Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Layborn, Emmy. Berserker.

Layborn, Emmy.  Berserker.  Feivel & Friends  2017  343p.  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-250-05520-0  ms/hs  Fantasy  E-BON

Hanne, a teenage Norwegian girl, is a Berserker, with the magical, legendary gift of deadly, violent strength (the Nytte) that was bestowed upon her at birth by the old gods. When her father dies, and she kills his three murderers, she and her siblings must escape their village and travel across the sea to America. In Montana, they encounter Owen, a young cowboy down on his luck who becomes their guide and friend, as they seek out their uncle, the only one who can teach Hanne and her brothers to control the Nytte and use it only for good. This is a rollicking adventure story told with careful attention to detail, and it incorporates ancient Viking mythology into the rough-and-tumble setting of the late 19th-century Old West. Berserker is set to be the first in a series of adventure stories. The author also wrote the Monument 14 series, which was also excellent.

Summary: Hanne is a Berserker, which means she carries the ancient Norwegian gift of deadly, violent strength that she received from the old gods. When she and her siblings need to flee Norway and end up in America's Old West, they meet up with Owen, a young cowboy, and find new and unexpected adventures.


Norwegian Mythology-Fiction                              --Carol Kennedy

No comments: