The Magician’s Bride
Contracted to marry a stunted man who also possesses gifts of dark magic, young Gisla chooses instead to flee, leaping aboard a longboat just as it leaves the harbour of Dyflin (Dublin). In doing so, she sets off a manhunt – “womanhunt” – that endangers not only her but those who help her, chief among them young Olli Ketilsson, a boy on the brink of manhood who falls irrevocably in love with pretty blonde Gisla.
Ms Black does a good job of depicting life among the Norseman who colonised Ireland and the western islands of Scotland. Casual details are inserted with a light hand, bringing to life everything from the interior of longhouses to food and clothing. Now and then she also touches upon the lingering tensions between the new religion, as represented by various monks, and the old beliefs, as represented by Karli Olafsson, the pagan sorcerer who is Gisla’s contracted bridegroom.
The plot itself is a little repetitive. Endless numbers of times, Gisla and Olli flee, endless number of times, they are captured. The element of magic does not bring much to the story, rather, it detracts – but that is a personal view. The protagonists’ youth makes it difficult to fully relate to how they behave in some situations, and this may indicate the book is better suited for a younger audience?
Ms Black is a competent author and the book is well-presented. For those interested in Viking life this is a fun and interesting read. I would have preferred another cover, but yet again, that is a matter of personal preference.
E-edition reviewed
