The Wolf Sea
Encyclopedia
The Wolf Sea is the second novel of the four-part Oathsworn series by Scottish
writer of historical fiction
, Robert Low
, released on 4th August 2008 through Harper
. The novel was relatively well received.
band as a child in the previous novel and is now their reluctant leader. This novel centres around the band pursuing Starkad
, a villain based on the historical figure of legend, in an effort to reclaim their magical sword "Rune Serpent", which Starkad has stolen.
In a favourable review for the Yorkshire Evening Post
, the reviewer states that "it's narrated by Low with all the gritty, down-to-earth realism that breathed such life into his first novel" and comments that this novel is a good illustration as to "why historical fiction is one of today's most rapidly-growing genres". Andrew Baldwin writing for the Huddersfield Examiner mirrors this viewpoint, stating "there’s an assured tone to the writing and the author presents a convincing portrayal of harsh times.".
Judy Cleine, writing for the New Zealand based Southland Times, had a somewhat different view on this realism, however, stating that "Low's exquisite descriptions of mindless slaughters and rapes, however, are not my particular cup of tea.", although does muse that "perhaps that is the author's intent.". Cleine also voiced concerns about the believability of who is "apparently educated enough to quote from 500-year-old non-religious Latin sources, and is also fluent in Greek and Arabic". She does, however, temper this with the fact that she found the novel "a great read if you like this mail-ripper sort of thing.".
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
writer of historical fiction
Historical fiction
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional...
, Robert Low
Robert Low
Robert Low is a Scottish journalist and writer of historical fiction. His Oathsworn series of novels are set in the Viking Age.-Biography:...
, released on 4th August 2008 through Harper
Harper (publisher)
Harper is an American publishing house, the flagship imprint of global publisher HarperCollins.-History:James Harper and his brother John, printers by training, started their book publishing business J. & J. Harper in 1817. Their two brothers, Joseph Wesley Harper and Fletcher Harper, joined them...
. The novel was relatively well received.
Plot
The story revolves around Orm Rurikson, a young man who joined the crew of a VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
band as a child in the previous novel and is now their reluctant leader. This novel centres around the band pursuing Starkad
Starkad
Starkad, Old Norse: Starkaðr or Störkuðr, Latin: Starcaterus, and during the late Middle Ages, also known as Starkodder, was a legendary hero in Norse mythology....
, a villain based on the historical figure of legend, in an effort to reclaim their magical sword "Rune Serpent", which Starkad has stolen.
Reception
The novel received mostly positive acclaim from reviewers, with most citing Low's gritty realism as both the novels triumph and, for some, detraction.In a favourable review for the Yorkshire Evening Post
Yorkshire Evening Post
The Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, the reviewer states that "it's narrated by Low with all the gritty, down-to-earth realism that breathed such life into his first novel" and comments that this novel is a good illustration as to "why historical fiction is one of today's most rapidly-growing genres". Andrew Baldwin writing for the Huddersfield Examiner mirrors this viewpoint, stating "there’s an assured tone to the writing and the author presents a convincing portrayal of harsh times.".
Judy Cleine, writing for the New Zealand based Southland Times, had a somewhat different view on this realism, however, stating that "Low's exquisite descriptions of mindless slaughters and rapes, however, are not my particular cup of tea.", although does muse that "perhaps that is the author's intent.". Cleine also voiced concerns about the believability of who is "apparently educated enough to quote from 500-year-old non-religious Latin sources, and is also fluent in Greek and Arabic". She does, however, temper this with the fact that she found the novel "a great read if you like this mail-ripper sort of thing.".