Chapter one had me rolling my eyes so hard I cannot believe I wasn't looking at the back of my skull. That being said, by the halfway point I was already realizing book one was going to leave me wanting book two. Un many books in this genre, this isn't a small book, but man it leaves you with so many questions that I really want answered. The only reason I cannot give the book five starts is that by telling the reader what the future holds for the protagonist in chapter one, there are so many times the ready knows what is going on, while the characters blindly ignore the obvious. MSE is one of my favorite authors in this genre, from Destroyer, Lions Quest to Monster Girl Empire, and this book really did not disappoint. 2 s Stephen8

I love Mr. Earles writing I’ve read all but three of his series completely and every book is amazing some better then others but I’m sure it’s personal preference. BUT this book is the cream of the crop it has everything a fantasy lover will ever want and I look forward to the entire series and where he takes his readers on this adventure. I don’t usually write but this book was astounding thank you so much Micheal-Scott Earle!!1 Bob256 1 follower

This was a huge disappointment. It started out really good. The problem that ruined it was the same one I've noticed in many modern fantasy books. The MC. During the beginning the MC was intelligent and even a bit stoic. It's was so refreshing. After the MC is transferred "elsewhere" and meets a beautiful woman, he turns into an idiot. His actions, speech, and even thought processes are suddenly retarded and immature. It's he's a fourteen year old kid. "huk...huk.. boobies".
Also his whole manner is poisoned with feminist ideas. It's repulsive.
It's too bad because the story seems it could have be something good. 1 Gareth OttonAuthor 6 books109

Viking Runesmith is a mixture of this author’s Star Justice and Tamer: King of Dinosaurs series. It takes some of the best aspects of both and mixes them together into an enjoyable story.

This book has more to offer than just being a copy of those other series, though. Paradoxically, there was one thing I appreciated in this book that some people wouldn’t expect to be a compliment in a novel in this genre; it had male characters other than the main character and antagonists.

I view a lot of the books in this genre as an overcorrection to the PC censorship that is spreading a virus throughout pop culture, especially focusing on ‘masculine’ aspects of pop culture that some people consider toxic. This genre is a welcome step into reclaiming the things that men enjoy reading about, but it often goes too far. The stories become little more than teenage wet dreams and exercises in wish fulfilment, and it forgets to tell a good story. One way in which this is most clear are stories where a male protagonist is surrounded by nothing but beautiful women, and those women live only to fill the other roles in the plot and to have sex with the main character.

I don’t find this sort of story enjoyable. It has over-corrected the problem and now sits on the other extreme of the spectrum where it forgets to tell a fully realised story. This author has fallen into that same trap a few times, but this isn’t the case here.

This is the story of a man who finds himself in a world populated by a Viking culture and his struggles to not only survive, but thrive in that environment. It focuses more on telling that story than it does in introducing women to eventually join the main character’s harem. This means there are allowed to be male characters to join the protagonist on his journey as friends, teachers and confidants, which makes this world feel much more real. It also means that the adult elements of the book can go back to where they belong, as spices that add extra flavour to the story, but they are no longer the main course. This turns these books from porn with a twist to a well realised story written for adult men.

However, that being said, this isn’t the first time this author has started his series in such a way. Star Justice began in a similar fashion, but by the end of the series it was little more than the main character moving through the plot with his army of walking, talking sex dolls. Tamer started out with a story first focus, but it is slowly building the harem elements up ever higher to where the balance is in danger of shifting there too.

However, that hasn’t happened to this story yet and until it does, I will remain cautiously optimistic. My fear is that the introductory chapter hints that this story will head in that direction, but I just hope the author can stay clear of that temptation and focus on the story first and foremost.

Overall, though, I think this is the strongest story this author has put out in years, and I look forward to reading the next book. Chad Martin162

This was a great book. I have read lots of Michael-Scott Earle’s books. Some of the them, the Tamer series, I could not put down, some of the them just didn’t grab my attention. The Viking Rune Smith series is definitely a must have series. The beginning left me a little confused, but then realizing it was setting up the flash back that was the entire book-I could not stop reading. The book is full of action and battles. Aaron, the main character, is a typical character in these types of books. One that seems to have all the knowledge to answer any question and solve problems that no one even knew existed. However, knowing that does not distract from the story itself.
The book has a nice blend of fierce characters, beautiful women and people that you want to know more about. Aaron shows himself to be a generally good person and this attitude is part of what sets him apart from the native population. It also leads you to know that he will ly use this unique characteristic to create a better clan. The book has enough mysteries to keep you wondering but starts to answer some of these questions with more questions at the end of the book.
I can’t wait to get the next book and see what happens with Aaron, his wife Eir and the clan he is starting to develop. Dave Stone1,179 60

Tamer: King of Dinosaurs, but with more violence (and no dinosaurs)
This book started rough, WTF? rough. But then it settled down to a classic MSE story that I know and love so well. and that story is Tamer. Except that instead of starting from dirt & sticks, this MC starts with medieval societies and instead of dinosaurs, it's bloodthirsty berserker vikings and monster animals.
Lets cut to the chase. Did you tamer?
Yes = You will this
No= Meh, your chances are less good.
This is the same brutal world, this is the same empire building. This one has men and women, not just one guy +a village of women. This one has magic. This one builds faster.
*A big negative for me- This one has slavery. it is implied that the MC might free all the slaves later, OR that he will personally enslave EVERYONE thus making them all equal, but still. Dude sees that there are people being kept as slaves and just goes "Oh NO! They need to take better care of these slaves so they last longer and can work harder." (shudder)
Other than that, (and that's no small thing) This book is pretty kick ass. Douglas Debner874 14

I am not going to pretend that fantasy harem books are little more than immature wish indulgence. This author, however, tells such stories well, with actual consideration toward the kind of social forces behind harems and how the realities of a fantasy setting would affect such things. If you enjoy empire/harem building escapism then this author’s works, including this book, are probably the best written works you will find. I would suggest looking at the author’s other works before committing to this one for one simple reason: The author opens with a scene that makes it clear the rest of the book is being told in flashback. Personally I found this detracted from my enjoyment of the book and I did my best to forget the opening scene.

Frankly, the details of this book are irrelevant. If you enjoy empire/harem building stories it is a virtual certainty you will enjoy this author’s books. (In fact it may be time for the author to branch out a bit.)
Carl285 2

What an awesome book. Definitely one of the best haremlit books i've read. It's my first experience reading Michael-Scott Earle's work and i look forward to reading more of his books.

This book was hilarious and riveting and action packed, filled with a lot of great moments. And the MC wasn't a fucking idiot, which is a wonderful thing. But then, if MC really does become Odin the all-father, he would have to start out a knowledgeable bad-ass, and not a fucking idiot. So it makes sense. Looking forward to the next book.fantasy harem Steven Allen1,120 16

I had a hard time getting into this book at first because it appears that the MC is an a-hole. The book gets much better later on, but if I had read an excerpt from the beginning of the book (minus my familiarity with the author) I would not have bought it.

If you are familiar with MSE's Destroyer series, this is in a very similar tone. Your Mom3 3

Listened to it non stop for two days. Can’t wait for book 2. Joshua Bishop115 1 follower

Awesome book. I really enjoyed it & can't wait to read the next one! Suunman7 4

As usual MSE writes entertaining stories. Jay Collins1,567 14

4 Stars, another great series by this author, really enjoyed it.
Koffe721 17 Read

DNF So boring I have too wonder if all the where paid for.dnf Mark Lobberecht171

Loved this new series. Awesome world and I really d the Mc. J. Snoopy Castello 5 2 Read

mjah tester81

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