The Island of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer is the third installment of the trilogy including The Sea of Trolls and The Land of the Silver Apples. In this book, a draugr is terrorizing the small village where Jack, Thorgil, Pega and the Bard live. The draugr was once a beautiful mermaid who fell in love with Father Severus while he was exiled on an island. Because he refused to take her as his wife, she turned into a sea hag and was left to die. She returned as an evil draugr when Father Aiden accidentally rings the bell of St. Columba. The draugr is bent on exacting revenge - a life for a life. Jack, Thorgil and the Bard set out to prevent anymore deaths from occurring. First, they must go to Bebba's town with Thorgil's brother Skakki on his berserker Northman ship. Once there, they must gather supplies and trade so that the village is prepared for winter. Finally, the trio must travel to Notland and meet with the deceitful finfolk to bargain, hopefully putting a stop to the draugr's killing spree. Along the way, Jack and Thorgil face many creatures, including a half-troll that turns out to be Thorgil's brother, a hogboon, an evil king, and more!I loved this book just as much as the other two! These books are so full of adventure and suspense. I also absolutely love the last 20 or so pages the author includes about the folklore and research behind the events of the story. Almost all of the creatures and strange situations that arise in this book were based on stories, mythology, and long held beliefs from various cultures and religions. I highly recommend this trilogy to any fantasy fan!
