Sons of Thunder: A Novel (Raven: Book 2)

Good; action scenes were accurate to the minute detail, especially as different groups or individuals dukes it out.Also, the overwrought perfidy of young women willing to use their sex to bend young men and younger almost-men to their plots are well described. Along with the often callous treatment shown thralls and those of other beliefs or cultural groups.Depicts very well how strong women in ancient times were every bit as good as men in the desire for power and it’s needs to gather it, sometimes with bold action, other times with ‘Loki guile.’Less Good; Raven, the protagonist well-illustrates the arrogance and stupidity of young men whose main cranial functions are short-circuited at their groin by allowing to be led by the member attached to the apex formed at the joining of the two legs. Then doubles and triples down on his errors in the arrogance of youth.Neutral; action and neural activity in the cabeza are well scribed by the author’s obvious knowledge of how one balances the other for the reader’s delight.

This is an excellent second story in the Raven series. I enjoyed it very much.

Raven is a awesome character. Yes he's flawed but has a heart. He's young he's learning. I like all the other characters in the story too. I like how the author develops the storyline and then reels you in at the last quarter and you can't stop reading you have to finish it. I didn't like that they lost the silver.I maybe mistaken but I thought they put part of the silver on both ships and therefore I didn’t think they would have lost all the silver at any rate I don't believe they could have put all 5 barrels of silver poured out on 2 small quickly made rafts & 3 men lift them over the ship's edge without dumping it all into the river. I would have rather it had been a trick with tying partially empty barrels to the rafts and the French would still take the bait and allow a great escape for them all. I’d like to see a less discouraging end that’s all. Through all the bad luck a little good would have been nice.

This one starts off slower than the first and third in the series. But it is good story, full of action and adventure and very well written.

Young Raven’s relationship with Cynethryth moves through new levels as the adventurers reach for more treasure but greater danger in the realm of Charlemagne. That Sigurd’s fate is tied to both Black Floki’s and to Raven’s is a fulcrum for the plot this time. Strong contrasts are portrayed between the code of honor guiding the Norsemen and the misguided Christianity that seeks the destruction of each of the central characters as odds are overcome, riches are bargained for, and bargains are broken. The only things that remain constant for Raven and his comrades are their own loyalties to each other and the strength and resilience of their chain mail, the edges on their swords, and the seaworthiness of their dragon ships.

This Raven series has proven itself impressive in many ways: first, the characters--though they are not all that original--are well drawn, as are their relationships; second, the plot moves along with ingenuity and credulity; third, Giles Kristian has done his homework, for his knowledge of Norse mythology, history, and geography adds much that is missing from lesser "Viking" novels; finally, Kristin's first person narration is exquisite because Raven, his narrator, tells his tale like a practiced scald of old (figures of speech abound and the comparisons are mostly fresh, but even when not original, they are fitting).I am entertained on many levels and am beginning Book 3 immediately.

This was another good read by Kristian, yet seemed to borrow a number of plot lines from the Ragnar Lothbrok Viking saga. Spoilers ahead... another book attributed the first Norse raid on England to Sigurd and his crew, while this one had the French block the river with a chain between two castles, Sigurd agreeing to being baptized, and other adventures associated with Ragnar. They worked out differently for Sigurd in the book than for Ragnar, which kept it interesting.

I chose this 5 star rating as it is every bit as good if not even better than the first installment of Raven’s adventure. And what great adventures! So well told, with such a great and natural flow to the writing that moves you along as if swept by Serpent herself! JW

Read this book in 2014, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Raven" trilogy.Raven, Sigurd and the Wolfpack have been betrayed by Ealdred of Wessex, and they are seeking revenge.This Ealdred is heading towards Frankia and Emperor Charlemagne but the Wolfpack as a whole is hot on his heels, and they will do anything to revenge the wrong that has been done to them.In Frankia and in and out of the river Sacauna, the Wolfpack will trap Ealdred and his men, and there will be a final reckoning, in which Sigurd challenges Mauger, who's Ealdred's bodyguard, in an ancient duel called the holmgang, meaning a fight to the death.Raven will be betrayed again and left to rot, but due to his cunning and fighting prowess he will manage to break free, and wet his Viking blade with a lot more treacherous enemy blood, before rejoining his Fellowship.Highly recommended, for this a tremendous addition to this excellent trilogy, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Terrific Raven Sequel"!

I so enjoyed the first Raven book that I wasted little time launching into the second. It started just as I expected, launching into a continuation of the story from Blood Eye, with just as much 'oomph'. I was hooked.However, Sons of Thunder is a different novel. Not what I expected and certainly not just a continuation of the story, though it does do that admirably too.The first book had been a rip-roaring constant barrage of action and battle, heroics and betrayal, sneak attacks and audacious plans. Sons of Thunder built for only a couple of chapters on the same theme before sweeping all the plans from the table with surprise actions and decisions by the principal characters.Suddenly I found I was reading more of an epic journey than an action fest. The story slowed into a languid, highly atmospheric and often tense journey, bringing the reader into an intimate understanding of what life would be like among the brotherhood of Sword-Norse aboard their dragon ships. I will say straight away that this was a surprise direction as far as I was concerned for the story to take, though in no bad way. Indeed, it lent a new freshness and interest to the tale.I did, however, wonder really where the tale was going to go. I found myself thinking ahead and trying to see how the story might pan out, never quite able to work it all out.And then, again, somewhere around two thirds of the way through the book, the direction changed once more, and suddenly the pace was breakneck, every bit as exciting and action-packed as Blood Eye. Indeed, I would say that Giles packed into a third of this book as much excitement as there had been in the first novel of the series, an achievement for which I doff my cap to him.The story leaps and turns and twists in so many unexpected ways that I find it hard to describe how much I enjoyed it, and it builds to the very end to a moment that will be a defining one in the saga for me; one of those 'Lo, there do I see my father' moments from 13th Warrior (thanks Giles). It sets up the third tale beautifully and makes it almost impossible to pause before launching into that book (which I have just done).The characters continue to entertain and build, some departing their life in appropriate manners, other previous unknowns coming to the fore. Raven himself continues to become stronger and more sure, and my personal fave remains Floki.The highlight of the book for me was (without spoilers) the manner in which the Norsemen reacted and adapted to what was, for them, a thoroughly alien environment. It was masterfully done.Now: On with Odin's Wolves...

The second in the Raven trilogy. It takes up where the first book stops, and continues your education of the daily life of the Norse warriors. The story also includes visits to the great cities of northern France (Paris), and describes the minute details of life among the inhabitants.All this, and the continuing story of the band of Norsemen, and their young prodigy Raven. The story has everything from detailed descriptions of the battles to the intrigue involved in them dealing with the peoples of France.If you liked the first book, then this simply takes you further in Raven's journey, but is even more detailed than the first, and leaves you with a thirst for more (see book 3).

If you enjoy good storytelling, high quality descriptions of life on the sea in a longship and daring do rescues and violent realistic fights, then this will be your cup of tea. The principal characters are very well drawn and you care about what happens to them. True, occasionally they do unspeakable things, but usually their actions can be rationalised as justified and good. Raven and Sigurd complement each other, with the latter the father figure Jarl (earl), whose decisions are certain and unchallenged by the crew. Raven, the mysterious young man, who speaks Norse and English offers sound advice to the older man, but as young men do frequently goes his own way with varying degrees of success. I loved the descriptions of the longship cruising France's rivers and the elegant solution found to move the boat from the Seine to a smaller river. There is a love interest, but it takes second place to the swordplay, the carousing, the drinking, the camaraderie and the fun the crew mates enjoy aboard the boat. If you enjoy Viking yarns that are very well told, that convey a high level of authenticity and leave you wanting more then Giles Kristian's books will really suit you.

Giles Kristian is one of my favourite historical authors. He writes interesting, exciting and fully engrossing novels. This is his second novel and the second of his Raven trilogy. It covers similar ground to the Uhtred books, with equal historical authenticity and adventure. I certainly recommend all the books this talented young author has written.