Everything Ravaged Everything Burned
Book
A man is booted out of his home after his wife discovers that the sweat-smudged footprint on the...
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
8.3
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Movie Watch
Five years have passed since Hiccup and Toothless united the dragons and Vikings of Berk. Now, they...
Dean (6926 KP) rated Choose (2011) in Movies
Jun 6, 2021
Just a shame it didn't reach its potential, not a particularly scary film. Seems to be stuck between genres without choosing which direction to go in. The second half of the film unravels without much drama to a rather tame ending. OK if you want a short film to pass the time.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated The Last Kingdom in TV
Oct 31, 2019 (Updated Oct 31, 2019)
Norman Stone Castles: v. 1: British Isles 1066-1216
Adam Hook and Christopher Gravett
Book
The Normans were some of the most feared warriors of the High Medieval period, descended from the...
The Swan's Road (The Atheling Chronicles #1)
8.0
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Book
In the eleventh century, Cnute, the Viking king of Engla-lond and Scandinavia, sails with his son,...
Historical Fiction Vikings
The Last King (The Ninth Century #1)
10.0
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Book
From author MJ Porter comes a thrilling new hero. They sent three hundred warriors to kill one...
Historical Fiction Historical Thriller
Josh Burns (166 KP) rated Berserker: Hell's Warrior (2004) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Without spoiling details, a betrayal occurs that sets a rift between two brothers that are chosen for immortality and power. This rift leads to a conflict that spans centuries as they are reborn again and again to continually face off against each other. One on the name of Odin, the other for his own destiny. The film then jumps to modern times, where the conflict is still going.
The story isn't all that original, but it isn't bad, with a decent twist at the end. The acting for most of the cast is not great, but not bad. The music, however, is quite good.
Overall, it isn't a bad movie, but is severely hurt by production quality and some poor decisions in design. For example, it's difficult to take the protagonist,s enemies seriously when they are running around the city in bear skins and armor. The decision to add an odd and terrible looking glow effect to the Valykries at times or when immortals are killed, was another strike. Despite it's shortcomings, I don't regret watching it. The movie is fun for what it is, and I happen to like 80s fantasy, which whether purposely or not, it captures the feeling of to me.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated This Evening and The Morning in Books
Apr 9, 2021
Book
The Evening and the Morning ( 0.5 kingsbridge prequel )
By Ken Follet
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.
In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.
I absolutely loved it! After reading the other Kingsbridge books I knew I would enjoy this but not as much as I actually did! From the start I was sucked in I soon got wrapped up in the characters the places and stories! Ken Follet certainly knows how to keep you entertained I was annoyed every time real life dragged me away! Very good prequel!
Russell Evans (179 KP) rated Excalibur in Books
Mar 2, 2020
Some epic battles and betrayals conclude this tale of Arthur, told by his loyal friend and Warlord Derfel, now an aged Christian Monk. Overall, the trilogy is a superbly realistic and gritty yet fictional account of the dark ages and the epic journey of Arthur and a magnificently strong cast of characters.
If you liked ‘The Vikings’ or ‘The Last Kingdoms’ series on TV, I would highly recommend that you give this trilogy a read – starting with The Winter King.