JH Lillevik

Since I have not blogged for a long while, and I apologise for that, I thought I would switch it up a bit and do a review of a book that unfortunately is not available in English. This book is the first book in Siri Pettersen’s trilogy Ravneringene, which can be translated as Raven Rings, Odinsbarn (Child of Odin).

Odinsbarn is placed in the mythical lands called Ymselanda, a collection of eleven former kingdoms. The story follows Hirka, a young girl, who has grown up with her father who is a healer. At the beginning of the story they live in the small community of Elveroa on the western coast of Ymselanda. The people living in these kingdoms are basically a version of “jotnene”, a mythical norse race often refered to as trolls or ettins in English. Hirka has grown up with her good friend Rime An-Elderin, who is the heir to one of the chairs of the council of Ymselanda. He returns to Elveroa after a few years in the capital of Ymselanda. Hirka is about to participate in the rites of her people when her father reveals a secret about her origins.

Siri Pettersen has created a wonderful world where the humans (menskr) are the evil creatures and the reason for superstition. To read such a tale is wonderful for a guy who is trying to create his own fantasy based upon the Norse myths and sagas. She masterfully leads you through a world that is colorful, deep and dark. Hirka is a conflicted protoganist with personal flaws and wants things she knows she cannot have. The antigonist, Urd, is not evil without reason. He is in fact one of my favorite antigonist throughout the fantasy genre. As you read the book, you really feel for the characters.

The book is classified as young adult fantasy, but I would say that it crosses boundries that can make it relevant for adults as well. As of late I have been really concerned about groupthinking and I think this book adresses some of thos issues brilliantly.

I hope that it will be translated into English so that you, my readers, can enjoy it as well and if you’re a reader who has access to this book, please pick it up. I highly recommend it and I really look forward to reading the second book “Råta”.