The Prow Beast

Oathsworn #4

by Robert Low

The Oathsworn have become feared and respected throughout the Viking world. Their name goes before them and men cower in their presence, but they soon discover that fame comes at a price. While the Oathsworn revel in their newfound glory, Sterki, an old enemy with revenge in his heart, attacks their homestead—the Fjord Elk is sunk, old oar mates die, and the Oathsworn are forced to flee into the mountains. Unaccustomed to losing, the men retreat to lick their wounds. They have been entrusted with the care of Queen Sigrith, pregnant and soon to bear the heir to the crown of Sweden, and though the urge for revenge is strong, Orm's first duty is to protect the queen. He soon realizes that revenge is not the only thing on Sterki's mind; he has joined forces with Styrbjorn, nephew of King Eirik and next in line to the throne—if he can only get rid of the current heir. As the Oathsworn fight to defend themselves and their newfound celebrity and fortune, they're soon to realize that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Adventure, Mythology, Action, Medieval

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Robert Low is a Scottish journalist and historical novelist, with novels based on the Viking Age. He was war correspondent in Vietnam and also several other locations, including Sarajevo, Romania and Kosovo, until "common-sense, age and the concerns of my wife and daughter prevailed". Now he writes novels full time. He's also a historical reenactor performing with the Scotland-based group, the Vikings.

Series:
* Oathsworn
* Kingdom

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert]

Read this book in 2010, and its the 4th volume of the wonderful "Oathsworn" series.

In this story Orm and his band of men called the "Oathsworn" are bering attacked at their homestead by an old enemy called, Sterki.

Their ship the Fjord Elk is sunk by Sterki, old oar-mates die and they have to flee in to the mountains.

Licking their wounds Orm is aware that revenge will have to wait for his first priority is Queen Sigrith, who's soon to bear the heir to the crown of Sweden.

Orm will learn in the meantime that Sterki has joined forces with Styrbjorn, nephew of King Eirik and next in line to become King if he can rid himself of the current heir.

The Oathsworn will have to be cunning in mind to survive this ordeal of hardship and death against Sterki and Styrbjorn, and so they will do anything to bring Queen Sigrith safely home, while at the same time dealing with their ferocious enemies, and learning that at the same time fame is not all that counts, but comradeship and survival is paramount if they want to keep roaming the seas and land in searching of riches and glory.

Highly recommended, for this is an awesome addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Oathsworn Viking Story"!

[Edward Gwynne]

My 100th read of the year and one of my favourites. Rob Low is a top writer, no denying. RTC.

[Dawn]

With the fifth book in the series coming out soon I figured I had better finish #3 & #4. And I have done, with three weeks to spare.

Orm and the Oathsworn are back and this time they are on the defensive. Their old enemy Sterki is back for revenge and he has help. Styrbjorn, nephew to King Eirik of Sweden will do anything to protect his inheritance, he must make sure the pregnant Queen Sigrith never makes it home. Orm is oath bound to protect the queen and in doing so loses his new foster son to his enemies.

With every new Oathsworn book, the series just gets better and better. The writing is great, the storytelling is stellar and the characters are even more engaging. I have enjoyed watching Orm grow up, seeing him try to settle down and live a farming life. But the Oath and the Whale Road always call him back to the life he's best at, even if he doesn't want the fame or the riches. I look forward to the continuing saga.

[Paul]

As good as the rest, for sure.
Wrapped up well.
This was a fantastic series, but I think I'm ready to move on.
Time will tell if I ever pick up Crowbone, but it won't be right away.
This title seemed like a finale, so I'll let it be -- at least for now.
Well done, Mr. Low!

[Terri]

I believe this is the best of the four books in this series. Loved it! I feel the author's skill as a storyteller has gotten better and better from one book to the next.
I am despairing at the rumour that this was the last book in the series, but with any luck the author will revisit the Oathsworn and Jarl Orm in the future and not leave me to wallow in my despair for too long.
Usually I leave colourful, mildly flamboyant reviews on these books, this time however, I feel I have nothing to say as I have said it all before.
If you really want to know how much I love this series, check out my reviews for books, 1, 2 & 3. :)

[Laura Tenfingers]

This installment is either the best so far or tied for first place with The Whale Road. Orm Bear Slayer's character is much more flushed out and developed. The crowning moment being when he's attacked by a bezerker and opens up a can of whoop-ass. I had been wondering how he was still Jarl when he's reluctant to follow the prow beast and seems hesitant and inexperienced in battle. Well that was all cleared up beautifully in this book. And as always, high adventure with no time to catch our breath.

[Speesh]

An outstanding sequel to the other 'Oathsworn' sequels (the series is now up to number four).
It's a good, gripping story, rich in detail and with plenty going on, both outwardly and inwardly. Many of the characters, especially our hero, get their personalities developed very satisfyingly. We really sympathize with them, through the good times, the battles to survive and the inevitable bad times.
As number four in the series, you might expect the story to run a little short on steam, but that is not the case here. The area and distances of the Viking world covered (early 'European' Russia) is more compact, the story better for it and I for one, am looking forward to the next book.
With this 'Oathsworn' series and Giles Kristian's excellent 'Raven' series (only two in paperback, one in hardback as yet), there are now some serious challengers to Bernard Cornwell's place on my bookshelf. Can't say fairer than that.

[Al]

The epic and action-packed fourth novel in the Oathsworn series, charting the adventures of Orm and his band of Viking brothers.

The Oathsworn have become feared and respected throughout the Viking world. Their name goes before them and men cower in their presence. But fame comes at a price…

While the Oathsworn revel in their new-found fame, Sterki, an old enemy with revenge in his heart, attacks their homestead - the Fjord Elk is sunk, old oarmates die and the Oathsworn are forced to flee into the mountains.

Unused to losing, the Oathsworn retreat to lick their wounds. They have been entrusted with the care of Queen Sigrith, pregnant and soon to bear the heir to the crown of Sweden, and much though the urge for revenge is strong, Orm's first duty is to protect the queen. And Orm soon realises that revenge is not the only thing on Sterki's mind; he has joined forces with Styrbjorn, nephew of King Eirik and next in line to the throne if he can only get rid of the current heir.

As the Oathsworn fight to defend themselves and their newfound celebrity and fortune, they're soon to realise that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be…

[Craig]

This was one of the best Oathsworn books, the characters are well developed and you can feel their individual personalities. While they did not engage in as many battles as they did in the prior three books the story was still pretty good with a nice twist towards the end. One of the reasons I like Robert Low so much is because he is not afraid to kill off key characters and the plot is solid with lots of surprises. My only regret is that the Oathsworn did not travel as far as they have in the past, they usually travel far across the sea or land to cause mayhem but not in this one.

[David Newell]

An epic story, continuing to raise the bar in an already incredible series.

In this instalment, Orm really comes into his own as jarl, and shows us yet more of the brutal world the 'Vikings' inhabited

Filled to the brim with battles, desperate flights, and so much killing you almost feel like you're wading in blood. Deeply riveting and incredibly enjoyable

[Karen]

This book was really very good, with marvelous prose, engaging characters, exciting action, and universal themes. It is evidently the fourth in a series (The Oathsworn), but stands alone as an excellent telling of Viking activity on the Oder River.

[Michelle Hoogterp]

I have only one complaint of this book: he forgets he kills off one character with the red plague and has Tub die twice of it. Don't worry, this wasn't a plot spoiler.

[Heather Domin]

to be reviewed for HNR Feb '11

[Audrey Cornelison]

Sigh, what an ending. And I adore Orm, which made it even more sad. Still, like all the others, this book was total awesomesauce. Can't wait to get my hands on Crowbone!

[Robert]

Again an excellent read. Just one book to go in this outstanding series

[Judy]

Kind of a depressing end for a good four part series. Now I'm all warmed up for the upcoming Saxon Stories Uhtred novel!

[Adam Hunter]

A twist in fate indeed... Where to point prow beast next?

[Wombat]

This was another solid entry into the Oathsworn series.

I adore how the author has continually pulled back the events from previous books and made the repercussions drive the plots. Orm and his band of Oathsworn are now truly famous - their exploits are bragged and talked about all over the north... but this has some serious consequences when those they have wronged come knocking for some revenge.... made all the worse when you have the family of your supporters to protect...

I loved how this book made "fame" into a horrific cage that drove the Oathsworn into worse and worse situations, and how even a "success" is not a happy ending for anyone concerned.

[delta1908]

Kolejne spotkanie z Ormem Zabójcą Niedźwiedzia i jego Zapszysiężonymi za mną. I znowu było to spotkanie bardziej niż udane. Tym razem nasi nieustraszeni wikingowie udają się w dół Odry do kraju Polan czyli w rejony dzisiejszej Polski. I znów nie zabrakło krwawych bitew i potyczek, a także mnóstwa przygód okraszonych opowieściami przy ognisku Olafa Kruczej Kości. W moim osobistym rankingu książek o wikingach ten cykl plasuje się tuż za Wojnami wikingów Bernarda Cornwella. Ze swojej strony polecam.

[Vít]

Ani čtvrtý díl mě nezklamal, Orm a jeho bratrstvo mě pořád dokážou vtáhnout k sobě do drakkaru :-) Tentokrát putují do vnitrozemí dnešního Polska, dostaneme se po Jantarové stezce skoro až do Ostravy. I když je to pořád dobré dobrodružné čtivo, dávám o hvězdičku míň než Bílému havranovi. Ten se mi přece jen líbil o něco víc, tady už se mi zdá, že se autor trošku opakuje.

[Ragnar]

A good read

I loved all the books in the series so far. This one I did feel was padded a little but I enjoyed it nevertheless..

[Sasa Borjanovic]

Unfortunately, it is the end of the great Viking Saga. A book worthy of skald`s to note it in their songs.
Thank You, Robert!

[Alan Welch]

A great, brawling, sprawling Viking tale!

[bonnie dowell]

Doesn't disappoint

Have thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series. I will miss the characters Mr. Low has brought to life for me.

[Magpie]

4 ⭐️

Perhaps the most poignant of the series, this shifts Orm and the Oathsworn from simple raiders looking for fame and fortune to crucial members of their society, the cornerstone of survival and continuity in their community and as important devices in the game of kings, this time the survival of the Swedish royal line.

The Oathsworn have become rich and famous, setting themselves up for jealous raids and recrimination against them. Orm becomes foster father to Koll, Jarl Brand’s son and political future and his wyrd silver makes him a target. With status and responsibilities, Orm now has a lot to lose.

When they are attacked and end up as fugitives entrusted with children and the survival of various important houses, Jarl Orm is forced to grow as a leader. Now he has to protect rather than savage and acquire in the name of saga fame.
Now he has to experience real loss.

Unusual for an Oathsworn book, this time the band is on the move but hunted rather than the hunter this time, and Orm is forced to measure victory by how many people he can keep alive rather than how many enemies he can kill or treasure he can seize.
The scope of this novel is significantly expanded as we move from adventuring to nation building, with Orm’s steadfast protection squaring up against Sterki’s manic revenge.

The Prow Beast takes casualties, real hits, damage over time. Not everyone is still standing at the end. Where this leads us is to the set up for Crowbone. Much has changed for Orm and those left standing.

[Sebastian Janek]

Robert Low po raz kolejny udowadnia, że posiada prawdopodobnie najrozleglejszą wiedzę na temat wikingów wśród wszystkich pisarzy gatunku. Jego historie są spójne, podparte realiami, brutalne, a także niezwykle wciągające. Ogromną zaletą książek autora jest – a zauważyłem to dopiero przy poprzednim tomie – możliwość czytania ich wg uznania. Co prawa w pierwszym poznajmy bliżej drużynę wikinga, ale nie ma większego znaczenia, które przygody aktualnie czytamy – każda powieść od początku do końca stanowi pewnego rodzaju niezależny rozdział.

Zachwyca sposób pisania autora, który miejscami podpiera się kolokwialnym słownictwem – jest to jednak zrozumiałe ze względu na poruszaną tematykę. Tworząc niesamowity i typowy dla brutalnego średniowiecza klimat Low sprawia, że historia fascynuje. Nie jest ona jednak wolna od wad – niektóre dylematy bohaterów po prostu porażają głupotą.

Generalnie stwierdzam, że pomimo czwartego już tomu autor nadal trzyma wysoki poziom. Plusem książek Roberta Lowe są język, jakim pisze, łatwe i udane łączenie historii z fantastyką, liczne odniesienia do mitologii, włączanie bohaterów do kluczowych wydarzeń historycznych. „Smoczy łeb” to jeszcze nie ostatni tom sagi – niedługo bohaterowie pojawią się w kolejnej książce, tym razem wracają w rodzinne strony. Może i lepiej. A tymczasem polecam!

[Ruth]

c2010: FWFTB: fame, revenge, Sweden, Viking, oarmates. I don't think that I could do much better than Mr Angus Donald when he says "Poignant, muscular, magical and impossible to put down." Orm sails again with his "family" and the odd little Crowbone. FCN: Orm (the reluctant hero), Finn Horsehead(who almost always steals the show - what a great friend to have but what a dark dark history), Crowbone (a pre-teen with a great future but as weird as his eyes - one brown and one blue), Styrbjorn (a nasty little runt with ideas above his station), Randr Sterki (the man seeking vengeance which is actually sort of justifiable.) "A cliff in front, wolves behind," Finn translated, "I have heard that one before, priest. It is the place the Oathsworn fight best."

[Nigel]

Bugger! I've done it again, I've picked up another book in a series and not realised until after I've started. I first wondered if this was supposed to be set in Hobbiton or Bag end? What's with all the dwarf names. It became so confusing that I had to give up. I'm going to give Low the benefit of the doubt and try another of his books and hope the problem was that I just need to start at the beginning.

[Janice Bonczek]

The fourth book in Robert Low's Oathsword series, we follow Jarl Orm and his men on another adventure. This one was quite sad. A true tragedy. A nice addition to the series, but I found my attention wandering at some points. Still a great viking adventure though. Recommended for fans of historical fiction, norse mythology.

[Barbara Ann Perry]

Best

The story has progressed with a lot more read than the previous. Now we have a fast moving tale to be told. The first two were very hard to read because of the names and interweaving of names and places of not much baring on the story. Struggle though these are definitely worth reading.