The year is 1419. Ragnfridur and Thorkell are betrothed as children, by decision of their highranking parents. But Ragnfridur becomes pregnant by an English castaway, and after this Thorkell
leaves to study at the Sorbonne in Paris. While he is away, unrest grows in Iceland. The Norwegian authorities feel threatened by the growing English presence in Iceland. When Thorkell returns, and falls in with the English bishop of Holar, John William Craxton, he meets up with the bishop’s housekeeper, Ragnfridur, and her young son…

R E V I E W S

“…Vilborg has written a praiseworthy novel. It is carefully constructed, the use of language believable. Vilborg has great insight into her characters and often manages to describe a lot using simple language which is a great quality and shows understanding and self-discipline. … her story is very well written and is the best novel she has written to this day.”
STRIK.IS

“This book skilfully weaves together a story of great destinies, personal as well as social. It seems to have been very well researched and the grimness of its social struggles is expressed with great clarity. A finely-honed narrative, this is an extremely well written novel.”
MORGUNBLADID NEWPAPER

“The main emphasis is on suspense and on keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end…
Although this is a love-story and thriller, the narrative style is restrained, with the good guys being not completely good nor the crooks completely bad; in fact it is not always easy for the reader to pin down the motives of the characters in the story.
Without over-emphasizing the trials and tribulations of 15^th century folk, Vilborg still contrives to paint a picture of hardship and suspense. The dénouement is convincing and, what is more, leaves open the door to a sequel; there is no doubt that there will be more from Vilborg in this vein.”
DV NEWSPAPER