The Soul Thief (Paperback)

~ (Author) "You coward, Corban..." (more)
Key Phrases: potter woman, merchant boat, baker woman, Lady of Hedeby, Sweyn Eelmouth, Corban Loosestrife (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A bloody Viking raid on an Irish coastal town is the springboard for a nonstop romp through a fictional time of evil sorcery, ruthless kings, fierce pirates, kidnapped heroines, sweet romance and everyday heroes, set against the brutal backdrop of Norse life in feudal times. Ruthless King Bloodaxe of Jorvik abducts the young women of a small Irish village, killing and destroying all else. A young man, Corban, escapes and with the aid of Einar, a Norse workman in the Viking market town of Dubh Linn, sets out for Jorvik to rescue his abducted twin sister, Mav. Meanwhile, in the Jorvik slave market, Mav reveals magical powers that catch the eye of the Lady of Hedeby, a sorceress who buys the girl with an evil plan in mind. On their way to Jorvik, Corban and Einar encounter pirates and vagabonds, and when they arrive they face the deadly threat of Bloodaxe, his sorceress queen Gunnhild a rival of the Lady of Hedeby and his henchmen. Along the way, he falls in love with Benna, a penniless potter with hidden talent. At last he is reunited with Mav, but before he can truly rejoice, the Lady makes him a pawn in her plot to decide the Norwegian throne. The novel's final showdown is a bit hokey but satisfying, and Holland delivers an artful blend of history and fantasy throughout.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Action and period flavor characterize Holland's latest historical novel (after Floating Worlds). Set during the tenth-century Viking occupation of Jorvik (York, England), the action revolves around a young Irish farmboy, Corban, who is exiled from the family farmstead for refusing to fight for their liege lord. Corban's father even strips him of his family name, renaming him "Loose-strife." When he returns to the farm to visit his twin sister, Mav, Corban comes upon his murdered family, the victims of Viking marauders led by Eric Bloodaxe. Unable to find his sister, he surmises that she has been taken as a slave. He is overcome by grief and doubt but courageously sets off to find her. As he persists through long journeys, naval adventures, and grave danger, Corban matures into a brave and strong young man. With vivid descriptions and continual action, combined with elements of mysticism, sorcery, and politics, Holland fleshes out a lively account of Eric Bloodaxe (d. 954), who has been otherwise ignored as historical subject. Recommended for larger public libraries. Jean Langlais, St. Charles P.L., IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312869975
• ISBN-13: 978-0641711633
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #969,806 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sweeping Viking Tale, August 31, 2003

By	Tara A. Green (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Soul Thief (Hardcover)

This book from start to finish had me entranced. I believe this has to do primarily with Cecelia Holland being a truly gifted story teller. No matter where she took the story, I wanted to follow.

Corban's growth from a young boy to manhood, is swift as he is faced with the total destruction of his family. His connection with his sister leads him on his journey to save her, where he meets all sorts of people who will become important in his life.

The one part I did not enjoy in this book, was the telepathic connection with his sister. This book is rich in historical detail and I feel this detracted from the richness of the story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Young Man's Quest among Vikings, June 4, 2002

By	S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Soul Thief (Hardcover)

While young Corban is off in the hills, the Vikings come and slaughter the inhabitants of his village, but kidnap his twin sister, Mav. Enraged and desperate when he comes across the bodies of the rest of his family, Corban begins a journey to find Mav, who has Òsecond sightÓ. She is being held by the Lady of Hedeby, a witch-queen who wants to use MavÕs power to serve her own purposes for political domination of the regions of the North Sea.

Corban faces several obstacles on his journey, including a riveting storm at sea and attacks by thieves. In the town of Jorvik, he becomes involved with one of its oppressed families who lives under a mound of matted vegetation, just high enough to sit up inside. Three young girls care for their blind and senile father in this hovel, along with a few goats. The description of this place put me right there with this family; I could imagine the horrible stench inside from unwashed sweaty bodies, rotting vegetation, and goats in such close quarters. Later, as the story reaches its climax, Corban finds himself in a dangerous predicament, which puts both his life and his sisterÕs in danger, and the story picks up speed as events take an unexpected turn.

I found the era interesting, a time when Christianity was new and many clung to beliefs in the gods, such as Thor. But there is some fantasy and magic in the plot, which didnÕt appeal to me. I prefer historical fiction that is more factual, because I want to know how it really was. Yet, I did enjoy CorbanÕs adventures and meetings with interesting people. Many historical novels focus on the powerful and wealthy, and their luxurious way of life, but the characters in this book are poor and filthy, scrounging for food, and not particularly lovely, an interesting change from glamorous characters. Though I found the writing style somewhat simplistic, as if written for younger readers, its shorter length is just right for a quick and entertaining romp into the past.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of courage, faith, love, strategy, August 13, 2002

By	Dawn Kessinger (Lima, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Soul Thief (Hardcover)

Corban is banished from his family when his father disowns him while cursing him as a coward. The story of Corban's quest to find out what he's made of - and how he draws on reserves of strategy, strength, and courage that he never knew he had along the way - begins the day after his father disowns him, when almost all of his family is viciously slaughtered by the Vikings. Only his sister, Mav, has survived, and the Vikings have taken her as a slave. Corban begins a long journey to find Mav and rescue her from the Lady of Hedeby, a witch who wants to use both siblings for her gain: from Mav, she wants to sap the young girl's gift of second sight; from Corban, she wants to manipulate King Eric Bloodaxe, who rules in Jorvik with a greedy and bloody iron fist. In Jorvik, Corban finds friends and true love, and possibly a way to save himself and his sister from the Lady of Hedeby... only that way is unknown to him and unseen by his sister until the final fateful moment of truth. The Soul Thief brims with action, self-discovery and worth, and heart - a worthwhile tale of hope and love despite the many hardships that good people face.