Released in 2024, the novel “A Flame in the North” by Lilith Saintcrow is a fantasy story based on the history of the Viking era of Northern Europe. Saintcrow is noted for a few other books, such as the Steelflower Chronicles. A Flame in the North is the first in the Black Land’s Bane ongoing series.
The story follows Solveig, a volva (magic user) and her shieldmaiden, Arneior. They are taken away from their home in Dun Rithell and taken to the Black Lands, a dark and dangerous realm of monsters and ancient terrors. Much of the story is developing with characters journeying from place to place searching for sanctuary.
The premise is centered around a few key themes, partially including classic Tolkienesque ideas such as the epic struggle between good and evil. Also present are tropes borrowed from Northern European literature about the real-world Viking era, most notably the struggle for agency in a world driven by fate. The story was also enhanced by being told from a woman’s perspective, making the battle against fatalism all the more poignant.
The story is written for a fairly mature audience and has a more grim tone, but a reader from a Young Adult background could pick it up. The prose is just complex enough to keep the reader engaged, though a series of complex Norse-Gaelic terms and many proper nouns make certain sections difficult to parse. I don’t find this insurmountable, but if a reader has trouble with complex terminology, they may find this detracts from their enjoyment.
My favorite moment is when Solveig is first sent away from her home. The beginning of the story takes the time to set up how this place is significant to her. Even though the characters in Dun Rithell are not as prevalent later in the book, it’s clear that there is an emotional connection to the people of that place — the introduction to the world feels human.
A Flame in the North is a good fit for those that enjoy the dark fantasy genre, especially those who want a digestible read centered around magic in a cruel world.
