing Fae for killing his father. Many members of the Valhalla clan died in battle after these events, and Angus had to leave the ancient lands of his clan and flee to the other side of the world with the remnants of his followers. But the Fae have not forgiven him for the massacre he committed and want to destroy him at all costs. Angus must find allies so that he and his clan can survive, and whether this will be possible and whether his clan will disappear in merciless wars depends on the Gods themselves.
I would recommend this book to all fans of fantasy and SF action.
September 11, 2023
An action packed, Vikings inspired. futurustic, steampunk novella is surely something that I never thought I would greatly enjoy. Enter Valhalla Steel. In around 100 pages I got entertained, impressed by the setting and connected with most of the characters. I starting reading this as a palate cleanser and now I can't wait to read the next full length novel in the series!
February 15, 2022
Released in 2020, Valhalla Steel is an illustrated novella bursting with ideas and invention written by Sean Crow with great artwork provided by Anthony Valiukonis. I’d describe this as near-future dystopian fantasy, in which gunrunning cyberpunk Vikings try to survive in the dangerous, violent world of Twilight City, after being forced to flee their homeland. Operating to a strict code of honour, Valhalla Steel are a Viking clan, led by their Jarl, Angus, who find themselves locked in a seemingly unwinnable war against a magical race called the Fae.
Twilight City draws on several sci-fi influences and I was reminded of Bladerunner, Terminator, The Matrix and Altered Carbon. However, I think the closest analogy is Judge Dredd’s world of Mega-City One in the 2000AD comics. Twilight City is “a place where lives departed the world like clockwork and souls could be exchanged just as easily as creds.”
Although this is familiar fare, Crow brings this world to life with his fantastic writing. The artwork throughout the book is a bonus but Crow’s brilliant descriptions makes the visuals pop. He also creates a sonic soundscape for Twilight City, a place where you will be drawn into the hypnotic music of a private club one moment, cowering under a table the next as automatic gunfire rings out across the same space. Crow utilises all the senses, ensuring the reader experiences Twilight City in vivid detail.
With its themes of gang violence, murder, intense gun battles, prostitution and drug use Valhalla Steel portrays a dark, unforgiving world no one would want to live in. Both sides have done terrible things, leaving our characters morally grey and conflicted. What keeps you reading are those same characters, since Crow does a great job in making you care for each and every one. Each chapter focusses on a different POV character and Crow makes them all distinctive. For me, these shifts in perspective meant the narrative felt a little bit like a series of short stories. However, there is an overarching plot that ties everything together, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
Most of the time, Crow pulls off each of these mini-episodes with great skill. The only chapter that didn’t really work for me was the one featuring Helen’s sacrifice for Angus. For me, that scene didn’t quite ring true. However, I’m quibbling here over small details. When you find yourself rooting for the characters in the final, desperate showdown that’s due to great writing and character development.
If Valhalla Steel has a fault I think it’s purely down to the structure and length. At times this novella struggles to carry the weight of all the amazing ideas Crow is packing into this story. There were points where I wanted to pause and find out more, only to find the next chapter was throwing a whole load more concepts, characters and world-building elements at me. The novella also finishes with lots of unresolved plot points, not least the true reasons behind the death of Angus’ father at the hands of the Fae and who, or what, is Glint?
The good news is Valhalla Steel is a prequel to a full-length novel follow up set in the same world, called Quenched in Blood. If that novel succeeds in expanding upon the brilliant ideas and concepts found in Valhalla Steel, then it could be something really special. Sean Crow has a distinctive voice and writing style and this novella is excellent. I’m genuinely excited to see where Crow takes this series next.
Twilight City draws on several sci-fi influences and I was reminded of Bladerunner, Terminator, The Matrix and Altered Carbon. However, I think the closest analogy is Judge Dredd’s world of Mega-City One in the 2000AD comics. Twilight City is “a place where lives departed the world like clockwork and souls could be exchanged just as easily as creds.”
Although this is familiar fare, Crow brings this world to life with his fantastic writing. The artwork throughout the book is a bonus but Crow’s brilliant descriptions makes the visuals pop. He also creates a sonic soundscape for Twilight City, a place where you will be drawn into the hypnotic music of a private club one moment, cowering under a table the next as automatic gunfire rings out across the same space. Crow utilises all the senses, ensuring the reader experiences Twilight City in vivid detail.
