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Runeblade Saga #1
Days Of Endless Night
In the freezing night, blood still boils.
The man called Arrow’s Point slaughtered Hervor’s father and uncles before she was born. Bearing her father’s cursed sword, Hervor joins the killer on a voyage to very ends of Midgard for the chance to bring him down.
They have sailed beyond all known lands, to a frozen island where days last scant hours and the nights unleash horrors like they have never known.
But the greatest threat may be the very blade Hervor carries.
For it will have blood, even if it must be her own.
The man called Arrow’s Point slaughtered Hervor’s father and uncles before she was born. Bearing her father’s cursed sword, Hervor joins the killer on a voyage to very ends of Midgard for the chance to bring him down.
They have sailed beyond all known lands, to a frozen island where days last scant hours and the nights unleash horrors like they have never known.
But the greatest threat may be the very blade Hervor carries.
For it will have blood, even if it must be her own.
- GenresFantasy
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2017
141 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Matt Larkin
102 books175 followersAlong with his wife and daughter, Matt lives as a digital nomad, traveling the world while researching for his novels. He reads approximately a bazillion books a year, loves video games, and relaxes by binge watching Netflix with his wife.
Matt writes retellings of mythology as dark, gritty fantasy. His passions of myths, philosophy, and history inform his series. He strives to combine gut-wrenching action with thought-provoking ideas and culturally resonant stories.
As a child, Matt read The Lord of the Rings with his parents. This sparked a lifelong obsession with fantasy and started him on a path of discovering the roots of fantasy through mythology. In exploration of these ideas, the Eschaton Cycle was born—a universe of dark fantasy where all myths and legends play out.
Matt writes retellings of mythology as dark, gritty fantasy. His passions of myths, philosophy, and history inform his series. He strives to combine gut-wrenching action with thought-provoking ideas and culturally resonant stories.
As a child, Matt read The Lord of the Rings with his parents. This sparked a lifelong obsession with fantasy and started him on a path of discovering the roots of fantasy through mythology. In exploration of these ideas, the Eschaton Cycle was born—a universe of dark fantasy where all myths and legends play out.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 24, 2017
Disclaimer: I received this ARC for an honest review.
Set in a highly immersive world based on Norse mythology, this story seems to combine elements of various Norse legends. The archaic language took some getting used to, but it is fitting for the tale being told.
It was a bit darker than my usual "for fun" reads, and while the body count is nowhere near GoT: you might not want to get too attached, your favourite characters might not survive all those battles. At least mine didn't.
Speaking of characters: We get enough backstory for the major characters to get a pretty good picture of who they are, "warts and all", and where one or the other chip on a shoulder may come from.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I already have two more on my Stack of Unread Books, and I'd definitely like to read more stories set in this world in general, but especially about the runeblades.
Set in a highly immersive world based on Norse mythology, this story seems to combine elements of various Norse legends. The archaic language took some getting used to, but it is fitting for the tale being told.
It was a bit darker than my usual "for fun" reads, and while the body count is nowhere near GoT: you might not want to get too attached, your favourite characters might not survive all those battles. At least mine didn't.
Speaking of characters: We get enough backstory for the major characters to get a pretty good picture of who they are, "warts and all", and where one or the other chip on a shoulder may come from.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I already have two more on my Stack of Unread Books, and I'd definitely like to read more stories set in this world in general, but especially about the runeblades.
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December 23, 2020“Odin’s balls.”
December 27, 2019
Preface: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off, this story was not for me, and it might not be for a lot of readers, purely because of how bleak it is. The novel takes place in a harsh world, with flawed, backstabbing characters who all have a lot of murder and possibly rape in their backstories. There are no heroes, there is no real victory, and death comes quickly and cheaply. Our main characters in particular are dark, bitter people with checkered pasts and likely checkered futures. Hervor in particular is frustrating, because she's always on the cusp of a larger revelation about her revenge, but continually ignores it to focus on her vengeance. There's no redemption or growth, just plodding onward into the mists.
All that being said, I did not want to rate this a purely 3 star book (as I often do for books that are not for me, but are middle-of-the-road in general) because there is some talent at work. The prose can be hackneyed and stumbling, but generally it is competent, even artful at times. The characters are three-dimensional despite their depressing lack of any real goodness or character arcs/growth. They feel like real people - they're just bad ones. The plot is clear, though it takes some weird diversions I could do with out (seal marriage was a weird choice). It is, overall, quite competent - it's just for a type of reader who decidedly isn't me.
I did have a problem besides the doom and gloom, however - this novel is apparently a spin-off of a larger series, and it shows. Starkad, one of our main characters, has a past that is constantly teased, but never fully explored. I thought we would get reveals on why he killed his brother and what happened with his lover (?) at some point, but we never did, and I can only assume these are explained in the series he comes from. This was quite disappointing to me, as there's not any real hint that this is a spin-off in the description, and I feel I shouldn't have to read an entire other series to understand a POV character in this one. Alternatively, the author might be planning on revealing it later in the series, which is also a bad choice, as it makes his motivations and behavior difficult to understand and kinda teases us without any real resolution to our questions. It was a peculiar decision, which is another reason I didn't rate the book more highly.
Overall, there's not much to say. If you like edgy fantasy, or are interested in Viking culture, you might enjoy this. Otherwise, it doesn't have much to offer you.
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First off, this story was not for me, and it might not be for a lot of readers, purely because of how bleak it is. The novel takes place in a harsh world, with flawed, backstabbing characters who all have a lot of murder and possibly rape in their backstories. There are no heroes, there is no real victory, and death comes quickly and cheaply. Our main characters in particular are dark, bitter people with checkered pasts and likely checkered futures. Hervor in particular is frustrating, because she's always on the cusp of a larger revelation about her revenge, but continually ignores it to focus on her vengeance. There's no redemption or growth, just plodding onward into the mists.
All that being said, I did not want to rate this a purely 3 star book (as I often do for books that are not for me, but are middle-of-the-road in general) because there is some talent at work. The prose can be hackneyed and stumbling, but generally it is competent, even artful at times. The characters are three-dimensional despite their depressing lack of any real goodness or character arcs/growth. They feel like real people - they're just bad ones. The plot is clear, though it takes some weird diversions I could do with out (seal marriage was a weird choice). It is, overall, quite competent - it's just for a type of reader who decidedly isn't me.
I did have a problem besides the doom and gloom, however - this novel is apparently a spin-off of a larger series, and it shows. Starkad, one of our main characters, has a past that is constantly teased, but never fully explored. I thought we would get reveals on why he killed his brother and what happened with his lover (?) at some point, but we never did, and I can only assume these are explained in the series he comes from. This was quite disappointing to me, as there's not any real hint that this is a spin-off in the description, and I feel I shouldn't have to read an entire other series to understand a POV character in this one. Alternatively, the author might be planning on revealing it later in the series, which is also a bad choice, as it makes his motivations and behavior difficult to understand and kinda teases us without any real resolution to our questions. It was a peculiar decision, which is another reason I didn't rate the book more highly.
Overall, there's not much to say. If you like edgy fantasy, or are interested in Viking culture, you might enjoy this. Otherwise, it doesn't have much to offer you.
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Delete
April 7, 2018
Not happy
And that right there is the honest truth. Yes the book was amazing, the characters were nice and as warriors they were good at what they did. But the book is dark, just too damn dark with every chapter screaming "VENGEANCE & DEATH"
The main female character, to me seemed a little (very) cokoo in the head. Her decision of wanting to kill some who helped saving her life countless times over someone who tortured her is just plain idiotic and stupid and very wrong. Even after being being told the truth she stuck to her idiotic oath. (I'm so mad right now). I'm not one to act childish but because of this part, I hated the book.
The whole time I was hoping that the author wouldn't kill one certain character. Yet... he went and killed a certain character and slices of onions kept streaming at my eyes.
If this first book was like this, I don't think if I have the heart to read the second especially not after that horrific ending.
Still going to give it five star and recommend it but-😡😡😡 NOT HAPPY
And that right there is the honest truth. Yes the book was amazing, the characters were nice and as warriors they were good at what they did. But the book is dark, just too damn dark with every chapter screaming "VENGEANCE & DEATH"
The main female character, to me seemed a little (very) cokoo in the head. Her decision of wanting to kill some who helped saving her life countless times over someone who tortured her is just plain idiotic and stupid and very wrong. Even after being being told the truth she stuck to her idiotic oath. (I'm so mad right now). I'm not one to act childish but because of this part, I hated the book.
The whole time I was hoping that the author wouldn't kill one certain character. Yet... he went and killed a certain character and slices of onions kept streaming at my eyes.
If this first book was like this, I don't think if I have the heart to read the second especially not after that horrific ending.
Still going to give it five star and recommend it but-😡😡😡 NOT HAPPY
September 26, 2017
Days of Endless Night is the first book in the Renegade Saga. It is an offshoot of the Ragnarok Era novels.
These are speculative fiction and a wonderful adventure in Norse mythology.
This is actually one of my favorites in this arena from Matt Larkin.
Hervor is a strong female lead and a fierce shieldmaiden. Her path is her own. She sets out to avenge the deaths of her father and brothers by any means necessary. To take back what was lost and wield it against her enemies. She must find Arrow's Point and exact her revenge.
Her journey Taiwanese the Island of Thule. There Hel, herself, holds dominion. A cursed, frozen isle where darkness reigns and all is not what it would seem.
Fast paced, action packed, read.
Masterfully written.
I absolutely loved it!!
These are speculative fiction and a wonderful adventure in Norse mythology.
This is actually one of my favorites in this arena from Matt Larkin.
Hervor is a strong female lead and a fierce shieldmaiden. Her path is her own. She sets out to avenge the deaths of her father and brothers by any means necessary. To take back what was lost and wield it against her enemies. She must find Arrow's Point and exact her revenge.
Her journey Taiwanese the Island of Thule. There Hel, herself, holds dominion. A cursed, frozen isle where darkness reigns and all is not what it would seem.
Fast paced, action packed, read.
Masterfully written.
I absolutely loved it!!
March 10, 2020
Ok, I will start with saying this book took me forever to read. I'm talking weeks, and usually I read books in a day or two. The beginning was slow, with a ton of information and foreign (to me) terms that took a lot of concentration and thinking to muddle through. The characters had double names, and there were so many characters talked about in a short period. Once the group of main characters broke off into their own adventure it was much easier. The story also got much more focused and interesting. However, Hervor was incredibly annoying to me. Her whole person was a huge hypocritical flaw and I was hoping she would die throughout the entire book. Spoiler, she lives. I liked her enemy much more, and find myself hoping he comes back and destroys her. I won't be reading any other books in the series, because Hervor will keep being her annoying self and I have no interest in following her life. However, I will say the book was well written. The details were amazing, I loved how we got different character perspectives, and there were other characters I did like despite their flaws. Hopefully the series gets better, and Hervor redeems herself in some way.
January 16, 2018
Odins balls
Let me preface this review by stating that this was my first foray into this genre, and I only read this book as I needed a book about mythology for my group reading challenge. I had a hard time staying engaged while reading this book. I found the story confusing and the writing style very strange at times. The author seemed to drop old school and new school vernacular in the same sentence. Again as I don't know any Norse mythology maybe the story would be less confusing to those who do. "Odins balls" was a popular expression in this book and every time I read it my mind wandered to that little dude from Accept in the "Balls to the Wall" video. Now if he had said, Odins balls to the wall man, I think that would have changed both that song and video to epic proportions, and quite possibly it could have helped this book.
Let me preface this review by stating that this was my first foray into this genre, and I only read this book as I needed a book about mythology for my group reading challenge. I had a hard time staying engaged while reading this book. I found the story confusing and the writing style very strange at times. The author seemed to drop old school and new school vernacular in the same sentence. Again as I don't know any Norse mythology maybe the story would be less confusing to those who do. "Odins balls" was a popular expression in this book and every time I read it my mind wandered to that little dude from Accept in the "Balls to the Wall" video. Now if he had said, Odins balls to the wall man, I think that would have changed both that song and video to epic proportions, and quite possibly it could have helped this book.
October 29, 2017
Matt Larkin's been writing his take on Viking mythology for some time now, but this is the first one I've actually read, and it's great. If you like your fantasy dark (it's based on mythology, so you must), this is a treat for you. The characters are likeable in an unlikable way (or is it the other way around?), the humour is suitably bawdy for a Viking tale, and the action is plentiful and nicely done.
Well worth a read, and I'll be hitting the sequel Days of Bloody Thrones in a couple of days.
Well worth a read, and I'll be hitting the sequel Days of Bloody Thrones in a couple of days.
March 17, 2018
Dark bloody Vengeance
An extraordinary tale. Fantasy or Earth pre-history? Or neither? Old gods. Feuds. Oaths. A shieldmaiden takes the name of her murdered brother in an attempt to avenge her father’s name. A ship full of men, and one woman, sail to a haunted island in search of treasure and reknown. There they face death, lies, and betrayal. Few survive. A sequel awaits. Vegeance.
An extraordinary tale. Fantasy or Earth pre-history? Or neither? Old gods. Feuds. Oaths. A shieldmaiden takes the name of her murdered brother in an attempt to avenge her father’s name. A ship full of men, and one woman, sail to a haunted island in search of treasure and reknown. There they face death, lies, and betrayal. Few survive. A sequel awaits. Vegeance.
November 24, 2019
I received this book free as an ARC reader for review.
This book is long, not necessarily in length, but in its plodding tenacity never to let the reader reach the end. Norse myth mixed with Middle earth’s deep Mountain mines and Game of Thrones style tenacity and revenge. Also, nobody stays dead. Ever. Played, tricked, tormented by the gods, the characters never know peace, rest, or an end to their oaths and vengeance.
This book is long, not necessarily in length, but in its plodding tenacity never to let the reader reach the end. Norse myth mixed with Middle earth’s deep Mountain mines and Game of Thrones style tenacity and revenge. Also, nobody stays dead. Ever. Played, tricked, tormented by the gods, the characters never know peace, rest, or an end to their oaths and vengeance.
March 4, 2018
Days of Endless Night : Runeblade Saga ( Book 1 )
Tireless fighters, Viking tales of courageous fighters, their gods and the FIGHTING DEAD and WARRIOR WOMEN. This THRILLING TALE will leave wanting more of the Vikings that want nothing more than to die with HONOR and their lives be made into tales of heroic fighting. I Recommend.!
Tireless fighters, Viking tales of courageous fighters, their gods and the FIGHTING DEAD and WARRIOR WOMEN. This THRILLING TALE will leave wanting more of the Vikings that want nothing more than to die with HONOR and their lives be made into tales of heroic fighting. I Recommend.!
October 10, 2017
I recieved this book as an ARC book. I really enjoyed this book. It is a tale of oathes, curses, vengeance, runeblades and the undead all neatly wrapped in Norse Mythology. I found this book near impossible to put down. I also am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
May 1, 2019
Honestly, I did not enjoy this book. But I don't think anything was wrong with the book itself, it was written well and planned out well. It's just not my sort of book. So I rated it high because I don't think it should be poorly reviewed as a well written book just because it's not my thing.
March 18, 2018
Keeps you reading to see what happens next.
Loved it. Very good reading. Recommend enjoyed in. Would recommend to anyone interested in mythology. I really enjoyed the book.
Loved it. Very good reading. Recommend enjoyed in. Would recommend to anyone interested in mythology. I really enjoyed the book.
December 5, 2019
Dark and enthralling.
September 22, 2020
A great tale of Norse adventure
Flows well and holds your attention. The characters are bold and well defined. The story arc is entertaining and keeps you engaged.
Flows well and holds your attention. The characters are bold and well defined. The story arc is entertaining and keeps you engaged.
November 9, 2020
Great action
July 21, 2021
Another awesome read.
Matt does again. A spin-off from the tales of the gods to highlight all those we would over look if not brought into light. Thanks Matt.
Matt does again. A spin-off from the tales of the gods to highlight all those we would over look if not brought into light. Thanks Matt.
November 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this, it was like a retelling/expansion of an ancient myth that was simply fun to read. Looking forward to part 2!
Did not finish
March 12, 2026DNF: I can’t quite say how many days I have NOT been reading this book 😅 but I will most likely return to it again in the future to see if it piques my interest again!
Read
July 17, 2023DNF-too many f-bombs for my taste.
Read
October 7, 2017It's 26 years after the fall of the Vanir. The Aesir have now become the Gods that they exiled. Vanaheim is now Asgard and Odin is the All Father and the King of the new Gods.
This is the first story in the RUNEBLADE SAGA. Taking place between THE SHORES OF VANAHEIM and THE HIGH SEAT OF ASGARD - books 3 and 4 of the RAGNAROK ERA we are introduced to HERVOR. Warrior and thief who's entire life is oath sworn to the destruction of those who betrayed and murdered her father and uncles. We also are re-introduced to STARKAD - son of Tyr and cursed to wander through life and never find peace.
The RUNEBLADE SAGA deals with the uncovering and the rediscovery of the 9 Runeblades hidden and through out MIdgard. This first story takes us to the mystical island of THULE where, Starkad, Hervor and a group of warriors are sent by Odin to find the hidden gold of the dverger in the lost city of Norid. But...is that the REAL mission.
Matt Larkin continues to weave the old stories of the Eddas and Germanic mythology to create a world of great loves ... powerful hate ... Gods and the undead.
You will not have had to read any of the RAGNAROK ERA books to dive into this one but, after you do you'll want to completely immerse yourself in this world.
I can't recommend this series strongly enough for fans of mythic legend.
This is the first story in the RUNEBLADE SAGA. Taking place between THE SHORES OF VANAHEIM and THE HIGH SEAT OF ASGARD - books 3 and 4 of the RAGNAROK ERA we are introduced to HERVOR. Warrior and thief who's entire life is oath sworn to the destruction of those who betrayed and murdered her father and uncles. We also are re-introduced to STARKAD - son of Tyr and cursed to wander through life and never find peace.
The RUNEBLADE SAGA deals with the uncovering and the rediscovery of the 9 Runeblades hidden and through out MIdgard. This first story takes us to the mystical island of THULE where, Starkad, Hervor and a group of warriors are sent by Odin to find the hidden gold of the dverger in the lost city of Norid. But...is that the REAL mission.
Matt Larkin continues to weave the old stories of the Eddas and Germanic mythology to create a world of great loves ... powerful hate ... Gods and the undead.
You will not have had to read any of the RAGNAROK ERA books to dive into this one but, after you do you'll want to completely immerse yourself in this world.
I can't recommend this series strongly enough for fans of mythic legend.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews