Blood Eye

By: Giles Kristian

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2009 Giles Kristian (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great Story!!!

I really enjoyed this story book. The narrator could have been a little more animated and changed his voice some. That’s why the three stars performance. Other then that it was GREAT!!

amazing book

adventure laughter drama everything you want a story to be 10 out of 10 i strongly recommend

Totally enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed this book which gives an earnest account of how brutal life was at that time. The author was able to draw me in and keep me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next page.

Exciting tale, right mix of historical

This story is a very good start to the story of Raven Bloodeye, Christian captured by Vikings who ultimately becomes one of them. First in the Raven series the characters are crafted carefully and slowly at first, though this is a good thing. The different people and personalities are clear and deliberate and each character has a distinct "voice" (not speaking of the audio performance here, but the actual voice and uniqueness of each character).

Not having read the second or third books yet I do not know if the similarities to the History Channel's show "Vikings" will continue but I can say if you are a fan of that show you will enjoy this book. The book nor the show influenced each other but there are some parallels and again I would not count that as a negative.

The storyline is interesting as there is no clear beginning-middle-end goal the characters are after. That truly adds to the authenticity of the people and settings as Vikings, or Norsemen who go viking (a seasonal raid on another land) rarely had plans defined beyond where they were going. So the wandering nature of Jarl Sigurd's path in the first half of the book lent well to the flavor and helps to pull the reader/listener along. The wandering feeling is not aimless as each event leads cleanly from one to the next.

Watching Raven grow from captured orphan boy who mysteriously knows the Norsemen's tongue into a curious observer and finally into a young warrior who gains the respect of his one time captors is engaging and fun. Having Raven tell the story from his perspective was probably the best call the author made as being able to see the transformation from the inside out cements the connection to the main character. At the same time it keeps the audience at a slight distance from the Viking characters which means there is never full stability in Raven's emotional footing.

The bond that grows between Sigurd and Raven is enjoyable and is the thread that keeps all the events pulled together.

A very good start to a tale that will be an excellent ride if from book to book the richness of the story continues to grow.

Intense!

I have listened to these books over a dozen times. You won’t regret downloading them.

Wolfpack

Sigurd the lucky, the saga continues. Packed with adventure and Norse antics, it will not disappoint. Great lead in from the original saga. Odin is smiling on them.

Engrossing ride with the Norsemen !!

I love historical fiction, but usually stick with stories of medieval kings and queens rather than with the violent tales of the blood and gore encountered in the "shield wall"-- but Bernard Cornwell first hooked me with his "Saxon Chronicles" and I have now read (listened to) all of the books in that series -- hence tried this one and very much enjoyed it. Excellent narrator, absorbing story, never a dull moment…. I plan to go on and read the next two volumes in this series, which to my great relief I see are also available on Audible. It's nice to be so caught up in the listening experience and know that there is more to come !!!

Great story however minor plot issues

I really love the story. The only issue I really had was the fact that this was a very young character, maybe 15 or 16 years old, with dialogue and interactions with other characters that are clearly from an adult. The narrator only use the voice of a young boy when the boy is talking to the Viking leader. Also, I struggle to understand how this band of vikings loses so few under such tremendous odds. If you can overlook these minor plot issues I believe you'll really enjoy this book.

Great book

One of the best read performances I have listened to and this book was very well written has some good similes and analogies.

Great story!

I LOVE these historical stories. Raven is believable character one that you like! I can't wait to start the next story!