A Gathering of Ravens (Grimnir, #1) in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Feb 03, 2017 James Schmidt rated it it was amazing

My review today is for:

A Gathering of Ravens by Scott Oden

A copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Where do I begin with this epic historical fantasy? Let’s go back a little. I struck up an internet friendship with Scott after I kept seeing mention of his book. A book with Norse myths, and an Orc as the protagonist? Sign me up! I was not disappointed. I received a very early e-arc of the book thanks to Scott. I was in a huge reading slump an My review today is for:

A Gathering of Ravens by Scott Oden

A copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Where do I begin with this epic historical fantasy? Let’s go back a little. I struck up an internet friendship with Scott after I kept seeing mention of his book. A book with Norse myths, and an Orc as the protagonist? Sign me up! I was not disappointed. I received a very early e-arc of the book thanks to Scott. I was in a huge reading slump and needed something to help me snap out of it. This book did that and so much more. I don’t think I have ever been more excited for a new book to come out. If ever there was a book that was me, or for me, it is this book.

Scott has seamlessly weaved a modern saga full of Norse myth and culture, a Norse, English, and Irish medieval historical setting, and the battle of old religions and new. This masterpiece is full of complex characters, gory battles, and a realistic and well researched historical setting. Oh, and did I mention Orcs! Yes, you read that right. But how you may ask. Our main character is the one and only Grimnir.

“To the Danes, he is skraelingr; to the English, he is orcnéas; to the Irish, he is fomoraig. He is Corpse-maker and Life-quencher, the Bringer of Night, the Son of the Wolf and Brother of the Serpent. He is Grimnir, and he is the last of his kind―the last in a long line of monsters who have plagued humanity since the Elder Days.”

This is not your normal protagonist. He is not someone to root for (but I did) or to be your champion. He is mean, nasty, ill tempered, and only has vengeance on his mind! My kind of Orc. Honestly this character is amazing. I am very impressed with the way this character was conceived and executed. Bravo Mr. Oden! The other cast of characters are on par with Grimnir, complex and multilayered, but none have his ability to demand your complete attention.

The setting is an amazingly detailed, historically accurate medieval Europe. Well researched and realized in this novel. Norse, English, and Irish myth and culture collide with the new religion of the Nailed God. The world is in a monumental struggle to see which one will survive. I think this struggle between the old ways and the new was one of the biggest high points for me in this book. Something I have diligently researched on my own. The author has done a spectacular job of bringing this struggle into a real life battle within his novel. Did I just say battles? I think I did, and there are plenty of bloody, gore stained battles in this book. Not overly gory, but enough to get your blood pumping. Action, adventure, battles, religion, history, and most importantly phenomenal characters. What more can you ask for!

In conclusion Scott Oden has a novel that is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I expect it to stay firmly planted at the top of my best of 2017 list. I rarely have such a bond with a book and a character as I have with A gathering of Ravens and with Grimnir. I am beside myself with excitement to see what comes next in this epic saga!

As you know if you have read my reviews before I am not about long reviews with synopsis and spoilers. I just give my opinion on my experience with this book and you can take it from there. Now on to the next book.

5/5 Stars! - MightyThorJRS

You can find all my reviews here: https://mightythorjrs.wordpress.com/ ...more

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Oct 24, 2016 S.wagenaar rated it it was amazing

To start things off, this is one of the best historical fantasy novels, and one of the best books of any genre I have read in a long time. I don't read a lot of modern fantasy, as I find many of them too bloated with padding to achieve a high page count. Scott has done in some 350 pages what many a modern fantasy author fails to do in 500+ pages; entertain the hell out of me! This book simply kicks ass. The story is always moving forward, each scene informs and entertains while moving the plot f To start things off, this is one of the best historical fantasy novels, and one of the best books of any genre I have read in a long time. I don't read a lot of modern fantasy, as I find many of them too bloated with padding to achieve a high page count. Scott has done in some 350 pages what many a modern fantasy author fails to do in 500+ pages; entertain the hell out of me! This book simply kicks ass. The story is always moving forward, each scene informs and entertains while moving the plot forward. There is never a wasted word or scene that does not keep things going. I like that.

The setting is Viking Age Britain, and especially Viking dominated Ireland on the eve of the Battle of Clontarf. Gimnir is our protagonist, and I'm not spoiling anything by saying he is an Orc, but he is not your father's Orc. Grimnir is mean, harsh and bad ass. He's crafty and he will kill you just because he can. He is like Conan with a hangover and a toothache. And he's your hero. If you like your tales gritty and rough, you are gonna love this story.

Swords clash, shields are sundered and spears are shattered. You can smell the smoke, feel the grit in your eyes and taste the blood. Mr Oden writes great combat scenes, from one on one to full on battles with a cast of thousands. I feel he can match even Robert E Howard when it comes time to let loose some blood 'n' thunder. Also, I really enjoyed the contrast of paganism vs Christianity, of the old ways of magic and Gods and the new cult of the Nailed God.

Basically, Grimnir is on a quest for revenge, and nothing is going to stop him from his vengeance. Not man, nor beast nor God. There are also a couple of human characters at the forefront of the story, but not so many as you will lose count(or interest). However, they are all fully fleshed out and interesting. The magic in the story is neat and organic, fitting the setting perfectly, but not dominating the story. Scott's background in Historical fiction shines through by giving everything a realistic feel; it really could have happened like this (and maybe should have!).

