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Skallagrim – In The Vales Of Pagarna
“And those monsters saw not a young man with a sword but a scarred and screaming horror with the rising red doom of the sun at his back and a hellishly shrieking, flashing, living sword in his hands.”
Skallagrim wakes in the middle of a fight for his life with only the vaguest idea of who he is. Facing an angry mob of murderous cutthroats, he watches helplessly while the love of his life is abducted before his eyes. Finally, with a crushing sense of despair, he realizes he’s going to die without even knowing her name. But he doesn’t die.
To find the girl and take his revenge upon the fiend who took her, Skallagrim, wounded and exhausted, must endure a journey like no other. He’ll face madmen, ghouls, tentacled horrors, and witches, both foul and fair, as he races toward a final showdown that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
An awe-inspiring tale of adventure, triumph, and tragedy, set in a brutal, unforgiving wilderness and packed with heart-stopping action, Skallagrim – In The Vales Of Pagarna marks the first installment of an outstanding new series.
Skallagrim wakes in the middle of a fight for his life with only the vaguest idea of who he is. Facing an angry mob of murderous cutthroats, he watches helplessly while the love of his life is abducted before his eyes. Finally, with a crushing sense of despair, he realizes he’s going to die without even knowing her name. But he doesn’t die.
To find the girl and take his revenge upon the fiend who took her, Skallagrim, wounded and exhausted, must endure a journey like no other. He’ll face madmen, ghouls, tentacled horrors, and witches, both foul and fair, as he races toward a final showdown that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
An awe-inspiring tale of adventure, triumph, and tragedy, set in a brutal, unforgiving wilderness and packed with heart-stopping action, Skallagrim – In The Vales Of Pagarna marks the first installment of an outstanding new series.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2022
2 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. Babb
2 books15 followersFirst off, he prefers “Steve” to “Stephen.” Now that that’s out of the way…
He’s best known as the bassist and co-writer for the prog-rock group Glass Hammer. A professional musician for most of his life, he started at the age of twelve as a church pianist. Since then, he has traveled the US and a handful of other countries in various bands.
He has a million stories of life on the road as a musician throughout the 80s, most of them downright hilarious, some of them utterly shocking. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times,” he will tell you. Don’t get him started.
Fortunately for him, in 1990, he had the good sense to marry the right girl, come home, settle down and start a business. Since then, he has busied himself in the production of numerous albums for songwriters, the recording of audiobooks, and in the day-to-day tasks required to operate a recording studio while maintaining the persona of prog-rock star, prolific songwriter, and lyricist. This last bit, he enjoys to the fullest.
In 2005 he penned the epic poem, The Lay Of Lirazel, which was published in 2014. For that effort he was honored with The Imperishable Flame Award by The North East Tolkien Society.
Steve makes his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his wife Julie and son Jon-Michael.
He’s best known as the bassist and co-writer for the prog-rock group Glass Hammer. A professional musician for most of his life, he started at the age of twelve as a church pianist. Since then, he has traveled the US and a handful of other countries in various bands.
He has a million stories of life on the road as a musician throughout the 80s, most of them downright hilarious, some of them utterly shocking. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times,” he will tell you. Don’t get him started.
Fortunately for him, in 1990, he had the good sense to marry the right girl, come home, settle down and start a business. Since then, he has busied himself in the production of numerous albums for songwriters, the recording of audiobooks, and in the day-to-day tasks required to operate a recording studio while maintaining the persona of prog-rock star, prolific songwriter, and lyricist. This last bit, he enjoys to the fullest.
In 2005 he penned the epic poem, The Lay Of Lirazel, which was published in 2014. For that effort he was honored with The Imperishable Flame Award by The North East Tolkien Society.
Steve makes his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his wife Julie and son Jon-Michael.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 9, 2022
I recently began seeing posts for the novel Skallagrim: In the Vales of Pagrna on Facebook. I was unfamiliar with the title or author, but the cover art spoke to me. It is very reminiscent of book artwork from the 70s, during the heyday of sword and sorcery. Then the title itself, brought to mind, at least to me, a Viking/Norse warrior and perhaps the Vales of Pagarna is the sanctuary of some fell witch or warlock that he must traverse. I was wrong on both counts, but when I read this from the synopsis I knew I had to read this.
“And those monsters saw not a young man with a sword but a scarred and screaming horror with the rising red doom of the sun at his back and a hellishly shrieking, flashing, living sword in his hands.”
But who is Stephen R. Babb? His author bio on Amazon states he is an accomplished bassist and lyricist for the band Glass Hammer. He has also worked as a featured writer for two separate affluent-lifestyles magazines. Certainly this background has accounted for the fantastic job of the editing of this book. Typically, no matter who publishes a work there are bound to be typos, especially with indie works. Babb's Skallagrim is very well edited. I note not a single instance of typos. Bravo!
As for the story...I was expecting S&S but what I encountered was something more akin epic fantasy. Skallagrim is our protagonist, and the story opens with a faceoff with an evil sorcerer and his henchmen. Skallagrim, the focus of everyone's attention, has no memory of how he got here or what he should be doing. Trapped with no weapons at hand, Skallagrim seemingly conjures a sword from the very heavens. Terminus Rex makes a spectacular entrance!
Skallagrim is a youth with no memory aside from one of a beautiful girl know one has seen or remembers. He must rely on his companions to assist him with what he needs to do and where to go. That takes quite a bit of trust. He also doubts himself and the love he feels for the mysterious girl and her love for him. All of his doubts become rather tiresome after awhile. Hence the epic fantasy leaning.
Personally I wouldn't have had time to doubt myself if I were him. His trek through the Vales of Pagarna is fraught with extreme peril. The monsters are very real and very hungry. He must first survive nature's fury, the temptations of a water nymph, fight and flee and army of ghouls, fight an elder god creature complete with tentacles and spidery like legs, and come face to face with the dead thing in the pit.
As Skallagrim progresses in his quest, he learns more and more about this world and all the connections between the people and creatures he meets. Skallagrim also seems to be the catalyst for stirring up the staid status quo. Many sleeping or fixed forces are now on the move. All the while war is just over the northern horizon.
“And those monsters saw not a young man with a sword but a scarred and screaming horror with the rising red doom of the sun at his back and a hellishly shrieking, flashing, living sword in his hands.”
But who is Stephen R. Babb? His author bio on Amazon states he is an accomplished bassist and lyricist for the band Glass Hammer. He has also worked as a featured writer for two separate affluent-lifestyles magazines. Certainly this background has accounted for the fantastic job of the editing of this book. Typically, no matter who publishes a work there are bound to be typos, especially with indie works. Babb's Skallagrim is very well edited. I note not a single instance of typos. Bravo!
As for the story...I was expecting S&S but what I encountered was something more akin epic fantasy. Skallagrim is our protagonist, and the story opens with a faceoff with an evil sorcerer and his henchmen. Skallagrim, the focus of everyone's attention, has no memory of how he got here or what he should be doing. Trapped with no weapons at hand, Skallagrim seemingly conjures a sword from the very heavens. Terminus Rex makes a spectacular entrance!
