The Doomsong Voyage
Long ago in the Cold North, Finn, a young tale-maker,
encounters the Wanderer, Master Odo in a Baltic island tavern. Master
Odo tells Finn there will soon be a terrible climate catastrophe
and tasks him with sailing to the Middle Sea to locate the absent
Volsung clan leader, Goran Ice-heart. Ice-heart must return to the
North to lead his people to a warmer land before an imminent volcanic
eruption. Master Odo gives Finn the legendary Doomsong sword, which
he must hand to Ice-heart as the rightful clan leader. Finn also
receives a grave warning: he will meet obstacles and dangers on
his voyage, and a powerful, fire-loving enemy will try to prevent
his success. Finn’s voyage is hindered by a sell-sword named Beorn
Wolfman, who leads Finn to Heorot of the Grendel legend. Finn’s
life is in jeopardy, but he has help from a Katranina, a strange
girl with ginger hair and amber-green eyes, who is often nearby
in times of danger. Their voyage continues to Hispania, where Finn
comes into conflict with Viking raiders and is then captured in
the Barbalus emirate and used to bait a trap to catch Ice-heart.
Reviews
The Doomsong Voyage is an enthralling fantasy
novel rooted in Norse myths and deeply grounded in historical evidence.
Author J.G. Harlond spins an immersive, beautifully written tale
of one man’s quest to find the rightful owner of a legendary sword
and, by doing so, save his people from certain doom.
Story-teller Finn is no adventurer, nor does he have any battle
skills. To his shock, he is chosen by a magical being known as Master
Odo to hand-carry the Doomsong Sword across the seas to a bloodthirsty
pirate in the south. The tests he faces along the way make for a
rollicking adventure underpinned by Viking lore and populated by
the supernatural creatures of Norse mythology.
J.G. Harlond’s superb world building and authentic historical details,
along with an engaging cast of characters led by the humble but
courageous Finn, make for a thoroughly enjoyable journey into a
world of fantasy, magic, and high-seas adventure. Though this book
(the companion to The Doomsong Sword) is aimed at a young audience,
adult readers will find this tale fascinating, too. Highly recommended.
Amy Maroney, author of the Miramonde Series
Harlond has created the perfect flawed hero
in Finn and his journey is as challenging and mystical as any of
the old sagas. A beautiful homage to the Norse stories of old, this
tale of quest and adventure has satisfying twists and turns and
is peppered with memorable, beautifully drawn characters.
Annie Whitehead Author and Historian - FRHistS
An adventure story reminiscent of Rosemary
Sutcliff, skillfully blending history and mythology in an action-filled
coming-of-age tale.
Marian L Thorpe – author of the Empire’s Legacy series