Customer Reviews

The White Raven (Oathsworn)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a professional historian, and one who has made a personal life-long study of the Norse, commonly called Vikings, I am very critical when it comes to books on this subject. I am very picky about what books on the subject that I keep in my personal collection. I have discarded and re-sold more sub-standard books on this subject than you can imagine. Only a very few reach the level of excellence that make me want to keep them in my collection. Robert Low's Oathsworn series is one of those few I will keep. Mr. Low truly understands the subject matter and crafts his stories much like a Norse Skald would, while telling a tale around a hearth-fire. I just finished reading White Raven, and enjoyed it so much that I neglected everything else until I finished it. The book left me wanting more, and I am both delighted and saddened to learn that a fourth book in the series is due out soon. I say "delighted", because I want more. I am saddened because I understand that the upcoming fourth book will be the last in the series. Good writers in this subject are rare, and Mr. Low is one of the very best. I do hope that at some point, Mr. Low returns to the Viking Age in his future writings, if not the Oathsworn, then another aspect of this period. With all the Hollyweird nonsense out there, of Vikings in horned helmets who are mindless, bloodthirsty barbarians, we need more literature that portrays the Norse the way they really were. My thanks to Mr. Low for many hours of good, entertaining reading!

I've been reading the Oathsworn series for a couple of years now, and I've enjoyed this third installment the most. The tale is gripping, the details inspiring, the narrative gripping, and the conclusion satisfying (though never truly happy, not with the Oathsworn). Any fan of Viking or Norse fiction needs to read these books. I'm looking forward to Prow Beast.

The third book in the series where this time Orm/Bear Slayer has the crew settled but their homestead is attacked. They swear vengenace and off aviking they go again.
This time back to the Russian steppes thru a series of misadventures all twisting for that horde of silver that was left behind by Orm before.

Along the way they must preform a rescue or two, and lose more of their dwindling original crew. By the time this series is over IE the 4th book I expect only Orm to be left. Truthfully the fourth book is out, but I haven't made up my mind to read it.

"Would a burial mound with all the silver in the world be enough?" (p3)

I enjoyed book 3 of the Oathsworn/Orm Bear-Slayer series. There's a new under-crewed Fjord Elk, and another Russian Steppe adventure returning to Atil's hov. Low takes a series of characters direct from the Sagas; the most interesting being Crowbone. If you like the Viking genre this series won't disappoint. Don't want to spoil too much. If you haven't read the first 2 installments I suggest you start there. Of the three books this was my least favorite, but a very interesting story nevertheless. I'm looking forward to the 4th book, "The Prow Beast", due out March 4th 2010.

A good read.In my opinion not as good as the first two books The Wale Road,or The Wolf Sea,but still a good book. If you like to go ah viking then you won't be disappointed.Read the Oathsworn series.

White Raven is the third book in the Oathsworn series. Low ha created a wonderful and vivid world filled with the action and adventure of the whale road. As with the previous two novels Low's character or well written and the backdrops all well realised. There are plenty of new characters to get our teeth sunk into, my personal favourites were Crowbone and the Amazon warriors. Personally I prefer the second novels to both this one and the first, but for any fan of Vikings or Historical fiction in general, this is a gem of a series well worth reading.

Ormm wants to settle down on his homestead and raise his horses, but the oathsworn are getting itchy feet, they can hear the call of the whale road and the adventures and wealth it promises. Also still in the back of their mind is the huge sums of silver left in Attila's tomb, it isn't until their homestead is attacked is Orm forced to take steps to leave his home. From when they leave, the oathsworn will face battles on land and sea and a race to the tomb of Attila.

Robert Low's third book about the adventures of Orm and the Oathsworn brings the story to a conclusion. I found this series interesting because it deals with the Scandinavian experience in Russia. Most Viking tales deal with their activities in the West. Of course, the subject matter is always secondary to the skill of the writer in storytelling. Low does the job well. He has a good understanding of the way of life of these people and their values and attitude to life, which makes the tale absorbing, especially to those who have a historical knowledge of and interest in the period. I would recommend reading the three books in series to keep with the flow of the whole saga. They are enjoyable entertainment.

Robert Low has done it again.The White Raven is a realistic,gritty viking tale.I think it is the best of the three books so far in the series.Anyone enjoying great historical fiction,better than Cornwell or Scarrow in my opinion,should read Robert Low.I look forward to many more books by Mr.low