Woden's Vengeance by Donovan Cook

 

"He had been told by someone much wiser than him that the past was not important, but Octa used the memory of that fear and his cowardice to drive him forward. To be a warrior worthy of the Saxon people and the gods. They called him Octa the Coward to disgrace him, but Octa took that byname and used it to motivate himself".

"And you are playing with powers you do not understand. Once the fires start, there will be nothing any of us can do".

Woden's Vengeance by Donovan Cook is a fascinating blend of historical novel and action, with the elements of supernatural, set against the backdrop of Britannia.

I vaguely remembered the story of Hengist and Horsa from Geoffrey of Monmouth's account, which I've read many years ago. It was time to revisit the early history of Britain and get re-acquianted with the warlords who changed history. 

Blurb:

Woden's Vengeance

450AD Britannia

The war has begun - a war feared by both men and gods. But will the old give way to the new?

Prince Vortimer has imprisoned his father, King Vortigern - The High King of Britain. With Woden's spear, he believes God has chosen him to lead an army south to banish the Jutes once and for all from Britain's shores. Triumphant after the first battle, Prince Vortimer lays siege to the Jutes, but the war is far from over.

In a desperate fight for survival, Octa and the Jutish warlods, Hengist and Horsa, are trapped on Thanet, their island home, as Prince Vortimer's army surrounds them. With dwindling numbers, their only hope is to send for reinforcements, but winter is upon them, and the journey will be perilous.

In a race against time and his own wishes, Octa leads the expedition to recruit Saxon and Jutish warriors. But will they follow Octa the Coward? To prove himself, Octa must confront his past and seek vengeance on those who wronged his family, all while being mindful of Woden's wrath.

Can Octa stand strong as the fires of war rage around him?

And will warriors pledge their allegiance to a man known as Octa the Coward?

Woden's Vengeance is the third book in The First Kingdom series. It can be read as a standalone (I haven't read the previous books), though I imagine you will understand the dynamics of the storyline and the relationships between the main characters better if you're already familiar with the earlier books.

From the very first page you're plunged deep into action, as the horns sound and men roar on the Thanet Island in the late summer of AD450. Prince Vortimer has launched yet another attack on Hengist and Horsa's Jutes and trapped them on the small island.

Octa the Coward, a Saxon fighting for the Jutes, is holding Gungnir in his right hand. "Gungnir looked like every other spear apart from the two ravens etched into the spearhead, neither looking alike, and the spear's name engraved onto its shaft in runes". This is the legendary Woden's spear.

Prince Vortimer has imprisoned his own father, King Vortigern. Vortimer believes he is the chosen one who has Woden's sacred spear, and is convinced of its divine purpose. His early victories are swift and brutal, and have encouraged him to march south to drive the Jutes from Britain forever.

The Jutes' army led by Hengist and Horsa, is nearly cut off at the sea-lashed stronghold of Thanet. With a fast approaching winter and resources diminishing fast (both human and food), they have to think of their next step, or perish. Their only chance sounds like a desperate gamble. They must summon reinforcements, no matter the cost.

The task falls to Octa, and he is more than just reluctant.

Being mocked as Octa the Coward, he must cross the treacherous sea to rally Saxon and Jutish warriors to come to Britannia with him. But men don't follow those who they perceive to be weak. Octa must earn their respect and loyalty, and to do that he needs to confront his own past and avenge the wrongs done to his family. He has to prove himself worthy not just in the eyes of men, but of gods as well.

And Woden is waiting for him.

As the expanding war consumes the land, the old beliefs are tested in fire, could a coward become a leader?

 

We follow Octa on his journey of redemption and also self-discovery. He is attuned to the voices of the gods and can communicate with them, when they choose to approach him and deliver a message. 

Woden's spear is the serious bone of contention. Even gods cannot agree between themselves, whether Octa should have it, albeit temporarily.

Octa "felt the power of the gods of Asgard flow through it. Gungnir had chased away his fear and had replaced it with a calmness he had never felt before. But there was also a darkness in the spear. Something he sensed every time he killed with it, and he often worried what that darkness would do to him".

Octa struggles to make sense of everything, and especially of the destiny his mother wants for him. What does he need to do to redeem himself, and how far is he prepared to go to restore his name and honour?

Donovan Cook is a splendid storyteller. As much as I am indifferent to the military side of historical fiction, his battle scenes cannot but engage you, literally grab and drag you in the middle of the action and leave you breathless. The sights, and sounds, and even smells are so vividly described, you feel like you're present there as an invisible witness (or perhaps one of the gods who watch from aside).

Epic in scope, vivid and meticulously-researched, Woden's Vengeance is a fast-paced story, which moves effortlessly from one location to another. Enter an early medieval world at your peril!

This review is part of the blog tour for Woden's Vengeance.

Many thanks to Donovan Cook, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/WodensVengeance

Author Bio –

Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology.  He was born in South Africa and currently lives in Lancashire, UK.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @DonovanCookAuthor

Twitter: @DonovanCook20

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews

Bookbub profile: @cookdonovanbooks

Author Bio –

Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology.  He was born in South Africa and currently lives in Lancashire, UK.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @DonovanCookAuthor

Twitter: @DonovanCook20

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews