"Kim Wilkins - Giants of the Frost" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilkins Kim)

This book provided some of the toughest research challenges I've yet had to face. I claim all errors,
intentional and unintentional, as my own. However, I'd like to offer my sincerest thanks to the following
people for their patience and expertise.

For assistance regarding climatology and meteorology, boreal forest flora and fauna, and general
scientific information and logic, thanks to Hamish McGowan and Gerd Dowidheit from the University of
Queensland, John Voider of Jan Mayen Station, Fiona Gray and Rob Thompson of the Bureau of
Meteorology, Katherine Howell, Lynne Green and David Wilson.

For assistance with Old Norse language and literature and modern Norway and Norwegian language,
thanks to Martin Duwell, K├бri G├нslason, Stefanie W├╝rth, Vidar Skrindo and Hanne Gr├╕nsund.

For island design, office space, and all assistance with boats and nautical knowledge, thanks to my
brother Ian Wilkins.

For virtual horse-wrangling, thanks to Janine Haig.

For writerly support, thanks to Kate Morton, Louise Cusack, Traci Harding, Kate Forsyth, Paul
Brandon, Drew Whitehead, Selwa Anthony, Faye Booth, Stephanie Smith and Jo Fletcher.

Thanks, too, to my family for the practical stuff, and for the not-so-quantifiable stuff: Mirko, Mum, Luka.



I



Almighty love takes the sons of men, and makes of wise men fools.

тАФH├бvam├бl

Prologue


[Asgard]




She had returned, and Vidar knew this before he opened his eyes. Sleep swam away and the morning
cold sucked at his nose and cheeks. His senses prickled. Halldisa was nearby. Twice-born. Most
mortals came upon the earth, spent their lives, and ceased to exist forever after. But Vidar had been
made a promise: Halla would be twice-born. All he had to do was wait.

Centuries of waiting.

And then this morning.

He rose and pulled on his cloak, cracked open the door and peered out. The deep slope of Gammaldal