This
was Mia Marlowe’s debut novel (originally published under the name of Diana
Groe). No date is given but it mentions a character named Halfdan who lived in
the late 5th-early 6th century but it could have been set in a later century.
The location is Sweden and Constantinople.
Rika
was rejected by her father, a jarl, at birth because of her mother died in
childbed. Rika is set adrift on a slab of ice by the midwife, expected to die.
Instead, she was found by the famous skald, Magnus, who raised her like a
daughter and taught her his storytelling craft. When she is grown, a Viking
raid ends in the death of Magnus and her capture by Bjorn the Black. Bjorn
claims her as his bed slave but then falls in love with her and desires to
marry her.
Meanwhile
Bjorn’s twisted brother has another marriage in mind for Rika.
This
was a good story that held my interest though it slowed a bit when they got to
Constantinople where much happens. Also, our strong heroine seems to change to
a sometimes compliant woman, which some might find disappointing. However, the
story has a nice finish.
Buy
on Amazon.
Songs of the North trilogy:
Maidensong
Erinsong
Dragonsong
No comments:
Post a Comment