The Yelling Stones

The Yelling Stones by Oskar Jensen (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $14.95
ISBN: 9781471404115

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

I must confess to having never read a book about Vikings until Oskar Jensen’s The Yelling Stones arrived in my mailbox, but now perhaps I could be tempted to read another.

In his debut novel, Jensen successfully blends historical facts with fiction, adding a princess and a poet to the mix and shaping a year teeming with adventure, magic, turbulence and change.

Set in the Viking court of Jelling, Denmark, in 958 AD, Jensen describes the journey of Princess Astrid and the ambitious poet, Leif. At fourteen, Astrid and Leif come from different worlds, yet it falls to this unlikely pair to unravel the visions sent by The Yelling Stones – three witches turned to stone while screaming a spell – and to save Jelling from a powerful force conjured to help abolish the old, mythological ways of the court.

Astrid and Leif’s friendship develops with humour and compassion – Astrid’s strong-will and determination complementing Leif’s patience and thoughtfulness.

Astrid is a staunch supporter of her father – King Gorm’s – court and her place within it, but soon realises that in times of feud, her own family is not beyond using her as a pawn to further their plans.

Jensen’s characters are full and interesting and I found the simplicity of his descriptions appealing. Astrid’s oldest brother and heir to the throne, Knut, became a favourite of mine after this endearing first impression: ‘He looked like he sounded: big, brown and shaggy’.

Alongside the traditional feasting and drunken debauchery associated with Vikings, Jensen introduces hungry wolves and bears, witches, trolls and a powerful winged beast as the story flows through the seasons with their rich, magical undercurrents.

The line between man and beast is often blurred.

Acknowledging the potential difficulties younger readers may have with the Norse language used throughout the novel, Jensen has included a useful quick reference key to important characters and some commonly used words; however, I never found the language distracting or misplaced.

Jensen also includes an historical note about the true events and people of Jelling, which helps to bring a degree of authenticity to the story. I enjoyed the fact that you can actually visit The Yelling Stones.

Although recommended for readers nine years and older, The Yelling Stones does contain some animal sacrifice and a draugur (or awakened corpse), so I would suggest a slightly older readership with an interest in magic, mythology, adventure, friendship or historical fiction.

Divide and Conquer : The Infinity Ring Book 2

Divide and Conquer : The Infinity Ring Book 2 by Carrie Ryan (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545– 38697-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

In order to save the future, Sera, Dak and Riq must fix the past and once again, the children have travelled into that past with the Infinity Ring. This time they find themselves in 885, where the Vikings are laying siege to Paris. Unable to break the code on their SQuare tablet, they cannot be sure about the task they have been set. According to history, the Vikings conquered Paris in a long and bloody battle. But should the children help Bishop Gauzelin defend Paris against the Viking attack, or should they help to ensure a smooth and bloodless transition of power?

Before long, however, Dak’s fascination with the realities of history gets him into trouble and separated from his friends. The challenge is then to stay alive among the Vikings and reunite with Sera and Riq.

As in their first adventure, much depends on recognising the Hystorians and SQ agents, remembering their history, remaining cool, and sticking to their priorities.

Another roller coaster ride, Divide and Conquer is the second instalment in the Infinity Ring series. There is no let up in the action; the friendship, humour and glimpses of historical events are just as strong as the first. The continuing ‘what if’ moments keep interest well piqued in this sequel.

After the story is read, there is the opportunity for continuing the adventure online with a fight for freedom and a race to save the first lady of the United States. Readers may use the enclosed top-secret map and log into www.infinityring.com to play along with the Hystorians in a race to save the future.

There will be much anticipation of the next book The Trap Door, where the children’s task will centre on the American Civil War and the underground railway.

The Infinity Ring is a great series for boys and girls (10+), particularly those with an interest in action, danger, historic events and time travel.

Brotherband 3:The Hunters

Brotherband 3:The Hunters by John Flanagan (Random House)
PB RRP $17.95
ISBN 9781742750620
Also available as an ebook
ISBN 9781742750637
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness

After immersing myself in John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series, with its fast-paced, adventurous storylines, I’ve joined the throng of landlubbers to sail with the Heron Brotherband in Flanagan’s latest Skandian saga of longboats, pirate hunting, and a matadorial sea duel to retrieve the stolen artefact, the amber Andomal.

If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Flanagan’s style is so sleek, that the reader effortlessly slips into the saga. With the opening double page sketch of the Skandians’ longboat, the Heron, and the handy glossary, the reader is well primed for adventure.

The book is written in two parts: The Hunt and The Duel. Hal and the Brotherband are on the hunt for the pirate, Zavac, aboard the Raven as its crew plunders its way to the safety of their lair in Raguza. On board the Heron, the injured Ingvar is near death from an arrow wound. He needs to rest and recover so the Skandians beach their longboat. They are carrying a pirate prisoner who escapes and it’s here that we see the prowess of Lydia, the only female on board.

Excellent descriptions are given of the crew as each takes his or her part in the action; humour and courage interweave even in times most dire. There’s the shy Edvin, who knits watch caps for the crew, the quarrelsome twins Ulf and Wulf and the ‘shabby old warrior’ Thorn, who, if he ‘hadn’t lost that hand in an accident on board ship he would have been the greatest warrior in the history of Skandia.’

One of my favourite characters is Lydia. She is a fine role model. Not only is she an expert tracker, she is a crack shot with the atlatl (a dart thrower) with its ‘great, sharp iron warhead.’ She’s resourceful, clever and cluey as she executes the breakout of the Brotherband from prison, but ‘after years spent hunting alone in the woods, Lydia’s manners and social graces left something to be desired.’

It’s hold-your-breath action as the crew jumps from one impossible situation to another, whether it’s flume riding their longboat down the Wildwater Rift or the sea duel between the Raven and the Heron.

With its sophisticated level of language and layered storytelling, Brotherband 3: The Hunters will enthral teenage readers and transport them into the Middle Ages and a saga akin to the Vikings. Flanagan is a cracking storyteller.

How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel

How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel by Cressida Cowell (Hodder/Hachette)
PB RRP $13.99
ISBN:9781444908794
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

This is the tenth volume in the popular How to Train Your Dragon series, continuing the memoir of Hiccup the Viking who right now is being hunted by both dragons and humans. Exiled, Hiccup has only his faithful dragons for company, but he presses on with his quest to find not only the Dragon Jewel, mankind's last and only hope, but his father, Stoick and dear friend Fishlegs.

The Dragon Rebellion has begun, led by the Dragon Furious whose aim is the extinction of the entire Viking race. The Vikings are being lead by Alvin the Treacherous, guided by his dreadful mother, the Witch Excellinor who is trapping and killing the dragons. She presides over the Vikings in the Amber Slavelands. Hiccup knows the dangers that await him there but he is determined to rescue his friend and Dad.

He has in his possession a map leading to where the Dragon Jewel can be found, but he is suddenly attacked by a terrible Silver Phantom dragon ridden by the Warrior, Valhallarama, his own mother!!! She almost kills Hiccup, not recognising him as her son, but after Hiccup escapes, he no longer has the map.

In her typical adventure-a-minute style, Cressida Cowell plunges Hiccup into one life-threatening situation after another, where he is hopeful one moment and in despair the next. Along with the suspense, plenty of mirth is generated, especially by Toothless, one of his dragons, who is totally incorrigible.

Hiccup may be in the midst of his enemies but he often finds he has friends to help at just the right moment. But when no-one can help him, he relies on his wits, especially his knowledge of dragons, which serves him well. Many will benefit from his actions, including a little girl called Eggingarde, who supplied Hiccup with an important clue to the disappearance of Fishlegs.

This volume thunders to a satisfying end, and yet there is more to come before Hiccup's memoir is complete and he is recognised for the Hero he is. Fans can look forward to the exciting conclusion in the series by this amazingly talented author.

Note: The fun thing about the How to Train Your Dragon books is that they don't have to be read in order.