Raider's Wake (The Norsemen Saga, #6) by James L. Nelson

Raider's Wake (The Norsemen Saga, #6) Reviews

• 
  Mark

  So, Thorgrim is my jam. Easily the best series about Vikings, Ulfric Ormsson coming in at a close second. That being said, the last couple of books were disappointing. Enter RAIDER'S WAKE. Whereas in the last two books we followed Thorgrim on several marches through Ireland (suckfest), RAIDER'S WAKE takes place almost completely on the deck of ships (radical Viking action).
  
  This is the biggest thing that's right about these books. They are thoroughly nautical. Even on land the Norsemen think in nautical terms. This is what many Viking fiction writers miss. Sure, their Vikings ride ships places but they don't seem to be in love with seamanship. Their Vikings are battle hardened, blood thirsty raiders but little is said about sailing. After reading these books I feel fairly competent in the area of sailing, though a lot of my terminology is archaic (larboard is definitely no longer a term).
  
  The biggest let down of this book? Thorgrim does not become a werewolf once! Thorgrim is a werewolf! He needs to change forms at least once a book. Thank you!
  
  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
• 
  Benjamin Thomas

  I’ve been a long-time fan of James L. Nelson and am on record as describing him as the author I would most like to see become more recognized for his work. He’s just too good not to be a household name. This sixth book in his “Norsemen Saga” has done nothing to change my opinion and, in fact, I believe this is his best novel yet.
  
  One reason this one is so good is it returns to the author’s strengths. After several land-based Viking adventures with Thorgrim Night Wolf and crew, this one returns to the sea. This is James Nelson’s passion. just take a look at his website to see how much he knows and loves ships and all things related to sailing.
  
  This novel opens with Thorgrim in a good place: safe and generally happy in his role as Lord of Vik-Lo, a Viking long port on Irish soil. But to be happy is to be bored and it isn’t long before Thorgrim decides to take the long boats out for a grand ol’ time of raiding the coastal towns or fat merchant ships. Unfortunately for Thorgrim (but happily for the reader), Thorgrim encounters a worthy adversary in the form of a greedy Frisian merchant ship captain named Brunhard who just happens to be as remarkable and crafty a sailor as Thorgrim.
  
  Plenty of sea-faring action abounds. The moves and countermoves by these two sea captains play out with the strategy of two chess masters but with the deadly combat of a brawl to the death. I was happy to see the character growth of Thorgrim’s son, Harald who finally comes into his own in this novel and displays true leadership skills. Other characters from prior books make a return as well, promising more exciting books to come in the series.
  
  Can’t wait for book seven.
• 
  Cindy Vallar

  Book six of The Norsemen Saga begins with the return of Conandil, who appears in an earlier volume. No longer a thrall, she is married to an Irish chieftain’s son. When Irish raiders attack their ringfort, she and her husband, as well as others, are driven to the beach where they are beset from the sea by Norsemen. Rather than become a slave again, she fights with her husband. But one of the Vikings thwarts her desire for a quick death and she is once again bound for the slave pens in Dubh-linn. There she, her husband, and the other captives are sold to a Frisian merchant who plans to sell them at a slave market in his homeland.
  
  Lord of Vík-ló, Thorgrim Ulfsson is sick of Ireland, the Irish, and the eternal rain that plagues the country. Most of his men, including his son Harald Broadarm and beserker Starri Deathless, imbibe liberally when confined, so once the sun finally deigns to shine, Thorgrim announces it’s time to go a-viking. As his four longships prepare to set sail, he makes the unconscious decision to take their hoard with them. He has no intention of returning. Their first capture goes precisely as planned, but the victim is known to Thorgrim and is permitted to continue on his journey. First, though, he imparts knowledge of a Frisian merchant with three ships rumored to be heavily laden with treasure. Expecting these to be easy prey, Thorgrim and his men decide to lie in wait – but no one knows better than he that the gods can be fickle and one should never tempt fate.
  
  Irish brigands ambush a traveling friar on his way to Dubh-linn, but they soon learn the error of their ways when he turns out to be adept with a sword. Once Louis de Roumois, the Frank who betrayed Thorgrim, dispatches the trio, he discards his disguise and continues on to the Norse longphort. He seeks passage home to bring his brother to account for banishing him to Ireland and then sending assassins to kill him. Louis knows nothing about ships and the sea, but he quickly discovers the vessel’s captain is a brutal madman whose thirst for wealth includes acquiring the silver Louis hides in his belongings.
  
  A wealthy slave trader and master of a small, but fast, fleet of ships, Brunhard of Frisia loves to hear himself talk. He’s always thinking of ways to gain the most while losing the least. Such wily thinking and a no-holds-barred approach to dealing with his cargo is why he survives in an otherwise violent and often unpredictable world.
  
  When the Norsemen spot the Frisian ships, the chase begins. Brunhard’s out-of-the-box maneuvers earn Thorgrim’s respect because the merchant is a savvy seaman. But one trick nearly destroys Sea Hammer, earning Thorgrim’s wrath and vow to make the man pay. The pursuit becomes a heart-pumping, careening-out-of-control thrill ride that leaves readers breathless and refuses to release them from its grip until the story ends.
  
  Raider’s Wake is a welcome return to the sea, where Thorgrim once again demonstrates why Norsemen are remembered for their expert seamanship. What makes this an unforgettable and very believable tale are Nelson’s knowledge of and experience in sailing wooden ships. The nautical language adds a healthy dose of realism, but Nelson writes in a way that readers unfamiliar with the terminology still get the gist of what the sailors are doing. For those who wish to better understand, he provides a diagram of a longship and a glossary.
  
  Although Harald Broadarm has played important roles in previous titles, he finally comes into his own in this one. He has matured over the series and has ably demonstrated both his bravery and skill at fighting. Yet now he finds himself in a command situation where his decisions and knowledge play a vital role in determining the fates of those aboard all the vessels.
  
  Another crucial story element is the inclusion of two Irish women, Conandil and Failend. Rather than being mere window dressing, they are well-drawn characters who play critical warrior roles and they possess the determination to influence their own fates. As a result, Thorgrim makes some keen observations about women – ones that all men could learn from.
  
  Front first page to last, Raider’s Wake is written by a master weaver who keeps readers spellbound and places them on the longship in the midst of the Vikings. This adventure is one treasure to savor and as memorable as, or even more so, than the Norsemen’s previous stories.
  
• 
  Charles van Buren

  Thorgrim Nightwolf takes to the sea, April 21, 2017
  
  This review is from: Raider's Wake: A Novel of Viking Age Ireland (The Norsemen Saga Book 6) (Kindle Edition)
  
  This is another of Mr. Nelson's exciting, suspenseful novels of Viking age Ireland featuring Thorgrim Nightwolf, his son Harald and their friends, companions, associates and enemies. One of James Nelson's more interesting characters, the Frankish nobleman Louis de Roumois, returns in this volume. Just trying to get home to Frankia, Louis crosses paths with Frisnian slave traders which leads him again into Thorgrim's path. Though enemies, Thorgrim and Louis have in common that both have had enough of Ireland and want to go home but are continuously blocked in their attempts to do so. Other interesting characters from previous volumes also return. The story is told from the multiple view points of various characters, old and new.
  
  This novel does not have the grand scope of armies, kings, would-be kings, great monasteries, feuding leaders and such as has been seen in previous novels in the series. This one is about men, women, and ships playing a deadly cat and mouse game across the face of the sea. But who is the cat and who the mouse? Those who enjoy seafaring tales should really like this one.
  
  I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
• 
  Mb Sheppard

  Another Great Book By One Of Historical Fictions Greastest Writer's!!
  
  James L Nelson keeps the goods coming and thr Sixth installment in the Norseman Saga is a pure gem. Rather than rehashing and recycling previous ideas and concepts whic sometimes happens in collections of this number of books, Nelson keeps his stories fresh and most importantly enjoyable and edge of your seat exciting. Nelson more than anything is a master storyteller with action and characters painted in such vivid colors that this reader is left with an appetite for much, much more of the extraordinary prose of which these stories are composed. An exellent read which is wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who appreciates the efforts of a writer at the top of his craft.
• 
  Steven Toby

  Another very good one from Mr. Nelson. The fact this one takes place almost entirely at sea only adds to its authenticity. I did wonder if a real Viking crew would let itself get that close to a lee shore in the conditions described near the end of the book, but other than that all seemed believable and as usual for this series, readers are treated to a plot full of twists and turns where Fate plays a major role (if we look at it in the authentic Viking way). It could hardly be better -- I wonder if Thorgrim will ever get back to Norway in the last book of the series, and if so, how he will be received.
• 
  Ted

  Another good read in the saga of the Night Wolf
  
  This was a nice addition to the ongoing saga of Thorgrim Night Wolf and the quest to leave Ireland behind. The character development is great, making the book hard to put down. The ending leaves you wondering just exactly what comes next....
• 
  Matt schmm

  Exciting. Funny. Keeps you turning pages
  
  I love this series. If you like Vikings , Saxon tales, the oathsworn then this is for you. Every book in the series has a great story line and an excellent mix of characters with in depth back story's and character development. Graphic battle scenes. Love it
• 
  Uuencode

  This last addition to the saga of Thorgrim Night Wolf is great, just like the previous novels. I must complain those hated frisians died too easily, one would expect roasting on a spit at the very least. A knife in the throat was too merciful. High time for Thorgrim to help the Frank in his revenge. Dying to see longships in Seine.
• 
  James O'Brien

  Capture of split second delimma and solution in writing
  
  A great detail of writing and descriptions! Wonderful record of split second thought and debat within each character’s dilemma and action ! Detail knowledge of sailing and its own dilemma regarding seamanship ! Finally historical knowledge of 8th and 9th century of Ireland
• 
  Sharon Osburn

  Another Thrilling Thorgrim Adventure
  
  I love all the characters Thorgrim, Harold, Starri, & more! James L. Nelson always comes through pulling the threads from alk directions to gather a tremendous plot. And while it comes to an end you know there is more to come in the next saga! Keep up the great work I'm ready to start the next book in line!!!
• 
  Helen Hollick

  This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
  Helen Hollick
  founder #DDRevs
  'From first page to last, Raider’s Wake is written by a master weaver who keeps readers spellbound and places them on the longship in the midst of the Vikings.'
• 
  Tim Hernandez

  Inventive plot and action make a great saga
  
  Following the continuing adventures of a few vikings in Ireland. Reoccurring characters and storylines weave into the current novel. Great unique action sequence at the end.
• 
  Cindy

  cant believe this is book six of a series that stands alone but indeed it is so good to again read of the further adventures of, thru the writing of a very talented skald. This one was intense from start to finish.
• 
  Alan

  As usual a great read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
• 
  Michael

  Slightly boring
  
  Too much time spent on the sailing maneuvers. It got rather tedious. Not as good as the other books in the series. Hopefully the next one is better...
• 
  Kathie Frobe

  Very disappointing
  
  I have loved reading this series, but so much of this novel was spent on describing the actions of the ships and sailing maneuvers I lost patience.