Wolfskin (The Light Isles, 1) - Softcover

Marillier, Juliet

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765306735 ISBN 13: 9780765306739

Publisher: Tor Books, 2004

Synopsis

Wolfskin is the first of a fantasy duet in The Light Isles series from Juliet Marillier, weaving history and folklore into a saga of adventure, romance, and magic.

All young Eyvind ever wanted was to become a great Viking warrior---a Wolfskin---and carry honor out in the name of his fathergod, Thor. He can think of no future more glorious. The chance to make it happen is his when his chieftain, Ulf, is brought the tale of a magical land across the sea, a place where men with courage can 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. Somerled, the strange and lonely boy that Eyvind befriended 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 of Eyvind might just doom him to kill the only thing that Evyind has ever truly loved.

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

About this title

From the Inside Flap

"Juliet Marillier is among the most skilled of fantasy writers.... She is far better than Marion Zimmer Bradley."--Sara Douglass

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?

Critically acclaimed fantasist Juliet Marillier returns with the start of a new fantasy saga, a wonderful love story set amidst high adventure. Wolfskin is a lush tale of the clash between the warlike Norsemen and the mysterious and magical people who live at the top of the world in the land that will become Scotland--and it is the story of the man and woman who forge a bond that will remake their world.

Juliet Marillier is the author of The Sevenwaters Trilogy: Daughter of the Forest, Son of the Shadows (winner of the 2000 Aurealis Award and the 2001 Alex Award), and Child of the Prophecy. She holds advanced degrees in music and languages and has had a lifelong passion for both Celtic music and Irish folklore. She resides with her family in Perth, Western Australia.

From the Back Cover

"Marillier blends old legends with original storytelling to produce an epic fantasy."--Library Journal on Son of the Shadows

Praise for Juliet Marillier and The Sevenwaters Trilogy

Child of The Prophecy

"A rousing page-turner, a heady blending of romance, magic, and battle.... The fitting conclusion to one of the best recent fantasy sagas should send newcomers scurrying for its predecessors"--Booklist (starred review)

"Marillier's strong voice and rolling, lucid prose seem appropriate for a tenth century Irish tale."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Marillier creates a wondrous world with compelling characters and passages."--Romantic Times (4 1/2 stars)

Son of The Shadows

"Marillier's virtuosic pacing and vivid, filmic style make this an engaging continuation of one of last year's best fantasies."--Booklist

"The exquisite poetry of the story is carefully balanced with strong characterizations and more than a nod to Irish mythology."--Romantic Times

Daughter of The Forest

"Sterling characterizations, perfect pacing, appropriately marvelous fairy subplots, and vivid descriptive passages make for a flawless launching of a fantasy trilogy those next volume this book's readers will eagerly await."--Booklist (starred review)

"This novel will delight and astound. An exceptional debut fairy tale that mixes romance, legend, and magic."--Realms of Fantasy

"What sets Marillier's work apart is how she wraps this traditional plot with deeply individualized characters and a beautifully realized background."—VOYA

"The author's keen understanding of Celtic paganism and early Irish Christianity adds texture to a rich and vibrant novel."--Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0765306735
• ISBN 13: 9780765306739
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 496