What do you think?
Rate this book
Tomes of the Dead #11
Viking Dead
Northern Europe, 976 AD. Bjolf and the viking crew of the ship Hrafn flee up an unknown river after a bitter battle, only to find themselves in a bleak land of pestilence. The dead don’t lie down, but become draugr – the undead – returning to feed on the flesh of their kin. Terrible stories are told of a dark castle in a hidden fjord, and of black ships that come raiding with invincible draugr berserkers. And no sooner has Bjolf resolved to leave, than the black ships appear...
Now stranded, his men cursed by the contagion of walking death, Bjolf has once choice: fight his way through a forest teeming with zombies, invade the castle and find the secret of the horrific condition – or submit to an eternity of shambling, soulless undeath!
Now stranded, his men cursed by the contagion of walking death, Bjolf has once choice: fight his way through a forest teeming with zombies, invade the castle and find the secret of the horrific condition – or submit to an eternity of shambling, soulless undeath!
351 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Toby Venables
10 books34 followersToby Venables is a novelist, screenwriter and lecturer in Film Studies at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. He grew up watching old Universal horror movies when his parents thought he was asleep, reading 2000 AD and obsessing about Beowulf. There was probably a bit more to it, but he can't quite remember what it was.
He has since worked as a journalist and magazine editor—launching magazines in Cambridge, Peterborough, Oxford and Bristol—and once orchestrated an elaborate Halloween hoax for which he built and photographed a werewolf. He still works as a freelance copywriter, has been the recipient of a radio advertising award, and in 2001 won the Keats-Shelley Memorial Prize (both possibly due to typing errors).
His first novel (for Abaddon) was The Viking Dead—a historical-zombie-SF mashup which has been described as "A fantastic mix of history, violence and horror" and "ludicrous fun."
He has since worked as a journalist and magazine editor—launching magazines in Cambridge, Peterborough, Oxford and Bristol—and once orchestrated an elaborate Halloween hoax for which he built and photographed a werewolf. He still works as a freelance copywriter, has been the recipient of a radio advertising award, and in 2001 won the Keats-Shelley Memorial Prize (both possibly due to typing errors).
His first novel (for Abaddon) was The Viking Dead—a historical-zombie-SF mashup which has been described as "A fantastic mix of history, violence and horror" and "ludicrous fun."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 26, 2015
First 3 quarters of book were eccellent, it was like "13th Warrior" (the awesome movie based on Michael Chricton's "Eaters of the dead" novel) with zombies.
June 2, 2013
Loved it! Honestly, this book reminded me of reading Norse sagas. I felt the author did a wonderful job crafting the story and keeping the Vikings intact. For me, it wasn't a simple hack and slash or mindless chomp. The author was able to blend both genres without problem.
The use of animal and religious symbolism was amazing! Even though your average person might not know a lot about the Norse culture, the author made it accessible without watering it down.
Honestly, it is hard to talk about this book without giving the whole story away. Suffice it to say, this was a great book, fast pace, and just enough action to keep you interested. And the author did a wonderful job of balancing the blood, gore, and action with human connection.
Even though there were some parts that I wish were played out a bit longer, this story was completely filling and fun! If you love sagas, Norse, and zombies, make sure this book is on your list!
The use of animal and religious symbolism was amazing! Even though your average person might not know a lot about the Norse culture, the author made it accessible without watering it down.
Honestly, it is hard to talk about this book without giving the whole story away. Suffice it to say, this was a great book, fast pace, and just enough action to keep you interested. And the author did a wonderful job of balancing the blood, gore, and action with human connection.
Even though there were some parts that I wish were played out a bit longer, this story was completely filling and fun! If you love sagas, Norse, and zombies, make sure this book is on your list!
February 25, 2012
The Setting: Northern Europe. The Time: Dark Ages. The Participants: Vikings vs Draugr(Zombies). What can go wrong?
Bjolf and his Viking crew attack a village only to find it destroyed by another Viking party. As they flee they arrive at a strange place (also in the north) but with strange rituals. There they must battle not only other viking but also undead viking. The ending was fitting to the tale and leave an open door to a sequel if the author needs to return.
The characters are likeable and as we learn more about them we familiarize not only with Viking way but also the other and most numerous northmen that live in those lands. Vikings were the invading parties that set to plunder and conquest. The other northern had nothing to do with them. As the real vikings also this band is composed mostly by nothern man but also people from other lands. British residents , Rus, Sammi. Pretty much anyone who wanted to join.
The Draugr were a really legend from the northern man and so it was interesting to see them in a book. The way they came to being was also innovative because The ending as I said was good but at the same time dissapointing. The zombies were made by people from the future. Time Machines and such. But that didn't prevent me to enjoy the tale and that's what's important.
The short chapters make the story flow and action, history lessons, beasts and landscapes fill the pages.
Another criticism was the way he used the characters. Some characteres enrich the setting but in the end most of them were forgotten.
I would suggest to anyone who enjoys zombies, vikings and action centered books.
Bjolf and his Viking crew attack a village only to find it destroyed by another Viking party. As they flee they arrive at a strange place (also in the north) but with strange rituals. There they must battle not only other viking but also undead viking. The ending was fitting to the tale and leave an open door to a sequel if the author needs to return.
The characters are likeable and as we learn more about them we familiarize not only with Viking way but also the other and most numerous northmen that live in those lands. Vikings were the invading parties that set to plunder and conquest. The other northern had nothing to do with them. As the real vikings also this band is composed mostly by nothern man but also people from other lands. British residents , Rus, Sammi. Pretty much anyone who wanted to join.
The Draugr were a really legend from the northern man and so it was interesting to see them in a book. The way they came to being was also innovative because The ending as I said was good but at the same time dissapointing. The zombies were made by people from the future. Time Machines and such. But that didn't prevent me to enjoy the tale and that's what's important.
The short chapters make the story flow and action, history lessons, beasts and landscapes fill the pages.
Another criticism was the way he used the characters. Some characteres enrich the setting but in the end most of them were forgotten.
I would suggest to anyone who enjoys zombies, vikings and action centered books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2011
This book is the perfect blend of vikings, battle and zombies. Anyone who enjoys a good battle or two, or maybe three and can handle graphic descriptions and can sit comfortably as they read about man-eating zombies, man-eating zombie ravens, man-eating zombie wolves, man-eating zombie ants and oh did I forgot to mention a collection of man-eating decapitated zombie head pit?? Well - yes this is the book for them!
It starts of well with a beautiful portrayal of the idilic viking farmers life and of course the boy who dreams of escaping it all and the only way of doing that is joining a crew and taking to the whale road.
However his wish doesn't come quite as he planned - first when he unexpectedly encounters one raiding party, another has already brutally murdered 99.9% of his village, his cowardly father who is exteremly suprstitious about dead people survives although everyone determines he's gone quite mad. Left with nothing to loot the later arrived warriors depart after being chased off by their brutal rivals, the Grimmsons, discover the young lad has stowed away with them.
What follows is a fog cursed race across the sea to escape the rivals only to end up quite lost at sea, have a strange encounter with a drowned sailor's arm (think of the hand from the Adams family but on a boat) and end of up in a land where death comes in the form of friend and foe alike, and more, as hinted at the start.
The nature of a vikings life fits well the characters as they struggle to understand what is going on in the strange land they find themselves beached at as well as survive with the few remaining locals. Eventually the warriors pull themselves together and vow to avenge all their fallen comrades in an endless battle through the zombie filled landscape to the source of the curse in a quest to stop it once and for all - even it if means death for themselves.
Everything up until that very point when victory is in their hands and the presumed culprit is lying maimed on the floor is brilliant - what isn't so good is the unconventional and uncomfortable way Tony Venables introduces a small 'sci-fi people from the future' aspect to the plot in order to explain why people have suddenly started rising from their graves to feast on the living. It is that which will urk some true historical viking fans who will quite happily believe vikings vs zombies but not vikings vs scientists from the future and a time machine they then use only to visit the future which is more zombie filled then they current past erm I mean present, well whatever era the story is set in.
But on the whole it is a very entertaining and sea gripping read, chapters are short, sweet and well packed with action and the characters have great depth to make the reader will them to survive against every zombie surge (although I must admitt the character of Atli tended to get forgotten towards the end but the leader of the crew Bjolf remains prominent all the way through.)
Definitely a worthy buy for those who like horror but with a bit of an unusual twist to the typical werewolves and vampires.
It starts of well with a beautiful portrayal of the idilic viking farmers life and of course the boy who dreams of escaping it all and the only way of doing that is joining a crew and taking to the whale road.
However his wish doesn't come quite as he planned - first when he unexpectedly encounters one raiding party, another has already brutally murdered 99.9% of his village, his cowardly father who is exteremly suprstitious about dead people survives although everyone determines he's gone quite mad. Left with nothing to loot the later arrived warriors depart after being chased off by their brutal rivals, the Grimmsons, discover the young lad has stowed away with them.
What follows is a fog cursed race across the sea to escape the rivals only to end up quite lost at sea, have a strange encounter with a drowned sailor's arm (think of the hand from the Adams family but on a boat) and end of up in a land where death comes in the form of friend and foe alike, and more, as hinted at the start.
The nature of a vikings life fits well the characters as they struggle to understand what is going on in the strange land they find themselves beached at as well as survive with the few remaining locals. Eventually the warriors pull themselves together and vow to avenge all their fallen comrades in an endless battle through the zombie filled landscape to the source of the curse in a quest to stop it once and for all - even it if means death for themselves.
Everything up until that very point when victory is in their hands and the presumed culprit is lying maimed on the floor is brilliant - what isn't so good is the unconventional and uncomfortable way Tony Venables introduces a small 'sci-fi people from the future' aspect to the plot in order to explain why people have suddenly started rising from their graves to feast on the living. It is that which will urk some true historical viking fans who will quite happily believe vikings vs zombies but not vikings vs scientists from the future and a time machine they then use only to visit the future which is more zombie filled then they current past erm I mean present, well whatever era the story is set in.
But on the whole it is a very entertaining and sea gripping read, chapters are short, sweet and well packed with action and the characters have great depth to make the reader will them to survive against every zombie surge (although I must admitt the character of Atli tended to get forgotten towards the end but the leader of the crew Bjolf remains prominent all the way through.)
Definitely a worthy buy for those who like horror but with a bit of an unusual twist to the typical werewolves and vampires.
February 3, 2015
Oh crap.
This is one of those books that really tears me up. Let me get it over with and say - the ending is a steaming pile of crap that is an insult to an otherwise awesome book. Seriously, when the Vikings go across to the final island for the showdown vs the "Villan", just stop reading and imagine that they just kill him.
If you read the ending you will probably hate it. I was thinking 4 stars for this book otherwise.
The rest of the book is very well written. A very nice horror book that has a lot of attention to details, some great scenes and characters that make sense and act convincingly. Yes, it's Vikings and zombies, and a little cheesy at times (most zombie stories are) but the dead are suitably menacing and introduced slowly, almost teasingly, and make a very effective horrific trouble for the characters,
Even if you remove the zombies and horror, I would have loved reading the saga of Atli, Bjolf, Gunnar and Halldis. I loved how the author (in his first book!) setup a world and characters that I felt invested towards and wanted to see how they overcame the challenges set before them.
That the problem was "zombies" and none of them really understood what the hell was going on for a good long while was awesome.
But yeah, the ending really cheapened the book, and left hanging all the interesting characterisation and plot lines that had been developed. Made the book feel half done.
This is one of those books that really tears me up. Let me get it over with and say - the ending is a steaming pile of crap that is an insult to an otherwise awesome book. Seriously, when the Vikings go across to the final island for the showdown vs the "Villan", just stop reading and imagine that they just kill him.
If you read the ending you will probably hate it. I was thinking 4 stars for this book otherwise.
The rest of the book is very well written. A very nice horror book that has a lot of attention to details, some great scenes and characters that make sense and act convincingly. Yes, it's Vikings and zombies, and a little cheesy at times (most zombie stories are) but the dead are suitably menacing and introduced slowly, almost teasingly, and make a very effective horrific trouble for the characters,
Even if you remove the zombies and horror, I would have loved reading the saga of Atli, Bjolf, Gunnar and Halldis. I loved how the author (in his first book!) setup a world and characters that I felt invested towards and wanted to see how they overcame the challenges set before them.
That the problem was "zombies" and none of them really understood what the hell was going on for a good long while was awesome.
But yeah, the ending really cheapened the book, and left hanging all the interesting characterisation and plot lines that had been developed. Made the book feel half done.
October 26, 2014
"Continuing along with "period zombie novels" in Abaddon's Tomes of the Dead series, we move on to a historical figure that I am guessing has not gotten a lot of zombie treatment yet: the viking raider. Toby Venables aims to touch on this very promising subject matter in his debut novel, the matter-of-factly named Viking Dead. Now, while I was stoked at the premise, you can't help but be wary of freshman novels. However, existing online reviews were promising for this title, so I dove in. Upon finishing it, I can say that there is some really good stuff here, some run of the mill things, and a major "WTF" turn that will either be embraced or hated by the reader. Let's read on...
Taking place circa 976 AD, Viking Dead focuses on Bjolf, captain of the longship Hrafn, and leader of a diverse group of veteran viking raiders. We meet them as they launch a raid on a small village, where things do not go as planned. Picking up a young villager in the process (who later becomes a full-fledged member), they then run into a rival (and much larger) raiding party. Escaping catastrophe by the seat of their pants, they find themselves embroiled in a much greater horror."
You can read my review of the exciting yarn showcasing vikings vs. zombies here:
http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...
Taking place circa 976 AD, Viking Dead focuses on Bjolf, captain of the longship Hrafn, and leader of a diverse group of veteran viking raiders. We meet them as they launch a raid on a small village, where things do not go as planned. Picking up a young villager in the process (who later becomes a full-fledged member), they then run into a rival (and much larger) raiding party. Escaping catastrophe by the seat of their pants, they find themselves embroiled in a much greater horror."
You can read my review of the exciting yarn showcasing vikings vs. zombies here:
http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...
April 7, 2015
I've read a few in this series. Happy to say Viking Dead is one of the best. Great characters, nicely done set-pieces and an unexpected conclusion. Recommended.
November 13, 2020
Inhalt/Meinung
Zombies gehen ja bekanntlich immer und bei mir sowieso. Und wenn es dann noch Vikingerzombies sind, da rastet die kleine Tilly vollkommen aus. Könnt ihr euch vorstellen, oder?
„The Viking Dead“ hab ich ziemlich günstig im Ausverkauf bei der Verlagsauflösung von VoodooPress erstanden und hab nun lange überlegt, ob ich die Rezension überhaupt schreibe, denn den Verlag gibt es ja (LEIDER!!!) nicht mehr. Aber das Buch ist noch im Umlauf, also … lang Rede kurzer Sinn: ich schreib ne Rezension. :-D
Vikingerzombies! Wie geil ist denn bitte diese Idee?! Also ich war Feuer und Flamme und hab dann mit meiner besten Zombiereadingbuddyfreundin Zombody's thoughts beschlossen, dass wir dieses Buch lesen müssen. Blieb uns ja fast nichts anderes übrig.
Das Buch fing relativ spannend an. Vikinger überfallen ein Dorf und ein kleiner Junge kann sich irgendwie auf ihr Boot retten. Er schließt sich ihnen an, er will Vikinger werden und sie nehmen ihn auf. Alles gut, alles schön. Alles easy peasy bis jetzt. Die Vikinger sind Vikinger und tun, was Vikinger halt so tun. Es zieht sich direkt kurz nach dem Anfang schon ein bisschen und ich wartete gespannt auf die Zombies. Die dann auch irgendwann kamen.
Ich will eigentlich gar nicht das ganze Buch auseinander nehmen, aber es ist doch einfach leider so, dass es zwar in der ersten Hälfte noch spannend wird, wenn die Zombies auftauchen, aber das war es auch schon. Es ist ein einziges hin und her bei den Vikingern. Die haben absolut keine Ahnung, so schien es, was sie eigentlich machen (sollen) und irrten gefühlt einfach ohne Sinn und Verstand durch die Gegend.
Die Zombies retteten einiges, aber leider auch nicht alles. Sie sind meiner Meinung nach viel zu wenig „anwesend“.
Die Story an sich liest sich zwar schnell und flüssig, aber vieles ist leider total überflüssig. Und auch wenn es in der zweiten Hälfte ein bisschen spannender wird, so reißen einen sehr langweilige Kapitel doch immer wieder aus dem Lesefluss heraus. Sinnlose Aktionen der Vikinger gepaart mit keinen Zombies. Schade, schade, schade.
Bei einigen Büchern denke ich ja, dass es im Grunde nicht schlimmer kommen kann. Aber hier irrte ich mich. Das Ende schläft dem Fass den Boden aus und hinterließ bei mir nur reinstes Kopfschütteln. Ich steh ja auch Stilbruch und Genremischung, aber wenn ein Ende so unlogisch und die Handlung wie aus dem Nichts auftaucht… dann können bei mir auch jede Menge Zombies nichts mehr retten.
Okay, ich sags jetzt: Es war totaler Schwachsinn! Ich hab keine Ahnung, was sich der Autor dabei gedacht hat oder ob ihm einfach nichts besseres mehr eingefallen ist.
Wer wissen will, wovon ich rede, kann mich gerne anschreiben, ich will hier nur nicht spoilern.
Fazit
„The Viking Dead“ fängt langsam an, steigert sich minimal, um dann einfach nur grandios abzustürzen. Es hätte eine gute Geschichte werden können, aber hier wurde so viel Potenzial mit langatmigen Kapiteln verschenkt, dass dieses grauenvolle Ende eigentlich auch nichts schlimmer machen konnte.
Von mir an dieser Stelle keine Leseempfehlung. (Den Verlag gibt es ja nicht mehr, aber es sei gesagt: Die anderen Bücher waren wirklich gut!)
Zombies gehen ja bekanntlich immer und bei mir sowieso. Und wenn es dann noch Vikingerzombies sind, da rastet die kleine Tilly vollkommen aus. Könnt ihr euch vorstellen, oder?
„The Viking Dead“ hab ich ziemlich günstig im Ausverkauf bei der Verlagsauflösung von VoodooPress erstanden und hab nun lange überlegt, ob ich die Rezension überhaupt schreibe, denn den Verlag gibt es ja (LEIDER!!!) nicht mehr. Aber das Buch ist noch im Umlauf, also … lang Rede kurzer Sinn: ich schreib ne Rezension. :-D
Vikingerzombies! Wie geil ist denn bitte diese Idee?! Also ich war Feuer und Flamme und hab dann mit meiner besten Zombiereadingbuddyfreundin Zombody's thoughts beschlossen, dass wir dieses Buch lesen müssen. Blieb uns ja fast nichts anderes übrig.
Das Buch fing relativ spannend an. Vikinger überfallen ein Dorf und ein kleiner Junge kann sich irgendwie auf ihr Boot retten. Er schließt sich ihnen an, er will Vikinger werden und sie nehmen ihn auf. Alles gut, alles schön. Alles easy peasy bis jetzt. Die Vikinger sind Vikinger und tun, was Vikinger halt so tun. Es zieht sich direkt kurz nach dem Anfang schon ein bisschen und ich wartete gespannt auf die Zombies. Die dann auch irgendwann kamen.
Ich will eigentlich gar nicht das ganze Buch auseinander nehmen, aber es ist doch einfach leider so, dass es zwar in der ersten Hälfte noch spannend wird, wenn die Zombies auftauchen, aber das war es auch schon. Es ist ein einziges hin und her bei den Vikingern. Die haben absolut keine Ahnung, so schien es, was sie eigentlich machen (sollen) und irrten gefühlt einfach ohne Sinn und Verstand durch die Gegend.
Die Zombies retteten einiges, aber leider auch nicht alles. Sie sind meiner Meinung nach viel zu wenig „anwesend“.
Die Story an sich liest sich zwar schnell und flüssig, aber vieles ist leider total überflüssig. Und auch wenn es in der zweiten Hälfte ein bisschen spannender wird, so reißen einen sehr langweilige Kapitel doch immer wieder aus dem Lesefluss heraus. Sinnlose Aktionen der Vikinger gepaart mit keinen Zombies. Schade, schade, schade.
Bei einigen Büchern denke ich ja, dass es im Grunde nicht schlimmer kommen kann. Aber hier irrte ich mich. Das Ende schläft dem Fass den Boden aus und hinterließ bei mir nur reinstes Kopfschütteln. Ich steh ja auch Stilbruch und Genremischung, aber wenn ein Ende so unlogisch und die Handlung wie aus dem Nichts auftaucht… dann können bei mir auch jede Menge Zombies nichts mehr retten.
