⋙ [PDF] Gratis The Varangian Book Three of Odd TangleHair Saga Bruce Macbain 9781943075249 Books

The Varangian Book Three of Odd TangleHair Saga Bruce Macbain 9781943075249 Books

Download As PDF : The Varangian Book Three of Odd TangleHair Saga Bruce Macbain 9781943075249 Books

The Varangian Book Three of Odd TangleHair Saga Bruce Macbain 9781943075249 Books

The Varangian brings the reader into a different time and place, at the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD in the city that is now called Istanbul and surrounding Mediterranean regions; Bruce MacBain constructs an intricate and intriguing story of power, love, loyalty, deception and heartbreak. Only an author well-versed in the historical details, philosophies and beliefs could make the ancient world come alive in such a way. It brought me to both laughter and tears and taught me about humanity as well. Kudos to the author for the Three Odd Tangle-Hair novels and I'm rooting for a fourth.


Tags : The Varangian: Book Three of Odd Tangle-Hair's Saga [Bruce Macbain] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <em>The Varangian</em> is the final entry in Bruce Macbain's Odd Tangle-Hair Saga and brings Odd's challenging adventures to a climactic and satisfying finish. On a secret diplomatic mission to the Emperor's court in Miklagard,Bruce Macbain,The Varangian: Book Three of Odd Tangle-Hair's Saga,Blank Slate Press,1943075247,Action & Adventure,Historical,Sagas,American Historical Fiction,FICTION Action & Adventure,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Sagas,Fiction,Fiction Historical,FictionAction & Adventure,FictionSagas,Vikings; Varangian Guard; Istanbul; Odin; Iceland; Norse; Mediterranean; action & adventure

The Varangian Book Three of Odd TangleHair Saga Bruce Macbain 9781943075249 Books Reviews

I wrote this review for the Historical Novel Review

Odd comes to Miklagard – the Norse name for Constantinople – with the sole purpose of seeking out Harald, a former friend turned nemesis, and killing him. However, just as he had feared, not only is Harald the seemingly indomitable warrior he always was, but he’s become thoroughly ensconced in the city’s Varangian Guard. These doughty warriors are all of Norse or Rus stock, fearsome, and oathsworn to the Emperor. Harald is one of their officers. Through reluctant intriguing and (un)lucky contacts in the court, Odd gets tangled not only with the deadly scheming of Byzantine politics and power-brokering, but also finds himself among the Varangian ranks. As always, he must keep his wits about him to stay alive, determine what he must do with Harald, and somehow carve a new life out for himself on these distance shores.

This is the third and final of Macbain’s Odd Tangle-Hair novels. All three have been spellbinding in their storytelling, though this one may be the best. Odd’s journey takes us around the Mediterranean and eastern European world, and all the way north back to Iceland. The characters are wonderful, the story intriguing, the combat real but never superfluous, and Odd makes for the perfect protagonist. Highly recommended.
This is the third and apparently final book in the Odd Tangle-Hair saga. I did not have the good fortune to read the first two books and as is usual with series I am sure it would have enhanced this book for me, I did not feel any loss for not having read them. Mr. MacBain does an excellent job of filling in backstory without making his readers feel like they are reading a dossier.

The book is essentially Odd’s telling of his story and this is his last chapter. He is on a mission to the Byzantine Empire but his true role is one he keeps close. He is going to kill his greatest enemy, Harald. Harald is one of the elite guards, the Varangians. What follows is a well researched and well written tale of a time not often presented in novels.

I must admit to a fascination with this period in history and this book is welcome addition to those I have read before. The combination of Constantinople and Vikings is so irresistible and I honestly had little knowledge of their coming together. Which is why I love reading historical fiction so very much. I read, I research and I learn. I pull what fiction there is and revel in a bit of history I didn’t know before.

Odd Tangle-Hair is a great character and the world Mr. MacBain builds for him is one grounded in what historical record is left. It is a world that comes alive for the reader so that you feel as if you are walking (fighting, living) right beside Odd as he makes his way through his mission. I’m almost sorry it had to come to an end and I would truly like to read the first two books in the series.

4.5

I received a free copy for my honest review
I was first drawn to this series because I love historical books that combine into fantasy, especially if they are dealing with ancient civilizations or Vikings.

Bruce’s story telling ability draws in the readers and often as soon as I start his books I’m completely absorbed into the worlds and legend he has created. Of course, with great anticipation, it was the same with The Varangian. Without being over flowerly or academic or hard to follow, Bruce somehow writes in a way that allows to feel as if we are also privy to the story as if we were in it ourselves. It’s like the long lost story your Viking grandpa would tell if you lived in a more far away time and you had a Viking grandpa (haha)…but you get my drift.

I couldn’t wait to see what adventure Odd Tangle-Hair became drawn up into and as he venture into Byzantine empire in this book, I was as enthralled by Bruce’s authentic details and descriptions of this time and place as much as his protagonist was in the story. Of course, Odd must have some suspenseful mission up his sleeve as always that will take us through excitement, danger, sadness, and this time, even love. Constantinople is the perfect setting for such deep emotions and Bruce plays into that very well, allowing the reader to be swept away as well.

It’s also very obvious that Bruce is a true historian. He knows the people and places of the ancient worlds like he was living among them. This allows the reader, especially historical lovers, to be immersed even more into the story. A true feeling of place is captured in his dynamic prose.

Book three probably brings us the most compelling and climactic action as Odd finally comes head to head with antagonist Harald, as well as the friction between so many various cultures all coming to a point at this beautiful city of Constantinople. Both Odd and Harald are written with a high level of characterization and depth, but Bruce is also adept at bringing us a strong supporting cast of new characters in each book. They were exceptionally well-done in The Varangian, allowing the time and place to be even more engaing as you can’t have a good story without good characters.

As Odd tells his story, a perfect narrator, I could definitely smell, taste, hear, and see his adventure as if I lived it with him. I’ve completely enjoyed this series and will treasure it for years to come. Very highly recommended.

I was given a copy of this book in exhange for an honest review.
The Varangian brings the reader into a different time and place, at the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD in the city that is now called Istanbul and surrounding Mediterranean regions; Bruce MacBain constructs an intricate and intriguing story of power, love, loyalty, deception and heartbreak. Only an author well-versed in the historical details, philosophies and beliefs could make the ancient world come alive in such a way. It brought me to both laughter and tears and taught me about humanity as well. Kudos to the author for the Three Odd Tangle-Hair novels and I'm rooting for a fourth.