Discover new kitchen selections
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$2.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $21.83

Save: $14.34 (66%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

T L Greylock
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Blood-Tainted Winter (The Song of the Ash Tree Book 1) Kindle Edition

by T L Greylock (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 150 ratings
“The Blood-Tainted Winter has everything SFF readers could possibly want, and more. A Norse fantasy as epic as it is immersive, T. L. Greylock’s debut tells of feuds and friendships (and more feuds) amid legends of devils and deities that arise as organically from the evocative Scandinavian vistas as steam from a geyser….Raef’s tale evokes a vivid sense of place and time that thoroughly immerses the reader in a land of gods, battle and betrayal….a singularly kickass novel.” — Fantasy-Faction

Raef Skallagrim wants to take the sea road. His ship is fast and sleek, his crew skilled and eager, and they will seek out new lands and win fame in the eyes of the gods. But Raef’s father refuses to allow the journey and when a stranger brings word that the king is dead and a gathering has been called to choose a successor, Raef must set aside his dream for his duty to his ancestral lands and his father.

When factions split at the gathering to choose a successor, Raef finds himself mired in bloodshed and treachery. Forced to make an uneasy alliance with a man he does not trust, Raef must navigate the tides of a war among three kings while seeking revenge for cold-blooded murder.

But winter has come early to Midgard, and even the gods will feel the cold.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Song of the Ash Tree
  2. Print length
    370 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    November 20, 2015
  5. File size
    4.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautifully written tale with the perfect mix of rough edges and smooth spots. It was a joy to read The Blood-Tainted Winter."-- David Estes, #1 bestselling author of Fatemarked
"The Blood-Tainted Winter has everything SFF readers could possibly want, and more. A Norse fantasy as epic as it is immersive, T. L. Greylock's debut tells of feuds and friendships (and more feuds) amid legends of devils and deities that arise as organically from the evocative Scandinavian vistas as steam from a geyser....Raef's tale evokes a vivid sense of place and time that thoroughly immerses the reader in a land of gods, battle and betrayal....a singularly kickass novel." -- Fantasy-Faction

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0166PLKL0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grass Crown Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 20, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0996536615
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Song of the Ash Tree
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 150 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
T L Greylock

T L Greylock

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

T L Greylock is the author of THE GODFORGED CHRONICLES series and THE SONG OF THE ASH TREE trilogy.

She can only wink her left eye, jumped out of an airplane at 13,000 feet while strapped to a Navy SEAL, had a dog named Agamemnon and a cat named Odysseus, and has been swimming with stingrays in the Caribbean.

P.S. One of the above statements is false. Can you guess which?

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
150 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this Norse fantasy book engaging, with well-written battle scenes and vivid descriptions. The story is engrossing, with one customer noting how the mythology integrates seamlessly into the plot. Customers appreciate the pacing and character development, describing the characters as fascinating.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

17 customers mention "Enjoyment"17 positive0 negative

Customers find this Norse-fantasy book enjoyable, with one customer noting it had them captivated throughout.

"...This was a very refreshing break from the types of books I've been reading for the past several years because once this snowball starts rolling..." Read more

"...Plus, I really like the cover, I think it’s great and that's what attracted me to check out this book in the first place...." Read more

"...Now I am looking forward to book two. This is a great read!" Read more

"...Greylock effortlessly portrays the gritty world of war in this sweeping Nordic fantasy...." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing style"13 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, particularly noting the well-crafted battle scenes and vivid descriptions, with one customer highlighting how the setting is depicted.

"...It keeps you immersed in the story with an excellent balance between describing the setting, interior thoughts, and dialogue...." Read more

"...Gudrik, the poet/warrior is a really interesting character and very well portrayed, even though we don’t see him that much...." Read more

"...It is extremely well written, with a plot line that keeps you reading. Now I am looking forward to book two. This is a great read!" Read more

"...I also enjoyed the setting descriptions. Greylock's writing is superb, and she describes the places and events in such a vivid way that it was a..." Read more

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engrossing, with one customer describing it as a suspenseful Norse tale of epic proportions where mythology is an integral part of the plot.

"...Greylock knew what story she wanted to tell, and she told that story very well. I loved all the Norse mythology tidbits in the book...." Read more

"...The book was wrapped-up pretty good with a satisfying ending, while there are a few loose ends that keep you want to read the next book...." Read more

"...It is extremely well written, with a plot line that keeps you reading. Now I am looking forward to book two. This is a great read!" Read more

"...and advantages in the characters' path, and it makes for an intriguing story; one filled with mystery...." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, with one customer noting its fast pace and clever world-building, while another mentions how the gods have a strong presence throughout the narrative.

"...It's the kind of book you don't have to work at to read, it flows easily and naturally from start to finish and I think its the prose that really..." Read more

"...Plot – The book has a good pacing from the very beginning until the end, so even though it's a relatively short book enough things happen thought..." Read more

"...The gods have a strong presence and their machinations are evident in a number of mysterious ways that unfold in a tantalising fashion...." Read more

"...characters, and you realize that T.L. Greylock has done some serious world building. At the end of the book is a list of the characters...." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters fascinating in this book, with one customer noting their multilayered nature and another mentioning the varied supporting cast.

"...The characters were intelligent and enjoyable to read throughout which is part of what made it a very enjoyable read...." Read more

"...I think Raef is a good character, he’s flawed and feels very real. Actually I think Raef's characterization had been done well. Great job here...." Read more

"...There were a lot of really great characters in this story. Raef meets a lot of interesting people on his adventures, and Vakre is only the beginning...." Read more

"...with her rich, fully-realized Viking world with strong, believable characters, great pacing, and plenty of mystery, and fantastical(Norse mythology)..." Read more

4 customers mention "Strength"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strength of the book, with one noting it's a very strong self-published novel.

"...I knew I was in good hands from the well-constructed and unhurried beginning, which is populated with many marvelous sentences such as “Raef let his..." Read more

"...captured my interest with her rich, fully-realized Viking world with strong, believable characters, great pacing, and plenty of mystery, and..." Read more

"...This is a very strong self-published novel that I absolutely recommend." Read more

"Great read. Excellent characters, shows the weakness & strengths of men at war..Great recreation of that time...the muck & the mire Plus crows & did..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jackson Dickert
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent fast-paced fantasy in a Norse-inspired world
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    WHAT A RIDE!

    The Blood-Tainted Winter is a fast-paced fantasy book set in a world in which Norse mythology is the reality. I love to read Sanderson who infamously writes very long books that sometimes are much slower paced. This was a very refreshing break from the types of books I've been reading for the past several years because once this snowball starts rolling downhill it doesn't stop, it just gets bigger and bigger, picking up the pace until it reaches its inevitable and explosive ending.

    The author's prose in this is definitely one of my favorite parts. It keeps you immersed in the story with an excellent balance between describing the setting, interior thoughts, and dialogue. It's the kind of book you don't have to work at to read, it flows easily and naturally from start to finish and I think its the prose that really helps it accomplish that. It's descriptive without being overly-flowery, it's vivid, and it's active.

    I think my biggest complaint about the book is I do think we could have spent a little more time getting to know some of the side characters. Every so often Raef (the main character) gets split up from his buddies and goes on an adventure of his own which is all good and well, but he'll end up being forced to throw his lot in with strangers for one reason or another. And since this is a story about vikings, there's a good bit of battling other vikings and monsters along the way. The author needed fodder to remind us there's stakes and that people get hurt and people die... So sometimes some of the folks Raef is travelling with will die, and many of those deaths had little to no impact to me. As I write this, I realize that maybe this isn't such a bad thing after all... These aren't men that Raef had a relationship with, after all... They're companions that Raef threw his lot in with along the way. He's not choked up about them dying and neither are we, but it's because he didn't know them or spend much time with them and neither did we. So I think my complaint comes out as a bit of a wash in the end, because as I've said, I'm used to reading huge epic fantasy books where we get to know even the fodder characters pretty well due to the bulk of the work.

    I liked that I never looked a character's actions and thought: "well that's dumb." So many stories rely on some amount of fabricated drama or pseudo-mistakes on behalf of the characters to create conflict and this book didn't have any of that. The characters were intelligent and enjoyable to read throughout which is part of what made it a very enjoyable read. Greylock knew what story she wanted to tell, and she told that story very well.

    I loved all the Norse mythology tidbits in the book. The gods feel like a very real part of the story, not just a backdrop, in part because of the characters' relationships with them. Characters will look around at the environment and think about the gods, their will, the role they are actively playing, etc. They'll duel each other in the name of Odin to solve disputes. I loved the History Channel's Viking show, and much of this book felt like getting to watch a new season of that show in the best possible way. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone whose a fan of that show, Gwynne, games like Valheim, or vikings in general!

    I'm excited to read the next book in the series!!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Nim
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable norse-fantasy book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I'd never read a norse-fantasy so I thought reading this one could be somewhat refreshing. Plus, I really like the cover, I think it’s great and that's what attracted me to check out this book in the first place.
    As for the name of the book - It feels like "A song of Ice and Fire" could have been perfect for this book,as both ice and fire are very prominent here. Unfortunately some unknown guy used this name for his series ;)

    It was a fast-paced and gritty story about vikings, with enough battles, interesting characters, and a little bit of magic. As far as I know viking stories don't have a lot of magic in them, so I hadn't expected to find a lot of magic here. Normally I'm ok with fantasy books in which magic is rare and we don't see too much of it, so it didn't bother me. Magic is a virtue of the gods, who mainly stay in the background and don’t intervene in the realm of men, so there's a little bit of magic here. Having said that, I think adding more fantastic elements could have done a good service to the book.

    Plot – The book has a good pacing from the very beginning until the end, so even though it's a relatively short book enough things happen thought the book.
    The first 1/3 felt like an exposition and only after the first third things got more interesting plot-wise. While interesting stuff happened in the second third of the book, it felt uneven – there were very few good chapters among many chapters that were just ok. The last third was good all the way with interesting revelations and plot that kept me captivated. The book was wrapped-up pretty good with a satisfying ending, while there are a few loose ends that keep you want to read the next book.
    Unlike most books I’ve read the plot is not what drives the characters, but the characters, and to be more precise – Raef, is what drives the whole plot. Joe Abercrombie, who is one of my favorite authors also writes this way, though in his case he does that with more than just one character.

    Writing style – the writing style is quite good, and shines when it comes to descriptions, which feel very vivid. While the descriptions are great, the dialogues are just ok, but they get better in the second half of the book. The action scenes were really well-written. Even though writing fantasy books on a high octane with tons of action might be far from the author's style, I'm convinced she can write such books really well.
    While the writing style is quite good, the story-telling craft was just ok, it’s fine considering it’s a debut novel. No doubt that with more experience her story-telling techniques will improve, and she has a potential to grow into really good author.

    Characterization – Raef is a very reckless guy at the beginning and I didn’t like him until I was ~35-40% through, and I couldn’t see how such an idiot can carry the whole book on his shoulders, but he evolves and turns into a very calculated guy. Plus, he appeared to be a great tactician who has a great future in special ops :). I think Raef is a good character, he’s flawed and feels very real. Actually I think Raef's characterization had been done well. Great job here.
    More characters join him on his journey – Vakre is an interesting character who has the wits to show Raef how wrong he is. He’s a quite good character, though I think he could have been portrayed a bit better. Gudrik, the poet/warrior is a really interesting character and very well portrayed, even though we don’t see him that much. Unfortunately Siv and Eira felt a bit flat. I liked Siv more, but they both didn't add too much to the story. It’s surprising considering she had done a much better job with the male characters than the female characters.

    I enjoyed reading The Blood-Tainted Winter and I’m convinced the next book will be better. It appears like the gods will have a greater role in it which is great.

    3.75/5.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars but I loved this story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't think Norse mythology was my thing, but I loved this story. It is extremely well written, with a plot line that keeps you reading. Now I am looking forward to book two. This is a great read!
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • TOMunro
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Norse Odyssey
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As a child I was captivated by John Borman's magnificent "Excalibur" and particularly the score that drew heavily on Wagner's Ring Cycle. Fortunately my room was at the back of the house so the endless replaying of Gotterdamerung late into the night did not disturb too many people.

