Book Review: "The Fall of Waterstone" by Lilith Saintcrow

 

An elemental witch and her shieldmaiden navigate a dangerous world of forgotten myth and deep magic in the second volume of New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow’s sweeping Norse-inspired epic fantasy series.

Solveig and her shieldmaid have finally reached the fabled Elder sanctuary of Waterstone—a city of healing, restful beauty hidden from the Enemy’s gaze. Yet whispers race through the palace halls, and those they have come to tentatively trust have hidden intentions. For not only is the city a refuge for an elementalist, her protector, and a mortal prince, it also holds a great weapon, one that only Solveig’s kind may wield.
 
Yet Sol’s faith in her own magic is perilously fractured. She can rely only her wits and skills of negotiation to be heard, or she will become a pawn in a dark game played by Elder and Enemy alike. The lord of the Black Land is mighty; treachery slithers amid Waterstone’s many wonders, and time is growing short.
 
Before the darkness finds a way in, Sol must decide who to trust, where to turn for aid, and if she will take up a power she cannot hope to control. Even the right choice may doom not just the home she has left behind, but the entire world… - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was received from Netgalley.com and I providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the 'Black Lands Bane' series by Saintcrow an continues the adventure of Solveig, as she is led on seemingly blindly. This part of the story brings the group to Waterstone, a city of the Elders, a fae-like race. Whilst here, there is treachery within the Elder ranks and the Black Lands creatures invade the hidden city, forcing all to flee or die. This sends our MC out once again to head for yet another 'hidden, Elder city' but now she is carrying within a piece of Waterstone of great value.

It was wonderful to pick up on this story again! Saintcrow has done a wonderful job morphing Norse mythology into a fantasy tale of adventure. I would like to see many more books in this series, but feel it will probably wrap up in the next (and last) installment. Probably best to have read the first novel, so all the backstory is known, but otherwise is easily read and moves along at a good pace.

Book Review: "A Flame in the North" by Lilith Saintcrow

 

An elemental witch and her shieldmaiden journey into a world of ancient myth and unexpected destiny in this sweeping Norse-inspired epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow.

The Black Land is spent myth. Centuries have passed since the Great Enemy was slain. Yet old fears linger, and on the longest night of the year, every village still lights a ritual fire to banish the dark.

That is Solveig’s duty. Favored by the gods with powerful magic, Sol calls forth flame to keep her home safe. But when her brother accidentally kills a northern lord’s son, she is sent away as weregild—part hostage, part guest—for a year and a day.

The further north Sol travels, the clearer it becomes the Black Land is no myth. The forests teem with foul beasts. Her travel companions are not what they seem, and their plans for her and her magic are shrouded in secrecy.

With only her loyal shieldmaid and her own wits to reply upon, Sol must master power beyond her imagination to wrest control of her fate. For the Black Land’s army stirs, ready to cover the world in darkness—unless Sol can find the courage to stop it.

They thought the old ways were dead. But now, the Enemy awakens… - from Netgalley.com

This e ARC was given to me from Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is a wonderful start to what I expect to be an epic story based on Viking imagined living, beliefs, and other mythological/religious lore. Solveig is our main character, that has a skill, similar to what we would call an elementist in the fantasy world, that marked her to train as a Volva (kind of a Viking shaman-woman) but her skill is stronger than has been seen for lifetimes. Do to an unfortunate death caused by her brother, she is sent as weregild for a year and a day with a group calling themselves the Wolves of the North. On their journey returning to the Wolves northern homes, she discovers one amongst them is Elven, and learns of other types of magic. She also learns that truly there is a great evil that is awakening again, and many believe her to be the one last hope to stop it.

Let's just say that when I started this book, I was riveted to it. I have read many of Saintcrow's works, and found them enjoyable, but this tops all of them - hands down. I also believe, that this is her best work to date. I found the reading to be very attention getting with the storyline, though there were parts that felt a bit wordier than needed to be. It is written in first-person, from Sol's point of view, and, like a person's thoughts, there is quite a bit of mental wondering, which I believe kind of adds to the writing style. In my opinion, they were many terms I believe to be Viking lore related, and the lifestyle portrayed, region and climate, all added to what I see as Viking lore. Also brought in is some of the Norse gods (Thor, Odin, et cetera) and some comments even of the 'robed ones' that preach their god that died on a cross, versus going to Valhalla. 

Truly one of the top books I have read this year, and I am so looking forward to the next one, and I am guessing a third as well. I found it easy reading, even good descriptions of many of the Viking terms used, and the inter-mixing of lore and beliefs.