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Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
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A FLAME IN THE NORTH

Lilith Saintcrow

A female-centric, Norse-inspired fantasy with an epic quest at its core. Perfect for fans of John Gwynne and H.M. Long, it's the start of the new epic fantasy series entitled The Black Land's Bane, following a wisewoman with elemental magic who is the key to protecting humanity from the return of the Great Enemy.
The Black Land is a spent myth, and these are modern times. At least, so says Solveig's father, and as his father told him. But after Solveig's brother accidentally kills a northern lord's son, she is sent north as a weregilt (part hostage, part honored guest) for a year and a day. As a volva - a wisewoman - and even rarer, an elementalist, Sol isn't quite upset at the notion of travel, for she has her shieldmaid companion and a fair share of magic to see her through the journey.

Yet the Black Land is no myth, and has merely been dormant for a few short mortal generations, biding its time. Upon its iron throne sits the Great Enemy, and trapped in his crown are two jewels of surpassing power, wrought by the Elder in the morning of the world. The third jewel, wrested free at great cost, is a prize beyond reckoning - but its power cannot be used, except by an elementalist. Solveig is the key to a weapon of great power, and the remaining Elder, not to mention the Men in service to them, will stop at nothing to control it. And her.

And once the Enemy hears word that another elementalist has been born, neither will he. Far from home, with only her shieldmaid and her own wits to rely upon, Solveig must not only master power beyond her imagination but also retain some measure of freedom - and even if she does, the Black Land looms, its armies and fell creatures ready to burst forth and cover the world in dark thralldom, unless the Elder, the Faithful, and the Third Jewel can stop him.
And then, there are the wolves...

Lilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as an Air Force brat, and fell in love with writing when she was ten years old. She currently lives in Vancouver, WA.
Available products
Book

Published 2024-02-01 by Orbit

Book

Published 2024-02-01 by Orbit

Comments

A FLAME IN THE NORTH is an exciting and fresh take on Norse folklore and mythology, and Saintcrow masterfully presents a successful, page-turning mystery. Fans of Saintcrow's expansive catalog will love this new setting, and she is sure to draw new readers who love stories of epic fantasy, magic, power, destiny, and friendship.

An action packed series opener about an elemental witch and her shieldmaiden, it's got dense worldbuilding and a complicated journey, all fully steeped in the magic and myth of Norse mythology. Fans of epic fantasy should take special note of this one.

This is a compelling world of quasi-Vikings, near-immortal Elders, and misshapen, evil orukhar. Tolkien fans will enjoy the many echoes of his work, including the orc-like orukhar and the great spiders of Mistwood. But this is more than just a remix of familiar epic fantasy tropesit's a fresh and compelling quest story in its own right, suffused with the bitter cold of a winter journey and the fear and wonder of stepping into a legend and doubting you can hold your own. A thoroughly satisfying tale for fantasy fans to sink their teeth into.

Saintcrow vividly paints the protagonist's journey, combining heart-pounding action with dense and complex worldbuilding. Epic fantasy fans will be enthralled.