The Islands of the Blessed

Name: The Islands of the Blessed
Brand: Simon & Schuster Audio
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)
Author: Nancy Farmer
ISBN: 9780743583695

Author: Nancy Farmer

Narrator: Gerard Doyle

Unabridged: 13 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Published: 10/20/2009

Categories: Young Adult Fiction, Fairy Tales & Legends, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Epic

Synopsis

“Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard are off on a new quest in this immensely satisfying conclusion of the trilogy that began with The Sea of Trolls and continued in The Land of the Silver Apples” in this “beautifully written tale” (Kirkus Reviews).

It begins with a vicious tornado. (Odin on a Wild Hunt, as the young berserker Thorgil sees it.) The fields of Jack’s home village are devastated, the winter ahead looks bleak, and a monster—a draugr—has invaded the forest outside of town.

Soon, Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard are off to right the wrong of a death caused by Father Severus. Their destination is Notland, realm of the fin folk, though they will face plenty of challenges and enemies before get they get there. Impeccably researched and blending the lore of Christian, Pagan, and Norse traditions, this expertly woven tale is beguilingly suspenseful and, ultimately, a testament to love.

The concluding volume of the heroic Sea of Trolls trilogy from National Book Award winner Nancy Farmer finds Jack and his companions on a journey that may end up righting old wrongs—if they survive.

About Nancy Farmer

Nancy Farmer has written three Newbery Honor books: The Ear, the Eye and the Arm; A Girl Named Disaster; and The House of the Scorpion, which also won the National Book Award and the Printz Honor. Other books include The Lord of Opium, The Sea of Trolls, The Land of the Silver Apples, The Islands of the Blessed, Do You Know Me, The Warm Place, and three picture books for young children. She grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border and now lives with her family in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona.

About Gerard Doyle

Gerard Doyle has appeared in London's West End in The Hired Man and in Shakespeare's Coriolanus and The Winter's Tale, and has toured nationally and internationally with the English Shakespeare Company. He has appeared on Broadway in The Weir and on television in New York Undercover and Law and Order. Mr. Doyle is also an award-winning audiobook narrator.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Monica on June 19, 2009

This was such a satisfying read, very much along the lines of the previous two books. Our hero Jack grows, but not completely. And, oh, Thorgil --- what a wonderful character she is. For those unfamiliar with the series, she is a Viking shield maiden and Jack is a Saxon apprentice bard. And like the......more

Goodreads review by Nina ✿ Looseleaf Reviews ✿ on January 19, 2016

This review also appears on: I enjoyed it, but I didn't fall in love with it. The plot is just what you'd expect after the first two novels. Jack and Thorgil resume their adventures with the Northmen and tie up conflicts left from "Land of the Silver Apples." Meanwhile, a new plot arises of a merm......more

Goodreads review by Amy on February 15, 2012

This series is a very enjoyable ride through Norse and Celtic mythology. The Islands of the Blessed is the final book in the trilogy that brings this fun series to a close. Through the books we get to watch Jack and Thorgil as they encounter many troubles and adventures. One of the things I really e......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on February 24, 2016

This was my least favorite book of the Sea of Trolls series.......more

Goodreads review by Molly on April 13, 2024

We felt like this was the weakest book in the trilogy. Still good though! It also really feels like there should be a fourth book waiting! I liked how this series includes elements of historical fact as well as a mythology and folklore, magic and Christianity and Druidism, all interwoven together. V......more