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The Brotherhood of the Eagle #1
Hall of Bones
In the remote land of Laskar the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.
However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.
Everything is about to change …
The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.
However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.
Everything is about to change …
The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2020
98 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
About the author
Tim Hardie
10 books84 followersTim Hardie grew up in the seaside town of Southport during the 1970s and 1980s. This was before anyone had even heard of the internet and Dungeons & Dragons was cutting edge. Living in a house where every available wall was given over to bookshelves, he discovered fantasy writers like JRR Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Ursula Le Guin, Alan Garner, Stephen Donaldson and Susan Cooper. Those stories led him into the science fiction worlds created by Frank Herbert, Philip K Dick, Arthur C Clarke and HP Lovecraft.
After training to become a lawyer Tim lived in London for three years before moving to Yorkshire in 1999, where he has worked ever since in a variety of legal, commercial, financial and management roles. His writing began as a hobby in his early twenties and has gradually grown into something else that now threatens to derail his promising career.
Tim writes epic fantasy that will appeal to fans of Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne and Robin Hobb.
Goodreads rating system
***** Outstanding
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Average
* Poor
After training to become a lawyer Tim lived in London for three years before moving to Yorkshire in 1999, where he has worked ever since in a variety of legal, commercial, financial and management roles. His writing began as a hobby in his early twenties and has gradually grown into something else that now threatens to derail his promising career.
Tim writes epic fantasy that will appeal to fans of Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne and Robin Hobb.
Goodreads rating system
***** Outstanding
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Average
* Poor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 12, 2022
Actual Rating: 7.5/10
Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7. This reflects my personal rating and opinion and not the final score for the blog!
I must admit that I would not have read this book if I wasn’t a judge in this competition but I am glad I did because it was a wild ride! I think this is one of the books that deserve more recognition!
The story follows our main protagonist Rothgar who is trained all his life to support his older brother, the successor of their father who happens to be the chief of the clan. On the other hand, we have the Vorund clan with its blood thirsty and greedy chief who is shrouded in dark magic and mystery.
Rothgar is an interesting character and since we get to see the story through his narrative, we get to know him very well. The story starts with him as a child and then we follow him until he becomes a young man with everything around him changing suddenly. The writing is great, I like the prose and I found it very engaging. However, there is something that is kind of a pet peeve for me which is introducing a large number of characters in very small time. I felt that specially in the beginning when we were bombarded with a lot of characters and to be honest, it took me some time to follow the story and recognize which characters are important and which ones are minor ones. To be fair, the author does a good job at making the distinction but a bit late which made the beginning kind of hard to trudge for me. And another thing is that the book does include a glossary at the end of all characters but there is no fun in constantly jumping back and forth to see who is who!
The book can also be a bit descriptive and the narrative is sometimes lost for a short time before it gets back on track again. On the other hand, I felt some of the characters did not get enough descriptions and they have similar sounding names which made it hard to connect to them.
I think the story itself is very interesting and although it is similar in parts to some of my previous reads -no surprise given its Norse mythology inspired- it still has its own charm and the author succeeds in having his own distinct voice! As I mentioned the beginning was tricky for me but around 50% the book was just super interesting and those parts in the middle were worth 5 stars for me. It does slow down after that and new things are introduced which progress the narrative but I was still itching for more of those emotions and euphoria the middle part gave me!
The world-building is good, I expected more from the magic which is introduced later in the story but I think it will be a bigger part of the next books so it is not really something that put me off!
Summary: Hall of Bones is an ambitious first book in a series that obviously have great potential. I think at some points too much was happening and I would have gone with something a bit lighter for a first book but it was still super engaging. If you don’t have a problem with many characters, this will be a great read for sure. I am glad I am part of SPFBO which made me read this!
Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7. This reflects my personal rating and opinion and not the final score for the blog!
I must admit that I would not have read this book if I wasn’t a judge in this competition but I am glad I did because it was a wild ride! I think this is one of the books that deserve more recognition!
The story follows our main protagonist Rothgar who is trained all his life to support his older brother, the successor of their father who happens to be the chief of the clan. On the other hand, we have the Vorund clan with its blood thirsty and greedy chief who is shrouded in dark magic and mystery.
Rothgar is an interesting character and since we get to see the story through his narrative, we get to know him very well. The story starts with him as a child and then we follow him until he becomes a young man with everything around him changing suddenly. The writing is great, I like the prose and I found it very engaging. However, there is something that is kind of a pet peeve for me which is introducing a large number of characters in very small time. I felt that specially in the beginning when we were bombarded with a lot of characters and to be honest, it took me some time to follow the story and recognize which characters are important and which ones are minor ones. To be fair, the author does a good job at making the distinction but a bit late which made the beginning kind of hard to trudge for me. And another thing is that the book does include a glossary at the end of all characters but there is no fun in constantly jumping back and forth to see who is who!
The book can also be a bit descriptive and the narrative is sometimes lost for a short time before it gets back on track again. On the other hand, I felt some of the characters did not get enough descriptions and they have similar sounding names which made it hard to connect to them.
I think the story itself is very interesting and although it is similar in parts to some of my previous reads -no surprise given its Norse mythology inspired- it still has its own charm and the author succeeds in having his own distinct voice! As I mentioned the beginning was tricky for me but around 50% the book was just super interesting and those parts in the middle were worth 5 stars for me. It does slow down after that and new things are introduced which progress the narrative but I was still itching for more of those emotions and euphoria the middle part gave me!
The world-building is good, I expected more from the magic which is introduced later in the story but I think it will be a bigger part of the next books so it is not really something that put me off!
Summary: Hall of Bones is an ambitious first book in a series that obviously have great potential. I think at some points too much was happening and I would have gone with something a bit lighter for a first book but it was still super engaging. If you don’t have a problem with many characters, this will be a great read for sure. I am glad I am part of SPFBO which made me read this!
June 24, 2021
“Power is a fickle thing – hard to get and slippery to hold onto.”
A fantasy novel done right should read like Hall of Bones. This Viking-inspired tale is the first part in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series and a promising start to what I speculate from reading Hall of Bones, a fantastic and gripping new saga on the book horizon for all those Viking fans. Partly a coming-of-age story at first which gains political momentum with growing intrigue, branching over different clans and their histories, and a dark, ancient evil that resides within, this novel brims and oozes with all that good stuff you want to sink your reading eyes into.
The land of Laskar in Northern Valistria is divided by the great Redfars Sea, flanked by peninsulas on either side. The one on the left houses five clans, and the other, opposite the Sea, houses two. This tale is told from the perspective of the Raevesburg Clan’s family who lives about midway high on the left peninsula by a great inlet, and way north of the Vorund Clan, their greatest rivals for some time. Rothgar, the main protagonist and pov, also the younger son of the Clan Chief, is to be groomed to support his older brother Jorik to lead the Kingdom one day after their father’s demise. Without a mother, and a little sister Nuna to look after, their growing years are sped up by defined roles and the two brothers could not be more different. A natural in the art of sword fighting and trained for combat, Jorik has a strong physique and a headstrong mind. Always in his shadow, good-natured Rothgar, rather slim and frail, is looking forward to the day he is allowed to train with swords like his brother. While Jorik is encroaching adulthood by age 15, Rothgar only 10 is still a child when their fateful tale is told.
"The idea that one day I might be jarl of Ulfkell’s Keep in Finnvidor’s place, serving my brother as chief, was hard to imagine. Our father seemed so strong, he would surely live for many long years and his people loved him. No one would dare challenge him by calling a clan moot, I reasoned. No one less could ever take his place. “ I still prefer the sword to the slate, Etta. Darri never sings great ballads about the men who know all their letters.”
Rothgar receives his education from the town's elder and chief counselor Etta, an old and wise crone who has been in Ulfkell’s Keep for generations. Her tales are filled with stories of a time the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age. At times mocked by the boys and doubted to be of sound mind, she knows that Rothgar is destined for greatness, even if he can’t wait for the day to become more like his brother and father.
While minor unsettlement in the surrounding areas is kept at bay, sudden raids propel a succession of events for the Raevesburg Clan that may grant Jorik and Rothgar’s wishes sooner than later. As one clan feels betrayed after a lost challenge, the brothers are thrust into adulthood and action they thought they were well prepared for.
Battered, new alliances need to be sought out and forged and Nuna, their sister, becomes a bargaining chip to seal the deal. With encouragement and guidance by Etta, they are prepared to give their sister’s hand away in marriage to strengthen and validate a truce with The Norlhast Clan against a growing force. While more raids are happening around Laskar, Aldrakir chief of the Vorund Clan, aka Kinslayer becomes the all-powerful enemy force of not only The Raevesburg Clan, raiding and killing wide and far but amounts an army by playing dirty, backstabbing games against all Clans. Quickly, it will become the biggest threat to the Raevesburg Clan and their newly formed alliance.
“Now, though, the sacrifices made begin to show their worth. Peace in the north, and war against our foes in the south. This may yet to be your brother’s greatest legacy in his short reign as chief.”
“I said, you have a knack of choosing powerful enemies. Tyfingr Blackeyes, Gautarr Falrufson, and now Nereth, not to mention all those in Raevesburg, Kalamar, and Norlhast who think of you as a turncoat for brokering Nuna’s marriage to Karas. No mean feat during your scant sixteen years.”
Rothgar begins to have visions and frightening episodes in his dreams of the spirits of the old. At times directly targeted at him, dark threats begin to play tricks and games of intimidation. He also connects with individuals known and unknown to him in a way of them telling him stories of what has happened to them. Weaving his visions and delirious passages make for great transitions and ad some lore to his pov.
In a final feat of tragedy, Rothgar has to prove not only to himself but to those around him that he believes in his abilities and has what it takes to make decisions albeit not with the sword. As the threat of the dark forces close in on him and a handful of people, he gives in to the moment without a promise of tomorrow, which only the next tale can tell us.
***
First, I fell in love with the characters, and when the story began to take off, I fell for Hardie’s ability to write intriguing plot twists that wove unceasingly through the fabric of his tale, while maintaining a balance of compassion and pause against the racing action sequences most gripping.
Rothgar, Nuna, and Etta were my favorites right from the beginning. I sort of have a weakness for li’l old ladies, though Etta was sweet at times, she was mainly tough as nails. Rothgar is the big-hearted brother to Jorik’s driven personality. I found his relationship with little Nuna most endearing. As the story went on and Nuna became of marriageable age, (which was just as in history very young) she was already carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders with grace and understanding.
Hall of Bones doesn’t start off with fantastic elements right away, but they enter slowly before midway through the book and their effects become larger and larger over time. The story begins with setting up the main characters, the brothers are still young, and gives the reader a sense of the current alliances of the clans and some of the politics. The sequence of events start small and gain momentum over just a few years. The things happening in Ulfkell’s Keep allow the characters to grow and the reader to get to know them. There are pitfalls and trials the brothers go through, yet there’s always uncertainty that accompanies where this story goes.
I enjoyed the moments of downtime with a pause to ponder as well as the foolish parts and troubles the brothers caused. Not everything was always harmonious, yet much thought was given to family ties and the main character’s reasonings and contemplation.
The action scenes quickly became a favorite of mine. Swift and detailed, they were descriptive for easy visualization and felt real. A few occasions were quick and brutal for the perfect shock and awe moments, as opposed to the humiliating ones, equally swift, but just as in real life…seem to last forever.
There was a moment/turn of events, that changed EVERYTHING in the novel. I loved the unpredictability of the story and the mix of so many different components. From there, in stark contrast to Ulfkell’s Keep, it continued in a remote mountain range, battling elements, making new friendships, enduring hardships, changing the tune of the tale completely.
There were some amazing quotes and passages, showing off Hardie’s writing abilities. I love descriptive writing and though there wasn’t as much of it right at the beginning, it caught up with the rest later and was very well done.
This book is one of my favorites read this year. I love Norse-inspired novels, and this one really surprised me. It felt epic, like a saga, and it became easy to invest in. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Hall of Bones established the setting, the characters, and the unsettling evil that lives within. It didn't exactly end in a sense of a cliffhanger, but the groundwork to build upon and the tension left craving for more, are a perfect springboard for this tale to continue.
A must-read!
Enjoy!
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
A fantasy novel done right should read like Hall of Bones. This Viking-inspired tale is the first part in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series and a promising start to what I speculate from reading Hall of Bones, a fantastic and gripping new saga on the book horizon for all those Viking fans. Partly a coming-of-age story at first which gains political momentum with growing intrigue, branching over different clans and their histories, and a dark, ancient evil that resides within, this novel brims and oozes with all that good stuff you want to sink your reading eyes into.
The land of Laskar in Northern Valistria is divided by the great Redfars Sea, flanked by peninsulas on either side. The one on the left houses five clans, and the other, opposite the Sea, houses two. This tale is told from the perspective of the Raevesburg Clan’s family who lives about midway high on the left peninsula by a great inlet, and way north of the Vorund Clan, their greatest rivals for some time. Rothgar, the main protagonist and pov, also the younger son of the Clan Chief, is to be groomed to support his older brother Jorik to lead the Kingdom one day after their father’s demise. Without a mother, and a little sister Nuna to look after, their growing years are sped up by defined roles and the two brothers could not be more different. A natural in the art of sword fighting and trained for combat, Jorik has a strong physique and a headstrong mind. Always in his shadow, good-natured Rothgar, rather slim and frail, is looking forward to the day he is allowed to train with swords like his brother. While Jorik is encroaching adulthood by age 15, Rothgar only 10 is still a child when their fateful tale is told.
"The idea that one day I might be jarl of Ulfkell’s Keep in Finnvidor’s place, serving my brother as chief, was hard to imagine. Our father seemed so strong, he would surely live for many long years and his people loved him. No one would dare challenge him by calling a clan moot, I reasoned. No one less could ever take his place. “ I still prefer the sword to the slate, Etta. Darri never sings great ballads about the men who know all their letters.”
Rothgar receives his education from the town's elder and chief counselor Etta, an old and wise crone who has been in Ulfkell’s Keep for generations. Her tales are filled with stories of a time the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age. At times mocked by the boys and doubted to be of sound mind, she knows that Rothgar is destined for greatness, even if he can’t wait for the day to become more like his brother and father.
While minor unsettlement in the surrounding areas is kept at bay, sudden raids propel a succession of events for the Raevesburg Clan that may grant Jorik and Rothgar’s wishes sooner than later. As one clan feels betrayed after a lost challenge, the brothers are thrust into adulthood and action they thought they were well prepared for.
Battered, new alliances need to be sought out and forged and Nuna, their sister, becomes a bargaining chip to seal the deal. With encouragement and guidance by Etta, they are prepared to give their sister’s hand away in marriage to strengthen and validate a truce with The Norlhast Clan against a growing force. While more raids are happening around Laskar, Aldrakir chief of the Vorund Clan, aka Kinslayer becomes the all-powerful enemy force of not only The Raevesburg Clan, raiding and killing wide and far but amounts an army by playing dirty, backstabbing games against all Clans. Quickly, it will become the biggest threat to the Raevesburg Clan and their newly formed alliance.
“Now, though, the sacrifices made begin to show their worth. Peace in the north, and war against our foes in the south. This may yet to be your brother’s greatest legacy in his short reign as chief.”
“I said, you have a knack of choosing powerful enemies. Tyfingr Blackeyes, Gautarr Falrufson, and now Nereth, not to mention all those in Raevesburg, Kalamar, and Norlhast who think of you as a turncoat for brokering Nuna’s marriage to Karas. No mean feat during your scant sixteen years.”
Rothgar begins to have visions and frightening episodes in his dreams of the spirits of the old. At times directly targeted at him, dark threats begin to play tricks and games of intimidation. He also connects with individuals known and unknown to him in a way of them telling him stories of what has happened to them. Weaving his visions and delirious passages make for great transitions and ad some lore to his pov.
In a final feat of tragedy, Rothgar has to prove not only to himself but to those around him that he believes in his abilities and has what it takes to make decisions albeit not with the sword. As the threat of the dark forces close in on him and a handful of people, he gives in to the moment without a promise of tomorrow, which only the next tale can tell us.
***
First, I fell in love with the characters, and when the story began to take off, I fell for Hardie’s ability to write intriguing plot twists that wove unceasingly through the fabric of his tale, while maintaining a balance of compassion and pause against the racing action sequences most gripping.
Rothgar, Nuna, and Etta were my favorites right from the beginning. I sort of have a weakness for li’l old ladies, though Etta was sweet at times, she was mainly tough as nails. Rothgar is the big-hearted brother to Jorik’s driven personality. I found his relationship with little Nuna most endearing. As the story went on and Nuna became of marriageable age, (which was just as in history very young) she was already carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders with grace and understanding.
Hall of Bones doesn’t start off with fantastic elements right away, but they enter slowly before midway through the book and their effects become larger and larger over time. The story begins with setting up the main characters, the brothers are still young, and gives the reader a sense of the current alliances of the clans and some of the politics. The sequence of events start small and gain momentum over just a few years. The things happening in Ulfkell’s Keep allow the characters to grow and the reader to get to know them. There are pitfalls and trials the brothers go through, yet there’s always uncertainty that accompanies where this story goes.
I enjoyed the moments of downtime with a pause to ponder as well as the foolish parts and troubles the brothers caused. Not everything was always harmonious, yet much thought was given to family ties and the main character’s reasonings and contemplation.
The action scenes quickly became a favorite of mine. Swift and detailed, they were descriptive for easy visualization and felt real. A few occasions were quick and brutal for the perfect shock and awe moments, as opposed to the humiliating ones, equally swift, but just as in real life…seem to last forever.
There was a moment/turn of events, that changed EVERYTHING in the novel. I loved the unpredictability of the story and the mix of so many different components. From there, in stark contrast to Ulfkell’s Keep, it continued in a remote mountain range, battling elements, making new friendships, enduring hardships, changing the tune of the tale completely.
There were some amazing quotes and passages, showing off Hardie’s writing abilities. I love descriptive writing and though there wasn’t as much of it right at the beginning, it caught up with the rest later and was very well done.
This book is one of my favorites read this year. I love Norse-inspired novels, and this one really surprised me. It felt epic, like a saga, and it became easy to invest in. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Hall of Bones established the setting, the characters, and the unsettling evil that lives within. It didn't exactly end in a sense of a cliffhanger, but the groundwork to build upon and the tension left craving for more, are a perfect springboard for this tale to continue.
A must-read!
Enjoy!
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
Read
August 11, 2021If you enjoy a very well written coming of age with a nice, brash, unabashed viking style backdrop, easy immersion and sensitive handling of characters, plenty of action, intrigue, betrayal and a chilling slide into Not Bedtime Story magic that enlarges the blood and fight action and strong family ties - this book is definitely worth a go! The male warrior culture is nicely offset by female characters, both young and elderly, with agency. Recommended. No rape.
Read
October 30, 2021I haven't read this yet, but it has been chosen as one of 10 finalists from 300 entries to the 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off ... so it must be good!
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
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https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Check it out.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year mailing list #prizes
September 17, 2024
This is a Norse-inspired fantasy that packs a pretty good punch for a series opener. I liked that it was able to keep surprising me by heading somewhere completely unexpected, but without ever feeling like it was trying too hard.
I love the way Hardie mixes familiar tropes here while keeping everything fresh and exciting. The fantasy elements are well integrated and I like how we're given time to get to know the world and the politics before the magic comes in to give us another level of worldbuilding and open up a new pathway for the story to follow.
The characters are likeable the interactions between them feel realistic for their situations. The story gives us plenty of excitement with defined arcs even as you progress through this first volume in the series.
I have now read five of the SPFBO7 finalists, and though the overall quality has been high, I think Hall of Bones may be in the top two for me.
I love the way Hardie mixes familiar tropes here while keeping everything fresh and exciting. The fantasy elements are well integrated and I like how we're given time to get to know the world and the politics before the magic comes in to give us another level of worldbuilding and open up a new pathway for the story to follow.
The characters are likeable the interactions between them feel realistic for their situations. The story gives us plenty of excitement with defined arcs even as you progress through this first volume in the series.
I have now read five of the SPFBO7 finalists, and though the overall quality has been high, I think Hall of Bones may be in the top two for me.
December 15, 2021
I read this for SPFBO. More about the contest and links at the bottom.
I really enjoyed this one. Hall of Bones turned out to be quite different than I was expecting.
I hadn’t heard much about this book, other than seeing it on twitter a few times and the cover, while nice enough- doesn’t give much away.
Not that it matters but this inadvertently ended up being my second Norse fantasy in a row when I usually try to spread these out so they don’t blend together.
Times are unsettled between the clans. The death of Rothgar’s father throws his sons into positions of leadership far earlier than expected and their supporting clans are unhappy and questioning capabilities of leaders so young and inexperienced. This begins a string of events that will shake Rothgar’s world apart.
*
HoB is somewhat of a slow burn in a traditional fantasy way, the story follows Rothgar- the youngest son of the Reavesburg Clan and moves us through from past to current day, hitting points here and there getting us comfortable with the world and its politics, while letting us get to know our main character as he grows up- in a coming-of-age kind of feel.
Rothgar had a great voice and the pacing allowed for moments that endeared him to us between family and clan tribe interactions, while also maintaining an interest in the world and story. I liked how tied-together everything felt with the world, people, and magic, and the way the first half of the story unfolded- building its way to a surprising, and well-timed moment around midway that renewed my interest just as it was starting to flag.
I also appreciated some of the fun moments during the growing up segment of the story like Rothgar and Bram throwing the stones at their older friend Harl causing him to fall on his first day of training, it made me laugh and felt like such Tom Sawyer thing to do.
•
The world took on a very cool mystical feel in the second half the book with the introduction of the Durath and the other gifted people. The Durath are skin thieves or shadow spirits who use their gift to enter others minds. If they win this struggle for control, they will achieve immortality as the body they possess will not age.
This was really cool and made me think of the G’ould in Stargate (minus the worm).
There were also some really neat scenes from the battle with them, that I loved- particularly the sand effect when they died.
*
There are a ton of characters introduced in the beginning (you all know how much I love that) but I do find it easier to keep up with a large cast in spov then in mpov (to a point) also, a huge help here was most of the key players had trait-names that helped me keep them in mind when they’d been off-screen for awhile; like Blackeyes.
But that being said, in the later half the story, we get a lot of other cast members introduced. And I had a harder time keeping up with these ones. At this point I think it was more an annoyance to me, because we were at a time in the story where it felt like we should be tipped over the hill, and racing to the finish. Instead, we were meeting twenty more people for the first time. It really stalled-out the story for me, unfortunately.
I am going to talk about one of my most hated things- late story pov changes…and why this one worked exceptionally well for me (which is harder to do than I expected without spoiling too much of the plot).
I’d usually hate a switch in pov over halfway through the book to a character we hadn’t spent any time with, or that wasn’t in a different part of the world that we hadn’t seen yet.
And don’t get me wrong, this did feel jarring to me at first- as I think it was intended to.
The way the new character’s pov was added was a creative way to see what’s been going on in the rest of the land (especially in a spov story like this) while still tying the plot to the main character.
So it didn’t feel like “Oh hey, this guy needs time to recover so let’s show everyone what’s going on elsewhere to alleviate boredom. Here have a new pov”.
As we gained other late pov’s, they also felt so seamlessly added that I barely noticed the shift.
To summarize-
I really enjoyed this and would go on to read the next book. I thought this was a strong story, especially in the first sixty-percent, that did a lot of things right for me.
My only real complaint was the build to the last quarter of the story petered out with the introduction of a lot more cast, just when things were heating up- deflating that nice momentum that it had built upon itself. But for a debut (I believe) this was a darned good story. I liked it a lot.
spfbo score 7.5 or 4 stars (6.5-8/10)
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Finalist board is here
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
I really enjoyed this one. Hall of Bones turned out to be quite different than I was expecting.
I hadn’t heard much about this book, other than seeing it on twitter a few times and the cover, while nice enough- doesn’t give much away.
Not that it matters but this inadvertently ended up being my second Norse fantasy in a row when I usually try to spread these out so they don’t blend together.
Times are unsettled between the clans. The death of Rothgar’s father throws his sons into positions of leadership far earlier than expected and their supporting clans are unhappy and questioning capabilities of leaders so young and inexperienced. This begins a string of events that will shake Rothgar’s world apart.
*
HoB is somewhat of a slow burn in a traditional fantasy way, the story follows Rothgar- the youngest son of the Reavesburg Clan and moves us through from past to current day, hitting points here and there getting us comfortable with the world and its politics, while letting us get to know our main character as he grows up- in a coming-of-age kind of feel.
Rothgar had a great voice and the pacing allowed for moments that endeared him to us between family and clan tribe interactions, while also maintaining an interest in the world and story. I liked how tied-together everything felt with the world, people, and magic, and the way the first half of the story unfolded- building its way to a surprising, and well-timed moment around midway that renewed my interest just as it was starting to flag.
I also appreciated some of the fun moments during the growing up segment of the story like Rothgar and Bram throwing the stones at their older friend Harl causing him to fall on his first day of training, it made me laugh and felt like such Tom Sawyer thing to do.
•
The world took on a very cool mystical feel in the second half the book with the introduction of the Durath and the other gifted people. The Durath are skin thieves or shadow spirits who use their gift to enter others minds. If they win this struggle for control, they will achieve immortality as the body they possess will not age.
This was really cool and made me think of the G’ould in Stargate (minus the worm).
There were also some really neat scenes from the battle with them, that I loved- particularly the sand effect when they died.
*
There are a ton of characters introduced in the beginning (you all know how much I love that) but I do find it easier to keep up with a large cast in spov then in mpov (to a point) also, a huge help here was most of the key players had trait-names that helped me keep them in mind when they’d been off-screen for awhile; like Blackeyes.
But that being said, in the later half the story, we get a lot of other cast members introduced. And I had a harder time keeping up with these ones. At this point I think it was more an annoyance to me, because we were at a time in the story where it felt like we should be tipped over the hill, and racing to the finish. Instead, we were meeting twenty more people for the first time. It really stalled-out the story for me, unfortunately.
I am going to talk about one of my most hated things- late story pov changes…and why this one worked exceptionally well for me (which is harder to do than I expected without spoiling too much of the plot).
