The Raven Banner by Tim Hodkinson

‘Einar Thorfinnsson never knew what hit him.’

Jorvik, AD 935

It seems that you can’t fight fate.  Einar Unnsson is destined to be a great warrior, despite choosing to be a bard.  He has a gift for battle and has managed to defeat the men sent by his father, Thorfinn of Orkney, to kill him.

He is saved by the Norse-Irish princess Affreca, who had thought that he was already on his way to raise an army and challenge Thorfinn.  But nothing is straightforward (or easy).  Affreca has her own quest.  She’s seeking the Raven Banner for King Eirik.

Yes, this is the second novel in the series, and I have yet to read ‘Odin’s Game’.  While I have bought a copy, and hope to read it soon, I was still able to follow and enjoy ‘The Raven Banner’.  Plenty of adventure, and some interesting characters.  If you enjoy action novels set in this period, then I can recommend ‘The Raven Banner’. 

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith