The Again-Walkers by Deborah Sheldon
The Again-Walkers is a novelette by award-winning Australian author Deborah Sheldon. Originally published in Sheldon’s award-winning and multi-award-nominated collection Perfect Little Stitches and Other Stories (IFWG Publishing Australia, 2017), The Again-Walkers is being released by Demain Publishing on June 24, 2022 as a stand-alone title.
The cover was designed by Adrian Baldwin, an author and cover artist. It’s a fantastic visual expression of the story and really brings the character Hallkell Jenson to life.
The Again-Walkers is about Svana Norup, a young girl who is offered as a bride to a mountain of a man, the blacksmith Hallkell Jenson, as a peace-pledge to end a blood feud between two Viking families. Unfortunately for her new husband, she has her eye on a shepherd in the village. The plot to take out Hallkell would give them a life together, but there’s a risk that he could return from the dead to take his revenge.
There’s a lot at play in this story for the short length. It flows well, and I never felt confused or overwhelmed with any of the subplots. Sheldon creates a world where on the surface the answers seem cut and dry, but as you delve further into the intricacies of each of the relationships in the book, romantic or otherwise, you begin to wonder if the main character Svana is as innocent as she first appears. I enjoyed watching how Svana and Hallkell’s mother Dagny differ in their interpretations of men and how they react and respond to situations. Dagny is a despicable character you can’t help but love. She plays an integral role in the story and is a catalyst for much of the trouble that takes place.
Interestingly enough, there are some mature romantic scenes in The Again-Walkers. There is nothing graphic, but there are moments depicting intercourse both welcome and tolerated. I found Svana’s body language in these scenes to be a key element in describing her feelings. It really frames the dynamics of her various relationships and sets the stage for what’s happening or about to happen.
Throughout the story, Svana is bucking against the expectation of being her husband’s property versus an independent young woman able to make her own choices. Sadly, she is treated poorly and must endure physical abuse and shame for her actions and behavior. This in turn fuels her desire to find an escape which introduces us to the action and horror that brings this short story to life.
This story made me want to learn more about Viking traditions. I read an interview from Kendall Reviews where Sheldon mentioned when her fascination with the Viking lifestyle, gods, and traditions was born. Her son’s love of old cultures when he was younger and a dreadful nightmare are the seeds of this horror short.
I have read a handful of works by Sheldon at this point, and I have a few more in my TBR pile to read. She has a way of creating characters and scenes that will keep you engaged throughout the story, giving the reader a chance to watch a character’s growth and form opinions yet still get those marvelous aha moments in the end. Reading her work is a satisfying and thought-provoking experience.
If you enjoy Viking culture, vengeance, revenge, or just a good old-fashioned quick and enjoyable horror read, then The Again-Walkers is for you.
Other books you might enjoy by Deborah Sheldon:
From Deborah Sheldon’s Website:
I’M AN AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR FROM MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
I WRITE SHORT STORIES, NOVELLAS AND NOVELS ACROSS THE DARKER SPECTRUM OF HORROR, CRIME AND NOIR.
MY CREDITS ALSO INCLUDE TV SCRIPTS, STAGE PLAYS, MAGAZINE ARTICLES, AND AWARD-WINNING ANTHOLOGY EDITING AND MEDICAL WRITING.
Check out my other reviews of Deborah Sheldon’s works:
From the Demain Publishing website:
“Publishing Tomorrow’s Horror Stars Today”
Demain Publishing is the brainchild of published author, editor and award-winning script-writer, Dean M. Drinkel. Dean is now bringing his expertise of working with many indie presses around the globe to his own publishing house and is proud to announce that a number of well-known genre writers have already signed on.
