Land of the Silver Dragon (An Aelf Fen Mystery)
*Starred Review* In eleventh-century England, bard, village healer, and occasional sleuth Lassair faces a challenging case when a band of red-haired giants attack some of his distant family members, killing some and severely injuring and traumatizing others. Given the way the victims’ homes are invaded, it appears the killers are searching for something. But Lassair’s relations are poor, with few possessions, so what could the men want? But worse is to come when Lassair is kidnapped and taken to the distant and mysterious land of Iceland. Strangely, her kidnappers seem to want to befriend her, but Lassair is having none of it until a gentle old man called Thorfinn explains why Lassair’s kidnapping was necessary and that the red-haired giants were trying to find a magical stone that Lassair’s family is supposed to possess. But Lassair is sure her family doesn’t have the stone. So, where is it, and can she find and deliver it to the giants before they kill again? This is an outstanding book in an outstanding series—haunting, atmospheric, magical, and gripping, with a charismatic young heroine, an unusual premise, believable period details, and plenty of action and suspense. A cracking-good read that is recommended for all collections. --Emily Melton