Once having read and relished the intriguing opening sentence ("When I was nine years old, I hid under a table and heard my sister kill a king"), one cannot help but devour the rest of this novel at break-neck speed. An engrossing adventure story embroidered upon the known history of the Maid of Norway, its memorable characters exhibit courage and determination at every turn. Elements of sorcery blend smoothly with the aptly wrought historical realism; together they create a living image of a time and place. (Age 12 and older)