Shadow of the Raven (Sons of Kings Book 1) by Millie Thom is a historical fiction story that takes place during the time of the Vikings. In the mid ninth century, at the mouth of the Thames, are two kingdoms that border one another; the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. As the sons of kings, Alfred of Wessex and Eadwulf of Mercia have predetermined futures. They are expected to follow a certain path, but their childhood events will shape a future that changes them in certain ways. Events that teach them harsh lessons: that an enemy might be someone known and a trusted ally could easily become a turncoat and traitor. Their adventures run throughout the Norse lands, which stretch from Denmark north to the Arctic Circle and east to the Baltic Sea. Throughout their journeys, both boys move closer to manhood and their true destinies.

Shadow of the Raven is a well-written story that is heavy on history. Thom obviously knows this era well and has done a tremendous amount of research. I really enjoyed how many of these “characters” were historical figures of that time. I love when an author can incorporate a fictionalized tale with real life people from history. I find that fascinating and love the educational element this brought to the story. The writing was strong, the setting was beautiful and brilliantly described, and the characters were well thought out and realistic. I loved the depth that Thom was able to create with each of the sons of kings, and was happy with the action that escalated throughout the story.

Shadow of the Raven (Sons of Kings, Book One) by Millie Thom is a historical fiction with a mixture of Norse mythology, following the early years of Alfred of Wessex and Eadwulf of Mercia. Their stories unfold during the tumultuous events of the mid-ninth century, when Danish raids put Western Europe into a state of panic and dread. This situation called for cooperation between the formerly rival kingdoms. Young Alfred and Eadwulf will learn crucial lessons which will shape their futures.

The classic theme of princes, duties and destinies is well developed into the intricate plot. Millie Thom’s writing has enough flair to capture the mid-ninth century atmosphere without being too laden with old terminologies that might confuse readers. On the other hand, the story started slowly for me – which was expected – as I was familiarizing myself with the settings and the characters (especially their names). However, Thom has provided a necessary aid with a list of characters in the beginning of the book, as well as maps of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms and the Norse lands. As readers become accustomed to these aspects, the story will become more engaging and fast paced, aided by its descriptive narrative, rich details and well crafted dialogue.

On the whole, Shadow of the Raven is a great debut for this series. Thom’s knowledge about this ancient period is evident and she has successfully turned it into an engrossing story. I look forward to see how the story continues in the next installment.