Okay, ich sags jetzt: Es war totaler Schwachsinn! Ich hab keine Ahnung, was sich der Autor dabei gedacht hat oder ob ihm einfach nichts besseres mehr eingefallen ist.
Wer wissen will, wovon ich rede, kann mich gerne anschreiben, ich will hier nur nicht spoilern.
Fazit
„The Viking Dead“ fängt langsam an, steigert sich minimal, um dann einfach nur grandios abzustürzen. Es hätte eine gute Geschichte werden können, aber hier wurde so viel Potenzial mit langatmigen Kapiteln verschenkt, dass dieses grauenvolle Ende eigentlich auch nichts schlimmer machen konnte.
Von mir an dieser Stelle keine Leseempfehlung. (Den Verlag gibt es ja nicht mehr, aber es sei gesagt: Die anderen Bücher waren wirklich gut!)
January 15, 2024
Bought It For Kicks, Enjoyed It Immensely.
I bought this just playfully searching for zombies and Vikings. Zombie berserkers. Zombie berserker wolves. Zombie ants. Zombie birds. Science experiments that would make Josef Mengele jealous. Toby gave us a forty-man crew that was interesting enough to keep up with how they fared. A harsh environment where the actions are initially despicable, you quickly start to cheer for the bad guy because he's not so bad, and evil is truly afoot. There's a coming-of-age type feel for one character, a midlife pondering of others, and even a rally for those in their twilight years. Something for everyone. This tale was told well, the historic environment was engaging, and the characters were simply real. I am a sword-and-sorcery fan, as well as horror and macabre environments, and even delve into sci-fi on occasion. This tale seemed to fit in with those in spirit, like a slow-burn haunting of Clark Ashton Smith, as well as the torturously grim sorcerer threat from Robert E. Howard.
Freedom often is the goal of the enslaved. But many times, the enslaved are the biggest persecutors of the free man. Dragon. Raven. Draugr. Vikingr. A crew with some diversity but many similarities, it would seem they're as black-and-white in some regards, as one man giving no credence to gods and believing this life is his own, always thinking and calculating, while the next man just acts without contemplation, still clinging to the old ways and old gods, believing his fate already settled by Thor or another, and yet another man, devout to Jehovah and ever-reflecting on His will, faithful to Him and his crew, even unto death: "there was knowledge in him that would be forever lost". One man finds liberation in freeing himself and his slave brothers who "like himself, [...] had suffered under the yoke of the old ways". But the nuance of this environment is not so simple, as the believers ponder often, and the thinker overthinks, missing out on the present circumstances and any future retirements. Even the most battle-minded is starting to see a quiet farm life as a better option, while ironically raiding other farmers as "free enterprise". Their old ways are threatened by new ways, but more so, their conquering hearts, their forcing themselves on others, is being reigned in by monarchy and as history shows us in any culture, no one likes to lose their power and privilege, corrupted or not, to another. Even more, men like Njáll project their humorous pederasty onto men of faith, as is more common today. Bjólf, farm-raised with often adventure stories from his seafaring uncle, a Viking through-and-through, but also envisioning being like Sigurd, the dragon-slayer, Bjólf was bound to leave his father and his farm behind to be a scourge upon other lands. Atli, farm-raised with no adventure stories, and an abusive unhinged father, yearns to run away and stay away, so a chance meeting of Bjólf's invading force, as well as his nemesis' crew, puts Atli on a path where he may be the next hypocrite to force himself on the farmers, on the churches, and on anybody who has what he wants. Or he may just survive into a new age with a new outlook on humanity.
"Revenge was exacted upon them with ruthless and bloody efficiency."
Part 1: Vikingr
Part 2: Draugr
Part 3: Ragnarók
"We cannot avoid what fate places before us. Yet I believe that an intelligent man may moderate what fate brings, if he is clear in his mind and is prepared to seek the help of friends." - Lady Halldis
Hrafn Vikingr:
Hallbjörn's Clan:
Björnheim Village:
Ottar River Village:
Gandhólm Fortress:
Rival Vikingr:
I bought this just playfully searching for zombies and Vikings. Zombie berserkers. Zombie berserker wolves. Zombie ants. Zombie birds. Science experiments that would make Josef Mengele jealous. Toby gave us a forty-man crew that was interesting enough to keep up with how they fared. A harsh environment where the actions are initially despicable, you quickly start to cheer for the bad guy because he's not so bad, and evil is truly afoot. There's a coming-of-age type feel for one character, a midlife pondering of others, and even a rally for those in their twilight years. Something for everyone. This tale was told well, the historic environment was engaging, and the characters were simply real. I am a sword-and-sorcery fan, as well as horror and macabre environments, and even delve into sci-fi on occasion. This tale seemed to fit in with those in spirit, like a slow-burn haunting of Clark Ashton Smith, as well as the torturously grim sorcerer threat from Robert E. Howard.
Freedom often is the goal of the enslaved. But many times, the enslaved are the biggest persecutors of the free man. Dragon. Raven. Draugr. Vikingr. A crew with some diversity but many similarities, it would seem they're as black-and-white in some regards, as one man giving no credence to gods and believing this life is his own, always thinking and calculating, while the next man just acts without contemplation, still clinging to the old ways and old gods, believing his fate already settled by Thor or another, and yet another man, devout to Jehovah and ever-reflecting on His will, faithful to Him and his crew, even unto death: "there was knowledge in him that would be forever lost". One man finds liberation in freeing himself and his slave brothers who "like himself, [...] had suffered under the yoke of the old ways". But the nuance of this environment is not so simple, as the believers ponder often, and the thinker overthinks, missing out on the present circumstances and any future retirements. Even the most battle-minded is starting to see a quiet farm life as a better option, while ironically raiding other farmers as "free enterprise". Their old ways are threatened by new ways, but more so, their conquering hearts, their forcing themselves on others, is being reigned in by monarchy and as history shows us in any culture, no one likes to lose their power and privilege, corrupted or not, to another. Even more, men like Njáll project their humorous pederasty onto men of faith, as is more common today. Bjólf, farm-raised with often adventure stories from his seafaring uncle, a Viking through-and-through, but also envisioning being like Sigurd, the dragon-slayer, Bjólf was bound to leave his father and his farm behind to be a scourge upon other lands. Atli, farm-raised with no adventure stories, and an abusive unhinged father, yearns to run away and stay away, so a chance meeting of Bjólf's invading force, as well as his nemesis' crew, puts Atli on a path where he may be the next hypocrite to force himself on the farmers, on the churches, and on anybody who has what he wants. Or he may just survive into a new age with a new outlook on humanity.
"Revenge was exacted upon them with ruthless and bloody efficiency."
Part 1: Vikingr
Part 2: Draugr
Part 3: Ragnarók
"We cannot avoid what fate places before us. Yet I believe that an intelligent man may moderate what fate brings, if he is clear in his mind and is prepared to seek the help of friends." - Lady Halldis
Hrafn Vikingr:
Hallbjörn's Clan:
Björnheim Village:
Ottar River Village:
Gandhólm Fortress:
Rival Vikingr:
October 16, 2017
*******SPOILERS********
This was fun while the story was going. Unfortunately, the author falls into the trap of Stephen King's IT. Great story, good execution until coming to the end. It is as if he comes to the end of the line an says, "Oh I need an ending.... People from the FUTURE!" That was a let down. I was looking for an answer from the past or even some for of legend. I was looking for a Grendel. Not time traveling scientists.
This was fun while the story was going. Unfortunately, the author falls into the trap of Stephen King's IT. Great story, good execution until coming to the end. It is as if he comes to the end of the line an says, "Oh I need an ending.... People from the FUTURE!" That was a let down. I was looking for an answer from the past or even some for of legend. I was looking for a Grendel. Not time traveling scientists.
March 27, 2023
Let’s get right into the meat of the review:
Action- Splendid. The fight scenes had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for more. Every battle had me eager to see the next, and each fighting style, the skilled use of bows to the wild twirls of axes had me addicted. The pen and the sword may be different, but by golly do they work well together.
Characters- Each character is more interesting and in-depth from the last. From their appearances to their personalities, I am in love with each character presented.
Setting- I love how the author put together the cultures that would have been present in this part of the world at that time. My favorite example would be religion. I love how there are both (old) Christian and (old) Norse followers! The best part is that they laugh and get along with each other! There is no hate or feud between the members of Bjolf’s crew.
Also, my favorite character was Magnus! What’s yours?
Action- Splendid. The fight scenes had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for more. Every battle had me eager to see the next, and each fighting style, the skilled use of bows to the wild twirls of axes had me addicted. The pen and the sword may be different, but by golly do they work well together.
Characters- Each character is more interesting and in-depth from the last. From their appearances to their personalities, I am in love with each character presented.
Setting- I love how the author put together the cultures that would have been present in this part of the world at that time. My favorite example would be religion. I love how there are both (old) Christian and (old) Norse followers! The best part is that they laugh and get along with each other! There is no hate or feud between the members of Bjolf’s crew.
Also, my favorite character was Magnus! What’s yours?
September 8, 2018
I love both Viking & zombie books so this rolled into one was the best of both worlds.
April 5, 2020
Vikings and zombies = 5 stars all the way 98% and 1 star for the ending.
November 10, 2021
What happens when you take an average viking novel and combine it with an average zombie novel? Boredom.
July 26, 2022
Vikings AND zombies? How could it be bad?
Answer: the ending...
Answer: the ending...
May 24, 2011
Northern Europe, 976 AD. Bjolf and the viking crew of the ship Hrafn flee up an unknown river after a bitter battle, only to find themselves in a bleak land of pestilence. The dead don’t lie down, but become draugr – the undead – returning to feed on the flesh of their kin. Terrible stories are told of a dark castle in a hidden fjord, and of black ships that come raiding with invincible draugr berserkers. And no sooner has Bjolf resolved to leave, than the black ships appear.
Now stranded, his men cursed by the contagion of walking death, Bjolf has once choice: fight his way through a forest teeming with zombies, invade the castle and find the secret of the horrific condition – or submit to an eternity of shambling, soulless undeath!
I have a slight obsession with the idea of zombies, the concept freaks me out, yet I find myself regularly drawn to reading about them. Over the last couple of years, I have read a fair number of zombie related novels but somehow, and I’m not quite sure how, I managed to totally miss the Tomes of the Dead series by Abaddon Books.
With the exception of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, the majority of zombie novels that I’ve read have had a modern day or futuristic setting, so a story set during the Dark Ages was a refreshing change of scenery. The most noticeable thing about this alternate setting is the absence of modern solutions to the situations that the characters find themselves in. No guns or grenades are used to dispatch the undead, instead we have arrows, axes and fire.
The Vikings themselves are a rough and ready bunch. Their leader, Bjolf, is a man of wild contrasts – thoughtful and calm one moment but ready to behead an opponent in the next. Living with the ever-present threat of violence has made him quite edgy. He feels like the Viking equivalent of a coiled spring. I also enjoyed the fact that the reader gets glimpses of the camaraderie that the crew share with each other. There is a constant back and forth banter that works well.
There are several interludes scattered throughout the novel, which help fill in some of the backstory of Skalla, the evil leader of the black ships. Rather than just a bog standard two-dimensional villain you actually get some insight into his reasons for unleashing the undead plague.
Straight out of the gate, there is a palpable sense of impending doom that I always look for in a good zombie tale. Things start slowly but you just know it is only going to be a matter of time before everything goes to hell.
Eventually, more through luck than judgment, the Vikings find themselves among a group of villagers who have been living with the undead threat for years. From this point on the novel really picks up pace, and hurtles toward an explosive climax that I have to be honest and admit – I didn’t see this one coming.
I’ve checked Abaddon’s website and there are quite a number of novels in the Tomes of the Dead series already available. The books seem to mostly be standalone affairs so, should you choose to, it will be nice and easy to dip your toes in these zombie infested waters. I certainly enjoyed the action packed hack and slash of Viking Dead so I’ll be investing in more. The only question remains is how to convince Toby Venables to write a sequel?
Now stranded, his men cursed by the contagion of walking death, Bjolf has once choice: fight his way through a forest teeming with zombies, invade the castle and find the secret of the horrific condition – or submit to an eternity of shambling, soulless undeath!
I have a slight obsession with the idea of zombies, the concept freaks me out, yet I find myself regularly drawn to reading about them. Over the last couple of years, I have read a fair number of zombie related novels but somehow, and I’m not quite sure how, I managed to totally miss the Tomes of the Dead series by Abaddon Books.
With the exception of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, the majority of zombie novels that I’ve read have had a modern day or futuristic setting, so a story set during the Dark Ages was a refreshing change of scenery. The most noticeable thing about this alternate setting is the absence of modern solutions to the situations that the characters find themselves in. No guns or grenades are used to dispatch the undead, instead we have arrows, axes and fire.
The Vikings themselves are a rough and ready bunch. Their leader, Bjolf, is a man of wild contrasts – thoughtful and calm one moment but ready to behead an opponent in the next. Living with the ever-present threat of violence has made him quite edgy. He feels like the Viking equivalent of a coiled spring. I also enjoyed the fact that the reader gets glimpses of the camaraderie that the crew share with each other. There is a constant back and forth banter that works well.
There are several interludes scattered throughout the novel, which help fill in some of the backstory of Skalla, the evil leader of the black ships. Rather than just a bog standard two-dimensional villain you actually get some insight into his reasons for unleashing the undead plague.
Straight out of the gate, there is a palpable sense of impending doom that I always look for in a good zombie tale. Things start slowly but you just know it is only going to be a matter of time before everything goes to hell.
Eventually, more through luck than judgment, the Vikings find themselves among a group of villagers who have been living with the undead threat for years. From this point on the novel really picks up pace, and hurtles toward an explosive climax that I have to be honest and admit – I didn’t see this one coming.
I’ve checked Abaddon’s website and there are quite a number of novels in the Tomes of the Dead series already available. The books seem to mostly be standalone affairs so, should you choose to, it will be nice and easy to dip your toes in these zombie infested waters. I certainly enjoyed the action packed hack and slash of Viking Dead so I’ll be investing in more. The only question remains is how to convince Toby Venables to write a sequel?
June 1, 2012
Viking Dead was a surprise. My village library has a very limited selection of books, I’d read most of their stock (westerns and romances aside) and was walking my fingers along the shelves when I found Viking Dead. I read the blurb and almost put it back: Vikings and zombies? I do read historical and war fiction, but not much horror and undead tales do nothing for me. But, there was nothing else on the shelves, so Viking Dead went home with me.
It stayed on my desk for several days until I started reading it with my late evening cup of tea. I started at 11pm. Next thing I knew it was 2am. Oops, especially as I have an early start.
Viking Dead is a page turner: well written, intriguing characters, and a plot that manages to be complex and simple at the same time. Why four stars? Because the ending was somewhat lame and felt tacked on. Still, it was much better than expected, kept me reading (I toss a lot of books aside after a chapter or two) and was extremely entertaining.
Try Viking Dead. You may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
It stayed on my desk for several days until I started reading it with my late evening cup of tea. I started at 11pm. Next thing I knew it was 2am. Oops, especially as I have an early start.
Viking Dead is a page turner: well written, intriguing characters, and a plot that manages to be complex and simple at the same time. Why four stars? Because the ending was somewhat lame and felt tacked on. Still, it was much better than expected, kept me reading (I toss a lot of books aside after a chapter or two) and was extremely entertaining.
Try Viking Dead. You may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
May 12, 2014
The best story I never should have finished.
The first 95% of this book deserves 5 stars. It was wonderfully written with solid character development, terrific action, and an edge-of-your-seat sense of danger. I loved it. One of the better books I've read in years.
That last 5%, though. Youch. I don't know if he had a serious deadline, or a serious M Night Shymalan crush. Either way, the writing falls apart, the story falls apart, a completely nonsensical twist is introduced- it looks as though he just threw his hands in the air and said "good enough!"
An amazing story with a huge let-down of an ending. I would read until that turning point (you'll know) and then set the book down, and never look at it again.
The first 95% of this book deserves 5 stars. It was wonderfully written with solid character development, terrific action, and an edge-of-your-seat sense of danger. I loved it. One of the better books I've read in years.
That last 5%, though. Youch. I don't know if he had a serious deadline, or a serious M Night Shymalan crush. Either way, the writing falls apart, the story falls apart, a completely nonsensical twist is introduced- it looks as though he just threw his hands in the air and said "good enough!"
An amazing story with a huge let-down of an ending. I would read until that turning point (you'll know) and then set the book down, and never look at it again.
July 27, 2012
A very exciting mix of Viking raiders and moaning braiiiiinzz-starved zombies. Other reviews have written enough about the story line so I don't need to repeat anything here, so I will concentrate on the writing style itself.
The short chapters always left me with the need to read that-one-chapter-more before finally falling asleep. Which kept me from giving the book five stars was the ending, in which a third trope gets mixed in with Vikings and Zombies, which I did not really like. IMHO, the end could very well have been left with medieval magic or a plague or something else...
Still, if any sequel would come up, I would very happily sink my teeth into it :-)
The short chapters always left me with the need to read that-one-chapter-more before finally falling asleep. Which kept me from giving the book five stars was the ending, in which a third trope gets mixed in with Vikings and Zombies, which I did not really like. IMHO, the end could very well have been left with medieval magic or a plague or something else...
Still, if any sequel would come up, I would very happily sink my teeth into it :-)
August 21, 2011
Viking Dead charges with berseker fury straight to the top of my Best of 2011 list. The other books tries to resist, but with little regard for its own safety and some well aimed blows from its battle axe, there is no stopping Viking Dead. I'm truly impressed with Viking Dead and the goose bumps inspiring ending just blew me away, please let there be a second part.
I Will Read Books: Viking Dead
I Will Read Books: Viking Dead
July 12, 2012
I am a huge fan of zombies and zombie stories and thus I have read many things with which this gets compared. I would have loved to give this book a higher rating but the ending was so far gone and so out of the blue that it completely undermined any of the joy from the story before that moment. When I was finished, the book closed, was put on my desk, and the last thought in my mind was, "What did I just read?" Pity.
This book is a borrow, not a buy.
This book is a borrow, not a buy.
October 7, 2013
The best of the Tome of the Dead books I've read so far. Toby Venables does a great job of combining a rollicking Vikings-gone-a-reavin' story with a more-than-competent zombie story (with the always welcome implementation of zombie critter - the worst being an army of flesh-stripping zombie ants). It also has a great twist in the end that gives a genuinely nice source for all the walking dead mayhem going on. Recommended for viking, zombie and vikings vs. zombies fans.
April 24, 2015
Es gibt Autoren, die können an sich langweilige Geschichten spannend erzählen und es gibt Autoren, die schaffen es an sich spannende Geschichten langweilig zu erzählen. Venables scheint eher in letztere Kategorie zu gehören. Trotz (oder gerade wegen) detailreicher Schilderungen kommt keine wirkliche Atmosphäre auf, was schade ist, da die Idee, Zombies im historischen Wikingerkontext auftauchen zu lassen, gut ist. Und für eines der schlechtesten Enden überhaupt gibt auch noch einen Stern Abzug.
Read
June 8, 2011I am not fan of zombie stories. But the setting of The Viking Dead was interesting and I decided to read a few pages to discover the author's style. I really enjoyed what I read and decided to read a few more chapters, then a few more and before long I was hooked.
A more detailed review will follow soon...
A more detailed review will follow soon...
June 4, 2011
The ending sort of drops the ball a bit, but not enough to ruin the overall story. Ultimately, this is a satisfying and massively entertaining read that is at times creepy, exciting, and wholly evocative, thanks in large part to some great, well-defined characters and Venables' muscular, propulsive prose. Recommended, especially for fans of horror or zombie films.
June 19, 2011
Well I wanted a scholck Gemmel type book and its what I got (but why I didn't take a Gemmel I'm not sure). Vikings fighting undead - does what is says on the tin (although the ending is very bizarre). A "break from another Malazan book" holiday filler book.
May 15, 2011
Read it. Read it now.
January 18, 2012
An excellent blend of medieval vikings and zombies along with a dash of boy's own adventure story telling adds up to a great pulp read to start the year off right!
July 27, 2012
Had so much potential then fell flat at the end.
February 20, 2016
good historical zombie read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews