The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson

9781497694224

252 Pages
Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Open Road Integrated Media

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Norse, Elves, Trolls, Giants, War

The Valgard is born, Imric, the elf king swaps the baby with a changeling and gives the baby the name Skafloc. He is given a broken sword that must be fixed by a Jotun named Bolverk. He grows to be a man but since he was raised by elves in Alfheim, he has some magic. There is a ware brewing with the trolls so Skafloc must have the sword mended. The blade once it is whole, calls for blood every time it is drawn.He meets and falls in love with Freda. She fights along his side as a shield maiden against the trolls.

This is a story similar to other in Norse mythology with gods and heroes. As in other Norse stories, the gods are not immortal. This is a story of good and evil with intervention by the gods. I knew what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed reading it. The book is well paced, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. If you like Norse mythology, you will enjoy this one.

Definitely vintage Poul Anderson retelling Norse myths. This time the tale is of the war between the elves and the trolls across Europe, but mainly England with a changeling tossed into the mix for variety. Romance (in both senses of the word) comes into play as does the otherness of the elves. Odin shows up for sinister relief, but mainly the reader experiences a dark, brooding landscape lit up by deeds of valor, sinister actions, and the stark beauty of Norse sagas. Be prepared for a chilly ride!

I received this free from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I love epic fantasy and for me this was a new edge to elves and other mythic creatures, but there was so much violence and hatred and no character that was even remotely likable that I found it hard to finish. It was too dark and no hope at all in it.