Wyrm-galdr (Parallel Realm book 2)

My name’s Drew Macleod and I can use galdr. You’d probably call it magic. I’m slowly developing my skills, with the “help” of Archer. He’s a grumpy bastard, but he’s the last remaining daemon, so who else is going to protect Edinburgh from all the bad stuff out there? The angelii? Don’t make me laugh. If people in the city had any idea what was going on out of their sight they’d wet themselves and the angelii are as powerful as half-drowned kittens. So it’s down to Archer and I to fend off maras, sceadhus, shades, ælves and all the rest of the nasties out there. There’s Garm of course, but as he manifests himself as a small, scruffy dog his help is usually limited to sarcastic advice. Thank heavens for Alyssum and Traggheim, herbalist and dweorg artisan respectively. And Jamie, the best mate I accidentally dragged into all this with me. 

Wyrm-galdr is the second book in the popular parallel realm series. This original and imaginative series allows a quirky cast characters to lead us into a hidden and dangerous world. The contemporary setting and the richness of the characters holds attention in fast-paced and witty writing, full of plot twists and quirky details.

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The touchpaper is lit, the firework is burning bright, and Drew Macleod is inextricably entangled in the workings of the beautiful, but dangerous Parallel Realm. He has inherited powerful galdr from his ancestors and bargained for even more of it from the ancient wyrm that lives in his head. Now, he must learn how to wield his power to protect innocent galdr-folc and eliminate the many things that go bump in the night and misuse their magic for evil. However, there is a lot that Drew still doesn’t know about the Parallel Realm and the many species that inhabit it.

Drew’s mentor is the gruff, cigar-smoking, whisky-loving daemon Archer, whose relationship with Drew is somewhat strained after the events of the first book, when Drew failed to save him from captivity as early as he could have. But Archer has always been unpredictable and reluctant to show any emotion other than anger and impatience. There, as always, is the feisty herbalist Alyssum, with a temper to match Archer’s, but also with an endlessly kind and compassionate side, tending to people like she tends to her beloved plants. She has a special will-they-won’t-they relationship with Drew’s best friend Jamie, a loyal and easygoing young man who has been entangled in the Parallel Realm despite not having galdr. Not that he minds, especially after having met Alyssum. Working away on the latest gadget to help the team is the dweorg artisan Traggheim, a steadfast and rational presence. And, of course, Garm, the ancient and venerable being living in the body of a Jack Russell Terrier, is never far behind, and is probably offended that the character list didn’t feature him first.

Drew seems to have far more trouble with the angelii than trying to figure things out with his kind of girlfriend, Ashnil. After witnessing the unseemly behavior of the leader of the angelii, Jophiel, Ashnil decided to leave her kin and process things for a while. However, beyond some questionable leadership decisions, the angelii have started behaving in a way unbefitting to a species that claims to be pure and wholesome. As Archer directs Drew to start investigating the seemingly random spikes of galdr and the acts of vandalism and bullying committed by the angelii, Drew also has to develop his own galdr and face the painful parts of his past that have helped shape him.

The new installment in the series absolutely stays true to the tone set in the first book, with humorous banter, exploration of folklore and local Edinburgh history. At the same time, the characters gain more depth and layers, and some more serious themes are explored, such as equality among the galdr-folc, discrimination, exploitation and abuse of power. Drew also muses on the moral lines he wants to draw when using his galdr, and the conversation he has with Archer on the topic is very compelling.

Even more quirky characters populate the pages as new species of galdr-folc are revealed. In the author’s signature style, there is always a twist on the way beings such as witches and vampyrs are perceived in popular culture. Two absolute standouts are The Librarian, as well as the irresistibly hilarious image of the angelii getting business advice on how to run their organization and getting lost in corporate jargon.

It’s always a delight to spend time in this vividly imagined world and share in the exciting, emotional and occasionally hysterically funny journey through the Parallel Realm.

Viktorija Blazheska