God of Vengeance

God of Vengeance follows a Norse warrior named Sigurd as he seeks revenge for the slaughter of his family. Set in Norway during the 8th century, the story traces his quest to gather a band of warriors and make those responsible pay for their deeds. The narrative moves through harsh winter landscapes and bloody battlefields as Sigurd builds his force of fighters. Combat scenes and Norse culture feature prominently, with details about Viking weapons, ships, and customs woven throughout the action. Oaths, honor, and fate play central roles in this tale of survival and retribution. Through Sigurd's journey, the story examines loyalty, brotherhood, and the price of vengeance in a world ruled by sword and axe. The novel explores questions about what drives men to violence and whether revenge can bring peace. Against the backdrop of Norse mythology and warrior culture, it considers how personal quests for justice shape both individuals and their societies.

Readers highlight the intense action sequences and historical detail of Viking-age Norway. Many note the book works well as both a standalone story and prequel to Kristian's Rise of Sigurd series. Likes: - Fast pacing and battle scenes - Character development of Sigurd - Accurate period details and Norse mythology - Clear, descriptive writing style - Family dynamics and revenge motivations Dislikes: - Violence level too graphic for some - Side characters need more depth - Plot predictable in places - Some found the start slow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.31/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect blend of historical accuracy and entertaining storytelling" - Amazon reviewer "The battle sequences put you right in the shield wall" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much gore and brutality for my taste" - Goodreads reviewer

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🗡️ "God of Vengeance" begins a trilogy about the Vikings, but it's actually a prequel to Kristian's earlier Raven series, exploring the origin story of Sigurd before he became a legendary jarl. ⚔️ Giles Kristian drew inspiration from actual Norse sagas, particularly incorporating elements from the Völsunga saga, which tells the story of the clan of the Völsungs. 🛶 The author spent time living in the Scandinavian wilderness to better understand and authentically portray Viking-age living conditions and environments in his books. 🏰 The book is set in Norway during the 8th century, a period when Norway was divided into numerous small kingdoms and chiefdoms, rather than being a unified nation. 📚 Giles Kristian began his creative career as a singer, performing with the boy band Ultra, before becoming a successful historical fiction author specializing in Viking and Civil War narratives.