*** Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice ***
890 A.D. Shieldmaiden Halla hungers for death in battle and a place in Valhalla until a Frankish sword shatters her expectations of a glorious end. In the space between life and death, she instead confronts the emptiness of a wasted life.
Hiding from the Norsemen among shattered abbeys and abandoned towns in northern Frankia, Christian landowner Taurin fears the day a dragon-headed longship rediscovers them and drags his people away as slaves.
Their worlds collide when Jarl Rollo of Rouen annexes Taurin’s town and appoints Halla as ruler. United in an uneasy political marriage, Halla and Taurin must confront their conflicted feelings and their peoples’ mutual hostility. Tensions strain their fragile marriage. Christians who refuse to obey a woman stoke rebellion. Glory-seeking Norse raiders terrorize Halla’s domain. If they can’t unite, the threats surrounding them will tear apart their new family and swallow both of their peoples in war and ruin.
“K.M. Butler’s debut is written with the swagger and finesse of a much more experienced author. A more thoughtful and complex story than the usual Viking fare, this book still packs enough action, intrigue, and conflict to carry us happily to the shield-shaking, sword-swinging conclusion that stands up to the best in the genre.” J.C. Duncan, author of A Song of Steel
"This well-crafted tale of love and battle transports the reader back to the early days of Viking Normandy, populated by fearsome shield-maidens and valiant warriors. Grounded in historical fact and replete with authentic detail, this book will resonate with readers who love Viking-Age fiction." Johanna Wittenberg, author of The Norsewomen Series
"Butler balances action, description, and character development deftly; the pacing is excellent. History is neatly inserted primarily through conversation, without feeling like an ‘info-dump’, and the world feels both well-researched and real, without jarring anachronisms. The Raven and the Dove is an impressive first novel written with skill and craft." Marian Thorpe, Discovering Diamonds
“The Raven and the Dove by KM Butler is a captivating read. It offers an insightful look into a time long ago, with tension, excitement, a dash of humour, and a beautifully conveyed love story. Though well-researched, the history never becomes heavy. Butler takes you beyond the facts and into the feeling of the era.” Malina Douglas, Iridescent Words
