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Spear of the Gods #1
Burden to Bear
Telling the Norse myths is a lot easier than living them.
Ansgar isn't your typical viking: He tells stories of gods and heroes for a living.
When viking crews set out to do something insane, they want a chronicler who can spin the crazy into the heroic. Ansgar runs into one band of brothers intent on doing something truly stupid. They need a skilled storyteller, as their last five were all devoured, drowned, or hacked to death soon after joining. That new recruit has to be capable of surviving long enough to tell the tale, though.
Ansgar doesn't want some troll to rip his arms off. But damn, it's going to be a great story if he survives.
Burden to Bear is book one of Gregory Amato's Norse fantasy series Spear of the Gods, where the myths, magic, and monsters of the Viking Age are all real.
Ansgar isn't your typical viking: He tells stories of gods and heroes for a living.
When viking crews set out to do something insane, they want a chronicler who can spin the crazy into the heroic. Ansgar runs into one band of brothers intent on doing something truly stupid. They need a skilled storyteller, as their last five were all devoured, drowned, or hacked to death soon after joining. That new recruit has to be capable of surviving long enough to tell the tale, though.
Ansgar doesn't want some troll to rip his arms off. But damn, it's going to be a great story if he survives.
Burden to Bear is book one of Gregory Amato's Norse fantasy series Spear of the Gods, where the myths, magic, and monsters of the Viking Age are all real.
- GenresFantasy
436 pages
About the author
Gregory Amato
8 books57 followersGregory Amato made a career of selling his quill as a mercenary writer for many years. He wrote true and important things for newspapers, magazines, academia, and, for over a decade, intelligence analysis for the FBI.
Now, he writes fantasy stories based on the myths and sagas of the vikings. His fiction is often influenced by tales lost to time, usually full of high adventure, and always the sort that makes readers late to dinner.
Outside his time spent spinning yarns about vikings and wizards, he teaches Judo, brews beer, and plays DnD when he gets the chance.
Gregory lives happily with his family in the Pacific Northwest.
Sign up for updates, free fiction, and fascinating musings at AmatoAuthor.com!
Now, he writes fantasy stories based on the myths and sagas of the vikings. His fiction is often influenced by tales lost to time, usually full of high adventure, and always the sort that makes readers late to dinner.
Outside his time spent spinning yarns about vikings and wizards, he teaches Judo, brews beer, and plays DnD when he gets the chance.
Gregory lives happily with his family in the Pacific Northwest.
Sign up for updates, free fiction, and fascinating musings at AmatoAuthor.com!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 14, 2023
Entertaining from beginning to end. The fighting scenes were "A+". Ansgar starts in a predicament where he would rather join some ruffians that won't kill him instead of face those that will. And as the book goes on you find he really wants to prove his worth to his dad. There is quite a bit a use of magic.
August 2, 2023
A fun and funny Norse romp about Vikings, trolls, magic, berserkers, and a coming of age of sorts. A well written story that flowed nicely and always kept my interest and attention. I chuckled many times and even cracked up at other times. It’s a heroic tale, with honor and awkwardness and plenty of violence.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 18, 2024Just not the book for me. From what I read, I think the author set out to do a particular thing and did that well. I am not a huge slapstick humor fan, and this definitely felt that way in parts to me. I also dont love norse settings and big burley men, getting the gang together to go on an adventure. If that sounds like your thing, I say give this a go!
Shelved as 'books-by-me'
April 4, 2024I won't be rating my own books, but I intend to use this space for updates:
4 April 2024: Interested in Burden to Bear signed hardbacks? Pre-order them with book two, Rune to Ruin, here: https://spear-of-the-gods-book-two.pl...
29 June 2023: Burden to Bear ebooks are distributed to Kickstarter backers. If you missed the Kickstarter, you can still preorder the ebook wherever ebooks are sold. Amazon does not allow preorders of indie print books (please give them feedback on that), but the print edition will be available after I distribute the Kickstarter copies, which should be soon.
1 March 2023: Burden to Bear will be published with my prequel novella, The Skald, on Kickstarter! Check out the Kickstarter pre-launch page and click "Notify me on launch" to stay updated.
11 December 2022: I forgot an update below regarding the second round of beta reads. Well, it's done. And so are my revisions after a final read. As of tonight, Burden to Bear is with the copy editor.
17 October 2022: Revisions based on beta reader feedback are done!
22 September 2022: The Beta read for Burden to Bear is done! Thanks to everyone who participated. Revisions begin today.
1 August 2022: The beta read for Burden to Bear is under way! This will go until 22 September. Cover art looks like it is delayed. Sorry about that!
1 December 2021: Beta signups are coming. The only barrier is my lack of experience with Crowd Signal and Book Funnel. There will be a smaller-scale beta signup for my novelette The Skald first, and if signups, distribution, and surveys go well, Burden to Bear will have beta signups immediately after.
16 October 2021: Much improved on the website. Now with email list signup form! Edits based on Alpha reads are finished, and I've also been editing a short story written as a prequel to the series. Beta reader signups coming soon.
28 September 2021: Broke one chapter into two and had quite the time rewriting this part, but it is done. Also, https://www.amatoauthor.com/ now has actual content.
8 August 2021: Alpha reader 2 finished. Based on the feedback, I am confident this is now content-complete. Time to make a few tweaks for clarity and get the text a little cleaner, and then it will be ready for Beta readers.
March-April 2021: I've paused the reading here for a deep dive chapter 1. Sent the new copy once I was finally satisfied with the intro to the book.
15 February 2021: Distributed to Alpha reader 2.
2 February 2021: Alpha reader 1 is done. On to edits and a few additions.
15 December 2020: After writing and editing that turned into a lot of rewriting, it is time for distribution to alpha readers!
4 April 2024: Interested in Burden to Bear signed hardbacks? Pre-order them with book two, Rune to Ruin, here: https://spear-of-the-gods-book-two.pl...
29 June 2023: Burden to Bear ebooks are distributed to Kickstarter backers. If you missed the Kickstarter, you can still preorder the ebook wherever ebooks are sold. Amazon does not allow preorders of indie print books (please give them feedback on that), but the print edition will be available after I distribute the Kickstarter copies, which should be soon.
1 March 2023: Burden to Bear will be published with my prequel novella, The Skald, on Kickstarter! Check out the Kickstarter pre-launch page and click "Notify me on launch" to stay updated.
11 December 2022: I forgot an update below regarding the second round of beta reads. Well, it's done. And so are my revisions after a final read. As of tonight, Burden to Bear is with the copy editor.
17 October 2022: Revisions based on beta reader feedback are done!
22 September 2022: The Beta read for Burden to Bear is done! Thanks to everyone who participated. Revisions begin today.
1 August 2022: The beta read for Burden to Bear is under way! This will go until 22 September. Cover art looks like it is delayed. Sorry about that!
1 December 2021: Beta signups are coming. The only barrier is my lack of experience with Crowd Signal and Book Funnel. There will be a smaller-scale beta signup for my novelette The Skald first, and if signups, distribution, and surveys go well, Burden to Bear will have beta signups immediately after.
16 October 2021: Much improved on the website. Now with email list signup form! Edits based on Alpha reads are finished, and I've also been editing a short story written as a prequel to the series. Beta reader signups coming soon.
28 September 2021: Broke one chapter into two and had quite the time rewriting this part, but it is done. Also, https://www.amatoauthor.com/ now has actual content.
8 August 2021: Alpha reader 2 finished. Based on the feedback, I am confident this is now content-complete. Time to make a few tweaks for clarity and get the text a little cleaner, and then it will be ready for Beta readers.
March-April 2021: I've paused the reading here for a deep dive chapter 1. Sent the new copy once I was finally satisfied with the intro to the book.
15 February 2021: Distributed to Alpha reader 2.
2 February 2021: Alpha reader 1 is done. On to edits and a few additions.
15 December 2020: After writing and editing that turned into a lot of rewriting, it is time for distribution to alpha readers!
January 2, 2024
As someone who has read a lot of fantasy...and studied Norse mythology and runes, if not academically then as a pretty serious amateur.... I can be pretty hard to please. So it's a delight to come across an adventure like this that is that rare blend of entertaining fantasy (at times laugh out loud funny) and story solidly-grounded in the Norse world. Expect deadly and alluring glamours, evil queens, a cantankerous sorcerer, violence-prone Vikings, ribald poetry, and a wonderfully satisfying climactic battle scene. No spoilers but the ending scratches an itch that builds all through the young protagonist's flailing and impetuous decisions in the early pages of the novel. As in any coming of age story, it takes a while for Ansgar the Skald to find his footing. Hang with him while he flounders. You will be glad you did.
January 6, 2024
this was a strong start to the Spear of the Gods series, it felt like it was meant to be in this time-period. I was hooked from the first page and thought it worked with the period. Gregory Amato has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 1, 2024
Burden to Bear was well crafted, well written, and highly entertaining!
October 15, 2023
Burden to Bear is a fun, enjoyable venture through the beginnings of a Viking tale, interwoven with some magic and humour.
There is a Pratchett-type feel to the first half of this book; but I found this to be funnier than Pratchett, perhaps because I always feel that Pratchett's humour tends to be a bit snarky, whereas Amato tends to favour the double-entendre (which appeals to the 12 year old boy in me).
Much of the first half is the preparatory setup for the plot proper, and the humour helps to keep the pace moving along while we meet the primary characters.
Once we hit the major storyline, the book really comes alive as it gets down to it's core business. The flow and pacing of the story evolves and becomes much more akin to the style of Patrick Rothfuss.
This half of the book is beautifully written. Quiet moments feel peaceful and introspective, whilst action and battle scenes are full of tension and speed. Anyone who has read The Name of the Wind will feel at home here.
Many thanks to the author and VRO for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
There is a Pratchett-type feel to the first half of this book; but I found this to be funnier than Pratchett, perhaps because I always feel that Pratchett's humour tends to be a bit snarky, whereas Amato tends to favour the double-entendre (which appeals to the 12 year old boy in me).
Much of the first half is the preparatory setup for the plot proper, and the humour helps to keep the pace moving along while we meet the primary characters.
Once we hit the major storyline, the book really comes alive as it gets down to it's core business. The flow and pacing of the story evolves and becomes much more akin to the style of Patrick Rothfuss.
This half of the book is beautifully written. Quiet moments feel peaceful and introspective, whilst action and battle scenes are full of tension and speed. Anyone who has read The Name of the Wind will feel at home here.
Many thanks to the author and VRO for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
January 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and I read through it very quickly. I love the pacing, humor, and action that all work together to keep the story moving. Most of all I appreciate the imagination and the care taken to craft a unique and expansive world that these characters live in. Although it's an easy reading adventure / coming of age story / comedy, it also brings in deeper themes like where one's source of value derives from.
So to me at least is something unique, and not another derivative fantasy story. The book ended with a lot of open threads, so I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one!
So to me at least is something unique, and not another derivative fantasy story. The book ended with a lot of open threads, so I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one!
July 9, 2023
An excellent adventure with doses of good humor. A well written story that flowed nicely and always kept my interest and attention. I was fortunate to take part in the kickstarter to help fund this book and am truly grateful I did. While I’m looking forward to book two of the trilogy I’m also hoping for more than three books. If you like Norse fantasy, you will really enjoy this book.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
July 24, 2024DNF'd at 85%
I first met Ansgar in Amato's novella, The Skald, and loved his character. He is capable but quick to flee from a fight. Following a skald in a Norse-inspired fantasy is also refreshing. I love reading about warriors but it's nice to have Ansgar where his main weapon is his wit. If that doesn't work, his next step will be looking for an exit.
The beginning and middle of this novel was hilarious. Thanks to Ansgar and the situations he finds himself in before and after joining the crew. Plus the side characters stand apart with their personalities.
The setting is incredibly fantastical. Trolls, witches, and talking ravens (my favorite) are all a part of life.
I also enjoyed the plot and it's unpredictable. There were so many absurd moments where I truly didn't know what would happen next. At first, this made it a fun read but by the time I reached the 80% mark, I realized I lost the plot. Another challenge I had with this book was the rune-based magic system. For some reason, I could not understand it. Whenever I tried to, I noticed I quickly became bored.
Overall, this is a hilarious and unpredictable Norse-inspired fantasy novel. Some of the humor is crude and may not work for everyone. I did find it a fun read but the latter half lost my interest. It is well-written and I believe Amato was able to tie humor with viking adventure in this first book. I recommend checking this out even though it didn't work for me.
I first met Ansgar in Amato's novella, The Skald, and loved his character. He is capable but quick to flee from a fight. Following a skald in a Norse-inspired fantasy is also refreshing. I love reading about warriors but it's nice to have Ansgar where his main weapon is his wit. If that doesn't work, his next step will be looking for an exit.
The beginning and middle of this novel was hilarious. Thanks to Ansgar and the situations he finds himself in before and after joining the crew. Plus the side characters stand apart with their personalities.
The setting is incredibly fantastical. Trolls, witches, and talking ravens (my favorite) are all a part of life.
I also enjoyed the plot and it's unpredictable. There were so many absurd moments where I truly didn't know what would happen next. At first, this made it a fun read but by the time I reached the 80% mark, I realized I lost the plot. Another challenge I had with this book was the rune-based magic system. For some reason, I could not understand it. Whenever I tried to, I noticed I quickly became bored.
Overall, this is a hilarious and unpredictable Norse-inspired fantasy novel. Some of the humor is crude and may not work for everyone. I did find it a fun read but the latter half lost my interest. It is well-written and I believe Amato was able to tie humor with viking adventure in this first book. I recommend checking this out even though it didn't work for me.
October 17, 2023
The Norse is strong in Burden to Bear—it’s a really fun fantasy novel and the first volume in a new trilogy that takes its inspiration from the whole “northern thing” theme. Unlike many of the other Norse fantasy novels that have been released in recent years, this one isn’t a super somber spiral down into the grim dark pit of despair, but rather more of a traditional action-adventure full of wisecracks and hijinks. The tone of the book is light and its protagonist reminded me of late 20th century humor-loving action-adventure heroes such as Guybrush Threepwood, William Shaw and Morgan Adams, and Rincewind the Wizard.
