For many readers, this is the most important literary event of the year. Three years after “The Iron Wolf”, Siri Pettersen is finally back with volume two of what will become a trilogy: “Sølvstrupen”. “Sølvstrupen” clearly shows why Siri Pettersen is considered Norway’s queen of fantasy, and what has made her an important literary export article also to the great outdoors. Magical blood In “The Iron Wolf”, Pettersen effectively drew up a rich fantasy universe, with the city of Náklav in the centre. Náklav is reminiscent of a classic medieval town, with stone houses clinging to cliffs above the sea, narrow streets and a castle on a hill. As the fantasy genre requires, there are also magical elements here: A portal can transport people and goods to other cities in an instant – but must have a special type of blood(!) as fuel to function. Blood can also be used as an intoxicant. But not without consequences. Blood abuse can cause lupus, for which there is no cure. Wolf disease is perhaps linked to the wolves that lurk in the forest outside the city walls. It is just as magical that some people in Náklav have managed to achieve eternal life. These people are called “durige”, and are part of the “Vardari”. Their powers are also linked to a special type of blood. START EARLY: Siri Pettersen wrote her first book on her grandfather’s letterhead from the Social Security office. Then she went to kindergarten. As an adult, she started as a cartoonist with “Anti-climax”, “Smalt” and “Kråkene”, before making her debut as a fantasy author with “Odinsbarn” in 2013. Here in 2016. Photo: Thomas Espevik / news Eternal life “Sølvstrupen” teaches us more about all this blood, and about Vardari. The main character is still 19-year-old Juva. In “The Iron Wolf”, Juva found out that she has magical abilities. She can actually feel when someone is lasting. Juva’s magical powers are linked to her very special blood bond with the self-proclaimed devil. When “Sølvstrupen” starts, she has a hard time: Fanaticism “Sølvstrupen” is very much about religion. About fanaticism. A preacher appears in Náklav, and quickly gains many followers. People want simple answers to difficult questions. Better that than having to make difficult choices. But the world is complex, Siri Pettersen shows, and rarely black and white. Wolf disease is ravaging Náklav. Juva is a hunter, with a license to kill humans with wolf distemper. After everything that happened with the lasting ones and with the devil in the previous volume, she is also chasing Vardari. But who is actually a friend? And who is the enemy? Juva doesn’t always know. She is not a perfect heroine, but a confused and complex figure, who often makes mistakes. Even when she tries for the good. But she has, literally speaking, her heart in the right place, and blood that roars with righteous indignation. Exciting adventure Siri Pettersen introduces the book with a dedication to everyone who knows themselves as Juva. “To you”, she writes, and holds out: Grandiost. But good. Siri Pettersen writes straight, straightforward sentences, nicely seasoned with forceful expressions that she has composed herself, with roots in the religious practice in the Náklav universe. It works fine. “Sølvstrupen” can of course be read first and foremost as an exciting adventure – albeit not a stand-alone one, because it would be difficult to understand the book without first having become familiar with the many people and problems in “The Iron Wolf”. But as is often the case with fantasy, it is just as interesting to read the Vardari series as an exciting story that is just as much about the world outside the fantasy universe. Then the first volume becomes a book about finding oneself. The second book is a story about finding one’s place in society, and among the people who make it up. Hear the book announcement in “Open Book: The Critics”: Great feelings Siri Pettersen writes about friendship and care, and about difficult truths. There is a lot of power here, and great feelings. Lust and desire, power and domination. Disease and madness. Executioner and victim. Betrayal, but also help to get, if one has trust. Traditions stand against modern technology. They can both be abused. “Sølvstrupen” ends dramatically. More war is looming in Náklav in the third and final volume. Juva is ready. So should everyone who appreciates good fantasy. news reports Photo: Gyldendal / GNF Title: “Sølvstrupen” Author: “Siri Pettersen” Publisher: Gyldendal Date: 5 October 2023 Number of pages: 413 Hi! I am a literary critic at news, with a particular interest in Norwegian and translated fiction. Feel free to read my message about the historical novels “Xiania” by Lotta Elstad and “Skråpånatta” by Lars Mytting, or “Unwanted behavior” by Olaug Nilssen. Feel free to write to me! The address is [email protected]
ttn-69
“Sølvstrupen” by Siri Pettersen – Reviews and recommendations
