The White Raven

This is the third book in the Oathsworn Trilogy, this one set in 972 AD. Once again we are following the adventures of Orm Ruriksson and his band of Vikings known as The Oathsworn. After trying to settle down on a homestead Orm realizes that the rumor of a mountain of silver that only he knows the whereabouts of is still swirling around, and he and his people will never be left in peace.

Once again the Oathsworn must take to the whale road, and along the way, they manage to raid and burn an old enemy’s homestead. They rescue a strange, young boy who claims to be a prince. At Novgorod, they run into this old enemy and the young boy, called Crowbone, kills his hated captor but causes them all to be thrown in prison. They are in danger of show more being put to death so Orm trades his story of the silver for their freedom. This places them under the thumb of a young Russian prince who needs the silver to buy men and arms to establish himself as the legitimate heir over his two brothers.

Their journey takes them across the frozen steppes in the worst of winters in their quest of returning to Attila’s tomb. With blizzards and frost bite to face, but of course the greatest danger is ahead of them at the tomb.

After following these characters for three books I am sad to see it end, but this has been a great series. An epic adventure story, with well researched, realistic details and enough black humor to offset the violent parts. The White Raven is a great ending to this series. show less

An excellent book but one that was quite difficult to follow. It was in a tone you could easily imagine as old Nordic. If you like Viking sagas - this is a really good book but you need to persevere.