This window seat to the opening shots of the Ragnarok is gritty, grimy, gripping, and significantly prologue-y

Baptiste Pinson Wu’s Undead Samurai, set in medieval Japan, was (still is) one of my favorite books of the year and when the author indicated he had ARCs for a book based on Norse Mythology, I had no hesitation in signing up for it. Blood of Midgard is a fascinating, non-linear piece of work set in what possibly might be the opening shots of Ragnarok through the eyes of Drake, leader of the Wolves, an Einherjar (a dead warrior) who serves Odin of Asgard. He performs the critical task of procuring warriors from Midgard (Earth) in preparation for Ragnarok. 

“When the gods created human beings, they must have given us their thirst for blood”

I have always been fascinated by mythology and to a great extent, that possibly explains my interest in fantasy as well. I grew up listening to stories of Indian mythology and reading a fair bit of Roman, Greek and Norse mythology. Thanks to the MCU, Thor and by extension Norse Mythology, has almost become a household name but the real Norse mythology is pretty dark, grimy, and brutal at the heart of it. This book does not shy away from any of it – this isn’t the Disney-fied version of the story. The book starts off on a foreboding note with Drake betrayed and held captive in order to initiate Ragnarok. In fact, that is the hook that propels this narrative and no one emerges from this narrative with their reputations untarnished. 

“I think fate cannot be understood until it happens, and then it’s too late. I think it bites you in the ass just when you believe you’ve managed to avoid it”

This viewpoint on the Norse apocalypse through the eyes of Drake makes it a fascinating read, given Drake isn’t a god. He is just a soldier, albeit undead, and therefore has that viewpoint on events and behaviors. For the most part, the gods don’t come across in a positive light in this narrative. In fact, they come across as rather petty and almost human-like, just with oodles of power. Drake is also madly infatuated with Muninn, Odin’s memory made into a woman who is an enigma while driving her agenda. I admit to being pretty fascinated by the process elements of building up the army that Odin seeks for Ragnarok, especially the return procedure to Asgard. While again, it doesn’t cast the old god in a good light, it nevertheless demonstrates how the lives of those living in Midgard mean so little to these Gods. 

“People assumed that Cross-Eyes was a polished fighter relying on technique and speed. They were wrong, Sven was a fucking animal”

Another element of the book that was also quite well done was the relationship and camaraderie that Drake and his Wolves share. The author was able to craft distinct voices for Drake’s companions, the good and bad things and the things that are likely to irritate any group but you still tolerate and get along. The team dynamics are quite interesting and fun as befitting a group that has been in the trenches for a long time. Given these are warriors who have lived, fought and died multiple times in service of Odin, there is an element of familiarity with events and places that creeps into their missions. However, there is a wrinkle in this latest mission (as there always is) that essentially forces things

“We give up peace for ambition, silver for a good blade, a few cows for a good wife, and ambition for comfort”

I also liked the relationship between Drake and a clearly paranoid and deteriorating Odin – an Odin so obsessed with Ragnarok that he remains oblivious to anything else while undergoing significant change in this character as well. However, at the same time for all of Drake’s strength, bravery, determination, and leadership, this infatuation and lust for Muninn is the derailing element of his personality and ultimately the story. The fast-paced narrative does try its best to mask what I think is the biggest flaw of this book – the book feels significantly setup-y. While Drake showcases his cunning, sneakiness & ruthlessness at the end, the book kind of comes full circle – in as much as there is a sense of movement, things are kind of back to square one by the end of the book. While the book lands Drake in an interesting stage, there isn’t a sense of closure and we need to wait to get our hands on the next book

“Everything is a question of sacrifice.”

Blood of Midgard, the first book in the Army of One by Baptiste Pinson Wu is a fantastic, realistic, gritty, ground-level view into the opening shots of Ragnarok. Pinson Wu has crafted an interesting protagonist, a propulsive narrative, and interesting flawed gods and other characters into a story that does a lot of huffing and puffing to position the pieces onto the chessboard more than anything in this book with the promise of a significant plot progression in the next two books.

Rating – 3.5 Dooms on 5

Blood of Midgard is available now on Amazon