In the end, this is truly an excellent novel, and should not be missed by anyone who loves a good adventure. This is one of the few sword and sorcery novels I have read that works well as a full length novel. You can call it Fantasy, or Historical Fantasy or even Grimdark if you want. But this here is some good old-fashioned S&S with an awesome pulp-adventure flavor that REH would would appreciate. And so should you. ...more

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Jul 07, 2017 Greg (adds 2 TBR list daily) Hersom rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is my review that is also posted over at fantasyliterature.com :

Grimnir is a monster, literally. The Norse call him skraelingr. To the Irish, he is the fomoraig, and to the English he is an orcneas. Born and raised to do war, for and against the old gods. Immortal, they spend their endless lives, longing for glory in the final battle of Ragnarok.

So Grimnir’s disposition is already brutal, but to add to it, he’s the very last of his kind. To say he’s a pissed-off is a gross understatement. A This is my review that is also posted over at fantasyliterature.com :

Grimnir is a monster, literally. The Norse call him skraelingr. To the Irish, he is the fomoraig, and to the English he is an orcneas. Born and raised to do war, for and against the old gods. Immortal, they spend their endless lives, longing for glory in the final battle of Ragnarok.

So Grimnir’s disposition is already brutal, but to add to it, he’s the very last of his kind. To say he’s a pissed-off is a gross understatement. And what’s a centuries-old, angry monster, who only finds satisfaction in violence, to do, all by himself, while waiting around for end-of-time? Seek bloody vengeance, of course. Word of the one called Half-Dane has drawn Grimnir out of his lair, for the Half-Dane is who betrayed Grimnir and his kin. Meanwhile, a new religion has usurped the Elder Gods. Followers of the White Christ have stomped out the Old Ways and those ancient powers are all but gone. In order for Grimnir to find the Half-Dane now, he’ll require a guide. So he gets one by kidnapping a young Christian, Aidan, and their quest will drive them across the war-ravaged countries of England and Ireland.

If Robert E. Howard and Poul Anderson collaborated on a novel, it would very much be like A Gathering of Ravens. In fact, if there’s any new book out there that should sport a Frazetta-like cover illustration, it’s this one. Scott Oden creates a tone that is dark and primeval. The action is savage and instinctual. The conflict is wanton. But rather than simply be an awesome action-adventure story, A Gathering of Ravens runs deeper.

Like Howard and Anderson, Oden has their same natural creative ability to make a fantasy story not only seem more like historical fiction, but actually feel like true-life; like the truth that became the legend, that turned to myth, and was forgotten. I think there is yearning throughout humankind for gods and their mythologies. Novels like A Gathering of Ravens taps into that yearning. ...more

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Aug 14, 2017 Michael rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. So far I am thoroughly hooked on this new novel. I previously read his novel "Lion of Cairo" which I rated 5 stars. This current story takes place just before the "Battle of Clontarf" which took place on Good Friday in the year 1014 A.D.
I know that the author is highly influenced by Robert E Howard and this story appears that it will climax at that famous battle between the Christian King Brian Boru and his allies (some Viking) vs Maelmorda of Leinster and the Vikings from Dublin (Maelmorda's n ...more

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Oct 06, 2022 Josh rated it really liked it

Loved this book. The action was well written and the Northern European setting well researched. The mythological elements were very satisfying, and Grimnir himself is a right bastard who you can’t help but to love. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology in their historical fiction, pulp fantasy, or sword and sorcery.

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Jun 08, 2020 Vincent Darlage rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, fantasy

Scott Oden wrote an amazing book here. It melds history (the Battle of Clontarf), with mythology (Yggdrasil), with epic poems (Beowulf). The merger of Orcs with the world of the Norse at a time when Christianity was on the rise and battling with older pagan religions was genius. It added a spice of old-world mystery with a historical subject. As I grow older, I find I prefer genre smash-ups more than straight genre stories, so this one fit me perfectly.

Scott Oden is probably the best describer Scott Oden wrote an amazing book here. It melds history (the Battle of Clontarf), with mythology (Yggdrasil), with epic poems (Beowulf). The merger of Orcs with the world of the Norse at a time when Christianity was on the rise and battling with older pagan religions was genius. It added a spice of old-world mystery with a historical subject. As I grow older, I find I prefer genre smash-ups more than straight genre stories, so this one fit me perfectly.

Scott Oden is probably the best describer of violence since Robert E. Howard. He makes it visceral and real. This is a tale of vengeance at it's heart, told against the backdrop of the Battle of Clontarf and the political maneuvering leading up to that battle. Grimnir is basically an Orc (the last one), who is out to kill his half-brother (who is half-orc). The brother, Bjarki Half-Dane, comes across as an analogue of Beowulf.

The use of magic in the book is wonderfully mysterious and feels ancient (something else Robert E. Howard could do well, but few people in a post-Dungeons & Dragons world can do) - Scott Oden's magic is amazing and terrifying. There is actually a lot I'd love to praise about this specifically but I don't want to give anything away.

For much of the novel Grimnir is paired with a young Christian, which was quite good - this companion worked much like Doctor Who's companions work, giving the audience someone to identify with because Grimnir is alien to us, so someone's humanity must reflect that - and making the companion Christian also gives us another comparison because Grimnir is decidedly not. If you like old-style fantasy (not whimsical fantasy) or historical fiction, then I recommend this book. If you like witnessing fantasy blended with historical fiction, I heartily recommend this book.

My only other experiences with the Battle of Clontarf are Robert E. Howard's stories "Spears of Clontarf," "The Grey God Passes" (AKA "Twilight of the Grey Gods"), and "The Cairn on the Headland," so it was nice getting more in-depth with the historical characters I knew only from those stories. ...more

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