Scan barcode
taetris's review against another edition
3.0
This story, like the first installment, is steeped in mythology. I learned a lot about ancient Norse and and other cultures and places that existed at the time (though I have no way of knowing how accurate the information is).
The story seems constructed around this cultural information and the sagas it is built upon. The plot jumps around a lot and doesn't really build to a climax. Thorgils, the main character, doesn't have a character and goals of his owan, but is a vehicle for the things that happen around him. He seems shoe-horned into the story as a way to tell stories about all these different historical figures and customs that the book is really about.
What also bugged me a bit were the occasional typing errors.
The story seems constructed around this cultural information and the sagas it is built upon. The plot jumps around a lot and doesn't really build to a climax. Thorgils, the main character, doesn't have a character and goals of his owan, but is a vehicle for the things that happen around him. He seems shoe-horned into the story as a way to tell stories about all these different historical figures and customs that the book is really about.
What also bugged me a bit were the occasional typing errors.
speesh's review against another edition
4.0
'Sworn Brother', is number two in the 'Viking' series and is another excellent read. A good story, nicely written and exhaustively researched.
I thought at one point that it could perhaps do with having a bit more blood and thunder in it, but then I'm probably criticising it unfairly. I have, after all, just come off two rather more violent Viking sagas (by Robert Low and Giles Kristian). This is a whole different animal.
'Sworn Brother' and the 'Viking' series, is more of a thorough examination of the whole Viking Age. It is clear that Tim Severin has done his research and wants to show it - and wants us to learn.
The main character continues with his telling of his life and events (as though his saga has been found and read by a hostile Christian priest). He continues his journey around the known Viking world. Previously he was in Iceland, Greenland, Vinland and back, now he's off to Iceland again, several times, Norway, Denmark, Sweden (possibly), then into the far north, what is now Finland, then on to the east, (today's) Russia and down to Byzantium and the Arab world. All thoroughly possible in the Viking Age. There is a hint of what's to come in the final instalment and it also fits - though it would seem Mr Severin was incredibly lucky he found a Viking who got himself involved in so many pivotal events of the Viking era...
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the Vikings, their times, customs, beliefs and adventurous spirit.
I thought at one point that it could perhaps do with having a bit more blood and thunder in it, but then I'm probably criticising it unfairly. I have, after all, just come off two rather more violent Viking sagas (by Robert Low and Giles Kristian). This is a whole different animal.
'Sworn Brother' and the 'Viking' series, is more of a thorough examination of the whole Viking Age. It is clear that Tim Severin has done his research and wants to show it - and wants us to learn.
The main character continues with his telling of his life and events (as though his saga has been found and read by a hostile Christian priest). He continues his journey around the known Viking world. Previously he was in Iceland, Greenland, Vinland and back, now he's off to Iceland again, several times, Norway, Denmark, Sweden (possibly), then into the far north, what is now Finland, then on to the east, (today's) Russia and down to Byzantium and the Arab world. All thoroughly possible in the Viking Age. There is a hint of what's to come in the final instalment and it also fits - though it would seem Mr Severin was incredibly lucky he found a Viking who got himself involved in so many pivotal events of the Viking era...
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the Vikings, their times, customs, beliefs and adventurous spirit.
More...