A potent blend of fantasy, history and romance, this sequel to Holland's The Soul Thief
follows Viking renegade Corban Loosestrife and his wife, Benna, to a fertile, beautiful land across the sea. There they live a near-idyllic existence with their young son and two daughters and Corban's fey sister Mav. Mav's son, Raef, seems to share her strange gifts, though he fights to conquer them, distressed by the way they distance him from others. This blissful life is interrupted by strife from across the sea and a struggle nearby as the peaceful Indian tribe the family lives near is disturbed by another, aggressive, tribe newly moved into the area. Seeing that he must return to settle scores from his past, Corban sails back to Denmark with Raef and his son, Conn, and becomes embroiled once again in the politics of the feudal age. The boys come into their own as well, with Conn throwing his lot in with Sweyn, the man soon to be king, and not just of Denmark. But Corban learns his beloved Benna is dead and believes his island home is lost to him forever. Though it will be best enjoyed by readers familiar with the first book, this is a rousing, vivid tale rich with Nordic lore. Agent, Ralph Vicinanza. (Apr.)