In essence, Burden to Bear is historical fantasy as it takes place at a point in time in Denmark’s (and Norway’s, to a lesser extent) distant past, but is grounded in the geographical realities of its setting. The world is fleshed out well and incorporates a sturdy foundation of Norse mythology into its Scandi-cosmos. The influence of Neil Price’s research is present, and hints of Beowulf, Hrolf Kraki, and Arrow Odd are all there as well.
As I already mentioned, the tone is generally light-hearted throughout (though there are, of course, some segments full of good, old-fashioned extreme medieval battle violence) with a fair amount of snark and a lot of humor. The chapter titled “Shitstorm” is the funniest thing I’ve read yet in a viking-related book. Burden to Bear is a blast and highly recommended, especially to readers who might be interested in a Norse fantasy that leans funny rather than heavy.
In essence, Burden to Bear is historical fantasy as it takes place at a point in time in Denmark’s (and Norway’s, to a lesser extent) distant past, but is grounded in the geographical realities of its setting. The world is fleshed out well and incorporates a sturdy foundation of Norse mythology into its Scandi-cosmos. The influence of Neil Price’s research is present, and hints of Beowulf, Hrolf Kraki, and Arrow Odd are all there as well.
As I already mentioned, the tone is generally light-hearted throughout (though there are, of course, some segments full of good, old-fashioned extreme medieval battle violence) with a fair amount of snark and a lot of humor. The chapter titled “Shitstorm” is the funniest thing I’ve read yet in a viking-related book. Burden to Bear is a blast and highly recommended, especially to readers who might be interested in a Norse fantasy that leans funny rather than heavy.
June 27, 2023
A fun and funny Norse romp about Vikings, trolls, magic, berserkers, and a coming of age of sorts. This is not YA at all, it’s more a historical fantasy sword & sorcery novel set in the first half of the 8th century (if I’m calculating that correctly).
The action at time shines like a sword in the gloaming, and I chuckled many times and even cracked up at other times. It’s a heroic tale, with honor and awkwardness and plenty of violence. I’ll have more thoughts in my video.
The action at time shines like a sword in the gloaming, and I chuckled many times and even cracked up at other times. It’s a heroic tale, with honor and awkwardness and plenty of violence. I’ll have more thoughts in my video.
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 8, 2024DNF
I really wanted to like this book: it has an interesting premise. But somehow I just can’t get into it. And so I give up at 55% (page 280 of 507.)
I do not know what is exactly. The humor was not for me and I felt the story dragged in parts.
I really wanted to like this book: it has an interesting premise. But somehow I just can’t get into it. And so I give up at 55% (page 280 of 507.)
I do not know what is exactly. The humor was not for me and I felt the story dragged in parts.
January 1, 2024
Need book 2!
This Norse coming of age adventure saga made me laugh out loud. See Goodread quotes for a good sense of the author's dry humor, e.g. "The road to Asgard is paved with head injuries." Ansgar the Skald, like many a young person, struggles to understand his place in the world. As he gains focus and intention, the novel gains momentum culminating an exceptionally good twist and battle scene. As in woe to you, dear reader, if you start the final chapters past your bedtime because you are not putting the book down until the magic has unfolded.
Then like me you might be tempted to stalk Mr. Amato and wake him up in the middle of the night and demand a draft of book 2. I did not do that. Honest. But I thought about it.
The magical systems, especially rune magic, were well constructed, with the learning of said systems reminding me a bit of books I loved in my youth...The Wizard of Earthsea (LeGuin) or The Riddle-Master of Hed (McKillip). The depictions of the Norse gods were spot-on (and I am picky about such things). Since I didn't have to spend any of my mental energy criticizing the Norse scholarship, I was free to enjoy the story...which by the end had me totally hooked.
This Norse coming of age adventure saga made me laugh out loud. See Goodread quotes for a good sense of the author's dry humor, e.g. "The road to Asgard is paved with head injuries." Ansgar the Skald, like many a young person, struggles to understand his place in the world. As he gains focus and intention, the novel gains momentum culminating an exceptionally good twist and battle scene. As in woe to you, dear reader, if you start the final chapters past your bedtime because you are not putting the book down until the magic has unfolded.
Then like me you might be tempted to stalk Mr. Amato and wake him up in the middle of the night and demand a draft of book 2. I did not do that. Honest. But I thought about it.
The magical systems, especially rune magic, were well constructed, with the learning of said systems reminding me a bit of books I loved in my youth...The Wizard of Earthsea (LeGuin) or The Riddle-Master of Hed (McKillip). The depictions of the Norse gods were spot-on (and I am picky about such things). Since I didn't have to spend any of my mental energy criticizing the Norse scholarship, I was free to enjoy the story...which by the end had me totally hooked.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews