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branomir's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
I went with 3 because I did like the overall writing style, the historical backdrop and I did manage to finish it.
This was sort of like Forrest Gump (the movie) meets Vikings. We had a main character that got tossed around all over the place and by seemingly sheer coincidence (or Odinn's will) meets all sorts of historical figures and is present at and witness to a plethora of important historical events.
Unfortunately, that's also all this is, a long concatenation of anecdotes from the Viking Sagas that ultimately have little to do with one another save for the fact that Thorgils constantly stumbles upon them. He had no character nor character development and he was the only character that stayed with us through the entire story. Indeed it was very rare to see any one character feature in more than one anecdote.
Perhaps if I were more familiar with the Icelandic and Greenland sagas, I might have been more excited recognising people, places and events, as it was, I recognised a few names such as Leif Erikson and Brian Boruma, but not enough to really keep me going. As it is written, I don't see the added value as presenting this as a fiction. I feel like I would have been better off just reading a non-fiction about the Icelandic Sagas.
The research is well done and the writing isn't bad, I can see why some people might enjoy it, but for me it ends here. Would not really recommend except if you're really into and very knowledgeable already of, Vikings.
I went with 3 because I did like the overall writing style, the historical backdrop and I did manage to finish it.
This was sort of like Forrest Gump (the movie) meets Vikings. We had a main character that got tossed around all over the place and by seemingly sheer coincidence (or Odinn's will) meets all sorts of historical figures and is present at and witness to a plethora of important historical events.
Unfortunately, that's also all this is, a long concatenation of anecdotes from the Viking Sagas that ultimately have little to do with one another save for the fact that Thorgils constantly stumbles upon them. He had no character nor character development and he was the only character that stayed with us through the entire story. Indeed it was very rare to see any one character feature in more than one anecdote.
Perhaps if I were more familiar with the Icelandic and Greenland sagas, I might have been more excited recognising people, places and events, as it was, I recognised a few names such as Leif Erikson and Brian Boruma, but not enough to really keep me going. As it is written, I don't see the added value as presenting this as a fiction. I feel like I would have been better off just reading a non-fiction about the Icelandic Sagas.
The research is well done and the writing isn't bad, I can see why some people might enjoy it, but for me it ends here. Would not really recommend except if you're really into and very knowledgeable already of, Vikings.
zare_i's review
4.0
"Odinn's Child" is the first in trilogy of books about life of Thorgils Leiffson. Unlike Bernard Cornwells Saxon series novels, this book can't stand on its own - it ends when reader expects true action to begin.
Thorgils, orphan, is moving from one family to another and during his early years he comes in contact with old beliefs of Norsemen, encounters Skrelings (North American natives), lives with Irish druids, sails through treacherous northern seas, visits Iceland, Grenland, Vinland and Ireland.
Story is never boring - there is always something going on. But again it ends up when it gets most interesting - when Thorgils escapes from Ireland and goes back to Iceland. Book should be treated as a sort of a introduction to Norsemen culture at the time and Thorgils' character.
I am looking forward to "Sworn brothers" and "King's man".
Thorgils, orphan, is moving from one family to another and during his early years he comes in contact with old beliefs of Norsemen, encounters Skrelings (North American natives), lives with Irish druids, sails through treacherous northern seas, visits Iceland, Grenland, Vinland and Ireland.
Story is never boring - there is always something going on. But again it ends up when it gets most interesting - when Thorgils escapes from Ireland and goes back to Iceland. Book should be treated as a sort of a introduction to Norsemen culture at the time and Thorgils' character.
I am looking forward to "Sworn brothers" and "King's man".
blackestclovers's review
3.0
Well, being a fan of all things Viking I had high hopes. In between the Saxon books from Cornwell it did well enough to pass the time but it certainly doesn't measure up to that series. Worth checking out if you like Vikings.
andrewl600's review
3.0
Happy Monday fellow readers. As always, Monday is book review day, and today I am taking a look at Viking: Odinn’s Child by Tim Severin.
In 1001, the young child, Thorgils Leiffson, son of Leif the Lucky and Thorgunna, arrives on the shores of Greenland to be brought up by a young woman—Gudrid. Thorgils is a rootless character of quicksilver intelligence and adaptability. He has inherited his mother’s ability of second sight, and his mentors teach him the ancient ways and warn him of the invasion of the “White Christ” into the land of the “Old Gods.” Guided by a restless quest for adventure and the wanderlust of his favored god, Odinn, Thorgils’ fortunes will take him into worlds of unimaginable danger and discovery.
Odinn’s Child was one of my first real experiences into the historical fiction genre and Viking culture as a whole.
I had been a fan of history and fantasy since I started reading, but most of the stories that I experienced and fell in love with up to this point were Ancient Mediterranean or the Middle Ages.
Knights. Dragons. Magical swords. Castles.
Demi-Gods, Ancient heroes. Magical Monsters.
These were the stories that wowed me as a young reader, because Vikings, Ancient Egypt, and dozens of other cultures weren’t brought to my attention as much.
Odinn’s child changed that though. It opened my eyes to what the Vikings were, and the Norse Mythology that came along with them.
Norse Mythology, bloody battles, and a brief glimpse into the world of 1000s Europe, Odinn’s child is the first volume in the Viking Trilogy and all 350 odd pages will leave you wanting more.
The story follows a young boy, Thorgils Leiffson, the son of Leif the Lucky and Thorgunna as he arrives in Greenland to be fostered by a young woman – Gudrid.
Thorgils is a quick witted, intelligent, and very adaptable character that has inherited his mother’s ability of second sight.
Thorgils, who is basically orphaned, is raised by various mentors during his time in Greenland. They teach him the ways to worship the Norse Gods, along with their ancient customs, and warn him of the ‘White Christ’ that is making its way into the land of the ‘Old Gods’
Thorgils has a sense of adventure and looks to Odinn as his favoured god. Death, battle, disease, execution, and shipwreck are just some of the adventures that await Thorgils in Odinn’s child.
Severin does a good job of giving readers a steady look into Thorgils progression from a boy to a man.
He learns from several mentors, about many different things, but it never seems rushed, despite being contained within 350 odd pages.
The look into the Viking culture and the spread of Christianity into their lifestyle is an interesting plot for the book.
It’s not the major plot-line, but it nicely compliments the story and helps drive it forward by introducing new conflicts and characters.
Historical fiction isn’t a genre that I have delved too deeply into, but I want to get into the genre. I still have my copy of Odinn’s child from when I read it as a young teenager, and I might read it again to re-experience a series I loved as a kid.
In 1001, the young child, Thorgils Leiffson, son of Leif the Lucky and Thorgunna, arrives on the shores of Greenland to be brought up by a young woman—Gudrid. Thorgils is a rootless character of quicksilver intelligence and adaptability. He has inherited his mother’s ability of second sight, and his mentors teach him the ancient ways and warn him of the invasion of the “White Christ” into the land of the “Old Gods.” Guided by a restless quest for adventure and the wanderlust of his favored god, Odinn, Thorgils’ fortunes will take him into worlds of unimaginable danger and discovery.
Odinn’s Child was one of my first real experiences into the historical fiction genre and Viking culture as a whole.
I had been a fan of history and fantasy since I started reading, but most of the stories that I experienced and fell in love with up to this point were Ancient Mediterranean or the Middle Ages.
Knights. Dragons. Magical swords. Castles.
Demi-Gods, Ancient heroes. Magical Monsters.
These were the stories that wowed me as a young reader, because Vikings, Ancient Egypt, and dozens of other cultures weren’t brought to my attention as much.
Odinn’s child changed that though. It opened my eyes to what the Vikings were, and the Norse Mythology that came along with them.
Norse Mythology, bloody battles, and a brief glimpse into the world of 1000s Europe, Odinn’s child is the first volume in the Viking Trilogy and all 350 odd pages will leave you wanting more.
The story follows a young boy, Thorgils Leiffson, the son of Leif the Lucky and Thorgunna as he arrives in Greenland to be fostered by a young woman – Gudrid.
Thorgils is a quick witted, intelligent, and very adaptable character that has inherited his mother’s ability of second sight.
Thorgils, who is basically orphaned, is raised by various mentors during his time in Greenland. They teach him the ways to worship the Norse Gods, along with their ancient customs, and warn him of the ‘White Christ’ that is making its way into the land of the ‘Old Gods’
Thorgils has a sense of adventure and looks to Odinn as his favoured god. Death, battle, disease, execution, and shipwreck are just some of the adventures that await Thorgils in Odinn’s child.
Severin does a good job of giving readers a steady look into Thorgils progression from a boy to a man.
He learns from several mentors, about many different things, but it never seems rushed, despite being contained within 350 odd pages.
The look into the Viking culture and the spread of Christianity into their lifestyle is an interesting plot for the book.
It’s not the major plot-line, but it nicely compliments the story and helps drive it forward by introducing new conflicts and characters.
Historical fiction isn’t a genre that I have delved too deeply into, but I want to get into the genre. I still have my copy of Odinn’s child from when I read it as a young teenager, and I might read it again to re-experience a series I loved as a kid.
taetris's review
3.0
This book tells the story of the early life of Thorgils Leifsson, a historic figure that really existed and served as inspiration for this story. There are also a few slight supernatural elements.
The story moved from place to place rapidly, introducing new characters at every turn, which made it feel a bit disjointed.
On the plus side it shows some of Norse living around the first turn of the millenium and seems historically accurate in many respects, as far as I can tell.
The story moved from place to place rapidly, introducing new characters at every turn, which made it feel a bit disjointed.
On the plus side it shows some of Norse living around the first turn of the millenium and seems historically accurate in many respects, as far as I can tell.
intoxicatedcake's review
4.0
Decent book. I like the Norse stuff, and it's cool to see the emphasis on the society over the fighting(not that that isn't cool too).
smcarlson's review
3.0
3.5
I have very mixed feelings on this book. In some respects, it has a wonderful narrative, at other points it seems strained. My biggest issue with the book lies in the portrayal of woman. Woman who maintain some level of agency are monstrous and cruel. All other female characters are completely devoid of agency.
I have very mixed feelings on this book. In some respects, it has a wonderful narrative, at other points it seems strained. My biggest issue with the book lies in the portrayal of woman. Woman who maintain some level of agency are monstrous and cruel. All other female characters are completely devoid of agency.
speesh's review
5.0
Really good book, thoroughly enjoyed it. Well researched and well written. Looking forward to picking up the others in the series.