Review: A Reckless Courage by S.K. Putt

Blurb:

Åslaug Grímrsdóttir, a former priestess of the sisterhood, and Örvar Haakonsson, a former drengr of the Krärkar shieldwall are happily living a peaceful new life on their farm. Until the Gods decide to test both short-lived, by weaving their fates into new paths.

Fates woven, hearts broken, life is given and life is taken. The time has come, for A Reckless Courage.

Review:

Before I begin this review, I’d like to throw a huge thankyou to S. K. Putt for providing me with a signed copy of his novella: A Reckless Courage. This is the second story I’ve read from the author – the first being the Kinslayer – and the second time exploring this viking-inspired world Putt has created.  From my read of the Kinslayer, my favourite part about Putt’s writing was his worldbuilding, and I have to say that despite this book coming in the form of a novella, the world-building only gets even more dense and is told in such a natural way. I can really see the effort the author went to in his research, particularly for things related to Norse culture such as rune creation, character dialogue, gods/goddesses and setting detail. 

Though where the Kinslayer was a grand epic with multiple POV characters and LOTS happening, A Reckless Courage was much more focused in scope, and I think this narrowed focus really allowed Putt’s writing to shine. Here we follow our main character Örvar and his wife Åslaug. The story follows the trope of the old retired war veteran trying to live his life after war. He and his wife have their word torn apart when a tragic miscarriage stills their newborn child. Örvar then, unable to cope, turns to heavy drink to pass the days. This then places a great amount of tension on their marriage. The story expands from there, and we are thrown into a wild tale of loss, addiction, redemption and healing that really packs an emotional punch, especially if you have (or you know someone who has) experienced a similar ordeal in their own life. 

Despite the focus on delivering a character-driven novella, the story does still contain a good deal of fighting/battle scenes that will appease those seeking to fill that John Gwynne gap in their lives after completing the Bloodsworn trilogy. There are plenty of viking gods, shield-wall battles, some light magic and tons of viking culture to explore, and I have no doubt there will be more to come as the story continues to expand!