Sky in the Deep (Sky and Sea, #1)

by Adrienne Young

[Kelly]

The Aska villages strengthen for battle every five years in the name of Sigr, including seventeen year old Eelyn and her father. Occupying the coastal villages of the fjord, it is an honour for a warrior to represent her clan, wielding her weapons beside Mýra, her friend and fellow warrior. Five years after the loss of her brother during battle, he is seen in the forest depths, ending the lives of those who wept for the young man taken from their community, now warring alongside those he had once vowed to destroy.

Seventeen year old shield maiden Eelyn is gallant and courageous, an Aska warrior compelled by the memory of her deceased brother. Five years has elapsed as the violent crusade commenced in the name of Sigr, as Eelyn strengthens her resolve alongside her father and friend Mýra. The Riki converge to defend their honour and sanctity when Eelyn is overwhelmed by a Riki combatant, shielded by her brother upon the killing fields of Hylli. Her brother whose body was ostensibly forsaken to the wintry landscape.

Eelyn is wounded and captured by Fiske, a Riki warrior and kinsman to Eelyn's brother, transported to the village of Fela. Eelyn is hostile, denouncing her brother who has brought disgrace upon her family, the Aska and Sigr, the Scandinavian deity. An Aska warrior is a disposable commodity and to ensure Eelyn's protection while recovering from her wounds, Eelyn unwillingly becomes a dýr of servitude, to be traded after the winter dissolves. Eelyn is placed in the steel collar of a dýr and although Fiske's family are initially mistrusting, Eelyn is only expected to perform domestic duties rather than sexual as the narrative insinuates.

The Aska and Riki are being decimated by the Herja. The Herja are ruthless and inhumane, indiscriminately pillaging villages along the fjord by massacring entire communities. It is a moment of unification for the Aska and Riki villages, centuries of conflict have created a prejudice between alliances and to reconcile will ensure the survival of both communities.

I enjoyed the broad mythology of the Viking Iron Age despite being devoid of any significant historical information. The narrative appears to take place within the Nordic Viking Scandinavia homeland rather than maritime, although the Aska villages are situated along the fjord, a ravine created by a glacier. The native language used is also fictionalised throughout the advanced readers copy and I hope the finalised novel will provide readers with a glossary.

Sky In The Deep is magnificent. I was captivated by Eelyn and her resistance, her strength and humanity. The prose is captivating, the fictional wintry Scandinavian landscape is beautifully cinematic, exhilarating and atmospheric.