With its themes of gang violence, murder, intense gun battles, prostitution and drug use Valhalla Steel portrays a dark, unforgiving world no one would want to live in. Both sides have done terrible things, leaving our characters morally grey and conflicted. What keeps you reading are those same characters, since Crow does a great job in making you care for each and every one. Each chapter focusses on a different POV character and Crow makes them all distinctive. For me, these shifts in perspective meant the narrative felt a little bit like a series of short stories. However, there is an overarching plot that ties everything together, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
Most of the time, Crow pulls off each of these mini-episodes with great skill. The only chapter that didn’t really work for me was the one featuring Helen’s sacrifice for Angus. For me, that scene didn’t quite ring true. However, I’m quibbling here over small details. When you find yourself rooting for the characters in the final, desperate showdown that’s due to great writing and character development.
If Valhalla Steel has a fault I think it’s purely down to the structure and length. At times this novella struggles to carry the weight of all the amazing ideas Crow is packing into this story. There were points where I wanted to pause and find out more, only to find the next chapter was throwing a whole load more concepts, characters and world-building elements at me. The novella also finishes with lots of unresolved plot points, not least the true reasons behind the death of Angus’ father at the hands of the Fae and who, or what, is Glint?
The good news is Valhalla Steel is a prequel to a full-length novel follow up set in the same world, called Quenched in Blood. If that novel succeeds in expanding upon the brilliant ideas and concepts found in Valhalla Steel, then it could be something really special. Sean Crow has a distinctive voice and writing style and this novella is excellent. I’m genuinely excited to see where Crow takes this series next.
July 9, 2024
Incredible cyberpunk
This was so much fun. Another incredible story by Sean Crow. Cyberpunk vikings done so well. The hints at the world in this short book just left me clamoring for more. The action was impactful, and the mood was perfect. Easy 5 stars.
This was so much fun. Another incredible story by Sean Crow. Cyberpunk vikings done so well. The hints at the world in this short book just left me clamoring for more. The action was impactful, and the mood was perfect. Easy 5 stars.
March 12, 2021
You know those restaurants that offer a twelve-course sample menu designed to give you just a little taste of all the varied and marvellous flavours they have to offer? Well with Valhalla Steel, author Sean Crow has managed to create the literary equivalent of just that.
A wild, energetic story that mixes Norse fantasy, dystopian futures, sci-fi, action, folklore and just about everything else you can think of to create a melting pot of exciting characters in a vastly different and intriguing setting.
Admittedly I’m not normally a fan of future-set fiction, so Valhalla Steel was an unusual choice for me. My experience of sci-fi particularly is limited; however, Crow’s book is a great option for those looking to bridge the gap between fantasy and science. Did I know what was going on all the time? No, I did not, but I sure-as-hell enjoyed the ride.
You see, what the author has done is create a world so vivid and enjoyable that it didn’t matter if I didn’t always understand it. To be clear the fact that, at times, I had no idea what was happening is in no way the fault of the writer. Sean builds every scene and interaction well, and any time I got a little lost was purely due to my own lack of experience in the genre. That being said, I might not have recognised or known what some of the weapons used in the epic fight scenes were – but I do know they were awesome.
And herein lies the foundation upon which Valhalla Steel is built.
It is utterly, unapologetically awesome.
In all the places Crow could have settled for going big, he goes massive – bigger characters, bigger weapons, and bigger action. Despite a unique concept, Valhalla Steel also manages to give the reader a real sense of nostalgia. The vibe is one of 80’s action films, of Mad Max and Highlander – to the point where I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the Kurgan make a cameo in the background.
Crow twists his multiple story lines together in a way that, while still structured with care, presents a sense of chaos to his world.
This could have easily left the book a little messy but instead takes the reader on a fast-paced, full-throttle journey akin to hitching a ride on a vehicle going hell for leather through a dystopian city. Constantly throwing out sharp turns, unexpected detours but always en route to something exciting.
Character-wise, Crow instils a welcome touch of heart in the deftly built bond between Jarl Angus and his brotherhood of Huscarls. The dynamic between them is believable, touching, and funny.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Yuri.
Ah, Yuri – sage, pragmatic, and effortlessly compelling. Trudging about like a battle-worn old berserker, if Valhalla Steel were ever to be a TV series, I would request – nay demand – Yuri receives his own spin-off.
In summation, this book presents readers with everything you love about action movies, video games and quite frankly, ought to have its own thrashing guitar solo intro. You know the sort, with pyrotechnics and a riff so catchy you could call it a cold. Throwing you right into the action, Crow provides something fresh, exciting, and unashamedly fun.
Highly recommended. 5/5.
A wild, energetic story that mixes Norse fantasy, dystopian futures, sci-fi, action, folklore and just about everything else you can think of to create a melting pot of exciting characters in a vastly different and intriguing setting.
Admittedly I’m not normally a fan of future-set fiction, so Valhalla Steel was an unusual choice for me. My experience of sci-fi particularly is limited; however, Crow’s book is a great option for those looking to bridge the gap between fantasy and science. Did I know what was going on all the time? No, I did not, but I sure-as-hell enjoyed the ride.
You see, what the author has done is create a world so vivid and enjoyable that it didn’t matter if I didn’t always understand it. To be clear the fact that, at times, I had no idea what was happening is in no way the fault of the writer. Sean builds every scene and interaction well, and any time I got a little lost was purely due to my own lack of experience in the genre. That being said, I might not have recognised or known what some of the weapons used in the epic fight scenes were – but I do know they were awesome.
And herein lies the foundation upon which Valhalla Steel is built.
It is utterly, unapologetically awesome.
In all the places Crow could have settled for going big, he goes massive – bigger characters, bigger weapons, and bigger action. Despite a unique concept, Valhalla Steel also manages to give the reader a real sense of nostalgia. The vibe is one of 80’s action films, of Mad Max and Highlander – to the point where I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the Kurgan make a cameo in the background.
Crow twists his multiple story lines together in a way that, while still structured with care, presents a sense of chaos to his world.
This could have easily left the book a little messy but instead takes the reader on a fast-paced, full-throttle journey akin to hitching a ride on a vehicle going hell for leather through a dystopian city. Constantly throwing out sharp turns, unexpected detours but always en route to something exciting.
Character-wise, Crow instils a welcome touch of heart in the deftly built bond between Jarl Angus and his brotherhood of Huscarls. The dynamic between them is believable, touching, and funny.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Yuri.
Ah, Yuri – sage, pragmatic, and effortlessly compelling. Trudging about like a battle-worn old berserker, if Valhalla Steel were ever to be a TV series, I would request – nay demand – Yuri receives his own spin-off.
In summation, this book presents readers with everything you love about action movies, video games and quite frankly, ought to have its own thrashing guitar solo intro. You know the sort, with pyrotechnics and a riff so catchy you could call it a cold. Throwing you right into the action, Crow provides something fresh, exciting, and unashamedly fun.
Highly recommended. 5/5.
December 25, 2025
Ad essere onesti, quando l'ho iniziato temevo non mi piacesse!! Non amo molto quando fantasy e fantascienza si mischiano.. Amo entrambi i generi, ma ognuno al suo posto.. vichinghi ed esseri fatati, cyberpunk e magia.. Ecco, non ero molto convinto..
Mi fa tremendamente piacere essermi sbagliato!!!
Prendete Underworld e sostituite vampiri e licantropi con vichinghi e Fate, proiettate tutto in una mega-city del futuro illuminata da neon e inondata da droghe, sostituite asce e pugnali quasi totalmente con armi automatiche, unite arti prostetici aumentati, rune di potere e una rete cyberpunk in stile Matrix ma visualizzata come gli anni '20, il tutto farcito con tante idee originali, e avrete un idea di ciò che vi aspetta!!
È incredibile, soprattutto data la brevità del racconto, quanto Sean riesca in poche pagine a creare un worldbuilding validissimo e originale, che unisce La mitologia nordica alla tecnologia futuristica, a creare personaggi unici e ben caratterizzati, a fornire una lore epica e a inondarla di combattimenti e azione.. mi è sembrato di leggere un romanzo lunghissimo.. Sean è stato davvero unico nel creare tutto ciò, buttartici dentro e farti affezionare al tutto in pochissimo tempo..
Lo Jarl Angus e il suo stato di Berserker, Yuri con il suo esoscheletro, per non parlare di Aksel e Sigurd con le loro rune intagliate nelle ossa.. e le Fate con le loro droghe chimiche e la magia antica..
Dopo un finale soddisfacente che da il via alla guerra, non resta che fiondarsi sul secondo volume, per fortuna più corposo..
Mi fa tremendamente piacere essermi sbagliato!!!
Prendete Underworld e sostituite vampiri e licantropi con vichinghi e Fate, proiettate tutto in una mega-city del futuro illuminata da neon e inondata da droghe, sostituite asce e pugnali quasi totalmente con armi automatiche, unite arti prostetici aumentati, rune di potere e una rete cyberpunk in stile Matrix ma visualizzata come gli anni '20, il tutto farcito con tante idee originali, e avrete un idea di ciò che vi aspetta!!
È incredibile, soprattutto data la brevità del racconto, quanto Sean riesca in poche pagine a creare un worldbuilding validissimo e originale, che unisce La mitologia nordica alla tecnologia futuristica, a creare personaggi unici e ben caratterizzati, a fornire una lore epica e a inondarla di combattimenti e azione.. mi è sembrato di leggere un romanzo lunghissimo.. Sean è stato davvero unico nel creare tutto ciò, buttartici dentro e farti affezionare al tutto in pochissimo tempo..
Lo Jarl Angus e il suo stato di Berserker, Yuri con il suo esoscheletro, per non parlare di Aksel e Sigurd con le loro rune intagliate nelle ossa.. e le Fate con le loro droghe chimiche e la magia antica..
Dopo un finale soddisfacente che da il via alla guerra, non resta che fiondarsi sul secondo volume, per fortuna più corposo..
March 11, 2021
This is a unique read, several stories here come together through multiple points of view to tell one expertly crafted tale.
With a unique mix of Norse Mythology, modern Vikings and Chem dealing gun toting old magic wielding Fae. The prose is muscular but has a certain lyrical quality in the descriptions. It is fast paced, dropping the reader straight into the action, which is handled masterfully, bone crunching hardly does it justice. It takes a moment to engage with the characters, but soon I was invested in the story and rooting for the clan. Overall a wonderful read, well worth a look!
With a unique mix of Norse Mythology, modern Vikings and Chem dealing gun toting old magic wielding Fae. The prose is muscular but has a certain lyrical quality in the descriptions. It is fast paced, dropping the reader straight into the action, which is handled masterfully, bone crunching hardly does it justice. It takes a moment to engage with the characters, but soon I was invested in the story and rooting for the clan. Overall a wonderful read, well worth a look!
December 13, 2022
Valhalla Steel's blend of brutal sci fi with a splash of magic is a curious beast indeed.
Angus Jarlson leads a gang of cyberpunk Vikings, jockeying for position amidst a crumbling city, surrounded by his old enemy, the magic laden, vicious fae. But revenge driven berserk leads only to death.
Building his world layer by layer, with each chapter following the members of the gang as they interact, the author creates a doom laden, blood spattered, found family with severed cybernetic limbs and glowing carved runes.
It took a while, but the unfolding twist on gang warfare grew on this reader, who ended up rooting for Angus and Valhalla Steel, despite not quite being able to put my finger on why.
This first salvo in a coming series is compelling reading.
Angus Jarlson leads a gang of cyberpunk Vikings, jockeying for position amidst a crumbling city, surrounded by his old enemy, the magic laden, vicious fae. But revenge driven berserk leads only to death.
Building his world layer by layer, with each chapter following the members of the gang as they interact, the author creates a doom laden, blood spattered, found family with severed cybernetic limbs and glowing carved runes.
It took a while, but the unfolding twist on gang warfare grew on this reader, who ended up rooting for Angus and Valhalla Steel, despite not quite being able to put my finger on why.
This first salvo in a coming series is compelling reading.
January 16, 2023
I expect three things when I read a book by Sean Crow.
1) Brutal action sequences
2) Outstanding world-building (Viking cyberpunk!?)
3) At least one heart wrenching scene that makes me die inside
Yup, Valhalla Steel delivered on all 3.
1) Brutal action sequences
2) Outstanding world-building (Viking cyberpunk!?)
3) At least one heart wrenching scene that makes me die inside
Yup, Valhalla Steel delivered on all 3.
August 21, 2021
Note: This is an opinion piece, not a statement of objective fact. Critiques should encourage discussion, not abject disagreement.
It’s been a long while since I’ve read this author’s writing––too long. I was instantly hooked by his touching yet gritty and grounded style when I read his short stories on his website https://lordofcrows.com/stories/ (which you should really check out, it’s top calibre stuff!). Valhalla Steel is of the same top calibre and its story definitely made me want more.
I never knew how much I wanted a cyberpunk/Norse mythology crossover until I read this. Crow has seamlessly blended the two disparate concepts and worlds into one that is totally believable. It’s not fantasy with a futuristic edge; this is a true fusion. I’m a big fan of cyberpunk and the scifi genre and believe the imagery, events, and characters of such stories deserve proper set pieces and moments. Crow delivers on this spectacularly and doesn’t pull any punches either when the violence kicks off. His ability to make me feel deeply for characters within a page of only just meeting them, and then strip them away in brutal fashion is a testament to his skill at immersing readers.
Concerning characters, he has a good spread of male and female and all feel like real people of bone and blood. No stereotypes or reliance on tropes will be found here, only people you yearn to learn more about. Angus, Yuri, and Helen, to name a few, are all savage in their own way and yet I saw their humanity when it counted. Worth mentioning are Mr Glint and Iron who are a couple of the coolest and most badass creations I’ve ever read.
The story and setting also didn’t remind me of anything. While I could detect influences and inspiration, the unique presentation of weapons, augments, and especially the cyberwarfare that unfolds when “Going Deep” in the “Net” was refreshing and completely captivating. Moreover, I could always picture and understand what was going on, the scenes playing like a high budget movie in my head. What is left unexplained is done so in the way I love as a reader. I love imagining my own answers and explanations for things in the world and systems beyond the story and Crow definitely filled my appetite and more.
Having the art pieces by Anthony Valiukonis was a really sweet addition to the story. The art is next level wicked and gives the overall product a more epic and refined vibe. This is top-tier publishing of pure quality.
My only disappointment is that the book is very short compared to what I usually read, and I really would have loved if there was 300 to 400 more pages. But this isn’t a criticism, I’m just like any reader who wants an author they love to write more. So, I’m definitely hooked to read the next in the series (which is out!).
All in all, if you want grit, meaningful conversations about ethics and society, and hyper-violent action, Valhalla Steel delivers on all fronts. I can only hope the author gets the recognition he deserves and a TV/movie deal one day.
It’s been a long while since I’ve read this author’s writing––too long. I was instantly hooked by his touching yet gritty and grounded style when I read his short stories on his website https://lordofcrows.com/stories/ (which you should really check out, it’s top calibre stuff!). Valhalla Steel is of the same top calibre and its story definitely made me want more.
I never knew how much I wanted a cyberpunk/Norse mythology crossover until I read this. Crow has seamlessly blended the two disparate concepts and worlds into one that is totally believable. It’s not fantasy with a futuristic edge; this is a true fusion. I’m a big fan of cyberpunk and the scifi genre and believe the imagery, events, and characters of such stories deserve proper set pieces and moments. Crow delivers on this spectacularly and doesn’t pull any punches either when the violence kicks off. His ability to make me feel deeply for characters within a page of only just meeting them, and then strip them away in brutal fashion is a testament to his skill at immersing readers.
Concerning characters, he has a good spread of male and female and all feel like real people of bone and blood. No stereotypes or reliance on tropes will be found here, only people you yearn to learn more about. Angus, Yuri, and Helen, to name a few, are all savage in their own way and yet I saw their humanity when it counted. Worth mentioning are Mr Glint and Iron who are a couple of the coolest and most badass creations I’ve ever read.
The story and setting also didn’t remind me of anything. While I could detect influences and inspiration, the unique presentation of weapons, augments, and especially the cyberwarfare that unfolds when “Going Deep” in the “Net” was refreshing and completely captivating. Moreover, I could always picture and understand what was going on, the scenes playing like a high budget movie in my head. What is left unexplained is done so in the way I love as a reader. I love imagining my own answers and explanations for things in the world and systems beyond the story and Crow definitely filled my appetite and more.
Having the art pieces by Anthony Valiukonis was a really sweet addition to the story. The art is next level wicked and gives the overall product a more epic and refined vibe. This is top-tier publishing of pure quality.
My only disappointment is that the book is very short compared to what I usually read, and I really would have loved if there was 300 to 400 more pages. But this isn’t a criticism, I’m just like any reader who wants an author they love to write more. So, I’m definitely hooked to read the next in the series (which is out!).
All in all, if you want grit, meaningful conversations about ethics and society, and hyper-violent action, Valhalla Steel delivers on all fronts. I can only hope the author gets the recognition he deserves and a TV/movie deal one day.
October 30, 2022
Cyber Vikings vs drug dealing fae. What’s not to like?
April 24, 2022
6.5/10*
Alternative history, vikings with power weapons, evil elves and lots of BOOM.
There is a lot to like in this book, from characters of interest to an world ready to be explored.
The only real complaint is that it's too short and that the Author could have added a bit more backstory and world building.
Give this one a try, it's fun!
Alternative history, vikings with power weapons, evil elves and lots of BOOM.
There is a lot to like in this book, from characters of interest to an world ready to be explored.
The only real complaint is that it's too short and that the Author could have added a bit more backstory and world building.
Give this one a try, it's fun!
August 9, 2021
An entertaining and enjoyable combination of myth as well as far future technology. Like a cyberpunk Skyrim. There's a lot going on here for just a hundred pages and I think its one of Sean Crow's better works.
September 25, 2022
readable but lacked depth in my opinion. has one of my pet peeves - deadly enemies that are described as able to decimate crowds of men, unless it's the protagonists who take them out three at a time. Overall just far too predictable but I did like the shadowrun type setting
August 7, 2021
Nice interwoven of Norse mythology into cyberpunk novella want to read more
August 21, 2020
I Needed This
I was hooked from the beginning. It has a curious blend of genres and time eras that work very well together. Each chapter told a unique short story from different perspectives about a clan of Vikings. The Vikings still have a firm hold on their ancient ancestry, but they possess tech and weapons distant from our own time. The book is paced perfectly, which allows crucial time for world and character development, while still saving plenty of time for some seriously badass action, suspense, and combat scenes. I would often be reading and get excited about some cool piece of futuristic tech, or a reference to Vikings, or some mystical power, or just a great concept execution, and be like, "Whoa that's cool! :D". Valhalla Steel is a clever, gritty, heroic, and very entertaining experience. I know this won't be the only time I read it. Can we get more from this universe (and author), please??
September 12, 2020
I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC and all I can say is wow, is this ever a unique read! It mixes vikings, advanced technology, and Fae, in a futuristic world. I really enjoyed it. The feud between the leader of the Vahalla Steel clan and the Fae has been long and bloody and the conflict is escalating. Is this a conflict the clan can survive?
It’s written kind of as a series of short stories from the POV of different characters in different settings and times and they come together to form a narrative. It took me a little bit to get into the story because of the format since it took longer than normal to get to know the characters. But a couple stories in I was hooked! Sean Crow did an excellent job of tying all the stories together for the big finish.
One of the coolest things about this book is that each story is followed by an image that ties into it, and man is the art spectacular! This is definitely a book I want to add to my shelves when it comes out!
It’s written kind of as a series of short stories from the POV of different characters in different settings and times and they come together to form a narrative. It took me a little bit to get into the story because of the format since it took longer than normal to get to know the characters. But a couple stories in I was hooked! Sean Crow did an excellent job of tying all the stories together for the big finish.
One of the coolest things about this book is that each story is followed by an image that ties into it, and man is the art spectacular! This is definitely a book I want to add to my shelves when it comes out!
September 18, 2020
Sean Crow shows that his talent knows hardly any limits. Valhalla Steel is absolutely different as a setting from the Godless lands, but where Sean excels is world building and character creation.
It's very hard to make a world of magic and technology feel real, but S.C. does this in a great way. Love the story, love the art!
Definitely recommend. Not only to sci-fi readers, but fantasy as well!
It's very hard to make a world of magic and technology feel real, but S.C. does this in a great way. Love the story, love the art!
Definitely recommend. Not only to sci-fi readers, but fantasy as well!
August 28, 2020
Valhalla Steel is fast paced, action-packed, and wonderfully realised in both the sci-fi and fantasy camps.
It is a collection of stories that follow the characters of the Clan/gang ‘Valhalla Steel’ as they seek a new home in a dystopian-like setting of the future, where magic and technology walk hand in hand.
Drug-dealing fae, trolls, werewolves, ghosts-in-the wires, rune magic and the religion of the old gods, this world – and book – has it all.
I loved it!
It is a collection of stories that follow the characters of the Clan/gang ‘Valhalla Steel’ as they seek a new home in a dystopian-like setting of the future, where magic and technology walk hand in hand.
Drug-dealing fae, trolls, werewolves, ghosts-in-the wires, rune magic and the religion of the old gods, this world – and book – has it all.
I loved it!
August 24, 2020
A brilliantly paced action packed novel.
Traditional viking clans with viking scruples raised in a cyberpunk world face off against the fae ruling class.
It's a perfect blend of old world and a look into the future, I couldn't put it down and I hope there's a second instalment.
10/10
Traditional viking clans with viking scruples raised in a cyberpunk world face off against the fae ruling class.
It's a perfect blend of old world and a look into the future, I couldn't put it down and I hope there's a second instalment.
10/10
September 19, 2020
Sean Crow does it again! In keeping with his style in Godless Lands, Valhalla Steel is grounded, focused on the real human stories of people surrounded and impacted by the fantastic. The world he has built feels all too possible and imminent, magic aside.
August 1, 2021
The Real Deal
Valhalla Steele is the real deal! I loved it. The mix of Nordic lore and cyberpunk aesthetic was unlike anything I’ve read before. Great characters and action that doesn’t stop. If you only read one Nordic cyberpunk novel this year make it this one!
Valhalla Steele is the real deal! I loved it. The mix of Nordic lore and cyberpunk aesthetic was unlike anything I’ve read before. Great characters and action that doesn’t stop. If you only read one Nordic cyberpunk novel this year make it this one!
April 5, 2021
If you love vikings, fae, and other mystical beings mixed up with mythology, gang warfare, cybernetics, big guns all set in an urban environment then this book is for you.
