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Odin's Wolves

(Raven #3)

Giles Kristian (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 1,794 ratings · 126 reviews

We lusted for an even greater prize: one that can never be lost or stolen or burnt...

Raven and his fellow Vikings have suffered. Good men have died. Hard-won treasure has been lost. But for these Norsemen, there is something more precious than gold or silver, and that is fame - for this is what a warrior leaves behind when he has breathed his last.

And so the brotherhood ...more

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Paperback, 536 pages

Published January 19th 2012 by Corgi (first published April 14th 2011)

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Vikings

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Nov 01, 2019 Edward rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews, favorites

RTC. AWESOME.

FULL REVIEW - STILL AWESOME.

Odin’s Wolves is superb and Giles Kristian has crafted one of the best historical fiction trilogies of … well, ever. I know I rave about them, but it is totally warranted. I adore the world that Osric Blood Eye is a part of. Even though it is grim and gritty and terrifying, there is something about the band of warriors sailing the seas that gives me a warm feeling, and finishing this book left me feeling like I was desperate for more.

‘The blade gets dull RTC. AWESOME.

FULL REVIEW - STILL AWESOME.

Odin’s Wolves is superb and Giles Kristian has crafted one of the best historical fiction trilogies of … well, ever. I know I rave about them, but it is totally warranted. I adore the world that Osric Blood Eye is a part of. Even though it is grim and gritty and terrifying, there is something about the band of warriors sailing the seas that gives me a warm feeling, and finishing this book left me feeling like I was desperate for more.

‘The blade gets dull if we don't use it.’

It is rare to find a trilogy with such supreme pacing that leaves you begging for more. Raven is a trio of books that definitely makes you crave after more of the tale, and leaves an opening for more. The sheer variety of set-pieces and content of each of these books covers nearly every aspect of dark-ages adventure that you could hope for. And Giles Kristian does it so well.

Odin’s Wolves pushes Osric into territories he has never been before. The adventure leads him through the seas escaping from Frankia. After meeting the iconic character Charlemagne, Kristian then writes the iconic places of Rome and Mikligard i.e Constantinople. The beauty and wonder of these places told through Osric’s eyes (or his non-blood eye) was written in an astounding way, making me wish I was shoulder-to-shoulder with Sigurd’s crew, experiencing the amphitheater and the duels, the Greek churches and the dragon-ships.

‘A wise guest knows when to leave the table.’

The crew added so much to Odin’s Wolves. The development of their relationships with Osric felt real and pure, some that bonded with him like brothers and others that thought of him as the bad luck of their Jarl. There are rivalries and bonds that are tested, strengthened, destroyed throughout this and you feel every emotion with Raven.

The realism is one of my favourite aspects of Odin’s Wolves. From the differences of cultures between the characters, to the detail put into the ships, equipment and mythologies, this was a Norse book through and through. I enjoyed it so much that I have been on a rowing machine in my Viking re-enactment kit. (It feels amazing. Toggle-boots, Thor’s hammer, hand-axe, I recommend this.) I can’t wait to dive into the books focused on Sigurd. He is a remarkable character, much akin to Bernard Cornwell’s Arthur, only with a longer beard and less prayer.

‘Glory is the prize that can never be burned, stolen by anyone or lost.’

5/5 - Beautiful, violent, intense and real. Odin’s Wolves is the final tale in a trilogy that will cement itself into your top 5 - easily. A masterclass in pacing, character development and dark-ages realism, Odin’s Wolves is historical fiction at it’s finest. Skål to Giles Kristian! ...more

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Oct 18, 2016 Paul rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So I just finished the final book of the Raven trilogy. I found myself staring at the book, unable to believe it's over.
It's been a while since a story has sucked me in like this one. Fantastically written! If these books are on your TBR list, move them up -- NOW!!
Giles Kristian took me into this world in a visceral way. Didn't overdo the world-building; yet, I could see it vividly. Didn't drone on-and-on about the characters; yet, I knew them intimately. Didn't gratuitously describe the ...more

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Feb 17, 2018 Paul O'Neill rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a series! Fantastic! Spell binding and tonnes of fun.

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Aug 20, 2013 Terri rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, europe-fiction, historical-fiction

I have said it before and I will say it again. I truly do love these kinds of Viking historical fiction. They are books that mingle the sagas with excellent penmanship and colourful adventure. I could read them every week for the rest of the year and be every bit the contented reader.
My journey with this series has not been without its own twists and turns and literary adventures. From the hiccup that was my first attempt with the series a couple years back, to the rediscovering of the series in I have said it before and I will say it again. I truly do love these kinds of Viking historical fiction. They are books that mingle the sagas with excellent penmanship and colourful adventure. I could read them every week for the rest of the year and be every bit the contented reader.
My journey with this series has not been without its own twists and turns and literary adventures. From the hiccup that was my first attempt with the series a couple years back, to the rediscovering of the series in 2013.
To think that I nearly missed out on all this Raven fun by not giving the first book the time it needed to grow on me.
Luckily, I gave it that time at a later date. With a reread. And it was that reread of book one, Blood Eye, that brought me the long way around to this book, book three in the Raven series, Odin's Wolves. (of course, I must not forget that I got there via the 5 star stepping stone between them: Sons of Thunder).

For most of this book I was infatuated. The writing, the adventure, the characters. The delightful balance of all three had my heart racing and my mind flying.
Giles Kristian's vivid scenery and zesty stories have stirred my imagination over and over. At times, his studious pictorialisation has even surprised me. Me, a deliberately and willingly jaded reader of Viking fiction and Viking non fiction. Yes, I still can be surprised. I love it when authors keep it fresh. Adding their own ingredients to the well traversed literary landscape of Viking historical fiction.
Nothing worse than feeling an author got his or her knowledge from Wikipedia. And I can promise, you will never get that feeling from these Giles Kristian Viking books. This author's inspiration comes direct from his own imagination, and not indirectly through the imagination and research of others.
One of those surprises came in his description of Yggdrasil. He gave me a whole new way to imagine the tree of life and - in the same breath - gives explanation of how it may have been imagined by these early travellers and raiders. I even marked the passage to quote here in this review and then I went and put the book aside for a couple months (I was that far behind in my reviews). In the process I lost my marks and so too did I then lose the page where Yggdrasil - and the birds flying amoung its branches in the sky - had been described.
You will just have to take my word for it. It was beautifully described and wondrously fetching to the mind's eye.

As you may have guessed by my words in the last paragraph, for 'most' of the book I was infatuated. Disappointingly, it was not all a source of infatuation for me. This, I am happy to say, has nothing to do with the author's story nor his writing. The fault lays with me and my deeply ingrained disinterest in Romans.
I cannot say too much on that without giving away plot lines. Fear of spoiling the book for others leaves me with little room to manoeuvre when giving my personal opinion of the second half of the book.
Let me just say that, through no fault of the author's, I found myself at an impasse. My favourite culture of history mingling with my least favourite. Viking meets Roman. To others that would sound wildly exciting, but for me, when that happened, to the lengths that it did, the book and I suddenly became incompatible. But it is still a terrific book and I still give it 4 stars out of 5. Majority of people will not have any problem continuing to enjoy the book passed the point where I stopped enjoying it.

I would recommend nobody be put off reading the book by me confessing that I did not enjoy the last half as much as the first. As you all know, sometimes, no matter how good the book is or how well it is written, if the subject matter it not compatible with a reader's personal tastes, there is nothing one can do. Try as you might.

Now that I have finished this trilogy, I am even more excited to read the latest instalment which is due out this year. God of Vengeance is a prequel to this Raven series. I have read the blurb and I am thrilled to my boots by the premise. Bring it on!! ...more

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May 19, 2017 Ace marked it as tbr · review of another edition

Recommended to Ace by: Paul

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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Mar 03, 2018 Reggie Kray rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What an incredible journey this series has been. Both refulgent and mesmerizing! Highly recommended!

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Mar 25, 2013 Mr. Matt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, hf-vikings

Odin's Wolves continues the story of Raven, Sigurd, Cynethryth, and the rest of the Fellowship. It really begins right where the second book in the series ends - the silver stolen from Charlemagne is lost and the company is at a pivotal moment. Do they return to Norway and Denmark and admit failure, or do they follow the Whale Road and seek new adventures. (It's the beginning of the book so it is no surprise when they decide to seek new adventures. But that is okay.)

The story of the Fellowship ...more

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May 03, 2012 S.J.A. Turney rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So now I have come to the end of the Raven saga and it leaves me feeling a little sad. Perhaps some time, after his new series has been fully aired, Giles might return and write another Raven story. I hope so.

Each of the Raven books has followed beautifully from its previous bedfellow and has progressed the general tale and the growth of Raven himself, but also each of the books has a very individual character and addresses different themes, issues and emotions.

Odin's Wolves opens with the ...more

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May 20, 2013 Beorn rated it it was ok

Shelves: abandoned

After, for the most part, thoroughly enjoying the previous book in this series I had relatively high hopes for this book.
Sadly those hopes were pretty swiftly dashed.

For a book telling the tale of a band of roaming warriors of some reknown relatively little happens for such long periods that the prevailing effect is of generally being underwhelmed at almost all times.
Hardly anything happens for most of the first three hundred pages and when it does, it's quickly over and replaced by tiresome ...more

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Oct 20, 2013 mixal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: calibre, 476-1000_early_middle_ages, viking, historical-fiction, byzantium

Now this was a Book! I have to say that I liked the earlier books in the series, but there still was something that did not exactly fit. But this book had everything that my heart desires, and the whole time I was really apprehensive seeing how I have less and less to read. One of the best books I read this year.

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May 29, 2019 Amanda Rahimian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow!!! What an amazing trilogy! If this is on your to-read list, move it up immediately. Giles Kristian is a truly amazing author, providing intimate details so you feel like you know the characters and are right there with them without overwhelming you with the mundane.

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Aug 10, 2017 James Cox rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This series ends with a bang. I'm so glad I was along for the ride!

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Jun 20, 2017 Slavko Recek rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An epic Norse saga. Full of good fighting, Loki tricks
and rough men humor.

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Jul 23, 2013 Paul Bennett rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Come and join Sigurd, Raven and the rest on the Sword-Norse cruise line as they journey to new lands and exciting adventures. Go a viking and see the world.

And what a journey it is! At the end of book two, Sons of Thunder, Sigurd and his flotilla of four ships have escaped the wrath of the Franks and Karolus. They head southwest skirting the coast of northern Frankia, around the Iberian Peninsula, with a short stop for a raid, and into the Mediterranean. One more profitable raid, a layover for Come and join Sigurd, Raven and the rest on the Sword-Norse cruise line as they journey to new lands and exciting adventures. Go a viking and see the world.

And what a journey it is! At the end of book two, Sons of Thunder, Sigurd and his flotilla of four ships have escaped the wrath of the Franks and Karolus. They head southwest skirting the coast of northern Frankia, around the Iberian Peninsula, with a short stop for a raid, and into the Mediterranean. One more profitable raid, a layover for the winter and then they're sailing up the Tiber for a visit to Rome. At this point I am going to have to be careful...don't want to spoil anything. Suffice to stay that their stay in Rome is full of adventure and surprises; not only in what they do but in who they meet. Eventually they arrive at Miklagard(Constantinople) where the action really heats up. The climatic scenes that brings their quest to fruition are tense filled page turners. But wait, there's more after that. The ending chapters tie up a loose end that has been with us since book 1 and the author does not disappoint in the telling.

As in the first two books of the Raven series, I was mightily impressed with the authors descriptive powers and I'm not just talking about the battle scenes which are well done indeed. One example: "White sails were everywhere, and it was a hard thing not to wriggle into brynjas, put men and axes at the prows, and see what we could pilfer. Bothvar said it was like laying a slab of meat before a hound and telling it not to lick its lips, and he was right, for patience in a raiding man is as rare as a happy marriage. Even if he tries to cling to it, it almost always proves as fleeting as a belch." Over and over again the author draws word pictures that kindle the readers imagination and breathes life into the many tales this story has to tell. I was impressed with book 1, enthralled with book 2 and mesmerized by book 3. So as Raven tells his listeners in the prologue, " Take the whale’s road and see something of the world. Stand at the prow and feel the salt spray on your faces. I am telling you, it is the best feeling you will ever have." 5 of 5 stars for this wonderful end to an amazing series. ...more

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Sep 07, 2013 Meena rated it it was amazing

The third and final book of the Raven trilogy - done. And what a book it was! Did not bore me one bit. Where every chapter ended, a new adventure began in the following chapter (except when you reach the final chapter, obviously). It was a fantastic book, and a breathtakingly fast-paced one! I had to force myself to put it down a few times so I can gather my thoughts and allow some space for me to breathe.
Everything I like about a story in one, 500-paged book: vikings, blood, loss, friendship, ...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Ben Kane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is top notch Viking adventure!

I'm always on the lookout for exciting new historical fiction about soldiers or warriors, and was therefore very excited about two years ago to see Giles Kristian's name appear on an Amazon recommended read list. I read his first two books in the summer of 2010 in about three days. To be honest, I tore through them! I was very pleased therefore, to be able last spring to buy Odin's Wolves. It takes up the story of Raven Blood Eye where it left off in Sons of ...more

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May 07, 2012 Robin Carter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Vikings...A period that just screams to me to read it, if Rome is blood and sandals, then Vikings is Sea , Sword and sudden violence.
My exposure to Viking historical fiction has been limited so far, but I'm trying to catch up, I thought Robert Low had managed to reach the pinnacle of the sub genre with the oathsworn, and then out comes the raven series to take it one step further.
The writing has true power and pace, but what also come over is a true love of the subject and the characters that ...more

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Dec 29, 2015 Kelly rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: the-rest-of-the-series, historical-drama, own-it-paper

HUzzah! Finished my last series book of the year, just in time. This third book in the series was pretty good for an ending. Raven and his oath-brothers travel across the sea, seeking treasure and fame. Raven has grown from a boy to a man, killing many and finding his place amongst the brotherhood. Vikings are such an interesting lot, my favourite part is the swearing. Quite the vocabulary! I thought I would like the series much more but it is too warlike for me.

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Sep 04, 2013 Matthew Harffy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Took me a long time to get through this, despite having ripped through books one and two very quickly. There were bits that were very good, but it didn't speed along as it should have. Some great writing in a genre I love, but for some reason, I never really latched onto the story. Maybe it was the wrong time for me, or perhaps the plot was not that strong, but for whatever reason, I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books.

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Feb 24, 2014 Laurie Pringle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I adored this series. I'm not one for wordy reviews. I will simply say that I felt like part of the Sigurd and Raven's family... travelling to marvelous places, fighting for survival and riches.

I hope there will be more about Raven... I want to know where he came from!

Thanks for the wonderful read Giles. I'm looking forward to reading Sigurd's story! (but I do hope we return to Raven again someday too)

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Oct 03, 2012 Peter Greenhalgh rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Rampaging, stinking, bloodthirsty vikings are not, I'm sure, everyone's cup of mead. But, Giles Kristian is such a brilliant writer that everyone who loves superbly tailored fiction should give his books a read. My 5-star rating for the last book in the Raven series was never in doubt.

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Jul 10, 2019 Richard West rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, adventure

This is the capper to Kristian's epic Viking saga, and it doesn't disappoint. If you've followed the Viking brotherhood through their numerous adventures in the first two volumes, you have to wonder what lies next.

Heading into the Mediterranean, the valiant Norsemen first stop off in Rome which is no longer what it used to be, but for lack of a better term, has become a hell-hole and cesspool with no riches to be plundered.

Constantinople - or as they call it - Miklagard beckons. By now, they've ...more

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May 19, 2019 Bruno rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourite-foreign-works, nordic-saga-series, british-literature, novels, norwegian-literature, top-10-favourite-works-in-2019

This is it.An end of a journey and the original trilogy.The main question is:Is this a satisfying conclusion of a story we were reading and living through the first two books and continued in this third entry?For me,personally,satisfaction is the least I could describe it in a single word.It ends with a bang and I'm glad I was able to stay myself off from those synopsis of a book and gave myself into this exciting world,without knowing what to expect.In the last review,I mentioned that the first ...more

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Jun 11, 2017 Dean rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

When is Raven #4 coming out?? Another great adventure with Raven and the Sea Wolves...You know Anything of Giles Kristian is going to be a great read and Odin's Wolves is no different. You get to go along with the Sea Wolves as they sail, live and fight there way along the shoreline of Spain, Frankia, Italy, Adriatic Sea, Hellspont to Constantinople. Along the way they make stops in Moor Spain then to Rome and finally to Constantinople, however there are many events in between there stops. Cant ...more

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Nov 03, 2017 Hollie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Loved the series but I was left wanting for an ending! I could see if the series continues that it was left well, but I assume this is it. A couple of top-offs were needed (tho I won’t reveal spoilers) that left a sour taste. A true wrap-up of at least one MAJOR story line is missing...those who have read the series must surely know the missing link I speak of.
Rest assured, I enjoyed the series and will read all of the prequels. ...more

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Jul 21, 2017 PickinDavis rated it liked it · review of another edition

Unfortunately a bit of a let down over Giles' other books particularly for a conclusion. Still a decent read but not anywhere near the level of The Rise of Sigurd series, which I truly hope is not Giles' magnum opus.

The first half of this one is good. The second half not so much as Giles is more concerned about the vikings visiting different places for no particular reason than he is about a good character driven story.

Still the dialog is good and these are the best viking tales available.

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Aug 12, 2019 Martin Nunn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Praise for Raven, the series

Amazing! Such a great read, flowing easily through the life of Raven and the adventures of the Wolf pack. History reaches out to the reader, sewn together into this great saga. 5 stars is not enough! Now I hope for more of Raven's adventures, I'll be one of the first in the shield wall!

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Aug 16, 2019 Tim Wilson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: viking

A great end to a brilliant trilogy. Each book had a different setting which I think was one of it's greatest strengths; first England, then Frankia now the Mediterranean. The Raven saga is also one those few series which had a compelling cast of supporting characters that I actually found attachment to(Floki, Penda, Egfrith etc). Now I'll need to read the Sigurd trilogy.

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Jun 04, 2018 Tim Bolitho-jones rated it liked it · review of another edition

It's a decent Viking saga full of bloodletting, tragedy and heroism. But on the downside it felt more like a collection of short stories than single focused tale and at times I got the impression it was made up on the fly. Not bad, but the first Raven book is superior and it's not in the same league as the author's excellent - but unfinished - English civil war series.

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Nov 08, 2016 Michael Heath-Caldwell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: europe, fiction-history

Rather a good rollicking yarn as a bunch of vikings and goths go on the Ground Tour of Europe in the 7th century causing a lot of break and spillage along the way as they skirt the Umayyad Caliphate of Spain, visit old Rome when still in a functioning mode and move on for adventures in Constantinople.

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About Giles Kristian

Giles Kristian

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Family history (he is half Norwegian) inspired GILES KRISTIAN to write his first historical novels: the acclaimed and bestselling Raven Viking trilogy – Blood Eye, Sons of Thunder and Odin's Wolves. For his next series, he drew on a long-held fascination with the English Civil War to chart the fortunes of a family divided by that brutal conflict in The Bleeding Land and Brothers’ Fury. Giles also ...more

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Raven (3 books)

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God of Vengeance (The Rise of Sigurd, #1)

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“The dark warrior jumped high into the air, his knees almost striking his chest, then landed in a crouch and leapt back up spinning around, his sword slicing the air. And I wondered how it was possible for him to move like that in mail...

Beynor just stood there, rooted to the ground like an ash. "Heimdall's hairy ballsack," he said, "he's a giant flea!” — 1 likes

“a traitor doesn't know to think deep,although he's,in some way,quite cunning” — 0 likes

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