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The White Raven (The Oathsworn Series) (Book 3) Paperback – August 6, 2009
The epic and action packed third novel in Low’s Oathsworn series charting the adventures of Orm and his band of Viking brothers
The Oathsworn have itchy feet. Battle-hungry and tired of keeping the homestead fires burning, they are restless for action. And, being the Oathsworn, action is what they get.
When their homestead is attacked by Klerkon and his men, the Oathsworn promise bloody revenge. But they didn’t count on having to undertake the most dangerous journey of their lives in order to save two of their number.
Packed with epic adventure and bloody action, THE WHITE RAVEN is Robert Low at his very best.
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperCollins
- Publication dateAugust 6, 2009
- Dimensions1 x 5 x 7.7 inches
- ISBN-100007287984
- ISBN-13978-0007287987
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for THE WHITE RAVEN:
‘Robert Low’s Oathsworn trilogy is historical writing at its best and most full-blooded, with its tremendous pacing, black comedy, a wonderfully vivid and rough-hewn prose style like runes hacked into granite, and most appealingly of all, its doomy, pagan sense of comradeship-unto-death between Orm Rurikson and his band of Viking brothers’
WILLIAM NAPIER
Praise for THE WHALE ROAD:
'A company of warriors, desperate battles, an enthralling read' BERNARD CORNWELL
'A fantastic book, one of the best I have read for years. There's a wonderful earthiness to proceedings and he creates a tangible sense of being there. There's a sturdy, lyrical and epic quality about the writing which makes it feel like the kind of saga a Viking would recount in his old age.'
SIMON SCARROW
‘A stirring Viking series of blockbuster battles and religious intrigue.’ Publishing News
‘All the right ingredients are firmly in place…above all there is the storyline itself; told in an earthy, rough-and-ready stylewhich perfectly compliments this saga for the 21st Century.’ Yorkshire Evening Post
‘A fascinating read’ The Glasgow Herald
‘The Hangman humour of the band of sworn brothers gives Low’s epic but brutal tale real humanity and the detail of 10th century life is wonderfully vivd. The action is fast and furious…shockingly believably so. Low’s debut novel hits the mark with maximum impact.’ Bridlington Today
About the Author
Robert Low is a writer and journalist who covered the wars in Vietnam, Sarajevo, Romania and Kosovo. To satisfy his craving for action, having moved to an area rich in Viking tradition, he took up re-enactment, joining The Vikings. He now spends summers fighting furiously in helmet and mail in shieldwalls all over Britain and winters training hard. He lives in Scotland with his wife.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins; Illustrated edition (August 6, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0007287984
- ISBN-13 : 978-0007287987
- Item Weight : 8.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 1 x 5 x 7.7 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,541,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,148 in Sea Stories
- #6,193 in Historical British & Irish Literature
- #28,478 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the book entertaining and refreshing. They find the stories fascinating and gripping, with inspiring details and narratives. Readers praise the writing quality as well-crafted and appreciate the character development.
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Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it entertaining and refreshing, with a satisfying conclusion. The series is enjoyable and gripping, with an addictive narrative.
"...Good writers in this subject are rare, and Mr. Low is one of the very best...." Read more
"Skol! Another great book by a great author weaving excellent tales. Every book in the series is worth the read at least once." Read more
"...They are enjoyable entertainment." Read more
"...I enjoyed book 3 of the Oathsworn/Orm Bear-Slayer series...." Read more
Customers enjoy the storytelling. They find the stories fascinating, gripping, and well-crafted like a Norse skald would. The historical fiction series provides an interesting glimpse into Viking life and culture.
"...Mr. Low truly understands the subject matter and crafts his stories much like a Norse Skald would, while telling a tale around a hearth-fire...." Read more
"...of these people and their values and attitude to life, which makes the tale absorbing, especially to those who have a historical knowledge of and..." Read more
"...The parallel isn't perfect, but the foreboding, dread, and suspense give off that vibe...." Read more
"...Of the three books this was my least favorite, but a very interesting story nevertheless...." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find the book well-written with strong characterization and excellent tales.
"...Good writers in this subject are rare, and Mr. Low is one of the very best...." Read more
"Skol! Another great book by a great author weaving excellent tales. Every book in the series is worth the read at least once." Read more
"...Great effort and consistent writing with enough new developments to read on and discover what new challenges are thrown in the characters..." Read more
"...Intelligently written, these books describe not only the culture of the vikings in a much more believable manner, but also many other cultures of..." Read more
Customers enjoyed the character development.
"...He also introduces one of the most intriguing characters I've ever seen. I called off work to finish it, which ought to say something." Read more
"...Which is unfortunate, because I thoroughly enjoyed the story and other characters...." Read more
"...Good adventure and action and characters that are likeable enough but not like Joe Abercrombie's in-depth writings...." Read more
"...Still enjoyed the character development. Let's see what else comes along." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2010As a professional historian, and one who has made a personal life-long study of the Norse, commonly called Vikings, I am very critical when it comes to books on this subject. I am very picky about what books on the subject that I keep in my personal collection. I have discarded and re-sold more sub-standard books on this subject than you can imagine. Only a very few reach the level of excellence that make me want to keep them in my collection. Robert Low's Oathsworn series is one of those few I will keep. Mr. Low truly understands the subject matter and crafts his stories much like a Norse Skald would, while telling a tale around a hearth-fire. I just finished reading White Raven, and enjoyed it so much that I neglected everything else until I finished it. The book left me wanting more, and I am both delighted and saddened to learn that a fourth book in the series is due out soon. I say "delighted", because I want more. I am saddened because I understand that the upcoming fourth book will be the last in the series. Good writers in this subject are rare, and Mr. Low is one of the very best. I do hope that at some point, Mr. Low returns to the Viking Age in his future writings, if not the Oathsworn, then another aspect of this period. With all the Hollyweird nonsense out there, of Vikings in horned helmets who are mindless, bloodthirsty barbarians, we need more literature that portrays the Norse the way they really were. My thanks to Mr. Low for many hours of good, entertaining reading!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023Skol! Another great book by a great author weaving excellent tales. Every book in the series is worth the read at least once.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014I'm not well rounded at the literary jargon I've seen in reviews. I read constantly. Have all my life. The total is in the thousands of books surely. So, I do have experience I can turn to. Of all those books read, some made me want more of the same. Few made me want it to never end. Some of William F. Buckley. Some of Phillipa Gregory. Some of Jane Austen.Morgan Llewellyn. Bernard Cornwell. Now Robert Low has been added to my list. "The Oathsworn Series" (so far I'm in the middle of book 3) leaves me wondering if I'm reading Orm's story, or there next to him watching. I look forward to "reading time" knowing I won't be disappointed. I originally tried book 1 because of the cost. Thank Goodness, I found Robert Low before they start charging for what he's worth!! Literary talk and buzz words aside, I LIKE reading him.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2009Robert Low's third book about the adventures of Orm and the Oathsworn brings the story to a conclusion. I found this series interesting because it deals with the Scandinavian experience in Russia. Most Viking tales deal with their activities in the West. Of course, the subject matter is always secondary to the skill of the writer in storytelling. Low does the job well. He has a good understanding of the way of life of these people and their values and attitude to life, which makes the tale absorbing, especially to those who have a historical knowledge of and interest in the period. I would recommend reading the three books in series to keep with the flow of the whole saga. They are enjoyable entertainment.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2021Action start to finish!The thrill of victory-the agony of loss -the harsh road and even harsher truth's found along the way cannot stop the oathsworn !!
