Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #169802 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Synopsis
At his coming of age, Thorvald learns a shocking secret about his parentage, and sets out on a perilous voyage in search of a father he has never known. His loyal friend, Creidhe, was never meant to be part of this desperate journey. But love works in strange ways. In the Lost Isles they find a population gripped by terror. The Unspoken sing away the souls of the newborn and the chieftain of the isles answers to nobody. Creidhe and Thorvald become enmeshed in a battle for survival, in which they find themselves on opposing sides. For the future of the islands depends on a visionary child: the powerful seer Foxmask. Snatched away in infancy by a young kinsman, the boy is held in a place protected by ancient forces of nature. Before the summer is over, Thorvald and Creidhe will learn truths about themselves and about the world that will change them both forever. Praise for "Wolfskin": 'An engrossing and enjoyable tale' - "Starburst". 'A powerful narrative...a truly rewarding experience'. - "SFX".

Customer Reviews

An enjoyable read
I think most reviewers have described the general synopsis of this book,in my opinion, it's a book that succedes in every way!

Beautifully written sequel to Wolfskin
Set about 17 years after Wolfskin, Foxmask follows Nessa and Eyvind's daughter Creidhe and Margaret's son by Somerled, Thorvald. Thorvald believes his father to be Ulf, his mothers dead husband, so it comes as quite a shock when she finally tells him the truth. It was in fact Somerled who had killed his brother Ulf and been bannished from the Light Isles. He plans to go in search of Somerled with his friend Sam who is a fisherman with his own boat. Creidhe is in love with Thorvald who sees her only as a friend and she stows away in the boat secretly when they leave.

They sail to The Lost Isles which are ruled by Asgrim in a war with the Unspoken. One of the Asgrims tribe stole the Unspokens seer Foxmask and in punnishment the Unspoken sing away the souls of all the newborn babies before they see their second sunrise. Foxmask is being held captive on the Isle of Clouds protected by The Fools Tide which is only passable once a year during The Hunt. The tribes lose many men in The Hunt every year, but it is their only option until Thorvald, Sam and Credhe arrive to change everything.

Each of the three changes in the Isles. Sam finds a new hardness, Thorvald a father and respect from the islanders and Credhe completes her Journey and finds a love she never imagined. I loved this novel, it reminded me how much I love this author. Creidhe was my favourite character, I loved the idea of her embroidery and the many stories it encompassed. It was filled with magic, love, loss and cruelty. Highly recommended.

Interesting Interpretation

Once I realised that this book was more a fantasy than a straight tale about the Norse men, I settled into the story and thoroughly enjoyed it. The authoress weaves a good tale, although a little predictable at times.

At 18 years old a young man is told by his mother that his real father was the murderer of the man he had always thought to be his father, worse than that, the two men were actually brothers.

This news alienates the young man Thorvald from his mother and after seeking information from various people, he finds out that his real father was banished from the island where they live and it is a possibility that he may still alive. He is determined to try to find his father and seeks the help of his friend Sam, an accomplished sailor who owns his own boat. Another of his friends Creidhe, a young woman who dotes on Thorvald guesses what the two young men are planning and determines to stow away on the boat and keep the pair of them free from trouble.

There journey takes them north away from the Orkneys, until a storm drives them onto a foreign shore. What takes place after that is life changing for all three of them. Will Thorvald find his father on this island far north of his own home. What other twists and turns are in store for the three friends? That I think is for the reader to find out for themselves.