Mystery of the Silver Coins: Book Two of Viking Quest
In this series of inspirational young adult novels, Lois Walfrid Johnson has penned an earnest but strained story of tenth century Ireland and Norway. Brianna O’Toole saves a young stranger from drowning only to realize, too late, that he’s a Viking raider.
In the second book, the ship reaches Norway where Bree escapes into the countryside. After being hunted down, Bree is accused of stealing Mikkel’s bag of silver coins. Bree – an honest girl – denies the theft. She helps Mikkel discover the true thief. Though she wins his respect, she still does not win her freedom. She struggles to accept her fate even as she receives quiet messages from God that she will become a “light unto the nations.”
In this evangelical Christian series, there’s no talk of Mass, sacraments, the Eucharist or the saints – or any aspect of early Irish Catholicism. Yet despite this, and a few anachronisms (potatoes in 10th century Ireland), these books are clearly born of the deepest of sentiment, and provide a wholesome and heartfelt alternative to more worldly young adult fiction. Ages 9-12
