The Ring of the Dark Elves
By Victoria Randall 

     You don't need to be a fantasy fan to know about Tolkein and his tale of a magic ring, replete with dwarves and dragons, heroism and tragedy. But long before this modern epic was written, there was the great Norse epic tale of Sigurd, involving many of the same elements. Opera lovers will know it as Wagner's magnificent Ring Cycle…and here it is on paper for anybody to read who wants to look at the roots of the great tree of fantasy.

     Retellings of this story are not new, but it is always interesting and enjoyable to read a new retelling of a beloved old story, and this is a fine one. Ms. Randall has made it far more accessible than a mere translation from the Norse, and this can be read just like any other fantasy tale. It's all in here, too--the doomed Twilight of the Gods, irreversible once certain events have occurred; the anguish of Albric the dwarf, as he renounces love; the bravery of Sigurd and Brynhild; the sufferings of the Volsungs and the treacheries of the Giukungs. I enjoyed the way in which the author has made these characters of legend into real-seeming people with authentic dilemmas and emotions, putting flesh on the bones of the plot for modern readers. Against the powerful drama is the harshly beautiful landscape of the Norse legends, all ice and mountains. But it is more than just Wagner without the music or Tolkein's inspiration; this is one to read and enjoy, just like any other modern novel. The result is an admirably well-paced novel, which manages to get the entire story in without becoming overlong. You don't have to enjoy fantasy to like this one; just be interested in human drama and the place where our modern stories come from.