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Northworld #1-3
Northworld Trilogy
An omnibus edition featuring the three popular novels in the Northworld Trilogy--Northworld, Vengeance, and Justice--chronicles the adventures of Nils Hansen, who sent to uncover the truth about an intergalactic enigma responsible for the disappearance of three powerful fleets. Original.
791 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1999
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1009 people want to read
About the author
David Drake
306 books886 followersDavid Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 3, 2025
This book was full of fantastical prolonged futurish battles across a series of worlds, planes, or dimensions that made little sense to me. The parts of it I could follow were intriguing and even enjoyable but the whole of this trilogy was a slog to get through. There were often three or more stories being told at once that were often only tangentially connected except for the fact that the same character was living in most of them doing different things at the same time. Chronology didn’t matter in this universe or in the storytelling. Two stars for creativity, inspiration, and action.
August 6, 2012
Compelling characters, great action, great twists, but most of all a great story. David Drake translates stories and characters from Norse mythology to militaristic far-future science fiction.
May 13, 2016
Northworld Trilogy
Author: David Drake
Publisher: Baen
Published In: Riverdale, NY
Date: 1990
Pgs: 791
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The inhuman Consensus rules the galaxy. A planetary survey team lead by Captain North has disappeared. The Consensus has sent 3 fleets to investigate the planet known as Northworld. All three have disappeared without a trace. No messages were returned. The fourth expedition consists of a single man, Commissioner Nils Hansen of Special Units. Spec Units are the heavily armed, SWAT, anti terror, anti crime, special combat force who have the authority to act to stop disturbances by any means necessary. And the Commissioner may be the best of the lot. What will he find on Northworld? Are there survivors of North’s survey team and the fleets? Or will he find their bodies and what caused it? Or will he find nothing? The Consensus is concerned. Hansen is on his own. On to Northworld, into the Matrix...war, peace, godhead?
Genre:
Crime fiction
Fiction
Science fiction
Space opera
______________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Hansen is the main character. He grows on you. And he’s a bad ass. He may be a bit marysueish, but overcomes it, mostly.
The Feel:
Book 1: Northworld has a triumphant spiel to it. But Book 2: Vengeance feels repetitive. It passes, but most of the setup up to chapters 16-17-18 has a lot of rehash to it.
Favorite Scene:
Hansen passed out after too much drink and someone sneaks into his chamber. And proceeds to take advantage of him. Only to have her father slamming his fist against the door demanding to be let in. And she slips away through the thatch...only to reappear beside her father outside the door when he opens it. ...only, she couldn’t have gotten around there that fast so...he’s left wondering who jumped his drunken bones in the darkness of his chamber.
The battles in the mecha-knight / mecha-viking armor. The Frekka campaign.
Hansen’s revenge tour against the forces of Ruby at the behest of North and his whatever his fellow “gods” are and because of what happened to the pacifists of Diamond. Helluva set of scenes when Hansen rolls through the Ruby control center going Schwarzenegger and Stallone on them. Great action sequence. All leading to Hansen’s being welcomed into the Godhead of Northworld, or whatever the hell they really are. But then, when see him next, he is wandering the lands near Peace Rock again. :/
The douche in the powered battlesuit, imagine a knights in Iron Man armor, lording it over the seemingly milquetoast retainers at Peace Rock and trying to bully Hansen...only to find Hansen opening his armor and beating him to death with a pewter mug.
When Ritter and Hansen penetrate the Matrix and go to the Plane of the Lomeri and encounter a Lomeri riding a dinosaur while trying to skewer them is a great scene.
Wow! What Sparrow the Smith did to King Hermann’s twins. Wow! And what is he doing with their bodies. Dark magic in the Matrix. Considering what Hermann had done to Sparrow, I thought his revenge, when it came, would be horrible, But Wow! And the way his revenge played into the climax of Book 2. Damn. Didn’t mark the connection between Hermann and the Knights of Solfygg. Good stuff. Horror.
The rail gun slug that was Starnes and Fortin’s trap for Hansen going all God-bullet, ripping through the multidimensional planes of Northworld and wreaking damage everywhere before putting paid to Starnes. Nice. the assault on Starnes’ Keep is well done.
Pacing:
The portions that are within Hansen’s focus flow well. The parts where we are drawn up into the realms above men slow down noticeably.
In Book 2, the flow is good. The parts where set dressing is taking place drag a bit.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Why would Hansen step into the forcefield barrier and expose himself like that when the Solbarth Gang was contained? Yes, he did get a positive results, but it just seems like it could just as easily have gone horribly wrong.
There are some mirrored characters across the timeframe of Books 1 and 2. Lot of repetition between the run ups in 1 and 2.
The first scene between Penny and Ritter is great. Very sexy. The 2nd scene where she visits him at his workshop feels forced in an effort to show him as driven by his work and her as driven by her passions. They don’t seem like the same characters, scene to scene, between 1 and 2. And the sex comes across like porny bad acting.
The Krita and Hansen lying on Unn’s burial mound 20-ish years after her death and kissing. Ugh.
What does this have to do with the “inhuman” Consensus? Are we to suppose that the “Gods” of Northworld are the Consensus plus 100,000 years? Shrug.
Hmm Moments:
The gathering of the Pantheon...hmmm...what the hell is going on on Northworld?
The mecha-knights living in a hovel is odd. Mecha-vikings? Pre-medieval Iron Man.
How many, in story, years passed between Book 1 and Book 2 of this trilogy? And has Hansen evolved...ascended...gone crazy? The sons of his companions are grown and in charge in the second book. So...18 to 25 years or so. And then, a century leap between Book 2 and Book 3.
Casting call:
I somehow connected Hansen in my head with Tom Cruise. Would love to see Tom Cruise as Hansen. Or maybe Keanu Reeves.
Michael Madsen as Warchief Tadeusz.
______________________________________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Long book. Long trilogy. Good story. Could’ve been shorter.
Author Assessment:
Case by case basis.
Editorial Assessment:
Could have been cut down some without losing anything.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
it’s alright
Disposition of Book:
e-Book
Would recommend to:
David Drake fans
______________________________________________________________________________
Author: David Drake
Publisher: Baen
Published In: Riverdale, NY
Date: 1990
Pgs: 791
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The inhuman Consensus rules the galaxy. A planetary survey team lead by Captain North has disappeared. The Consensus has sent 3 fleets to investigate the planet known as Northworld. All three have disappeared without a trace. No messages were returned. The fourth expedition consists of a single man, Commissioner Nils Hansen of Special Units. Spec Units are the heavily armed, SWAT, anti terror, anti crime, special combat force who have the authority to act to stop disturbances by any means necessary. And the Commissioner may be the best of the lot. What will he find on Northworld? Are there survivors of North’s survey team and the fleets? Or will he find their bodies and what caused it? Or will he find nothing? The Consensus is concerned. Hansen is on his own. On to Northworld, into the Matrix...war, peace, godhead?
Genre:
Crime fiction
Fiction
Science fiction
Space opera
______________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Hansen is the main character. He grows on you. And he’s a bad ass. He may be a bit marysueish, but overcomes it, mostly.
The Feel:
Book 1: Northworld has a triumphant spiel to it. But Book 2: Vengeance feels repetitive. It passes, but most of the setup up to chapters 16-17-18 has a lot of rehash to it.
Favorite Scene:
Hansen passed out after too much drink and someone sneaks into his chamber. And proceeds to take advantage of him. Only to have her father slamming his fist against the door demanding to be let in. And she slips away through the thatch...only to reappear beside her father outside the door when he opens it. ...only, she couldn’t have gotten around there that fast so...he’s left wondering who jumped his drunken bones in the darkness of his chamber.
The battles in the mecha-knight / mecha-viking armor. The Frekka campaign.
Hansen’s revenge tour against the forces of Ruby at the behest of North and his whatever his fellow “gods” are and because of what happened to the pacifists of Diamond. Helluva set of scenes when Hansen rolls through the Ruby control center going Schwarzenegger and Stallone on them. Great action sequence. All leading to Hansen’s being welcomed into the Godhead of Northworld, or whatever the hell they really are. But then, when see him next, he is wandering the lands near Peace Rock again. :/
The douche in the powered battlesuit, imagine a knights in Iron Man armor, lording it over the seemingly milquetoast retainers at Peace Rock and trying to bully Hansen...only to find Hansen opening his armor and beating him to death with a pewter mug.
