FALCON OF THE FAROE ISLANDS
by Jennifer Ivy Walker
GENRE: Paranormal Historical Romance
Blurb:
Haldor Falk, fierce warrior and powerful vitki blessed by the Goddess Freyja with the extraordinary ability to transform into a falcon, has been charged with forging Skjöld, grandson of King Harald Bluetooth, into a rugged warlord in the wild north of Norway.
With his acolyte’s training now complete, Haldor intends to return to the Viking stronghold of Normandy. But when a vision reveals an imminent attack on a dwarf guarding a hidden treasure trove in a secret cave, Haldor and Skjöld gain Dwarven-forged weapons and an unexpected, invaluable ally.
Úlvhild, a völva of formidable seiðr magic and Haldor’s lover of nearly twenty winters, foresees that the Dökkálfar Dark Elves will strike to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy. When the Norns unveil the terrible price of her fate, Úlvhild must confront a crimson-eyed witch to save her beloved falcon and ensure that the prophesied Son of the Dragon fulfills his destined path.
Falcon of the Faroe Islands is the sweeping, epic conclusion to the award-winning Valiant Vikings trilogy set in tenth century Normandy.
A sizzling blend of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, Norse mythology, and steamy Viking romance!
Excerpt:
Tattoos in bluish black covered his rugged face, corded neck, and sinewy forearms. For the past two weeks, Skjöld had undergone the transformative ritual of fasting, isolation, and pain, as the images were carved into his skin. Blackened with ash, bone, and blood, each symbol embodied Skjöld’s ancestral heritage and Sámi spiritual power.
On his scarred, bearded face, a trio of droplets beneath his left eye marked the Veil of Vision with which Skjöld would attempt to wield the otherworldly gift of sight through water that he had inherited from his mother Ylva, his grandmother Lova, and his great-grandmother Sprota, a trinity of gifted Celtic priestesses from Bretagne in northwestern Francia.
An enormous dark blue dragon—emblem of Skjöld’s heritage as the prophesied son of the Dragon of Denmark and the Celtic priestess mother with otherworldly sight through water—covered his left shoulder and coiled around his thick neck. The fanged maw of the mammoth serpentine beast displayed a trio of Nordic runes. Uruz, for strength; Tiwaz, for honor and valor; and Dagaz, for the transformation of Skjöld the Viking warrior into a Sámi spirit sorcerer with second sight through water.
Upon Skjöld’s sculpted forearms flowed long, fluid patterns of the Nordic rune Laguz, the Norse symbol for water, representing his Viking heritage. Amidst the river of runes, Celtic triple spirals— symbolic of the trio of female ancestors who had passed their otherworldly gift of sight to Skjöld— covered his burnished skin, bronzed by the strong summer sun. Beneath the waves of runes and spirals were a trio of eyes beneath the water, evoking the Áhkká—the ancestral spirits and deities who would grant Skjöld the ability to wield his gift of sight through water.
After two weeks of isolation, fasting, pushing his body to the physical limits of pain and endurance, Skjöld would now face his final test—to enter the spirit world of water and wield his inherited gift to see beyond the human realm.
The rhythmic beat of Jaskka’s drum and the cadence of his slow, deep chant called Haldor’s attention back to the spirit leader of the Láhpi tribe. Haldor rose to his feet in solemn silence and strode toward Skjöld, who waited at the edge of the assembled tribe gathered around the fire.
A contradictory blend of courage and fear blazed in his fierce blue gaze.
Haldor led his acolyte toward the frosty shore of the starlit fjord where the long, narrow boat that he and Skjöld had skillfully crafted from pine was waiting upon the smooth white sand. As part of Skjöld’s preparation for tonight’s ritual, the two of them had felled the tall tree, hollowing and smoothing the sturdy wood. Skjöld himself had shaped the vessel for tonight’s voyage to the spirit world by carving soft curves along the sides, like the protective waves of the sacred fjord. He’d etched Sámi sigils, Celtic symbols, and Nordic runes into the hewn wood, carving a mermaid at the prow, to symbolize his female ancestors—the Áhkká—guiding him on the monumental spiritual journey.
As Haldor now helped Skjöld into the vessel, he glimpsed the mermaid shimmering in the moonlight. Her long, flowing hair and slender arms blended with the curved waves along the sides of the vessel. Intricate Celtic spirals and the Nordic rune Laguz wrapped around her limbs and elaborate tailfin, connecting her to the essence of the fjord and to Skjöld’s heritage as a spirit walker into the sacred realm of water.
My Review:
Falcon of the Faroe Islands is the concluding installment in the Valiant Vikings trilogy authored by Jennifer Ivy Walker. From the very first page, Falcon of the Faroe Islands immersed me in its captivating universe. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until I reached the final page.
The world-building is among the finest I have ever encountered. I felt as though I was part of that realm, almost like a character myself. I could vividly visualize the scenes unfolding in my mind as though I was experiencing them firsthand.
I adored Falcon of the Faroe Islands because I have a passion for Viking tales filled with epic battles. The enchantment of being able to transform into a falcon left me in awe. I cherished the moments when the warriors returned home after months of combat, scavenging, and rescuing maidens, reuniting with their loved ones for a night filled with passion.
I thoroughly appreciated the fusion of magic, combat, deities, and romance. The Valiant Vikings trilogy is a compelling narrative that is guaranteed to keep your interest from beginning to end without any dull intervals.
I wholeheartedly suggest picking up a copy of Falcon of the Faroe Islands for a remarkable finale to the Valiant Vikings trilogy today!
About the Author:
Jennifer Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and WWII romantic suspense.
A former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology, Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.
Connect with Jennifer Ivy Walker
Website ~ Goodreads ~ BookBub ~ Facebook
Twitter ~ Instagram ~ TicTok ~ Pinterest ~ Bluesky
List of Books by Jennifer Ivy Walker
The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven
The Lady of the Mirrored Lake
The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight
Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle
A Celtic Yuletide Carol
The Witch of the Breton Woods
Flames of Flamenco
Amour in Avignon
Dragon of Denmark
Wolf of the Nordic Seas
Falcon of the Faroe Islands
Giveaway:
2 comments:
Thank you for featuring and reviewing FALCON OF THE FAROE ISLANDS.
Thank you very much for hosting me on your lovely blog and for the fabulous review of Falcon of the Faroe Islands. I am delighted that you find my worldbuilding one of the best you've ever encountered, for it takes me months of research to pull it all together. Thank you again for your eliquent praise of my novel!
Post a Comment