What do you think?
Rate this book
Runeblade Saga #2
Days of Bloody Thrones
The dynasty built on blood, can drown in blood.
Arrow’s Point is dead but those who hired him remain. To bring them down, Hervor joins King Haki in his mission to conquer Sviarland.
To win against steep odds, Hervor needs to hire the greatest warrior in the North Realms, her former companion Starkad.
But Starkad is enmeshed in a quest to recover another of the cursed runeblades.
And neither of them are prepared for the dark powers who lurk behind the thrones.
Arrow’s Point is dead but those who hired him remain. To bring them down, Hervor joins King Haki in his mission to conquer Sviarland.
To win against steep odds, Hervor needs to hire the greatest warrior in the North Realms, her former companion Starkad.
But Starkad is enmeshed in a quest to recover another of the cursed runeblades.
And neither of them are prepared for the dark powers who lurk behind the thrones.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2017
16 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Matt Larkin
101 books174 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 9, 2017
I am a Matt Larkin fan!
Days of Bloody Thrones is the second in the Runeblade Saga and is a bit darker than Days of Endless Night (book1).
Starkad and Hervor are reunited as the battles continue for all of Midgard and beyond. I'm curious to find out if a relationship getting battlement is in the cards for these two or will their heads carry them away from each other for all time.
We learn more about Starkad as he flashes back twenty years or so to situations and people who have led him to where he is now. I'm loving his character development.
Odin is still playing puppetmaster.
This book takes a dark turn...more toward thriller/horror and fantasy. I feel a sense of urgency, as well as, suspense in the ever evolving story. The darkness is all consuming and there are such things that reside there that should never see the light of day.
We follow our characters from battle to bloody battle... It is a wonder they still live.
I am frightened for Hervor as her tormentor pursues her in the hopes of making her suffer for the betrayal upon him. I can't wait to read the next installment.
I would like to thank Matt Larkin for allowing me an opportunity to read his works in the form of an ARC.
Days of Bloody Thrones is the second in the Runeblade Saga and is a bit darker than Days of Endless Night (book1).
Starkad and Hervor are reunited as the battles continue for all of Midgard and beyond. I'm curious to find out if a relationship getting battlement is in the cards for these two or will their heads carry them away from each other for all time.
We learn more about Starkad as he flashes back twenty years or so to situations and people who have led him to where he is now. I'm loving his character development.
Odin is still playing puppetmaster.
This book takes a dark turn...more toward thriller/horror and fantasy. I feel a sense of urgency, as well as, suspense in the ever evolving story. The darkness is all consuming and there are such things that reside there that should never see the light of day.
We follow our characters from battle to bloody battle... It is a wonder they still live.
I am frightened for Hervor as her tormentor pursues her in the hopes of making her suffer for the betrayal upon him. I can't wait to read the next installment.
I would like to thank Matt Larkin for allowing me an opportunity to read his works in the form of an ARC.
October 20, 2017
BOOK TWO IN THE RUNEBLADE SAGA. The search for the remaining lost Runeblades continues as Starkad's and Hervor's fates continue to circle each other drawing them further and further into Odin's schemes and plottings.
The second book in this series that interweaves with the RAGNAROK ERA tales opens with one a dramatic battle that sees a deathly, critical injury inflicted upon one of the survivors of the battle of Thule. Dark Compacts are made and even darker spells are cast that will hopefully save the life of the wounded, but, the fulfillment of those compacts may bring even more tragedy and loss to the heroes.
The RAGNAROK ERA main story line takes the reader through realms and stories of true Mythic Legend and Fantasy, but the RUNEBLADES SAGA takes those elements and dives off the deep end into a chilling tale of horror, desperation, and revenge that tell a tale of swords and sorcery at its best.
The author continues to enthrall and amaze with his twisting and twining of old Norse, Swedish, and Germanic legends
I highly recommend these books and don't think you'll be disappointed.
The second book in this series that interweaves with the RAGNAROK ERA tales opens with one a dramatic battle that sees a deathly, critical injury inflicted upon one of the survivors of the battle of Thule. Dark Compacts are made and even darker spells are cast that will hopefully save the life of the wounded, but, the fulfillment of those compacts may bring even more tragedy and loss to the heroes.