When Ritter and Hansen penetrate the Matrix and go to the Plane of the Lomeri and encounter a Lomeri riding a dinosaur while trying to skewer them is a great scene.
Wow! What Sparrow the Smith did to King Hermann’s twins. Wow! And what is he doing with their bodies. Dark magic in the Matrix. Considering what Hermann had done to Sparrow, I thought his revenge, when it came, would be horrible, But Wow! And the way his revenge played into the climax of Book 2. Damn. Didn’t mark the connection between Hermann and the Knights of Solfygg. Good stuff. Horror.
The rail gun slug that was Starnes and Fortin’s trap for Hansen going all God-bullet, ripping through the multidimensional planes of Northworld and wreaking damage everywhere before putting paid to Starnes. Nice. the assault on Starnes’ Keep is well done.
Pacing:
The portions that are within Hansen’s focus flow well. The parts where we are drawn up into the realms above men slow down noticeably.
In Book 2, the flow is good. The parts where set dressing is taking place drag a bit.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Why would Hansen step into the forcefield barrier and expose himself like that when the Solbarth Gang was contained? Yes, he did get a positive results, but it just seems like it could just as easily have gone horribly wrong.
There are some mirrored characters across the timeframe of Books 1 and 2. Lot of repetition between the run ups in 1 and 2.
The first scene between Penny and Ritter is great. Very sexy. The 2nd scene where she visits him at his workshop feels forced in an effort to show him as driven by his work and her as driven by her passions. They don’t seem like the same characters, scene to scene, between 1 and 2. And the sex comes across like porny bad acting.
The Krita and Hansen lying on Unn’s burial mound 20-ish years after her death and kissing. Ugh.
What does this have to do with the “inhuman” Consensus? Are we to suppose that the “Gods” of Northworld are the Consensus plus 100,000 years? Shrug.
Hmm Moments:
The gathering of the Pantheon...hmmm...what the hell is going on on Northworld?
The mecha-knights living in a hovel is odd. Mecha-vikings? Pre-medieval Iron Man.
How many, in story, years passed between Book 1 and Book 2 of this trilogy? And has Hansen evolved...ascended...gone crazy? The sons of his companions are grown and in charge in the second book. So...18 to 25 years or so. And then, a century leap between Book 2 and Book 3.
Casting call:
I somehow connected Hansen in my head with Tom Cruise. Would love to see Tom Cruise as Hansen. Or maybe Keanu Reeves.
Michael Madsen as Warchief Tadeusz.
______________________________________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Long book. Long trilogy. Good story. Could’ve been shorter.
Author Assessment:
Case by case basis.
Editorial Assessment:
Could have been cut down some without losing anything.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
it’s alright
Disposition of Book:
e-Book
Would recommend to:
David Drake fans
______________________________________________________________________________
August 11, 2014
I have read many works by David Drake and greatly enjoyed most of them. This one, not so much. My displeasure started with the chaos at the beginning. This book is muddled and confusing to the point I almost didn't read more than 20 pages. Many good authors have, on occasion, been tempted to try and overwhelm their readers with the mindblowing, far out, insanely imaginative future they have constructed with obfuscatory, incoherent prose. Great authors amaze their readers with the clarity of their vision and their writing. It does get better once warriors start fighting each other in power armor but even that is unnecessarily belabored. This story is supposedly based on ancient mythology. I have a clue for you, ancient mythology is often badly written and meaningless to modern audiences. Trying to give old myths a hightech sheen by overlaying non technological fantasy with cobbled up, fantasy like tech does not make the resulting mess good science fiction. It's also intellectually lazy--make up your own damn myths. Throw in a plodding plot trying to work on multiple levels and a bunch of gratuitous sex and the result is disappointing and unreadable. Thank goodness Drake's later work improved greatly over this. I now understand why this one was free.
January 9, 2012
This book was an interesting combination of science fiction and mythology. On one end, Nils Hansen is a Commissioner and has a strong military background working for The Consensus (which he never does return to). There is a lot of fighting in "battlesuits," high-tech suits that use "servos" to help move and fire what is essentially a powerful laser. On the other end, these suits are used in a pretty medieval world with Kings, Queens, Dukes, etc. and at the end of the first book, Hansen becomes a God.
I liked reading about the Gods and getting other points of view besides Hansen's. However, in the last book, I thought the sexual description of Lena's lovers was a bit overdone. Aside from that, I enjoyed the story thoroughly (even the creepy storyline of Sparrow the Smith).
I missed seeing Penny in the last book of the trilogy, however... but I guess she didn't really have a place in that overall plotline.
I liked reading about the Gods and getting other points of view besides Hansen's. However, in the last book, I thought the sexual description of Lena's lovers was a bit overdone. Aside from that, I enjoyed the story thoroughly (even the creepy storyline of Sparrow the Smith).
I missed seeing Penny in the last book of the trilogy, however... but I guess she didn't really have a place in that overall plotline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2013
I still remember buying Northworld off the shelf at a grocery store when it came out in 1990. I read it in a day. It was one of the first Drake books I read, and I've been hooked ever since. This is one of those stories I can read again and again and find new reasons to love it. Military SF classic. Don't miss it.
November 18, 2024
This is a book that has stuck with me having read it as a teen in the mid to late 90's and rereading several times over. There is something compelling about the characters.
Something about the sacrifice and the loss combined with the lead doing what is right.
Combined with some epic twists and turns this will forever be one of my favorites.
Something about the sacrifice and the loss combined with the lead doing what is right.
Combined with some epic twists and turns this will forever be one of my favorites.
November 4, 2010
I actually finished this book a long time ago but I recently re-read it on my Kindle.
I've always been a big fan of David Drake and I enjoyed this series immensely. I especially liked his use of the old norse tales and mythology that formed the basis for the plot.
I've always been a big fan of David Drake and I enjoyed this series immensely. I especially liked his use of the old norse tales and mythology that formed the basis for the plot.
September 29, 2011
I really like this book. Of course it is actually three novels collected in one book. I read the entire thing in a short period of time so by the time I got toward the end of the third one I was getting tired of the battle scenes.
queued
January 14, 2015See my reviews of Northworld & Vengeance...
March 23, 2008
Sci fi/fantasy based upon the poetic Edda. Norse (Iceland) Mythology.
December 5, 2024
It’s fine if you want flat characters and the excuse of context to justify misogyny and assault.
May 28, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book is an interesting mix of science fiction, space opera/drama, and mythology. There are several, and I do mean several, different views of thought going on here; but the author ties them altogether in a very coherent and logical order that doesn't rabble too much. The characters are very diverse situations constantly changing, and the drama/plot doesn't struggle to keep up or make a point. This is not a dry plodding story, but a very dynamic and interesting one with plenty of surprises.
This book is an interesting mix of science fiction, space opera/drama, and mythology. There are several, and I do mean several, different views of thought going on here; but the author ties them altogether in a very coherent and logical order that doesn't rabble too much. The characters are very diverse situations constantly changing, and the drama/plot doesn't struggle to keep up or make a point. This is not a dry plodding story, but a very dynamic and interesting one with plenty of surprises.
March 12, 2025
The first book of the three got me hooked on the trilogy. Great introduction to the main character. I did enjoy some of the characters in the book just not all. The different worlds/planes was a bit confusing throughout the book but it did make the book more diverse. And I didn't really like the dragonfly aspect to travel to different planes not a big fan of that addition. I did love that the author explained where he pulled the ideas of the book based on Norse mythology. Overall, I like it, would have to truly read it again to love the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2017
I have read other books by David Drake, but this was the strongest. He uses Norse myths to inspire a military science fiction story set in a world with multiple levels, ruled by humans who have become gods. There are multiple interweaving story lines. I loved that, but some may not. The characters in this book had unusual depth, most likely because of the mythic stories that they arise from. I highly recommend this book.
May 21, 2018
A tale of violence and chilly epics
Three books in one volume, focused on the trials of Nils Hansen - peace officer, war chief, and reluctant god.
Hansen does his duty, and whatever is required to complete his jobs.
Pulled from the Eddas, prose and poetic, and filtered through the mind of David Drake to create an immersive world of dark ages society, high tech weapons, and mysterious mythology. Highly recommended.
Three books in one volume, focused on the trials of Nils Hansen - peace officer, war chief, and reluctant god.
Hansen does his duty, and whatever is required to complete his jobs.
Pulled from the Eddas, prose and poetic, and filtered through the mind of David Drake to create an immersive world of dark ages society, high tech weapons, and mysterious mythology. Highly recommended.
February 3, 2019
Exciting and skillfully crafted with thoughtful depth
A science fiction fantasy blend with a new take on a classic mythos. I would recommend for any serious reader of the genre, but don't rush through. There is a depth which comes out in the conclusion you can miss otherwise. If you're up on your Scandinavia mythology your in for a real treat, but such knowledge is only a bonus, not a necessity.
A science fiction fantasy blend with a new take on a classic mythos. I would recommend for any serious reader of the genre, but don't rush through. There is a depth which comes out in the conclusion you can miss otherwise. If you're up on your Scandinavia mythology your in for a real treat, but such knowledge is only a bonus, not a necessity.
October 25, 2022
Great book
Military meets science fiction with a twist. The twist being old world knights fight in high tech battle suits. Multiple worlds are inter woven throughout the three books. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD, I have read it multiple times. This book has been edited a small paragraph has been removed. About Marshals son,if no biggie,this but I thought it gave even more insight intro the main characters thinking and feeling.
Military meets science fiction with a twist. The twist being old world knights fight in high tech battle suits. Multiple worlds are inter woven throughout the three books. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD, I have read it multiple times. This book has been edited a small paragraph has been removed. About Marshals son,if no biggie,this but I thought it gave even more insight intro the main characters thinking and feeling.
December 31, 2017
Another excellent book by Mr. Drake. I think one of the things I like best about him is the ability to take old tales, myths, history and recraft it into a new story. In this particular case it is the myths of the Northlands (North World) with Ragnarök being the pending event that shadows all. If only someone would teach the skill to Hollywood.
July 3, 2018
Not your usual Drake, not the usual story.
There isn't any way to prepare you for this story.
It's definitely a whole different take on multiple words.
You might need a scorecard to keep up. It's not linear at the end.
Lots of blood and violence, but most of it pointless.
There isn't any way to prepare you for this story.
It's definitely a whole different take on multiple words.
You might need a scorecard to keep up. It's not linear at the end.
Lots of blood and violence, but most of it pointless.
January 28, 2021
An interesting theme.
This story is a bit disjointed, yet easy enough to follow.
If you are looking for war, fighting, betrayal, love, hate, and more, then you will enjoy this story.
This story is a bit disjointed, yet easy enough to follow.
If you are looking for war, fighting, betrayal, love, hate, and more, then you will enjoy this story.
February 10, 2022
A Stunning Tale
I have to stay that I enjoyed this tale is it covered multiple lives and quite a few battles. It was an interesting read throughout and very Worthy of a title and trilogy.
I have to stay that I enjoyed this tale is it covered multiple lives and quite a few battles. It was an interesting read throughout and very Worthy of a title and trilogy.
September 6, 2017
Great book
It's a book that you will sit down and read from cover to cover and enjoy every moment of it
It's a book that you will sit down and read from cover to cover and enjoy every moment of it
January 12, 2018
Old school
I've always been fond of Drakes style. I read him as a kid for the same reason I reread him today, I love his godlike yet fallible characters.
I've always been fond of Drakes style. I read him as a kid for the same reason I reread him today, I love his godlike yet fallible characters.
April 7, 2019
Wonderful trilogy
The Northworld trilogy is superb. I read them straight thru and wanted more. Great job Mr. Drake. I’m proud of you.
The Northworld trilogy is superb. I read them straight thru and wanted more. Great job Mr. Drake. I’m proud of you.
June 20, 2019
Could not get past the first part of the book, did not like at all.
August 9, 2019
Interesting
This story has fine elements which kept me reading until the last page. I recommend this book to those who like a human hero with flaws and magnesium.
This story has fine elements which kept me reading until the last page. I recommend this book to those who like a human hero with flaws and magnesium.
April 3, 2020
Poor violent ramble that he says is trying to imitate Norse mythology. It's too little story, almost no plot, idiotic dialogue and to much is left unexplained.
December 7, 2020
Every time I reread this trilogy I remember how much I Love it
December 16, 2025
Omnibus edition of all 3 novels within the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews