Kirjahaku

A fat, dreamy child, disappointing to his famous berserker father, Berki is given the mocking name Beowulf by his fellow youths. His love for the maiden Hygd drives him to his first heroic contest, in the course of which he is swept up by the wild passions of the sea-gods ninth daughter. Coming back from the sea's depths to the Geatish court, Beowulf discovers that he is no longer an object of mockery: his troll-like size, strength, and the lingering touch of the Otherworld upon him make him feared where he was once despised. Now Beowulf's true strife lies before him: the struggle to remain human among humans while accepting the sorrows and loneliness of his Otherworldly nature; to use his monster's strength to defend the earth from the ravages of troll and dragon; and to stand, at last, like a true king for the folk who once thought him worthless.

A warrior, impetuous and proud, an insatiable lover, and a man of restless, violent spirit, Gilgamesh has been chosen to guide his kingdom in times of war and peace. His strength and courage are unsurpassed, yet his reckless heart threatens the land and the people who are dependent upon his sober, benevolent rule. He has spurned the gods with his arrogant refusal to take part in a sacred ritual. And they, in turn, have responded by creating one who is his equal - a beast-man, lord of his own feral domain - who will lead Gilgamesh on a remarkable quest of accomplishment and discovery, and hasten the destruction of a tragically flawed hero's realm and legend. Moving across a richly evoked Mesopotamian landscape and written in a style that brilliantly and faithfully recalls the great epics throughout history, Stephen Grundy's Gilgamesh is an extraordinary achievement: a sweeping saga of gods, magic, adventure, and poignantly imperfect humanity that is at once compelling, original, and relevant to any epoch.

Helgi, heathen rock star extraordinaire, finds himself facing his destiny from his last life in his present day life. With fate a cruel mistress that often leaves one longing, Helgi must navigate his being called to Odin while cultivating his rock career and pining for his one true love, Karin. Valkyrie weaves in heathen beliefs centered around historical, musical and military narrative while gender bending the idea of male and female societal roles and giving an explanation of Nordic myths concerning fate and destiny. This premier novel is one of Stephan Grundy's never before published first novels. An early career fictional biopic of unrequited love while teaching about the heathen beliefs centered around Odin and Valkyrie.

Grundy tells his version of the saga of Sigifrith's heroic ancestry and of the cursed treasure guarded by the dragon Fadhmir. touching on Sigifrith's coming of age, gaining a steed and a sword worthy of a hero, and of his deeds including revenge for his father's death, and slaying the dragon Fadhmir while taking possession of the great treasure. Ending in his tragic destiny as it forces him into an impossible choice between two women: Gundrun, a powerful king's daughter, his betrothed; and Brunichild, who believes herself to be his destined soulmate.

In a time long past, before the great rise of the Imperial Empire, there existed a world filled with diverse cultures and warring kingdoms. It was a time of both peace and turmoil, a time when empires were yet to reach their full glory. In the land of Eldoria, nestled between the towering mountains and the vast seas, there ruled a noble King named Aric. His kingdom was known for its lush forests, bountiful fields, and skilled artisans. The people of Eldoria lived in harmony, their hearts filled with hope for the future. To the south, across the Golden Desert, lay the realm of Valoria. It was a land of warriors and scholars, where honor and knowledge were held in high esteem. Queen Lyanna, a fair and just ruler, governed the kingdom with wisdom and compassion. Amidst these lands, there existed the Free Cities, a collection of bustling metropolises where merchants from distant lands traded their wares. The Free Cities were a melting pot of cultures, where people of all backgrounds coexisted and thrived. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic world, whispers of unrest began to spread. Ambitious warlords sought to expand their territories, and ancient rivalries flared once more. The balance of power was shifting, and the seeds of future conflict were being sown. In the heart of this changing world, a lone bard wandered from town to town, singing of bygone days and foretelling the uncertain future. His ballads spoke of the fleeting nature of empires and the inevitable dance of rise and fall. Little did the people know that the tides of history were about to turn, for soon, a new empire would emerge, casting a long shadow over the lands of Eldoria, Valoria, and the Free Cities. The world was on the brink of great change, and the echoes of its past would reverberate through the ages to come.

In the coastal city of Thorabrunthan, the empire's glory was beginning to fade, and rumors of unseen forces and ancient curses haunted the streets. In the shadow of this fading empire, a young squire named Arudal embarked on a perilous journey to knighthood. His path was fraught with danger, as he faced both seen and unseen adversaries who sought to thwart his every move. Arudal's quest for knighthood was not just a personal ambition; it was a quest to bring honor to his family's name and to uphold the fading legacy of the empire. As he ventured through the winding streets and towering castles of Thorabrunthan, he encountered knights who were shadows of their former selves, princes desperate to cling to power, and witches whispering ancient prophecies that foretold the empire's doom. Guided by his unwavering determination and fueled by his ambition, Arudal delved into the city's darkest corners, unearthing long-buried secrets and lost histories. His journey was illuminated by the incredible detail and historical references surrounding him, painting a vivid picture of a time filled with chivalry, bravery, and betrayal. As Arudal's story unfolded, the reader was transported to a world of unknown kingdoms and ancient magic, where the line between reality and illusion blurred. Inspired by Stephan Grundy's passion for historical reenactment, the tale resonated with the echoes of a bygone era, breathing life into the ghosts of the empire's past. "Empire's Ghost" was more than just a story; it was a captivating journey through a realm where legends clashed with mortality, and where the fate of an empire hung in the balance.