Poul Anderson Mother of Kings

Annotation

This epic tale based on Norse sagas by the Science Fiction Grand Master ';proves that he is indeed a master!' (Robert Jordan, #1 New York Timesbestselling author). In Mother of Kings, Poul Anderson ';brings to life the bloodthirsty Norse as they evolve into the looting, plundering Vikings of popular lore' (Publishers Weekly). During the tenth century, Gunnhild, the daughter of a Norse warlord, is sent to study sorcery under the auspices of two Finnish wizards. She is able to ensnare as a husband a man she has only seen in visionsthe formidable Norse king Eirik Blood-Axand bears him nine children. Wielding her magic as a weapon, Gunnhild survives political intrigues and power struggles at Eirik's side, forging a family dynasty that will cement its place in Scandinavian legend and lore... ';An unquestionably great work.' Kirkus Reviews ';The genre's guru blends mythology and history into a powerhouse of a tale that tells readers the story of Gunnhild, a real persona who has received legendary status over the last millennium. The gritty but vivid story line provides a powerful look at the tenth century as rarely seen by literature except perhaps [in] Beowulf and that is a few centuries earlier. The beginning of the end of the Age of the Vikings is fitting posthumous triumph from one of the greats.' AllReaders.com