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So, I'm just about to the end of the first omnibus, and I'm quite curious about how Ragnar develops into one of the greatest. He's constantly worrying, doubting, almost maniacally. The guy is nuttier than a jar of almonds. Even for a cheesy, stereotypical Space Wolf, the guy seems beyond unstable, far too much to lead a Great Company IMO.

Maybe he settles down, and works it out, I don't know. I'm about to start the second Omnibus, so hopefully we can avoid any specific spoilers though the general story of him is known. Maybe King is just exaggerating his emotions to highlight the fact that he's different, and in an attempt to make it easier to relate to him? To me, it just seems like he's constantly on the verge of a complete mental and emotional breakdown, seconds away from collapsing and crying, or descending into a deep fugue state in the corner.

I don't get that sense. I don't think he's neurotic, he's just....thoughtful.

I feel that way some of the time too, but he's got a lot of 'Chicken Little' thoughts. Not to say that riding in a drop pod wouldn't be nerve wracking, but then they're supposed be cool with that. He does manage to control himself most of the time, at least eventually. Just seems to come unhinged a bit.

Far better to ignore King's fan fiction level twaddle than to parse it.

It's certainly not award winning material, but it is definitely enjoyable. It was very rough at first but did get better, relatively speaking. The emotional instability I see in Ragnar is hard to reconcile, but not enough to derail any fun from reading these. Do any other authors right about him? I'm not real big on Ragnar specifically, but it'd be interesting to see another author's take on him. Certainly looking forward to the newer novels.

 Badger_Bhoy wrote:
It's certainly not award winning material, but it is definitely enjoyable. It was very rough at first but did get better, relatively speaking. The emotional instability I see in Ragnar is hard to reconcile, but not enough to derail any fun from reading these. Do any other authors right about him? I'm not real big on Ragnar specifically, but it'd be interesting to see another author's take on him. Certainly looking forward to the newer novels.

seconded - I somewhat enjoyed his books too, also bare in mind Ragnar was created before King's books so search the articles maybe....And yes he was neurotic to the bone....:-)

He's actually a natural leader. he thinks about things.

The books show his progression, so originally he may have been very self-doubting but it eventually builds into confidence.

Also, I think it's worth remembering that King is maybe 'over-exaggerating' a bit, to show off the different training regimen of the Space Wolves. While most Chapters train and drill extensively in the Scout Companies, the Wolves throw their 'new recruits' directly into the Blood Claws.

Thus, rather than the 'wet behind the ears' recruits all being mentored and herded by skilled sergeants, they just go out there rough around the edges, and see "power armor appropriate' battles right off the bat. Trying to get that shoehorned into a few novels, rather than letting his inexperience show and diminish over several years (or decades) of action in the Blood Claws might also make it seem a little overdone.

I also think that it was a deliberate tactic to make the character more interesting and accessible. If Ragnar Blackmane whelped out of the Space Wolves as 'courageous, competent, confident, commanding" dude from the start, he'd be a really boring Mary Sue character. Having a thoughtful, introspective side to a character previously just depicted as brash and overconfident gives a sense of depth.

Plus, it serves as a microcosm for the whole Space Wolf persona. Just like people view the Space Wolves as unsophisticated barbarians, and underestimate the skilled, highly trained warriors under the bluster, Ragnar has depths to his personality that aren't evident from the highlights of his saga.

Not claiming the King Space Wolves novels are high art or anything, but I don't think they are drek either.

That's a very good point. Also, I suppose the fact that Ragnar comes from a much more primitive society and culture would have a lot to do with it, making the transition and acclimation to things much longer.

You see and get the feel of a VERY different Ragnar in Blood of Asaheim.

Good to know. I'm very much looking forward to that book.

It isn't a whole lot, but what you do see of him is vastly different then the Ragnar series.