December 20, 2021
Tolmie (The Fourth Island) sends an Icelandic trader thousands of miles searching for horses to bring home in this charming historical novella adorned with ghosts, magic, and tribal warfare. In the ninth century, Eyvind and fellow trader David hope to get rich through horse trading, a valuable commodity on the cold, rocky island of Iceland. This ambition takes them through Rus and Khazaria to the grassy steppes of Mongolia, where the men meet a chieftain willing to trade his horde of horses if Eyvind, whom the chieftain believes is a magician, will dispel the ghost of Bortë, one of his wives, who’s haunting his tribe and terrorizing his horses. With the help of Bortë’s mother, Eyvind calms the ghost, who then takes the form of a beautiful white mare that no one in the tribe can see. Rewarded with 25 horses, including this mystical mare, Eyvind and David make the dangerous trek back, along the way facing battlefields, bandits, and toll collectors. In the sparse but elegant style of ancient fables, Tolmie weaves a saga of whimsy and magic against a lavish historical backdrop. Historical fantasy fans are sure to root for this reluctant hero and his fabulous beasts.
March 1, 2023
Tolmie's (The Fourth Island) writing and Ulf Bjorklund's narration combine to create a magical storytelling atmosphere, like one relayed by a fireplace of yore. It may be bleak outside, but anticipation for the finale keeps listeners as warm as the fire itself. Icelandic trader Eyvind embarks on an epic quest to bring horses back to Iceland--a journey that takes him to the steppes of Mongolia and back again. Along the way, he contends with ghosts, war, clashing religions, and bandits, eventually rediscovering his place at home. Swedish narrator Bjorklund provides an affable, measured delivery that, along with his Swedish accent, comfortably pulls listeners into this journey across thousands of miles. This brief audiobook concludes satisfyingly, while also feeling like it is a piece of a greater saga. With any luck, a second installment will be coming soon. The brevity of the narrative and Tolmie's spare writing style do not leave much room for a rich inner life, meaning that listeners who wish for deep character development might not be as enchanted. VERDICT With a run time of slightly over two hours, there is little risk and great reward for trying out this audio gem.--Matthew Galloway
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