Valley of the Vikings

The mighty gods Neptune and Thor are caught in fiercesome battle in the skies above the ocean; with curses and threats ringing out, as their weapons collide, a forceful magic creates vivid lightning strikes and enormous waves, opening a chasm which swallows a Viking ship and its entire crew, taking them and their secrets down into the dark, churning depths. Then a calm, as if nothing untoward had ever occurred.

Fast forward a thousand years and two young friends, Emily and Shona, discover a bangle on the seashore containing an unusual blue crystal. Little do they know that this crystal is part of a millennium-long mystery, that will play a part in events affecting the whole world.

The narrator of the story is Emily Windsnap, Liz Kessler’s half-mermaid, half-human (or semi-mer) character who has now starred in ten books about her adventures. She does, however, explain her background quite quickly and this book can easily be read as a standalone story without needing to know any more of the backstory to enjoy the tale. Emily’s friends and family are a wonderful mix of mermaids and humans, who now comfortably exist in the same world. With their help, she begins to uncover more details about the crystal, including a meeting with the mighty power-loving Neptune himself, who shares his version of past momentous events. When the friends’ exploration of the seabed and previously undiscovered caves takes an unexpected turn, they realise that unless they act quickly and persuade the selfish gods to reverse their centuries-old actions, the world as they know it may be destroyed forever.

Valley of the Vikings is a wonderful mix of fantasy, mythology and environmental message, delivered in a fast-paced whirlwind of an adventure. Vikings, gods and mer-men sit alongside Emily and her mermaid friends, ensuring that the book will appeal to a wide cross-section of young readers. They are a bright, loyal group with a strong sense of social justice and the story weaves cleverly to show that greed is never the answer, while working together as a community is how harmony in the world is restored and maintained.  Whilst wonderfully accessible to younger readers who will enjoy the exciting adventure, the book comes with a message that will give thought to older readers and will delight both current and new fans.