Genre: Historical Fantasy
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: KA Masters
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About The Book
Three disparate women; one common goal: survive.
Jorunn holds fast to duty and honor. The stalwart shieldmaiden is admired for her skill and courage in a harsh landscape beset by dangers and enemies. Would she sacrifice it all for the love of a beautiful, mysterious woman?
Madlen, a revered holy sister of the Eldríss Hringr, bears a sacred mission to guard Miðgarðr from Surtr and the monstrous fire giants of Muspelheim on an island dominated by a volcanic passage between the realms. While inexplicably drawn to Jorunn, her obligation to the sisters and their tasks must remain her priority.
Young, quick-witted, and sharp-tongued Yngvi, forced into a marriage she didn’t want, would much rather be safeguarding the world with Jorunn and Madlen. However, she loves her children with a fierce passion that guides her every action.
Omens, prophecies, and visions from the gods hint at monstrous threats looming over the land—attacks by the draugr of folklore and a bitter, dark winter to surpass previous ones. When the unthinkable happens, many proclaim Ragnarök has come. Can Jorunn’s, Madlen’s, and Yngvi’s diverse talents save their kingdom, or will the gloomy nightmare spell the end of mankind?
Edale Lane presents another Tale from Norvegr, a thrilling historical fantasy kissed by sapphic romance. Micheal Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead (The 13th Warrior) meets George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones with lesbians! If you enjoy watching the past unfold through epic battles, historic disasters, and the love and perseverance of strong women, don’t miss The Long Winter of Miðgarðr.
The Review
As the fourth installment of the Tales of Norvegr series, a new reader might balk at picking this book up without reading the first three in the series. However, since each book is loosely connected to the last, this can easily be read as a standalone book. No knowledge of ancient history or Norse mythology is necessary to enjoy this book; the story is immersed in the time period without a reader needing to consult Wikipedia or Google.
The best part of this book was the amazingly complex character development of the three protagonists, and how much attention the author paid to showcasing how each woman’s social class affected their lives. Shieldmaiden Jorunn can boldly and openly pursues the woman she loves, but noblewoman Yngvi must struggle to choose between serving her people and following her heart.
When disaster strikes, Jorunn receives praise and accolades for her valiant deeds in saving her kin, and yet the townspeople completely dismiss the invisible labor of Yngvi, whose intelligence and inventions literally save her people from starvation. Jorunn can use her privilege to build a cottage with Madlen and enjoy domestic bliss together, yet Yngvi must spend every waking moment with no privacy and no space that is hers alone. In highlighting these lifestyle differences between each protagonist, the author reveals the immensity of their writing talent.
Of these three protagonists, my favorite was Madlen, and the author’s sincere and realistic portrayal of the character’s demisexuality. It can be daunting for an author to portray any character on the ace spectrum, but Edale does a remarkable job in portraying Madlen as not a caricature, but as a human being exploring her place in the world just like the rest of us.
5 stars.
The Reviewer
KA Masters [she/her] is an ace author who writes queer fairy tales and historical fantasy. Although she believes that every good story needs elves and / or explosions in them, her most recent publication, “Sappho in Violet and Gray,” sadly does not include either. You can read more about her on her Goodreads Author Profile K_A_Masters.
