The Saga of Beowulf is an epic tale with trolls, dwarfs, dragons, ogres, revenge, true love, epic battles, heroes, magic, curses and everything else you need and want in a true epic. Though it was slow going at first. I was enjoying the story but there are a lot of people, lots of them with similar names, it takes place in several different places, has flashbacks and complex relationships between the characters. There is a lot going on. It was a while before I could keep track of it all to the point where I was just reading the story instead of working out who everyone was. There is a list of proper names in the back that I found very helpful before I had all the names set because it has a sentence or two about who they are. It also has the pronunciation of all the names which was helpful too. A lot of the book is about fights and battles which are often described in bloody, gory detail. But it isn’t all about violence. The characters are well developed and have depth. You get to know them by seeing their backgrounds and personal struggles. So it is also about love of family, friends and country and internal conflict. It is about concepts like bravery, cowardice, strength and honor. The writing is almost lyrical and although I thought it was out of place among people I thought were mostly illiterate when Beowulf said someone had signed their own death warrant, the style of writing and the wording is very fitting to the tale. It somehow makes the tale grander in some way and you sit in rapt attention as the larger than life heroes and their monster infested world comes to life. It tells the entire story of Beowulf’s life and at over 600 pages is a long story and not a light read. You have to be willing to put the time in. But if you have any interest in Beowulf or just enjoy good adventure stories I think the time spent will be well rewarded. ( )

Full review located at http://paganbookreviews.com/2009/01/26/the-saga-of-beowulf-r-scot-johns/

I just finished “The Saga of Beowulf” by R. Scot Johns last night and wow!! I don’t really know where to begin because there is so much going on in this book! It’s nonstop action and adventure. The synopsis on the back says it’s “relentless in pace” and that is so true! Beowulf battles a ogres, armies and himself. And the love between Beowulf and Haereth is something most people dream about.

Instead of giving away parts of the book, I’d like to share a couple of quotes with you that I found touching. Beowulf said to his clan after returning from war, “ So much blood. So many dead. And all for what? Homes ransacked, villages destroyed, men and women slain for half a sack of grain. We became no better than the Swedes. Wolves that feed on sheep when they’re not even hungry.” Another quote that I enjoyed is when Haereth tells Beowulf “There are ways of being together even when all the world divides you. Just as there are ways of being far apart, although we stand this close.”

I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. And if you’re worried that you won’t be able to keep up, don’t be. The author included a map and glossary’s of people and places, which I found really helpful. ( )

Beowulf has always been on my list to read, but after hearing time and again how daunting it was I kept moving it further and further down the list. When I saw this book I decided it was time to give it a try. I am glad I did. The story’s flow and action kept me turning the pages late into the nights. I love the description of and insight into the characters. Like many others I have seen the recent movie adaptation and very much enjoyed how this book made Beowulf into a likeable person, through showing all his aspects, instead of the arrogant fool of the movie. The descriptions also made the entire scene come to life for me. From the entrance into the Golden Hall through the popular battles with Grendel and his mother to the battle with the Swedes the descriptions and action kept coming. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to red Beowulf and hindered by the reputation of the original and to anyone looking for a good action epic. ( )