Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #102384 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Synopsis
Eyvind can think of no more glorious future than becoming a Wolfskin, a warrior devoted to the service of the mighty war-god Thor. His closest friend, Somerled, a strange and lonely boy, has his own very different ambitions - yet a childhood oath, sworn in blood, binds these two in life-long loyalty. Eyvind and Somerled seem set to follow very different paths: one becoming a fearless servant of the Warfather, the other a scholarly courtier. Then a voyage of discovery, led by Somerled's brother Ulf, brings the two friends together again accompanying a group of settlers to some beautiful islands rumoured to lie across the western sea. Ulf's new settlement begins in harmony with the native islanders, led by King Engus. But one day, on a trip to a holy place of the Folk, a brutal murder occurs and that peace is shattered. It is now that Eyvind begins to feel the restraining ties of his boyhood oath, and to realize what sort of future Somerled had in mind for himself all those years ago. 'Juliet Marillier is a fine new fantasy writer' - Anne McCaffrey. 'An engrossing and enjoyable tale' - "Starburst". 'A powerful narrative...a truly rewarding experience' - "SFX Magazine".

Customer Reviews

First Book in the Children of the Light Series
Juliet Marillier was born in New Zealand and brought up in Dunedin, the 'Edinburgh of the South'. She has written a number of novels that have been extremely successful, including the Sevenwaters series. She has a passionate interest in Celtic music and Irish folklore. A mother of two daughters and two sons, she lives in a rural area outside Perth in Western Australia.

Wolfskin is the first book in the Children of the Light series. The story beings with Eyvind a young boy dreaming of the day when he can become a warrior. His present existence could not be farther removed from the thing that he longs for with all his heart.
Eyvind lives on a prosperous farm, but dreams of the day when he can join the elite group of warriors known as the Wolfskins, led by Jarl Magnus. Many an evening round the dancing flames of the fire, he has heard tales of the daring adventures carried out by the Wolfskins. Their loyalty to one another knows no bounds.

Although the books is about the Vikings, it is a fantasy world that they live in and as another reviewer said not historically correct. But that does not matter, it is written to entertain the reader and it certainly succeeds in doing that.

Wolfskin
Set in Norway & Orkney at the time of the Vikings is Eyvind, all he has ever wanted to be is a Wolfskin, his friend, Somerled only ever wants to be a King.

It is as a small child Eyvind's brother, brings home another child called Somerled and is Eyvind's job to teach him. Somerled, is not an easy person to teach he is in fact almost the opposite of Eyvind but, teach Somerled he does which comes at a cost to Eyvind.

They both take part in an expedition sailing roughened waters, unknown to them and eventually find themselves on the Light Isles (known to us today as the Faroe Islands) and here is discovered the young Priestess, Nessa. The new settlement begins all too well until a brutal murder shatters the tranquility ....

Having read (and loved!) the Sevenwaters Trilogy I was apprehensive about this one and it took me such a long time to get round to reading it, I love Juliet's style of writing but, was scared for want of a better word that this would never match up to Sevenwaters and I would be left feeling disappointed.

I need not have been, this was a fantastic story of friendship, betrayal , the character of Eyvind and nessa were for me the highpoints of the story, once again a beautifully written story that draws you in, I loved it!

Much ado about nothing !
Yes, the background is great and the two main characters interesting. But the pace is so slow, the plot so predictable and the story so full of "clichés" (especially concerning the primitive tribe), that it makes me change my mind after the first half of the book. Too much talk and not enought surprises. A good book? Maybe. A masterpiece, no way!