This week’s post covers the two book series that I have read since my last Reading Roundup…

The first book in the series is Wolfskin. This is the blurb…

“All young Eyvind ever wanted was to become a great Viking warrior–a Wolfskin–and perform honorable deeds out in the name of his War fathergod, Thor. He can think of no future more glorious. And the chance to make it happen is his when his older brother Ulf is brought the tale of a magical land across the sea, a place where men with courage could go to conquer a land and bring glory to themselves. They set out to find this fabled land and discover a windswept and barren place, but one filled with unexpected beauty and hidden treasures… and a people who are willing to share their bounty.

Ulf’s new settlement begins in harmony with the natives of the isles led by the gentle king Engus. And Eyvind finds a treasure of his own in the young Nessa, niece of the king, seer, and princess. His life will change forever as she claims his heart for her own.

But someone has come along to this new land who is not what he seems. Eyvind’s heartfriend, Somerled, the strange and lonely boy Eyvind befriended so long ago has a secret–and his own plans for the future. The blood oath that they swore in childhood binds them in lifelong loyalty, and Somerled is calling in the debt of honor. What he asks might just doom Evyind to kill the only thing that he has ever truly loved.

Will the price of honor create the destruction of all that Eyvind holds dear?”

And this is my response on the Goodreads site…

Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a beautifully written tale of a young man’s journey to adulthood and the development of his character. Set in a fantasy version of Viking Norway and Orkney with magical elements, the clashing of cultures is deftly handled.

I found the book absorbing and interesting, having visited Orkney many years ago during my time as a student of archaeology (we worked on a Viking settlement).

View all my reviews

---

On finishing Wolfskin, I went straight on to the sequel, Foxmask. This is the blurb…

“At his coming of age, Thorvald learns a shocking secret about his parentage, and sets out on a perilous voyage in search of a father he has never known. His loyal friend, Creidhe, was never meant to be part of this desperate journey. But love works in strange ways. In the Lost Isles they find a population gripped by terror. The Unspoken sing away the souls of the newborn and the chieftain of the isles answers to nobody. Creidhe and Thorvald become enmeshed in a battle for survival, in which they find themselves on opposing sides. For the future of the islands depends on a visionary child: the powerful seer Foxmask.

Snatched away in infancy by a young kinsman, the boy is held in a place protected by ancient forces of nature. Before the summer is over, Thorvald and Creidhe will learn truths about themselves and about the world that will change them both forever.”

And this is my short review…

Foxmask by Juliet Marillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again, I enjoyed entering Marillier’s version of Viking/Orkney/Faroe Islands historical fantasy. She writes beautiful settings and, in this book, created a very flawed “hero” and a lovely “heroine”. The plot was complex with moments of extreme savagery but also love. Some of the darker elements were difficult to read, but were important parts of the story.

I was left wishing that there could be a third book as I wasn’t ready to leave this magical and beautiful world!

View all my reviews

---

I only finished Foxmask last night, so now have to decide what I will read next. A complete change, I think! I remember reading Marillier’s Sevenwaters series many years ago and will certainly read more by her in the future. 

Happy Reading everyone.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

📚📕📚📕📚