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The Brotherhood of the Eagle #3
Lost Gods
Commanded by Johan Jokellsward, The Brotherhood of the Eagle has united the vying factions of the Reavesburg Clan as they struggle to defeat their enemies, led by the monstrous King Adalrikr Kinslayer. However, as Adalrikr gathers his dark magical forces and retreats to his fortress, Johan’s advisor Rothgar realises their task is impossible without outside aid. With the fate of the Brotherhood hanging in the balance, Rothgar embarks on a perilous quest, journeying into the lands of legend in a desperate attempt to even the odds stacked against them.
Elsewhere, events begin to move in Norlhast where Rothgar’s sister, Nuna, leads a plot to overthrow their Vorund occupiers. Using her influential position as the Lady of Norlhast Keep, she walks a fine and dangerous line, appearing to collaborate with Adalrikr’s henchmen whilst secretly working to free her adopted homeland.
Can Johan, Rothgar and Nuna turn the tide against Adalrikr, or will this struggle be the one that finally breaks the Brotherhood?
Elsewhere, events begin to move in Norlhast where Rothgar’s sister, Nuna, leads a plot to overthrow their Vorund occupiers. Using her influential position as the Lady of Norlhast Keep, she walks a fine and dangerous line, appearing to collaborate with Adalrikr’s henchmen whilst secretly working to free her adopted homeland.
Can Johan, Rothgar and Nuna turn the tide against Adalrikr, or will this struggle be the one that finally breaks the Brotherhood?
- GenresFantasy
626 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2022
15 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Tim Hardie
11 books86 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 23, 2022
I received an Advanced Reading Copy of "Lost Gods" in exchange for an honest review, which I have provided below.
Another fantastic prologue, more momentous action, additional fascinating intrigue and clan politics, and once again, superlative storytelling from Tim Hardie, as he heads into the home stretch of his epic "Brotherhood of the Eagle" series with the third installment, "Lost Gods"!
If you like Norse-inspired fantasy, and you haven't yet dived into this incredible series, you are missing out! Now, to the review.
"Lost Gods" focuses on the aftermath of the climatic events of "Sundered Souls", where both main opposing factions are licking their wounds, marshalling their forces, and preparing for a (potentially) decisive final confrontation. Those factions consist of 1) those following Johan Jokellsward, who has rallied what remains of the disparate Reavesburg Clan to confront 2) the treacherous, usurping King Adalrikr and his Vorund Clan supporters.
Adalrikr has withdrawn to his base of operations following a crushing defeat, however he is far from vanquished. Wielding dark sorcery, and convincing more prospective allies to come to his cause, Adalrikr is preparing his masterstroke to eradicate Johan's forces once and for all.
Meanwhile, our main protagonist, the crippled former nobleman Rothgar, endowed with powerful magic of his own, persuades his lord Johan to allow him to set out on a dangerous journey to a fabled land far away, seeking additional power that could turn the tide permanently in favour of the Reavesburg side.
Finally, Rothgar's sister, Lady Nuna, and her husband, are subjugated by warriors loyal to Adalrikr. But the clever and resourceful Nuna, is determined to free her people from the oppressive yolk of Adalrikr's regime. She hatches a risky plan, using the Vorund opponents to achieve her ends. Will the daring plan backfire, and bring disaster?
Hardie continues his wondrous characterization, and the central figure continues to shine. Hardie's protagonist, Rothgar, son of the former chief of Reavesburg, has truly come into his own as a magic-wielder, seer, and leader, by "Lost Gods". But he's still somewhat cantankerous, struggling with his infirmity, and testing the limits of his powers.
Moreover, one one hand, he's partly hailed as a hero due to his actions in the climactic battle of "Sundered Souls". While on the other hand, he's partly regarded with mistrust and suspicion regarding his use of magic by his associates. It seems things will never be easy for Rotghar, including amongst the people he is supposed to be allied with.
Hardie continually puts Rothgar through seemingly insurmountable challenges, and they take their toll on our hero, both emotionally and physically. But he doggedly perseveres, making this one of his most admirable traits.
We also get to see the prospect of some long-term happiness, as we see Rothgar in love, and that love returned, in "Lost Gods". But in the volatile world of Laskar, considering both Rothgar and his love interest will be in constant danger, I fear that their ending may not be as blissful as hoped.
Perhaps Hardie's greatest strength is the power of his secondary characters, and his ability to present the reader multiple perspectives (of different sides of his central conflict) all the while still making the story seem like it's tightly wound around Rothgar.
Things have an intimate feel, despite the sprawling cast of players spread over a large geographical area, and the dizzying character list. Somehow, this series, now in its third book, still feels very much like Rothgar's, first person narrated story, regardless of how many characters increasingly get a POV voice in the narrative. This takes considerable skill, and Hardie is to be commended for it.
Additionally, Hardie's secondary characters are, for the most part, deliciously morally grey, outright evil, or ambiguous. This leads to a real sense of tension, as true motivations are seldom revealed, and the potential for switching allegiances and betrayal abounds. We feel empathy for the "villains", hoping they can be salvaged, perhaps they may change sides, or at least find a redemptive arc, and a noble end.
Just be warned, in GRRM-esque fashion, as I noted above, and in previous reviews, the sheer volume of characters (and some similarities in the sounding of names) in the book, and Hardie's massive glossary are not for the faint-of-heart. To keep track of all the auxiliary, and tertiary characters, tribe affiliations, etc., one will surely need to refer to the handy, and formidable appendices provided. That said, my aforementioned comment also attests to the depth, breadth, and skill of Hardie's spectacular worldbuilding.
Three things we are essentially guaranteed in a "Brotherhood of the Eagle Book", which we are treated to once more in "Lost Gods", are 1) a mind-blowing prologue 2) intense and high-stakes political jockeying, ties of family, friendship, and loyalty, history of the clans, the various gods, the famed conflicts, dynastic lineages, and how magic is used, interspersed with compelling family drama 3) stunning battlefield action.
A sinuous plot, with lots of surprises, some tear-jerking moments, and battles that will momentarily stop your heart, adds up to a fascinating, compelling read. There was one reveal that completely threw me for a loop. I really wasn't expecting that one!
And one minor spoiler I will drop, if you'll forgive me, that delighted me: ware dragons!
I feel the need to emphasize, AGAIN, Hardie's prologues are among the BEST I've read so far in fantasy if not THE best. I do not say that lightly. For me, there's Tim Hardie and Daniel T. Jackson (Illborn) who has written the best prologues. No one else has come close yet, in my opinion. Reading a Hardie prologue will make one compulsively proceed with the rest of the book.
Hardie's prose is highly effective. It's perfect for the type of heroic fantasy he writes: smooth, clear, straightforward, intermingled with poetic and impactful verse. While not perhaps as flowery as I personally adore, it's still amazing, and very accessible, without being bland at all.
In terms of pacing, this book, for me, was slower paced than previous novels in the series. I was quite alright with that, as I love my slow burns. There's plenty of action, so that it never feels like anything is dragging on. Though "Lost Gods" is the longest of the three books thus far in the series, for me it felt like the shortest. Perhaps that was because I continue to yearn for more of the story of Rothgar and his compatriots!
I commented in my review of "Sundered Souls" that Tim Hardie was affirmed, for me, as a fantasy star on the rise. "Lost Gods" does nothing but solidify my thoughts on this exceptional author. He's a must-buy author for me.
My love and admiration for how well-written the "Brotherhood of the Eagle" series is, has propelled Hardie into the ranks of my top 50 favourite authors of all-time. Yes, Hardie is THAT good.
I am very excited to see how Hardie wraps up this series in the next book, and will be waiting with considerable anticipation for book four.
Another fantastic prologue, more momentous action, additional fascinating intrigue and clan politics, and once again, superlative storytelling from Tim Hardie, as he heads into the home stretch of his epic "Brotherhood of the Eagle" series with the third installment, "Lost Gods"!
If you like Norse-inspired fantasy, and you haven't yet dived into this incredible series, you are missing out! Now, to the review.
"Lost Gods" focuses on the aftermath of the climatic events of "Sundered Souls", where both main opposing factions are licking their wounds, marshalling their forces, and preparing for a (potentially) decisive final confrontation. Those factions consist of 1) those following Johan Jokellsward, who has rallied what remains of the disparate Reavesburg Clan to confront 2) the treacherous, usurping King Adalrikr and his Vorund Clan supporters.
Adalrikr has withdrawn to his base of operations following a crushing defeat, however he is far from vanquished. Wielding dark sorcery, and convincing more prospective allies to come to his cause, Adalrikr is preparing his masterstroke to eradicate Johan's forces once and for all.
Meanwhile, our main protagonist, the crippled former nobleman Rothgar, endowed with powerful magic of his own, persuades his lord Johan to allow him to set out on a dangerous journey to a fabled land far away, seeking additional power that could turn the tide permanently in favour of the Reavesburg side.
Finally, Rothgar's sister, Lady Nuna, and her husband, are subjugated by warriors loyal to Adalrikr. But the clever and resourceful Nuna, is determined to free her people from the oppressive yolk of Adalrikr's regime. She hatches a risky plan, using the Vorund opponents to achieve her ends. Will the daring plan backfire, and bring disaster?
Hardie continues his wondrous characterization, and the central figure continues to shine. Hardie's protagonist, Rothgar, son of the former chief of Reavesburg, has truly come into his own as a magic-wielder, seer, and leader, by "Lost Gods". But he's still somewhat cantankerous, struggling with his infirmity, and testing the limits of his powers.
Moreover, one one hand, he's partly hailed as a hero due to his actions in the climactic battle of "Sundered Souls". While on the other hand, he's partly regarded with mistrust and suspicion regarding his use of magic by his associates. It seems things will never be easy for Rotghar, including amongst the people he is supposed to be allied with.
Hardie continually puts Rothgar through seemingly insurmountable challenges, and they take their toll on our hero, both emotionally and physically. But he doggedly perseveres, making this one of his most admirable traits.
We also get to see the prospect of some long-term happiness, as we see Rothgar in love, and that love returned, in "Lost Gods". But in the volatile world of Laskar, considering both Rothgar and his love interest will be in constant danger, I fear that their ending may not be as blissful as hoped.
Perhaps Hardie's greatest strength is the power of his secondary characters, and his ability to present the reader multiple perspectives (of different sides of his central conflict) all the while still making the story seem like it's tightly wound around Rothgar.
Things have an intimate feel, despite the sprawling cast of players spread over a large geographical area, and the dizzying character list. Somehow, this series, now in its third book, still feels very much like Rothgar's, first person narrated story, regardless of how many characters increasingly get a POV voice in the narrative. This takes considerable skill, and Hardie is to be commended for it.
Additionally, Hardie's secondary characters are, for the most part, deliciously morally grey, outright evil, or ambiguous. This leads to a real sense of tension, as true motivations are seldom revealed, and the potential for switching allegiances and betrayal abounds. We feel empathy for the "villains", hoping they can be salvaged, perhaps they may change sides, or at least find a redemptive arc, and a noble end.
Just be warned, in GRRM-esque fashion, as I noted above, and in previous reviews, the sheer volume of characters (and some similarities in the sounding of names) in the book, and Hardie's massive glossary are not for the faint-of-heart. To keep track of all the auxiliary, and tertiary characters, tribe affiliations, etc., one will surely need to refer to the handy, and formidable appendices provided. That said, my aforementioned comment also attests to the depth, breadth, and skill of Hardie's spectacular worldbuilding.
Three things we are essentially guaranteed in a "Brotherhood of the Eagle Book", which we are treated to once more in "Lost Gods", are 1) a mind-blowing prologue 2) intense and high-stakes political jockeying, ties of family, friendship, and loyalty, history of the clans, the various gods, the famed conflicts, dynastic lineages, and how magic is used, interspersed with compelling family drama 3) stunning battlefield action.
A sinuous plot, with lots of surprises, some tear-jerking moments, and battles that will momentarily stop your heart, adds up to a fascinating, compelling read. There was one reveal that completely threw me for a loop. I really wasn't expecting that one!
And one minor spoiler I will drop, if you'll forgive me, that delighted me: ware dragons!
I feel the need to emphasize, AGAIN, Hardie's prologues are among the BEST I've read so far in fantasy if not THE best. I do not say that lightly. For me, there's Tim Hardie and Daniel T. Jackson (Illborn) who has written the best prologues. No one else has come close yet, in my opinion. Reading a Hardie prologue will make one compulsively proceed with the rest of the book.
Hardie's prose is highly effective. It's perfect for the type of heroic fantasy he writes: smooth, clear, straightforward, intermingled with poetic and impactful verse. While not perhaps as flowery as I personally adore, it's still amazing, and very accessible, without being bland at all.
In terms of pacing, this book, for me, was slower paced than previous novels in the series. I was quite alright with that, as I love my slow burns. There's plenty of action, so that it never feels like anything is dragging on. Though "Lost Gods" is the longest of the three books thus far in the series, for me it felt like the shortest. Perhaps that was because I continue to yearn for more of the story of Rothgar and his compatriots!
I commented in my review of "Sundered Souls" that Tim Hardie was affirmed, for me, as a fantasy star on the rise. "Lost Gods" does nothing but solidify my thoughts on this exceptional author. He's a must-buy author for me.
My love and admiration for how well-written the "Brotherhood of the Eagle" series is, has propelled Hardie into the ranks of my top 50 favourite authors of all-time. Yes, Hardie is THAT good.
I am very excited to see how Hardie wraps up this series in the next book, and will be waiting with considerable anticipation for book four.
September 25, 2024
And Mr. Hardie does it again!! Lost Gods is another incredibly impressive and engrossing instalment in the epic Norse-inspired Brotherhood of the Eagle series, which has quickly become a new favourite of the year for me!
Whereas Hall of Bones felt quite intimate and cosy, being almost reminiscent of Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice in its storytelling, book 2 and 3 of this series are expanding the story to ever more epic proportions. The Brotherhood of the Eagle continues their fight against their malicious, supernatural foe, and the stakes are only getting higher and higher.
In this third instalment, we take a slight departure from all the political scheming and intense battles, instead following Rothgar on a little sidequest, if you will, to gather more (unusual) allies to the Brotherhood’s cause.
While this is the longest book yet, the pacing is significantly slower than in the previous instalments, especially in the first half of the novel. I personally really appreciated that though, as I feel like these characters finally got some time to breathe and try to process everything that’s been happening. The character development in this particular instalment is absolutely outstanding, and I loved all the moments of reflection, introspection, bonding, and growth, including some inklings of love for our poor Rothgar (Jolinn is the MVP!)
On top of that, the 'quest' storyline opened up the world even more, introducing us to interesting new lore, places and people. All I will say is: Here there be dragons! But I promise they are nothing like you would expect, Hardie’s special spin on this familiar trope/creature was absolutely fascinating to read about and I loved learning about how they fit into this world and story; I just eat up this level of rich and deep worlbuilding, and the mystical air of intrigue and wonder kept me enthralled from beginning to end.
I also continue to be impressed by the unique and masterful handling of POVs in this series. The author has created an intriguing magic system that serves as a natural device for expanding the scope of this story. When we first started following other perspectives this way, I was a bit hesitant about the whole situation, but by now it has become one of my favourite aspects of the series. While there are a few POVs I personally prefer way more over others, there's simply no denyimg that each character has a distinct voice and adds a lot of nuance and depth to the story.
I especially appreciate how even characters on opposing sides of the conflict are so well-developed that you almost start to empathise with them. There’s a lot of grey morality here and I think that makes this story all the more complex and interesting.
And talking about complexity and morality… this book is filled to the brim with shocking twists and turns, elaborate schemes, mind-boggling revelations, and brutal back stabbings and betrayals, which I absolutely loved; Hardie really knows how to keep you on your toes!
Now, my struggle with keeping track of the large cast of named characters continued here, but I do have to say that it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as in book 2. While we are introduced to even more new characters (most of which I found extremely compelling), the more focused storytelling and slower pacing really helped me feel more settled this time around.
However, some of the characters in the additional perspectives are wrapped up in an intricate web of schemes and conspiracies, which offered a whole new set of challenges in terms of keeping things straight. Luckily, the author is a masterful writer and storyteller, so the reading experience was still extremely smooth and immersive.
All in all, this was another extremely gripping and thrilling instalment in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series and I had an absolute blast. These final 300 pages were read in one day, so that should say enough about my investment in this story. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes Norse-inspired fantasy, intricate political scheming, deep and complex characters, rich world building and lore, pulse-pounding action scenes and beautifully bittersweet prose.
And now the wait for book 4 begins…
**********************
First read 2022: 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Second read 2024: 4 stars
Whereas Hall of Bones felt quite intimate and cosy, being almost reminiscent of Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice in its storytelling, book 2 and 3 of this series are expanding the story to ever more epic proportions. The Brotherhood of the Eagle continues their fight against their malicious, supernatural foe, and the stakes are only getting higher and higher.
In this third instalment, we take a slight departure from all the political scheming and intense battles, instead following Rothgar on a little sidequest, if you will, to gather more (unusual) allies to the Brotherhood’s cause.
While this is the longest book yet, the pacing is significantly slower than in the previous instalments, especially in the first half of the novel. I personally really appreciated that though, as I feel like these characters finally got some time to breathe and try to process everything that’s been happening. The character development in this particular instalment is absolutely outstanding, and I loved all the moments of reflection, introspection, bonding, and growth, including some inklings of love for our poor Rothgar (Jolinn is the MVP!)
On top of that, the 'quest' storyline opened up the world even more, introducing us to interesting new lore, places and people. All I will say is: Here there be dragons! But I promise they are nothing like you would expect, Hardie’s special spin on this familiar trope/creature was absolutely fascinating to read about and I loved learning about how they fit into this world and story; I just eat up this level of rich and deep worlbuilding, and the mystical air of intrigue and wonder kept me enthralled from beginning to end.
I also continue to be impressed by the unique and masterful handling of POVs in this series. The author has created an intriguing magic system that serves as a natural device for expanding the scope of this story. When we first started following other perspectives this way, I was a bit hesitant about the whole situation, but by now it has become one of my favourite aspects of the series. While there are a few POVs I personally prefer way more over others, there's simply no denyimg that each character has a distinct voice and adds a lot of nuance and depth to the story.
I especially appreciate how even characters on opposing sides of the conflict are so well-developed that you almost start to empathise with them. There’s a lot of grey morality here and I think that makes this story all the more complex and interesting.
And talking about complexity and morality… this book is filled to the brim with shocking twists and turns, elaborate schemes, mind-boggling revelations, and brutal back stabbings and betrayals, which I absolutely loved; Hardie really knows how to keep you on your toes!
Now, my struggle with keeping track of the large cast of named characters continued here, but I do have to say that it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as in book 2. While we are introduced to even more new characters (most of which I found extremely compelling), the more focused storytelling and slower pacing really helped me feel more settled this time around.
However, some of the characters in the additional perspectives are wrapped up in an intricate web of schemes and conspiracies, which offered a whole new set of challenges in terms of keeping things straight. Luckily, the author is a masterful writer and storyteller, so the reading experience was still extremely smooth and immersive.
All in all, this was another extremely gripping and thrilling instalment in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series and I had an absolute blast. These final 300 pages were read in one day, so that should say enough about my investment in this story. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes Norse-inspired fantasy, intricate political scheming, deep and complex characters, rich world building and lore, pulse-pounding action scenes and beautifully bittersweet prose.
And now the wait for book 4 begins…
**********************
First read 2022: 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Second read 2024: 4 stars
June 2, 2023
a good third book
The pacing was a little uneven in this book, but there were some good surprises. Also a bit too much reliance on the prophecy aspect to move the story along or help things to happen.
There were things that I didn’t expect. Although there were hints about Etta perhaps not being just someone with the Sight, I was surprised at her revelation. Also who the gods really were, was not something I anticipated.
We were able to see life from various points of view this time, and this made the story more interesting. Slowly all the threads of their lives are weaving together for the final outcome.
Besides the bearer of the shield, who will bear the other two arms from the gods? I see one strong candidate for the sword, but unsure of the spear. Also the politics at each keep still needs to be determined. That could be a more complicated decision than discussions of waging war. Who will be the ultimate winners and losers?
The pacing was a little uneven in this book, but there were some good surprises. Also a bit too much reliance on the prophecy aspect to move the story along or help things to happen.
There were things that I didn’t expect. Although there were hints about Etta perhaps not being just someone with the Sight, I was surprised at her revelation. Also who the gods really were, was not something I anticipated.
We were able to see life from various points of view this time, and this made the story more interesting. Slowly all the threads of their lives are weaving together for the final outcome.
Besides the bearer of the shield, who will bear the other two arms from the gods? I see one strong candidate for the sword, but unsure of the spear. Also the politics at each keep still needs to be determined. That could be a more complicated decision than discussions of waging war. Who will be the ultimate winners and losers?
November 29, 2022
This is the third in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series, and it's a very large book. I could kick myself for starting it the week of Thanksgiving! Every year I begin preparing the Thanksgiving meal three days prior to the big day. Slicing, dicing, whipping and baking. Then on Thanksgiving morning I am up before the birds putting my thirty-pound turkey in the roaster. Then more cooking and baking. Then more cleaning before my very large family arrives, since I inevitably make messes with this cooking marathon. And then this year I was a glutton for punishment! I decided that I would surprise the grandchildren by having the Christmas decorations up, including the tree, for when they came to Meemaw and Pawpaw's house. (I don't know why I do this to myself.) But in case you're interested, it was worth every bit of trouble to see their little faces light up 😍
I say all of this to say: I began this book at one of the absolute worst times!! I didn't have very much energy or attention to properly give it. For that matter, I found very little time to read at all. This book shouldn't be read with a half-baked (hah!) attention span. There are scads of characters and a slew of plot threads and Things Happening. It's a fairly complex series! I loved the first two so I was really looking forward to reading this. My timing just left something to be desired.
The story has a Norse-inspired flavor throughout. Rothgar is still our MC. I really like him, too. If you've gotten this far in the series, you'll be unsurprised when I say that this poor guy has had it rough. Since I was distracted, (see paragraph one above), I kept getting confused when the story would shift from his first-person account to various third-person perspectives. But Rothgar is gifted with the Sight, so he is, well, not eavesdropping really, but Seeing the events in these various characters' lives as the events occur. Once I became acclimated to this perspective shift I found that the story moved along at a good clip.
For characterization, we have a little bit of everything. There are some truly despicable and creepy villains in this book, some morally "gray" characters, some heroic virtuous ones, and an enigma or two. Actually, there are more than two enigmatic characters, now that I think about it. The author writes some really good characters.
I'd unreservedly recommend this series to anyone interested in fantasy with a Nordic flair. When the next book is published I will definitely be reading it.
I say all of this to say: I began this book at one of the absolute worst times!! I didn't have very much energy or attention to properly give it. For that matter, I found very little time to read at all. This book shouldn't be read with a half-baked (hah!) attention span. There are scads of characters and a slew of plot threads and Things Happening. It's a fairly complex series! I loved the first two so I was really looking forward to reading this. My timing just left something to be desired.
The story has a Norse-inspired flavor throughout. Rothgar is still our MC. I really like him, too. If you've gotten this far in the series, you'll be unsurprised when I say that this poor guy has had it rough. Since I was distracted, (see paragraph one above), I kept getting confused when the story would shift from his first-person account to various third-person perspectives. But Rothgar is gifted with the Sight, so he is, well, not eavesdropping really, but Seeing the events in these various characters' lives as the events occur. Once I became acclimated to this perspective shift I found that the story moved along at a good clip.
For characterization, we have a little bit of everything. There are some truly despicable and creepy villains in this book, some morally "gray" characters, some heroic virtuous ones, and an enigma or two. Actually, there are more than two enigmatic characters, now that I think about it. The author writes some really good characters.
I'd unreservedly recommend this series to anyone interested in fantasy with a Nordic flair. When the next book is published I will definitely be reading it.
April 23, 2023
Great third volume of The Brotherhood of the Eagle
I really enjoyed this book. I’ll not give away spoilers, but suffice it to say the plot went in the right direction for me. I love the baddies, the Durath. The world building is superb. I got lost at times with the sheer number of characters and rival clans, but that’s my fault. I thought the book was bringing the series to a close, but no, and I’m glad there will be more. Very David Eddings for me. Top notch Tim.
I really enjoyed this book. I’ll not give away spoilers, but suffice it to say the plot went in the right direction for me. I love the baddies, the Durath. The world building is superb. I got lost at times with the sheer number of characters and rival clans, but that’s my fault. I thought the book was bringing the series to a close, but no, and I’m glad there will be more. Very David Eddings for me. Top notch Tim.
October 22, 2022
I received an advanced reader copy of Lost Gods in exchange for an honest review.
Lost Gods is the third book of Tim Hardie’s series, The Brotherhood of the Eagle, and the author is in the zone. I was surprised to discover Lost Gods is significantly longer than the first two because I finished it in what seemed like no time at all. I even put down Joe Abercrombie’s, The Blade Itself, to devote my full attention to Lost Gods…and I LOVE The Blade Itself.
The series has grown from an almost cosy, Norse-inspired tale of a young noble’s life, reminiscent of Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, to the story of of a broken people’s struggle to first turn back and then defeat the, now clearly supernatural, enemy that has claimed their homelands.
Characters mostly used to quaffing ale and fighting with axes are now not only privy to some arcane knowledge, but are factoring in the whims of the gods while setting off for enemy territory in a world much more sophisticated than you’d believe from spending time only with the clans of Laskar. Not all the characters are heading straight for battle though, as Rothgar gets a more traditional fantasy quest to gain unusual allies as the battle lines are drawn.
I remain impressed with Hardie’s device for taking us into other characters’ points-of-view. It keeps things well-paced and the story moving, and I forget how I am seeing these things nearly every time, which always leads to “Oh!” moments, as I realise distant events can have immediate impact.
The main character, Rothgar, is clearly finding it difficult to accept the changes in his life, but as the world and its arcane/divine aspects open up for the reader, so too do the possibilities for the protagonist, as he sees that there is more to him than the boy he was and the man he hoped to be. The nature of his new role is becoming clearer, and while there may be no going back, as he begins to accept his past, a worthwhile future shimmers into existence on the horizon.
A great book becomes part of the reader’s reality while the eyes are on the page and for a while afterwards. Hardie’s world is real to me. I am invested. I have pored over the maps and strategised, fretting for even some of the more distant, marginal characters.
I have theorised, I have worried and I need to know what comes next.
I previously described the author as a master storyteller, and I stand by that assessment.
