Flock by Wendy Delsol

Book 3. Candlewick, 2012. Hbk. ISBN 9780763660109
(Age 13+) Recommended. Katla has comes to terms with her supernatural abilities (Stork) and survived her adventure in Iceland (Frost), but she is left with a terrible burden, she has been tricked into promising to give her baby sister to the water queen. Marik, a merman in disguise has come to town to ensure that that happens and Jinky, a shaman in the making has accompanied him. Katla hasn't confided her fears to her boyfriend Jack and she is facing a menacing future alone.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy, particularly its setting and Nordic mythology. Katla has a sharp tongue and the dialogue in the book is a delight, giving many humorous moments for the reader to savour. Each of the books has been written really well and it is not hard to imagine the small town, the cold, and the dangers facing Katla. Because it is firmly embedded in reality, with high school, jobs, family problems and boyfriends featuring strongly, it is not hard to accept the supernatural aspects of the story. I was fascinated by the stories of the Norse gods and loved the way the author entwined them into this adventure/romance paranormal story.
I couldn't imagine just how the author was going to bring this story to a conclusion, but she does just that with a most gripping, if slightly sad, ending that ultimately made me think about the choices that heroes and heroines have to make in the name of love and duty.
I was sad to see the end of this gripping series and look forward to the next book from Wendy Delsol who writes beautiful and funny prose.
Pat Pledger