The Loki Sword is the third instalment in Angus Donald’s Fire Born series, and it packs the same high quality of berserker savagery we have enjoyed previously. As before, the saga continues to follow the fearsome sibling duo, Bjarki Bloodhand and Tor Hildarsdottir, on yet more escapades against their enemies, the Christian Franks, and any others who are foolish enough to cross their paths.
For those who are unfamiliar, the series is based around the notion that Bjarki is fire-born. That is, he is possessed by the ancient spirit of a great she-bear, who gives him impossible strength and invulnerability in the heat of battle. Bjarki is a rekkr, a berserker, and Donald does a spectacular job of portraying the battle-fury of this one-man-army. I also particularly enjoyed the interactions Bjarki had with his gandr spirit-beast throughout the novel. Bjarki’s sister Tor, whilst not a rekkr, is as fearsome as any, and plays just as important a role in the story. The pair of protagonists provide a nice balance, with the gentle giant “oaf” Bjarki and the feisty shieldmaiden Tor.
It is when Bjarki and Tor’s old friend, the mysterious, one-eyed Valtyr Far-Traveller, presents them with an opportunity for fame and wealth that this saga begins. Valtyr believes he has unveiled the secret whereabouts of the legendary sword, Tyrfingr, said to be forged by the dwarves and cursed by the god Loki. To recover this sword would not only bring the group esteem and unimaginable wealth, but it would become a talisman of faith amongst the northern folk, spurring them to victory in their long struggle against the might of the Franks.
Donald has woven yet another brilliant tale, with a page-turning plot and captivating battle sequences. The story is populated with a magnificent cast of characters, beginning with the familiar heroes, Bjarki and Tor, and extending through all manner of loyal companions and treacherous enemies. History, mythology and imagination have been combined to great effect, bringing to life an eighth century Europe that feels both authentic and extraordinary. The detail in which lesser-known aspects of history are portrayed, such as the amber road, are testament to Donald’s research and originality.
The Loki Sword is another great step in the Fire Born series, and a fabulous read. I would highly recommend this series to anybody who is interested in dark age historical fiction, and cannot wait to see what else Donald has in mind for the series.