Skallagrim is a youth with no memory aside from one of a beautiful girl know one has seen or remembers. He must rely on his companions to assist him with what he needs to do and where to go. That takes quite a bit of trust. He also doubts himself and the love he feels for the mysterious girl and her love for him. All of his doubts become rather tiresome after awhile. Hence the epic fantasy leaning.
Personally I wouldn't have had time to doubt myself if I were him. His trek through the Vales of Pagarna is fraught with extreme peril. The monsters are very real and very hungry. He must first survive nature's fury, the temptations of a water nymph, fight and flee and army of ghouls, fight an elder god creature complete with tentacles and spidery like legs, and come face to face with the dead thing in the pit.
As Skallagrim progresses in his quest, he learns more and more about this world and all the connections between the people and creatures he meets. Skallagrim also seems to be the catalyst for stirring up the staid status quo. Many sleeping or fixed forces are now on the move. All the while war is just over the northern horizon.
April 3, 2022
Review now live at Grimdark Magazine
Two years ago I was given the chance to hear a new album by the band Glass Hammer entitled Dreaming City. I was intrigued and within moments was able to become totally absorbed in the music. I reviewed this album for Grimdark Magazine, and in that review, I stated a hope that there would someday be an actual book detailing the adventures of Skallagrim. Imagine my pleasant surprise at being presented with a copy of this paperback in my mailbox courtesy of the author, Stephen R. Babb.
Skallagrim – In the Vales of Pagarna begins much as the first song on the album (The Dreaming City) with Skallagrim himself coming to, after a blow to the head and with some severe memory loss, forced to do battle with a gang of ruffians as an evil wizard steals off with the woman of his…dreams.
Fighting for survival, Skallagrim can only hang on as he desperately watches in horror as his lady is whisked away, but these thugs aren’t going to let him be long enough to rescue her. He’s not even sure how he’s to win through, as he’s a thief by trade dammit, not a swordsman. Then as he cries out in despair, a wondrous and magical blade drops from the heavens to help him on his quest to stay alive.
That’s how the first chapter ends, setting us on a course along with Skallagrim as he seeks to track down the wizard Forneus Druogorim and rescue his lady. He doesn’t remember her name, just his strong feelings for her and her radiant blue eyes. Though he doesn’t remember what happened, he knows he’s responsible for getting her into this mess and even if she won’t love what he’s become, he’s honor bound to save her from an evil rite of sacrifice in just a few nights hence.
Sets up a pretty good story, doesn’t it? Oh yes, and I found myself racing through on this adventure where everything seems horrible and pretty much is.
Horrible for Skallagrim, that is. The reader of a grimdark story will get a thrill out of this. More specially, fans of Michael Moorcock’s Elric series should see some strong influences here, from the tortured hero and his wicked blade, all the way back to the author being a collaborator with the band Hawkwind. Steve Babb has his own musical pedigree with his band Glass Hammer, of course. I also got a bit of a Robert Howard feel, from the old Conan stories. Fans of either series, or any dark sword and sorcery tale will find something here to enjoy.
Skallagrim has some thoughts on Archon, the Dreaming City itself:
This kind of writing will pull a reader (or listener) into the epic wanting more. And from what I have gathered, this is the first book in a series about Skallagrim, so there is much to look forward to down the road. There are more albums to enjoy too, as it turns out.
Two years ago I was given the chance to hear a new album by the band Glass Hammer entitled Dreaming City. I was intrigued and within moments was able to become totally absorbed in the music. I reviewed this album for Grimdark Magazine, and in that review, I stated a hope that there would someday be an actual book detailing the adventures of Skallagrim. Imagine my pleasant surprise at being presented with a copy of this paperback in my mailbox courtesy of the author, Stephen R. Babb.
Skallagrim – In the Vales of Pagarna begins much as the first song on the album (The Dreaming City) with Skallagrim himself coming to, after a blow to the head and with some severe memory loss, forced to do battle with a gang of ruffians as an evil wizard steals off with the woman of his…dreams.
“Two things happened nearly at once, both of them bad. First was the horrifying sensation of watching a cruelly curved knife plunging toward his left eye.”
Fighting for survival, Skallagrim can only hang on as he desperately watches in horror as his lady is whisked away, but these thugs aren’t going to let him be long enough to rescue her. He’s not even sure how he’s to win through, as he’s a thief by trade dammit, not a swordsman. Then as he cries out in despair, a wondrous and magical blade drops from the heavens to help him on his quest to stay alive.
“…he dropped his bloody short sword and, reaching up, grabbed the hilt of the alien blade.
Then all hell broke loose.”
That’s how the first chapter ends, setting us on a course along with Skallagrim as he seeks to track down the wizard Forneus Druogorim and rescue his lady. He doesn’t remember her name, just his strong feelings for her and her radiant blue eyes. Though he doesn’t remember what happened, he knows he’s responsible for getting her into this mess and even if she won’t love what he’s become, he’s honor bound to save her from an evil rite of sacrifice in just a few nights hence.
Sets up a pretty good story, doesn’t it? Oh yes, and I found myself racing through on this adventure where everything seems horrible and pretty much is.
“‘Try making sense of the schemes of the mad, and you will go mad yourself.'”
Horrible for Skallagrim, that is. The reader of a grimdark story will get a thrill out of this. More specially, fans of Michael Moorcock’s Elric series should see some strong influences here, from the tortured hero and his wicked blade, all the way back to the author being a collaborator with the band Hawkwind. Steve Babb has his own musical pedigree with his band Glass Hammer, of course. I also got a bit of a Robert Howard feel, from the old Conan stories. Fans of either series, or any dark sword and sorcery tale will find something here to enjoy.
Skallagrim has some thoughts on Archon, the Dreaming City itself:
“Archon was a mystery to him. One day he might return and search out its towers, its crypts, and its labyrinths, find out its secrets and thus untangle the tentacles with which the city had snared his mind.”
This kind of writing will pull a reader (or listener) into the epic wanting more. And from what I have gathered, this is the first book in a series about Skallagrim, so there is much to look forward to down the road. There are more albums to enjoy too, as it turns out.
May 11, 2022
This adventurous novel begins with a bang. A bang and a slash, to be more precise, as a thief named Skallagrim is clubbed on the back of his skull immediately prior to having his face slashed open. As he regains his senses, Skallagrim quickly realizes that he’s in a back alley fight for his life. A sorcerer screams directions at his henchmen to subdue Skallagrim while bundling a terrified maiden that Skallagrim faintly recognizes as his beloved into the back of a wagon. Other than that, his memory is blank. Just as his situation is at its most desperate, he miraculously acquires an enchanted sword that nearly fights of its own accord.
Severely wounded, Skallagrim survives this battle, only to discover the nameless maiden has been abducted away into the countryside. With the help of a handful of somewhat suspect allies, including a self-professed friend he has no memory of, Skallagrim is stitched back together and pointed in the direction of the evil sorcerer’s fortress. He must journey through hostile wilderness in a race to rescue the girl before she is sacrificed in a nefarious ritual.
The story that follows is a fast-paced adventure. While the premise is pretty basic—save the girl from the wicked wizard—complications and twists are introduced along the way that add more depth to the narrative. Skallagrim learns that he’s a pawn in a greater game, and both his enemies and allies have more going on than it first appears.
Stylistically, the book is a little offbeat. The pace is quick and the action frenetic. However, Babb seems to see no reason to limit himself to Skallagrim’s point of view, instead going with a third-person omniscient perspective. The reader spends most of the time in Skallagrim’s mind, but mid-chapter or even mid-scene the perspective will slide into in the mind of someone Skallagrim is interacting with, giving insight into their thoughts or agenda. While third-party omniscient is a valid—if not currently very fashionable—perspective, here it’s mostly used to info-dump exposition that Skallagrim isn’t otherwise party to. The additional detail is welcome, as Skallagrim isn’t particularly well-traveled and he’s also suffering from the effects of amnesia, but I couldn’t help but feel it could’ve been delivered in a more elegant manner.
The prose is very vivid, to the extent that it came off a little purple at times. Early on it felt like no noun or verb was left unadorned. This impression weakened over time, however. Whether the writing relaxed a bit or I simply became accustomed to it is difficult to tell. When I was reminded that Babb is a musician and songwriter (for a fantasy-themed prog rock outfit named Glass Hammer) the slightly ostentatious prose made a bit more sense.
The initial verbosity and reliance on the hoary trope of amnesia put me off the book a bit early on, but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. The book occupies an interesting halfway point between sword & sorcery and epic fantasy. Monster selection is straight out of Lovecraft, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ghouls, nightgaunts, and tentacled Old Man o’ the River. The intense action and high concept premise is traditional sword & sorcery, but as Skallagrim slowly becomes aware of the shadowy forces pulling strings behind the scenes, he gains a vague understanding of higher stakes and perhaps his own destiny. This adds a more epic cast to the events of the story, as well as setting the stage for sequels. I’m still not a fan of amnesiac protagonists, but I’m interested to see where Skallagrim’s journeys take him.
Recommended for fans of action-packed sword & sorcery. People who enjoy the gothic fantasy trappings of From Software games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring will also find a lot to like in the last third of the book.
Disclosure: a free copy of the ebook was provided in exchange for a fair review.
Severely wounded, Skallagrim survives this battle, only to discover the nameless maiden has been abducted away into the countryside. With the help of a handful of somewhat suspect allies, including a self-professed friend he has no memory of, Skallagrim is stitched back together and pointed in the direction of the evil sorcerer’s fortress. He must journey through hostile wilderness in a race to rescue the girl before she is sacrificed in a nefarious ritual.
The story that follows is a fast-paced adventure. While the premise is pretty basic—save the girl from the wicked wizard—complications and twists are introduced along the way that add more depth to the narrative. Skallagrim learns that he’s a pawn in a greater game, and both his enemies and allies have more going on than it first appears.
Stylistically, the book is a little offbeat. The pace is quick and the action frenetic. However, Babb seems to see no reason to limit himself to Skallagrim’s point of view, instead going with a third-person omniscient perspective. The reader spends most of the time in Skallagrim’s mind, but mid-chapter or even mid-scene the perspective will slide into in the mind of someone Skallagrim is interacting with, giving insight into their thoughts or agenda. While third-party omniscient is a valid—if not currently very fashionable—perspective, here it’s mostly used to info-dump exposition that Skallagrim isn’t otherwise party to. The additional detail is welcome, as Skallagrim isn’t particularly well-traveled and he’s also suffering from the effects of amnesia, but I couldn’t help but feel it could’ve been delivered in a more elegant manner.
The prose is very vivid, to the extent that it came off a little purple at times. Early on it felt like no noun or verb was left unadorned. This impression weakened over time, however. Whether the writing relaxed a bit or I simply became accustomed to it is difficult to tell. When I was reminded that Babb is a musician and songwriter (for a fantasy-themed prog rock outfit named Glass Hammer) the slightly ostentatious prose made a bit more sense.
The initial verbosity and reliance on the hoary trope of amnesia put me off the book a bit early on, but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. The book occupies an interesting halfway point between sword & sorcery and epic fantasy. Monster selection is straight out of Lovecraft, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ghouls, nightgaunts, and tentacled Old Man o’ the River. The intense action and high concept premise is traditional sword & sorcery, but as Skallagrim slowly becomes aware of the shadowy forces pulling strings behind the scenes, he gains a vague understanding of higher stakes and perhaps his own destiny. This adds a more epic cast to the events of the story, as well as setting the stage for sequels. I’m still not a fan of amnesiac protagonists, but I’m interested to see where Skallagrim’s journeys take him.
Recommended for fans of action-packed sword & sorcery. People who enjoy the gothic fantasy trappings of From Software games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring will also find a lot to like in the last third of the book.
Disclosure: a free copy of the ebook was provided in exchange for a fair review.
September 4, 2022
Just posted my review on Black Gate.
https://www.blackgate.com/2022/08/28/...
Experience Skallagrim – In the Vales of Pagarna by Stephen R. Babb in all its forms. This post covers everything to get you hooked, from a summary, review, excerpts, and links to the complementing albums from Glass Hammer. Reading Skallagrim feels like you are a witness to the live version of Frazetta’s “Against the Gods” painting! You actually witness a hero grab a sword from the sky.
The opening scene poses a set of mysteries as the titular protagonist is brutally attacked in the streets of Archon, the Dreaming City. He loses his memory during the struggle, by wounds or sorcery, so the hero and the reader want to know: Why Skallagrim in a melee? Who is he, really? Why does he feel protective over a maiden kidnapped during the conflict? Why are multiple sorcerers after him? Why the hell can he grab a sentient, screaming sword that materializes from a sudden storm?
The rest of the book unravels these questions, as Skallagrim races against time to save the mystery maiden. He’ll wrestle with eldritch, chthonic creatures, a herd of ghouls, a few necromancers, and an assassin. As Skallagrim unearths the weird history of Andorath’s Southern Region, we get to learn about it as he battles. The book stands alone, but did you know that Stephen R. Babb has been a progressive rocker and theatrical-album-leader for thirty years (more on Glass Hammer below!). Poems and lyrics infuse the prose. For the full effect, readers should listen to the complementary Skallagrim albums. These are not Audio Books. These are thematic rock sets chronicling Skallagrim’s heroic journey. Embedded below are the opening songs to (1) and (2). Listen to these! Babb is creating a rich world here.
Want to learn more about the creation of Skallagrim’s world? Check out Oliver Brackenbury’s recent interview with the author on his podcast So I’m Writing a Novel Interview (Aug 22 2022). Babb reveals his influences, from Tolkien, Dunsany, and RE Howard, and discusses how music informs writing (and vice versa). Listening to this I learned that Skallagrim’s world actually catalyzed in Glass Hammer’s 2005 album The Inconsolable Secret (which has tracks called Lirazel, Mog Ruith!), which then inspired the epic poem Lay of Lirazel (2014). To know why those matter, you’ll have to read the book.
Skallagrim: In the Vales of Pagarna reads fast and blends the Sword & Sorcery style (action-heavy, focused on a lone hero) with an epic tale (novel form, save-the-world in addition to save-yourself motivations). Plenty of call-outs and imagery evoke S&S influences, most obviously, a sorcerous city full of towers called the “Archon the Dreaming City” (that echoes Elric’s home of Melniboné) and the sentient “screaming” sword Terminus (that feels like a cousin of Stormbringer). In any event, Skallagrim is more of its own tale than it is a homage to its dark fantasy roots. Information flow is deceptively well placed; one of my favorite chapters was halfway through the novel because it revealed why Skallagrim’s nickname was Quickhands.
The cover blurb below is a splendid summary; below that are excerpts and embedded samples of the music.
Contains illustrations from the CDs by Luke Eidenschink
Illustrations from the CDs by Luke Eidenschink; Steve Babb snapshot from Youtube
Excerpts Reveal What to Expect
Weird settings
The forest was weirdly beautiful in a somber, funereal way, like a colossal mausoleum whose joyless vaults were supported by interwoven columns, their vast, mournful chambers hollowed out by the hands of giants. There was a certain thrill to walking in that place with its cool air and ancient trees whose limbs trailed moss like great sweeping beards of grey.
Bloody Action
…geysers of black water shot into the air from a hundred places at once. The plumes sparkled in the weird, flickering light, then seemed to cascade in slow motion in a myriad of diamond-like droplets. From the point at which each geyser had sprung, writhing tentacles sprouted—fiendish bouquets resembling Devil’s Fingers fungus… one such arm, slick and smelly with a coating of gleba, whipped the water directly in front of Skallagrim. He did not remember drawing Terminus, but the sentient sword was in his hand. He swept the blade low, severing the tentacle from the submerged, suberumpent egg from which it had burst. An immediate release or explosion of spores caught Skallagrim off guard, and he coughed painfully—his throat inflamed….
The Albums
#1 Skallagrim: Dreaming City album – opening titular track
#2 Skallagrim: Intro the Breach album (2020) : “He’s Got a Girl” and “Anthem to Andorath”
#3 Due out Oct 2023 (preorder now), Skallagrim: At the Gate (teaser trailer)
Glass Hammer
Glass Hammer is an American progressive rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee, created and led by Steve Babb and Fred Schendel. Babb and Schendel, who founded the band in 1992, are the only constant members in the lineup, having surrounded themselves by various guest performers
Fred Schendel – keyboards, guitars, backing vocals (1992–present), lead vocals (1992-2004, 2015–present), drums (1992-2004)
Steve Babb – bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1992–present), lead vocals (1992-2004, 2016–present), percussion (1992-2004)
Aaron Raulston – drums (2013–present)
Hannah Pryor – lead vocals (2021–present)
Stephen R. Babb (a.k.a. Steve) Bio
First off, he prefers “Steve” to “Stephen.” Now that that’s out of the way…
He’s best known as the bassist and co-writer for the prog-rock group Glass Hammer. A professional musician for most of his life, he started at the age of twelve as a church pianist. Since then, he has traveled the US and a handful of other countries in various bands.
Glass Hammer, which he founded, has received critical acclaim for their twenty-one studio albums, headlined major festivals, and have become one of the most respected bands of the progressive rock genre.
In 1990, he had the good sense to marry the right girl, come home from the road, settle down and start a business. Since then, he has busied himself in the production of numerous albums for songwriters, the recording of audiobooks, and in the day-to-day tasks required to operate a recording studio while maintaining the persona of prog-rock star, prolific songwriter, and lyricist. This last bit, he enjoys to the fullest.
In 2005 he penned the epic poem, The Lay Of Lirazel, which was published in 2014. For that effort he was honored with The Imperishable Flame Award by The North East Tolkien Society.
https://www.blackgate.com/2022/08/28/...
Experience Skallagrim – In the Vales of Pagarna by Stephen R. Babb in all its forms. This post covers everything to get you hooked, from a summary, review, excerpts, and links to the complementing albums from Glass Hammer. Reading Skallagrim feels like you are a witness to the live version of Frazetta’s “Against the Gods” painting! You actually witness a hero grab a sword from the sky.
The opening scene poses a set of mysteries as the titular protagonist is brutally attacked in the streets of Archon, the Dreaming City. He loses his memory during the struggle, by wounds or sorcery, so the hero and the reader want to know: Why Skallagrim in a melee? Who is he, really? Why does he feel protective over a maiden kidnapped during the conflict? Why are multiple sorcerers after him? Why the hell can he grab a sentient, screaming sword that materializes from a sudden storm?
The rest of the book unravels these questions, as Skallagrim races against time to save the mystery maiden. He’ll wrestle with eldritch, chthonic creatures, a herd of ghouls, a few necromancers, and an assassin. As Skallagrim unearths the weird history of Andorath’s Southern Region, we get to learn about it as he battles. The book stands alone, but did you know that Stephen R. Babb has been a progressive rocker and theatrical-album-leader for thirty years (more on Glass Hammer below!). Poems and lyrics infuse the prose. For the full effect, readers should listen to the complementary Skallagrim albums. These are not Audio Books. These are thematic rock sets chronicling Skallagrim’s heroic journey. Embedded below are the opening songs to (1) and (2). Listen to these! Babb is creating a rich world here.
Want to learn more about the creation of Skallagrim’s world? Check out Oliver Brackenbury’s recent interview with the author on his podcast So I’m Writing a Novel Interview (Aug 22 2022). Babb reveals his influences, from Tolkien, Dunsany, and RE Howard, and discusses how music informs writing (and vice versa). Listening to this I learned that Skallagrim’s world actually catalyzed in Glass Hammer’s 2005 album The Inconsolable Secret (which has tracks called Lirazel, Mog Ruith!), which then inspired the epic poem Lay of Lirazel (2014). To know why those matter, you’ll have to read the book.
Skallagrim: In the Vales of Pagarna reads fast and blends the Sword & Sorcery style (action-heavy, focused on a lone hero) with an epic tale (novel form, save-the-world in addition to save-yourself motivations). Plenty of call-outs and imagery evoke S&S influences, most obviously, a sorcerous city full of towers called the “Archon the Dreaming City” (that echoes Elric’s home of Melniboné) and the sentient “screaming” sword Terminus (that feels like a cousin of Stormbringer). In any event, Skallagrim is more of its own tale than it is a homage to its dark fantasy roots. Information flow is deceptively well placed; one of my favorite chapters was halfway through the novel because it revealed why Skallagrim’s nickname was Quickhands.
The cover blurb below is a splendid summary; below that are excerpts and embedded samples of the music.
Skallagrim wakes in the middle of a fight for his life with only the vaguest idea of who he is. Facing an angry mob of murderous cutthroats, he watches helplessly while the love of his life is abducted before his eyes. Finally, with a crushing sense of despair, he realizes he’s going to die without even knowing her name.
But he doesn’t die.
To find the girl and take his revenge upon the fiend who took her, Skallagrim, wounded and exhausted, must endure a journey like no other. He’ll face madmen, ghouls, tentacled horrors, and witches, both foul and fair, as he races toward a final showdown that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
An awe-inspiring tale of adventure, triumph, and tragedy, set in a brutal, unforgiving wilderness and packed with heart-stopping action, Skallagrim – In The Vales Of Pagarna marks the first installment of an outstanding new series.
Contains illustrations from the CDs by Luke Eidenschink
Illustrations from the CDs by Luke Eidenschink; Steve Babb snapshot from Youtube
Excerpts Reveal What to Expect
Weird settings
The forest was weirdly beautiful in a somber, funereal way, like a colossal mausoleum whose joyless vaults were supported by interwoven columns, their vast, mournful chambers hollowed out by the hands of giants. There was a certain thrill to walking in that place with its cool air and ancient trees whose limbs trailed moss like great sweeping beards of grey.
Bloody Action
…geysers of black water shot into the air from a hundred places at once. The plumes sparkled in the weird, flickering light, then seemed to cascade in slow motion in a myriad of diamond-like droplets. From the point at which each geyser had sprung, writhing tentacles sprouted—fiendish bouquets resembling Devil’s Fingers fungus… one such arm, slick and smelly with a coating of gleba, whipped the water directly in front of Skallagrim. He did not remember drawing Terminus, but the sentient sword was in his hand. He swept the blade low, severing the tentacle from the submerged, suberumpent egg from which it had burst. An immediate release or explosion of spores caught Skallagrim off guard, and he coughed painfully—his throat inflamed….
The Albums
#1 Skallagrim: Dreaming City album – opening titular track
#2 Skallagrim: Intro the Breach album (2020) : “He’s Got a Girl” and “Anthem to Andorath”
#3 Due out Oct 2023 (preorder now), Skallagrim: At the Gate (teaser trailer)
Glass Hammer
Glass Hammer is an American progressive rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee, created and led by Steve Babb and Fred Schendel. Babb and Schendel, who founded the band in 1992, are the only constant members in the lineup, having surrounded themselves by various guest performers
Fred Schendel – keyboards, guitars, backing vocals (1992–present), lead vocals (1992-2004, 2015–present), drums (1992-2004)
Steve Babb – bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1992–present), lead vocals (1992-2004, 2016–present), percussion (1992-2004)
Aaron Raulston – drums (2013–present)
Hannah Pryor – lead vocals (2021–present)
Stephen R. Babb (a.k.a. Steve) Bio
First off, he prefers “Steve” to “Stephen.” Now that that’s out of the way…
He’s best known as the bassist and co-writer for the prog-rock group Glass Hammer. A professional musician for most of his life, he started at the age of twelve as a church pianist. Since then, he has traveled the US and a handful of other countries in various bands.
Glass Hammer, which he founded, has received critical acclaim for their twenty-one studio albums, headlined major festivals, and have become one of the most respected bands of the progressive rock genre.
In 1990, he had the good sense to marry the right girl, come home from the road, settle down and start a business. Since then, he has busied himself in the production of numerous albums for songwriters, the recording of audiobooks, and in the day-to-day tasks required to operate a recording studio while maintaining the persona of prog-rock star, prolific songwriter, and lyricist. This last bit, he enjoys to the fullest.
In 2005 he penned the epic poem, The Lay Of Lirazel, which was published in 2014. For that effort he was honored with The Imperishable Flame Award by The North East Tolkien Society.
August 25, 2022
I interviewed Steve about the book, his music, and more! http://soimwritinganovel.com/2022/08/...
July 17, 2022
This is a solid start to the Pagarna series. Pacing and POV were slightly off for this reader but I enjoyed it thoroughly. I look forward to the next book.
June 4, 2022
Babb's Skallagrim follows the titular character through a fast-paced, pulpy, sword & sorcery adventure. The author's skilled hand is evidenced by the story's rhythm: the pages, paragraphs, sentences and words all flow at a fast but predictable (in a good way) pace. Explosive action is punctuated by "down time" but never too long; therefore, the result is that the entire novel comes across as a fast-paced song with clever rhythm shifts. This takes a lot of skill and attention to detail, so I must say that I am impressed! The story flowed so well that I ended up reading half in one sitting and half in another - rare for me. What a ride!
Babb clearly understands the needs and wants of the audience of the genre, while at the same time, never allowing it to limit his creativity. Sword & Sorcery is alive in the 21st century with authors like Babb at the writing desk. Recommended for all fans of the pulpier or darker sides of fantasy. I am looking forward to the next book!
Babb clearly understands the needs and wants of the audience of the genre, while at the same time, never allowing it to limit his creativity. Sword & Sorcery is alive in the 21st century with authors like Babb at the writing desk. Recommended for all fans of the pulpier or darker sides of fantasy. I am looking forward to the next book!
May 27, 2022
Superb Adventure Fantasy. Action packed from page one. A page turner that was hard to put down.
Great character development and world building. Enjoyable story line that keeps you turning the page.
I look forward to more from the author and series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Great character development and world building. Enjoyable story line that keeps you turning the page.
I look forward to more from the author and series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 2, 2022
Sword & Sorcery with an Epic Fantasy vibe - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2022/06/...
March 15, 2022
Stephen R. Babb’s novel, Skallagrim - In the Vale of Pagarna, is a deep dive into a world of epic fantasy. The book is a tale steeped in all of the classic elements of the Sword and Sorcery genre and will no-doubt delight fans of the work of Robert E. Howard, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis (with maybe even a hint of H.P. Lovecraft for good measure).
Babb wastes no time plunging the reader into the story. From page one, we identify strongly with Skallagrim, the hero of the piece, already in a fight for his life as the tale begins. From the start, Skallagrim’s memories of what brought him into his predicament have been wiped clean, putting the hero and the reader on equal ground. We learn the what and why of what’s happening as he does - a wonderful story-telling device that pulls the reader deeply into the adventure from the first sentence. And what an adventure it is!
The action in chapter one takes Skallagrim, driven only by a vision of a nameless girl that he knows that he loves (and that he has also put in danger), on a quest through regions in Andorath to the dreaded Vales of Pagarna. On the way, we meet a variety of wizards, scoundrels, mercenaries, and monsters (remember - the reader meets them just as our hero does). Skallagrim is driven by his task to save his nameless love from the evil sorceries of Forneus Druogorim. To achieve his obsession, Skallagrim endures a marathon of ghastly encounters. He does this with the aid of a questionable ally named Erling Hizzard and, especially, a sentient sword called Terminus that descended from the heavens to bond with Skallagrim mid-battle.
Babb describes the horrors of Skallagrim’s nightmarish encounters vividly, every parry and thrust, every horrifying contact with monstrous flesh, every mis-step into putrid slime. Without giving too much away, there’s even a Frankenstein-like scenario in the mix. The dangers and unpleasantness of this barbarian landscape are made viscerally real, pulling the reader deeper and deeper into the tale. Equally engrossing are Babb’s descriptions of more romantic and hopeful moments. Skallagrim’s encounter with the mysterious and seductive nymph, Swanhild, is carefully but enticingly rendered, and the hero’s moments of inspiration and renewal are often poetically and beautifully stated.
“...The air was chill but calm. Dawn was at least two hours away, and the silver disc of the moon rode high
in the sky, unwilling to yield up the heavens. Like Skallagrim, it seemed a lonely thing—for it rode the
firmament in solitude, its light drowning even the brightest of stars. ...”
In the hands of a lesser writer the story could become just a series of pulp-fiction blackouts but Babb writes with a finesse that bridges the gap between epic adventure-writing and poetry. Even our protagonist, Skallagrim, the thief/lover whose quest we’re following, isn’t the typical Conan-based character. He’s a warrior that has no real desire to kill, but has to cooperate with a mysteriously aggressive sword to do the task when it’s called for. Skallagrim’s inner motivation isn’t simply to smash and hack his way through life - there seems to be much more of a romantic soul beneath the scarred exterior, making it easier for the reader to relate. The main joy of the way Stephen R. Babb has constructed this story, though, is that - just like Skallagrim - we have no way of knowing what lies just around the corner, at the end of the tunnel, behind the half-opened door... on the next page.
I wouldn’t think of including a spoiler in this review, but I’ll just say that there’s a reason that this is Book One. Babb has created quite an engaging teaser here. All of the elements that make up engaging sword and sorcery fantasy are in the story: a hero we can relate to, violent battles, horrifying monsters, magic, love, a mysterious landscape housing rivers, mountains, valleys, and castles full of foreboding, and - of course - that good old stygian darkness (no cursed vale should be without it)!
Elements of the story have been incorporated in Babb’s recent music projects with the band Glass Hammer (by all means, look into this) and it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that Skallagrim’s adventures could translate well into graphic novel or film. Until then, there’s Skallagrim in the Vale of Pagarna - Book One.
A quest worth taking. - Bert Saraco
Babb wastes no time plunging the reader into the story. From page one, we identify strongly with Skallagrim, the hero of the piece, already in a fight for his life as the tale begins. From the start, Skallagrim’s memories of what brought him into his predicament have been wiped clean, putting the hero and the reader on equal ground. We learn the what and why of what’s happening as he does - a wonderful story-telling device that pulls the reader deeply into the adventure from the first sentence. And what an adventure it is!
The action in chapter one takes Skallagrim, driven only by a vision of a nameless girl that he knows that he loves (and that he has also put in danger), on a quest through regions in Andorath to the dreaded Vales of Pagarna. On the way, we meet a variety of wizards, scoundrels, mercenaries, and monsters (remember - the reader meets them just as our hero does). Skallagrim is driven by his task to save his nameless love from the evil sorceries of Forneus Druogorim. To achieve his obsession, Skallagrim endures a marathon of ghastly encounters. He does this with the aid of a questionable ally named Erling Hizzard and, especially, a sentient sword called Terminus that descended from the heavens to bond with Skallagrim mid-battle.
Babb describes the horrors of Skallagrim’s nightmarish encounters vividly, every parry and thrust, every horrifying contact with monstrous flesh, every mis-step into putrid slime. Without giving too much away, there’s even a Frankenstein-like scenario in the mix. The dangers and unpleasantness of this barbarian landscape are made viscerally real, pulling the reader deeper and deeper into the tale. Equally engrossing are Babb’s descriptions of more romantic and hopeful moments. Skallagrim’s encounter with the mysterious and seductive nymph, Swanhild, is carefully but enticingly rendered, and the hero’s moments of inspiration and renewal are often poetically and beautifully stated.
“...The air was chill but calm. Dawn was at least two hours away, and the silver disc of the moon rode high
in the sky, unwilling to yield up the heavens. Like Skallagrim, it seemed a lonely thing—for it rode the
firmament in solitude, its light drowning even the brightest of stars. ...”
In the hands of a lesser writer the story could become just a series of pulp-fiction blackouts but Babb writes with a finesse that bridges the gap between epic adventure-writing and poetry. Even our protagonist, Skallagrim, the thief/lover whose quest we’re following, isn’t the typical Conan-based character. He’s a warrior that has no real desire to kill, but has to cooperate with a mysteriously aggressive sword to do the task when it’s called for. Skallagrim’s inner motivation isn’t simply to smash and hack his way through life - there seems to be much more of a romantic soul beneath the scarred exterior, making it easier for the reader to relate. The main joy of the way Stephen R. Babb has constructed this story, though, is that - just like Skallagrim - we have no way of knowing what lies just around the corner, at the end of the tunnel, behind the half-opened door... on the next page.
I wouldn’t think of including a spoiler in this review, but I’ll just say that there’s a reason that this is Book One. Babb has created quite an engaging teaser here. All of the elements that make up engaging sword and sorcery fantasy are in the story: a hero we can relate to, violent battles, horrifying monsters, magic, love, a mysterious landscape housing rivers, mountains, valleys, and castles full of foreboding, and - of course - that good old stygian darkness (no cursed vale should be without it)!
Elements of the story have been incorporated in Babb’s recent music projects with the band Glass Hammer (by all means, look into this) and it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that Skallagrim’s adventures could translate well into graphic novel or film. Until then, there’s Skallagrim in the Vale of Pagarna - Book One.
A quest worth taking. - Bert Saraco
May 24, 2024
Upfront disclaimer: I'm generally a bit more critical of books I read by popular or traditional authors whom I do not know. Whereas for indie writers with whom I'm acquainted I am probably a tad less critical. I happen to know Steve from an S&S group on FB and followed his journey in publishing this (his first) novel. So take that into consideration as you read my review.
That being said, I have to admit that after an exciting and intriguing opening scene and setup, the story immediately bogged down for me. Here's what I wrote back in December about the strong opening chapters when I started the novel.
Opening 4 chapters are intriguing - our hero Skallagrim is fighting for his life in a rancid city alley but suffering enough amnesia he isn't aware of how he got there or why. The young woman he thinks he's supposed to protect has just been taken captive, and as his enemies close in an Eldritch storm brews, the sorcerous lightning bequeathing him a powerful sword right from thin air. He takes advantage of the gift!
Okay, a slightly different take on the magic sword/chosen one/quest trope. I'm in. But then Skallagrim goes on a roundabout journey that, for me, really slowed the narrative down. I think the author was trying to build tension, but I got bored and put the book aside for almost 4 months. I was almost at the halfway point.
Then on a long plane flight, I decided to just plow through the rest of the novel. And I was surprised that I didn't have to plow! At the mid-point of the novel the pace picked up, the tension grew, the scenarios and monster encounters were interesting again. It felt like we were going somewhere - and we were. The last half of Skallagrim is a solid ride, brutal, compelling, and entertaining.
A bit of the plot: the Sorcerer Forneus has evidently kidnapped a young woman that Skallagrim is driven (by dream and urgency) to rescue. Forneus has hired an assassin named Straker to bring him Skallagrim's arm for an unholy and nefarious experiment. Think Frankenstein's monster but with a sorcerous purpose. But Straker has a dual alignment and may be working for another wizard, whose ultimate motivation is not revealed in this volume (which is book 1; Babb is finishing book 2).
Plus, we have a slew of Lovecraftian horrors, mythological beings, devils and ghouls and a mysterious seductress. That may sound like the whole kitchen sink is thrown in to prevent Skallagrim from obtaining his objective, but it works. I couldn't quite figure out the world-building - was it slightly Scandinavian? Middle-Earthian? A mix of Hyperborean/Hyborian? Finally, I just decided to accept a dark fantasy world that had (in my opinion) a number of disparate elements.
At any rate, a lot of moving parts and plot lines eventually come together and form a rousing adventure. I'd say for me, 4 out of 5 as a whole, but rounding up to 4.5 because of the strong second half of the book. Yes, the story continues in the next book, but this novel wrapped up a good chunk of the tale. However, if I'm going to be honest, the ending epilog could have been cut in half as I felt it kind of dragged out the denouement beyond what was needed to set up book 2. But that's a quibble, I guess.
Finally, it might be important to note that Babb is a prog rocker and has a long history as a professional musician as the founder and leader of Glass Hammer. Thematic albums typical of prog rock heavily influences this book. As S. E. Lindberg writes in his review of this novel: "Poems and lyrics infuse the prose. For the full effect, readers should listen to the complementary Skallagrim albums." That's right, there are trilogy of albums, I believe, to listen to as you read this novel: Dreaming City (2020), Skallagrim: Into the Breach (2021), and At the Gate (2022).
So if you like dark, epic fantasy with strong elements of sword and sorcery, Babb's Skallagrim provides something quite different than the many collections of episodic S&S tales that are (rightly) currently popular.
That being said, I have to admit that after an exciting and intriguing opening scene and setup, the story immediately bogged down for me. Here's what I wrote back in December about the strong opening chapters when I started the novel.
Opening 4 chapters are intriguing - our hero Skallagrim is fighting for his life in a rancid city alley but suffering enough amnesia he isn't aware of how he got there or why. The young woman he thinks he's supposed to protect has just been taken captive, and as his enemies close in an Eldritch storm brews, the sorcerous lightning bequeathing him a powerful sword right from thin air. He takes advantage of the gift!
Okay, a slightly different take on the magic sword/chosen one/quest trope. I'm in. But then Skallagrim goes on a roundabout journey that, for me, really slowed the narrative down. I think the author was trying to build tension, but I got bored and put the book aside for almost 4 months. I was almost at the halfway point.
Then on a long plane flight, I decided to just plow through the rest of the novel. And I was surprised that I didn't have to plow! At the mid-point of the novel the pace picked up, the tension grew, the scenarios and monster encounters were interesting again. It felt like we were going somewhere - and we were. The last half of Skallagrim is a solid ride, brutal, compelling, and entertaining.
A bit of the plot: the Sorcerer Forneus has evidently kidnapped a young woman that Skallagrim is driven (by dream and urgency) to rescue. Forneus has hired an assassin named Straker to bring him Skallagrim's arm for an unholy and nefarious experiment. Think Frankenstein's monster but with a sorcerous purpose. But Straker has a dual alignment and may be working for another wizard, whose ultimate motivation is not revealed in this volume (which is book 1; Babb is finishing book 2).
Plus, we have a slew of Lovecraftian horrors, mythological beings, devils and ghouls and a mysterious seductress. That may sound like the whole kitchen sink is thrown in to prevent Skallagrim from obtaining his objective, but it works. I couldn't quite figure out the world-building - was it slightly Scandinavian? Middle-Earthian? A mix of Hyperborean/Hyborian? Finally, I just decided to accept a dark fantasy world that had (in my opinion) a number of disparate elements.
At any rate, a lot of moving parts and plot lines eventually come together and form a rousing adventure. I'd say for me, 4 out of 5 as a whole, but rounding up to 4.5 because of the strong second half of the book. Yes, the story continues in the next book, but this novel wrapped up a good chunk of the tale. However, if I'm going to be honest, the ending epilog could have been cut in half as I felt it kind of dragged out the denouement beyond what was needed to set up book 2. But that's a quibble, I guess.
Finally, it might be important to note that Babb is a prog rocker and has a long history as a professional musician as the founder and leader of Glass Hammer. Thematic albums typical of prog rock heavily influences this book. As S. E. Lindberg writes in his review of this novel: "Poems and lyrics infuse the prose. For the full effect, readers should listen to the complementary Skallagrim albums." That's right, there are trilogy of albums, I believe, to listen to as you read this novel: Dreaming City (2020), Skallagrim: Into the Breach (2021), and At the Gate (2022).
So if you like dark, epic fantasy with strong elements of sword and sorcery, Babb's Skallagrim provides something quite different than the many collections of episodic S&S tales that are (rightly) currently popular.
August 3, 2022
Babb's Skallagrim is a tour de force. It recalled for me all the love I had of the DragonLance books. It has some nods to the great epic fantasies such as Tolkein including a great scene at the end on the edge of a pit. But make no mistake, those familiar moments are intertwined into a unique and riveting story.
The beauty of the work is the language implemented for the high paced, immersive action. Babb is by profession a songwriter and it shows. The novel has almost an epic Homerian quality. It drew me back to the sword and sorcery books I loved in my childhood. Yet here the imagery has the masterful twist that offers enough to ignite imagination without smoldering it.
The story is a classic chase-after-the-princess quest with enough twists, turns, and surprises to leave you enjoying the ride and satisfied with the ending. You might even sit back and blow a few smoke rings on your pipe as well as you wait for volume two. The plot flows well and gives satisfactory conclusion while still setting up future offerings. However, the real joy of the book for me was not the superb plot but the simply fantastic monsters. For example, here is one nasty encounter with a ghoul:
"But this was a monster, a ghoul, a thing of legends, born of horror and death. The sorcerer's arrogant, leering visage was nothing compared to the malevolent, hateful face that hovered inches from Skallagrim's own, slinging venom in every direction as it strove to deliver a bone-crunching bite to the thief's head. Skallagrim could hear more than see Swanhild beating the ghoul with his staff, which at least had the effect of distracting the fiend from his attack."
And one of my faves (I'm a sucker for the dark that is both terrifying and tantalizing):
"every time he considered walking out on Forneus, his mind was inevitably drawn back to the door and to the whisperer in the darkness beyond. Such promises it had made. He dreaded the sound of it but was fascinated by it as well. Those whispers, like the exhalation of a dying man, had thrilled him, filling his mind with visions both ghastly and grotesque.... Straker was a killer with a killer's heart, but the whisperer in the dark was death itself. 'Come down and dream with me, my son,' it had said. 'Cast aside your doubts and fears. Come down, confess all to me, and I shall make you whole, for I am the Father of Death.'"
Overall, I would highly recommend this read for any and all epic fantasy fans. Further, Stephen Babb is part of the band Glass Hammer and they have two albums connected to this book. I have yet to listen to them, but can't wait to see how they play out some of the work. If done with the same careful hand this book was given, I imagine they are fantastic and offer an even deeper level of craft to the world of Skallagrim.
The beauty of the work is the language implemented for the high paced, immersive action. Babb is by profession a songwriter and it shows. The novel has almost an epic Homerian quality. It drew me back to the sword and sorcery books I loved in my childhood. Yet here the imagery has the masterful twist that offers enough to ignite imagination without smoldering it.
The story is a classic chase-after-the-princess quest with enough twists, turns, and surprises to leave you enjoying the ride and satisfied with the ending. You might even sit back and blow a few smoke rings on your pipe as well as you wait for volume two. The plot flows well and gives satisfactory conclusion while still setting up future offerings. However, the real joy of the book for me was not the superb plot but the simply fantastic monsters. For example, here is one nasty encounter with a ghoul:
"But this was a monster, a ghoul, a thing of legends, born of horror and death. The sorcerer's arrogant, leering visage was nothing compared to the malevolent, hateful face that hovered inches from Skallagrim's own, slinging venom in every direction as it strove to deliver a bone-crunching bite to the thief's head. Skallagrim could hear more than see Swanhild beating the ghoul with his staff, which at least had the effect of distracting the fiend from his attack."
And one of my faves (I'm a sucker for the dark that is both terrifying and tantalizing):
"every time he considered walking out on Forneus, his mind was inevitably drawn back to the door and to the whisperer in the darkness beyond. Such promises it had made. He dreaded the sound of it but was fascinated by it as well. Those whispers, like the exhalation of a dying man, had thrilled him, filling his mind with visions both ghastly and grotesque.... Straker was a killer with a killer's heart, but the whisperer in the dark was death itself. 'Come down and dream with me, my son,' it had said. 'Cast aside your doubts and fears. Come down, confess all to me, and I shall make you whole, for I am the Father of Death.'"
Overall, I would highly recommend this read for any and all epic fantasy fans. Further, Stephen Babb is part of the band Glass Hammer and they have two albums connected to this book. I have yet to listen to them, but can't wait to see how they play out some of the work. If done with the same careful hand this book was given, I imagine they are fantastic and offer an even deeper level of craft to the world of Skallagrim.
April 2, 2022
I am a huge fan of Mr. Babb's prog-rock group, Glass Hammer, and their two most recent albums are based on the story he has begun with Skallagrim: In the Vales of Pagarna. The story as outlined in the albums is intriguing, but they did not prepare me for the excellent writing and plot of this book. Babb has a very descriptive style that places the reader right in the middle of every scene. It is fast-paced, gripping, and at times genuinely horrific. There are also scenes that are emotionally moving, as the title character grows in self awareness and maturity.
I won't give away any spoilers, but even if you've listened to Glass Hammer's Dreaming City and think you know how Book One will end, you don't! Babb managed to surprise me with a very satisfying ending that left me eager for Book Two. Also, I loved the fact he has incorporated the story from Glass Hammer's The Inconsolable Secret album into this one.
The obvious comparisons are to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or a more violent Narnia, but Babb also throws in a dash of Lovecraft that is a lot of fun. There are unspeakably evil beings from before the dawn of time whose slumber has been disturbed by Skallagrim's quest, and I have a feeling they will play a larger role in Books Two and Three. Anyway, I highly recommend Book One. It is a moving allegory of a good soul that is seeking redemption despite impossible odds.
I won't give away any spoilers, but even if you've listened to Glass Hammer's Dreaming City and think you know how Book One will end, you don't! Babb managed to surprise me with a very satisfying ending that left me eager for Book Two. Also, I loved the fact he has incorporated the story from Glass Hammer's The Inconsolable Secret album into this one.
The obvious comparisons are to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or a more violent Narnia, but Babb also throws in a dash of Lovecraft that is a lot of fun. There are unspeakably evil beings from before the dawn of time whose slumber has been disturbed by Skallagrim's quest, and I have a feeling they will play a larger role in Books Two and Three. Anyway, I highly recommend Book One. It is a moving allegory of a good soul that is seeking redemption despite impossible odds.
March 14, 2022
Skallagrim is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking read. Definitely in the tradition of C. S. Lewis and Tolkien. From start to finish, it was fun journeying with Skallagrim through a rich variety of settings as he fought off all attacks and especially as he sought to cast aside their manipulations to rediscover his true identity. He starts out as a pawn in a power struggle between two sorcerers, but with the help of some questionable friends, his sentient sword, and a mysterious grace, he perseveres in his desperate search for his lost love. I'm very much looking forward to the next volume. Skallagrim still has much to conquer and much to learn about himself, his companions and his destiny.
April 2, 2022
Skallagrim is Book 1 In the Vales of Pagarna by Stephen R Babb. I found this fantasy to have lots of action and plenty of fighting. Skallagrim is in a fight for his life and barely escaped with his life, with the help of Forneus. Skallagrim cannot remember much more than his own name. He remembers a girl who was taken captive but not her name. Stephen R Babb weaves an interesting story and I was nor sure who was really helping Skallagrim and who wanted him dead. I found the ending was excellent and made me want to read book 2 so I could see what happens next! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
April 3, 2022
"Get the girl. Kill the man."
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the cursed land of Andorath, following the tragic journey of the pitiable thief, Skallagrim. The descriptions evoked a vivid mental image as events unfolded in the story, setting each scene with wonderful little details that really helped to paint a clear picture - not just of each moment as it unfolded, but the world as well. Every room, every road, felt as tangible and alive as the characters inhabiting them. I had chills the first time I came across "morass" and could almost imagine how awful it would be to walk over such terrain as if I were there myself.
If you're someone with a lower vocabulary then you'll need to keep a dictionary handy to be able to grasp certain concepts fully. However, I feel there is pressure on authors to dumb down their writing and I'm glad that Mr. Babb chose not to. That said, there were a few instances where certain word choices felt unnecessary and therefore pretentious, such as "foetid" instead of "fetid". Whenever I saw them, I was jarred out of the story and that lowered my enjoyment somewhat. That is the only reason I'm not giving Skallagrim a 5 star review.
Overall, this was a thrilling, fantastic novel and I'm cheesed book two isn't out yet. I highly recommend Skallagrim and look forward to the rest of this story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the cursed land of Andorath, following the tragic journey of the pitiable thief, Skallagrim. The descriptions evoked a vivid mental image as events unfolded in the story, setting each scene with wonderful little details that really helped to paint a clear picture - not just of each moment as it unfolded, but the world as well. Every room, every road, felt as tangible and alive as the characters inhabiting them. I had chills the first time I came across "morass" and could almost imagine how awful it would be to walk over such terrain as if I were there myself.
If you're someone with a lower vocabulary then you'll need to keep a dictionary handy to be able to grasp certain concepts fully. However, I feel there is pressure on authors to dumb down their writing and I'm glad that Mr. Babb chose not to. That said, there were a few instances where certain word choices felt unnecessary and therefore pretentious, such as "foetid" instead of "fetid". Whenever I saw them, I was jarred out of the story and that lowered my enjoyment somewhat. That is the only reason I'm not giving Skallagrim a 5 star review.
Overall, this was a thrilling, fantastic novel and I'm cheesed book two isn't out yet. I highly recommend Skallagrim and look forward to the rest of this story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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