Fin Gall - A Novel of Viking Age Ireland

Norsemen Saga Series #1

By: James L. Nelson

Narrated by: Shaun Grindell

Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

AD 852. For centuries the Vikings have swept out of the Norse countries and fallen on whatever lands they could reach aboard their longships, and few could resist the power of their violent onslaught. They came at first to plunder and then to settle, an encroachment fiercely resisted wherever they went.

Such was the case in the southern lands of Ireland. En route to the Viking longphort there, known as Dubh-linn, Thorgrim Night Wolf and Ornolf the Restless stumble across an Irish ship that carries aboard it a single item: a crown. The Vikings eagerly snatch the prize, unaware of its significance to the people of Ireland and the power granted to the king who wears it. Soon the Norsemen are plunged into the violence and intrigue of Medieval Ireland, where local kings fight with each other and with the invaders from the north for rule of the island nation. With enemies at every hand and loyalties as fickle as the weather, Thorgrim must lead his men, the white invaders, the Fin Gall, in the fight of their lives, with both Irish and Dane eager to see them dead.

©2012 James L. Nelson (P)2015 Tantor

Tolerable with this trick

The story is good, not great, but good enough that I've bought the second in series. Narrator is intolerably slow however, not bad, just slow---so I used a trick I read in another audible review and upped the narration speed to 1.25 and it's great! Historically interesting about the Vikings in Ireland as well as Irish history.

Hard to hear

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I didn't listen to the entire book. The narration was really bad. So no the short time I spend listening to this was not time well spent.

What was most disappointing about James L. Nelson’s story?

Couldn't get thru the book b/c of the performance.

How could the performance have been better?

I'm sure the narrator thought he was channeling HBO's Peter Balish, but really he sounded like Ben Affleck's Batman loudly whispering

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

When I read my physical copy I'll let you know.

Any additional comments?

The story seems interesting. I think I'll use my eyes to enjoy it however.

Not bad

Overall not a bad book and well researched but the narrator has the Vikings as cockneys and his Irish accents are diabolical... And his pronunciation of Irish names is even worse, they're so badly done that even as an Irish-speaker I can't recognize them!

My new favorite book!

My very first attempt to listen to this audio book was failed by my lack of being able to multitask and I left this book less than a half an hour in. It was gross injustice to both the author and narrator. It wasn't until my job allowed us to listen to music on my headphones inside the warehouse, did I discover the amazing Saga that has me so enthralled, the descriptive nature of his writing paints the picture in a very specific manner and in such a way as you can feel the atmosphere and ambiance, the scenes of far off lands, the smells of the emerald isle, it isn't hard to imagine what it must have been like living in the viking ruled Ireland. This gem is something I am very glad I stumbled upon. I have so far purchased up to book 4 and haven't been able to put the book down, so to speak. I have full confidence that I have found one of my new favorite authors, I am looking foreward to what is to come. He shows a great knack for capturing attention, and delivering on the promises that the anticipation invokes. If you are one the fence about purchasing this book. Please do.

Great Story

Would you listen to Fin Gall - A Novel of Viking Age Ireland again? Why?

Maybe

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I didn't much care for the narration. It was done in almost a whisper and did not seem to change with the action. It is a good thing the story itself was exciting. Otherwise, I would have stopped listening in the first 10 minutes.

Any additional comments?

I am a huge fan of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales. When I first saw this book I wondered how it would stack up against Cornwell. I can tell you that, while it does stand on its own, if you love Saxon Tales, you will love this book.

Well done historical period piece- lots of twists

Good book...seemed to be accurate and the plot was well thought out. Almost like a mystery novel, in some respects.

LOVE. What a STORY!

I've downloaded all 10 of James L. Nelson's Viking series, have read them all and started again. I'm glad I did, as there are scenes and points made that I didn't catch the first time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Great

This series is really good. Not Cornwell, but really good. Harald and Arnulf are great characters.

Fighting

I was a big fan of Nelson's previous books about American navel and Brotherhood (pirate) stories, and hoped I could find this series as good, but 80% of this first book is about the details of countless fights rather than advancing much of a story line. I won't be reading/listening to the others.

two thumbs up!

This book was great! James' attention to detail was perfect. The story was good, and the characters were very believable. looking forward to reading Dubh Linn.

Not bad, but...

Overall I quite enjoyed this. but there were a few historic/cultural mistakes (Irish fyrd!) and the Irish names were mostly mispronounced. Some Irish names & titles were OK, but there really was a need for an Irish speaker to check this. Tara, Bridget & Midhe in particular were excruciating for someone who speaks the language!

I couldnt finish it

What would have made Fin Gall - A Novel of Viking Age Ireland better?

A different Narrator

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I couldnt get passed 20 minutes . weirdly at the end of every sentence the narrator sounded like he was touching himself ... Even weirder was the narrators voice acting wasnt bad .. whenever he spoke as a character it was ok but as soon as he went back to the narrators voice he put on a weird pervy voice

Would you be willing to try another one of Shaun Grindell’s performances?

No

What character would you cut from Fin Gall - A Novel of Viking Age Ireland?

the narrator

Any additional comments?

It actually sounded like the story may have been ok .. I couldnt forgive the poor perfomance of the narrator though

Don’t waste your,money

Very poor story and even worse narrators no feeling overall very disappointed it is the first bad review I have ever given

Glad I stuck it out!

Well written Really enjoyed the story First few chapters were a struggle with the narrator but I then turned the speed up to1.2 and all got better. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Great book

well written book looking forward to reading the next but editing really needs to done especially on Chapter 39.

worth it

cant wate to start the next one. good all round audeobook kind of wish i had looked at the book first

Excellent

Unlike some similarly themed books, this one has a strong storyline so it's not JUST endless repetitive battle scenes.