title: Mother of Kings
author:  Poul Anderson 
description: Though marketed as fantasy, this densely written, fast-paced tale, set in Norway in the 10th century during the clash of paganism and Christianity, reads more like a grandly told history describing the life of Gunnhild, the mother of Norse kings. Its huge scope and the long time frame of events mean that the personal often gets lost in the political, but with meticulous research, Anderson (War of the Gods) brings to life the bloodthirsty Norse as they evolve into the looting, plundering Vikings of popular lore. After learning witchcraft from the Saami, Gunnhild schemes to marry a powerful Norse king, Eirik. The power behind the throne, she bears nine children, mostly boys, and ensures her husband's rule by weaving a web of spies and orchestrating a murder or two. When Eirik dies in battle, she works to further the careers of her sons, many of whom prove unworthy of leadership because of their tyranny, arrogance and stinginess. Less than engaging, global-level power struggles tend to take the place of individual conflicts, while the continually shifting point of view fragments any sustained emotional impact. Since some of the rival kings are far more appealing characters than Gunnhild's progeny, readers may find themselves rooting for them instead. This may well be what the author intended, but the result is as incongruous as the witchcraft that while interesting does little to further the plot. Norse scholars will be pleased, but those expecting another Mists of Avalon, about a strong woman at the cusp of Christianity and paganism, will be disappointed. (Sept. 27)reissue of Conan the Rebel, reviewed above.
zlib_text: #
  
  
  # Mother of Kings
  
  
  Poul Anderson
  
  
  
  
  
  OCR July 2020. Not proofread.
  
  
  ## Front flap
  
  
  WITH THIS NEW NOVEL, science fiction and fantasy grandmaster Poul Anderson has
  crafted a powerful story of a mighty queen, magic, and the mastery of ancient
  nations.
  
  
  Blending characters both historical and mythological, _Mother of Kings_ is the
  tale of Gunnhild, Queen of England and Norway, who loomed so large in the
  tenth century—at the end of the Age of the Vikings—that she became a figure of
  legend, even of myth.
  
  
  As a child of just seven summers, Gunnhild finds herself fascinated with the
  powers of a witch-woman who is a concubine of her father’s, a powerful Norse
  chieftain. She also finds another fascination in handsome and lordly Eirik,
  son of their king. When her mother dies, Gunnhild promises, “I will never
  yield,” and that, “through me, our blood shall flow greatly.”
  
  
  Gunnhild has learned from her chieftain father the way the powerful use the
  weak. But there are other lessons and oth