Like many urban fantasy authors, Katie MacAlister is willing to mix and match her fantasy creatures. In this case, she has added in some Norse deities, some Viking ghosts, shapeshifter lions, and a witch or two. There are also a few brief appearances by Ulfur, the Icelandic ghost introduced in the previous two volumes. Unfortunately he has been captured by a necromancer and pressed into service.
Our main character, Francesca, is struggling. When she was a mere 16 years old, she was introduced to Benedikt, a Dark One who recognized her as his Beloved. But Fran wasn't ready to bond permanently with Ben. She wanted to discover her own identity, to get some education and experience, and to figure out if Ben is really the one that she wants. If she really loves him or if the Dark One/Beloved dynamic is overwhelming her true desires. Ben had the sense to let her have the freedom to grow up. He proves that Dark Ones can be flexible if they have enough incentive (and a few brains)! However, Fran's mother is missing and she must return to her childhood environs to head up the search. There she finds Ben, in the arms and trailer of another woman.
Fran has been loaned three Viking Warriors, ghosts made corporeal, by Freya, with the idea that she will also attempt to banish Loki. They provide comic relief, as they choose modern clothing (with Freya's “weasel gold," a Visa card), drink and eat copious amounts, and boast about their sexual prowess and bed as many women as possible, preferably with the largest breasts. Fran keeps a list of things she doesn't wish to discuss with them which keeps getting longer and longer.
Fran has her work cut out for her, but as MacAlister's heroines do, she deals with problems step by step as they present themselves. I may have to return to the book that I skipped where Fran and Ben meet. I'm liking the way the books have characters that recur as supporting actors in following installments. The change in main characters provides variety and keeps things fresh.
As much as I want to keep binging this series, I have physical library books with due dates that I should haul my attention back to….
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