THE ISLANDS OF THE BLESSED

Jack, Thorgil and the Bard are off on a new quest in this immensely satisfying conclusion of the trilogy that began with The Sea of Trolls (2004) and continued in The Land of the Silver Apples (2007). This time it’s not a kidnapping that sets the stage but a draugr, an undead spirit seeking revenge and threatening Jack’s world. To stop her, the three head off to Notland, realm of the fin folk. It’s a wondrous tale of hobgoblins, mermaids and sea hags, Saxons and Northmen, old gods and young bards, thoroughly steeping readers in Norse mythology. It’s also a long, beautifully written tale, expertly weaving together several story lines and informing readers new to the series of crucial plot points from the previous volumes. Even the appendix is fun, offering additional information and a link to a site where a Celtic war trumpet can be heard. Readers may well suspect—and hope—that a new series of Jack’s tales may be in the offing. (Fantasy. 10-14)