The Golden Wolf

This satisfying final volume in Hartsuyker’s Golden Wolf Saga (after The Half-Drowned King and The Sea Queen), drawn from Norse sagas, follows the children of Ragnvald, Svanhild, and Norway’s aging King Harald through tragic accidents, battles, and betrayals. Though this is the third in a trilogy, Hartsuyker’s opening map, list of places and characters, and seamless inclusion of backstory make it easy enough to follow the action, even for readers unfamiliar with the first two novels. The novel begins with the mistaken killing of Kolbrand Aldufson by Rolli Ragnvaldsson because Rolli and his shipmates believed Kolbrand’s ship to be that of raiders. Rolli’s cruel companion, Hallbjorn Olafson, takes hostage Freydis Solvisdatter, Svanhild’s child, then all three flee to the Orkneys, where Hallbjorn forces himself upon Freydis. In Norway, Ragnvald’s sons, Einar and Ivar, are sent to bring Gyda Eiriksdatter to her wedding to Harald, but Einar and Gyda begin a physical relationship. Meanwhile, Harald’s son, Halfdan, plots against both Ragnvald and his father. As in the medieval sagas that provide Hartsuyker with her source material, these characters cannot escape the fates that lay in store for them. This quality tale will appeal to fans of Viking fiction and could cross over to those who enjoy epic fantasy as well. (Aug.)