Elizabeth Bear, By The Mountain Bound

For over five centuries the Children of Light lived in northern Valdyrgard. Immortal, they work for the Bearer of Burdens and know their mission is to protect humans. Using crystal swords, they are a fierce fighting force.

Einherjar war chieftain Strifbjorn saves a drowning female who is neither human nor Immortal. She insists she is the Lady of Legend that they have waited to arrive. To prove her deity she fights and defeats Strifbjorn's lover Mingan the Gray Wolf, giving her command of the fighting force. As she tries to prepare her defiant warriors against the attack of the Giants, the post Ragnarok end has begun.

This prequel to ALL THE WINDWRACKED STARS leads to how Muire the historian cowardly survived the end of the world. The story line is complex with readers deeply involved in the emotional big crunch. Ironically fans of the writer know how the tale ends yet cannot resist the trip to find out how Elizabeth Bear takes her readers there. This is a great addition to Nordic mythology by one of the best authors at writing exhilarating mythological fantasies.

Harriet Klausner