Sworn Brother

2nd part of a well-researched Norse trilogy that brings into sharp focus the clash between an older pagan Europe and the encroaching, perplexing emergence of Christianity. Our young hero Thorgils finds himself on an epic adventure in a world of grasping, capricious rulers, and the ruled are not that much different!

'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 show more 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. show less

i quite enjoyed the first book in the series, but actually gave up on this about half way through, which is unusually to me! It is very rambling and doesn't really seem to be aiming towards anything. Characters are introduced, described in great detail, then just suddenly die, leaving you feeling unsure of who to 'invest' in and not really caring about any of them. I won't be reading the third installment!

I enjoyed this. It had a reak Viking feel to it. It's a number of hort tales about the cetral character interwoven into one story. It's a pleasant read rather than a page turner.