Review of The Skald by Gregory Amato. The Skald is a prequel novella to the Spear of the God’s series, written by Gregory Amato. The Spear of the God’s series is a Norse Fantasy. Viking High-Fantasy, in contrast to Viking historical fiction. It’s magical, but full of historical lore. This is a non-spoiler review. I thoroughly enjoyed this little book, and so I didn’t want to spoil it for you.
A hero of a different kind.
The Skald is a unique hero. He’s no great fighter to speak of. At least not in this book. He’s not a powerful wizard. Ansgar is a Skald, a Viking bard-poet. While he carries some weapons and is learning some magic, he’s not deadly with either. He has to rely on his wits and his words to survive.
Epic Viking Fantasy.
This is no history channel story of a viking warrior coming to age. There are ghoulish creatures to be dealt with. In his path are sorcerers, witches, enchanted creatures and draugr, undead creatures that prey upon the living.
In The Author’s own words.
Imagine a past much like our own, only the myths and sagas of Norse legend are all true.
Vikings roam the northern seas in search of plunder, while skalds compose poetry about great adventures. Sorcerers manipulate unseen spirits and runes to cast powerful spells. Dragons and undead draugar hoard gold and other great treasures. Dwarves forge magic swords, change shape, and brew incredible mead and ale.
And Odin is a massive asshole.
My Norse fantasy series Spear of the Gods is the result of years of research, passion for storytelling, and a love of mythic adventures. Sometimes even a sense of humor.
Why I liked the Skald?
Yes, I did enjoy this Novella. The best reason I can give you is that it had interesting dialog and prose. Characters in the Skald were believable and affable. I found myself feeling sympathetic to Ansgar’s plight. The world building was fresh, because though it’s a Viking tale, it’s not told in the same cut and dry manner.
The Skald
Set prior to the events of Burden to Bear, Ansgar the Skald tries to deliver a sword while giant wolves threaten to eat his face and witches threaten even worse.Can he trade enough knowledge with a local raven to find his way through the forest?And will that be enough to keep him alive?
About the author of the Skald.
Gregory Amato made a career of selling his quill as a mercenary writer for many years. He wrote true and important things for newspapers, magazines, academia, and for over a decade, intelligence analysis for the FBI.
Now he writes fantasy stories based on the myths and sagas of the vikings. His fiction is often influenced by tales lost to time, usually of high adventure, and always the sort that makes readers late to dinner.
Outside his time spinning yarns about vikings and wizards, he teaches Judo, brews beer, and plays DnD when he gets the chance. Gregory lives happily with his family in the Pacific Northwest.
Other books by Gregory Amato.
- Trollsbane. Ansgar the Skald’s first delivery attempt goes awry when his axe is stolen. Trolls roam the forest, the land spirits are afraid, and his only hope is a vagabond warrior with questionable hygiene.
- The Skald. Set prior to the events of Burden to Bear, Ansgar the Skald tries to deliver a sword while giant wolves threaten to eat his face and witches threaten even worse.Can he trade enough knowledge with a local raven to find his way through the forest?And will that be enough to keep him alive?
- Burden to Bear. Ansgar the Skald finds this out the hard way when he runs into a crew of monster-hunting vikings. It would be insane to join them, wouldn’t it? He would likely be speared or hacked to death in the first few months, and those are some of the better ways to die among this crew of maniacs . . .The best sagas sometimes begin with the worst decisions.
- Rune to Ruins. Following the battle for Lejre, Ansgar and the crew of the Sea Squirrel have scores to settle, living legends to meet, and a lot more enemies than they thought. But Ansgar is a lucky skald, and finds both an unlooked-for advisor and a shapeshifting sword to help him with what comes next.
Hey, thanks for the review. For the record, bards are underrated!
Bards are underrated! I plan to read more of your books but my to read list is getting longer.