Great art work as well. Hope we see more of the Valhalla Steel crew.
Great art work as well. Hope we see more of the Valhalla Steel crew.
August 23, 2025
I found Sean Crow from the David Gemmell fan site, and his works are fantastic.
May 2, 2025
DNF could not get into it at all I want to try again because I like the concept
April 30, 2025
An epic fresh approach to sci-fi fantasy! Sean's writing delivers us straight into the nitty gritty action! loved the characters - I think my favourite is yuri is currently - look forward to reading the next one and exploring more of this awesome version of our world Sean has created.
September 9, 2020
This is one of those special instances where the author and I know each other. We’re friends who were in the same writing group. Sean has read my drafts, and I’ve read his. So I got to see a few chapters of Valhalla Steel long before it came out.
Now before you start thinking, “Well, this is going to be a biased review,” know that Sean and I are openly critical of each other’s work.
Just look at the description of our writers group on FaceBook:
People sharing what they wrote from the depths of their soul so others can crush and annihilate it. Thus, masterpieces are crafted and authors are born.
I’ve laughed in Sean’s face when he’s written something bad, and he’s returned the favor. It’s what good friends do.
Sean and I both delve into the realm of fantasy and sci-fi, but we come at the genre differently. I’m more noble-bright while he’s more grim-dark. I drive my protagonists through hard times so they can become better people and face a brighter future. Sean is steadily building up a heaping boneyard of slain characters and is ever affixing their severed heads to pikes.
Despite our different approaches, I found myself thoroughly enjoying Valhalla Steel.
It’s a story about “the members of Valhalla Steel, a gun-running clan of Vikings guided by their leader, Angus Jarlson.” Set in the fantasy/sci-fi mash-up of Twilight City, Angus and his followers are caught in a turf war with chem-dealing Fae.
Valhalla Steel is advertised as a collection of short stories, but it follows one overarching storyline. (So I would argue that it’s more of a novella.) Point of views shift from chapter to chapter, as different characters get their chance at center stage. But all the stories gravitate around a single character–Angus–as he rises to prominence in Twilight City and continues in his fight against the Fae.
Angus, as an imagined character, has an interesting origin. Sean developed him and has used him extensively in Dungeons-and-Dragons-esque campaigns. (If you saw Sean, you wouldn’t guess him to be that kind of nerd. Rather than a pasty basement dweller with an eternal Cheeto mustache, he’s built more like an MMA fighter.) Over the countless hours of tabletop gaming, Angus’s backstory grew, and Sean got to know his character inside and out.
And that’s what makes the story so strong: the main character’s depth.
As Angus battles enemies from without, he also battles his demons from within. So great is the guilt of his bloody past, it’s hard to tell if he’s the good guy or the anti-hero. (Or maybe even the villain.) He’s hard to pin down. His complexity makes him very human and intriguing.
Not only does the story possess a main character with depth, it also takes place in a world of depth. Twilight City–“the grotesque monstrosity…where lives [depart] the world like clockwork and souls [can] be exchanged just as easily as creds.” As the story progresses, a string of details forms a vivid picture of a city humming with new tech and old magic. As a reader, I got the sense that only a few of its secrets had been revealed to me. There is more to Twilight City beyond the pages of this book.
(To what can we tribute this depth and complexity? Tabletop gaming strikes again. Sean developed this cyberpunk world in the midst of his nerdy campaigns.)
Part of what brings the city to life is the illustrations by Anthony Valiukonis that accompany the story.
My only critique (a small one) is that Sean tends to focus too much on action-heavy scenes. Bloody action at that. True, there is a chapter that takes place in the quiet setting of a library, but even this scene has a flashback to battle.
Don’t get me wrong. Sean knows how to write a good fight scene and has the practical knowledge of combat to ground it in reality. But I would’ve liked to have seen more chapters that didn’t involve one of the characters ending up as a bloody pulp–if just to see Sean write something outside his usual fare. (Maybe in the follow-up collection of stories, the work-in-progress Quenched in Blood.)
That being said, Sean is definitely playing to his strengths. I was drawn into the story and couldn’t put the book down. Valhalla Steel proves itself to be a high adrenaline mashup of fantasy and sci-fi that climbs to the top-rung of its genre.
Now before you start thinking, “Well, this is going to be a biased review,” know that Sean and I are openly critical of each other’s work.
Just look at the description of our writers group on FaceBook:
People sharing what they wrote from the depths of their soul so others can crush and annihilate it. Thus, masterpieces are crafted and authors are born.
I’ve laughed in Sean’s face when he’s written something bad, and he’s returned the favor. It’s what good friends do.