The RAGNAROK ERA main story line takes the reader through realms and stories of true Mythic Legend and Fantasy, but the RUNEBLADES SAGA takes those elements and dives off the deep end into a chilling tale of horror, desperation, and revenge that tell a tale of swords and sorcery at its best.
The author continues to enthrall and amaze with his twisting and twining of old Norse, Swedish, and Germanic legends
I highly recommend these books and don't think you'll be disappointed.
October 9, 2017
“May all your days be drenched in blood and bereft of joy.”
Yep. That quote sums it up quite nicely.
Let me get the usual disclaimer out of the way first: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This second story in the Runeblade Saga is taking place one year after the events depicted in Days of Endless Night. In this tale, we meet old friends and new foes alike. *Especially* foes, lots of them, and even bigger and badder than in part 1 of the Saga.
The fast pace keeps the story moving pretty much from battle to bloody battle, with the occasional flashback to Starkad's past.
With all the bloodshed, dark magic, and even more glimpses into Starkad's backstory, Days of Bloody Thrones felt even darker than Days of Endless Night (sic!). And though this was moving quite solidly into fantasy/horror territory at times (and to be honest, I am squeamish), I enjoyed learning more about Hervor, Starkad, and their companions and I'm actually looking forward to reading more of their adventures.
Which brings me back to the initial quote: This read was certainly drenched in blood, but not bereft of joy - for me. :)
Yep. That quote sums it up quite nicely.
Let me get the usual disclaimer out of the way first: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This second story in the Runeblade Saga is taking place one year after the events depicted in Days of Endless Night. In this tale, we meet old friends and new foes alike. *Especially* foes, lots of them, and even bigger and badder than in part 1 of the Saga.
The fast pace keeps the story moving pretty much from battle to bloody battle, with the occasional flashback to Starkad's past.
With all the bloodshed, dark magic, and even more glimpses into Starkad's backstory, Days of Bloody Thrones felt even darker than Days of Endless Night (sic!). And though this was moving quite solidly into fantasy/horror territory at times (and to be honest, I am squeamish), I enjoyed learning more about Hervor, Starkad, and their companions and I'm actually looking forward to reading more of their adventures.
Which brings me back to the initial quote: This read was certainly drenched in blood, but not bereft of joy - for me. :)
October 30, 2017
This is the second book in the Runeblade Saga by Matt Larkin and it is based on Norse Legend about some of the early Scandinavian Kings and the hero Starkad Eightarms and the sheildmaiden Hervor. These two met in the first book and become closer tied to one another in this second volume. We finally learn more about Starkad's mysterious past, which is teasingly given out to us in small pieces clue by clue throughout the series in flashbacks and hints like a puzzle that we must assemble piece by piece. We see Odin, Volund the smith who made the rune swords, and plotting kings and would be kings using our heroes as pawns and tools. The darkness and danger is even more perilous in this second volume as an increasing tide of warring men, draugr, and scheming svartalfar encompass Midgard, putting Hervor and Starkad in the eye of this storm. The action in this book never lets up and there is never a dull moment as our heroes go from one dangerous moment to the next. Our heroes aren't perfect but you root for them all the same and when the book ends you just long for more. Luckily, book three of the Runeblade Saga is on the way soon.
November 5, 2017
The Runeblade saga continues with the adventures of Hervor, Starkad and some of the colourful characters of book one, along with some new ones. The grit and humour of the first in the series continues, as the author keeps the reader engaged throughout with never a dull moment. Odin and other players try to maintain control over their pawns in an effort to stave off, or instigate, Ragnarok, but the pawns are less cooperative than their gods may have hoped.
A terrific series, and well worth a read. The worst thing about this series is having to wait for number three.
A terrific series, and well worth a read. The worst thing about this series is having to wait for number three.
November 9, 2020
Epic
An epic adventure. The saga continues. The story draws you in as Starkad and Hervor press deeper into their urd. Great action adventure.
An epic adventure. The saga continues. The story draws you in as Starkad and Hervor press deeper into their urd. Great action adventure.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews