(Book) Vikinger no more....a look at Sons of Odin Book 3: Oath Breaker

Firstly, I want to say thank you to Erin for allowing me to read her books. It's been a fantastic ride.

Before reading this review, have a look the previous reviews and make sure you read the books!

Book 1: Odin's Shadow review: http://rave-nreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/book-odins-shadow.html

Book 2: A Flame Put Out review: http://rave-nreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/book-a-flame-put-out.html

Now, if you've finished with those, let's get to the review.

The story follows Selia and her boys running away from her former husband, Alrik Ragnarsson. 

What better person to run to than the kinder, prettier and honest younger brother?

Ulfrik Oath-Breaker finds solace for Selia and her brood on an island off the coast of island, where they meet a group and learn to live alongside them. 

Unlike the other books, the final instalment is infinitely more introspective as Selia comes to terms with her true feelings while trying to please everyone. Ulfrik discovers many things and struggles to deal with them in the same way he handles most things; by bottling them up.

This book shows that character development can take precedence over action and still have the same effect as a powder keg going off. Sparks fly, both romantic and violent and it's great to see some older characters return along with fresh new faces.  

Selia has gone through many trials and Erin addresses them in such a way that shows Selia taking responsibility while still retaining her dignity.

A powerful, thrilling and unexpected conclusion to the best Viking romance series I've ever read.

5 stars.

Buy the book: http://www.amazon.com.au/Oath-Breaker-Sons-Odin-Book-ebook/dp/B019PL2NEK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452786346&sr=8-2&keywords=Oath+Breaker

Find Erin's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/erinsrileyromance

Erin's blog: https://erinsriley.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinsriley1

Thanks again to Erin for this amazing series! I can't wait to see what you come up with next. 

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(Book) Viking Shenanigans...a look at Sons of Odin Book 2: A Flame Put Out.

The Vikings are at it again!

Erin S. Riley's look at a young woman in a world of harsh, yet beautiful people from a harsh, yet beautiful land continues.

Selia is adjusting to life as the wife of a Hersir. She finds comfort in her routine, but when her husband Alrik leaves to go a-viking, everything goes downhill from there.

One of the things I loved about this book is how it never lets up. You have babies being born, people dying, dangerous characters being introduced, babies born out of wedlock, the true purpose for a-viking amongst many other things.

Ms. Riley does not hold back with her descriptions of births or deaths and it's something that's I've always appreciated. No matter how gruesome or uncomfortable a scene may be, it's always detailed and spelled out in a way that it can't be misinterpreted. 

Selia has been filled out more as a character, which is not always something that people can do well when it comes to sequels. At the end of the day, the question is whether or not the love of your husband or your children takes priority. 

I like how Alrik's daughter, Ingrid has taken a more prominent role and has developed as more than just a starry eyed brat. 

It's hard to like a lot of the male characters, but while I'm on this topic, I like the subtle indication of a homosexual viking. It's not something that authors often consider actively and nor is it done tactfully. In this case, however, Ms. Riley does just that.

Erin S. Riley has taken her writing skills and put them to the grindstone, showing a brutal edge of love's rounded corners. This is a book everyone should read if you want a fantastic, rollicking read full of romance and violence.

I'm going to give this review 5 stars. 

Author's note: The reason this review is so short is so that you don't receive any spoilers. Spoilers suck. 

Thus ends this review!

Update: You can buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Flame-Put-Sons-Odin-Book-ebook/dp/B0143JNIKW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445467086&sr=8-2&keywords=Odin%27s+shadow

(Book) I spy with raven's eye...Odin's Shadow

Random Fact: Ravenreviews references Huginn (Thought) and Muginn (Memory). There are the names of Odin's ravens who observe the world and report back to him.

I love Vikings. I think their bloody history and way of life is both fascinating and freaking awesome. The fact that their women fought alongside them was pretty badass.

To read a book about romancing a viking? I was super excited.

Little did I know that I was getting sucked into a world of lust, bloodlust and utter chaos!

The story follows a young Irish woman who has yet to be married off to a suitor. Upon sneaking away from the house to a market, she runs into a Finngall, or what the Irish called Vikings.

Later on, she is whisked away to the cold, harsh land of Norway.

Can she survive berserkers, demons with human faces and the truth about her origins?

This book was an absolute delight to read. It sucks you into a world that is both beautiful and brutal. Ms. Riley pulls no punches in the George RR Martin style of description. It gets pretty hairy in there.

I loved how the characters were well rounded and felt human. They're were likeable, but like us were capable of horrendous things.

The descriptions of both locations and characters was well understood. I wasn't overwhelmed detail and it was well balanced by the flowing story.

Reading how the characters spoke was fascinating and the protagonist's learning of the language was a nice touch. The mistakes in language are purposeful, but are enough that you know that she is a quick learner.

I loved how well researched Odin's Shadow was. Accuracy is important and knowing that Viking helmets weren't horned and slaves being called thralls, amongst other things, are nice touches.

Finally and most importantly, if nothing else, read this book for the twists. You never see them coming. I was totally blown away by the revelations that occurred in this book.

An amazing, rollicking read. A Viking romance that roars in the face of adversity.

5 stars.

You can find the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Odins-Shadow-Sons-Odin-Book-ebook/dp/B00UXNMWGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445467086&sr=8-1&keywords=Odin%27s+shadow