The White Raven (novel)
Encyclopedia
The White Raven is the third novel of the four-part Oathsworn series by Scottish
writer of historical fiction
, Robert Low
, released on 6th August 2009 through Harper
. The novel was well received.
band as a child and is now their reluctant leader. This novel centres around the oathsworn band returning to their quest for Attila the Hun
s legendary lost hoard of silver. A number of their band have been kidnapped by Prince Vladimir and face impalement
should Orm fail to bring them the treasure.
In an article for the Yorkshire Evening Post
, the reviewer states that the novel is "another rip-roaring yarn from Low, told with enormous panache
" and that "Low has shown himself to be most adept at constructing an authentic historical atmosphere". Reviewing for Black Gate
magazine Bill Ward writes, of the hardships suffered by the oathsworn in their journey across the Mongolian steppe, "like the rest of Low’s work it is all as real and authentic as a journal entry from someone who actually suffered through such things." and stated he found the language "beautifully evocative".
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
writer of historical fiction
Historical fiction
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional...
, Robert Low
Robert Low
Robert Low is a Scottish journalist and writer of historical fiction. His Oathsworn series of novels are set in the Viking Age.-Biography:...
, released on 6th August 2009 through Harper
Harper (publisher)
Harper is an American publishing house, the flagship imprint of global publisher HarperCollins.-History:James Harper and his brother John, printers by training, started their book publishing business J. & J. Harper in 1817. Their two brothers, Joseph Wesley Harper and Fletcher Harper, joined them...
. The novel was well received.
Plot
The story revolves around Orm Rurikson, a young man who joined the crew of a VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
band as a child and is now their reluctant leader. This novel centres around the oathsworn band returning to their quest for Attila the Hun
Attila the Hun
Attila , more frequently referred to as Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in 453. He was leader of the Hunnic Empire, which stretched from the Ural River to the Rhine River and from the Danube River to the Baltic Sea. During his reign he was one of the most feared...
s legendary lost hoard of silver. A number of their band have been kidnapped by Prince Vladimir and face impalement
Impalement
Impalement is the traumatic penetration of an organism by an elongated foreign object such as a stake, pole, or spear, and this usually implies complete perforation of the central mass of the impaled body...
should Orm fail to bring them the treasure.
Reception
The novel was well received by critics.In an article for the Yorkshire Evening Post
Yorkshire Evening Post
The Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, the reviewer states that the novel is "another rip-roaring yarn from Low, told with enormous panache
Panache
Panache is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of a flamboyant manner and reckless courage.The literal translation is a plume, such as is worn on a hat or a helmet, but the reference is to King Henry IV of France...
" and that "Low has shown himself to be most adept at constructing an authentic historical atmosphere". Reviewing for Black Gate
Black Gate (magazine)
Black Gate is a glossy, quarterly fantasy magazine founded in 2000 and published by New Epoch Press. Using the slogan "Adventures in Fantasy Literature," Black Gate primarily features original short fiction up to novella length....
magazine Bill Ward writes, of the hardships suffered by the oathsworn in their journey across the Mongolian steppe, "like the rest of Low’s work it is all as real and authentic as a journal entry from someone who actually suffered through such things." and stated he found the language "beautifully evocative".