Marillier, Juliet. Foxmask.

MARILLIER, Juliet. Foxmask. Tor. 563p. c2003. 0-765-34591-0. $7.99. SA

This epic fantasy begins several years after the author's novel Wolfskin ends. Eyvind, the heroic Norseman, and Nessa, the former priestess of the Folk, have brought peace to their two societies and now live happily in the Light Isles. Their daughter Creidhe is of marrying age and has fallen in love with a childhood friend, Thorvald, a moody and distant young man. Knowing Thorvald's ancestry, Eyvind is not greatly supportive of Creidhe's desire to marry him. As the story begins, Thorvald's mother decides that the time is right for Thorvald to learn the truth. She reveals that Thorvald's true father is Somerled, the power-hungry murderer and traitor banished from the Light Isles before Thorvald's birth. Tormented by this knowledge yet determined to know something about the man, Thorvald plans a secret journey to find Somerled. Creidhe, worried about Thorvald's ability to survive on his own, stows away on the Sea Dove to assist him on his quest. Creidhe and Thorvald have no idea how drastically their lives will change in the Northern Isles. One will find success as a respected leader while the other will find true love and loss.

Blending history with fantasy, Marillier is a masterful storyteller with a spellbinding voice that keeps readers engrossed. Providing rich, fascinating characters and evocative prose, the author offers readers another group of islanders caught in crisis with new heroes brought to the forefront. An author's note details the events and locations that are real and those that are imaginary. Although the novel provides a recap of events from the previous book and can stand alone, those who don't want to miss a detail will want to start with Wolf-skin. Recommended for epic fantasy readers, this novel will especially be enjoyed by fans of Norse history and legend. Ginger Armstrong, Prin. Lib. Assoc., County PL, Chesterfield, VA