Anyone who has yet to discover the stunningly talented Kim Wilkins is probably going to be in for a shock should they read this book. Those more fortunate will already know what to expect from this latest offering. Meticulous plotting, fully believable and gripping characters that refuse to conform to the standard, irritating stereotypes of genre fiction and a consistant level of tension that makes finshing the book essential for your heart rate returning to normal.
The second book in what is proving to be the jaw-droppingly fabulous Europa Suite sees a move away from Germany and it's fairy tales to the chillier and less compromising Norway and accompanying Norse mythology. Resolved cynic Victoria finds herself in over her head on the remote weather station she's applied to work for as Otherworldly forces gather. Meanwhile Vidar, son of Odin, discovers that his murdered true love has returned to the mortal plane and he must now find a way to be with her that will also keep her safe from his murderous father's attention.
It's a truly gripping read, all the more so for the way in which the pieces are set so carefully into play by the author. And unlike so many others writing today, Kim Wilkins is not afraid of carrying her plot through to deliver an ending most would shy away from. This sort of writing takes guts and a level of conviction for her craft that you would be hard-pressed to find an equal for. As a final note: avoid the American edition at all costs.
