Northern Wrath

You don’t need to be a fan of Norse mythology to enjoy this book as it fits in nicely in the “grimdark” sub genre, I however do enjoy tales of vikings and gods and this pandered to my tastes well, I did think it meandered towards the end but that may have just been my adrenaline levels being high from the tension whilst reading the book, let’s have the next book in the series soon please

This was an epic norse tragedy with fantastic world building based upon norse mythology and culture that was so well researched it felt as if it could have come straight out of the Eddas (without the feeling English was not the primary langauge of the story teller). Just as important, than author appears to know just how much to change to much the world hers while at the same time keeping it familiar to anyone who has had any exposure to norse culture. Within this walk well developed characters that I can understand and even identify with (including some of the minor villians ... such a Finn. In fact, I was so invested in these characters, I was a caught a little off guard at the end: a few plot points remain open (that I assume with tie into the sequels) and, of course, it is a tragedy ... which considering the style should not have surprised me as much as it did. Thinking back on the story, I had the same reaction to the "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton ... and so they author joins a somewhat exclusive club as having provided me with one of my favorite stories. Highly recommended - looking forward to the next story.

I was given this free advance reader's copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. #NorthernWrath #NetGalley

Northern Wrath is a book whose roots are firmly planted in a Norse cultural setting. It is a book which is rich in Norse myth and legends. A point to note is, whilst reading it, the subject matter never got in the way of the plot but rather complemented it. You don’t need any knowledge to understand any of this. As the author's research shines through and very quickly establishes the world.

Within this setting, the author creates some well-rounded characters, particularly Einer the chief’s son, who must overcome war and treason to become a leader. Hilda whose ambition is to become a shield-maiden or women warrior. It is these two main protagonists that ultimately move the story along and capture your heart.

Interwoven throughout this story is the exploration of how the barrier and bond between men and gods are weakening. Both Einer and Hilda are movers and shakers of what will be the final battle.

The plot is well constructed, I never felt overwhelmed by the number of characters, nor lost within the Norse world. This is down to the skill of the author, one who loves the subject matter. Everything seemed familiar but written in a fresh style, which had me hooked from start to finish.

The story had an epic feel in every way. It is packed full of tension, the characters have shortcomings, good and bad. They are characters who you can relate to as well.

This book forms part of a trilogy, so, some of the plots threads are not resolved in this book. This is a truly great book, I was hooked from start to finish, highly recommended.

My thanks to #Rebellion #NorthernWrath #NetGalley, for providing a free digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

If this book’s cover doesn’t grapple you, drag you into this pit of old Viking lore tweaked with fantasy goodness, no cover ever will. It is absolutely stunning, an Ulfberht-made cover if there ever was one.

The opening chapters scream effortless story-telling; the pieces that are thrown down fit like an old glove. The same voice that weaves through old Viking sagas is the one that ripples through this novel. As if a story-teller with the campfire flickering in his eyes tells it, this novel invites you to sit and enjoy, for you’ll need your seat for this ride.

This story follows multiple POVs that coalesce into an action-packed story, pulling no punches and certainly swings a few axes. Einer and Hilda seem to take centre-stage, a couple destined for each other, destined to spend their lives on the battlefield; one, a Berserker that we meet surrounded by blood-stained snow and the other, a woman destined to take her place in the shield-wall, shrouded in the mystery of the gods, and accompanied by a snow fox that warns her away from death. There’s a plethora of characters, creatures of lore to support these two, and many more intriguing POVs, but these two are the ones that really stood out for me – coated in such an authentic, striking voice. Set out in a journey of revenge that mounts into a war, every path this story takes are covered in blood. There’s a great war to come, but the small battles along the way are just as heart-breaking. Just as meaningful.

It’s fun to see the known tales of the Viking gods woven into this piece; the world-building borrows a lot from Viking lore but has barrels and barrels of its own, original facets. It reads so well that it at times seems like a historical fiction, fully-embellishing Viking magic, which sometimes didn’t offer quite the escape into a new world that I’m use to, but certainly makes up for it with the clear, fluid, vibrant action scenes.

Being a big fan of the Vikings tv show, and a reader of the old tales of the Viking gods, this ticks all the boxes for me. My favourite thing about this was the way the story comes together, Holdt knows how to handle a large cast of characters, but still tie the story closely so the plot storms through choppy waters into a fantastic end. It has all a fantasy fan could want: gods, magic, large-scale battles, duels and magical creatures. This is a great debut and is certain to be the start of an amazing trilogy! I am already looking forward to the next one in the series and I’m sure Holdt will be a name to look out for in the genre for years to come.

This is the book the world needs right now. I was able to lose myself in the story, forget about everything that is happening, and just have fun. I loved everything about this book. The writing was crisp and clear and that coupled with some crazy original characters made for some pretty vivid reading. There are three or four story lines going at once, all cool and all interesting, and tons of great characters but for me Hilda was a standout. I won't go too much into what makes her so memorable because this book is truly something you want to experience without knowing too much beforehand, but I saw her in my mind so clearly and had such reactions to her it was like when I saw Pinhead in Hellraiser for the first time, I saw the movie before reading the book it's based on so don't sue me, and I was like, the mind that created this is like...wow, but sincerely Hilda's pretty awesome. And the images the author creates, oh my. She describes one character as having eyes that look like two wolves circling a black dot but then say wolves are two reckless and the eyes actually look like two grey lynxes. I mean c'mon, that there is incredible writing. Which brings me to another point and that is: HOW THE HECK IS THIS A DEBUT?!?! This is a mature, finely structured, work of art, that had me totally committed to the characters and story by the third chapter. This for me was a fall-in-love-with-the-cover sort of thing and it being a first novel with nothing else from the author to compare it to there was some trepidation about what kind of product would be delivered and I can report my mind has been blown. I know next to nothing about Vikings or Viking legends or folklore so I also felt like I learned some things while reading this but nothing ever felt force fed or info-dumped. I did some outside research myself so it sort of spurred on this quest for knowledge kick into some really cool subjects. The battle scenes were also huge but amazingly clear as well. In the first third of the book there is a Braveheart mixed with Starship Troopers invasion of a town that is the definition of gritty and intense. Like don't look at the ground you're walking on because you are stepping into the bodies of your neighbors sort of gritty and intense. I had mesosphere-like expectations for this ever since seeing the cover and reading what it was about and it nailed everything, including the landing.

I want to thank Netgalley and Solaris for the arc, and congratulate Thilde Kold Holdt for writing a truly memorable novel and I'm soooo looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An epic fantasy that exudes magic and Viking history, Northern Wrath is the perfect read for anyone looking to lose themselves in a world where myths come to life and characters are forced to sacrifice everything in order to save their way of life in what starts as a revenge mission only to evolve into a high stakes war for the survival of their people.

Set in the age when Norse culture and values are forced to deal with the ever-expanding presence of Christianity in Scandinavia, the inhabitants of Ash-Hill find themselves having to face the increasing weakening of the connection with their gods and ancient customs. On their tragic journey to save the last remnants of the ways of old, they each have first to come to terms with their own identity and all that it entails.

The multiple POVs writing style gives a 360 degrees perspective on events, eventually blending together in an action-packed story that weaves magic and fierce sword/axe fighting together beautifully. The unquestionable protagonists, Einar and Hilda, form a very dynamic duo, interweaving their own personal ambitions and dreams with the struggle that comes with being destined for each other but not willing to give up their strive for a life of battle and glory all the same.

In the background, a man who walks the afterlife in search of peace, a giant who reluctantly discards her carefully crafted human identity to make one last stand to save a world of gods and magic runes and a demon of fire hell bent on destruction who is unleashed upon the world of men, frame the story and add an enchanting new depth to this ill-fated endeavour to save a dying lifestyle.

What unites all these compelling characters in their separate paths marked by blood and revenge, is the incredible humanity of them all, no matter how often they come into contact with the other worlds and the creatures that inhabit them, they still fall to their own individual flaws, making them extremely relatable.

The worldbuilding is impeccable too, as it’s presented in a way that’s entirely approachable even to someone who is not all that familiar with Norse myths and legends. Thilde Kold Holdt has a way of easing the reader into the story without having to rely on heavy infodumps (which would make it less appealing for those who are already well acquainted with the culture), yet still making it perfectly understandable and easy to follow, regardless of the numerous characters and creatures that get introduced.

The writing is beautiful and engaging, it really doesn’t feel like a debut and it perfectly complements the subject matter, full of unexpected twists and dark turns that will keep you constantly on your toes, it certainly had me hooked from start to finish!

Speaking of, the ending really sneaked up on me, this book was definitely one that I did not want to put down and the string of cliff-hangers at the end makes me all the more eager to get my hands on the next instalment.

I would highly recommend to fans of Vikings (TV show) and Game of Thrones too, as it exquisitely displays the union between epic fights and the dark and tragic realisation that an entire era is coming to an end.

There is no way I could start this review without talking about the absolutely stunning cover art, it caught my eye immediately, and it is a beautiful cover that is only matched by the phenomenal story within. Northern wrath is the first book in the Hanged God trilogy, and the author’s debut, and what a debut! It comes out swinging from the start, grapples you and pulls you thoroughly into one of the most beautifully crafted Norse worlds I have ever read.
Northern Wrath is historical epic fantasy, and it not just in the breadth and depth of the world that has been created here, but also in the Norse Mythology and lore that is brought to life within the pages of the book. There is a depth of knowledge here that is mind-blowing, and the author’s research is evident from the start, but there is no info-dumps, no feeling that the research is stifling the narrative, because not only is it woven into every strand of the story, there is a passion to it that can’t be denied, and shines through in all the little details that are captured throughout. From rituals and customs and beliefs to more physical aspects of Norse life, it is all here, and it brings Northern Wrath to life in such a way, that you are pulled into this world, journeying through it with the characters, living and breathing it with them.
There was a wonderful blend of historical accuracy and authenticity, entwined with Norse myths and other fantastical elements, to create an outstanding world and it is particularly delightful to witness how the different aspects come together to create a culture that forms the backdrop to the narrative. This was not a gentle world, there was brutality and war and death, there was conflict of faith, myths made real and so much more, and it could have been overwhelming, and yet it is so beautifully balanced, every aspect of the worldbuilding and narrative coming together to creating an overarching flow that brings it all together and pulls you along with it. A dazzling tour-de-force of Norse life and beliefs and some of my favourite parts of Northern Wrath was the exploration of some of the major Norse myths, retold and portrayed as
The characters are by no means left behind in this sprawling epic, and there is a substantial number of them, which can make it harder to connect as deeply with them, or so it might feel at the beginning. However, between the world, the storylines that are woven together and the way Kold Holdt has brought together a cast of characters who all have their own motivations, goals and voices, which them all different in their own way, you find yourself more and more invested until by the end of the book its not just the main POV characters that you care about, and that brought another level to this book.
I love books that have multiple POVs, and Northern Wrath has done that to perfection, setting up multiple storylines that each have their own conflicts and obstacles and journeys, while still being brought together in a cohesive overarching story. Every thread and individual storyline is given its own weight, and depth and each contributes to the main story, and those pauses, where you have to wait to return to a storyline helped to build up the tension that permeates through Northern Wrath and leaves you unable to put this book down. The characterisation was spot on, and every journey was unique and carried its own emotion and power, and I don’t think there was a single storyline that I was not invested in or any character. That said, I was torn between Siv and Hilda for my favourite characters/storylines.
Kold Holdt’s writing really brought all the other fantastic elements together and gave Northern Wrath that feeling that you were being told one of the old Norse epics. There were some truly beautiful descriptions throughout, building on that mythical feeling as well as the realism of the setting, and also bringing to life the feeling of suspense and mystery beneath it all, and balanced by some fantastic, smooth action scenes.
Northern Wrath was a spectacular read at all levels, beautiful written, complex and delightfully brutal in all the right ways, and it is as book pulls you firmly into its pace and won’t let you go from start to finish. A standout debut that is up there with my favourite books for 2020, and I will definitely be grabbing a physical copy for my shelves. I would highly recommend, especially to anyone with interest in Norse-inspired fiction, because this book takes that and blows it out the water, and I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy.

For those of you awaiting the, seemingly, unlikely to be released The Winds of Winter, Northern Wrath will be a distraction well worthy of your time and attention. Set in a bygone era of Viking raiders, Norse gods, runes, giants, dwarves and other fantastical creatures from ancient tales, this book honestly took my breath away. I have been reading it for ages to savor it slowly and immerse myself in this magical, not to be forgotten, experience.

I admit to a passable knowledge of Norse mythology and reading this has fueled a desire to know a lot more. But this isn't simply about Odin and Loki. Here we travel with a band of raiders seeking vengeance alongside a handful of disparate souls on separate, but linked, adventures. Not one of them is as they appear and that feeds the magic of this engaging yarn. I find it difficult to express how rich this story is. It's got such great bones - characters fully fleshed out, huge challenges that must be overcome, brilliant battles, all with roots in an ancient religion that brings meaning to it all. More than just the future of our raider's village is at stake, it is safeguarding the nine worlds and their ways which face a slow death as Christianity takes hold and unsettles the balance. The scope is huge and awe inspiring given this was Thilde Kold Holdt's debut!

I am so excited for any of you who can read this during the next lockdown (here in the UK). You will be happy for the distraction-free time to enter a new and amazing world crafted within the pages of Northern Wrath. What's even more exciting is knowing this is the first of a series (hooray!). I, for one, am eager to get my hands on the next installment to see how we carry on from the harsh blow dealt at the close of Northern Wrath.

All I can say is wow. This book was amazing. It has bloody and realistic battles, magic, giants, demons, gods, love and more. An epic fantasy focused on Norse mythology that compares to Neil Gaiman in its writing style. It’s lyrical and brutal all at once. This read packs a punch and the twists and turns leave you racing onto the next page to see what’s going to happen next. I made myself take my time with this book as I didn’t want to miss anything. I loved this book and I am so glad that there will be more in this series. If you like retellings of myths and legends and the more descriptive style of Gaiman then this is the book for you. Just magical...