    But that long ago musical crescendo heralding the twilight of the Norse gods came back to me as Taya Greylock's first volume drew to its conclusion.

    Raef Skallagrim's story is set in an explicitly viking milieu, though the world map of Midgard owes little to terrestrial, still less scandinavian geography (beyond perhaps the existence of fjords). The gods though, are as Norse as they come. The warriors with their axes, their arm rings of gold and silver, and their determination to gain entry to Valhalla by dying with a sword in their hand, will be comfortingly familiar to many readers rehearsed in myth and history.

    Greylock departs from convention in giving warrior roles to female vikings - not just the Valkyrie - but a company of formidable shield-maidens join Raef as he tries to navigate the turmoil that follows in the wake of the old king's death. Siv and Eira are not bit players but stand shoulder to shoulder in the shield wall with Raef and his enigmatic friend Vakre. Greylock, publishing in 2015, was perhaps prescient in anticipating the recent (2017) DNA analysis of the Birka warrior that recast the occupant of the sumptuous viking burial site as a woman.

    Raef Skallagrim's ambition to sail overseas in search of wealth and adventure is diverted by the political crisis at home, yet still he ends up on a land-based odyssey. His travails take him through the a variety of domains where - at times - even the earth shifts as abruptly as the allegiances of the rival war lords each striving to pin their fortunes to the wining side in a three cornered struggle for the crown.

    To help the reader navigate their way through the political and geographical maze there is a helpful map at the beginning of the book and a cast of characters (many listed under uncertain loyalties) at the end - though to be fair I missed the map and managed without the cast list.

    Greylock's writing style is an easy read that swept me along at a comfortable pace. It is in essence a road-movie - so much so that at one point Raef even wonders if he is cut out for the staid life of a warlord heir to Vannheim. Along the way, battles are fought, blood is spilt, friends who were enemies fall as do enemies who were friends. The combat descriptions are visceral, conjuring up the frenetic pace of hand to hand combat, though I was surprised on a couple of occasions at how easy it apparently was to sneak into a viking encampment.

    In some ways The Blood Tainted Winter reminded me of Joe Abercrombie's Shattered Sea trilogy with its love of raiding, of blood lust and of heroic kings who fought face to face in the frontline of their warriors. It also had something of Mark Lawrence's Prince of Fool's and The Liar's Key about it, where Snorri the viking journeyed for revenge, where Loki played with the lives of men, and strange magic ensnared its protagonists. In the enduring treachery and political infighting it had a touch of Game of Thrones - as Raef is swept up in his own war of the three kings.

    Greylock takes the Norse tradition in some new (to me at least) directions with the notion of Half-Gods, men (and perhaps women?) sired by gods and granted powers beyond those of normal mortals. I am curious to see what threads will be picked up in future books. I would know more of the past of the fiercely enigmatic Eira, or the future of the stubbornly independent Cilla, or the present of Siv, peace-keeper, wise-counsel. But then - that's me, it's the bad-ass female characters that always inspire my curiosity more even than the fey Vakre, or the stubbornly resilient Raef.
    Report
  • Reuben
    4.0 out of 5 stars A nice surprise
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I picked this book by chance.
    I am really glad I took up the journey.
    Ready for book number 2
    Report
  • jayne m
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Bit tedious.
    Report
  • LMH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epic and immersive Norse fantasy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Raef Skallagrim is not a happy bunny. All he wants to do is go on a sea trip with his mates. He’s been looking forward to all it entails for ages: drinking, raiding, pillaging, ‘boys will be boys’ fun and games. Making memories, y’know?

    But Raef also happens to be the only son of the lord of Vannheim. Now, Skallagrim Sr. is normally pretty chill, but he puts his foot down big time when the Boss calls a national snap election. When everything at said election goes tits up for Raef and his father (and everyone, really), Raef realises he has some growing up to do. Life isn’t always about getting what you want (at least, not right away). Bad things happen to good people . . . and, as if betrayal and civil war weren’t enough, someone forgot to let the gods know that they’re not invited.

    The Blood-Tainted Winter has everything SFF readers could possibly want, and more. A Norse fantasy as epic as it is immersive, T. L. Greylock’s debut tells of feuds and friendships (and more feuds) amid legends of devils and deities that arise as organically from the evocative Scandinavian vistas as steam from a geyser. While Greylock’s novel might be more ‘axes and intrigue’ than ‘sword and sorcery’, that’s not to say it doesn’t contain plenty of both – though the magic is relatively low key, at least to begin with. Rather than fireballs and flying, the magic of The Blood-Tainted Winter is an insidious but natural part of a world where demigods also tend to keep a pretty low profile.

    For their own safety as much as anyone else’s.

    Speaking of gods: no doubt you’ll recognise a few of the names mentioned throughout this story. Odin, of course; Loki, too, as well as others such as Heimdall and the Valkyries. The Blood-Tainted Winter isn’t self-conscious of itself as a Norse fantasy, yet Raef’s tale evokes a vivid sense of place and time that thoroughly immerses the reader in a land of gods, battle and betrayal. Greylock doesn’t force the Norseness so much as nurture it, weaving familiar aspects of the mythology into the book in a way that doesn’t dominate or overshadow the story being told.

    You could argue that the book’s beginning is a little too leisurely; however, I enjoyed having the opportunity to get to know the protagonist a little better – and to feel pleasantly surprised and intrigued when the following chapters have him reacting in a most unexpected manner. I will say that Greylock does a wonderful job of patiently unfolding the story through the eyes of its protagonist. Raef is distant and, at times, unfathomable (though not unlikeable), functioning more as a window onto events than as someone the reader can sympathise with or live vicariously through.

    This is fitting with Raef’s role as a reluctant but competent leader, one who I suspect is destined to grow into a legend.

    Greylock’s debut novel is strongly reminiscent of John Gwynne’s excellent epic fantasy series, The Faithful and the Fallen. And just as Corban had Dath and Farrell (and Arthur had Merlin and Gwen!), so Raef has Vakre and Siv – for what is a leader without his companions?

    The Blood-Tainted Winter was an entry in last year’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, and was eliminated quite early on. Frankly, I’m astounded it didn’t make more of a splash (though, to be fair, it had stiff competition in the first round from the likes of Benedict Patrick’s They Mostly Come out at Night and eventual fourth-place finalist Fionn: Defence of Ráth Bládhma by Brian O’Sullivan).

    Trust me, though: this is a singularly kickass novel. T. L. Greylock is one to watch, and I hope you’ll all be joining me when the time comes to delve further into the Song of the Ash Tree saga.
    Report
  • Rudi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Odin would approve
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    So I after finally getting round to watch the last series of Vikings on my tablet, I really fancied jumping into some Viking/Norse fantasy reading. I abandoned my typical Orcs & Dwarves inspired reads and went to working search for something new. I came across this book and thought what the hell, give it a go… And damn am I glad I did! This author has such skill, knowledge and imagination really keeping my attention and totally tickled my interest with a style of gritty spectacular talent. Like the huge heavy hitters that inspired me to write my own novel this author has really inspired me to get my ass into gear finishing my second instalment. Word to the wise, when you order this book, buy 2 and 3, trust me, it was a painful wait for me when I finished the first as I was dying to have the second book to hand, eagerly excited to see what happens to….. A***, bloody epic author and highly recommended.
    Customer image
    Rudi
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Odin would approve

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2019
    So I after finally getting round to watch the last series of Vikings on my tablet, I really fancied jumping into some Viking/Norse fantasy reading. I abandoned my typical Orcs & Dwarves inspired reads and went to working search for something new. I came across this book and thought what the hell, give it a go… And damn am I glad I did! This author has such skill, knowledge and imagination really keeping my attention and totally tickled my interest with a style of gritty spectacular talent. Like the huge heavy hitters that inspired me to write my own novel this author has really inspired me to get my ass into gear finishing my second instalment. Word to the wise, when you order this book, buy 2 and 3, trust me, it was a painful wait for me when I finished the first as I was dying to have the second book to hand, eagerly excited to see what happens to….. A***, bloody epic author and highly recommended.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report