ISBN: 1-85723-088-4 Order from: Amazon.co.uk
In this rather mediocre horror-like fantasy, there mystery is telegraphed early, and the action, investigation and romance are rather mechanical.
Reviewed by David on October 15, 2000
Genre: Fantasy (Archeology, English Village, Suspense)
Synopsis: In a sleepy coastal village in Yorkshire, the daily routine is enlivened when a nearby dig finds the well-preserved remains of a Viking ship. The dig, of increasing interest to reporters and an archeological team, becomes of interest to the local police when destructive vandals attack it and the nearby museum with Viking artifacts. As the local mutter about old legends, and a sudden cold spell cuts the village off from the mainland, ancient history becomes a matter of life and death for the archeologists as well as locals.
Full Review: The set of characters, including ambitious archeologists, selfish reporters and dubious locals, is well drawn but is highly predictable. The mysery of the unfolding events, with its increasing tint of the supernatural is obvious to any reader of the genre, and the ensuing investigation lack much suspense. The actions and the fights follow the conventions of horror rather more than fantasy, although there are some elements of high fantasy at the end of the book, where they appear a bit out of place.
The book lacks the scope of invention that Michael Rohan Scott's other works show, and its conventional cast of characters add little to the material.
Note, the book is not sold in the US. It's available in the UK publishing region.
Overall: 4.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 4; Style: 5; World-building: 5; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1986, Orbit, 1994, Mass market paperback, 376 pages
ISBN: 1-85723-088-4 Order from: Amazon.co.uk