Buel (White as Witching) introduces Viking hero Sigurd, whose life is guided by both fate and the god Odin, in the impressive, fast-paced first Norse Saga of Sigurd novella. Pregnant, widowed queen Hjordis marries prince Ælf, son of her enemy, King Hjalprek of Denmark. Before giving birth to Sigurd, Odin visits Hjordis and she realizes, “You’re here for my son. It is his future you are shaping.” Sigurd is born a sympathetic child with uncannily intelligent eyes—and he soon incurs the wrath of his stepfather. When, at 14, Sigurd upstages Ælf by killing a boar, Ælf is ready to be rid of him. Enter the enigmatic Regin, Hjalprek’s blacksmith and former foster father, who is rumored to be an ancient wizard—and who offers to foster Sigurd, setting his destiny in motion. The young hero’s fate is intertwined with that of Regin’s other foster son, Gunnar, who is obsessed with retrieving his father’s stolen treasure. As the boys work together to fight mermaids, giants, and dragons, they come to realize that Regin is not what he appears—and that he is using them toward his own ends. Buel’s brief, straightforward epic combines high-stakes adventure with moral quandaries and plenty of melodrama. This is a treat for historical fantasy lovers. (Self-published)