Kim Wilkins, Giants of the Frost

Giants of the Frost

Kim Wilkins

Warner, Jan 2006, $6.99, 520 pp.

ISBN 0446617288

Victoria Scott travels to the island of Othinsey, two hundred nautical miles off the Norwegian Coast as a meteorologist at Kirkja station. This job will help her in getting her doctorate in meteorology but the drawback is that many of her fellow workers believe this island is haunted as they hear voices in the woods at night. One evening she meets Vanir whom Victoria feels as if she has known all her life and beyond.

She is right because they have loved once before when she was Halla who lived on Othinsey circa 1104 with her missionary uncle and his family. Odin didn't want Christ worshippers on his island so he sent his son Vanir to kill them but he fell in love and was unable to do it. He was prepared to leave Asgard and stay with Halla but Odin destroyed that dream. Now Halla has returned as Victoria and is once again in danger from Odin who fears that his son won't be there to save him on the day of Rangorak. Vanir vows to save her this time and find a way to be together but fate is immutable and some things are not meant to be unless someone can get the Fates to change their minds.

Kim Wilkins has written one of best and most beautiful romantic fantasies in years. The hero is prepared to die for his love or give up his mortality while Victoria fights the supernatural creatures on the island who destroy to gain Odin's favor. Her love for Vanir is so beautiful it will bring tears to the readers' eyes because she doesn't seem like she will get the happily ever after they both desperately deserve.

Harriet Klausner