Gods of the Ragnarok Era Complete Collection: Eschaton Cycle

by Matt Larkin, Ulf Bjorklund (Narrator)

The freezing mists of Niflheim have seeped into the world, poisoning it, locking it into an age of ice and darkness. The mists steal souls and only flickering flame can hold them at bay …

Odin, jarl of a barbarian tribe, finds the only way to save his people is to challenge the so-called gods who failed Mankind and to take their place. But he is beset by visions of the end of the very world.

For the dark goddess Hel, queen of Niflheim, is returning at long last to claim all that has been denied to her. Served by ancient sorcerers and legions of the dead, Hel will stop at nothing to claim the Realm of Midgard.

Ragnarok, the final battle, looms ever upon the horizon.

1. The Apples of Idunn (2014)
2. The Mists of Niflheim (2015)
3. The Shores of Vanaheim (2017)
4. The High Seat of Asgard (2017)
5. The Well of Mimir (2018)
6. The Radiance of Alfheim (2018)
7. The Shadows of Svartalfheim (2018)
8. The Gates of Hel (2018)
9. The Fires of Muspelheim (2018)

Genres: Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published February 8, 2021

About the author

Along with his wife and daughter, Matt lives as a digital nomad, traveling the world while researching for his novels. He reads approximately a bazillion books a year, loves video games, and relaxes by binge watching Netflix with his wife.

Matt writes retellings of mythology as dark, gritty fantasy. His passions of myths, philosophy, and history inform his series. He strives to combine gut-wrenching action with thought-provoking ideas and culturally resonant stories.

As a child, Matt read The Lord of the Rings with his parents. This sparked a lifelong obsession with fantasy and started him on a path of discovering the roots of fantasy through mythology. In exploration of these ideas, the Eschaton Cycle was born—a universe of dark fantasy where all myths and legends play out.

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has a very good knowledge of the Eddas, and it shows, but for me the writing was a little too much telling and precious little showing. also quite repetitive.

Still, some interesting ideas and very well re-searched.

[Charles L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, first as a lover of mythology and as a graduate student at Queens college. The Gods of Ragnarök 1-9 not only does justice to the Poetic Edda but the author crafts his work where immersion and understanding becomes the foundation of the experience. One cannot do a review of these books without spoilers so be warned! The concept of the Norse Gods evolving from men into godhood is a novel concept but one that works. Odin transforms from a man who is obsessed with vengeance for the death of his father into the Destroyer who is meant to be the savoir of the world. He plots, schemes, and manipulate the other characters in order to avoid the destiny he foresees, which is Ragnarök- the end of mankind. There are multiple characters in these books, namely Loki, Thor, The Lady Sif, Tyr and the most noble of them all Hermod whose dedication to Odin is without measure. He stormed the very gates of Hell on behalf of Odin, a most perilous journey which as a man among the numerous dead was not the easiest of task. Though Odin fails to prevent Ragnarök, he is determined to stop the cycle and chases Hel, with his host of honored death from Valhalla to the very gates of hell to annihilate her once and for all.
Matt weaves a masterful tapestry of the Norse kingdom, and I am honored to partake of this masterpiece. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

[Shane Findlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prefer the books to the audio.

[Arne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine books back to back.
Big arc with lots happening.
Can't say I enjoyed it as much as I should have. Good value for one credit though.