When her father and brothers are killed in a Viking raid, Ran's life changes forever. Her mother finds comfort in the arms of Vigut, a cruel stranger, and Ran must journey with them to the winter sacrifice. On the way her mother is fatally wounded by wolves, and Ran knows that her own life is worth nothing to Vigut. When she is chosen by the evil magician as the winter's sacrifice, she knows she must flee. Fortunately, a blind musician, Toki, comes to her aid, and together they set out on a perilous trek across the wilderness. Eventually, Ran and Toki find their way to Iceland, where, for a time, life is good. Then Toki is killed in an attack by raiders, and Ran finds herself alone again - this time with their two children to protect. But Ran is resilient, brave and determined to survive...
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Review
. . . a brutal, stark, utterly convincing evocation of the Dark Ages - and my tip for a future classic. -- PHILLIP PULLMAN, THE GUARDIAN
Henrietta Branford has brilliantly recreated the harsh world of the North at the time of the Vikings . . . -- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
To call this book compelling would be an understatement: teen readers will relish it . . -- TES
Henrietta Branford has brilliantly recreated the harsh world of the North at the time of the Vikings . . . -- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
To call this book compelling would be an understatement: teen readers will relish it . . -- TES
From the Publisher
Shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize.
Historically accurate and utterly gripping - Branford brings the past vividly to life.
Stunning new jacket gives this highly-acclaimed novel a fresh look.
Historically accurate and utterly gripping - Branford brings the past vividly to life.
Stunning new jacket gives this highly-acclaimed novel a fresh look.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is an excelent read, based in Viking times. It begins with a girl of around 16 named Ran after the goddess of the sea. She lives with her mother and grandmother, and she waits in hope for the day her father returns with her two brothers from over the sea.
Then one day a stranger arrives, and he tells her mother that her husband has been dead for a long time, and stays a while. Her mother is very taken with him, and it turns out they were lovers once.
When they go to another village for the Allfather celebrations, her whole life changes.
Now her life is in the hands of a cruel magician, her fate in the hands of a vile stranger and her destiny in the love of a travelling musician.
Ran's story is a gripping read and a touching story. I think it is an excellent piece of literature. I look forwards to reading more of Henrietta Branford's books.
Then one day a stranger arrives, and he tells her mother that her husband has been dead for a long time, and stays a while. Her mother is very taken with him, and it turns out they were lovers once.
When they go to another village for the Allfather celebrations, her whole life changes.
Now her life is in the hands of a cruel magician, her fate in the hands of a vile stranger and her destiny in the love of a travelling musician.
Ran's story is a gripping read and a touching story. I think it is an excellent piece of literature. I look forwards to reading more of Henrietta Branford's books.
By R. Constant
Format:Paperback
i read this book years ago when i was at middle school (after finding it by chance in the school library) and i can remember back then being wowed by it. it is a great story that is well written.
years later i was overjoyed to find it on a book stall (having looked out for it in the book shops but never finding it).
i think this is one of the first books that started off my passion and enjoyment for reading.
years later i was overjoyed to find it on a book stall (having looked out for it in the book shops but never finding it).
i think this is one of the first books that started off my passion and enjoyment for reading.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
If I had a pre-teen I would give them this book
3 Nov 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This book is an extremely well written, moving portrait of a young girl who is growing up in a harsh Viking environment. Against adversity she survives, finds love, loses love and gains wisdom. Highly recommended!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Yawn.
10 Jun 2001
By J. Ferreira
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
The setting was vividly imagined and realistic, but everything seemed too slow or too fast. If you particularly like this period of history, then you may enjoy this book, but the pacing -- first too fast, then too slow, then too fast -- made it hard for me to get through despite my initial enthusiastic interest in its premise.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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