This book was a recommendation I saw somewhere that had all the right ingredients: Vikings, Arthurian legends, fantasy, and retellings. How can it be bad?

Hoo boy.

Let us start on page iv with the Editor’s note: Viken is a historical name in southwestern Norway, believed to derive from Old Norse word ‘vik’, meaning cove or inlet. Etymologists have suggested that the modern word "viking" may be derived from this place name , simply meaning "a person from Viken."

This little note is almost entirely lifted from Wikipedia page for viken. The etymology of the word “viken” is correct, but how it relates to Vikings is horribly incorrect.

So there's that.

The prologue which is a to give the book ambiance is lifted from Norse legend, except our bro dude here is Celtic (yes, there were some heavy influences but this is a very direct lifting of Norse mythology) and then we're told the protagonist's name is Vincent (Mary Sue much?). Vincent is kidnapped by Viken raiders who sell him at a market to a Chinese monk with a VERY mysterious past and then the story shifts to the monk's backstory for a zillion pages that had no bearing on the story itself.

The prose is terrible. It's written in mostly stream of consciousness with some dialog thrown in to make it a "story." And there is description of everything everywhere about everything, which just reinforces the stream of consciousness technique. You have no idea who is talking when, about what, or to whom. The jump in direction and sudden shifting in points of view were edited badly.

Other points to consider:
-- He claims to be the nephew of Terry Pratchett - who is an only child. Vincent also marks it pointedly that he is related on his book bio.
-- His publishing house, YMAA, publishes titles mainly in martial arts / spirituality, but rarely fiction.
-- He (or something) paid $69 to enter in the USA Best Book Awards, which after viewing their site just screams, "scam."
-- People have commented on GR and other places they were embarrassed to hand his book out for World Book Night
-- The misuse of plain/plane, their/they're/there, and other grammar and spelling atrocities.

I just can't. Nope. Not gonna even try.
( )

I really enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would. The premise is so interesting and I was really pleased with most of the writing. There were a few things here and there that were annoying but they didn't spoil the enjoyment. I loved the personification of death and the way the author used the raven. Yes there are errors and if you're not super interested in the premise you may not enjoy it as much as I did but I'd say give it a try.

The plot has tremendous potential for an exciting read and thrilling ride but instead of a page-turner we get a story told without any enthusiasm. I found it nearly impossible to feel a connection with any of the characters. There were enough grammatical errors to further detract from the potential enjoyment of reading this one. I had a hard time keeping enough interest in the story to finish it. I was more than ready to pick up a different book by the time I managed to get through this one. Parts of it sounded like the retelling of a dream with the other parts added on to explain sights or thoughts to make it long enough to publish. ( )