HIS VIKING BRIDE

Listeners will vividly imagine icy seas and the raucous laughter of a Viking hall, thanks to Greg Patmore's atmospheric narration. Aestrid Karisson is kidnapped by Picts and then rescued by her father's mortal enemy, Veleif Kollsvein. Patmore's resonant timbre and authoritative tone make Veleif sound like a gruff Nordic bear. As Aestrid nearly spits with rage at Veleif's constraints, listeners will absorb her frustration. Patmore fully engages in the antagonistic dialogue between the characters, giving the production a lively flow. With such a strong narration, one wishes production values were more crisp. Also, the story's last few chapters lack Norem's original energy, but Patmore's commitment carries listeners to the finish line. Delivering the prose like a winter wind, he vibrantly captures ancient Viking culture. C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2019]