Wings of the Storm

Wings of the Storm is the final installment in Giles Kristian's Rise of Sigurd trilogy, set in ninth-century Norway. The story follows Viking warrior Sigurd and his band of Norse raiders as they pursue vengeance and glory across the seas. Kristian recreates the brutal world of Viking-age Scandinavia through battles, sea voyages, and the complex web of loyalty and betrayal between warring clans. The narrative maintains focus on the Norse warriors' quest while incorporating elements of Norse mythology and the harsh realities of survival in the medieval North. Blood oaths, family bonds, and the weight of destiny drive the central characters toward their fates in this conclusion to the series. The novel examines honor, sacrifice, and the price of power through the lens of Norse culture and its warrior ethos.

Readers highlight the satisfying conclusion to the Sigurd saga trilogy, with detailed Viking battle scenes and character development that pays off across all three books. Many note the emotional weight of the ending and praise Kristian's balance of historical accuracy with engaging storytelling. Likes: - Fast-paced action sequences - Integration of Norse mythology and customs - Character relationships and dialogue - Resolution of plot threads from earlier books Dislikes: - Some found the ending too abrupt - A few readers wanted more detail about supporting characters - Occasional complaints about the level of violence Ratings: Goodreads: 4.37/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (380+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (150+ ratings) "The action never lets up but the characters remain the heart of the story" - Goodreads reviewer "A fitting end to Sigurd's tale, though I wish we had more time with the secondary characters" - Amazon reviewer

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell This tale follows a Saxon-raised Viking warrior through battles and political intrigue in Anglo-Saxon England during the Danish invasion.

God of Vengeance by Giles Kristian A Norse warrior seeks revenge against his family's killers in a blood-soaked saga set in Viking-age Norway.

The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson A Viking's life unfolds through raids, slavery, and adventures from Scandinavia to Spain and the Byzantine Empire.

Viking: King's Man by Tim Severin A young adventurer serves in the Varangian Guard of Constantinople while navigating political conspiracies and warfare.

The Whale Road by Robert Low A young Norse warrior joins a crew of raiders and faces both physical and spiritual battles as he learns the ways of the Vikings.

🗡️ While this is the third book in the Rise of Sigurd series, author Giles Kristian wrote it as a prequel to his successful Raven series, creating an intricate Viking saga spanning generations. ⚔️ The author drew inspiration from his own Norse ancestry and actually took a DNA test that confirmed his Viking heritage through his father's lineage. 🌊 The naval warfare scenes were informed by Kristian's experience sailing on a reconstructed Viking ship, allowing him to accurately describe the feel of the waves and the challenges of Viking seafaring. 🏺 The story incorporates authentic details about Norse blood eagles - a ritualistic method of execution that remains controversial among historians regarding its historical accuracy. 🎭 Before becoming a novelist, Giles Kristian was a member of the successful boy band Upside Down and appeared in several TV commercials, including ones for Bodyform and Northern Rock.