It’s 937 AD and the country we now know as Britain is an amorphous entity made up of multiple fiefdoms ruled by self-styled kings or jarls (Norse or Danish chieftans) who have little love for one another. Treaties are made, and frequently broken. At this time, the majority of central and southern England is controlled by the Anglo-Saxon king, Aethelstan of Wessex, the grandson of Alfred the Great. A devout Christian, he is determined to bring all of England under his control and combat the threat from the Scots, the Welsh and whoever else fancies a piece of his kingdom.

From being a member of the band of warriors known as the Wolf Coats, Einar has become their sworn enemy as a result of his actions at the end of the last book. The Wolf Coats’ leader, Ulrich, has vowed to kill him for what he perceives as his betrayal of the oath Einar swore. And there’s one particular member of the Wolf Coats who is keen to see Einar dead for their own very personal reasons.

There’s a thread that runs through the book, that of identity. For example, in order to be accepted by the Anglo-Saxons, Einar has adopted the garb of a Saxon, shaved off his beard and been forced – outwardly at least – to abandon his Norse religious beliefs in favour of Christian teachings. Cultural identity is often blurred: some of those on opposing sides may share a common cultural ancestry, whilst some on the same side may speak different languages and worship different gods. In some cases it’s possible to be too Saxon to inspire loyalty, in others not Saxon enough.

The action comes thick and fast with the battle scenes described in visceral detail. ‘The air was thick with the acrid scent of sweat and fear, the metallic tang of blood, and the stench of opened guts and emptied bowels.‘ I liked the fact that although we get the cut and thrust of battle, we also get to see the preparation for conflict that individuals go through, from the practical to the emotional. And we get a sense of just what it takes to face an enemy where the chances are you’ll end up dead or maimed. Not to mention the psychological toll of so much killing.

The climax of the book is the Battle of Brunanburh, a truly bloody affair. (In fact, it’s often cited as one of the bloodiest battles ever held on British soil.) The run-up to the battle is a game of bluff and double-bluff, and it’s here we see that Aethelstan is the master of that game, always a few steps ahead of everyone else. A bit of luck helps as well.

‘The slaughter, the sorrow, the cowardice, the shame, the cruelty, the bravery, the deeds of great renown. All is beheld in the eye of the raven.’ Eye of the Raven will appeal to those who like their historical fiction fast-paced and with plenty of full-on action.

If you like the clash of shields, the pushing and shoving and the sheer bloody terror of the shield wall then this is the book for you. If you like authors like Bernard Cornwall or Mathew Harrfy then you will be familiar with the Genera.
Einar a Dane has sworn an oath to Athelstan but also one of his Viking wolf brothers.
He is now caught in the struggle for England as Olaf the Red seeks with Constantine the Scot to destroy all Althelstan has worked for.
The action never stops.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
HOORAY.
Einar Affreca and the rest of the gang are back, playing major parts in the battle that helped form Angland. As usual superb characters throughout this totally gripping story. Well written and researched with some classic battle scenes described in at times graphic gruesome violent detail. This series is right up there with the best of this genre. Unputdownable engaging entertaining storytelling of the highest order.
Completely and utterly recommended.