Title: Blood Eye
Author: Giles Kristian
Publisher: Bantam
Published Date: 28th August 2012
Page Count: 448
ISBN: 978-0345535078
Price: $8.99
Reviewer: Gwendoline SK Terry (21st June 2024)
Blurb
In a thrilling adventure of brotherhood, warfare, and treachery, Giles Kristian takes us into ninth-century England, a world of darkness, epic conflict, and an unforgiving God served by powerful priests. On ships shaped like dragons, bristling with oars and armor, Jarl Sigurd and his fierce Norsemen have come in search of riches. And riches they are promised, by an English ruler who sends Sigurd and his wolves to steal a holy manuscript from another kingdom. Osric, an orphan boy, sees beyond the terror of these warriors, and somehow knows the heathens’ tongue. Renamed Raven, rechristened in blood, he will join them. They are his people. And they will be his fate.
Review – may contain spoilers!
Fast-paced, richly detailed character-driven novel. Absolutely superb, gritty and dark. A gripping tale filled with stunning prose. The battles were bloody, and the characters were realistic. Giles Kristian displays a vast historical knowledge throughout the book.
The only criticism I have is how farfetched it was that Raven became this incredible fighter within, what, weeks? I found that a bit too convenient. I also admit that I didn’t really like Raven as much as I could’ve, but I definitely liked Sigurd almost as much as Raven did (he hero-worshipped Sigurd throughout the book). I had a soft spot for Ealhstan – his demise, though unsurprising, broke my heart to the point I yelled out loud.
I’m intrigued to see what the future holds for Raven, and I wonder whether he finds out more about his mysterious past.
gwensalir 