Bernard Cornwell: The Last Kingdom

"The gods reward us if we give them respect, but the Christian god doesn't help his people, does he? They weep rivers of tears for him, they pray to him, they give him their silver, & we come along & slaughter them! Their god is pathetic."
Ragnar

Wilbur Smith: River God

"Farewell, old friend,' I said. 'I am richer for having known you. Wait for us on the other side."
Taita

"I looked up at the night stars. They were cold and very far away. Like the gods, they did not care. There was no profit in appealing to them, gods or stars."
Taita