Dragon of Denmark
By Jennifer Ivy Walker
By Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications
Page Length: 322 Pages
Genre: Viking Historical Romance
Skårde the Scourge, bastard son of the Danish king Harald Bluetooth, is a fierce Viking warlord who earned the prestigious title Dragon of Denmark through victorious battles and lucrative Viking raids. When his royal father announces that Skårde will forge a Viking alliance through an arranged marriage to the daughter of Richard the Fearless, the Dragon of Denmark considers the voyage to Normandy an infuriating banishment.
Illegitimate daughter of Richard the Fearless, the Viking Duke of Normandy, Ylva is a Druid priestess and Celtic healer with the otherworldly gift of sight. She learns that she must leave her Breton village behind and travel to Normandy, where she will marry the Viking brute that she has foreseen in a terrifying vision.
When the Frankish king, determined to drive the Vikings from Normandy, attacks and seizes Richard’s clifftop fortress, the Dragon of Denmark must ally with Ljósálfar Light Elves, a Viking völva with powerful seiðr magic, and a vitki-- a shapeshifting sorcerer who can assume the form of a falcon--to reclaim the ducal palace.
Dragon of Denmark is a sizzling, scintillating blend of historical fiction, Norse mythology, paranormal fantasy, and steamy Viking romance!
Skårde the Scourge, the bastard offspring of Danish king, Harald Bluetooth, is a renowned Viking warlord with the respected moniker Dragon of Denmark for his conquering feats and profitable raids. His illegitimacy means he will never inherit his father’s lands, but his father has finally found a use for him. The marriage of Skårde and Ylva, the illegitimate daughter of Richard the Fearless, will strengthen the alliance between the two powerful Viking dynasties.
Who would want a Celtic priestess ruined by Nordic blood? Ylva tries her best to hide her shame about her heritage, but with her mother's death, the only protection she has is the rumours of her being a witch. However, a small group of villagers are growing bolder and have begun hunting her - she believed that being captured would have dire consequences for her. While she evaded capture this time, there’s no guarantee she will do so again. Feeling overwhelmed by loneliness and fear, she concentrates on crushing leaves in her mortar and pestle and tries not to think about everything she will never have, like a husband. Little did she realise that her father, who had abandoned her in childhood, was about to appear in her life again, for he needed her for a political alliance with Harald Bluetooth.
An arranged marriage that neither party desired. Could the Dragon of Denmark and a Celtic priestess find love in each other’s arms?
Jennifer Ivy Walker has showcased her talent yet again with her outstanding new novel, Dragon of Denmark.
At the start of the narrative, Ylva appears as a shy woman, always staying on the fringes of society, never feeling like she fits in. However, when her father re-enters her life, he takes Ylva away from the familiar world she has always known and throws her into a whole new reality. She finally had friends, a new family, and a husband with whom she was irrevocably falling in love with. Ylve is a character with a deeply spiritual personality who also possesses wondrous healing abilities. Moreover, she possesses exceptional generosity and kindness. The author beautifully portrayed her relationship with Skårde. It’s impossible for a reader not to adore Ylva.
The depiction of Skårde as the quintessential hero includes him being strong, loyal, and an exceptional lover. However, he is also highly empathetic and comprehends the fear Ylva must be feeling regarding this political marriage of alliance. Right from the beginning, he shows her kindness and respect, but soon he falls in love with her. Despite moments of genuine concern for his safety, Skårde’s endearing character is a driving force in the story.
Another character that deserves to be mentioned is Úlvhild. Úlvhild is an awe-inspiring völva, a mystic, who uses herbs, crystals, and runes. Her seidr vision predicts the future, and she is greatly valued by all members of the community. She enhances the ethical aspect of her character by using a staff-like wand, which she bangs on the floor as she enters into another realm. Despite being portrayed as otherworldly, she is not a character that induces fear; in fact, she is a very gentle and caring woman who readers can truly empathise with. She is also a gracious teacher who willingly teaches her vardlokkur chants, incantations, and spells to both Maeve and Ylva, for she sees in them that they too have the gift.
Similarly, Haldor Falk stands out as another memorable character, as he also delves into magic and possesses the ability to shift shapes. His representation was truly exquisite, contributing to the fantastical ambience of the novel.
The awe-inspiring allure of Pays de Caux in Normandy has been splendidly showcased. The cliffs’ beauty, the coastline’s magnificence, and the green pastures truly ignite the readers’ imagination. The sea mist and fragrant flowers emitted a nearly tangible scent, along with the enticing aroma of herbs like chamomile, thyme, juniper, rosemary, lavender, and comfrey, carefully chosen by Ylva, Úlvhild, and Maeve, for their healing and magical properties. Similarly, the reader can almost taste the flavour of the food, it is depicted so vividly. Walker’s portrayal of sensory experiences demonstrates her prowess as an author.
The combination of Norse and Celtic mythology and the historical reality of this era has been beautifully merged. The representation of Richard I of Normandy, Harald Bluetooth, and Lothair of France is excellently portrayed, albeit with some embellishments for the sake of animating non-historical personalities. Walker has taken these characters and made them breathe again, bringing them to a new audience of readers. The author has meticulously researched every historical detail in this novel, infusing it with her knowledge of herbs, crystals, and deities, creating an immersive reading experience. Kudos, Ms Walker. Kudos, indeed.
The novel portrays a struggle between light and darkness, as well as the blurred lines between the two. This is most evident in the depiction of the Light and Dark Elves. The novel depicts the Light Elves as beautiful, peaceful beings in harmony with nature, while it portrays the Dark Elves as sinister, inducing a sense of terror in the reader. Even though the battle of the Elves is in the background of this novel, it contributes an additional captivating aspect to the story.
Prophecies serve as a vital element in this novel, bridging the gap between the past, present, and potential future. These predictions drive the storyline by establishing objectives that the plot aims to accomplish. The significance of these goals is crucial in creating outstanding suspense and anticipation in this story. The prophecies also give the reader insight into potential events, but they, like the characters, must wait for the events to come to pass. The intertwining of prophecies, visions, and deities truly makes this book a captivating read.
The love story of Skårde and Ylva is swoon-worthy, with intimate moments and an intriguing depiction of the connection between two similar yet different individuals. Their relationship really is the centre of this story. Coming from two completely different backgrounds, they somehow complete each other’s lives. Skårde serves as a warrior, and Ylva fulfils the roles of healer and seer, but their unity elevates them beyond their individual feats. Together, they are one. Throughout the book, readers may find themselves reaching for tissues as the characters confront external pressures like a looming battle, yet there is a constant feeling of their destinies being connected. Their romantic relationship seemed very realistic and was beautifully portrayed.
Dragon of Denmark by Jennifer Ivy Walker is a well-crafted historical romance novel that successfully intertwines spirituality, mythology, history, and romance. The author’s strengths lie in the portrayal of complex and likeable characters, the integration of Norse and Celtic elements, and the attention to sensory details. The plot is well-structured with a clear narrative arc, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged. With its captivating storyline and immersive setting, this novel comes highly recommended to fans of historical romances with a touch of the fantastical.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
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Dragon of Denmark
Jennifer Ivy Walker
JEnthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, spending summers in France as a foreign exchange student, exploring medieval castles and troglodyte caves in the Loire Valley, sites of pilgrimage such as le Mont-Saint-Michel, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.
As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.
Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.
Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.
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I really want to read this book now!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Mary! I hope you give it a try!
DeleteYou book sounds absolutely fantastic, I love the whole mythical / magical side of Viking history. I shall look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Jamie. I hope you love it!
DeleteThank you so very much for this fabulous review of Dragon of Denmark! I am truly honored and delighted that you loved my novel!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. I have added your book to my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jennifer. Next stop, Amazon!!
ReplyDelete