Shortlisted for Book of the Month
#7 in the
Norseman Saga
Fictional Saga
/ Nautical
9th Century
Ireland
Thorgrim Night
Wolf has one desire – to return home to Norway – but again the gods demonstrate
that the time has not yet arrived. Such is definitely the case in this seventh
book in The Norsemen Saga, for he and his men have but three damaged longboats
with no sails. Rather than fight and pillage to gain what they need, Thorgrim
barters with the Irish. His decision is of no import to Starri Deathless, the
berserker, “[b]cause every time you say
such a thing, there ends up being more fighting than a man could wish for, so
I’m not concerned.”
Treasure
attracts more than the heathens who plague Ireland. One among the many rí tuath
wishes to gain the rumored Treasure of St. Aiden for himself, which is why
Airtre mac Domhnall and a hundred men have gathered outside the gates of the
monastery at Ferns. Failure to return home without it will just result in
censure from his wife, and Airtre would much rather confront an army of
Northmen than face her empty-handed. But Abbot Column denies that such a
treasure exists, for he will protect the secret of Ferns any way he can. He
succeeds in thwarting Airtre this time, but knows his success is temporary.
Sooner or later Airtre will return.
While some of
the Northmen begin repairing the ships and setting up a temporary camp on the
shores of Loch Garman, Thorgrim sends his son to retrieve two longships he lent
to the enslaved Irish who had been helped to freedom, but things do not go as
planned.
Loch Garman is an excellent example of circumstances
making strange bedfellows, for such are rife throughout this wonderful tale.
While the majority of it takes place on land, there are a few river scenes.
Subtle shifts begin to emerge in relations between the Irish and Northmen that
will eventually lead to a more peaceful coexistence. There is plenty of action
as Starri foretells, but this intricately woven tapestry is far more than just
adventure. It also showcases how warriors think, gauge their opponents,
understand potential trickery before it unfolds, and find ways to counteract
overwhelming odds to prevail without losing sight of the original goal. Nelson
possesses the gift of a true storyteller; his words easily spin visual pictures
in our minds without inserting passages that allow us to stray from unfolding
events.
There are
elements within this book – perhaps the best offering in the series so far –
that readers will identify with no matter their age. For me, these include sly
touches of dry humor, the rationalizing of internal conflicts, and the wisdom
and frailties that come with getting older. Regardless of what attracts you,
you will not be disappointed. From the opening confrontation to the
heart-stopping climax, Loch Garman is
a riveting tale that brings to life a bygone era of Irish history.
© Cindy Vallar
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