Synopsis
The crowning volume of Farmer's bestselling trilogy begins with a tornado. The fields of Jack's village are devastated, the winter looks bleak, and a monster invades the forest outside of town. But even the direst of prospects are part of the fun as Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard set off on a quest to right the wrong of a death caused by Father Severus. Destination: Notland, realm of the fin folk, and, unfortunately for the adventurers, Not Always There.
Kirkus Reviews
Jack, Thorgil and the Bard are off on a new quest in this immensely satisfying conclusion of the trilogy that began with The Sea of Trolls (2004) and continued in The Land of the Silver Apples (2007). This time it's not a kidnapping that sets the stage but a draugr, an undead spirit seeking revenge and threatening Jack's world. To stop her, the three head off to Notland, realm of the fin folk. It's a wondrous tale of hobgoblins, mermaids and sea hags, Saxons and Northmen, old gods and young bards, thoroughly steeping readers in Norse mythology. It's also a long, beautifully written tale, expertly weaving together several story lines and informing readers new to the series of crucial plot points from the previous volumes. Even the appendix is fun, offering additional information and a link to a site where a Celtic war trumpet can be heard. Readers may well suspect-and hope-that a new series of Jack's tales may be in the offing. (Fantasy. 10-14)