Dreams of the Dark Sky

Myers’s second epic fantasy installment set in the Scandinavian far north (following The Song of All) is a disappointing muddle. After the slaughter of the supposedly immortal Jápmemeahttun in the Great Valley, healer Dárja is held captive by the Brethren of Hunter, and fighter Marnej is left questioning his loyalties. After escaping with Marnej in tow, Dárja convinces him that he is Jápmemeahttun and that together they need to find the Song of All and to return to their home in the far north. Despite their mutual mistrust, their shared quest pulls them through repeated hardships. Once in the safety of the Pohjola, they must learn who it is they are truly meant to be. Two subplots intertwine with the main story, involving the Brethren and the army of the Believers, but they don’t do much to bolster the overall narrative and instead feel tacked on. The story builds to a rather flat and unresolved finish. Despite an unusual setting and promising premise, this slow-burning fantasy gives readers little reason to look forward to book three. (Feb.)