A Flame in the North - (Black Land's Bane) by Lilith Saintcrow (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Black Land is spent myth. Centuries have passed since the Great Enemy was slain. Yet old fears linger, and on the longest night of the year, every village still lights a ritual fire to banish the dark. That is Solveig's duty. Favored by the gods with powerful magic, Sol calls forth flame to keep her home safe. But when her brother accidentally kills a northern lord's son, she is sent away as weregild--part hostage, part guest--for a year and a day. The further north Sol travels, the clearer it becomes the Black Land is no myth. The forests teem with foul beasts. Her travel companions are not what they seem, and their plans for her and her magic are shrouded in secrecy. With only her loyal shieldmaiden and her own wits to reply upon, Sol must master power beyond her imagination to wrest control of her fate. For the Black Land's army stirs, ready to cover the world in darkness--unless Sol can find the courage to stop it."--

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow comes the first book in a thrilling Norse-inspired epic trilogy about ancient myth and magical destiny.

The Black Land is a myth: Centuries have passed since that Great Enemy was slain. Yet old fears linger, and on the longest night of the year, people in the South still light ritual bonfires to banish the dark.

In her village, this duty falls to Solveig, a girl favored by the gods with powerful fire magic. But when her brother kills a Northern lord's son during the ritual, it is Sol who faces punishment, by being weregild--part hostage, part guest--in the North for a year and a day.

As she journeys to her captivity, Sol starts to realize that the Black Land is no myth. The forests teem with foul beasts. Her travel companions are not what they seem, and their plans for her magic are shrouded in secrecy.

With only her loyal shieldmaiden and her own wits to rely upon, Sol must learn to master her powers and wrest control of her fate. For the Black Land's army stirs, ready to cover the world in darkness--unless Sol can find the courage to stop it.

The story continues in THE FALL OF WATERSTONE, available July 2024, and in the incredible conclusion DOOM OF THE ELDER, coming soon.

Review Quotes

Praise for Lilith Saintcrow:

"Saintcrow's rough, rawboned prose paints a world not on the edge, but already over it, revealing an alternate history of America that is achingly relevant to the America in which we live. Simply put, Saintcrow doesn't f*** around." --Chuck Wendig, author of Wanderers on Afterwar

"Incredibly timely, well written and important.... A testament to Saintcrow's skill." --Los Angeles Times on Afterwar

"A true faery story, creepy and heroic by turns. Love and hope and a touch of Midsummer Night's Dream. I could not put it down." --Patricia Briggs, author of the Mercy Thompson series on Trailer Park Fae

"Painfully honest, beautifully strange, and absolutely worth your time. Lilith Saintcrow is at the top of her game. Don't miss this." --Seanan McGuire, author of the Wayward Children series on Trailer Park Fae

About the Author

Lilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as an Air Force brat, and fell in love with writing when she was ten years old. She currently lives in Vancouver, WA.