Shadow of the Wolf is a book that I first read back in 2013. Since I wanted to review it now in 2020, I decided to re-read it and refresh my memory. It was even better than I remembered it to be. When I first heard about these books, I tracked them down and once I had all three on my shelf, I immediately devoured them at a rapid rate. This time I read book one at a much more leisurely rate, and rightfully so.

The book opens with an 18 year old Viking, Harald Swiftaxe, while he is raiding and pillaging in Ireland. No date is given, but these events probably take place early in the era of Viking dominated Ireland (800s), as Norse invasions into the area began around 795. Harald is nicknamed “Innocent”, as he kills freely, but cannot bring himself to rape any women as was the common practice of the raiders in this story. Harald only has eyes for his sweetheart back home, Elena, whom he is to wed when he returns to his father’s hold in Urlsgarde. On his way back to Urlsgarde, Harald and his companion Sigurd Gotthelm stop at Elena’s family farm, only to discover it burned to the ground. Harald cannot find Elena, alive or otherwise, but finds and slays a wounded berserk warrior, one of the raiders responsible for the destruction.

When the two warriors arrive at the hold, they notice a strange sense of doom overshadowing the place, and that there are some six Berserker warriors sheltering within the walls of Harald’s father’s hold. Elena is in fact visiting Harald’s father, Bluetooth, and is unaware of the devastation of her family. Harald does not immediately let Elena know, hoping to spare her the pain for a little bit longer. He does approach the Berserkers, and dump the head of the warrior that he slew at the farm into their fire. Naturally, they are incensed, but they swallow their fury for the moment.

Well, things get nasty after this point, as the Berserkers appeal to Odin to curse Harald by making him one of them. Odin, being the nasty sort of bastard that he is, does just that, and horrific barbarity ensues. Harald has no control of his condition, and when blood is spilled, the beast within him goes berserk. He physically transforms somewhat, with the features, strength and ferocity of the Bear. Unknowingly, Harald actually rapes his true love Elena, while in a fit of uncontrollable fury.

When Harald recovers, he is disgusted and appalled by what he has done, and what he has become. What follows from this point is Harald’s exile, his wanderings in war and mindless slaughter, and his eventual quest for release from the curse of Odin.

The first third to half of the book is well written, but seems a little disjointed and occasionally aimless. From that point on the tale settles down and becomes much more seamless and smoother reading. Holdstock (writing under the pen name Chris Carlsen) can write great scenes of misty, dreamlike prose, as well as bloody, savage combat. Also, I found this story to be almost like a horror tale, with creepy descriptions of dark forests and mist-shrouded mountains. The Gods are real and have active roles in the fate on mankind, usually not in a positive way: they seem almost demonic and evil at times.

Anyone looking for violent, bloody and sex-filled historical S&S will not be disappointed, and the quality of the writing is a cut above the usual hack and slash men’s adventure fiction, despite being directly targeted to that audience.