The Last of the Renshai
Encyclopedia
The Last of the Renshai is the first book in Mickey Zucker Reichert
's fantasy The Renshai Trilogy, published in January, 1992.
This is the first of a trilogy, followed by The Western Wizard and Child of Thunder. There is a second trilogy that picks up from the first, titled Beyond Ragnarok.
This trilogy is set in the world of Midgard
(of Norse mythology
) and incorporates the gods of Norse mythology: Odin
, Thor
, Sif
, Loki
, etc. Midgard is divided into four parts East, West, North, and South, each with a Wizard watching over them to preserve the balance of Good and Evil
as decreed by Odin. But an ancient prophecy
foretells of one of a tribe of Northmen (the Renshai, known to be incomparable warriors) that will bring about the destruction of Midgard and of many of the gods. The other tribes of northmen descend upon the tribe under cover of night and exterminate all but three, Episte, Rache and Colbey Calistinsson. This first book is the story of Rache, and his struggle to survive and find a home.
The trilogy as a whole deals with the coming of the Ragnarok
, and how it comes to pass.
, ISBN 0-88677-503-5
Mickey Zucker Reichert
Mickey Zucker Reichert is an American fantasy fiction author of several best selling novels. She is known for her Renshai series, which provides a different perspective on traditional Norse mythology.-Volume 1:...
's fantasy The Renshai Trilogy, published in January, 1992.
This is the first of a trilogy, followed by The Western Wizard and Child of Thunder. There is a second trilogy that picks up from the first, titled Beyond Ragnarok.
This trilogy is set in the world of Midgard
Midgard
Midgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is an old Germanic name for our world and is the home of Humans, with the literal meaning "middle enclosure".-Etymology:...
(of Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
) and incorporates the gods of Norse mythology: Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
, Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
, Sif
Sif
In Norse mythology, Sif is a goddess associated with earth. Sif is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, and in the poetry of skalds...
, Loki
Loki
In Norse mythology, Loki or Loke is a god or jötunn . Loki is the son of Fárbauti and Laufey, and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. By the jötunn Angrboða, Loki is the father of Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr. By his wife Sigyn, Loki is the father of Nari or Narfi...
, etc. Midgard is divided into four parts East, West, North, and South, each with a Wizard watching over them to preserve the balance of Good and Evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
as decreed by Odin. But an ancient prophecy
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
foretells of one of a tribe of Northmen (the Renshai, known to be incomparable warriors) that will bring about the destruction of Midgard and of many of the gods. The other tribes of northmen descend upon the tribe under cover of night and exterminate all but three, Episte, Rache and Colbey Calistinsson. This first book is the story of Rache, and his struggle to survive and find a home.
The trilogy as a whole deals with the coming of the Ragnarok
Ragnarök
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures , the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water...
, and how it comes to pass.
Editions
The Last of the Renshai (Book One), Daw BooksDAW Books
DAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
, ISBN 0-88677-503-5