BLOOD BONE&STEEL TO THE END !!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016This book feels, to me, a lot like a Viking "Heart of Darkness.". The parallel isn't perfect, but the foreboding, dread, and suspense give off that vibe. The threads that the author artfully weaved through two books come to an all but perfect conclusion. He also introduces one of the most intriguing characters I've ever seen. I called off work to finish it, which ought to say something.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2012I purchased The White Raven in search for a new historical fiction series to follow. Unfortunately I was introduced to Olaf Tryggvasson (Crowbone), the most annoying character I can remember ever suffering through. I couldn't stand his stories/parables and refuse to subject myself to more of them in subsequent volumes. Which is unfortunate, because I thoroughly enjoyed the story and other characters. I might read the books before The White Raven (no Olaf yet) but I'm not sure I want to invest more time in characters that I won't be seeing through to the end. In short, Crowbone ruined the book for me. But that's just me, you might find the know it all brat tolerable.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2009"Would a burial mound with all the silver in the world be enough?" (p3)
I enjoyed book 3 of the Oathsworn/Orm Bear-Slayer series. There's a new under-crewed Fjord Elk, and another Russian Steppe adventure returning to Atil's hov. Low takes a series of characters direct from the Sagas; the most interesting being Crowbone. If you like the Viking genre this series won't disappoint. Don't want to spoil too much. If you haven't read the first 2 installments I suggest you start there. Of the three books this was my least favorite, but a very interesting story nevertheless. I'm looking forward to the 4th book, "The Prow Beast", due out March 4th 2010.
Top reviews from other countries
- John FrancisReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Great.
This series keeps getting better and better. I wasn't sure when reading the first but, now I have them all. Going to start book 4 now. Cracking characters and some great action. Recommended.
- MerlinReviewed in Australia on September 3, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A great tale
I Loved this series, a very original story well researched with surprises and twists galore..a real sense of history and culture.
- The "Dean"Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Bang for your Buck
this series is very interesting and the way he written the story around it makes for a fascinating read. Buy them all. I just hope that there are 10 books in this series.
-
NMKReviewed in Germany on September 21, 2010
5.0 out of 5 stars Vollauf zufrieden - Robert Low rockt mal wieder
Als ich dieses Buch in die Hand nahm, fragte ich mich erstmal, ob Low dem Vorgänger Wolf Sea (Oathsworn 2) gerecht wird. Low ist ihm nicht nur gerecht geworden, er hat ihn auch noch getoppt.
Diesmal beginnt das Buch in Ostergotland im Jahre 972 AD. Orm und seine Oathsworn haben sich, nachdem sie sich für Jarl Brand verdingt haben, auf einem Gehöft in Brands Herrschaftsgebiet niedergelassen.
Der Ruf der Oathsworn und die Geschichten über Attilas Schatz ziehen Besuche von Nordmännern nach sich, die sich den Oathsworn, in der Hoffnung auf einen Anteil, anschliessen möchten. Aber nicht nur freundlich gesinnte Nordmänner sind dabei. Nach einem blutigen Ereignis ist Orm gezwungen, den Übeltätern hinterzureisen, und wieder bewegen sich die Oathsworn auf dem von den Nornen gespunnen Wyrd, das für manche das Leben und für andere den Tod zu Folge hat.
Low greift in diesem Roman lose Enden aus den beiden Vorgängern Whale Road (Oathsworn 1) & Wolf Sea (Oathsworn 2) auf. Man begegnet alten Bekannten. Attilas Hort lockt sie alle. Wie gewohnt bestimmen Aberglaube, der Glaube an den Odin, die Düsternis, Mythologie und die Suche nach dem für die Nordmänner so wichtigen Silber das Geschehen.
Fazit: Wer die beiden vorherigen Bücher gemocht hat, wird dieses lieben. Low setzt einfach noch einen drauf. Ein wirklich spannender Lesespass.
Das vierte Band zu den Geschichten um die Oathsworn ist: The Prow Beast (Oathsworn)
- Donna McGrathReviewed in Canada on March 15, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars great book!
Quick delivery, great book!