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Vinlanders' Saga #2
Forbidden Talents
THE EXCITING SEQUEL TO DANGEROUS TALENTS
As the second son of the Kon of Nuvinland, and a priest of Baldur, Lord Ragni understands the demands of politics. He’s not surprised when his father arranges a marriage for him to the daughter of another Jarl. Unfortunately, Ragni has just fallen hard for Saeun.
Saeun never expected to fall in love with Lord Ragni, but what began as a casual dalliance with a ladies’ man blossomed into a deep passion. But her hopes for the future are dashed when her tools of forbidden magic are discovered. To save herself, and Ragni’s reputation, Saeun escapes into a deadly blizzard—leaving behind everything, and everyone, she loves.
Ragni faces an agonizing choice: enforce the law he’s sworn to uphold, or save the woman he loves.
And while the lovers’ hearts are breaking, a dark and ancient threat to all of Nuvinland is gaining strength.
As the second son of the Kon of Nuvinland, and a priest of Baldur, Lord Ragni understands the demands of politics. He’s not surprised when his father arranges a marriage for him to the daughter of another Jarl. Unfortunately, Ragni has just fallen hard for Saeun.
Saeun never expected to fall in love with Lord Ragni, but what began as a casual dalliance with a ladies’ man blossomed into a deep passion. But her hopes for the future are dashed when her tools of forbidden magic are discovered. To save herself, and Ragni’s reputation, Saeun escapes into a deadly blizzard—leaving behind everything, and everyone, she loves.
Ragni faces an agonizing choice: enforce the law he’s sworn to uphold, or save the woman he loves.
And while the lovers’ hearts are breaking, a dark and ancient threat to all of Nuvinland is gaining strength.
403 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
123 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 24, 2021
In the second book, we delve deeper into the political factions within the Viking stronghold. Everyone has an agenda, it seems. Ragnar’s father arranged a marriage for him to the daughter of another Jarl. In the meantime, Ragni has fallen in love with Saeun. But Saeun practiced forbidden magic. When her secret’s revealed, she flees for her life. She ends up in the realm of the light elves where she learns the Dark Fey have unleashed a plot to kill the humans. If the people want to survive, they will have to come together to combat the dark forces to save their world.
This second book was as good, maybe even better than the first book! There are some great twists and turns throughout the plot that kept me wondering how it would all finish. The magical aspects of this adventure really stood out for me. The land of the Elves is pure magic!
Even better, this was a stand-alone storyline and didn’t rely on my having read the first book. The characters are captivating and the union formed between Ragni, Saeun, and his wife really made this book shine. Once again, the author relied on Viking mythology to propel the story forward. If you love Tolkien, this book will bring the magical world of the Elves to you. I couldn’t get enough. I was sad when the story ended.
This second book was as good, maybe even better than the first book! There are some great twists and turns throughout the plot that kept me wondering how it would all finish. The magical aspects of this adventure really stood out for me. The land of the Elves is pure magic!
Even better, this was a stand-alone storyline and didn’t rely on my having read the first book. The characters are captivating and the union formed between Ragni, Saeun, and his wife really made this book shine. Once again, the author relied on Viking mythology to propel the story forward. If you love Tolkien, this book will bring the magical world of the Elves to you. I couldn’t get enough. I was sad when the story ended.
October 21, 2018
This amazing story expands the fantasy to include more elves (dark and light), the native Indians, and other mythical creatures in a more hostile environment than the original story. Things have become increasingly dangerous for the citizens of Castle Quartzholm as casualties begin to increase. In the middle of all of the mysterious assaults, Father Ragnar, Lord Dahleven's brother, is betrothed to Utta, daughter of Lord Magnus, a very good friend of their leader, Kon Leven. It's impossible to find a point in this story where the reader can comfortably stop reading because of the intrigue and surprises waiting to be discovered. I particularly enjoyed the way the author continued to update her readers on the lives and relationship of Celia and Dahleven along with their family and friends. This was done even though the spotlight in this book was on Father Ragnar (Ragni) and Saeun's growing affection for each other. An affair that could never end in marriage. I loved the first book and this book is just an extension of the first wonderfully written exciting adventure into a mythical world. Great Book to Read!!!!!
January 11, 2013
What would America have looked like if the Vikings who colonized North America had succeeded and remained? What if they had not quarreled with the previous inhabitants and abandoned their colony but befriended and learned from them instead? Now take this premise, give it a spin with the addition of assorted Talents that give their owners special abilities placed at the service of the community, throw in some elves and some persuasive world building, and the result is one of Frankie Robertson's Nuvinland series. There are only two books in the series so far, but I hope there are many more to come. I've been missing Marion Zimmer Bradly and hoping to see a new talent emerge to take her place. I think I have found the one I've been looking for.
July 10, 2024
Between a rock and a hard place!
Father Ragnar (Ragni), Seung-the woman he loves, his betrothed Lady Utta, and his sister-in-law Lady Celia will be caught up in the defense of mortal life before he can marry or secure a place for Seung as his elskerinne. Enjoy the acceptance of women in leadership roles, the unusual alliances and all that is needed to fight the evil Dark Elves!!!
Father Ragnar (Ragni), Seung-the woman he loves, his betrothed Lady Utta, and his sister-in-law Lady Celia will be caught up in the defense of mortal life before he can marry or secure a place for Seung as his elskerinne. Enjoy the acceptance of women in leadership roles, the unusual alliances and all that is needed to fight the evil Dark Elves!!!
April 3, 2018
Not a fan of Ragni
There was no connection between the H and h and I'm not a fan of Saune just being his mistress, it's completely unbelievable that she has no problem sharing him, and he has no problem sleeping with a woman who isn't attracted to him. Just found the whole situation annoying and ruined the storyline.
There was no connection between the H and h and I'm not a fan of Saune just being his mistress, it's completely unbelievable that she has no problem sharing him, and he has no problem sleeping with a woman who isn't attracted to him. Just found the whole situation annoying and ruined the storyline.
October 5, 2017
Wonderful saga of life, passion, understanding different is not bad.
Wonderful second book of this series, leaves one wanting more. The elves are great. Who knew vikings and Indians work and live to save their world together
Wonderful second book of this series, leaves one wanting more. The elves are great. Who knew vikings and Indians work and live to save their world together
June 16, 2019
Vikings, elves, magic, and romance!
So much fun reading about these characters and their adventures! Danger, heartache, religious zealots, and friendships are explored in this volume.
So much fun reading about these characters and their adventures! Danger, heartache, religious zealots, and friendships are explored in this volume.
August 21, 2019
Such fun! I love the time travel theme...period the end. A wonderful story with great characters, magic, legend and heart. Although there is heartache, there is also triumph. It was empowering to follow the journey of the woman from feeling suppressed to feeling free and honored. Good read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2018
Excellent adventure
This story was suspenseful, kept you wondering what was going to happen next, along with a great romance story of a few.
This story was suspenseful, kept you wondering what was going to happen next, along with a great romance story of a few.
May 15, 2019
Very entertaining!
Again, another awesome and great read! I couldn't out it down! It is indeed a magical, wonderful and fascinating book!
Again, another awesome and great read! I couldn't out it down! It is indeed a magical, wonderful and fascinating book!
January 8, 2021
Loving this series as well as the setting. Great reading. Love all the different characters and races.
December 26, 2021
A wonderful escape
I love the world that I am transported to with this series. A very enjoyable read with characters I think of as my new friends.
I love the world that I am transported to with this series. A very enjoyable read with characters I think of as my new friends.
November 24, 2012
If Goodreads gave half stars, this would be 3.5 for me.
Definitely an improvement on the first book in this series. The story is told from multiple points of view and there are multiple story lines that converge at the end -- something that did not happen in the first book. The overall story was more compelling to me as well, even if the characteristics of the elves was kind of derivative.
There was still far too much time spend on introspective musing. Full paragraphs of questions the characters kept posing to themselves over and over, reminding us what we were supposed to be worried about. So while the story was more compelling, it would not be a full novel's worth of action because more than half of the book was spent on the characters thinking in questions about what they were going to do and what was going to happen and reminding us what the problems were. It kept violating the rule of "show don't tell" -- the most common method of "showing" us was having the characters muse about what was going on instead of allowing us to draw conclusions and let the conflict subtly lay under the surface through the characters' actions. It feels like maybe it's a habit from the author's romance writing experience.
I was also slightly annoyed at the constant use of "Baldur's Balls" as one of their forms of swearing. It's a common device, to alter the characters' exclamations to fit their god(s) or what is important to them as a way to color the world, but this felt crass and repetitive. I also don't like how "familiar" Celia's speech is. I know she's supposed to stand out as the one from modern day Earth (Midgard), but to have a character in a fantasy book say things like, "Would that stuff, you know, screw things up?" makes her seem really... immature? Undesirable? I guess she's too generic 21st century city woman and I don't want to read about that -- which is why I read fantasy and dislike when she speaks like a generic crass person and uses terminology from our world.
At first, it was hard to distinguish between Saeun and Celia and their points of view... it got easier near the end, but Celia's compassion and caring always felt kind of fake. She's portrayed as the no-nonsense, quick-to-anger kind of know-it-all... I don't buy the self-sacrificing, "I just care about others" thing that others worship her for. Her hardheadedness is supposed to be charming and quirky I guess, but her musing always seems too selfish and self-centered for me to believe she cares about others as much as she is described.
I think my biggest gripes with this book, though, are more of personal preference. I dislike musing and colloquial speech in fantasy novels, so that stood out to me. If you don't mind that, you will probably enjoy this book. I mean, I still enjoyed the book even with this, so if this doesn't bother you then you should check out the series.
Definitely an improvement on the first book in this series. The story is told from multiple points of view and there are multiple story lines that converge at the end -- something that did not happen in the first book. The overall story was more compelling to me as well, even if the characteristics of the elves was kind of derivative.
There was still far too much time spend on introspective musing. Full paragraphs of questions the characters kept posing to themselves over and over, reminding us what we were supposed to be worried about. So while the story was more compelling, it would not be a full novel's worth of action because more than half of the book was spent on the characters thinking in questions about what they were going to do and what was going to happen and reminding us what the problems were. It kept violating the rule of "show don't tell" -- the most common method of "showing" us was having the characters muse about what was going on instead of allowing us to draw conclusions and let the conflict subtly lay under the surface through the characters' actions. It feels like maybe it's a habit from the author's romance writing experience.
I was also slightly annoyed at the constant use of "Baldur's Balls" as one of their forms of swearing. It's a common device, to alter the characters' exclamations to fit their god(s) or what is important to them as a way to color the world, but this felt crass and repetitive. I also don't like how "familiar" Celia's speech is. I know she's supposed to stand out as the one from modern day Earth (Midgard), but to have a character in a fantasy book say things like, "Would that stuff, you know, screw things up?" makes her seem really... immature? Undesirable? I guess she's too generic 21st century city woman and I don't want to read about that -- which is why I read fantasy and dislike when she speaks like a generic crass person and uses terminology from our world.
At first, it was hard to distinguish between Saeun and Celia and their points of view... it got easier near the end, but Celia's compassion and caring always felt kind of fake. She's portrayed as the no-nonsense, quick-to-anger kind of know-it-all... I don't buy the self-sacrificing, "I just care about others" thing that others worship her for. Her hardheadedness is supposed to be charming and quirky I guess, but her musing always seems too selfish and self-centered for me to believe she cares about others as much as she is described.
I think my biggest gripes with this book, though, are more of personal preference. I dislike musing and colloquial speech in fantasy novels, so that stood out to me. If you don't mind that, you will probably enjoy this book. I mean, I still enjoyed the book even with this, so if this doesn't bother you then you should check out the series.
September 11, 2015
I was really more interested in the story between Celia and Dahleven, but it was interesting to see how Ragni interacted with the women in his life. I liked that Celia and Dahleven weren't left by the wayside, and that Ragni's story was an extension of what was going on in Dahleven's life. There was a healthy amount of court intrigue, but I have to say that the "bad guys" were pretty obvious from the previous book. It wasn't difficult to ascertain who you couldn't trust. It's difficult for me to wrap my head around a culture that would accept marriage and an official mistress at once, much less a woman who would be fine with sharing her lover, but I tried to keep an open mind about it.
Overall, another good book, and I'll definitely keep reading Ms. Robertson's writing!
Overall, another good book, and I'll definitely keep reading Ms. Robertson's writing!
October 23, 2012
Brilliantly plotted and beautifully written, Forbidden Talents is a wonderful read. The details of the world Robertson's characters live in are deftly woven into an intriguing story that had me committed to reading this through within the first few pages. A less talented author might not have been able to provide such a rich and detailed setting without overwhelming the reader but Robertson's talent is up to the job. If you haven't read Lightbringer or Dangerous Talents yet, do yourself a favor and buy them. They're every bit as well written as Forbidden Talents and they'll convince you, like they did me, that Frankie Robertson is a must-buy author.
September 3, 2015
I'm really enjoying this series. this book was better than the first as the first was primarily a love story. although this one also had a strong love story plot line, it had other story lines that were compelling as well, like politics, intrigue and the threat of war/destruction that really brought out deeper layers of the characters. The different species and how they interact and their perspective on other species really mirrors the wide variety of viewpoints held by our current society. This book not only made me think of our current culture and interactions but my personal view of how we are intermingled with others in our world. On to the last book in this series.
August 28, 2015
Pure enjoyment
I love fantasy! When a really good author takes you out of yourself and lifts your soul away from your troubles, that author is worth a 5 star rating in my book of exceptional crafters. Thank you for all the hours it must have taken to give us a few hours of happiness. Ginny
I love fantasy! When a really good author takes you out of yourself and lifts your soul away from your troubles, that author is worth a 5 star rating in my book of exceptional crafters. Thank you for all the hours it must have taken to give us a few hours of happiness. Ginny
April 17, 2025
I love this as much the second time. My copy of this edition has a different cover. Fortunately, the other book site shows my book. The saga continues. Otherworldly with mortals and light elves, dark elves, and other living things. Great world-building with diverse characters. It was easy to find myself lost in this story.
August 4, 2013
This sequel is wonderful, I loved the hero and heroine in the first book, and was so glad they were featured in this one, her magical beings especially elves, are wonderful and I can;t wait to read the next in this series.
March 20, 2016
first time reader of this author. loved the three book series. there were several proofing errors what made the books aggravating to read at times but the plot, characters and overall feeling of the story was great. would recommend
September 8, 2015
Great second book in the series!
September 12, 2015
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first but it was still a good read. I love the scifi twist mixed with fairies and vikings. Just fun!
September 9, 2015
Excellent fantasy series!
September 20, 2015
As good if not better than the first
Great idea to follow along the story of dahleven and Celia through someone else's path. I will definitely check out what's next.
Great idea to follow along the story of dahleven and Celia through someone else's path. I will definitely check out what's next.
October 8, 2015
I enjoyed reading the books in the Vinlanders' Saga. The time travel is "believable", the characters are interesting, and the story is well written.
January 26, 2020
Fun, romantic, fantasy. Good continuation of the first book in the series. Must read the first book, first for this to make sense.
October 13, 2015
Better
I liked this book better than the first one. It had more depth and the plot was original and exciting.
I liked this book better than the first one. It had more depth and the plot was original and exciting.
December 16, 2015
Pretty good
Another good book in the series. I enjoyed the Viking Lore and really liked the Elves and Dryads in this one.
Another good book in the series. I enjoyed the Viking Lore and really liked the Elves and Dryads in this one.
September 19, 2016
Four Stars
Great story telling. The only downside was following the characters names. This book is like an adult version of the hobbit with elves and tree talkers. Very enjoyable.
Great story telling. The only downside was following the characters names. This book is like an adult version of the hobbit with elves and tree talkers. Very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews