From the multiple award-winning author of Ysabel, Tigana and A Song for Arbonne, this powerful, moving saga evokes the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse cultures of a thousand years ago. There is nothing soft or silken about the north. The lives of men and women are as challenging as the climate and lands in which they dwell. For generations, the Erlings of Vinmark have taken their dragon-prowed ships across the seas, raiding the lands of the Cyngael and Anglcyn peoples, leaving fire and death behind. But ...
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From the multiple award-winning author of Ysabel, Tigana and A Song for Arbonne, this powerful, moving saga evokes the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse cultures of a thousand years ago. There is nothing soft or silken about the north. The lives of men and women are as challenging as the climate and lands in which they dwell. For generations, the Erlings of Vinmark have taken their dragon-prowed ships across the seas, raiding the lands of the Cyngael and Anglcyn peoples, leaving fire and death behind. But times change, even in the north, and in a tale woven with consummate artistry, people of all three cultures find the threads of their lives unexpectedly brought together... Bern Thorkellson, punished for his father's sins, commits an act of vengeance and desperation that brings him face-to-face, across the sea, with a past he's been trying to leave behind. In the Anglcyn lands of King Aeldred, the shrewd king, battling inner demons all the while, shores up his defenses with alliances and diplomacy-and with swords and arrows-while his exceptional, unpredictable sons and daughters pursue their own desires when battle comes and darkness falls in the woods. And in the valleys and shrouded hills of the Cyngael, whose voices carry music even as they feud and raid amongst each other, violence and love become deeply interwoven when the dragon ships come and Alun ab Owyn, chasing an enemy in the night, glimpses strange lights gleaming above forest pools.
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New. 2011. Paperback. From the multiple award-winning author of Ysabel, Tigana and A Song for Arbonne, this powerful, moving saga evokes the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse cultures of a thousand years ago. Num Pages: 560 pages. BIC Classification: FM. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 197 x 129 x 35. Weight in Grams: 408......We ship daily from our Bookshop.
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New. Glued binding. B-format paperback. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 512 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
I am a huge fan of all of Kay's books that blend history and fantasy.They are what history would be if the the mythology were real. This book is no exception. If you love things Nordic and Celtic and Anglo-Saxon, this is the book for you. The characters are compelling and the story is utterly absorbing. I highly recommend this to lovers of historical fiction and light fantasy.
mbunce
Jan 8, 2008
Not a satisfying read for me.
I picked this book up on the recommendation of a list off of NPR. I've been stagnant in my fantasy lately and wanted to pick up something different from what I'm used to.
This book is set in a fantasy variety of Celts and Vikings. The setting is wholly to be compared to ancient Britain, France, and the old Roman Empire.
I didn't enjoy reading this book. The main problems for me were the lack of a hero I could cheer for. None of the characters were particularly heroic in my opinion and when I can't get into the characters I can't get into the book.
Also the narrative bounced around too much to where I'd just start to get into the story then the focus would change to another person or group of people. There were even a few times where the lives of very minor characters are described to their death then the story returns to its course.
The whole impression I got was that too much story tried to be told in too little space.
