Review: Son of Anger by Donovan Cook

Ulf is like a storm, slowly building up its power, he grows more dangerous with each passing moment. And like all storms, he will eventually break. When he does, he will destroy everything in his path.

Ulf is one of a long line of famous Norse warriors. His ancestor Tyr was no ordinary man, but the Norse God of War. Ulf, however, knows nothing about being a warrior.

Everything changes when a stranger arrives on Ulf’s small farm in Vikenfjord. The only family he’s ever known are slaughtered and the one reminder of his father is stolen — Ulf’s father’s sword, Ormstunga. Ulf’s destiny is decided.

Are the gods punishing him? All Ulf knows is that he has to avenge his family. He sets off on an adventure that will take him across oceans, into the eye of danger, on a quest to reclaim his family’s honour.

The gods are roused. One warrior can answer to them.The Son of Anger.

My Review

Ulf, our protagonist, is a miserable fellow. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by his uncle and aunt, though this home, too, was destroyed by a mysterious, ugly, brutal troll name Griml who came out of nowhere and killed everybody just for sport. The troll thought Ulf was dead, too, but our hero was later saved by a man in the woods who nursed him back to health. Once recovered, Ulf swore to Odin that he would find and kill Griml and get his sword back—a family heirloom—which the murderer stole after killing his uncle. Fortunately for Ulf—though he didn’t realize it—he fell in with the son of the Jarl his own father had served. And died for. Ulf’s rage at being abandoned by his father contributed to his overall bad temper, which he could barely control at the best of times. Unfortunately, the Jarl and most of his men were convinced that Ulf killed his own family, so he had even more angst to work out. His first meeting with the Jarl didn’t help matters:

“I know how my father used his shield to block the blow meant for his jarl, even though he was facing two opponents himself. I know how his opponents used this moment to bury their swords in him.”

The hall was completely silent, not even the mice in the roof were making a noise.

“I know how his brother, my uncle, could not get there in time to save him. How my uncle had taken my father’s famed sword and brought it to me. How he had to tell a young boy that his father, who he adored, who was the only parent he had left, had sacrificed himself to save his jarl. How he had died bravely in battle and how he was at this very moment drinking with his ancestors in Valhalla.”

Ulf’s fists were shaking with the rage that was coursing through him. He felt the tears running down his face but did not care.

“I know how my father chose his jarl over his son,” he almost growled those last words out.

Oh dear. What a mess. Needless to say, the Jarl didn’t appreciate this unwelcome guest, but his son Snorri stuck by his new friend, for he felt they were tied together somehow. Snorri promised to help Ulf in his quest, though they did not know how to find the mysterious Griml. At the very least, Snorri could teach Ulf to fight, and a small group of his friends eventually accepted the stranger. It became apparent that the Gods favored Ulf, and the Norse respected the Gods, so they let matters take their course. And what a ride! Lots of fighting and adventures ahead.

This book is available on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link (if you have it): https://books2read.com/u/m2dMOr
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NCNQPLH
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NCNQPLH
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08NCNQPLH
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08NCNQPLH
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/son-of-anger-donovan-cook/1137982445?ean=9781838300814

Meet Donovan Cook

Donovan Cook was born in South Africa but raised in England, and currently works as an English tutor. He is the author of the Ormstunga Saga, which includes his debut novel Son of Anger and the follow up, Raid of the Wolves. His novels come from his fascination with the Viking world and Norse Mythology and he hopes that you will enjoy exploring this world as much as he did writing about it.

When Donovan is not teaching or writing, he can be found reading, watching rugby, or working on DIY projects. Being born in South Africa, he is a massive Springboks fan and rarely misses a match.