This was a great example of historical fantasy, loosely based on Beowulf. As a standalone, it worked well, although I wouldn't be averse to returning to this nuanced world. It was quite violent but most fantasy readers will be prepared for that. I'd recommend this to fantasy fans but maybe not those new to the genre.

A good fantasy book that had an interesting setting with the mythical aspects in it, but overall i found the story a little bit lacking form some reason, mostly because i found ll the characters very disconnecting.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This has to be one of my favourite books this year. Epic grimdark historical fantasy with an unusual antihero protaginist - and a definite anti hero not one we're supposed to think of as an anti hero but who is secretly sexy.

I love the historical detail and the marrying of myth and legend. Which blended seamlessly with the fantasy element. And I really loved seeing an orc as an MC. Revenge motivated plots can lose momentum and fall a bit flat or fail to deliver but I whizzed through the book unconcerned and was not diappointed with the outcome. I can't wait to read more in this world.

Thanks Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and netgalley for this ARC.

I thought this would be different than I came tor realize. I just couldn't get into this one.

I wanted to like this book but after around 20% I had to give up. Too much fantasy for me!

The last kin of (a version of) Grendel – the monster in Beowulf – is on a mission to wreak vengeance on his brother’s killer. Along the way, he toys with a Norse warrior turned monk and his young apprentice, little knowing the impact one of them will have on both his quest and his unnaturally long life.

As the trail leads from Denmark to Ireland, the reader is treated to ancient myths meeting the rise of Christianity, in a tale of gods, kings and monsters, unlikely alliances, revenge and recreating yourself and the world.

I do wish I’d enjoyed this book more than I did. There’s a lot to be liked about it, including the mix of history and myth and the effort to cast orcs as part of both. However, I must be honest: I found the whole thing just a bit of a slog. Not bad by any means – and I did finish it, after all! – but there was something that just fell flat for me about the whole thing.

The characters, for instance, are either monstrous (well, on purpose!) and therefore unlikeable (mostly), or in my view just a bit… damp. I could not fathom the motivations of at least one main character, and therefore had very little empathy for dangers then encountered. As the story progresses, we switch from unpronounceable Norse names to a long list of old Irish, but as none of these characters are really there for any reason other than to further the plot, it just became an effort to remember who was who.

As for that plot, I found it a little too linear: creature seeks revenge. Other character is dragged along for the ride. Perhaps with something more involved, I would have been too. I did like the historic period – c.1000 AD – and the attempts to show the new ‘Nailed God’ worshippers ousting the old, more pagan ways, but there was either not enough explanation, or just too much reliance on ‘because: faith’, and either way I felt… meh.

Thankfully, I seem to be in the minority on this one, if Goodreads reviews are anything to go by. I could sense the love and passion that had gone into the writing, even before I read the afterword about ‘the story that wouldn’t let go’, and the author’s aims – which were fab to read. But, alas, this one just wasn’t for me.

Norse and Celtic mythology are beautifully woven in this historical fantasy novel set in medieval Europe, where the battle between the Old and New religions are at its peak. With his masterful storytelling skills, Scott Oden spirits the reader across different legends and lore while introducing a diverse cast of characters, including Grimnir, our not-so-normal protagonist who is the last of his kind.

The book begins in Denmark where two Christians find shelter in a cave, only to find out that it is an orc's lair who goes by the name of Grimnir. Their host quickly takes advantage of this opportunity and abducts the youngest of them to take her hostage so she can help him fulfil his quest for vengeance. Étaín is forced to guide him through England to save her own life as well as her friend’s. Transported through Yggðrasil (an ancient mythical tree) to England, she is faced with a surprising twist and in the midst of a chaotic war.

The novel’s strongest element were the characters, which were three-dimensional and complex since all of them come across as spellbinding with their intricate backstories that cling to them throughout their journey. For Grimnir, his cruel and bloodthirsty personality turns him into a unique “you love to hate him” character, but it is Étaín’s character development which is truly remarkable. She slowly evolves from cursing her gender because of the social issues women faced and still face to this day, and eventually embraces it to become a strong woman whose skills are numerous.

The relationship that birthed between Grimnir and Étaín is wonderful as Grimnir goes from being too possessive as well as mistreating his captive to becoming an ally of hers, and most of all, a friend.

Let’s talk about Grimnir for a second. He is the most intriguing protagonist I have personally read about with many names to accompany his ominous character. To the Danes, he is skraelingr; to the English, he is orcneas; to the Irish, he is fomoraig. He is also known as the Corpse-maker and Life-quencher, the Bringer of Night, the Son of the Wolf and Brother of the Serpent. Although his lust for vengeance seemed somewhat ridiculous at first, along with his barbarous and feral ways making it difficult to like him, the author makes sure you are able to understand his character so you’re eventually able to sympathize with him and understand his convoluted past.

Another stellar element is the world-building. Oden gracefully introduces the world and magnificently throws in fantasy elements from the Yggðrasil to the spirits that haunt the lands, to the witches and the many wars that take place. The author excels at capturing the atmosphere of that time, staying historically accurate and adding in his own twists and turns to keep the novel magical and lively.

The superb writing style makes the novel even better as Oden adds such detail when it comes to describing the settings and the characters’ emotions. This is especially noted during the battle and war scenes as you can almost smell and see the darkness, the hate, and the cruelty that spreads throughout such scenes.

Have we raved enough about this brilliant book? We'll wrap it up by discussing its intriguing plot which primarily focuses on Grimnir and Étaín's journey as the duo find themselves overcoming many obstacles that threaten to tear them apart. You'll also meet characters such as witches, spirits, dwarves, kings and ravens in the lead up to the final confrontation between Grimnir and his enemy, and this only fuels this fantasy world even more.

Overall, this is a really well-written novel with a fantastic plot, group of characters and a magical fantasy world. A Gathering of Ravens is a must-read for historical fantasy lovers!

When a Christian stumbles into Grimnir's lair, the orc and the innocent become two unlikely companions, in a story of revenge and faith.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When two Christians seek shelter in a cave during a mission to a monastery, Njall and "Aidan" don't realise they are trespassing in the home of a monster. Grimnir is quickly established as something brutal and eternal, a danger from a long-passed time.
(On a side note: "Aidan" had to leave his home, and that Njall had warned him not to fall for any of the monks at the monastery. I was really impressed that one of our central characters was going to be gay, in what was already a heavily religion-driven story, two pages in.
Cue disappointment, when "Aidan" is actually revealed to be Etain, a woman disguising herself as a man to travel more safely.)

After an agreed night of peace between them, Grimnir decides to take Etain as his guide, as she comes from Britain and can help him track down his nemesis, the Half-Dane...

Ok, so first of all, Grimnir is an absolute bastard. He's happy to kill anyone, even those who seek to help him. He's brutal and stubborn; he's derogatory about everyone and everything.
But you know what, I liked him as our anti-hero-mass-murdering-villain. He stuck to his principles throughout the book, and never lightened up. That's great, and hard to come by in a lot of books.

Etain on the other hand, I just wished someone would kill her off. She's a very devout Christian, and throughout the book, both her offence and defence against barbarians, spirits of vengeance, etc, is to pray and trust that God will deliver her. Seriously? Praying didn't do any of the other background cast any help?
I just couldn't believe the woman's backstory,
<Spoiler>Where she has the gumption to get out of a bad marriage and stop men using her, by betraying her city to the invading Danes.</spoiler>
and then she just proves useless for the rest of the book.
I don't even know why Grimnir needed her at all. He's been around for centuries, and he thinks he needs this ninny, because he hasn't been to England for a few years? Especially when they use that special road and sodding 15 years pass! So she doesn't know anything current, anyway.

To be honest, I quite liked that magic road and other little bits, where it felt like Oden was weaving the Old World and the new. Those were well done, and felt real and ancient, and fading. BUT, it didn't always help the plot.

There's a major emphasis on religion, on how the old world, with its spirits and gods; was fading away to be replaced with Christianity.
On the one hand, I really liked that this book is very neutral. It accepts all religions, and treats them as real, tangible things. You have Odin, and the Nailed God, and various others; and none are portrayed as better than the others - they're only made more powerful by the faith of their worshippers. So, as people opt to worship the Nailed God, the rest will inevitably fade.
On the other hand, I don't like it when religion is shoved down your throat. It is on every single page of this book. Enough already.

Anyways, overall I was BORED.
It should have been awesome, an historical take on the British Isles; orcs with vengeance; and an impending war.
The first half of the book, I really had to force myself to read. We follow Grimnir as he traipses around Britain, dragging the useless Etain with him. He gripes, he kills, he gripes some more. She whines. Ugh.
It was only in the second half, when the Half-Dane and his Dubhlinn Witch come into play that things finally got interesting. Finally, there were betrayals and political drama. There was more than mindless killing, and mindless companions.

The second half scored the two stars, you just have to get through the first half to get there.

Thanks Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and netgalley for this ARC.

History, fantasy, and other-worldly creatures and happening that make this feel like a vision in Lord of the Rings- I can see this being made into a cartoon or movie.