I’d usually hate a switch in pov over halfway through the book to a character we hadn’t spent any time with, or that wasn’t in a different part of the world that we hadn’t seen yet.
And don’t get me wrong, this did feel jarring to me at first- as I think it was intended to.
The way the new character’s pov was added was a creative way to see what’s been going on in the rest of the land (especially in a spov story like this) while still tying the plot to the main character.
So it didn’t feel like “Oh hey, this guy needs time to recover so let’s show everyone what’s going on elsewhere to alleviate boredom. Here have a new pov”.
As we gained other late pov’s, they also felt so seamlessly added that I barely noticed the shift.
To summarize-
I really enjoyed this and would go on to read the next book. I thought this was a strong story, especially in the first sixty-percent, that did a lot of things right for me.
My only real complaint was the build to the last quarter of the story petered out with the introduction of a lot more cast, just when things were heating up- deflating that nice momentum that it had built upon itself. But for a debut (I believe) this was a darned good story. I liked it a lot.
spfbo score 7.5 or 4 stars (6.5-8/10)
Phase one is here-
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Finalist board is here
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December 14, 2021
3.5/5
Hall of Bones is a gritty epic fantasy that kicks off Hardy's The Brotherhood of the Eagle series. With its well-crafted Norse-inspired setting and character-driven plot, it should appeal to fans of epics.
Rothgar Kolfinnarson aspires to become a great warrior like his father, the chief of the Reavesburg clan, and his older brother, Jorik. He's not there yet, but give him time and he'll get there. Unfortunately, time is one thing he doesn't have.
Rival clans and dark magical forces pose a deadly threat to his family's survival. And when they strike, it's brutal.
Rothgar's narration is engaging and nuanced. He undergoes a dramatic change, both physical and mental, and Hardy does an excellent job of making it believable. The supporting characters, though... Well, I feel Hardy overdid it with the number of characters he introduced in his debut (more than 100!). Way too many to keep track of or care about. Some of them seem nuanced, others seem like pieces of scenery. To be fair, the antagonists are quite complex; cruel, yes, but also believably human.
The pacing did not impress me as much as the world or characters. The first half of the story develops slowly, setting the stage for two devastating twists. Once the twists occur, the pacing slows and remains uneven. The whole blocks of Rothgar describing various things do not help matters. They are dense and tiring (though quite atmospheric.)
Hardy's writing style can be very descriptive at times, especially when describing landscapes and locations, but his action scenes were so engrossing and vicious that they kind of balanced it out. I feel varying the sentence length and limiting whole pages of Rothgar describing stuff (places, people, his inner states) would make the story tighter.
Hardy's control of relationships, plot twists, and politics throughout gets high marks. As mentioned, the narrative occasionally falters when the writing gets tangled up with too much, but it recovers quickly. All things considered, I found Hall of Bones well worth exploring.
Hall of Bones is a gritty epic fantasy that kicks off Hardy's The Brotherhood of the Eagle series. With its well-crafted Norse-inspired setting and character-driven plot, it should appeal to fans of epics.
Rothgar Kolfinnarson aspires to become a great warrior like his father, the chief of the Reavesburg clan, and his older brother, Jorik. He's not there yet, but give him time and he'll get there. Unfortunately, time is one thing he doesn't have.
Rival clans and dark magical forces pose a deadly threat to his family's survival. And when they strike, it's brutal.
Rothgar's narration is engaging and nuanced. He undergoes a dramatic change, both physical and mental, and Hardy does an excellent job of making it believable. The supporting characters, though... Well, I feel Hardy overdid it with the number of characters he introduced in his debut (more than 100!). Way too many to keep track of or care about. Some of them seem nuanced, others seem like pieces of scenery. To be fair, the antagonists are quite complex; cruel, yes, but also believably human.
The pacing did not impress me as much as the world or characters. The first half of the story develops slowly, setting the stage for two devastating twists. Once the twists occur, the pacing slows and remains uneven. The whole blocks of Rothgar describing various things do not help matters. They are dense and tiring (though quite atmospheric.)
Hardy's writing style can be very descriptive at times, especially when describing landscapes and locations, but his action scenes were so engrossing and vicious that they kind of balanced it out. I feel varying the sentence length and limiting whole pages of Rothgar describing stuff (places, people, his inner states) would make the story tighter.
Hardy's control of relationships, plot twists, and politics throughout gets high marks. As mentioned, the narrative occasionally falters when the writing gets tangled up with too much, but it recovers quickly. All things considered, I found Hall of Bones well worth exploring.
October 25, 2022
4.5 stars
Despite the fact that I have loved essentially every Norse-inspired story that I’ve tried so far, I kept putting Hall of Bones off because I wasn’t sure if it would be up my alley. Friends, don’t be dumb like me and just pick this one up already, because this story is not the generic Viking story that you might assume it to be. Surprising, unique, captivating and thrilling, this book will hook you from the very first page.
Hall of Bones is told through the first person perspective of Rothgar Kolfinnarsson, the second son of the Reavesburg clan Chief. When we first meet his older self in the prologue, he is broken, locked up and awaiting his execution. But then we are thrown back all the way to his childhood and from there Rothgar takes us along all the harrowing and traumatic events that have made him into the scarred man he is in the present day.
At the start of his story, Rothgar is a young and brash man gearing up for a life as the right hand to his brother Jorik when he eventually takes over their father’s role as chief. Although there has always been a lot of political strife between the seven opposing clans of Laskan, Rothgar lives a relatively carefree and secure life. However, an ancient and dark power is on the rise and when the Vorund Clan suddenly turns to violence, things start escalating quickly and Rothgar’s life is thrown into chaos.
The character development, particularly for Rothgar, is absolutely outstanding here. His character arc was surprising but believable, as we are shown how all the horrors he has had to endure have left a lasting impact on him. His victories, his losses, his joys and his regrets, we get to experience it from the front-row seat and are not spared any of his pain and trauma.
This type of character-driven storytelling made it incredibly easy to latch onto him as a character and I was invested in his story from page one.
The side characters were also strong and well-developed, and I loved that they all had their own agendas. You might think you know who you can trust, only to discover that they had been playing Rothgar, and by extension you, all along. This really keeps the reader on their toes and allows for some great opportunities to start theorizing.
Also, talk about compelling and complex villains!! I think the author did a magnificent job of creating antagonists with believable motivations that you will just love to hate.
Now, while this story is mostly a character-driven narrative, that doesn’t mean that the plot and world building are lacking. This world feels super well-established and I loved learning about the history of the clans, the rich lore about the gods, the legendary battles and intriguing magic.
The first half of this book has a rather small scope and feels more like a simple coming of age story with a good dose of family drama and clan warfare. Yet as you read on, the world gradually opens up, hidden truths about the history and lore of these lands are unveiled and the magical elements really kick into gear. And there are just enough bits of foreshadowing to fill you with anticipatory dread, making it impossible to put this book down once you start reading.
The writing is effective and clear, but there are definitely some poignant lines that will stick with you. And because we get this story from the perspective of an older Rothgar reminiscing about all the highs and lows of his life, there is a melancholic undertone that only adds to the weight and impact of this tale.
And I am also very impressed with how the author handled the pacing in this story, which spans quite a number of years. We hit all the important and impactful moments of Rothgar’s life, without ever feeling like we are moving at breakneck speed and losing emotional impact. The tension is high from the start and only continues to increase throughout the story, making this an incredibly engaging read.
The only thing that keeps this from being a 5-star read for me is the fact that there are some new POVs added in the second half of the story (sort of, can’t explain without spoilers) and I had a hard time connecting with the characters in those chapters. While those new POVs were intricately tied to Rothgar’s story, I still found myself wanting to return to his POV whenever we were in another perspective.
Also, just a fair warning for the hard magic system lovers, the magic here is quite elusive. I personally really enjoyed that and thought it added to the intrigue of the story, but I can see why some readers might like a bit more explanation. That said, I have a feeling that we only scratched the surface here and that the magical elements will amp up even more in the rest of the series, which I am very excited for.
This book totally caught me by surprise with all its twists and turns and I can’t wait to continue on with Rothgar’s story. I had an absolute blast with this book and it’s taking all my self-restraint to not throw all my reading plans out the window and jump into book 2 immediately.
If you are looking for a character-driven Norse-inspired fantasy story that is filled to the brim with family, rivalling clans, tantalising action, intriguing magic and shocking betrayals, then Hall of Bones is the perfect fit for you.
Despite the fact that I have loved essentially every Norse-inspired story that I’ve tried so far, I kept putting Hall of Bones off because I wasn’t sure if it would be up my alley. Friends, don’t be dumb like me and just pick this one up already, because this story is not the generic Viking story that you might assume it to be. Surprising, unique, captivating and thrilling, this book will hook you from the very first page.
Hall of Bones is told through the first person perspective of Rothgar Kolfinnarsson, the second son of the Reavesburg clan Chief. When we first meet his older self in the prologue, he is broken, locked up and awaiting his execution. But then we are thrown back all the way to his childhood and from there Rothgar takes us along all the harrowing and traumatic events that have made him into the scarred man he is in the present day.
At the start of his story, Rothgar is a young and brash man gearing up for a life as the right hand to his brother Jorik when he eventually takes over their father’s role as chief. Although there has always been a lot of political strife between the seven opposing clans of Laskan, Rothgar lives a relatively carefree and secure life. However, an ancient and dark power is on the rise and when the Vorund Clan suddenly turns to violence, things start escalating quickly and Rothgar’s life is thrown into chaos.
The character development, particularly for Rothgar, is absolutely outstanding here. His character arc was surprising but believable, as we are shown how all the horrors he has had to endure have left a lasting impact on him. His victories, his losses, his joys and his regrets, we get to experience it from the front-row seat and are not spared any of his pain and trauma.
This type of character-driven storytelling made it incredibly easy to latch onto him as a character and I was invested in his story from page one.
The side characters were also strong and well-developed, and I loved that they all had their own agendas. You might think you know who you can trust, only to discover that they had been playing Rothgar, and by extension you, all along. This really keeps the reader on their toes and allows for some great opportunities to start theorizing.
Also, talk about compelling and complex villains!! I think the author did a magnificent job of creating antagonists with believable motivations that you will just love to hate.
Now, while this story is mostly a character-driven narrative, that doesn’t mean that the plot and world building are lacking. This world feels super well-established and I loved learning about the history of the clans, the rich lore about the gods, the legendary battles and intriguing magic.
The first half of this book has a rather small scope and feels more like a simple coming of age story with a good dose of family drama and clan warfare. Yet as you read on, the world gradually opens up, hidden truths about the history and lore of these lands are unveiled and the magical elements really kick into gear. And there are just enough bits of foreshadowing to fill you with anticipatory dread, making it impossible to put this book down once you start reading.
The writing is effective and clear, but there are definitely some poignant lines that will stick with you. And because we get this story from the perspective of an older Rothgar reminiscing about all the highs and lows of his life, there is a melancholic undertone that only adds to the weight and impact of this tale.
And I am also very impressed with how the author handled the pacing in this story, which spans quite a number of years. We hit all the important and impactful moments of Rothgar’s life, without ever feeling like we are moving at breakneck speed and losing emotional impact. The tension is high from the start and only continues to increase throughout the story, making this an incredibly engaging read.
The only thing that keeps this from being a 5-star read for me is the fact that there are some new POVs added in the second half of the story (sort of, can’t explain without spoilers) and I had a hard time connecting with the characters in those chapters. While those new POVs were intricately tied to Rothgar’s story, I still found myself wanting to return to his POV whenever we were in another perspective.
Also, just a fair warning for the hard magic system lovers, the magic here is quite elusive. I personally really enjoyed that and thought it added to the intrigue of the story, but I can see why some readers might like a bit more explanation. That said, I have a feeling that we only scratched the surface here and that the magical elements will amp up even more in the rest of the series, which I am very excited for.
This book totally caught me by surprise with all its twists and turns and I can’t wait to continue on with Rothgar’s story. I had an absolute blast with this book and it’s taking all my self-restraint to not throw all my reading plans out the window and jump into book 2 immediately.
If you are looking for a character-driven Norse-inspired fantasy story that is filled to the brim with family, rivalling clans, tantalising action, intriguing magic and shocking betrayals, then Hall of Bones is the perfect fit for you.
September 7, 2022
Thank you so much to the author Tim Hardie for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Hall of Bones (The Brotherhood of the Eagle Book I) is the story of Rothgar, who, at the beginning of the story, we find caged, hurt and trying to get rid of the crows that pick at his open wounds. He's also lost all hope of salvation. He starts then remembering how his life has been until that point.
"I know that when sleep comes it will be long and black, for my time in Amuran is almost done"
The story is very compelling. The characters are very easy to relate to, their struggles very real.
The writing is wonderful, it flows effortlessly. It's a complete page turner.
As always I'll try to make this review spoiler free. Still there's always a possibility that you may think some details as such (that's never my intent). So proceed with caution.
The prologue was one of the best I've ever read. It griped me immediately and really I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what happened to the character for him to ended up like that.
Rothgar is a fantastic character to follow. His story is so gripping. We see him from he's a child until he ends up in the cage. All his relationships, with his father, brother, sister, Desta (his first love), his friends were so well developed, each one felt very real.
"'You and Desta are not destined to be together, whatever your feeling are for her now. Some things cannot be, and no amount of wishing otherwise can change that fact.'"
As you can imagine, Rothgar being one of the sons of the chief, the political maneuvering around him is very intricate, the schemes so delicately weaved. All that Rothgar didn't see until it was too late costed him everything he held dear. It's so sad to see him unable to do anything to change the people he loved the most situation and even his own. Even though before his present situation as the book begins, his life was already decided for him. Rothgar was used so much like a puppet, always for someone else's gain.
"'... A happy marriage doesn't stop a dagger between your shoulder blades. If Gautarr moves to seize your title he'll not stop at killing Jorik. As the next in line, Rothgar would also have to die. Don't pretend you don't know this; to secure Jorik's rule, Rothgar and Nuna must both play their part...'"
At the halfway point everything changes. Rothgar is not the same man after what he has lived through. He's haunted by eveything that happened. Besides the psychological damage. his own body has suffered too much after being tortured by Blackeyes. He spends some trying to recover from the physical damage and while doing that he is told that he has the Sight. Even though he may never recover physically, the Sight makes him invaluable. He doesn't really believe this at first, he was born and trained as a warrior, the fact that he can't be one anymore affects him immensely.
"... it was my duty to be strong."
The magic system is absolutely fascinating. The details we got to see makes you want to know more. I loved the author's ability to keep the first part of the book almost magic free and allow us to learn about it as Rothgar is told about it.
The world building was amazing. I loved the fact that we got to see many regions of the physical world and some of the other one that we learned about in the book.
The plot got more and more complexed as the story went on. By the end we see the surge of the Brotherhood of the Eagle and their objective.
"The Brotherhood of the Eagle was born in that small village, calling on ties of loyalty as close as blood, ties as close as those between brothers."
Overall, this is one of the best books I've read this year. This book has one of the most compelling and gripping writing style I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I found it very reminiscent of Robin Hobb's writing, and storytelling. I cannot wait to continue Rothgar's story in Sundered Souls. Highly recommend.
Hall of Bones (The Brotherhood of the Eagle Book I) is the story of Rothgar, who, at the beginning of the story, we find caged, hurt and trying to get rid of the crows that pick at his open wounds. He's also lost all hope of salvation. He starts then remembering how his life has been until that point.
"I know that when sleep comes it will be long and black, for my time in Amuran is almost done"
The story is very compelling. The characters are very easy to relate to, their struggles very real.
The writing is wonderful, it flows effortlessly. It's a complete page turner.
As always I'll try to make this review spoiler free. Still there's always a possibility that you may think some details as such (that's never my intent). So proceed with caution.
The prologue was one of the best I've ever read. It griped me immediately and really I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what happened to the character for him to ended up like that.
Rothgar is a fantastic character to follow. His story is so gripping. We see him from he's a child until he ends up in the cage. All his relationships, with his father, brother, sister, Desta (his first love), his friends were so well developed, each one felt very real.
"'You and Desta are not destined to be together, whatever your feeling are for her now. Some things cannot be, and no amount of wishing otherwise can change that fact.'"
As you can imagine, Rothgar being one of the sons of the chief, the political maneuvering around him is very intricate, the schemes so delicately weaved. All that Rothgar didn't see until it was too late costed him everything he held dear. It's so sad to see him unable to do anything to change the people he loved the most situation and even his own. Even though before his present situation as the book begins, his life was already decided for him. Rothgar was used so much like a puppet, always for someone else's gain.
"'... A happy marriage doesn't stop a dagger between your shoulder blades. If Gautarr moves to seize your title he'll not stop at killing Jorik. As the next in line, Rothgar would also have to die. Don't pretend you don't know this; to secure Jorik's rule, Rothgar and Nuna must both play their part...'"
At the halfway point everything changes. Rothgar is not the same man after what he has lived through. He's haunted by eveything that happened. Besides the psychological damage. his own body has suffered too much after being tortured by Blackeyes. He spends some trying to recover from the physical damage and while doing that he is told that he has the Sight. Even though he may never recover physically, the Sight makes him invaluable. He doesn't really believe this at first, he was born and trained as a warrior, the fact that he can't be one anymore affects him immensely.
"... it was my duty to be strong."
The magic system is absolutely fascinating. The details we got to see makes you want to know more. I loved the author's ability to keep the first part of the book almost magic free and allow us to learn about it as Rothgar is told about it.
The world building was amazing. I loved the fact that we got to see many regions of the physical world and some of the other one that we learned about in the book.
The plot got more and more complexed as the story went on. By the end we see the surge of the Brotherhood of the Eagle and their objective.
"The Brotherhood of the Eagle was born in that small village, calling on ties of loyalty as close as blood, ties as close as those between brothers."
Overall, this is one of the best books I've read this year. This book has one of the most compelling and gripping writing style I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I found it very reminiscent of Robin Hobb's writing, and storytelling. I cannot wait to continue Rothgar's story in Sundered Souls. Highly recommend.
July 17, 2021
“Hall of Bones” is the first book in “The Brotherhood of the Eagle” by Tim Hardie. This entry will certainly only add to the current buzz around the sub-genre of Norse-Inspired fantasy. Remarkable book!
Hall of Bones is set in the land of Laskar, an isolated area of the world, where for the past 100 years, seven primary rival clans have jostled for power. When we first enter the story, we find Rothgar, second son of ruling clan Chief, Kolfinaar of the Reavesburg faction, in a dire situation, facing imminent death. Rothgar reflects back, in despair, on how he arrived in his current tragic predicament, and then the story goes back in time from Rothgar childhood, displaying the events that led Rothgar to where he is in the prologue of the novel.
We learn Rothgar was raised in a warm and loving family environment, with Kolfinaar, the latest in a long unbroken string of successive Reavesburg Chiefs, at the head. Rothgar’s older brother Jorik, with whom he shares an affectionate bond, is heir to his father’s chieftain’s seat. Rothgar’s sister Nuna is close to Rothgar too. However it is planned that Nuna to be used, unfortunately - in typical fashion for women of such a patriarchal world / period - as a pawn in marriage, to forge alliances. The place in the world of Kolfinaar’s children is pre-determined by their birth, as expected in noble families of this nature. Jorik will rule after Kolfinaar. Nuna will essentially wed to broker peace and secure additional fealty, and at most, Rothgar can aspire to be Jorik’s main jarl and warlord.
But trouble looms, as opposing clans vie for rulership, and sinister magical forces are at play in the shadows, waiting to throw chaos into the orderly plans for succession put in place by Kolfinaar.
This novel was just my jam, ticking all appropriate boxes. It’s predominantly a first-person story, narrated by Rothgar. The reader sees Rothgar evolve from the child of a nobleman, into a burgeoning young warrior, using his sword-skills and wits, filled with passion and commitment to supporting his clan, as he finds love, develops into quite the young statesman, sinks down into disgrace, experiencing horrible trauma, and discovers hidden talents and fortitude. Oral memory of the history of the clans, the various gods, the famed conflicts, dynastic lineages, and how magic is used, is interspersed with compelling family drama in Hardie’s work. The secondary characters, good or bad, are well-drawn, believable, and very interesting. But the book very much is Rothgar’s book, and it feeds my personal preference for character-driven over plot driven novels. Rothgar goes through quite the transformation in “Hall of Bones”. I loved how Hardie throws in some very surprising plot twists, after leading the reader to believe Rothgar’s destiny will be one thing, when it becomes something quite different and unique. It was fascinating, and I could not put the book down until I found out what happened to Rothgar, and how he adapted to his new circumstances.
Just because Hardie has excelled in crafting a great character-centred novel, that is not to say the plot is not incredible, well-paced, and engaging. It surely is. Using clear, straightforward prose, intermingled with poetic and impactful verse, Hardie recounts all the epic battles, intense and high-stakes political manoeuvering, ties of family, friendship, and loyalty to ones oaths that bind, in exceptionally adept fashion. Lovers (such as I) of the television show “Vikings”, landmark series/books in the ASOIAF collection by the esteemed GRRM, “The Saxon Stories” by legendary Bernard Cornwell, or “The Shadow of the Gods” by the illustrious John Gwynne, will find themselves in a comfortable place reading Hardie.
A must with a novel of this scope and that many primary, auxiliary, and tertiary characters, Hardie provides a list of characters and their tribe affiliations in the back of the book, and accompanying maps of the world of Laskar, that readers will find it handy to refer to, as they weave their way through the competing clans, and places travelled by the protagonist.
Hall of Bones is a vibrant, extremely well-written, and unforgettable debut in a series, that will have readers clamouring for the follow-up. Five stars glowing for Tim Hardie and his first installment of “The Brotherhood of the Eagle”!
Hall of Bones is set in the land of Laskar, an isolated area of the world, where for the past 100 years, seven primary rival clans have jostled for power. When we first enter the story, we find Rothgar, second son of ruling clan Chief, Kolfinaar of the Reavesburg faction, in a dire situation, facing imminent death. Rothgar reflects back, in despair, on how he arrived in his current tragic predicament, and then the story goes back in time from Rothgar childhood, displaying the events that led Rothgar to where he is in the prologue of the novel.
We learn Rothgar was raised in a warm and loving family environment, with Kolfinaar, the latest in a long unbroken string of successive Reavesburg Chiefs, at the head. Rothgar’s older brother Jorik, with whom he shares an affectionate bond, is heir to his father’s chieftain’s seat. Rothgar’s sister Nuna is close to Rothgar too. However it is planned that Nuna to be used, unfortunately - in typical fashion for women of such a patriarchal world / period - as a pawn in marriage, to forge alliances. The place in the world of Kolfinaar’s children is pre-determined by their birth, as expected in noble families of this nature. Jorik will rule after Kolfinaar. Nuna will essentially wed to broker peace and secure additional fealty, and at most, Rothgar can aspire to be Jorik’s main jarl and warlord.
But trouble looms, as opposing clans vie for rulership, and sinister magical forces are at play in the shadows, waiting to throw chaos into the orderly plans for succession put in place by Kolfinaar.
This novel was just my jam, ticking all appropriate boxes. It’s predominantly a first-person story, narrated by Rothgar. The reader sees Rothgar evolve from the child of a nobleman, into a burgeoning young warrior, using his sword-skills and wits, filled with passion and commitment to supporting his clan, as he finds love, develops into quite the young statesman, sinks down into disgrace, experiencing horrible trauma, and discovers hidden talents and fortitude. Oral memory of the history of the clans, the various gods, the famed conflicts, dynastic lineages, and how magic is used, is interspersed with compelling family drama in Hardie’s work. The secondary characters, good or bad, are well-drawn, believable, and very interesting. But the book very much is Rothgar’s book, and it feeds my personal preference for character-driven over plot driven novels. Rothgar goes through quite the transformation in “Hall of Bones”. I loved how Hardie throws in some very surprising plot twists, after leading the reader to believe Rothgar’s destiny will be one thing, when it becomes something quite different and unique. It was fascinating, and I could not put the book down until I found out what happened to Rothgar, and how he adapted to his new circumstances.
Just because Hardie has excelled in crafting a great character-centred novel, that is not to say the plot is not incredible, well-paced, and engaging. It surely is. Using clear, straightforward prose, intermingled with poetic and impactful verse, Hardie recounts all the epic battles, intense and high-stakes political manoeuvering, ties of family, friendship, and loyalty to ones oaths that bind, in exceptionally adept fashion. Lovers (such as I) of the television show “Vikings”, landmark series/books in the ASOIAF collection by the esteemed GRRM, “The Saxon Stories” by legendary Bernard Cornwell, or “The Shadow of the Gods” by the illustrious John Gwynne, will find themselves in a comfortable place reading Hardie.
A must with a novel of this scope and that many primary, auxiliary, and tertiary characters, Hardie provides a list of characters and their tribe affiliations in the back of the book, and accompanying maps of the world of Laskar, that readers will find it handy to refer to, as they weave their way through the competing clans, and places travelled by the protagonist.
Hall of Bones is a vibrant, extremely well-written, and unforgettable debut in a series, that will have readers clamouring for the follow-up. Five stars glowing for Tim Hardie and his first installment of “The Brotherhood of the Eagle”!
December 14, 2021
Hall is the grim story of the lad Rothgar, who is the younger son of the chief of the Reavesburg Clan. The story is set against the backdrop of raiding clans and shifting alliances, which have a very heavy Viking/Norse influence.
This is the second finalist I read that had a strong Norse flavoring and I was reserved at first but Rothgar won me over. He establishes himself as a capable warrior in his teen years, helping defend the clan lands against the Vorund Clan, the largest, most powerful, and most aggressive of the Reavesburg Clan’s neighbors. The interplay between the clans and their emissaries (and sometimes opposing parties inside the clan) forms the bulk of the conflict in the first half of the book, and it’s interesting watching it unfold. Rothgar weathers it well and shows some dimension, solving problems with his brains as well as his sword arm, and demonstrating loyalty and dedication to his low-born girlfriend (with whom he sadly has no real future). One could almost call the first part of the book, “a day in the life of a Northman raider.” It’s interesting, though a little slow. A ton (and I mean a TON) of characters are introduced early and it is hard to keep track of them all.
Midway through the book … things happen and the story lurches in an all-new direction. I was excited for this and eager to keep reading but after this, the pace settles down to a sedate march to the conclusion. It’s not at all bad but quite different in tone from the first half and it was a bit jarring.
I enjoyed the characterization; Rothgar and the other principles get decent development and are distinct. It was disappointing, though, to see Rothgar’s change; building to the middle of the book, he’s becoming a more proactive character and driving story events, and making things happen … and then he almost falls back to the role of passive observer, which while understandable in the circumstances, was a bit of a let down. Rothgar’s culture is one where a man’s mettle is proven at the tip of a sword. Women’s mettle? Get out of here with that nonsense. Other than a couple of female characters who are gifted with the magical ability of “sight” (or some other supernatural circumstances), most of the women in the cast are reduced to background players as cooks, maids, and caretakers, which was also a little disappointing. (There is one female character for whom I hold out hope for in future books.)
It’s a grim tale, no question, with a lot of content that some readers may find disturbing. Slavery exists. When they aren’t murdered in grisly ways, people are still mutilated and crippled. Rape, while not depicted, is an ever-present threat. And I’ll just recommend that no reader get too attached to anyone in the cast. This is an “anyone can die” book.
Despite some of these quirks, I did enjoy the story. It laid the groundwork for the next book and it will interesting to see where it goes from here. Recommended for folks who like grim Vikings, some supernatural happenings, and political maneuvering.
This is the second finalist I read that had a strong Norse flavoring and I was reserved at first but Rothgar won me over. He establishes himself as a capable warrior in his teen years, helping defend the clan lands against the Vorund Clan, the largest, most powerful, and most aggressive of the Reavesburg Clan’s neighbors. The interplay between the clans and their emissaries (and sometimes opposing parties inside the clan) forms the bulk of the conflict in the first half of the book, and it’s interesting watching it unfold. Rothgar weathers it well and shows some dimension, solving problems with his brains as well as his sword arm, and demonstrating loyalty and dedication to his low-born girlfriend (with whom he sadly has no real future). One could almost call the first part of the book, “a day in the life of a Northman raider.” It’s interesting, though a little slow. A ton (and I mean a TON) of characters are introduced early and it is hard to keep track of them all.
Midway through the book … things happen and the story lurches in an all-new direction. I was excited for this and eager to keep reading but after this, the pace settles down to a sedate march to the conclusion. It’s not at all bad but quite different in tone from the first half and it was a bit jarring.
I enjoyed the characterization; Rothgar and the other principles get decent development and are distinct. It was disappointing, though, to see Rothgar’s change; building to the middle of the book, he’s becoming a more proactive character and driving story events, and making things happen … and then he almost falls back to the role of passive observer, which while understandable in the circumstances, was a bit of a let down. Rothgar’s culture is one where a man’s mettle is proven at the tip of a sword. Women’s mettle? Get out of here with that nonsense. Other than a couple of female characters who are gifted with the magical ability of “sight” (or some other supernatural circumstances), most of the women in the cast are reduced to background players as cooks, maids, and caretakers, which was also a little disappointing. (There is one female character for whom I hold out hope for in future books.)
It’s a grim tale, no question, with a lot of content that some readers may find disturbing. Slavery exists. When they aren’t murdered in grisly ways, people are still mutilated and crippled. Rape, while not depicted, is an ever-present threat. And I’ll just recommend that no reader get too attached to anyone in the cast. This is an “anyone can die” book.
Despite some of these quirks, I did enjoy the story. It laid the groundwork for the next book and it will interesting to see where it goes from here. Recommended for folks who like grim Vikings, some supernatural happenings, and political maneuvering.
September 13, 2022
4.25.
This is a solid start to a new Viking-inspired fantasy series. This book is a slow burn but when it gets going, it really gets going. I think it also works for this story because we're learning a lot about the wider world and the magic, so it lends itself to this type of storytelling.
I enjoyed the main character of Rothgar a lot: from the way he is at the start to where he ends up by the end is v satisfying, especially since his arc is quite rare in epic fantasy (compared to what we typically get of the hero). I can't wait to see how his character develops.
There's also a lot of thematic work, which I enjoyed. Themes around, family, betrayal, revenge vs. justice, forging one's own identity, all which I personally like in my books. There was also quite a bit of political intrigue, which I really hope we get more of in book 2.
Overall, very solid and I'm excited to pick up book two. I will be doing a review on my channel in the coming weeks.
PS: I already had this book on my radar/TBR but Tim reached out and asked me if I would like a copy. Thank you, Tim, for sending me a copy of your book!
This is a solid start to a new Viking-inspired fantasy series. This book is a slow burn but when it gets going, it really gets going. I think it also works for this story because we're learning a lot about the wider world and the magic, so it lends itself to this type of storytelling.
I enjoyed the main character of Rothgar a lot: from the way he is at the start to where he ends up by the end is v satisfying, especially since his arc is quite rare in epic fantasy (compared to what we typically get of the hero). I can't wait to see how his character develops.
There's also a lot of thematic work, which I enjoyed. Themes around, family, betrayal, revenge vs. justice, forging one's own identity, all which I personally like in my books. There was also quite a bit of political intrigue, which I really hope we get more of in book 2.
Overall, very solid and I'm excited to pick up book two. I will be doing a review on my channel in the coming weeks.
PS: I already had this book on my radar/TBR but Tim reached out and asked me if I would like a copy. Thank you, Tim, for sending me a copy of your book!
June 4, 2021
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/06...
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times recently: Norse-inspired fantasy is seriously in right now. I’ve been editing an absolute ton of the stuff, and I’m even swayed from where I was before (“Norse? Meh.”) to really being into it. I mean, yeah, a lot of this change in my perspective has to do with the incredible authors I edit for, and how well they visualize their worlds and tell their stories, but it’s also because the more I read of Norse-inspired fantasy, the more I realize the vast swath of diversity in this specific subset of the genre. It interests my writer brain, and entertains my reader brain.
So when someone said, “Hey, you should read Hall of Bones” my first thought was, “Okay, well that title has me. I want to know about this hall filled with bones” and my next was “Ah, more Norse fantasy. I’m in.”
Hall of Bones is Hardie’s debut epic fantasy, and while it is unique in many ways, I enjoyed the way Hardie leaned on tried and true fantasy elements while weaving in his own, unique aspects as the book progressed. While this book truly is its own animal, in a lot of ways it felt like a homage to epic fantasy, a love letter to the genre the author is obviously very passionate about.
The book itself is told from the first-person perspective of Rothgar. In the prologue, he’s imprisoned for something, but you don’t really learn more than that. Then, in the first chapter, the reader experiences the story through Rothgar’s point of view, from his childhood on. Honestly, you don’t see much of either of those things in epic fantasy. “Those things” being first person POV, and coming of age type stories. The entire thing isn’t a coming of age story, but I think giving some of Rothgar’s history, his background, helped build a solid foundation for his adulthood, and what eventually ended up happening to him.
This division between Rothgar’s childhood and his adulthood served to form a really well-rounded character who started out pretty normal. Subverting the charmed child, or the chosen one trope, we see Rothgar as a boy, who was just a boy. Perhaps he had a bit more pressure and expectation on his shoulders than others his age, but it wasn’t some divine will that thrust him into the situations he later finds himself in. He’s just shockingly human. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing the flip between who Rothgar was, and who he ended up being. This deep character study isn’t something I run across in epic fantasy very often, and I truly enjoyed it. I am a sucker for stories that show how people came to be who they ended up being.
The world itself is complex and layered. There’s plenty of personal and political intrigue, and plenty of pain. As in all epic fantasy, a lot of dark things happen to a lot of people. There’s manipulation and bloodshed, pain and heartbreak, and, of course, death. Don’t go into this expecting some happy, fluffy tale. That’s not what this is, but I think the title should give that away. There are a lot of clans, relations, and the like in this book and sometimes it can be confusing, however.
The characters are all well-crafted. It’s obvious Hardie has spent a lot of time and care to bring them to life, and they do shine. Even secondary characters never felt cookie-cutter for two-dimensional to me. They were all people who acted, and existed, despite how moderate their roles in the book might be. That being said, I did find myself a little disappointed in the gender roles in this book, where women typically keep themselves to their “traditional” roles of homemaker, lover, etc. If they have power, they weld it more subtly, and men are the strong ones who go get things done. I do hope the series explores a bit more diversity in future books.
The plot itself is gripping, and moves along at a good clip. The first half is more about moving the pieces around the board: the arranged marriages, loyalties, alliances and the like. The second half is more about action, bloodshed, and brutality. The perspective of Rothgar as a child and as an adult really helps both of these parts of the book matter to me as a reader. As he changes and evolves as a character, so too does the world around him. Not everything is expected, and still we have those comfortable elements of epic fantasy there, mixed in with fantasy that is all Hardie’s own, creating a book that is both comfortable and entirely new all at once.
Was this a perfect book? No. But it doesn’t really need to be (perfect books are boring). It’s a solid start to a new epic fantasy series that I think deserves more attention than it has received. It is sure to appeal to epic fantasy fans, drawing them in with familiar elements that make the genre so compelling, and then deftly weaving in aspects that are entirely Hardie’s own.
Hall of Bones is a strong debut by an author who should absolutely be on your radar. I can’t wait to see where he takes me next.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times recently: Norse-inspired fantasy is seriously in right now. I’ve been editing an absolute ton of the stuff, and I’m even swayed from where I was before (“Norse? Meh.”) to really being into it. I mean, yeah, a lot of this change in my perspective has to do with the incredible authors I edit for, and how well they visualize their worlds and tell their stories, but it’s also because the more I read of Norse-inspired fantasy, the more I realize the vast swath of diversity in this specific subset of the genre. It interests my writer brain, and entertains my reader brain.
So when someone said, “Hey, you should read Hall of Bones” my first thought was, “Okay, well that title has me. I want to know about this hall filled with bones” and my next was “Ah, more Norse fantasy. I’m in.”
Hall of Bones is Hardie’s debut epic fantasy, and while it is unique in many ways, I enjoyed the way Hardie leaned on tried and true fantasy elements while weaving in his own, unique aspects as the book progressed. While this book truly is its own animal, in a lot of ways it felt like a homage to epic fantasy, a love letter to the genre the author is obviously very passionate about.
The book itself is told from the first-person perspective of Rothgar. In the prologue, he’s imprisoned for something, but you don’t really learn more than that. Then, in the first chapter, the reader experiences the story through Rothgar’s point of view, from his childhood on. Honestly, you don’t see much of either of those things in epic fantasy. “Those things” being first person POV, and coming of age type stories. The entire thing isn’t a coming of age story, but I think giving some of Rothgar’s history, his background, helped build a solid foundation for his adulthood, and what eventually ended up happening to him.
This division between Rothgar’s childhood and his adulthood served to form a really well-rounded character who started out pretty normal. Subverting the charmed child, or the chosen one trope, we see Rothgar as a boy, who was just a boy. Perhaps he had a bit more pressure and expectation on his shoulders than others his age, but it wasn’t some divine will that thrust him into the situations he later finds himself in. He’s just shockingly human. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing the flip between who Rothgar was, and who he ended up being. This deep character study isn’t something I run across in epic fantasy very often, and I truly enjoyed it. I am a sucker for stories that show how people came to be who they ended up being.
The world itself is complex and layered. There’s plenty of personal and political intrigue, and plenty of pain. As in all epic fantasy, a lot of dark things happen to a lot of people. There’s manipulation and bloodshed, pain and heartbreak, and, of course, death. Don’t go into this expecting some happy, fluffy tale. That’s not what this is, but I think the title should give that away. There are a lot of clans, relations, and the like in this book and sometimes it can be confusing, however.
The characters are all well-crafted. It’s obvious Hardie has spent a lot of time and care to bring them to life, and they do shine. Even secondary characters never felt cookie-cutter for two-dimensional to me. They were all people who acted, and existed, despite how moderate their roles in the book might be. That being said, I did find myself a little disappointed in the gender roles in this book, where women typically keep themselves to their “traditional” roles of homemaker, lover, etc. If they have power, they weld it more subtly, and men are the strong ones who go get things done. I do hope the series explores a bit more diversity in future books.
The plot itself is gripping, and moves along at a good clip. The first half is more about moving the pieces around the board: the arranged marriages, loyalties, alliances and the like. The second half is more about action, bloodshed, and brutality. The perspective of Rothgar as a child and as an adult really helps both of these parts of the book matter to me as a reader. As he changes and evolves as a character, so too does the world around him. Not everything is expected, and still we have those comfortable elements of epic fantasy there, mixed in with fantasy that is all Hardie’s own, creating a book that is both comfortable and entirely new all at once.
Was this a perfect book? No. But it doesn’t really need to be (perfect books are boring). It’s a solid start to a new epic fantasy series that I think deserves more attention than it has received. It is sure to appeal to epic fantasy fans, drawing them in with familiar elements that make the genre so compelling, and then deftly weaving in aspects that are entirely Hardie’s own.
Hall of Bones is a strong debut by an author who should absolutely be on your radar. I can’t wait to see where he takes me next.
July 13, 2021
Hall of Bones, the first book of The Brotherhood of The Eagle, is set in a Norse-inspired region of a wider fantasy world; a region perhaps a little naive in retaining its warrior culture when there are so many sophisticated threats not so very far from their borders. The book has got warriors, clans, love, family, politics and magic, all artfully put together.
Despite not really being drawn to Norse books, this one had me at hello. It immediately drew me in, and I swiftly became emotionally invested.
The early chapters, told from the perspective of Rothgar, the younger son of the Reaveburg Clan Chief, tell the tale of his latter childhood and adolescence within his father’s keep, in a style that reminded me very strongly of Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb, but, I felt (no disrespect to Hobb - she also had an ability to draw me in) more authentically portrayed. Those chapters have a warm feeling, conveying the strength of the family connections with a hint of bittersweet nostalgia, as it is apparent the first-person narrator is looking back on a time when his home was stable and secure; a childhood idyll that would not last. Sure enough, life begins to take its toll when a rival clan steps up its raids and strife within Rothgar’s own clan threatens his family’s position.
Hardie’s writing style is natural, warm and welcoming. I slipped into the world he has created with ease and tore through chapter after chapter, pleasantly immersed, but worried what would come next!
I look forward to the release of Sundered Souls, the second book of The Brotherhood of the Eagle.
Despite not really being drawn to Norse books, this one had me at hello. It immediately drew me in, and I swiftly became emotionally invested.
The early chapters, told from the perspective of Rothgar, the younger son of the Reaveburg Clan Chief, tell the tale of his latter childhood and adolescence within his father’s keep, in a style that reminded me very strongly of Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb, but, I felt (no disrespect to Hobb - she also had an ability to draw me in) more authentically portrayed. Those chapters have a warm feeling, conveying the strength of the family connections with a hint of bittersweet nostalgia, as it is apparent the first-person narrator is looking back on a time when his home was stable and secure; a childhood idyll that would not last. Sure enough, life begins to take its toll when a rival clan steps up its raids and strife within Rothgar’s own clan threatens his family’s position.
Hardie’s writing style is natural, warm and welcoming. I slipped into the world he has created with ease and tore through chapter after chapter, pleasantly immersed, but worried what would come next!
I look forward to the release of Sundered Souls, the second book of The Brotherhood of the Eagle.
October 26, 2022
4,75* round up to 5
First of, I love a great viking-norse-inspired fantasy, which Hall of Bones gave me.
Tim Hardie captures the northern vibe excellent in this first book of this Saga.
Loads of little details reminded me strongly of books I previously loved and are my fav books to date, like The Faithful and the Fall by John Gwynne, Lord of the Rings and my fav historical fiction: The Rise of Sigurd Trilogy by Giles Kristian.
I fell in love with the MC Rothgar; through his eyes we uncover the world and the magic that lies beneath it all.
All the little details of the world and the politics are slowely fed to us through various events, plot twists and conversations on the way. Through all this, Rothgar is not the chosen one that gets everything handed to him. He has to learn the hard way, what is life, love, friendship, family, war and vengeance.
Excellent world-building and loads of twists and turns you not see coming even though you have suspicion all the way throughout.
Pacing was really well done. not a dull moment as well as no wasting of unessary descriptions or outtakes. The Brotherhood of the Eagle has some truely remarkable characters.
All in all a fantastic first book with loads of emotions (I even cried a little).
First of, I love a great viking-norse-inspired fantasy, which Hall of Bones gave me.
Tim Hardie captures the northern vibe excellent in this first book of this Saga.
Loads of little details reminded me strongly of books I previously loved and are my fav books to date, like The Faithful and the Fall by John Gwynne, Lord of the Rings and my fav historical fiction: The Rise of Sigurd Trilogy by Giles Kristian.
I fell in love with the MC Rothgar; through his eyes we uncover the world and the magic that lies beneath it all.
All the little details of the world and the politics are slowely fed to us through various events, plot twists and conversations on the way. Through all this, Rothgar is not the chosen one that gets everything handed to him. He has to learn the hard way, what is life, love, friendship, family, war and vengeance.
Excellent world-building and loads of twists and turns you not see coming even though you have suspicion all the way throughout.
Pacing was really well done. not a dull moment as well as no wasting of unessary descriptions or outtakes. The Brotherhood of the Eagle has some truely remarkable characters.
All in all a fantastic first book with loads of emotions (I even cried a little).
July 9, 2024
★★★★ (4.0)
I totally did not expect this book to become such an epic and excellent one. The plot, which is full of political intrigue, fighting, betrayals, friendship, and other elements, completely captured my attention, and I became invested in every sequence. The journey and adventure, extensive world-building, and the clashes-conflicts between clans are thoroughly written and described very well. The character arc is definitely a good one, as this immature boy is forged through ups and downs, leading to his understanding and acknowledgment that something bigger awaits. I enjoyed this book even though at some parts it was slow, but then the plot started to pick up again. When I reached the halfway point of the book, I was completely engrossed, especially when ancient magic became involved.
One thing I regret is not finishing it right away and putting it off, but when I finally got hooked into the storyline, everything was worth all my time. I would definitely read the next book in this series because I can't wait for another journey and to see what happens next.
I totally did not expect this book to become such an epic and excellent one. The plot, which is full of political intrigue, fighting, betrayals, friendship, and other elements, completely captured my attention, and I became invested in every sequence. The journey and adventure, extensive world-building, and the clashes-conflicts between clans are thoroughly written and described very well. The character arc is definitely a good one, as this immature boy is forged through ups and downs, leading to his understanding and acknowledgment that something bigger awaits. I enjoyed this book even though at some parts it was slow, but then the plot started to pick up again. When I reached the halfway point of the book, I was completely engrossed, especially when ancient magic became involved.
One thing I regret is not finishing it right away and putting it off, but when I finally got hooked into the storyline, everything was worth all my time. I would definitely read the next book in this series because I can't wait for another journey and to see what happens next.
April 6, 2021
‘Hall of Bones’ is a book that follows many a well-worn path. Comfortable in its styling and following similar themes and threads as other Norse-inspired tales that bring to mind ‘The Saxon Stories’ and similar works, albeit with a bit of magic and a touch of grimdark measured in with good effect.
While some stories might come off as carbon copies of others in the genre, ‘Hall of Bones’ delivers a well-balanced mix of familiar fantasy staples and enough refreshing newness to make it stand on its own two feet. Much like spending an evening at your local pub, ‘Hall of Bones’ gives you something somewhat familiar yet entertaining, enjoyable, and with a compelling cast of intriguing characters and enough surprises to keep the pages turning.
Protagonist Rothgar is a good narrator for the story. I enjoyed Hardie’s choice to split the time spent with him between Rothgar’s childhood experiences and his later torments to allow the character room to grow with the reader. What we see is not a fully formed, battle-worn warrior, nor a ‘special child’ with inexplicable talents, but more a normal boy born into a life of high expectation, learning, and growing as he traverses a dangerous path from early adolescence to young adulthood. His journey is believable and hard-wearing. Admittedly in the latter part of the book, I did find Rothgar creeping ever so gently towards being too self-pitying (before some staunch supporting characters take him to task not a moment too soon).
Surrounding Rothgar and his family is a complex network of various clans with allegiances that can shift and change on a misplaced comment or dirty look from across the feasting hall. With so many clans to keep track of, it can be a little confusing who is who in the greater scheme of things. However, enough time and attention is given over to each of the main characters to make it easy to define the key players – if not all of their minions and followers.
The author has placed a handy guide in the back pages that refers to each clan and their respective members. This was a nice touch and served to cement the intricate ties and bonds that keep the world turning. Hardie builds a world easy to envision and grimly reminiscent of true historical events in its portrayal of the hardships suffered by characters at both the top and bottom of the pile. The plight of child-bride Nuna had me drawing parallels to that of Matilda, (daughter of Henry I, whose life story is quite fascinating).
On a related note, gender roles in ‘Hall of Bones’ are decidedly that of traditional fantasy. With an emphasis on strength and physicality being the cornerstones of manhood, while the women (the ones in power at least) play their hand more subtly. Otherwise, the women are largely are assigned to the roles of home-makers, spell-binding temptresses, and lovers.
That being said, the author gives time and attention to ensuring he offers much more than cut-and-paste characters. Glimpses into the fears and vulnerabilities of his male warriors make the ragged, burly brotherhood more human. Glances of the resolve and wits of the female characters give them a welcome sense of autonomy. There are certainly some kick-ass matriarchal characters that quite honestly I wouldn’t bet against in a fight. It is also refreshing to see that Hardie does not rely on rape and sexual violence tropes as seen so frequently in these kinds of stories (though the themes are referenced).
The plot itself is thoroughly absorbing, setting a good pace in the first half of the book with political intrigue, arranged marriages, and betrayed loyalties abound. The second half is given over to more action and magic and takes on a decidedly grimmer tone that will likely resonate with fans of Game of Thrones. The move from scene to scene can be a little quick and times I felt a little hurried towards the end, however, Hardie builds his story to a rousing and tension-driven final act, with a semi-conclusion that lends itself well to set up for the sequel and leaves plenty of opportunity for further growth. Overall, ‘Hall of Bones’ is an enjoyable story for anyone wanting a quick escape into an easy, satisfying read. It’s the kind of book you could read sitting by a fireplace on a winter night.
I found there were occasional places where sentences did require a quick second read, and a few places where an out-of-place turn of phrase did take me out of the story, however, the good qualities of this book far outweigh any criticisms. ‘Hall of Bones’ deserves much more attention than it has garnered so far and I’ll happily read the sequel when it comes out.
While some stories might come off as carbon copies of others in the genre, ‘Hall of Bones’ delivers a well-balanced mix of familiar fantasy staples and enough refreshing newness to make it stand on its own two feet. Much like spending an evening at your local pub, ‘Hall of Bones’ gives you something somewhat familiar yet entertaining, enjoyable, and with a compelling cast of intriguing characters and enough surprises to keep the pages turning.
Protagonist Rothgar is a good narrator for the story. I enjoyed Hardie’s choice to split the time spent with him between Rothgar’s childhood experiences and his later torments to allow the character room to grow with the reader. What we see is not a fully formed, battle-worn warrior, nor a ‘special child’ with inexplicable talents, but more a normal boy born into a life of high expectation, learning, and growing as he traverses a dangerous path from early adolescence to young adulthood. His journey is believable and hard-wearing. Admittedly in the latter part of the book, I did find Rothgar creeping ever so gently towards being too self-pitying (before some staunch supporting characters take him to task not a moment too soon).
Surrounding Rothgar and his family is a complex network of various clans with allegiances that can shift and change on a misplaced comment or dirty look from across the feasting hall. With so many clans to keep track of, it can be a little confusing who is who in the greater scheme of things. However, enough time and attention is given over to each of the main characters to make it easy to define the key players – if not all of their minions and followers.
The author has placed a handy guide in the back pages that refers to each clan and their respective members. This was a nice touch and served to cement the intricate ties and bonds that keep the world turning. Hardie builds a world easy to envision and grimly reminiscent of true historical events in its portrayal of the hardships suffered by characters at both the top and bottom of the pile. The plight of child-bride Nuna had me drawing parallels to that of Matilda, (daughter of Henry I, whose life story is quite fascinating).
On a related note, gender roles in ‘Hall of Bones’ are decidedly that of traditional fantasy. With an emphasis on strength and physicality being the cornerstones of manhood, while the women (the ones in power at least) play their hand more subtly. Otherwise, the women are largely are assigned to the roles of home-makers, spell-binding temptresses, and lovers.
That being said, the author gives time and attention to ensuring he offers much more than cut-and-paste characters. Glimpses into the fears and vulnerabilities of his male warriors make the ragged, burly brotherhood more human. Glances of the resolve and wits of the female characters give them a welcome sense of autonomy. There are certainly some kick-ass matriarchal characters that quite honestly I wouldn’t bet against in a fight. It is also refreshing to see that Hardie does not rely on rape and sexual violence tropes as seen so frequently in these kinds of stories (though the themes are referenced).
The plot itself is thoroughly absorbing, setting a good pace in the first half of the book with political intrigue, arranged marriages, and betrayed loyalties abound. The second half is given over to more action and magic and takes on a decidedly grimmer tone that will likely resonate with fans of Game of Thrones. The move from scene to scene can be a little quick and times I felt a little hurried towards the end, however, Hardie builds his story to a rousing and tension-driven final act, with a semi-conclusion that lends itself well to set up for the sequel and leaves plenty of opportunity for further growth. Overall, ‘Hall of Bones’ is an enjoyable story for anyone wanting a quick escape into an easy, satisfying read. It’s the kind of book you could read sitting by a fireplace on a winter night.
I found there were occasional places where sentences did require a quick second read, and a few places where an out-of-place turn of phrase did take me out of the story, however, the good qualities of this book far outweigh any criticisms. ‘Hall of Bones’ deserves much more attention than it has garnered so far and I’ll happily read the sequel when it comes out.
November 14, 2024
A solid debut and an entertaining fantasy book, that doesn't break any new ground.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of Viking inspired or coming of age stories. Both the above are executed nicely, with great atmosphere and an interesting main character. The are a lot of side characters but the author has not neglected them and they also are one of the strong aspects of this book. The story takes some unexpected twists and by the end we have a nice setup for the following books.
What hurt the book a bit and prevented me from rating this 4 stars was the pacing and the need for editing. After the first half, the story introduces the magic in the world in a way that slows down the pace and didn't feel very convincing (at least to me). Also I'm not someone who pays much attention to grammar errors but here there were quite a few and took me out of the reading experience.
I have to mention that the author makes a choice to not give any time to the main bad guy. I understand that that is something for the next books, but still I would have liked to get a glimpse of his character..
6.7/10
I would highly recommend this book to fans of Viking inspired or coming of age stories. Both the above are executed nicely, with great atmosphere and an interesting main character. The are a lot of side characters but the author has not neglected them and they also are one of the strong aspects of this book. The story takes some unexpected twists and by the end we have a nice setup for the following books.
What hurt the book a bit and prevented me from rating this 4 stars was the pacing and the need for editing. After the first half, the story introduces the magic in the world in a way that slows down the pace and didn't feel very convincing (at least to me). Also I'm not someone who pays much attention to grammar errors but here there were quite a few and took me out of the reading experience.
I have to mention that the author makes a choice to not give any time to the main bad guy. I understand that that is something for the next books, but still I would have liked to get a glimpse of his character..
6.7/10
September 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this book!
It started out as a type of Norse coming-of-age story. The MC is an immature but likeable fellow to tag along with, and we see life in the clans through his eyes. Mainly the clans were bickering, posturing, and trying to get the upper hand on eachother. Within this society, physical prowess is everything. Then BAM! A "holy crap" moment came in at about the halfway mark. From that moment onwards, without being spoilery, lots of things happened at a pretty good clip. I'll say one thing: this book started out as one thing and ended up going in a totally unforseen direction. I will be reading the next in the series.
It started out as a type of Norse coming-of-age story. The MC is an immature but likeable fellow to tag along with, and we see life in the clans through his eyes. Mainly the clans were bickering, posturing, and trying to get the upper hand on eachother. Within this society, physical prowess is everything. Then BAM! A "holy crap" moment came in at about the halfway mark. From that moment onwards, without being spoilery, lots of things happened at a pretty good clip. I'll say one thing: this book started out as one thing and ended up going in a totally unforseen direction. I will be reading the next in the series.
May 25, 2023
https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. During the past calendar year, there has been a plethora of new authors writing tales of Norse inspired epic fantasy. Tim Hardie is one of those aforementioned authors and boy does he know how to write a rich, emotional, and gritty novel. Hall of Bones takes inspiration from the works of Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy and George R.R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and I mean this in the best possible way. The plot was mysterious yet captivating, the world building was grand but restrained to the perspectives, and the characters were engrossing but seemingly distant in there thoughts and actions. Hall of Bones will remind you vividly of the stories you grew up reading while bringing in a fresh perspective to the genre.
Hall of Bones is a first person POV following the life of Rothgar. Rothgar is the second son of the Reavesburg Clan leader Kolfinnar Marlson. Rothgar’s older brother Jorik is destined to replace his father as clan leader and he goes about his day preparing for battles, strategies, training, and ultimately his marriage. Rothgar with no expectations placed on him is tossed into training to become a warrior in the clan to repel southern invaders. Olfridor Halfhand is chosen to train Rothgar and with the assistance of Etta the Crone, Rothgar moves high up in the ranks hen tragedy strikes. Kolfinnar Marlson is found dead at a time when Jorik is away battling the invasion from the Vorund Clan in the south led by the barbarian Adalrikr Asmarrson. A kings moot must be held and Rothgar takes it upon himself to defend his families honor from enemies from beyond and within the clan. That is the most information I can give without going into spoilers, but lets get into the similarities with Farseer and A Song of Ice and Fire..
The prologue begins with Rothgar in chains and caged, standing in horror at the bloody deeds of the past and how he got to this point. The first half of the book is Rothgar telling you his life story up to that point in his life similar to Fitz in Assassins’ Apprentice. From there Tim Hardie takes us through Rothgar’s upbringing, training, and how he is often overlooked for his older brother but as time will tell, not to be underestimated. As Rothgar gets older he starts to have a secret relationship with his servant Desta, while his family is planning to wed him off to the daughter of another clan for political alliances. Rothgar and Desta know that what they have can never last, but it will tear at your heart strings to know the powers that be determine their future and not themselves. The political maneuvering and bloody battles is where Tim Hardie draws his inspiration from George R.R Martin. Hardie is also not one to be very kind to his characters as you will soon see on more than one occasion.
There is magic in this books and it has to do with ancient spirts that were brought into this world with the banishment of the Gods. This death spirits prey on the weak and become skin thieves by taking over the hosts body. This comes into play in the later portion of the book where the plot and focus of the narrative shifts. The only way to spot these skin thieves is with the gift of the Sight. I will leave it there with the magic as it will get into spoilers. One final note I would like to touch on is how Tim Hardie uses his first person perspective. Most of the story is told through Rothgar’s perspective, but later in the story we get certain glimpses of other characters perspectives and it is done in such a unique and interesting way. I have not seen this type of thing done before and Tim Hardie should be commended for this accomplishment. Rothgar goes through a lot of pain both physically and emotionally. You will feel it with every swing of his sword.
Hall of Bones is a smashing first entry in this epic fantasy series. Fans of Robin Hobb, George R.R Martin, and Viking inspired stories should pick this series up and not look back until the cows come home. There will be war, blood, backstabbing, and twist and turns around every corner. The brotherhood will be formed if you can survive the brutality of the clan.
Cheers!
My podcast Episode with Tim is listed below:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. During the past calendar year, there has been a plethora of new authors writing tales of Norse inspired epic fantasy. Tim Hardie is one of those aforementioned authors and boy does he know how to write a rich, emotional, and gritty novel. Hall of Bones takes inspiration from the works of Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy and George R.R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and I mean this in the best possible way. The plot was mysterious yet captivating, the world building was grand but restrained to the perspectives, and the characters were engrossing but seemingly distant in there thoughts and actions. Hall of Bones will remind you vividly of the stories you grew up reading while bringing in a fresh perspective to the genre.
Hall of Bones is a first person POV following the life of Rothgar. Rothgar is the second son of the Reavesburg Clan leader Kolfinnar Marlson. Rothgar’s older brother Jorik is destined to replace his father as clan leader and he goes about his day preparing for battles, strategies, training, and ultimately his marriage. Rothgar with no expectations placed on him is tossed into training to become a warrior in the clan to repel southern invaders. Olfridor Halfhand is chosen to train Rothgar and with the assistance of Etta the Crone, Rothgar moves high up in the ranks hen tragedy strikes. Kolfinnar Marlson is found dead at a time when Jorik is away battling the invasion from the Vorund Clan in the south led by the barbarian Adalrikr Asmarrson. A kings moot must be held and Rothgar takes it upon himself to defend his families honor from enemies from beyond and within the clan. That is the most information I can give without going into spoilers, but lets get into the similarities with Farseer and A Song of Ice and Fire..
The prologue begins with Rothgar in chains and caged, standing in horror at the bloody deeds of the past and how he got to this point. The first half of the book is Rothgar telling you his life story up to that point in his life similar to Fitz in Assassins’ Apprentice. From there Tim Hardie takes us through Rothgar’s upbringing, training, and how he is often overlooked for his older brother but as time will tell, not to be underestimated. As Rothgar gets older he starts to have a secret relationship with his servant Desta, while his family is planning to wed him off to the daughter of another clan for political alliances. Rothgar and Desta know that what they have can never last, but it will tear at your heart strings to know the powers that be determine their future and not themselves. The political maneuvering and bloody battles is where Tim Hardie draws his inspiration from George R.R Martin. Hardie is also not one to be very kind to his characters as you will soon see on more than one occasion.
There is magic in this books and it has to do with ancient spirts that were brought into this world with the banishment of the Gods. This death spirits prey on the weak and become skin thieves by taking over the hosts body. This comes into play in the later portion of the book where the plot and focus of the narrative shifts. The only way to spot these skin thieves is with the gift of the Sight. I will leave it there with the magic as it will get into spoilers. One final note I would like to touch on is how Tim Hardie uses his first person perspective. Most of the story is told through Rothgar’s perspective, but later in the story we get certain glimpses of other characters perspectives and it is done in such a unique and interesting way. I have not seen this type of thing done before and Tim Hardie should be commended for this accomplishment. Rothgar goes through a lot of pain both physically and emotionally. You will feel it with every swing of his sword.
Hall of Bones is a smashing first entry in this epic fantasy series. Fans of Robin Hobb, George R.R Martin, and Viking inspired stories should pick this series up and not look back until the cows come home. There will be war, blood, backstabbing, and twist and turns around every corner. The brotherhood will be formed if you can survive the brutality of the clan.
Cheers!
My podcast Episode with Tim is listed below:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...
August 24, 2021
The most powerful and provoking start to a story. It will imprint on your memory and galvanise you to read more.
————-
Update:
This book really stays with you.
————-
Hall of Bones is a self-published debut fantasy novel by Tim Hardie. You can see that this is a debut novel, as it takes a while for the author to really bring the reader into the story. But, by the 50% mark I started really caring about the characters, especially our main character Rothgar. Wow, what a tough time he has to get through! I found myself cheering him on step by step.
I look forward to Book 2 in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, and recommend you follow Tim Hardie’s progress as an author, as I anticipate great things from him in the future. And as a bonus Book 1 is free on Kindle Unlimited at the time of writing.
- The blurb from the publisher, as they do it best -
In the remote land of Laskar the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.
However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.
Everything is about to change …
The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.
————-
Update:
This book really stays with you.
————-
Hall of Bones is a self-published debut fantasy novel by Tim Hardie. You can see that this is a debut novel, as it takes a while for the author to really bring the reader into the story. But, by the 50% mark I started really caring about the characters, especially our main character Rothgar. Wow, what a tough time he has to get through! I found myself cheering him on step by step.
I look forward to Book 2 in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, and recommend you follow Tim Hardie’s progress as an author, as I anticipate great things from him in the future. And as a bonus Book 1 is free on Kindle Unlimited at the time of writing.
- The blurb from the publisher, as they do it best -
In the remote land of Laskar the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.
However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.
Everything is about to change …
The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.
November 21, 2023
a wonderful twist of a Norse-inspired tale
The story starts out slowly so the reader can become invested in the world and characters. It appears at first as an ordinary tale of a coming of age tale about a second son and told through his eyes.
I enjoy historical fiction so I was surprised by the magic when it happened. I didn’t think there would be much. I do love magic elements, so I was happy to see it here. Plus it is weaved seamlessly into the story.
Terrible events happen and Rothgar finds his mettle and something special about himself. He proves his bravery during the big battle at the end of the book, and we are left with fewer companions but very loyal ones as the story ends.
I enjoyed this very much and wonder where the tale will take this brotherhood.
The story starts out slowly so the reader can become invested in the world and characters. It appears at first as an ordinary tale of a coming of age tale about a second son and told through his eyes.
I enjoy historical fiction so I was surprised by the magic when it happened. I didn’t think there would be much. I do love magic elements, so I was happy to see it here. Plus it is weaved seamlessly into the story.
Terrible events happen and Rothgar finds his mettle and something special about himself. He proves his bravery during the big battle at the end of the book, and we are left with fewer companions but very loyal ones as the story ends.
I enjoyed this very much and wonder where the tale will take this brotherhood.
April 8, 2022
Clans battle for supremacy to rule Laskar. Unbeknownst to all a greater threat is stirring. The fate of their remote land hangs in the balance. Great Norse inspired fantasy! An SPFBO finalist & a gripping read!
March 14, 2021
If you understand your people's hearts, possess wisdom, and learn from the knowledge of your forefathers, your life will be a long one.
"Hall of Bones" by Tim Hardie is a debut epic fantasy novel and the first book in the series "The Brotherhood of the Eagle". I received a copy of the text from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have to say I was a bit weary, as, with debut books, it's often hit-or-miss. But I liked the synopsis and felt like reading some epic fantasy in a Viking setting, so I gave it a shot. And I have to say I was positively surprised. If I didn't know any better, I would never guess it was the author's first novel.
We learn the story from the protagonist's point of view. In the first scene, we discover that Rothgar is imprisoned for some despicable crimes and awaits his death. After that, he proceeds to tell us his tale, starting from childhood. The setting is the remote land of Laskar, where seven ruling Viking clans are fighting for power and influence. But when one of the families get all too strong and threatens to take over the whole land, the clan chiefs had to unite if they hope for any chance of survival.
The book is strong in the politic field. The first half of the story revolves around forming alliances, plotting how to sway the former enemies to the right cause and who can be trusted as a partner and who had to be eliminated. From the very start, there are many characters from all different factions, and it takes a moment to catch up who is who. Fortunately, at the end of the book, we have an appendix with all essential personas listed, and their role explained. The author is particularly good at building tension. Even though there's not much direct endangerment happening from the start, we can constantly feel that something is hanging in the air and is about to explode sooner or later.
The second half of the book is quite different; because of the unfolded events, Rothgar's life is forever changed, and he had to learn to live differently. But here, we learn about the magical aspects of the story for the first time. Slowly we discover more about supernatural forces that run rampant over the lands of Laskar, even though everyone thought they disappeared a long time ago together with the gods.
I feel that "The Hall of Bones" is only a prelude to the truly epic story. It's like the book got to the most exciting point, and it was already over. In the last chapters, you will discover where the book's title and the series' name came from, a neat finish for this part of the story. Sometimes the tale dragged a bit, and I was a little bored by all the complex political intrigues, but it may be because my primary reading time is right before sleeping, so my brain is ready to snooze away.
If you enjoy the stories like "Game of Thrones", where there are many careful political intrigues, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book. Of course, because it's all about the Vikings, you will also find here lots of bloody battles, fierce warriors, and raids on poor and defenceless villages. The theme itself is also very well done. The names of characters and places, the customs, the way they talk – it all makes it easy to immerse completely into the world of the story.
"Hall of Bones" is a strong debut, and I'll be waiting for the sequel because I expect it will only get better and even more enjoyable.
"Hall of Bones" by Tim Hardie is a debut epic fantasy novel and the first book in the series "The Brotherhood of the Eagle". I received a copy of the text from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have to say I was a bit weary, as, with debut books, it's often hit-or-miss. But I liked the synopsis and felt like reading some epic fantasy in a Viking setting, so I gave it a shot. And I have to say I was positively surprised. If I didn't know any better, I would never guess it was the author's first novel.
We learn the story from the protagonist's point of view. In the first scene, we discover that Rothgar is imprisoned for some despicable crimes and awaits his death. After that, he proceeds to tell us his tale, starting from childhood. The setting is the remote land of Laskar, where seven ruling Viking clans are fighting for power and influence. But when one of the families get all too strong and threatens to take over the whole land, the clan chiefs had to unite if they hope for any chance of survival.
The book is strong in the politic field. The first half of the story revolves around forming alliances, plotting how to sway the former enemies to the right cause and who can be trusted as a partner and who had to be eliminated. From the very start, there are many characters from all different factions, and it takes a moment to catch up who is who. Fortunately, at the end of the book, we have an appendix with all essential personas listed, and their role explained. The author is particularly good at building tension. Even though there's not much direct endangerment happening from the start, we can constantly feel that something is hanging in the air and is about to explode sooner or later.
The second half of the book is quite different; because of the unfolded events, Rothgar's life is forever changed, and he had to learn to live differently. But here, we learn about the magical aspects of the story for the first time. Slowly we discover more about supernatural forces that run rampant over the lands of Laskar, even though everyone thought they disappeared a long time ago together with the gods.
I feel that "The Hall of Bones" is only a prelude to the truly epic story. It's like the book got to the most exciting point, and it was already over. In the last chapters, you will discover where the book's title and the series' name came from, a neat finish for this part of the story. Sometimes the tale dragged a bit, and I was a little bored by all the complex political intrigues, but it may be because my primary reading time is right before sleeping, so my brain is ready to snooze away.
If you enjoy the stories like "Game of Thrones", where there are many careful political intrigues, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book. Of course, because it's all about the Vikings, you will also find here lots of bloody battles, fierce warriors, and raids on poor and defenceless villages. The theme itself is also very well done. The names of characters and places, the customs, the way they talk – it all makes it easy to immerse completely into the world of the story.
"Hall of Bones" is a strong debut, and I'll be waiting for the sequel because I expect it will only get better and even more enjoyable.
March 25, 2022
Full transparency: I had never read Norse-inspired fantasy before. TV-wise, I haven't even seen Vikings; the closest I've come would probably have to be How to Train Your Dragon and uh, Norsemen.
That said, I really enjoyed Hall of Bones! What struck me the most was how comfortable it felt from the first page. Okay, maybe the prologue wasn't exactly the happiest, but it reminded me a bit of Skyrim, with the character starting in a cell instead of on a wagon. Maybe this feeling of comfort is because we sort of grow up with young Rothgar, with that familiar feeling of childhood, so I feel like I slipped into the world. It was a calm, peaceful beginning.
That, well, ended. Suddenly, THINGS were happening left and right. Axes were thrown, hells broke loose in different directions, and the reader accompanies Rothgar as he starts this new and vastly different chapter in his life. I loved how the first half set up the worldbuilding before launching the reader into a snowball effect of things going wrong, lol. Halfway through Hall of Bones, the direction changed completely, and I loved how the reader is swept along for the ride!
I really enjoyed Hall of Bones and am looking forward to digging into the sequel, Sundered Souls! The author opened the door to Norse-inspired fantasy for me, and for that I am grateful.
Keywords to help you decide: Norse-inspired fantasy, clan politics, political intrigue, epic fantasy, first-person perspective, betrayal
That said, I really enjoyed Hall of Bones! What struck me the most was how comfortable it felt from the first page. Okay, maybe the prologue wasn't exactly the happiest, but it reminded me a bit of Skyrim, with the character starting in a cell instead of on a wagon. Maybe this feeling of comfort is because we sort of grow up with young Rothgar, with that familiar feeling of childhood, so I feel like I slipped into the world. It was a calm, peaceful beginning.
That, well, ended. Suddenly, THINGS were happening left and right. Axes were thrown, hells broke loose in different directions, and the reader accompanies Rothgar as he starts this new and vastly different chapter in his life. I loved how the first half set up the worldbuilding before launching the reader into a snowball effect of things going wrong, lol. Halfway through Hall of Bones, the direction changed completely, and I loved how the reader is swept along for the ride!
I really enjoyed Hall of Bones and am looking forward to digging into the sequel, Sundered Souls! The author opened the door to Norse-inspired fantasy for me, and for that I am grateful.
Keywords to help you decide: Norse-inspired fantasy, clan politics, political intrigue, epic fantasy, first-person perspective, betrayal
July 12, 2021
Excellent
An excellent read, especially for a first time author. Good steady story flow. Full of intrigue and twists throughout the book.
Highly recommended to my fellow fantasy readers.
An excellent read, especially for a first time author. Good steady story flow. Full of intrigue and twists throughout the book.
Highly recommended to my fellow fantasy readers.
April 29, 2025
Hall of Bones is a book I’ve seen recommended numerous times since its release, and now that I’ve read it, I can see why it’s received such praise and reached an SPFBO final.
For me, this is a story that is absolutely exceptional in parts, though there are a few small caveats—understandable, given that this is the first in a series and the author was new at the time of publication.
The setting is loosely Norse-inspired, with early Nordic cultural elements and naming conventions, alongside the welcome addition of castles. The presence of multiple clans, each with distinct goals and personalities, creates a compelling backdrop of diplomacy and war that is well executed and engaging.
The main character, Rothgar, is the younger son of the clan chief, his brother Jorik. We gain a deep insight into Rothgar’s thoughts, actions, and motivations, making this a coming-of-age story with a twist. There are many names in this book, some of which appear frequently – so readers of the physical edition might benefit from quick glances at the glossary at the back. I’d recommend making a few notes as you go to help keep track.
After a little exposition, the first 60% or so of the book moves at lightning speed, packed with fantastic twists, gripping action, and intriguing diplomacy. I was utterly hooked. I especially enjoyed the introduction of Karas Greystorm, chief of the Norlhast clan. His story, which reminded me a little of Theoden and Wormtongue from The Lord of the Rings, sees him consumed by grief and manipulated by three witches pursuing their own dark agenda.
However – and this may not be the case for every reader – I found the pacing slowed considerably after this. Much of the latter section focuses on developing the fantasy elements further, creating a stark contrast with the earlier, page-turning momentum. I became less invested during this stretch, though I eventually found myself re-immersed in the story as it approached its conclusion.
Overall, I was incredibly impressed. There are several emotional moments that pull at the heartstrings—or stir a thirst for revenge—and the worldbuilding is rich and immersive. Rothgar is a well-developed character, and by the end of the book, you feel like you truly know him.
Hall of Bones is a strong and confident start to the series, and I’m excited to see how the story builds on its thrilling conclusion.
For me, this is a story that is absolutely exceptional in parts, though there are a few small caveats—understandable, given that this is the first in a series and the author was new at the time of publication.
The setting is loosely Norse-inspired, with early Nordic cultural elements and naming conventions, alongside the welcome addition of castles. The presence of multiple clans, each with distinct goals and personalities, creates a compelling backdrop of diplomacy and war that is well executed and engaging.
The main character, Rothgar, is the younger son of the clan chief, his brother Jorik. We gain a deep insight into Rothgar’s thoughts, actions, and motivations, making this a coming-of-age story with a twist. There are many names in this book, some of which appear frequently – so readers of the physical edition might benefit from quick glances at the glossary at the back. I’d recommend making a few notes as you go to help keep track.
After a little exposition, the first 60% or so of the book moves at lightning speed, packed with fantastic twists, gripping action, and intriguing diplomacy. I was utterly hooked. I especially enjoyed the introduction of Karas Greystorm, chief of the Norlhast clan. His story, which reminded me a little of Theoden and Wormtongue from The Lord of the Rings, sees him consumed by grief and manipulated by three witches pursuing their own dark agenda.
However – and this may not be the case for every reader – I found the pacing slowed considerably after this. Much of the latter section focuses on developing the fantasy elements further, creating a stark contrast with the earlier, page-turning momentum. I became less invested during this stretch, though I eventually found myself re-immersed in the story as it approached its conclusion.
Overall, I was incredibly impressed. There are several emotional moments that pull at the heartstrings—or stir a thirst for revenge—and the worldbuilding is rich and immersive. Rothgar is a well-developed character, and by the end of the book, you feel like you truly know him.
Hall of Bones is a strong and confident start to the series, and I’m excited to see how the story builds on its thrilling conclusion.
August 24, 2022
The sure sign of a good book is one that you find yourself reading at weird and inconvenient times. I found myself reading Hall of Bones till the early hours of the morning when I should’ve been getting sleep on several occasions.
Hall of Bones is a gritty, realistic dark fantasy epic with a strong norse influence. It’s packed with inter-clan politics, bloody warfare, and deep familial grudges. The politics are intriguing with the protagonists fighting a war with a foreign foe but also from within. Clan grudges and histories play a huge a part and makes the world feel layered and deep. Hardie always makes the politics feel extremely personal and the stakes very real. Everything is always hanging by a single tenuous thread. You get the feeling that if the characters don’t pull off their plan or they let their enemies get an edge on them, it’s all over.
The norse influence is strong mainly in their culture and warfare. The gods and magic seem to depart from the typical mythology which makes it even more interesting to me. The supernatural elements start out light and throughout the book play more of a central role. For me, this made them all the more shocking and grotesque when they made an appearance.
I loved this book from start to finish and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Hall of Bones is a gritty, realistic dark fantasy epic with a strong norse influence. It’s packed with inter-clan politics, bloody warfare, and deep familial grudges. The politics are intriguing with the protagonists fighting a war with a foreign foe but also from within. Clan grudges and histories play a huge a part and makes the world feel layered and deep. Hardie always makes the politics feel extremely personal and the stakes very real. Everything is always hanging by a single tenuous thread. You get the feeling that if the characters don’t pull off their plan or they let their enemies get an edge on them, it’s all over.
The norse influence is strong mainly in their culture and warfare. The gods and magic seem to depart from the typical mythology which makes it even more interesting to me. The supernatural elements start out light and throughout the book play more of a central role. For me, this made them all the more shocking and grotesque when they made an appearance.
I loved this book from start to finish and can’t recommend it highly enough.
September 24, 2022
Hall of Bones is an interesting Norse inspired Fantasy following the trials of Rothgar, son of a clan chief. The first part of the story does a fantastic job of exploring the various clan rivalries and the brewing tension between enemies leading to an all-out war.
The characters, setting and action were all enjoyable and the exploration of magic in the second half of the book, sets it up nicely for the sequel.
Definitely one to check out.
The characters, setting and action were all enjoyable and the exploration of magic in the second half of the book, sets it up nicely for the sequel.
Definitely one to check out.
April 6, 2024
I was initially drawn to this book by its stunning cover art as I scrolled through the Kindle site, which caused me to read the synopsis and promptly purchase it.
The story is set in a Norse-inspired world and is told from the perspective of Rothgar, the second son of the Chieftain of the Reavesburg Clan, and follows his life and the events that shape it, from just before he started his warrior training at age ten.
The story was instantly engaging, being written in a style that both describes and invokes the setting, and is full of characters who are instantly relatable and who are also brimming with personality.
The plot has some wonderful twists that I didn't see coming, aswellas having several scenes which brought to mind events from other books I've read, Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire being the main ones.
Overall, this is an outstanding first book, with the series having the potential to be on a par with George R R Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire" and John Gwynne's "Faithful and the Fallen" series. Needless to say I will now be on the lookout for the other books in this series.
The story is set in a Norse-inspired world and is told from the perspective of Rothgar, the second son of the Chieftain of the Reavesburg Clan, and follows his life and the events that shape it, from just before he started his warrior training at age ten.
The story was instantly engaging, being written in a style that both describes and invokes the setting, and is full of characters who are instantly relatable and who are also brimming with personality.
The plot has some wonderful twists that I didn't see coming, aswellas having several scenes which brought to mind events from other books I've read, Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire being the main ones.
Overall, this is an outstanding first book, with the series having the potential to be on a par with George R R Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire" and John Gwynne's "Faithful and the Fallen" series. Needless to say I will now be on the lookout for the other books in this series.
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