Good, but not great series of books - Rated 
Having read all three of the Viking trilogy now, I feel that the series is good, but by no means brilliant.
While the scenery was very well set, and the characters were interesting, I felt that the author was trying to cram too much into the books. Thorgils had too many professions, which made the books feel like an overview of the period 999-1066, rather than a story of one man.
Overall though, I feel that the major problem with the series is that they stand in contrast with Bernard Cornwell's current Saxon series. While Severin's books are good, Cornwell proves once again to be the expert at historical fiction.
A Dramatic Conclusion - Rated 
This book is the sequel to Odinn's Child and brings to a conclusion the Viking adventure.
The date is 1035, the place the cosmopolitan city of Constantinople, the gateway to Asia and all its treasures and mysticism. Thorgills has become a member of the elite Varangian lifeguard, a post that allows him to witness first hand the glories of one of the greatest cities in the whole world. Unfortunately it also allows him first hand experience of the cruelty and murderous ways of the imperial family.
Under the leadership of Harald Sigurdsson Thorgills is used as bait to trap Arab pirates who are attacking the shipping lanes of the Mediterranean. Fate also takes him on campaign to recover the island of Scicily from the Saracens.
When Harald becomes King of Norway, Thorgills life becomes ever more entwined with the King and his travel eventually take him on a journey to England and a desperate race to Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, to warm the Norwegian King that he has been duped by his supposed ally William of Normandy, but will Thorgill be in time or for that matter ever reach Stamford Bridge. . .
Sam's review - Rated 
This is the final novel from a trilogy of three. I thought it was superbly written and a good historical account of how things could have been in the 10th century. I thought it kept up the very high quality from the previous two novels in the series. It portrays Thorgils in the later years of his life and his attempt to keep the old ways alive from the growing followers of the white christ.
I thought it was a thoroughly interesting and enjoyable read.
Thoroughly excellent book - Rated
What a superb book, I haven't read the first two parts of this trilogy but that didn't detract at all from the enjoyment of this book, in fact you wouldn't know it was part of a trilogy. The story grabs your attention from the start and holds you till the very end. It is a story intertwined within the true events of history, beginning in Constantinople and culminating around the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Tim Severin's style of writing is clear and easy to read and combines great historical knowledge with great story telling and compassion. Wonderful.
Poorly written, weak and dull - Rated 
Id read Severin's 'In search of Genghis Khan' which was an interesting read so I was very open to see how his skills translated to fiction. Oh dear, how disappointing. Perhaps I dont fit into his normal reading audience but either way this book is poorly written. Characters are not fleshed out, most scenes are poorly detailed and the plot is weak and dull skipping between swiftly concluding simple events.
Severin has the building blocks of a great historical setting and includes many interesting facts (much like his non fiction work), but this is not enough to carry the story, and for me if you look at David Gemmell's works there is no comparison.
So to summarise, this book lacks basic story writing skills and is not worth the time to read.
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