Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (39)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. So here's a thing I'm looking forward to: Bracelet of Bones, by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Quercus, 11 March 2014).



It is 1036. Halfdan is a Viking mercenary who is determined to travel to Constantinople and become one of the Viking Guard serving Empress Zoe. He promises to take his daughter, but one morning Solveig wakes up to find him gone. Setting off in her own tiny boat, she is determined to make the journey from Norway to the breathtaking city. Her boat is washed up, but Solveig is undeterred. What awaits Solveig as she continues on her summer journey across the world? She finds passage with Viking traders, witnesses the immolation of a young slave girl and learns to fight. She sees the clashes between those who praise her Norse Gods and the new Christians. In this perilous and exciting world, a young girl alone could be quickly endangered or made a slave. Will Solveig live to see her father again, and if she survives, will she remain free? A glittering novel that explores friendship and betrayal, the father-daughter relationship, the clash of religions and the journey from childhood to adulthood.

Cover and description from Fantastic Fiction.
*****

This only counts as an upcoming release for those of us in the USA; it apparently has been out in the UK since 2011. But hey, I am in the USA, and I'm looking forward to this one.

I happen to know that Halfdan did make it to Constantinople, because archeologists have found the spot in the Hagia Sophia where he left some runic graffiti on the wall (something along the lines of "Halfdan made these runes"), but I'll be very interested in seeing Solveig's journey.

1 comment:

  1. It's already out in the UK?! Sweeet. This looks like a fascinating tale.

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