The Ice Queen
Book 2 in
the Odd Tangle-Hair Saga
By: Bruce Macbain
Published: November 30, 2015
Blank Slate Press
Blank Slate Press
Genre: Historical, International
Pages: 294
Paperback, 294 PDF
Source: Author/Blank Slate Press
In this second
volume of his saga, Odd Tangle-Hair travels to Russia to take up his post as
skald to Harald, the young renegade prince of Norway.
Intrigue and
danger await him when Odd finds himself 'caught between two wolves - the
arrogant, bullying Harald, and his sworn enemy, Ingigerd, Grand Princess of
Novgorod, who schemes against Harald by seducing Odd. While political intrigue
swirls around him, a Pecheneg horde explodes across the steppe, and Odd must
use his wits to rescue the besieged people of Kiev.
*********************************
I
was eager to read of Odd Thorvald’s travels to ancient Rus as I’d had the
chance to read book 1, Odin’s Child, which left off with Odd landing in Russia,
and because I’m fascinated with Russian history and culture.
In
The Ice Queen, Odd’s (aka Odd Tangle-Hair)
journey takes him to early Novgorod and to the court of Prince Yaroslav and
Princess Ingigerd. Odd is a sort of orator/scribe or court poet to prince Harald under whose protection he travels.
If
you enjoy historical reads (especially in the first millennium, 1031) rich in
cultural detail, this is your book. Odd has many adventures that illustrate life
at court in Novgorod, social and religious customs, mythology, and of course
politics and battles of the rough times, all written in an easy-reading style.
Interestingly,
Ingigerd (who is of Swedish descent) takes Odd to be her lover but she’s very
clever and we’re never really sure what she’s scheming. Intelligent women of
the time I imagine felt oppressed and stifled with no real outlets for their
abilities so I liked reading about Ingigerd’s machinations. She’s a strong
female MC with some political power who plots with the best of them but is
still very much a woman.
Odd
is a friendly and likeable hero. His pitfalls of character make him very
realistic. And we see him suffer the winds of fate as the tides run against and
for him in turn.
The
novel takes the reader through the early Russian landscape with Odd eventually getting
embroiled in a mission to Miklagard, or Constantinople, to be continued in The Guardsman. So settle yourself in for
a highly enjoyable sojourn through Bruce Macbain’s well researched and culturally
detailed book. 4.5 Stars!
And a special thanks to my Russian and East European readers!
You will find Bruce Macbain at the following links:
Amazon | Author Website | Twitter | Goodreads
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