Daughter of Doom - by Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Denmark, 870 AD. Yrsa knows her place in the village of Mimir's Stool. Though she was born with a crooked foot, she's never let anyone underestimate her; after all, she's the daughter of Toke the helmsman and granddaughter of the fearsome warrior Gudrun the Torch (who, according to legend, stood before the walls of Paris, splattered in the blood of Frankish warriors). And no one else in the village shares her ability to see what the Norns, the three weavers who live under the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree, and craft people's fates, have in store for them. One day the men return from a raid with a high-ranking hostage, Sister Job, and though the two girls couldn't be more different, they look out for one another. And when one of the villagers viciously assaults Sister Job and she and Yrsa mortally wound him in self-defense, they're forced to take to the sea to escape the wrath of the warriors of Mimir's Stool, and worse, the wrath of the gods. Can either of them escape their fate? Do they even want to?"--Amazon.

Book Synopsis

Denmark, 870 AD. Yrsa knows her place in the village of Mimir's Stool. Though she was born with a crooked foot, she's never let anyone underestimate her; after all, she's the daughter of Toke the helmsman and granddaughter of the fearsome warrior Gudrun the Torch (who, according to legend, stood before the walls of Paris, splattered in the blood of Frankish warriors). And no one else in the village shares her ability to see what the Norns, the three weavers who live under the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree, and craft people's fates, have in store for them.

One day the men return from a raid with a high-ranking hostage, Sister Job, and though the two girls couldn't be more different, they look out for one another. And when one of the villagers viciously assaults Sister Job and she and Yrsa mortally wound him in self-defense, they're forced to take to the sea to escape the wrath of the warriors of Mimir's Stool, and worse, the wrath of the gods. Can either of them escape their fate? Do they even want to?

From the acclaimed author of Ironhead, or, Once a Young Lady, comes Daughter of Doom, a dark historical adventure about fate, faith, and free will set on the rollicking seas in the age of Vikings.

Review Quotes

"It is hard to imagine any reader not being absolutely carried away by this story of two girls--one a disabled but incredibly brave Viking, the other her proud Christian hostage--battling the most brutal forces of medieval Europe to save each other. Men, gods, and faith all conspire to kill or enslave Yrsa and Job, but at every turn they prove they're smarter and braver than everyone around them. An exciting, engaging and wonderfully inspiring page-turner for any teen or adult!

"Offers a sweeping, atmospheric story of faith and friendship set against a tumultuous world... Though the slow-burning tale features a large cast, it never loses sight of its two heroines and their steadfast bond."

"Readers interested in Viking times will appreciate the detailed descriptions of everyday customs and the interwoven lore of Norse gods and goddesses... and readers who enjoy philosophical or theological discussions will find much to ponder. Atmospheric and thought-provoking."

About the Author

Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem is a Belgian writer and producer. He has a master's degree in languages. He has written or co-written screenplays for fifteen feature films in Flanders and the Netherlands including Cannes Critics' Week screenplay award winner Moscow, Belgium (2008). Jean-Claude is the co-author of several critically acclaimed and widely translated Young Adult novels, including Galgenmeid and A Sword in Her Hand.