Sundered Souls

The Brotherhood of the Eagle #2

by Tim Hardie

Led by Johan Jokellsward, the Brotherhood of the Eagle fights to free the land of Reavesburg from its occupiers the Vorund Clan and avenge the murder of their chief. Only Johan’s inner circle understand their true calling, sworn to defeat an old evil that has risen once more.

Gautarr Falrufson, one of Reavesburg’s few surviving leaders, still defies the occupying forces and the Brotherhood’s small army must lift the siege of his fortress if they are to survive. However, Reavesburg is a divided land and the old clan loyalties no longer hold true. What reception can Johan expect if he clears the way to Gautarr’s gates?

With their fate hanging in the balance, Johan sets aside the accepted ways of his people and appoints Rothgar Kolfinnarson as his advisor, someone who has his own personal reasons to hate the Vorund Clan. Together, they must call upon mistrusted magic to gain the advantage over their enemies.

The second book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Sundered Souls continues the epic fantasy tale involving magic, capricious politics and war. Who will choose the right side in the coming battle?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

405 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2021

About the author

Tim Hardie grew up in the seaside town of Southport during the 1970s and 1980s. This was before anyone had even heard of the internet and Dungeons & Dragons was cutting edge. Living in a house where every available wall was given over to bookshelves, he discovered fantasy writers like JRR Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Ursula Le Guin, Alan Garner, Stephen Donaldson and Susan Cooper. Those stories led him into the science fiction worlds created by Frank Herbert, Philip K Dick, Arthur C Clarke and HP Lovecraft.

After training to become a lawyer Tim lived in London for three years before moving to Yorkshire in 1999, where he has worked ever since in a variety of legal, commercial, financial and management roles. His writing began as a hobby in his early twenties and has gradually grown into something else that now threatens to derail his promising career.

Tim writes epic fantasy that will appeal to fans of Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne and Robin Hobb.

Goodreads rating system

***** Outstanding
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Average
* Poor

Reviews

[Dom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment in what is turning out the be a great series. The character and world development are really nicely done here, building on some really solid foundations from book one. I like that we get to explore, via Rothgar, the magic of this world a lot more, learning new things in what feels like (for the most part) an organic way.

There are some nice surprises in store and also some nice little heartfelt moments that help to lighten what can be an otherwise dark tone for much of the book. The battle scenes are excellent, giving just the right amount of excitement and intensity without going to any extremes, and I like that the newly introduced characters get their time to shine here without just being showpieces.

All in all, there’s a lot to like about this book, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series builds on that.

[Terry Rudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowowowowowowow

Absoutley outstanding. I would say this sits right alongside - Of Darkness and Light by R Cahill as my favourite self published book.

I thought Hall of Bones was magnificent but this book took everything that was good from that and then just went up a level.

The magic system and fantasy parts of the book are exactly what I want from a SFF read. Not overly complicated, but very important and delivered consistently and concisely

The characters (despite a huge cast) all have depth and created emotional attachments. In particular the MC you simply cannot be championing at every stage.

The battle scenes are phenomenal. From around the 60 to 85 percent stage of the book is one continuous battle. Thats a huge amount of pages but it is delivered so well

I am stoked that this was such a good book and can not wait for book 3.

[Zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still deciding on my final rating so it's subject to change. Right now I'm in between a 4 - 4.5.

This one really picks up from the events of book one. I continue to enjoy Rothgar's arc especially as he comes to terms with the events happening around him. The politicking, tension and stakes all increase in this one, and the urgency is felt throughout each chapter. Hardie's writing is fantastic and keeps going from strength to strength.

Overall, a wonderful second book!

PS: I will film a short review of this in one of my upcoming videos and then I will do a series review once it is completed.

PPS: Thank you, Tim, for sending me a copy of your wonderful book. All thoughts are my own.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last 40% was really hard to put down. There was tension and conflict within the clan that needed to stay together to fight the Vorund. Who could be trusted? Who would fall? Can this Sinarr the Cold One even be defeated? How was Rothgar now a cripple but with magical abilities going to be able to help?
Of course there are other great characters that play an important role in the battle for Romsdahl Castle. Gautarr has very high aspirations, and I don’t trust him or his son, Ragnar. There are very strong male characters with some good female ones. Naturally we have Etta the elderly Seer and Jolinn the Shieldmaiden. Nereth as a villain is also significant and there is a surprise with her sneaky ways to influence Rothgar. It seems Nuna could become more important as she learns more about her powers. I hope the women play a more influential role in the next book.
Besides the amazing battle, we get thrown into the clan moot. All kinds of politicking goes on here. I thought there might be more bad blood spilled here, but I was surprised at how most of the speeches were thoughtful and considerate. Throm was a particular standout. However not everyone was satisfied and so it’s to be seen how things will play out in the future.
A very exciting and gratifying second novel!

[Janny]

Sequel to Hall of Bones kicks off with a deeply moving prologue, setting the tone for a contest fought in blood and magic, and centered on a young man tortured and burned by a dangerous adversary bent on bringing back the Sundered, a threat beyond the pale of his experience.

A solid and well paced sequel to Tim Hardie's debut, readers who enjoy fantasy based on Norse culture will find this an enjoyable read. Cast with the full array of battle hardened warriors contending for honors and the defeat of rivals and enemies, this story includes an elderly wise woman, a mentor who forges magical weapons, a shield maid who speaks her mind, a heroic orphan boy, and the protagonist's sister, married to strengthen her clan and fully aware of her power and place.

An entertaining tale to warm northern nights by a teller of tales who pursues the craft of writing with applied attention to detail and pace.

[P.L. Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING*** Although this is a review of Book Two "Sundered Souls", this review contains potential spoilers for Book One of Tim Hardie’s “Brotherhood of the Eagle” series entitled “Hall of Bones”.

Tim Hardie’s “Hall of Bones” is an exceptional, Norse-Inspired fantasy that for some reason had snuck below the radar of some readers of this type of book. No longer. “Hall of Bones” is now a finalist in Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO7). So, with this type of recent acclaim, the word is officially out now for those epic fantasy fans who were not aware: Tim Hardie is an outstanding author.

I believe one of the most difficult accomplishments for a writer is to make the second installment in a series better than the debut. As excellent as “Hall of Bones” was, Tim Hardie delivers an even better book with “Sundered Souls”.

The novel picks up where “Hall of Bones” left off. The Brotherhood of the Eagle, considered a rogue army by some, has discovered an ancient malevolent force that is the true danger to their beloved land of Laskar. This force is driving the events we say transpire in “Hall of Bones”, where Adalrikr Asmarrson, the self-proclaimed King in the North, has conquered swaths of land in Laskar, including parts of the strategically-critical fortified land of Reavesburg, through Adalrikr’s Vorund Clan.

The King of the North and has vowed to destroy all who don’t bend knee to him, and those who stand in his way of complete domination. The sinister fact is that Adalrikr also controls the Durath, wraiths who peddle in people-possession. The Brotherhood of the Eagle are the only ones who understand the dangerous, heinous magic being wielded by Adalrikr. The Brotherhood must convince rival clans - who believe they are only fighting mortal enemies led by Adalrikr - that the evil ruler must be defeated at all costs, to save the entire land from a fate far worse than merely conquest.

Johan Jokellsward, called the “Landless Jarl”, a redoubtable lord, leads The Brotherhood, which is a tough but rag-tag, transient band of soldiers, civilians, and refugees, which internally must battle mistrust and suspicion, as deep clan loyalties cause potential for divisiveness. Johan relies primarily upon the main protagonist, former Reavesburg nobleman Rothgar Kolfinnarson, as his chief advisor, along with the extremely aged crone Etta, who used to be the main counsellor to Rothgar’s father.

Rogthar, who at one time was a capable warrior, crippled by the Vorund Clan, is able to contribute Johan’s aims in other, even more important ways than battle. Rogthar, taught by his friend, the mage Joldir, can use “The Sight”, whereby he can access the thoughts, perceptions, and experiences of others. This talent is invaluable in combatting Adalrikr and the Durath.

But Rotghar is beset by peril. The son of the former chief of Reavesburg worries about his sister Nuna, seemingly far away from the main war, but in jeopardy due to those with magical powers and unknown motives, who surround her. Rothgar is also stalked by the witch Nereth, who holds a personal vendetta against Rothgar, and Nereth won’t relent until all Rothgar cares about is taken from him.

Gautarr Falrufson, a former rival of Rothgar’s, is the leader who occupies what used to be Rothgar’s home. Gautarr is besieged by Adalrikr’s troops, and Johan wants to join his men with Guatarr’s to vanquish the enemy. The question becomes, will Gautarr and his men – and Johan’s, including Rothgar – be able to put aside old quarrels, to unite and defeat their common foe?

Sundered Souls maintains all the best elements of “Hall of Bones”, but Hardie ratchets up the tension by several degrees. All of the bitter feuds, contention, and vying for clan supremacy, continue, in the backdrop of needing to come together and eschew such petty fights to face the greater existential threat. There is a constant, lingering dread hanging over the novel, as readers will worry that bickering and animus will torpedo the humans’ ability to defeat the spiritual army of Adalrikr. The personal grudges and political jockeying is extremely well played out by Hardie.

So skillfully, in fact, as dare I say he could approach the great G.R.R. Martin in the distant future. Yes, high praise, but I believe Hardie has that kind of ceiling as an author, and he writes that kind of book, with a grandiose feel. Few writers do warring factions, rife with unexpected consequences, betrayal, and high stakes, on an extremely epic scale, better than Hardie.

As a huge fan of political intrigue and feuding sides, replete with rich history and genealogy, I am now a officially Hardie fan for life, and this was the aspect of the novel I loved best. On an aside, I strongly recommend the reader refer to the excellent character list and breakdown of the clans, and who is on whose side, provided by the author, in the back of the book. GRRM would no doubt admire this feature Hardie has provided, to keep the reader from potentially being confused.

Hardie’s worldbuilding is fantastic, balancing exquisitely the supernatural and the “real”. The prose is smooth, and beautiful, and Hardie’s exposition and evocative writing is just the right touch to keep the reader feeling they are immersed in a fully realized world and its surroundings, while still being “in the moment” of all the action. It’s difficult to pick up book two in a series without reading book one, but I admired Hardie’s ability to provide enough salient information (but not too much) about prior events in “Hall of Bones” so that a reader could literally pick up book two and have an understanding of what has gone before.

The character development is excellent, truly building and improving upon what was provided in “Hall of Bones”. The main character, Rothgar, slowly comes to accept his new circumstances, his limitations, his unique role to play in the war, and what he can do with the newfound abilities he possesses. He matures, shows off his political acumen and savvy, while remaining quite human, capable of being impetuous, petty, doubting, and making mistakes.

The adroitness of Hardie dealing with Rothgar’s disability, the new agency (and introduction of additional) of female supplementary characters, and weaving all the emerging character arc threads together (with a lot of characters who encounter each other after some time apart) really shined in “Sundered Souls”. With such a sprawling cast, those who are not a fans of huge amounts of characters may be a bit discouraged, but Hardie keeps the scenes intimate enough that the character list feels smaller than it is. All the characters, heroes and heroines, villains, and everyone in between, are very well drawn and believable, as are their positives, faults, disputes, and desires.

I must speak about the book’s great pacing. The narrative drives relentlessly forward, while all the juicy details and intriguing plot threads I wanted to be expanded on, were discussed to my satisfaction. And that narrative is headed towards a brutal climax! The book’s concluding chapters are pure dynamite!!!! The end is bloody, thrilling, and will leave you speechless!!!

“Sundered Souls” is a wonderful book, easily a five-star read, and I feel it cements Tim Hardie as a fantasy star on the rise. Without question, I will be buying anything Tim Hardie writes, and confident I will immensely enjoy it, as I did “Sundered Souls.”

[Nick Procter · Rating 5 out of 5]

After thoroughly enjoying the first book in the series – SPFBO7 finalist Hall of Bones – and Tim Hardie’s short story in The Advent of Winter anthology, I came to this sequel with expectations as high as the setting’s Baros Mountains.

Those expectations weren’t sundered as the author put any chance of falling prey to second book syndrome well and truly to the sword.

The story starts with an intriguing prologue which packs plenty of wow factor and sets the scene for the thrill-ride to come.

Somehow, Hardie has taken what was a brilliant debut and raised the bar even further with this sequel. The stakes have risen, the action is more brutal, the emotional impacts hit even deeper and the writing is top-notch.

There is so much to admire about Hardie’s storytelling, in the way he executes the expansive plot with often-lyrical prose which flows like a crystal-clear river but with deceptive undercurrents.

Sundered Souls is another twisty, turny labyrinth of political machinations and personal goals as rivals, uneasy allies and enemies make their moves in a deadly game of conquest, rebellion and survival.

And while the many factions squabble and square off over disputed land and rulership, looming over the human strife is an existential threat which pervades the tone of the book with a foreboding atmosphere and palpable tension.

It’s compelling stuff. Hardie keeps you gripped with the strangle-hold of the strongest of warriors and an understanding of emotional connection and what makes people tick which the esteemed counsellor and spymaster Etta the Crone might even be impressed by.

I said in my review of Hall of Bones it felt like Robin Hobb does Vikings as we followed the protagonist Rothgar’s coming of age growing pains and exploits. Those Hobb vibes remain in Sundered Souls as we continue to experience main character Rothgar’s growth, struggles, successes and failures.

Hardie again accomplishes brilliant characterisation, from the first person perspective of Rothgar as he is still coming to terms with his supernatural ability and his physical constraints, to the rest of the enthralling cast.

I was enthralled by the range of inter-character and inter-clan dynamics being exhibited, from outright enmity to suspicion, and pragmatic alliance to devoted loyalty.

There are friends to enemies and enemies to friends relationship complexities among all the kinship and feuds, resulting in plenty of friction and division among the factions within factions.

It all makes for a feast of plotting and counter-plotting as the cut and thrust of warfare and politics keeps everyone on their toes, not knowing who to trust in the swirling tide of events.

I lapped it up. Give me characters with conflicting loyalties and motivations which are buffeted from all directions all day long. A cast which displays the full gamut of all-too-human strengths, weaknesses, flaws and frailties. Connivers, backstabbers and everyday heroes. All the realism of life, warts and all, but in a fantasy setting.

That’s what this series is. It’s like a fantasy War and Peace but leaner, faster paced and without much peace.

The Viking-inspired setting of Laskar is so well realised, earthy and believable, through all aspects of the cultural and societal references, from naming conventions such as Damona Johanswyfe, Petr Hamarrson and Freydja Egilldottir to the chief and jarl titles of the clan rulers.

It provides the strong foundation upon which the author has crafted a tale worthy of being recounted time and time again in Navan’s Halls of the Dead, until time itself is done.

The brotherhood of the series’ title has been formed and in this second instalment the growing band of warriors, their families and followers is waging its rebellious war against the forces of the Vorund clan and their allies among the conquered subjects.

But it’s a war on multiple fronts and some of them are supernatural as the magical elements of Hardie’s creation are further developed and we get more insights into the otherworldly powers at play.

As with everything else, the magic is handled well, from Rothgar’s burgeoning abilities to some of his comrades’ distrust of it, and the terrible forces of evil who can wield it to possess and manipulate people, spread fear and sow the seeds of destruction.

It sets the mood and tone with a brooding, simmering, dark and ominous atmosphere, like the gathering of roiling thunderclouds before a storm.

That storm breaks as the second half of the story ramps up the pace and tension even more, leading to an epic showdown battle and its aftermath.

The battle is seen through the eyes and experienced through the minds of various combatants, thanks to a clever narrative device, so we get multiple front row seats for the cinematic, soul-stirring action.

The confrontation and its fallout are a fitting climax for this breath-taking story and leaves the saga nicely positioned for book 3, the penultimate title in the series.

Sundered Souls is a triumph of brutal combat and tender vulnerability. It’s an emotional, intense kaleidoscope of dynamic relationships and fear, angst, doubt, ambition, courage, comradeship, loyalty and morality. A tale of people facing hardships and hard choices, and having to make harder decisions.

It’s obvious Hardie has put his heart and soul into his writing and I recommend anyone who hasn’t tried this series to give it a go and reap the rewards.

I’ll certainly be exploring more of Hardie’s worldbuilding by continuing the journey through this series and then venturing south to another continent in A Quiet Vengeance, the first book in his Samarak Tales.

If it’s anything like The Brotherhood of the Eagle, it’s bound to be a high-flier with me.

P.S. There’s a helpful character list at the back of Sundered Souls to jog the memory if, like me, you’ve had a gap between reading books 1 and 2. The summary includes details of their houses and relationships and it’s a very useful reference for what is a large cast of major and minor characters.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the plot thickens. I hope a certain villain gets her comeuppance in the next book. Speaking of which, I hope the next book will be published soon.

I really feel a lot of compassion for the MC. His physical deficiencies have brought him so much grief in a society that emphasizes strength. He is always working for the common good, but all that is seen is his frailty. I'm hoping that life will perk up for him in the next book.

[Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...

Rothgar has joined forces with the Brotherhood of the Eagle following the loss of his home to the invasion of the Vorund Clan. Led by the ruthless Adalrikr Asmarrson, the land of Laskar is thrown into chaos as evil spirits, known as the durath, return to the land of the living once again. Rothgar and his teacher Joldir possess knowledge on how to destroy the durath but they are outnumbered and must race to forge alliances before it is too late. Bottom line is this is a solid sequel in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series with the ground work set for a climatic final volume. This will be a spoiler free review but I will be touching upon certain events from book 1.

Betrayed, tortured, and left for dead at the hands of the Vorund Clan as well as his own people, Rothgar was on his last breath until his rescue by Etta. While in hiding, Rothgar discovered his gift as a Sightwielder while being taught to use his powers with the mage Joldir. This ability allows Rothgar to witness events from the perspective of other Sight users across the land including his sister Nuna. This also means however that other mages with the Sight can find him as well and the leader of the coven Nereth is out for revenge on Rothgar for killing her sisters.

Joldir, Rothgar, Etta, and the rescued child Leif have forced a fellowship with the goal of helping the landless Brotherhood reclaim their lands and to defeat the spiritual enemies of the durath and Sundered Souls. Meanwhile, Rothgar’s servant and love interest Desta has now been married off to his childhood friend Haarl. Desta’s father, Humli has come across a lost pregnant woman once possessed by the durath and decides to look after her in this time of great peril. This woman turns out to be none other than Leif’s mother and the baby will be sought after by factions on both sides of the conflict.

What I enjoyed most about this book is it hits the ground running from where we left off in Hall of Bones. Enemy soldiers are attacking from outside and inside the Brotherhood and everyone will need to be on their toes. In order to cover more ground, the Brotherhood eventually will split and we get to see the conflict Rothgar is in while getting updates from other members of his fellowship through the Sight. This was a great addition to the story and a good plot device to drive the book forward.

My favorite part of the book started in the prologue where we are introduced to a shadowy figure with a big role to play. The reveal of who this character is and what knowledge they posses was a big surprise and one I didn’t see coming. It just adds layers of complexity to the plot and worldbuilding in a fascinating way. One slight negative about the story is the names of several characters in the novel being very similar to each other and me having to go directly to the glossary repeatedly. This could possibly just be a me issue, but I wanted to mention this in my review.

Every aspect that made Hall of Bones a smashing success is present in the Sundered Souls. Although a slower read, the tensions, stakes, and conflicts have reach their peaks with plenty more to come. Tim Hardie continues to show his skills and magic with a pen and whatever is in store for our beloved characters, I will be there to go once more unto the breach.

Cheers!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10 .. easily one of the best sequels I've ever read. the story continues to grow and thrive.

Character development, world-building, atmosphere and emotions are ever growing. We learn so much about the magic and the world as well as the history of the world throughout bits and pieces as the MC Rothgar learns himself. No info-dumb but woven into the story and conversations effortless.
The atmosphere is outstanding and the battle .. pheww thats a nailbiting, tearing up, edge on your seat-kind of affair.

if the third and fourth book are equally as good, this is going straight to my all-time-fav list.

If you liked/loved The Faithful and The Fallen, Of Blood and Bone Trilogy and Bloodsworn Saga all by John Gwynne - thats exactly the series you have to read.

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (rounded up)

Hall of Bones, the first book in the Brotherhood of the Eagle series, totally caught me by surprise and quickly became a new favourite read. So, to say I went into Sundered Souls with high expectations would probably be the understatement of the year. It takes a very skilled author to write a sequel that lives up to, or even exceeds, the high quality of the first book, but trust me when I tell you that Tim Hardie absolutely knocked it out of the park with Sundered Souls. This, my friends, is how you write a banger of a sequel.

This book picks up a short time after the explosive ending of Hall of Bones. As someone who is quite scatterbrained, I really appreciated how the author smoothly and organically touched upon the major important events that had happened in book 1, which quickly allowed me to get fully immersed in this world again.
We continue the tale of the heroes of the Reavesburg Clan, now officially called the Brotherhood of the Eagle, and follow them in their fight against an ancient evil force threatening the lands of Laskar. In order to prevail, they must reevaluate their entire worldview and be willing to adapt, which may include accepting the mysterious magic they have so long abhorred and shunned. Old feuds and rivalries are starting to stir up trouble, the personal and political tension increases significantly, and new foes (both human and supernatural) are appearing left and right. There’s just this feeling of anticipatory dread permeating every aspect of this story, which makes for an incredibly compelling reading experience.

What I enjoyed most about this sequel is the outstanding character work. Not only is the personal character growth of the major characters brilliantly done, but the development of the complex and genuine interpersonal relationships is also extremely compelling.
Now, Rothgar was already an excellent protagonist in book 1, but he became even more interesting to follow in this second instalment. Despite the fact that he is physically no longer the strong and capable warrior he once was, he hasn’t lost his will to fight and survive. He’s a flawed character who sometimes makes petty or rash decisions, but that’s exactly what makes him so human. And I love that we follow a protagonist who isn’t your typical fighting hero, but instead someone who uses his sharp mind and newfound magical abilities to aid in the battle.

Talking about magical abilities, I am thoroughly impressed with the expansion of the world building and the smooth integration of more magic into this story. The lore and magic of this world are extremely well-developed, yet they remain clouded in an air of mysticism due to the characters’ lack of belief or knowledge on those aspects of their world. I personally adore that mystical feel, because it just adds so much wonder, intrigue and suspense to this book.
On top of that, I also really like how Rothgar’s abilities allowed the author to naturally broaden the scope of the story. I don’t want to give too much away, but the inclusion of new perspectives, on all different sides of this incredibly tense conflict, was an excellent storytelling decision in my opinion. At first it might feel a bit jarring to spend time away from Rothgar, but I quickly found the new perspectives (including some super strong and complex female characters!) to be just as interesting as our main character himself.

That said, I do think there are just a couple too many named characters to keep track of here. This story focuses on an incredibly complex political conflict in which alliances are constantly shifting, which has resulted in a large cast of characters with unpredictable goals and motivations. Add to that the fact that we are dealing with a supernatural foe who controls people-possessing spirits, and the whole situation becomes even more complicated.
On the one hand I like that we never know who to trust in this story, which adds another layer of suspense and invites you as the reader to start speculating and theorising. But on the other hand, I feel like some of the side characters weren’t as well-developed, which lowered my investment and lessened the impact of some supposedly emotional moments.
As the story progressed, though, I started feeling more settled and I liked that the focus slowly shifted away from all the political scheming as the magical elements came to the forefront of the story. Also, the pacing is so steady and the sharp yet lyrical prose so entrancing, that I was still completely captivated from page one.

In the end, I just can’t deny that this book is masterfully crafted and it undoubtedly deserves a place on the list of best sequels.
If you are not yet reading this epic Norse-inspired fantasy series, then I implore you to add Hall of Bones to your TBR immediately! This bloody and thrilling story manages to be both extremely epic and ambitious, while still maintaining an intimate and emotional feel. No one is safe in this story and the stakes are always high, which makes this one of the most compelling series I have read in a while. It’s bloody, brutal and beautifully bittersweet. Highly recommend!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/09...

I really enjoyed Tim Hardie’s debut book, Hall of Bones. When he asked if I’d be interested in reading the second book in his series, Sundered Souls, I jumped on it. Not only was I extremely curious about where this series was going, I also know (from personal experience) what it is like to be an indie author and fight for readers, and if I can help an author who, I believe, deserves all the attention, then I absolutely will.

Sundered Souls starts out a bit after Hall of Bones. I have a pretty crap memory due to three rounds of cancer treatments, so I do worry a lot of the time that I’ll pick up the second book in a series and not know what’s going on, because I can’t remember what I’ve previously read (through no fault of the author). Hall of Bones is written in such a way that the main events in the previous book are touched on just enough to draw out my memories of the events, but never so much I felt like Hardie was hitting me over the head with it.

Enough time has passed from Hall of Bones for events to not only settle, but shift. New players emerge on the field. Some are welcome additions, and some are less so. Old feuds and rivalries, issues that were never quite put to bed increases tension on both personal and political levels. There was, almost instantly, a feeling of simmering discontent and worry. The atmosphere, in fact, was extremely well done and used throughout the book to its maximum effect, with the personal and interpersonal tensions masterfully feeding off each other.

A lot happens in this book, and it moves really fast. If you aren’t paying attention, you will be left behind. There are also a lot of characters. You’ll like some more than others, but I felt that all of them were developed quite well, with unique voices I had no problems identifying. One thing I truly loved about this book was how human all the characters remained. While there is a lot happening here, Hardie gives each character moments of quiet vulnerability that really serve to humanize them, and make them matter to me more as I read about them. All of these characters have chinks in their armor, and without focusing too much on them, Hardie manages to use those chinks as a bridge to connect them to his readers. It was superbly done.

However, that tension I mention previously, the atmosphere the author infuses the book with from page one, is really felt throughout the entire story. There is a lot happening here, both in the plot and with the characters themselves as events transpire that force them outside of their comfort zones. Somehow, Hardie juggles all of it, not just to further the story, but to infuse the entire book with a fantastic amount of tension that never lets up.

Sundered Souls is heavily political, with plenty of factions and personal political goals and aims. A lot is riding on what happens in this book. Occasionally, I feel the fantasy took a backseat to the politics, but this didn’t bother me in the least. The stakes in this book are so much higher than I felt they were with Hall of Bones. Everything matters, and everything seems to have these far-reaching, almost surreal consequences. For readers who enjoy political machinations in their fantasy settings, this series will be for you. It moves along until the absolutely unforgettable ending filled with revelations and rife with unexpected twists and turns.

Hardie is a fantastic author who puts a lot of detail into his worldbuilding and does so with a poetic finesse that really manages to balance out his more bloody, gruesome moments. I love books that balance beauty and pain, and I felt like Hardie did that really well with this book. The groundwork he laid out in Hall of Bones is expanded up on here, and due to that, the world feels both larger, and more complex and detailed. And yet, he weaves throughout all this trauma, pain, and tension these quiet moments of lyrical prose that just worked for me. Sundered Souls really proved Hardie’s versatility as an author.

So, where does that leave us?

I think it’s pretty obvious I loved this book. I also think Hardie is one of those undiscovered gems in the indie sphere. He’s got some serious writing chops, and this series is absolutely amazing. Hall of Bones was a fantastic debut. Sundered Souls took everything I loved about Hall of Bones and expanded upon it.

This is shaping up to be a brilliant fantasy series.

[H.L.Tinsley H.L.Tinsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sundered Souls is the follow-up to Tim Hardie’s fantasy debut Hall of Bones. I was kindly given a copy by the author - in exchange for a fair and honest review. Readers should note the copy I received was an early version. Editing changes may mean the final product differs from the one I received. Now the disclaimers are out of the way, onto the good stuff!

When offered a copy of Sundered Souls, fair to say I was a little excited. I probably would have bitten the author's hand off for it, to be honest. Hall of Bones was by far one of my favourite reads of the last few months, and I was intrigued to see what was in store for Rothgar and his friends. The story opens with Rothgar - along with his companions now joined with Johan Jokellsward, leader of the newly formed Brotherhood of the Eagle.

A short time has passed since the end of the first book, and Johan's forces have since been reinforced by the arrival of several allies from various clans. Some are welcome, some not so much - owing to old feuds and blood debts.

Readers get an overview of the surviving characters and the challenges they face, both political and supernatural. Hardie manages to encapsulate the story so far and what has happened since very well, without it sounding like a word-for-word recap, something I do see in follow-ups a lot. The main characters each have a clear identity, and I found it relatively easy to slip back into understanding who was who. Given the sheer number of supporting and minor characters, readers should note they will find a handy reference to clans at the back of the book.

I’ve never been shy about admitting I am an extremely fussy reader.
Reading is a funny thing - everything is subjective. One person's favourite is another reader's DNF. Admittedly, there are quite a few things that can put me off early in a book. For example, I’m not a fan of large amounts of dialogue. The first several chapters of this book are massively dialogue-focused. There are pages with vast swathes of nothing but precisely that. So, it says a lot about the story and writing that the author did keep me hooked.

There were two reasons for this – firstly, I already know that Hardie crafts a good tale. Secondly, the camaraderie between the warriors is very immersive. The characters are presented with just the right touch of humour and good-natured banter to offset the heavy political focus. I felt connected with the brotherhood and invested in their cause very early on. Some jokes made me smile, and little moments of honesty and vulnerability gave a sense of depth to the characters.

The first half of the book centres more on the politics of what is occurring than the supernatural events, though reference is made several times to the fact their enemies are not all that they seem. There is a lot of focus on Johan and his story and much less on Rothgar – something which, if I am honest, I found a strange choice.

Rothgar was a fantastic protagonist for the first book. At the start of this one, it felt a little like he had taken on more of a narrator role. He felt more like an observer of events, and it took a little while for me to feel his character presence again. I will say now that while this was confusing for the first few chapters, as the story progressed, the reasons for this become more apparent, and I was left feeling that this was actually a smart move by the author.

Well played, Mr. Hardie.

This book does move fast – and I mean fast. You need to pay attention to what is happening, and there is certainly no shortage of action. This is violent, bloody stuff. As mentioned, there are many characters, and I found it easier to get more attached to some than others. It is the kind of book where everyone will have their favourites (Rothgar, Gautar, Patrick, Thengill, and Nuna). Sinarr the Cold One makes for a fantastic antagonist - a stone-cold badass of epic proportions (pun intended). One thing I did appreciate was seeing more from the female characters. While remaining still, almost entirely presented in ‘traditional’ female roles, Hardie gives the women in this instalment more agency and growth - something I would love to see continued in subsequent follow-ups. Nuna remains an excellent and reliable character who shows maturity and depth much beyond her years. The introduction of Jolinn also gives us a character outside the typical traditional female archetype favoured in the first book.

Something of a mash-up of genres, I did find myself at times wishing that the author would have leaned more into the fantastical rather than the political elements in the earlier chapters. Mostly because I think this is something in which Hardie excels. I would rate the first half of this book as being a good, solid read if a little too pacey in places.

However, the last 30-40% of this story is SPECTACULAR. Gruesome, bloody, thrilling – from the scene at the Palisade to revelations about Rothgar’s abilities – the author packed everything I had been waiting to see into each beautifully crafted chapter.

One of my favourite things is well-written prose – and this is where Hardie shines. His world-building and scene crafting is almost poetic, with my favourite parts of the story being the presentation of the dream worlds created around Rothgar. Dark, beautiful, and utterly immersive. Hardie does make you wait for the pay-off, almost to the point of frustration but then delivers with such finesse that it almost feels like the story implodes around you. There were points where I nearly jumped out of my seat, punching the air.

Frankly, it would be hard to read this book without making comparisons to Game of Thrones. You can feel GRRM's influence, and there are many similar themes and aesthetics. However, this story feels more like homage to the genre than anything else. Hardie has his own style, and while I certainly felt this was very GOT-Esque, it still feels unique and individual.

Intrigued to see where Rothgar ends up next, I think this series will continue to grow, and I would certainly give the next instalment a read. Sundered Souls – 4/5

[Jennifer (bunnyreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Tim Hardie for the ecopy and his incredible patience in waiting for this review.


XXXX

Well, I wasn’t too surprised to find Sundered Souls to be a solidly entertaining read, it’s predecessor Hall of Bones was a great book that I enjoyed a lot. It must have left an impression with me too, because I had a very clear picture of the past book in my head when I started Sundered Souls and it has been three years in between for me.


*

In a nutshell- Sundered Souls returns us to Rothgar and his clan, their home at Ulfkell keep now in the hands of the enemy and his brother Johan, a landless clan leader.
Johan intends to take their people to join with their sister clan, and show a united front against Adalrikr and his forces- a task easier said than done, as Gautarr and Johan have had their personal issues in the past, and also Gautarr’s keep is currently under siege and has been, for going on a year now.

*

Rothgar is our window into this world, and one of those characters that I enjoy the most. There is nothing I love more than reading about a good strong character having to rebuild and find their worth again after major set-backs.

And Rothgar definitely has had some set-backs to his life. The torture he received from Blackeyes has pretty well crippled him, taking away his life’s goal as a warrior, and in a clan of warriors- his worthiness to those around him.

But Rothgar has a good head on his shoulders, he’s quick thinking in a pinch and isn’t giving up despite those handicaps, He is standing strong and finding other ways to have worth, and to achieve his goals- currently those goals are laced with a heavy desire for revenge and to see Blackeyes and Adalrikr die, but hey, we all need something to aim our hats at.

*

There is a lot more magic in this book than there was in Hall of Bones. In HoB we were just beginning to discover world’s magic, and now we are really getting to see all the cool ways it can be used. I still love its use for rounding out the world when Rothgar ‘visits’ the people he is connected to through his gift of mindwalking I still feel its one of the best uses of naturally seeing the other pov’s in a spov story that I’ve found.

( I don’t remember if it was called mindwalking in the book, or that’s just what I wrote so I’d know what the heck I was talking about in my notes).

*

That slow burn base that were the building blocks of Hall of Bones, laid the groundwork here to
allow Sundered Souls to capitalize on that foundation and shine all around. We see so much more of the bigger picture here- the characters, the political maneuvering, world and magic- all come together with increasing tension that cumulates into a grand finale of a battle.

I have to say that end battle scene was the chef’s kiss! I loved how the scenes utilized Rothgar’s gift and hopped around to different characters, letting us see key events, keeping it exciting and moving without a lot of repetition. Grande scale war scenes tend to get very hack and slash repetitive and this was just exciting, and tense, and so up-close and personal feeling. Excellent stuff! And it also included an incredibly cool final fight scene and end to one of the “big bads”.


TLDR:

Sundered Souls is a worthy follow-up. The character-work, world, plotting, magic… all of it- feels epic in every sense of the word. I can’t wait to see how it all plays-out over the course of this series!




Other notes-

I’m terrible with keeping up with a lot of characters. Now I’ve read a few books by Tim, I know to expect a country’s worth of people and after the first five or so chapters, I just had to quit trying to keep track.
It seemed to work out for me for the most part; it also helps that I have the first book under my belt. But I can’t help but wonder how the author juggles so many people and relationships between them… all I could picture was one of those crime boards you see in dramas with a messy spiderwebs worth of red string connecting the characters to each other. TBH- that’s a little of what my head space likely looked like trying to keep track of all of them too. D:



btw- excuse any names that are incorrectly spelled. I swear I put them in my notes right but who knows what autocorrect did with them after that.



4.5 rounded

[Josie ❃The Bubbly Book Reviewer❃ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sundered Souls starts strongly with a great first chapter. The author pulls us back into his world and reacquaints us with his characters nicely. It’s also really helpful that there is a List of Characters to help refresh your memory, if it’s been a while since you read Book 1.

After the strong beginning I found this book slower going, lacking that feeling of I can’t wait to get back to reading to find out what happens next. But by the 2/3 point that dramatically changed. I didn’t want to put this book down and I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. Tim Hardie certainly writes strong endings.

[Gary J Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Sequel

I enjoyed this book a lot, although it was the final act the turned it into a great one. I thought, based on the opening acts that Rothgar was going to be underused - with his sister Nuna taking centre stage. Then the twists came into play. The magical construct, with the use of “the Sight”, is similar to the dream walking of Robert Jordan’s books; but the lore of the Sundered is original and very promising. Adalrikr is an excellent antagonist and the evil is brewed lovingly in this volume. I am not sure if Tim has read Bernard Cornwall’s Uhtred books, but the worlbuilding of the book itself is reminiscent of that Anglo Saxon/Viking meld of politics and law Cornwall is good at. Lots of characters, so thankful for the final battle, weeding them out, and the glossary at the end. Looking forward to the next book, I’m hoping the system of magic pays off. No pressure.

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding Read

I love this story, I love how Tim Hardie had managed to flip some tropes and make things fun an exciting and craft a truly unique story that was a worthy investment of my time. Great work!

[Renee Parson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I hope Mr. Hardie continues this series. I can only imagine how hard it would be to actually write a book so I have no room to criticize. It was fun to read and I look forward to finding out what will happen.

[Kamila Komisarek · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My name was stolen, along with my life. Now I am the Weeping Warrior. I seek to redress the balance if you’ll help me.”

“Sundered Souls” is the second book in the Viking-inspired epic fantasy series “The Brotherhood of the Eagle” by Tim Hardie. I was lucky enough to receive the ARC from the author and was excited to continue the story of Rothgar and his companions.
Unlike “Hall of Bones”, the sequel starts with a lot more tension. The Vorund Clan has seized control of most land in Laskar, crushing all those who refused to bend the knee for self-proclaimed King of the North, Adalrkir Asmarrson. Rothgar joined Johan Jokellsward, and with their newly formed Brotherhood of the Eagle, they fight against oppressors and lend a hand to those few who are still resisting.
What is also new is the mystical elements that this time is ever-present. The protagonist’s rare talent – Sight – from a mere curiosity becomes a necessity to counter the Durath (sort of wraiths possessing people) and the dark, foul magic that the Vorund Clan is employing. Even though only
The Brotherhood is fully aware of their foe true nature, the rest of the world will have to catch up quickly and accept supernatural aid, to survive.
The story is narrated mainly by Rothgar, but thanks to his Sight, he also has access to other people's perceptions (an excellent idea for introducing more POV). Thanks to that, we learn the story from different people and places, which gives us a broader perspective on what is happening.
I loved the tension between different factions. All the Clans used to compete for influence and power, but to stand against the invaders, they must forget their differences and long history of disputes. The matters became even more difficult, as some of them already swore the allegiance to the King of the North. Could they be swayed to support the seemingly doomed rebellion trying to liberate Laskar? Or will the Brotherhood have to fight their former brothers and companions
in a bloody war that benefits only the Vorund Clan?
There are few new characters, like Jolinn Hrodidottir (yay for a shieldmaiden!), and others, known from the previous book, get a bit more spotlight, thanks to changing narration. But the cast of brave warriors, jarls, and supporting characters is so vast that Character List comes in handy to distinguish who is who.
What I also liked was the main character, Rothgar. With all the terrible things that happened to him, it is easy to forget how young he is. But there were many scenes where his reactions and behaviours are reminding us about his age. He could get sulky, or jealous, or rebellious, even though he should have known better. That’s what makes him more human and more relatable.
The whole story is an exciting read. The seemingly impossible mission the Brotherhood took upon itself leads to an epic and bloody battle, where weapons and magic clash, and until the end, we can’t tell what the outcome will be. It also leaves us with many questions regarding the future and wondering what will happen next.
I enjoyed “Sundered Souls” even more than “Hall of Bones” as it’s more action-oriented, and the stakes are even higher this time, which means Rothgar’s life will not be getting any easier. If you are fans of epic fantasy incorporating Viking culture, you should check out this series.

[Jonica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 over too soon!

A little bird told me book 3 is on its way. And I just can't wait. I'm completely embroiled in the politics and lives of the characters, both good and evil, in these books. And no Dornian duck sauce in sight. Hardie is more succinct than Martin. I didn't yawn a single time. 5 stars!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sundering soul is twisted after twist that’ll keep you up late wondering what’s going to happen next. Tim hardie bravo your second book is as good as your first!! The brother hood of the eagle 🦅 is worth the read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jacob Sannox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave ‘Hall of Bones’, the first book of ‘The Brotherhood of the Eagle’, 5 stars. It’s a finalist in this year’s SPFBO competition up there with 9 other indie publishing heavyweights.
As such, I was extremely excited to crack on with the next instalment, ‘Sundered Souls’.

The first half of that book reminded me of Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. It began as a low magic Norse-influenced story that developed into a more fantastical Norse story when the magic started to become apparent.

Sundered Souls begins as a fantastical Norse story, but it quickly becomes clear that the book is gradually progressing towards a much broader fantasy tale. It turns out that the clans of the north are not representative of the wider world and have turned their back on an ancient history of gods and magic, which is now reasserting itself. We get glimpses of places much farther away and some insight as to how the clans of Laskar came to value warrior culture in their isolated pocket. The supernatural and arcane begin to infiltrate the daily lives of the clans, even among their own ranks, despite the reservations of many.

Sundered Souls features the march of The Brotherhood of the Eagle towards a besieged stronghold in the south, where they will have an inevitable confrontation with the distant and menacing Adalrikr’s henchman, Sinarr the Cold One, who is absolutely terrifying. This won’t be the kind of war the clans are used to fighting.

The pace is steady for the first 70%, but then Hardie hits the accelerator and pins you back in your seat for the remaining 30%. Chaos, blood, death and jeopardy.

The distant antagonist, Adalrikr, is far away, but looms large in the story, and the feeling his name engenders reminded me of how I felt in the pause after Gandalf had told Frodo all about Sauron and Mordor while still sitting in cosy Bag End. The weight of it all, ye gods, the weight of it.

If I have one criticism, it is that there are lots of named characters to keep track of and it took me a little while to orient myself at the beginning, however, it did not take me long at all to remember everyone, and actually I had missed that there is a list of all the character names with explanations of who they are at the back of the book.

Back to the praise. I want to emphasise Tim Hardie’s talent as a thoroughly formidable storyteller. His worldbuilding, prose, plot, character arcs and devices for showing different points of view all mark him out as a master craftsman. This is an excellent series, thoroughly solid and constantly readable; it absolutely delivers across the board. I felt like I was coming home when reading it, and the experience was visceral.

There are more books to come, and I know that this story is going to become more and more epic and fantastical with every instalment. The stakes are building. The status quo has been utterly disrupted. These are simple, honest folk, fighting for their freedom and their lives in a much more complicated world than they realised. I really don’t know how the story will pan out.

But I know I’m afraid. And that’s a good thing.

[S. Bavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Sundered Souls, the sequel to Hall of Bones, war between the clans is fast approaching. Our hero Rothgar’s character develops from him being known as ‘the Cripple’ following his torture and the breaking of his body in the previous book, to a ‘Chosen One’ story arc in the final quarter of this book. The climax to this development occurs as an epic bloody battle rages between the warriors of the rival clans and the more arcane forces of good and evil.

“You are the instrument of my vengeance, Rothgar, do not fail me.”

My favourite part in this novel were the strong relationships between Rothgar and his found family, Joldir and the young boy, Leif, his fellowship in the Sight. These bonds were strengthened by their telepathic powers and ability to communicate while far apart. Arissa and Etta play smaller roles in this novel as the action mainly takes place away from where they are located in Johan’s camp.

Leif’s story is intriguing. There is clearly more to him and his mother, Lina, than meets the eye and I look forward to discovering more about them in future books.

Rothgar’s younger sister, Nuna, finds herself being manipulated and in peril as she embraces her own powers of the Sight.

The evil Nereth returns and is yet again trying everything to find a way to avenge herself on Rothgar. She did not have a large role in this book and I would have liked to see more of her. I have a feeling that she will play a more significant role in the next two novels.

The final battle of this novel is everything an epic fantasy battle should be, with many details from medieval history being included and lovers of the genre will thoroughly enjoy it. My favourite scene in the book came towards the end of the battle with the appearance of the Weeping Warrior and his ability to affect time:

“We have stepped outside time. Navan’s river still flows but we are between the worlds of life and death, reality and dream.”

The events that followed this scene were truly gripping and I found myself reading on for much longer than I intended.

I did struggle with the vast cast of characters taking part in the battle who I found difficult to keep track of and to remember whose side each of them fought on. There is a handy list of characters in the back of the book, but I usually find that referring to such lists wrenches me out of the story.

I am excited to see where this intriguing series is headed next and what fates are in store for these interesting characters.

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Read.

Holy Navan's balls, Tim Hardie, what are you trying to do to me. Damn that was so insanely intense, Grim Reaper Tim Hardie scythes through his characters like he's cutting wheat. Which leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat and guessing who is next for the chopping block. Sundered Souls is the second book, in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, and boy, what a read, the twist and turns, and there are so many twists that you just don't know what's going happen next, keeping you hooked from the very first page. Tim Hardie's storytelling and beautifully written prose are wonderful, His world-building, plot, and scene crafting is epic. Creating a fantastic place for us fans to get lost in. This book does move at a fast pace, and I mean fast, and there is certainly no shortage of action, with lots of battles and dark magic, where no one is even safe in the dream worlds. This is violently good stuff, and I absolutely love it. In this book, the world of Laskar, an old enemy, has returned, the Durath, using dark magic to take control of the clans of Reavesburg. But there is hope of turning the tide. There is an uprising, the Brotherhood is formed, led by Johan Jokellsward, the Brotherhood of the Eagle fights to free the land of Reavesburg from its evil occupiers the Vorund Clan and avenge the murder of their chief and loved ones. Only the Brotherhood know what they truly face and are sworn to defeat an old evil that has risen once more. If you love your fantasy, dark, beautiful, and utterly immersive, then I very highly recommend this amazing Viking inspired saga, The Brotherhood of the Eagle....😁🖤🔥

[H.C. Gowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardie’s sequel to Hall of Bones is incredibly ambitious in its scale and still, he executes it all brilliantly. Sundered Souls, continues to follow the heroes of the Reavesburg Clan as they struggle for survival against their ancient rivals. If they’re to prevail against all odds, they must change their long-held beliefs and adapt, even if that means resorting to magic they once thought dark and ruinous.

This instalment continues the Brotherhood of the Eagle Saga at a cracking pace that always stays exciting and never feels rushed. Hardie masterfully manages to simultaneously develop the characters’ stories on a micro scale while progressing the battles and factions on a macro scale.
There are so many great characters which all feel unique, deep and layered. What makes them so real is that they are all driven by flawed human motivations including duty, self-interest, jealousy, retribution, fear, and pride. Even many who fight on the same side are in conflict with each other but must learn to put aside their differences to survive. It all makes for a very compelling read.

The characters are also discovering more about just how deep the evil runs in the ranks of their foes, and must learn to wield their own powerful, unpredictable magic. I really enjoyed learning more about the supernatural side of the world in Sundered Souls as well as more details about their ancient lore and warring gods. The world Hardie is building is vast and I can’t wait to discover more of it in the next instalment - Lost Gods.

[Caitlin G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review. Full review to come.

[Douglas Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow--outstanding second act in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series! I really enjoyed the slow, tense, and suspense-filled roll to the big battle scene--and what a battle it was! I also enjoyed the innovative approach to providing the reader with multiple points of view in a first-person narrative. I've already started Book 3!

[Scott | Scottsforayintofiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review - Sundered Soul

Rating 10/10 ⭐️

I went into this book hear lots of praise, it couldn’t really be that good can it.

Well well well - WHAT A BOOK!!!

I thought Hall of Bones was an excellent book but this book took everything up 100 levels.

The magic system in this book was so good, we really got to delve into the history and grow our understanding. I loved how the author didn’t just ram the details down our throat but blended it seamlessly into the story.

The cast of characters is very large in this book, but you still get delivered fully fleshed out characters. They all have individual traits, lots of depth and you cannot but get emotional invested by their stories, especially the main character Rothgar.

I love a good battle scene in my book and the ones in this were phenomenal. The build up was intense and basically the third quarter of this book was on big battle. That can be tough to land without it becoming tedious, this book and battle was anything but tedious.

I am excited to see where the author take the story from here.

[Anya Josephs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What It's About: His kingdom occupied, his life in ruins, Rothgar has to make new, tentative allies if he wants to survive, let alone reclaim his birthright. But everyone he meets has an agenda of their own, and there are new dangers emerging too.

What I Thought: This is just as good as the first book in the series. It maintains all the charm of the writing and the lovability of the characters, while improving the worldbuilidng. The magic system, in particular, grows and develops quite a bit here. And we get to see Rothgar grow up a little bit, which is wonderful. The Durath, which I thought were too vague an antagonist in the previous volume, are much more clearly defined here, and become a powerful threat. And new characters and pieces of the world begin to develop, setting the stage for future volumes admirably.

Who Should Read It: I'm gonna reiterate my previous suggestion of "everyone", with a special shout-out to fans of Norse culture or mythology and lovers of political fantasy.

[Nick Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant again. I am loving this series. The magic side of things really picks up and some great new characters introduced as the story progresses. On to book 3