Tim Hardie’s Brotherhood of the Eagle would be right at home on shelves, nestled between the bastions of modern fantasy.
Lost Gods is the third book of Tim Hardie’s series, The Brotherhood of the Eagle, and the author is in the zone. I was surprised to discover Lost Gods is significantly longer than the first two because I finished it in what seemed like no time at all. I even put down Joe Abercrombie’s, The Blade Itself, to devote my full attention to Lost Gods…and I LOVE The Blade Itself.
The series has grown from an almost cosy, Norse-inspired tale of a young noble’s life, reminiscent of Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, to the story of of a broken people’s struggle to first turn back and then defeat the, now clearly supernatural, enemy that has claimed their homelands.
Characters mostly used to quaffing ale and fighting with axes are now not only privy to some arcane knowledge, but are factoring in the whims of the gods while setting off for enemy territory in a world much more sophisticated than you’d believe from spending time only with the clans of Laskar. Not all the characters are heading straight for battle though, as Rothgar gets a more traditional fantasy quest to gain unusual allies as the battle lines are drawn.
I remain impressed with Hardie’s device for taking us into other characters’ points-of-view. It keeps things well-paced and the story moving, and I forget how I am seeing these things nearly every time, which always leads to “Oh!” moments, as I realise distant events can have immediate impact.
The main character, Rothgar, is clearly finding it difficult to accept the changes in his life, but as the world and its arcane/divine aspects open up for the reader, so too do the possibilities for the protagonist, as he sees that there is more to him than the boy he was and the man he hoped to be. The nature of his new role is becoming clearer, and while there may be no going back, as he begins to accept his past, a worthwhile future shimmers into existence on the horizon.
A great book becomes part of the reader’s reality while the eyes are on the page and for a while afterwards. Hardie’s world is real to me. I am invested. I have pored over the maps and strategised, fretting for even some of the more distant, marginal characters.
I have theorised, I have worried and I need to know what comes next.
I previously described the author as a master storyteller, and I stand by that assessment.
Tim Hardie’s Brotherhood of the Eagle would be right at home on shelves, nestled between the bastions of modern fantasy.
October 4, 2023
Third in an excellent series. Kindle Unlimited have recently produced a few outstanding fantasy novels amongst their usual crop of pleasant potboilers. This is definitely one of the former kind. It's a first-class alternate- world Viking Kingdoms saga with just enough magic to spice the mix. Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, and even George R. R. Martin will find themselves happily at home here. War, politics, love, and the accommodations people make when living in a land under occupation by a powerful and evil force - yup, echoes of Europe under Hitler are here too. Highly recommended.
May 20, 2023
First I must start by saying I thought this was the conclusion to a trilogy so I was both disappointed not to get a conclusion and also overjoyed that I can (fingers crossed) expect more to come.
I'm not much of a reviewer so I'll keep this short and sweet. The whole series is just excellent and Lost God's is no exception. If you like viking inspired fantasy or even if you don't I would recommend this. I've read the 3 books straight through and so now I'm willing Tim to get me the 4th.
I'm not much of a reviewer so I'll keep this short and sweet. The whole series is just excellent and Lost God's is no exception. If you like viking inspired fantasy or even if you don't I would recommend this. I've read the 3 books straight through and so now I'm willing Tim to get me the 4th.
November 12, 2022
“Lost Gods” by Tim Hardie is the third book in the epic Viking-inspired fantasy saga “The Brotherhood of the Eagle”. I had the pleasure of reading the previous two books, so I was very excited when the author asked if I was up to review the next instalment.
What I love about this series the most is the complex worldbuilding. The world is enormous, and there are so many clans and factions that it was hard to wrap your head around it initially. But once you get into it, it becomes fascinating. Sometimes in books, we see that the side characters are more of the background for the protagonist and lack depth. Not here! Every warrior and jarl (and there are so many of them the characters list goes on and on!) has their own history, aspirations, and quirks. It gives the whole story the epic level, where we can watch the events from the perspective of so many people with different social statuses.
I mentioned it in my reviews of previous books in the series, but I still love using the protagonist’s unique ability of Sight (to see things through other gifted people’s eyes) to jump between PoV of different characters. I can’t stress enough how brilliant that idea is, but also how much work it demands writing-wise, as narration is changing from first person with Rothgar to third person during his visions and following other characters.
I also think that Tim is great at creating compelling and authentic characters. This talent shines the most with portraying those “bad guys”, the people serving the Vorund Clan who are supposed to be evil. Turns out they are only people trying to do what they can to survive. I even had sympathy for the wicked witch Nereth, who did so many awful things in previous books but now was very vulnerable and very human.
Looking at the series, we can see that each book has a different theme. “Hall of Bones” was pretty much an introduction to the whole story – meet the characters, see that their life falls apart and how they try to survive. The second one, “Sundered Souls”, was fascinating and full of action and magic – the Brotherhood of the Eagle was fighting against the overwhelming might of the Vorund Clan and ended with great success and a shifting of power in Laskar. And because of that, “Lost Gods” starts in a very peculiar place. We have a new balance, and after the victory, the Brotherhood of the Eagle must carefully think about its next steps. The theme here is slowly shifting the balance against Vorund Clan and preparing for that ultimate final confrontation – the battle of all battles, which will take place in the last book in the series (and I can’t stress enough how excited I am for that one!).
While reading, I couldn’t help comparing this instalment to my favourite classic, “Lord of the Rings”. There is this great war with an ultimate evil that wants to break the world, so the good guys must divide their forces and Rothgar, just like Frodo, is sent off with the seemingly impossible mission to talk to the long-forgotten gods to get their help. I loved the use of this classic theme because it’s all I love in the epic tales, and it was like going back to those old-time beloved tales of bravery where even the smallest person can change the world.
The only thing that was not perfect for me was that the whole book felt a little bit like preparation for what will come in the final instalment. There was plenty of sitting around and waiting for things to happen, which is less exciting to read about than constant non-stop action. To be fair, it’s the reality of war, so it’s not like the author portrayed anything wrongly or unauthentically. There is still a great battle at the end that shifts the political situation dramatically, but it somehow felt less exciting than the one at the end of “Sundered Souls” when the failure would mean the end for most characters.
But on the other hand, I think “Lost Gods” is the strongest of the series when it comes to political intrigues and strategizing against the enemies. There were so many plots going on that it was easy to get lost on who worked against whom. It was also great that all those secret alliances were opportunistic. Even though most clans were happy to go against the false king, what would happen afterwards will be very interesting to watch. Kudos to the author for designing such a massive net of interdependencies.
“The Lost Gods” is a great book, and if you are a fan of political intrigues, epic wars, and classical fantasy themes, I’m sure you’ll love it. If you don’t know “The Brotherhood of the Eagle” series yet, read it now. It’s a fantastic story, and it’s clear how much love and hard work the author put into creating it. Go and check it out! You won’t regret it.
What I love about this series the most is the complex worldbuilding. The world is enormous, and there are so many clans and factions that it was hard to wrap your head around it initially. But once you get into it, it becomes fascinating. Sometimes in books, we see that the side characters are more of the background for the protagonist and lack depth. Not here! Every warrior and jarl (and there are so many of them the characters list goes on and on!) has their own history, aspirations, and quirks. It gives the whole story the epic level, where we can watch the events from the perspective of so many people with different social statuses.
I mentioned it in my reviews of previous books in the series, but I still love using the protagonist’s unique ability of Sight (to see things through other gifted people’s eyes) to jump between PoV of different characters. I can’t stress enough how brilliant that idea is, but also how much work it demands writing-wise, as narration is changing from first person with Rothgar to third person during his visions and following other characters.
I also think that Tim is great at creating compelling and authentic characters. This talent shines the most with portraying those “bad guys”, the people serving the Vorund Clan who are supposed to be evil. Turns out they are only people trying to do what they can to survive. I even had sympathy for the wicked witch Nereth, who did so many awful things in previous books but now was very vulnerable and very human.
Looking at the series, we can see that each book has a different theme. “Hall of Bones” was pretty much an introduction to the whole story – meet the characters, see that their life falls apart and how they try to survive. The second one, “Sundered Souls”, was fascinating and full of action and magic – the Brotherhood of the Eagle was fighting against the overwhelming might of the Vorund Clan and ended with great success and a shifting of power in Laskar. And because of that, “Lost Gods” starts in a very peculiar place. We have a new balance, and after the victory, the Brotherhood of the Eagle must carefully think about its next steps. The theme here is slowly shifting the balance against Vorund Clan and preparing for that ultimate final confrontation – the battle of all battles, which will take place in the last book in the series (and I can’t stress enough how excited I am for that one!).
While reading, I couldn’t help comparing this instalment to my favourite classic, “Lord of the Rings”. There is this great war with an ultimate evil that wants to break the world, so the good guys must divide their forces and Rothgar, just like Frodo, is sent off with the seemingly impossible mission to talk to the long-forgotten gods to get their help. I loved the use of this classic theme because it’s all I love in the epic tales, and it was like going back to those old-time beloved tales of bravery where even the smallest person can change the world.
The only thing that was not perfect for me was that the whole book felt a little bit like preparation for what will come in the final instalment. There was plenty of sitting around and waiting for things to happen, which is less exciting to read about than constant non-stop action. To be fair, it’s the reality of war, so it’s not like the author portrayed anything wrongly or unauthentically. There is still a great battle at the end that shifts the political situation dramatically, but it somehow felt less exciting than the one at the end of “Sundered Souls” when the failure would mean the end for most characters.
But on the other hand, I think “Lost Gods” is the strongest of the series when it comes to political intrigues and strategizing against the enemies. There were so many plots going on that it was easy to get lost on who worked against whom. It was also great that all those secret alliances were opportunistic. Even though most clans were happy to go against the false king, what would happen afterwards will be very interesting to watch. Kudos to the author for designing such a massive net of interdependencies.
“The Lost Gods” is a great book, and if you are a fan of political intrigues, epic wars, and classical fantasy themes, I’m sure you’ll love it. If you don’t know “The Brotherhood of the Eagle” series yet, read it now. It’s a fantastic story, and it’s clear how much love and hard work the author put into creating it. Go and check it out! You won’t regret it.
Read
July 4, 2023Norse styled fantasy if you are seeking political conquest and revenge tale with bloody battles aplenty, and nasty magical machinations behind a possessed king bidding for expansion by subjugation. This third installment adds a quest for the lost gods of legend and a magical weapon to take down an unstoppable foe, and a surprise twist well foreshadowed but that took a direction I had not second guessed. Women characters play a larger role than many books in this branch of the genre, and with a particular emphasis on the elderly female mentor of the central male character. Fair handed representation is to be commended here, with fine tuned attention paid to crippling disability set into a culture with the able bodied values of the warrior, a daunting theme handled well in the story's context.
November 7, 2022
Up front I need to say I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The third book in Tim Hardie’s dark Nordic fantasy series is by far the largest in scale yet. The stage is set for the Reavesburg Clan to muster its strength by uniting old enemies in their common cause against their terrible and powerful foes.
As with the last two novels, Hardie is a master at showing the very personal and human side of the warband’s leaders. While they are hard, violent people shaped by the world around them, each character feels nuanced with real motivations ranging from petty to virtuous. At the same time the geopolitics and warcraft is conveyed brilliantly.
As the name suggests, this book focusses even more on the supernatural and the lore of the deities that exist in this expansive world which I really enjoyed. The book does this while managing to maintain a realistic and gritty tone.
Another entertaining and satisfying instalment in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series. I’m well and truly hooked.
The third book in Tim Hardie’s dark Nordic fantasy series is by far the largest in scale yet. The stage is set for the Reavesburg Clan to muster its strength by uniting old enemies in their common cause against their terrible and powerful foes.
As with the last two novels, Hardie is a master at showing the very personal and human side of the warband’s leaders. While they are hard, violent people shaped by the world around them, each character feels nuanced with real motivations ranging from petty to virtuous. At the same time the geopolitics and warcraft is conveyed brilliantly.
As the name suggests, this book focusses even more on the supernatural and the lore of the deities that exist in this expansive world which I really enjoyed. The book does this while managing to maintain a realistic and gritty tone.
Another entertaining and satisfying instalment in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series. I’m well and truly hooked.
November 20, 2022
4.5 stars
This series is utterly brilliant
The way Hardie sends you through twists and turns, I have never once been able to predict the path of the story. This makes this series both exciting but also an unpredictable entertainment
This book isn't quite the same level as book 2 ,which is frankly the joint best indie book I've ever read but it has set up and put all the pieces on the board for an epic finale.
I love the growth of the characters through this book and in particular the introduction and pushing to the forefront of some amazing female characters. I did feel like we didn't get as much of a viewpoint from the villains in this book.
The pacing in this one, isn't quite as frantic and jaw dropping but it does move along in a cohesive manner which fitted perfectly for this book.
The magic continues to be super intriguing and the development of the magic system and additional aspects are the best moments in this book.
I cant wait for the finale and to see how the author pulls it all together
This series is utterly brilliant
The way Hardie sends you through twists and turns, I have never once been able to predict the path of the story. This makes this series both exciting but also an unpredictable entertainment
This book isn't quite the same level as book 2 ,which is frankly the joint best indie book I've ever read but it has set up and put all the pieces on the board for an epic finale.
I love the growth of the characters through this book and in particular the introduction and pushing to the forefront of some amazing female characters. I did feel like we didn't get as much of a viewpoint from the villains in this book.
