Review: Inspirational Viking Saga—book 2 in the trilogy should be read only after book 1
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 27, 2014
Set in Ireland (Eire) beginning in 833, this is the story of Aislinn, a healer, and Agnarr Halvardson, a Norwegian who comes to Ireland, first to raid, then to settle.The Prologue is told in the first person (with occasional intrusions from the narrator) in the point of view of the heroine’s adoptive mother, Charis, who recounts some bits from the past. If this is the first book you read, this beginning will seem a bit bizarre. It took me some time to get used to the first person and narrative combination. I was glad when chapter one brought us to the third person and to the heroine.As the story begins, Aislinn, who was sent off to live with monks for a year to study and practice her healing skills, waits for her adoptive father to fetch her home. Before he arrives, a wounded Viking/Norwegian is brought to the monastery with a head wound. He is Agnarr, felled by a blow inflicted during a raid. Of course, Aislinn tends him and when her adoptive father arrives, it is decided Agnarr, who has a history with her family, will come back to their home.Layne has obviously done her research into the healing methods of the era, for which she deserves full marks. The book is replete with various cures. But the use of foreign and unfamiliar words was distracting. Even the glossary that is included in the beginning did not help as I was reading it on my Kindle and did not want to try and find it (you might want to read this in paper). The odd names and words, particularly in the beginning where they were the thickest took me out of the story.This is book 2 in a trilogy and there are lots of references to the earlier story, which I had not read. I was continually wondering what had transpired, and how, for instance, Aislinn’s adoptive mother, Charis, was the former leman (mistress) of Agnarr who now wants to be her son-in-law. Based on that and how the story began, and the names I did not recognize, I recommend reading the books in order—and in paper so you can reference the glossary easily. Otherwise, like me, you may be a bit confused as to who is who and what has transpired and what all those words mean.As the story moves along, we learn that Agnarr has come to Eire to settle down and take a wife. Of course, he wants Aislinn. The Eire folks are suspicious but Agnarr is pretty easily accepted into their society. The Danes show up to cause a few problems but nothing close to a full battle. Just a bit of treachery.I also note that this book could be considered an inspirational romance as it presents the Christian views on salvation and Agnarr, who begins as a Thor worshiper, converts. Layne did these bits very well and wove in each culture meeting in Eire (Ireland).There are no love scenes in this novel but there is some good sexual tension and kissing.Viking Trilogy:EIRE’S CAPTIVE MOON (Cowan and Charis’s story)EIRE’S VIKING (Agnarr and Aislinn’s story)EIRE’S DEVIL KING (Tuirgeis’s story) – not yet released