Falcon of the Faroe Islands

Valiant Vikings, #3

by

Jennifer Ivy Walker

Magic and suspense as the time for the fulfillment of a prophecy approaches!

Falcon of the Faroe Islands is the third book in author Jennifer Ivy Walker’s Valiant Vikings trilogy and takes the story to an amazing pinnacle before coming to its absolutely stunning close. Warrior-vitki Haldor Falk prepares to return to Normandy and his one true love, Úlvhild, as soon as his young acolyte and the grandson of Harald Bluetooth, Skjöld, completes his final challenge on his journey to become a noaidi. However, the vision of the future the young man sees during the ritual warns of an imminent attack against a Dwarven stronghold, and they are compelled to respond, warning the Drarves and helping them in their defense; their future is tied to that of Haldor and Skjöld. So begins the chain of events that can lead to the fulfillment or failure of a prophecy foretold before Skjöld’s birth. 

What a truly satisfying conclusion to this wonderful epic fantasy! The characters are unforgettable by their deep and abiding love, loyalty, and respect for one another. I could feel the powerful yearning Haldor carries for Úlvhild as he dreams of their reunion after eight years apart. She returns that affection in spades, and I ached for her as she saw what her love would compel her to do in the near future. The trilogy is full of intense love and deeply emotional connections between couples that last and last. As for newer relationships, the immediate chemistry between Skjöld and Skadi was delicious and palpable. 

As the story comes full circle, the action moves from the far northern Scandinavian islands near the Arctic Circle to Normandy and Paris, France. The vivid descriptions of the settings make these ancient places come alive, and I felt as if I were there alongside the characters, whether on a remote island sitting around a campfire, in a mystical cave, on board a ship in rough water, or in a majestic, magical fortress.

 The plot is well-paced with exciting action and battle sequences interspersed with more character-driven moments of tender romance, quiet introspection, longing, and the contemplation of sacrifices to come. By this third book, the magic foundation is well established and robust, consistent and well explained, so I had no confusion about how things worked or what to expect. I would have loved a glossary with a pronunciation guide for all the foreign terms, just because I’m fairly new to the myths and lore. 

The author does a lovely job of weaving the basics of the previous two novels into this story so that it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. However, the earlier books were also 5-star reading experiences for me, and I believe they shouldn’t be missed. I recommend FALCON OF THE FAROE ISLANDS to readers of epic fantasies who enjoy paranormal elements and Norse legends and lore.

For this and other book reviews, visit my blog, Guatemala Paula Loves to Read.