The pacing in this one, isn't quite as frantic and jaw dropping but it does move along in a cohesive manner which fitted perfectly for this book.
The magic continues to be super intriguing and the development of the magic system and additional aspects are the best moments in this book.
I cant wait for the finale and to see how the author pulls it all together
November 24, 2022
4.75*/5
While this book is clearly a set-up for book 4, I still really enjoyed the story, atmosphere and characters.
without getting into spoilers; fortunately i got some answers to burning questions and some things were solved to my satisfaction .. so I am really happy with this one and need the final book asap. <3
While this book is clearly a set-up for book 4, I still really enjoyed the story, atmosphere and characters.
without getting into spoilers; fortunately i got some answers to burning questions and some things were solved to my satisfaction .. so I am really happy with this one and need the final book asap. <3
August 2, 2024
Another great book with many twists and turns that’s kept me up to late!!! For the third book of the series it was insightful and gritty just like I like I can’t wait for book four!!!!🫤🤩
September 30, 2024
Book Three of The Brotherhood of the Eagle series really ramps up the intensity! Lost Gods explores multiple fronts of a vast regional conflict that isn't what it seems on the surface. While most of the combatants view the world in terms of familiar clan rivalries, the scope of their hostilities is much larger than most of them realize. Clan leaders have become pawns for supernatural forces none of them fully comprehend. Even our hero, Rothgar, who travels to a place of legend to pursue weapons from a god, has only a vague notion of the cosmic forces shaping the world he lives in. His mentor, Etta the Crone, knows more, but, well, we knew she was more than she seems, and in this volume things get tragically complicated.
All the while, the saga is at its heart a coming of age story for young Rothgar Kolfinnarson, and he's on quite the journey, both literally and emotionally. With all the responsibilities he's taken on, it's easy to forget how young he is until he occasionally shows us that he's still a moody teenager. But he's learning!
The Brotherhood of the Eagle is my favorite kind of epic fantasy--all the grandeur and complexity of a traditional fantasy, but with all the dirt and grit of life in the fields and trenches. That's why my favorite character in the story might be Humli: a humble fisherman caught up in a maelstrom of events he has no hope of understanding. Surrounded by ambitious political leaders, famed warriors, demonic entities, and mysterious foes who have inexplicably torn him from his settled life, he's still focused on putting food on the table for his growing family. Humli is emblematic of the masterful job author Tim Hardie has done blending the noble with the mundane.
I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next. Fortunately, I've been given an advance copy of Book Four, so I can plunge right in!
All the while, the saga is at its heart a coming of age story for young Rothgar Kolfinnarson, and he's on quite the journey, both literally and emotionally. With all the responsibilities he's taken on, it's easy to forget how young he is until he occasionally shows us that he's still a moody teenager. But he's learning!
The Brotherhood of the Eagle is my favorite kind of epic fantasy--all the grandeur and complexity of a traditional fantasy, but with all the dirt and grit of life in the fields and trenches. That's why my favorite character in the story might be Humli: a humble fisherman caught up in a maelstrom of events he has no hope of understanding. Surrounded by ambitious political leaders, famed warriors, demonic entities, and mysterious foes who have inexplicably torn him from his settled life, he's still focused on putting food on the table for his growing family. Humli is emblematic of the masterful job author Tim Hardie has done blending the noble with the mundane.
I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next. Fortunately, I've been given an advance copy of Book Four, so I can plunge right in!
May 14, 2023
Epic tale.
Wow, what an absolutely fantastic adventure with these incredible characters in a good vs. evil thriller. Lost Gods is the third instalment of the Brotherhood of the Eagle series by Tim Hardie, whose writing just goes from strength to strength with each book and just gets better as the story continues.
It's a fantasy story so intense that it almost feels so real that you feel every emotion the characters go through from the cold, loss, and battles. Oh, and battles are very bloody awesome. A history woven that is believable with all its intricacies, excellent world-building, plot, twists, and turns.
Lost Gods is so good, i can't wait for the fourth and final book if you are a fan of political intrigues, epic clan warfare,
and norse fantasy themes, you’ll absolutely love this.
In this book, the fight against the Durath continues, an evil that has crossed over from the shadow realm to the real to take possession of Vorund Clan and to rule the other clans of Laskar.
The Brotherhood of the Eagle has taken the war to the Vorund stronghold and put a team together to venture to the legendary Fire Isle of the Gods. Rothgar leads a crew with the hope of getting help to finally end the Durath once and for all.
If you haven't read “The Brotherhood of the Eagle” series yet, I reckon you should remedy that. It’s an amazing story, and it’s clear how much hard work, love, and his soul, Tim Hardie, has put into it. I very highly recommend...😁🖤🗡🔥⚡️
Wow, what an absolutely fantastic adventure with these incredible characters in a good vs. evil thriller. Lost Gods is the third instalment of the Brotherhood of the Eagle series by Tim Hardie, whose writing just goes from strength to strength with each book and just gets better as the story continues.
It's a fantasy story so intense that it almost feels so real that you feel every emotion the characters go through from the cold, loss, and battles. Oh, and battles are very bloody awesome. A history woven that is believable with all its intricacies, excellent world-building, plot, twists, and turns.
Lost Gods is so good, i can't wait for the fourth and final book if you are a fan of political intrigues, epic clan warfare,
and norse fantasy themes, you’ll absolutely love this.
In this book, the fight against the Durath continues, an evil that has crossed over from the shadow realm to the real to take possession of Vorund Clan and to rule the other clans of Laskar.
The Brotherhood of the Eagle has taken the war to the Vorund stronghold and put a team together to venture to the legendary Fire Isle of the Gods. Rothgar leads a crew with the hope of getting help to finally end the Durath once and for all.
If you haven't read “The Brotherhood of the Eagle” series yet, I reckon you should remedy that. It’s an amazing story, and it’s clear how much hard work, love, and his soul, Tim Hardie, has put into it. I very highly recommend...😁🖤🗡🔥⚡️
December 1, 2025
Book Review - Lost Gods
Rating 8.5/10 ⭐️
Book 3 of 4 completed, this series is continuing to deliver excellent books.
This book isn’t quite at the same level as book 2 but that was probably always going to be the case. Book 2 was one of the best book I’ve ever read.
In Lost Gods the author gives us awesome characters growth, which can be tough 3 books into a series.
The characters in this series are wide and diverse with a whole spectrum of personalities. I have to say though it was the women that really stood out in this volume, especially Nuna.
There wasn’t as much action in this instalment compared to Sundered Souls but what action we did get was epic, with well thought out battles.
The pacing was definitely more even throughout this book, book 2 was at a more frantic pace but here we get a more structured even pace. Which isn’t a bad thing whatsoever.
The author continues to develop our understanding of the magic system in this book. This is definitely one of the key positives for this book.
I cant wait to see how the author delivers the end of this epic story, I’m going to jump straight into the finale to find out.
Rating 8.5/10 ⭐️
Book 3 of 4 completed, this series is continuing to deliver excellent books.
This book isn’t quite at the same level as book 2 but that was probably always going to be the case. Book 2 was one of the best book I’ve ever read.
In Lost Gods the author gives us awesome characters growth, which can be tough 3 books into a series.
The characters in this series are wide and diverse with a whole spectrum of personalities. I have to say though it was the women that really stood out in this volume, especially Nuna.
There wasn’t as much action in this instalment compared to Sundered Souls but what action we did get was epic, with well thought out battles.
The pacing was definitely more even throughout this book, book 2 was at a more frantic pace but here we get a more structured even pace. Which isn’t a bad thing whatsoever.
The author continues to develop our understanding of the magic system in this book. This is definitely one of the key positives for this book.
I cant wait to see how the author delivers the end of this epic story, I’m going to jump straight into the finale to find out.
November 7, 2022
So to start this review I will say, “ahhhhh. The series isn’t finished.”
And then remind myself that one should always check and see if a series is a trilogy rather than presuming. 😵
Lost Gods is book 3 in a planned 4 book series!
So that’s good news and bad. Good news I get to follow Rathgar and the others a while longer and bad news, I really wanted to find out how the story ends.
Each book in the series brings something new that impresses me and so to did Lost Gods. I love surprises and this book gave me a big one!
I highly recommend picking up this series.
And then remind myself that one should always check and see if a series is a trilogy rather than presuming. 😵
Lost Gods is book 3 in a planned 4 book series!
So that’s good news and bad. Good news I get to follow Rathgar and the others a while longer and bad news, I really wanted to find out how the story ends.
Each book in the series brings something new that impresses me and so to did Lost Gods. I love surprises and this book gave me a big one!
I highly recommend picking up this series.
July 22, 2024
Epic in every sense
Tim Hardie continues his epic Norse-inspired saga in this third instalment of The Brotherhood of the Eagle. I am enjoying the adventures of Rothgar, Johan and the rest as their struggle goes on. This book has more fantastic characters, twistier plot twists and heart-wrenching moments.
I cannot wait for the next in the series.
Tim Hardie continues his epic Norse-inspired saga in this third instalment of The Brotherhood of the Eagle. I am enjoying the adventures of Rothgar, Johan and the rest as their struggle goes on. This book has more fantastic characters, twistier plot twists and heart-wrenching moments.
I cannot wait for the next in the series.
January 20, 2025
I've enjoyed this series immensely.
December 6, 2022
I was kindly provided with an ARC copy of this novel by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Lost Gods is the third instalment in Tim Hardie’s Brotherhood of the Eagle series. This series has been one of my favourites for the last few years, so I was looking forward to seeing where Hardie might take his (expansive) cast of characters after the conclusion of Sundered Souls.
One thing I always appreciate in any ongoing book series is the sense the author is growing in confidence with each book. This is certainly the case with Lost Gods. Hardie’s writing exudes a feeling of control and growth, as he directs his plot and characters forward and deftly weaves a complex and highly political world. While books one and two were excellent, entertaining adventures, book three seems – for want of a better word, more mature. After setting up all his pieces in the first two instalments, Hardie now steers his story with a sort of assured poise.
Admittedly it took me a while to adjust to what felt like a new tone compared to the first two books. However, one of my favourite things about Lost Gods was that the main character, Rothgar – who in previous books had on occasion seemed a little self-pitying - too seemed to develop much more self-awareness and maturity in this book. This really does make it feel like Hardie’s characters are growing with the series in a way that is both organic and well-controlled.
The character building is one of the highlights of Lost Gods. It’s no mean feat to have such an immense cast of characters and still have so many rounded, multi-faceted personalities. My personal favourite, Nuna (who I’ve been championing since book one), continues to grow, as does Jolinn, and the more detailed focus on female characters was something I greatly appreciated.
Hardie also does a great job with the conflicted and somewhat reflective Djuri – a character I suspect will have a key role to play in the inevitable final showdown.
Plot and pacing-wise, Lost Gods did feel a little slower than the first two books. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty going on. Hardie packs several revelations and action sequences into the plot that keeps it ticking along. Lost Gods did take me a little longer to read than the first two books but in no way did that dampen my enjoyment of the story overall. While I devoured Hall of Bones and Sundered Souls, Lost Gods felt more like a fine whisky that needed to be sipped slowly for the full flavour.
In summary, Lost Gods is a very solid addition to the series and one that works well as a setup for what promises to be an action-packed next book. Do I have my theories and suspicions about what will happen? You bet I do, and I can’t wait to see what Hardie has in store for Rothgar and the Brotherhood of the Eagle next.
One thing I always appreciate in any ongoing book series is the sense the author is growing in confidence with each book. This is certainly the case with Lost Gods. Hardie’s writing exudes a feeling of control and growth, as he directs his plot and characters forward and deftly weaves a complex and highly political world. While books one and two were excellent, entertaining adventures, book three seems – for want of a better word, more mature. After setting up all his pieces in the first two instalments, Hardie now steers his story with a sort of assured poise.
Admittedly it took me a while to adjust to what felt like a new tone compared to the first two books. However, one of my favourite things about Lost Gods was that the main character, Rothgar – who in previous books had on occasion seemed a little self-pitying - too seemed to develop much more self-awareness and maturity in this book. This really does make it feel like Hardie’s characters are growing with the series in a way that is both organic and well-controlled.
The character building is one of the highlights of Lost Gods. It’s no mean feat to have such an immense cast of characters and still have so many rounded, multi-faceted personalities. My personal favourite, Nuna (who I’ve been championing since book one), continues to grow, as does Jolinn, and the more detailed focus on female characters was something I greatly appreciated.
Hardie also does a great job with the conflicted and somewhat reflective Djuri – a character I suspect will have a key role to play in the inevitable final showdown.
Plot and pacing-wise, Lost Gods did feel a little slower than the first two books. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty going on. Hardie packs several revelations and action sequences into the plot that keeps it ticking along. Lost Gods did take me a little longer to read than the first two books but in no way did that dampen my enjoyment of the story overall. While I devoured Hall of Bones and Sundered Souls, Lost Gods felt more like a fine whisky that needed to be sipped slowly for the full flavour.
In summary, Lost Gods is a very solid addition to the series and one that works well as a setup for what promises to be an action-packed next book. Do I have my theories and suspicions about what will happen? You bet I do, and I can’t wait to see what Hardie has in store for Rothgar and the Brotherhood of the Eagle next.
November 24, 2022
Full review to come. I was given a free copy by the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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