Thursday 26 September 2013

Review: The Crimson Shield - Nathan Hawke

Fantasy needs a new hero. Meet Gallow - Truesword, Griefbringer and trouble for anyone who crosses him.

I have been Truesword to my friends, Griefbringer to my enemies. To most of you I am just another Northlander bastard here to take your women and drink your mead, but to those who know me, my name is Gallow. I fought for my king for seven long years. I have served lords and held my shield beside common men. I have fled in defeat and I have tasted victory and I will tell you which is sweeter. Despise me then, for I have slain more of your kin than I can count, though I remember every single face.

For my king I will travel to the end of the world. I will find the fabled Crimson Shield so that his legions may carry it to battle, and when Sword and Shield must finally clash, there you will find me. I will not make pacts with devils or bargains with demons for I do not believe in such things, and yet I will see them all around me, in men and in their deeds. Remember me then, for I will not suffer such monsters to live. Even if they are the ones I serve.

My thoughts:
Think Vikings, then again you only need to see the cover to think that. And they are vikings..in a way. This is a fantasy world after all.

A world where the Forkbeards from the North hold a country across the seas. The Marroc (guess they are England then) who lives there are not happy. But that is not the end, oh no, there is a third army trying to conquer the Marroc and the Lhosir (the vikings) tries to hold them back. Yes you can guess that there is a lot of fighting. 

Who to root for? The Lhosir plunder, The Vathan too (oh and I guess they are Hun/Mongols). The Marroc are beaten down and have given up. And the main character, oh Gallow. He is a Lhosir who settled and married a local woman. He is hard, a true fighter.

I am more of a epic fantasy reader, you know, adventure, quest (I blame the early books I read). While this one felt, almost historical at times. And I do love historical novels. I feel he should write a fiction book about real vikings too cos he has the words for it.

The ending, oh, yes I had to read the blurb for book 2 cos I was SO curious. It was a cliffhanger.

Conclusion:
What to say then, yes at times it was a bit too action filled for me.

 Cover
Yeah.....I need a title and author name. I do not like it


Paperback, 336 pages
Published July 11th 2013 by Gollancz
Gallow #1
Fantasy
Own

26 comments:

  1. A title would be nice. haha. Sounds like fun! Gah, but I don't like overly actiony books sometimes. I would have to be in a special mood.

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    1. I like action...just not all the time. That is what movies are for

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  2. I see that you liked it but I confess I have a problem with the cover

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  3. I love the cover, though marketing wold have been wiser to make the title and authors name stand out.
    I think this book sounds great, even if it doesn't reach the epic plateau.

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    1. The cover is cool, but the whole concept that there is no title or name...eh not so good

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  4. Vikings and fantasy? Sounds exciting! That cover is just weird. Nice pic but you wouldn't know it's book cover just seeing it.

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    1. Nope and if you saw it in the bookstore you would be all...book?

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  5. I don't mind action or historical details, so this sounds wonderful, but I do mind a cliffhanger! Hopefully you'll find out soon so you don't have to stay hanging for too long. :-)

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    1. It was one really evil cliffie, so very evil

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  6. I have such a soft spot for Vikings, but I really dislike cliffhangers. GReat review!

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    1. Well peak in the next book and you will live ;)

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  7. I"ve not read a Viking book yet and this one seems cool. I like to more historical based fantasy books from time to time. I think they wanted to make the cover seem like a painting. Thnx for the review. Adding to my tbr

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    1. I think so too and yes it looks awesome but maybe too experimental for me

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  8. That guy on the cover looks like he is going to jump out and kick my ass!

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  9. I like the cover, but it really does need the title and author on it.

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  10. No name on the cover seems a bit preposterous but otherwise a nice story :D

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  11. Hmmm...Vikings can be interesting when mixed with action, adventure and a bit of romance. How odd not to add any kind of text on the cover though.

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  12. Oooo, you read this one. Some how I missed it all this time and just recently found the books. I need to get them. :)

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