Blood Eye by Giles Kristian (Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

Blood Eye by Giles Kristian (Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

Completion Date: September 5, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour

A Viking adventure, packed with battles, blood and gore, Raven is historical fiction at its very best, and marks the debut of an outstanding new talent.

For two years Osric has lived a simple life, apprenticed to the mute old carpenter who took him in when others spurned him. But when Norsemen from across the sea burn his village, Osric is taken prisoner by these warriors. Their chief, Sigurd the Lucky, believes the Norns have woven this strange boy’s fate together with his own, and Osric begins to sense glorious purpose among this fellowship of warriors.

Immersed in the Norsemen’s world and driven by their lust for adventure, Osric proves a natural warrior and forges a blood bond with Sigurd, who renames him Raven. But the Norsemen’s world is a savage one, where loyalty is often repaid in blood and where a young man must become a killer in order to survive. When the Fellowship faces annihilation from ealdorman Ealdred of Wessex, Raven chooses a bloody and dangerous path, accepting the mission of raiding deep into hostile lands to steal a holy book from Coenwolf, King of Mercia.

There he will find much more than the Holy Gospels of St Jerome. He will find Cynethryth, an English girl with a soul to match his own. And he will find betrayal at the hands of cruel men, some of whom he regards as friends.

I am a tad bit annoyed with myself as I write this review. Blood Eye appeared in my mailbox and I was immediately excited. It sounded like a perfect read for me and I enjoyed the look of the book. There was just something inviting about it all. So, I put everything aside and jumped into the book. So, why am I annoyed? I made it to page 200 and something and just put the book aside. I like this book, but yet I was struggling to read it. I hate when that happens. The book sat there for a while before I picked it up again to finish it. And then I struggled to do even that. And, it isn't the book! I thought it was written well, had an interesting cast of characters, and a compelling overall story. This is not the book for my friends that do not like a lot of battles in books, but otherwise I have no real complaint. It is just me.

So, go read other posts from the tour or try out the book for yourself before making any decisions about whether it is for you or not. I really hope this wonky mood leaves me soon. I would like to get some reading done between now and the end of the year that doesn't seem like a chore...