Customer Reviews

By the Mountain Bound

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Einherjar and the Waelcyge are the immortal Children of the Light that were born of the sea when the world was created. For five hundred years, they were charged with protecting the human race and preparing for the war that would one day come. As they anticipated the glory of fighting with honor, it never occurred to them that the final battle would be with each other.

This series, the EDDA OF BURDENS, seems to have gotten somewhat mixed reviews. Some readers don't like the order of the books. By the Mountain Bound is the second book, which is the story that leads up to the last battle at the beginning of the first book, All the Windwracked Stars. Personally, I love it and wouldn't change a thing.

I do have to admit that I had a hard time getting through one of the early chapters (I started to wonder if the title should be By the "Broke-back" Mountain Bound and yeah, I admit, the "rated R" sexual content wouldn't have bothered me as much if it was heterosexual -- Sorry, I'm old and don't know better.) But once past those few pages, I realized this was an important element in the story, and I still grew to like both characters very much.

In fact, even though Elizabeth Bear has created a very original and engrossing plot, it's the terrific characters that make this story work.

Anyone who read the first book or has a vague knowledge of Norse mythology already has a good idea of how this ends. Knowing the conclusion does not lessen its impact -- and there are still a few surprises.

I've always had a place in my heart for the "few stood against many/ no hope of winning" stories, but to make that that theme to work, the reader really has to be able to empathize with the characters. I found that my admiration for the courage of Einherjar, the Waelcyrge, and the Valraven -- the Waelcyrges' war-mounts -- was equaled by my regret for those that dishonored themselves to become "tarnished." Even when one of my favorite characters commits a horrific act, my remorse for him outweighed the outrage that demanded justice.

By the mountain bound has the inevitability of a Greek Tragedy without however the the moral. Unless the moral is that "the history of man is the histroy of War". Being an old heterosexual male I did not care much about the homosexual love affair of the two protagonists, but that's maybe because I just can't understand homosexual love. I loved the windwrecked stars. Had I read this first I might not have gone on, but now I want to back to the windwrecked stars.

This book is part of the Edda of Burdens trilogy, the first chronologically, but second in publishing order after All the Windwracked Stars. It works well as a standalone, and I think it's a better place to start reading, as it's more linear and less confusing than All the Windwracked Stars. Each book really enhances the reading of the other, filling in details and resolving mysteries.

The Plot: Einherjar and waelcyrge (angels and valkyrie) are Children of the Light, charged with protecting humans under the guidance of the Light. The 3 main characters (in this book as well as the trilogy) are Stifbjorn - the leader, Mingan - the Wolf, older and more powerful than the rest, survivor of the previous world's end, given new shape in this one, and Muire - smaller of the valkyrie, historian and poet rather than warrior, hopelessly in love with Stifbjorn, who shares a secret and forbidden relationship with Mingan the Wolf.

Everything is upended when a mysterious stranger, Heythe, appears, claiming to be their foretold Lady and challenging Stibjorn for leadership. Yet there are hints of darkness about her, and she may destroy the Children instead of saving them.

The writing is achingly beautiful, and the focus is on the characters' emotional journey (angst! love, betrayal, loyalty, sacrifice). I absolutely loved it. I liked all the characters, and Mingan's POV was particularly compelling. There's pieces of Norse mythology woven through. This is a book to read and re-read.

In the north of Valdyrgard, the immortal Children of Light, the warrior males, the einherjar, and females, the waelcyrge, live in their great halls, feasting, fighting and guarding humanity. The noble Strifbjorn has always been their leader, but he harbors a secret. Muire, one of the smallest waelcyrge, a poet and historian, is secretly in love with him. Mingan the Grey Wolf is one of three beings who remain from the old world that died 500 years before, and although he wears the form of an einherjar now, he is more at home away from the others among the wolf pack in the woods. The already volatile allegiances are shaken when a stranger comes amongst them: Heythe, a mysterious woman who is discovered half-drowned on the coast. Signs and omens hint that she may be the Lady whose coming was foretold. She claims that she must lead them if they all are to survive the deadly enemy that chases her.

This book is a prequel to ALL THE WINDWRACKED STARS. I don't think it's necessary to have read that book first, in fact, if you don't want to know what happens in a story, it's probably best not to! I think I might have preferred to read this one first, with its introduction to the curious society of the Children and their powers and abilities. This book definitely has an ending, although it's obvious the complete story isn't told. Fortunately there is the other book, for those who want to know more. This tale, about love, vengeance and betrayal--and the ending of gods and worlds, is strangely compelling. I'm definitely left wanting to read more about these characters and this universe.

For over five centuries the Children of Light lived in northern Valdyrgard. Immortal, they work for the Bearer of Burdens and know their mission is to protect humans. Using crystal swords, they are a fierce fighting force.

Einherjar war chieftain Strifbjorn saves a drowning female who is neither human nor Immortal. She insists she is the Lady of Legend that they have waited to arrive. To prove her deity she fights and defeats Strifbjorn's lover Mingan the Gray Wolf, giving her command of the fighting force. As she tries to prepare her defiant warriors against the attack of the Giants, the post Ragnarok end has begun.

This prequel to ALL THE WINDWRACKED STARS leads to how Muire the historian cowardly survived the end of the world. The story line is complex with readers deeply involved in the emotional big crunch. Ironically fans of the writer know how the tale ends yet cannot resist the trip to find out how Elizabeth Bear takes her readers there. This is a great addition to Nordic mythology by one of the best authors at writing exhilarating mythological fantasies.

Harriet Klausner

Another airport desperation buy gone wrong. It started slow but showed potential. Got to the gay sex scene, put the book down on the airport bench and left it there. I'd rather read the air safety card for 3 hours. Your results may vary.

Depressing book where every single character dies, including blameless mortals, and even a reference to puppies being left on the mountain to die!

Life is depressing enough without reading this drawn-out tale of woe. Geez. What a waste of time. What was the point of writing this?