This one is for devotees of historical fiction. It's atmospheric and complex. The second in a series it;s still fine as a standalone . Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

My thanks to the Author publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the second book in this series but whilst there are references to the previous book it would work as a standalone story. Again like the first book the story grips the reader from the first page and does not let go. Well written and researched, authentic with a real sense of the period, brilliant characters and plenty of terrific and at times brutal gruesome action, personally I cannot wait for book three and may have to bump it up my to be read pile.
Totally recommended.

I was extremely excited about the book but it turned out that middle of the pandemic is not extremely good time to read historical books, especially when focusing on anything is hard. I will probably give the book another try later on when I feel like I can concentrate on more than just-barely-complicated books. It was definitely a me issue and not a book issue.

Thoroughly enjoyed The Raven Banner, the second book in the adventures of Einar and his companions the Wulfhedin. Tim Hodkinson has an unusual knack of being able to inject twists and turns at the most unexpected points in the story, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from the first word to the last.
The rich array of characters, set against the background of King Athelstan's drive to unite England produces a unique, entertaining novel. The book brings all your senses to life: you can practically smell the streets of Viking York - Yorvik - hear the seagulls or smell the salty air of the Irish and North Seas.
Entertaining, evocative and engaging, i highly recommend this book.

BLURB

‘FAST-PACED, DETAILED AND BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN [FOR] FANS OF BERNARD CORNWELL, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN AND THEODORE BRUN’ HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY.

Einar Unnsson will be a great warrior, whether he wants it or not.

AD 935 - Late Winter, City of Jorvik.

Einar Unnssonis destined to be a great Icelandic warrior. He has already defeated the men sent to kill him by his notorious father, Jarl Thorfinn, the ‘Skull Cleaver’ of Orkney. He has a gift that makes him lethal in battle. Yet he has cast it all off to be a bard.

When three men attack him, Einar’s poetry provides little protection. Luckily, the skilled archer and Norse-Irish princess Affreca saves him. She’d assumed Einar had left to raise an army, challenge Thorfinn and seize the Jarldom of Orkney. Now she’s determined to set him back onto his rightful path.

Einar soon finds himself entangled on Affreca’s own mission. She’s seeking the Raven Banner for King Eirik. Legend has it that the banner is imbued with powerful magic. That it was a gift from the Norse God Odin and any army that marches behind it will be victorious. The quest sets events in motion that are beyond Einar’s control.

Einar has no choice but to face his fate and swing his sword once more...

Praise for Tim Hodkinson:

‘An excellently writtenpage-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there’ Historical Writers Association.

‘A gripping action adventurelike the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again’ Melisende’s Library.

REVIEW

Einar would rather sing about the adventures, not be a participant in them, but such is not his wyrd; his fate. A captivating sequel to Odin's Game, The Raven Banner is a roller coaster ride of a tale. Einar and his companions are put through some pretty hair-raising events (not the least to Affreca  :-) ).  An adrenaline rushing, page turning, tale of the turbulent times of Aethelstan - Hakon -  Eirik Blood Axe. The characters are full of the times, the experiences, the lore and legends of the many peoples looking to call Britain their home. I am looking forward to the next installment - this is indeed a series to lose oneself in. 4⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Raven Banner follows Einar and his fellow Wolf-Cloaks through any number of unfortunate events, taking the reader from York/Jorvic, Grimsby, to Ireland, to Edinburgh and then onto Norway. Along the way, they encounter almost all of the great historical figures from the period (the 930's). King Athelstan of England, his foster-son Hakon, King Eirik of Norway and almost, King Constantine of the kingdom of the Scots.

It's an intriguing take that fluctuates between action scenes, and slower moving 'scene setters' which can be a little heavy on information dumps. The story has elements of great intrigue, and yet more often than not, the actual culmination of the scene can feel a little flat. Every so often the point of view fluctuates, which is not always 'signposted' for the reader, and feels a little strange, and also unnecessary.

I enjoyed the reimagining of Jorvik and King Athelstan, although I found his character to be underdeveloped, as is that of King Eirik's. But no one reading the book will fail to appreciate just how closely the Irish and the Scots intermingled with the Norse, nor how far the Norse infiltrated what is now Ireland and Scotland, and this is one of the stronger elements of the book.

In the end, I felt the story was too simplistic. The 'baddies' needed to be given at least some intelligence, but equally the 'goodies' were too naive, and of course, they never actually made it to Iceland, which is a huge shame. A firm 3/5 from me. The amount of research is impossible to deny but the storyline needed taking up a notch.

‘Einar Thorfinnsson never knew what hit him.’

Jorvik, AD 935

It seems that you can’t fight fate. Einar Unnsson is destined to be a great warrior, despite choosing to be a bard. He has a gift for battle and has managed to defeat the men sent by his father, Thorfinn of Orkney, to kill him.

He is saved by the Norse-Irish princess Affreca, who had thought that he was already on his way to raise an army and challenge Thorfinn. But nothing is straightforward (or easy). Affreca has her own quest. She’s seeking the Raven Banner for King Eirik.

Yes, this is the second novel in the series, and I have yet to read ‘Odin’s Game’. While I have bought a copy, and hope to read it soon, I was still able to follow and enjoy ‘The Raven Banner’. Plenty of adventure, and some interesting characters. If you enjoy action novels set in this period, then I can recommend ‘The Raven Banner’.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

An unusual combination, poet and Icelandic warrior in AD935. However this book was a pleasant surprise with all the action of an Anglo Nordic power grab spun through a descriptive narrative with everything from battle axes to a Norse-Irish princess. Some entertaining characters throughout and a select band of brothers known as wolf coats. The ending is abrupt but surely more to follow. Thanks to Aria and Net Galley for the opportunity of adding another author to my library.

This was a great piece of historical fiction, as it stayed true to the time period, but provided a great storyline. I am going to go back and read the first book in this series.

I liked this gripping and entertaining historical fiction.
It's action packed, well written and the cast of characters is fleshed out and interesting.
I liked the historical background which is vivid and realistic.
I want to read the other instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Does not disappoint!

Einar, Afrreca and the Wolf Coats go in search of the mythical Raven Banner but fall foul of powerful enemies. We are all just taft pieces on the gameboard of the Gods." - and they certainly are as the embark on one adventure after the next.

But the journey is far from complete!