The story picks up where it left us after the first book in this series, where we find Jal back to his old womanising ways in Trond, in the far north.
It seems as if the journeys, and ordeals, he has just come through have not changed him after all. Against his will, he is drawn into another adventure, travelling south with two vikings, Snorri and Tuttugu. Snorri, who now holds Loki's Key, is determined to find the door, and unlock, the door that will lead him to death and allow him to retrieve his dead wife and children from the afterlife.
It's a doomed quest, and Jal knows that from the start. Still, he once more finds his fate tangled with Snorri's. Along the way, they are joined by Kara, a Norse witch, and an orphan boy, Hennan.
Just like the first book, this really is Kalan's story. He tells us he's a coward with a bad character and we almost believe him... almost. It's true, some of his behaviour ranges from self-serving and greedy to arrogant and vain, but what truly emerges is a young man who has no idea of his own worth; a young man who lacks self-knowledge because at a certain point in his childhood something truly terrible occurred that would change him forever.
I loved the first book in this series, but I think I enjoyed this one even more. The writing is tight, fast-paced, and with just enough description to bring this world to vivid life. There are 'villains' at every turn, every one wants something, even those we think are a force for good. Looking forward to the next one in the series!
Five stars *****
Purchase a copy of The Liar's Key on Amazon.
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