Sean and I both delve into the realm of fantasy and sci-fi, but we come at the genre differently. I’m more noble-bright while he’s more grim-dark. I drive my protagonists through hard times so they can become better people and face a brighter future. Sean is steadily building up a heaping boneyard of slain characters and is ever affixing their severed heads to pikes.
Despite our different approaches, I found myself thoroughly enjoying Valhalla Steel.
It’s a story about “the members of Valhalla Steel, a gun-running clan of Vikings guided by their leader, Angus Jarlson.” Set in the fantasy/sci-fi mash-up of Twilight City, Angus and his followers are caught in a turf war with chem-dealing Fae.
Valhalla Steel is advertised as a collection of short stories, but it follows one overarching storyline. (So I would argue that it’s more of a novella.) Point of views shift from chapter to chapter, as different characters get their chance at center stage. But all the stories gravitate around a single character–Angus–as he rises to prominence in Twilight City and continues in his fight against the Fae.
Angus, as an imagined character, has an interesting origin. Sean developed him and has used him extensively in Dungeons-and-Dragons-esque campaigns. (If you saw Sean, you wouldn’t guess him to be that kind of nerd. Rather than a pasty basement dweller with an eternal Cheeto mustache, he’s built more like an MMA fighter.) Over the countless hours of tabletop gaming, Angus’s backstory grew, and Sean got to know his character inside and out.
And that’s what makes the story so strong: the main character’s depth.
As Angus battles enemies from without, he also battles his demons from within. So great is the guilt of his bloody past, it’s hard to tell if he’s the good guy or the anti-hero. (Or maybe even the villain.) He’s hard to pin down. His complexity makes him very human and intriguing.
Not only does the story possess a main character with depth, it also takes place in a world of depth. Twilight City–“the grotesque monstrosity…where lives [depart] the world like clockwork and souls [can] be exchanged just as easily as creds.” As the story progresses, a string of details forms a vivid picture of a city humming with new tech and old magic. As a reader, I got the sense that only a few of its secrets had been revealed to me. There is more to Twilight City beyond the pages of this book.
(To what can we tribute this depth and complexity? Tabletop gaming strikes again. Sean developed this cyberpunk world in the midst of his nerdy campaigns.)
Part of what brings the city to life is the illustrations by Anthony Valiukonis that accompany the story.
My only critique (a small one) is that Sean tends to focus too much on action-heavy scenes. Bloody action at that. True, there is a chapter that takes place in the quiet setting of a library, but even this scene has a flashback to battle.
Don’t get me wrong. Sean knows how to write a good fight scene and has the practical knowledge of combat to ground it in reality. But I would’ve liked to have seen more chapters that didn’t involve one of the characters ending up as a bloody pulp–if just to see Sean write something outside his usual fare. (Maybe in the follow-up collection of stories, the work-in-progress Quenched in Blood.)
That being said, Sean is definitely playing to his strengths. I was drawn into the story and couldn’t put the book down. Valhalla Steel proves itself to be a high adrenaline mashup of fantasy and sci-fi that climbs to the top-rung of its genre.
April 20, 2025
My Stars:
1 - DNF or regret the time it took to read.
2 - I would have preferred cleaning the house.
3 - Good. Nothing really spoke to me, but I enjoyed my time.
4 - Great. This book is staying on my shelves. I'm continuing the series or will get other books the author has.
5 - New favourite. Will be re-read and if you engage me in conversation, I will not shut up about it.
My detailed reviews are on my YouTube channel, however:
Vikings and sci-fi - I really enjoyed this book. It was just the right thing at the right time for me. The blending of magic and cyberpunk is interesting and well thought out.
1 - DNF or regret the time it took to read.
2 - I would have preferred cleaning the house.
3 - Good. Nothing really spoke to me, but I enjoyed my time.
4 - Great. This book is staying on my shelves. I'm continuing the series or will get other books the author has.
5 - New favourite. Will be re-read and if you engage me in conversation, I will not shut up about it.
My detailed reviews are on my YouTube channel, however:
Vikings and sci-fi - I really enjoyed this book. It was just the right thing at the right time for me. The blending of magic and cyberpunk is interesting and well thought out.
August 18, 2024
This was an enjoyable read. The book reads like a Shadowrun novel, except the generic fantasy has been replaced by Norse mythology.
Are there any other books that have a fantasy world in a cyberpunk setting? Has anyone written this type of book? Cyber fantasy is a subgenre that I would like to see more of.
Are there any other books that have a fantasy world in a cyberpunk setting? Has anyone written this type of book? Cyber fantasy is a subgenre that I would like to see more of.
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