Review: Finnian and the Seven Mountains, Vol. 1 by Philip Koslowski
The search to find a sword that will destroy evil begins on an Irish island….
It is the 9th century A.D. in Ireland. Vikings are marauding, pillaging, burning, and murdering. Families are torn asunder and no one seems willing or able to do anything to help. There are whispers about a sword capable of destroying evil – one wielded in a previous age by St. Michael the Archangel. But where it is now, no one knows.
Finnian’s parents were among the latest victims of the Dreking clan of Vikings. Since he was away at school, Finnian could not save his parents when the Norsemen came. He plans to seek for this legendary weapon, this sword fabled to destroy evil, to both avenge his parents and to put an end to the Viking menace. But even the monks who teach at his school laugh at him, for this sword is a myth!
So Finnian sets out alone to the isle of Skellig Michael, a place rumored to have a map that leads to the legendary sword of St. Michael. Finnian arrives only for Abba, the abbot, to tell him to leave. There is no sword and his quest is in vain….
Until it isn’t.
The Story
Granted a vision of St. Michael while on the island, Finnian stumbles on a hidden map that leads directly to the sword. Except this is more of a treasure hunt than a straight line: pieces of the sword have been tucked away in various places to protect it, so those who follow the map need to collect these pieces to complete the weapon. If Finnian wants the sword, he will need to put it together as he goes from location to location collecting the shards.
Brendan, one of Abba’s monks and a young man who initially sought for the sword on Skellig Michael, is appointed to act as Finnian’s navigator. The duo sets off with Abba’s blessing. Finnian is excited to finally be on his way while Brendan remains wary. The monk is right to be on guard, for they are not the only ones seeking the sword.
Ragnar, king of the Drekings and loyal to the dragon his clan swore to serve, also wants the sword. For a blade that can destroy evil would put his master at a disadvantage, and it would prevent Ragnar from achieving his own ends. He didn’t find the blade or the rest of the map leading to it on the island full of farmers where Finnian’s parents lived, but little matter. Skellig Michael is on his torn copy of the map. If anyone possesses the complete directions to the blade’s location, the spineless monks are sure to have it!
Meanwhile, Finnian and Brendan make a new friend in Merewyn, a bow-wielding young woman who survived a Viking attack on her village. After stowing away on a merchant ship to escape, she had to kill the pirates but did not succeed in doing so before they murdered the crew. This left her trapped on a deserted island with nowhere else to go, so she joins Finnian and Brendan, proving herself capable as she helps them locate the sword’s hilt.
But treachery lurks in unlikely places. When a monk sells out Finnian and his crew to the Drekings, the search becomes a real race against time. Will Finnian and his friends get the pieces first? Or will Ragnar succeed in doing the dragon’s will?
The Characters
Finnian is a nice kid, but he puts the “callow” in callow youth. Capable as he is in combat, he is also a bit too quick to speak or act. It remains clear throughout, though, why he is the leader of the crew in spite of this character flaw: he believes when no one else does. His natural compassion does mean he tends to take any loss as a personal failure, so he skates close to self-pity several times. With his friends to bear him up and the assurance of God, he finds the will to persevere.
Ragnar is a villain who would fit right in with Disney’s rogues’ gallery. Obsessed, cruel, and prone to making threats when he does not get his way, Ragnar is nevertheless a cunning opponent. He can be tricked once, but not twice, and he will use whatever leverage he can attain in order to get his way. What redeeming qualities he might have had are long gone by this point, buried in a psychotic desire to destroy the sword of St. Michael.
Merewyn is a gem and fun, while Brendan is a source of calm, balance, and dry wit. Abba pays homage to Yoda without being a one-note replay, having his own character arc and showing the power of God in his choices. The rest of the characters are sketched quickly and ably, making for a full reading experience for all ages.
The World
The world is 9th century Europe. It has marauding Vikings, quiet monasteries, and kingdoms both good and bad. It feels like a fantastical version of the past that took the source material seriously, without dumbing it down or altering it for modern audiences. The Vikings as a whole are not made to look evil, nor are all the Christians heroes. The world is real, alive, and very, very dangerous!
Politics
None.
Content Warning
Some blood, a little violence, a few monsters, and some skeletons are seen. Dead bodies are shown on occasion and threats are made to life and limb. While the demons are not seen, Ragnar does converse with one through a dragon statue, which might creep some readers out. Overall, the book is pure PG-13 goodness.
Who is it for?
Comic book lovers and young children will thoroughly enjoy this collection of the first four Finnian adventures, which can be purchased by any public library, something Voyage Comics encourages. History enthusiasts will love both the accuracy to the time period and the in-jokes, such as the name of Finnian’s navigator. Fans of Star Wars will find plenty of allusions to make them squeal happily over the book while Tolkien fans will likewise be pleased to see the master of epic fantasy receives due homage in the course of the adventure, particularly where Merewyn is concerned. Anyone who wants an epic adventure would do well to pick up Finnian and the Seven Mountains, for themselves or for the young readers in their lives. Christians who want something clean for their children to read that is also adventurous will discover there is real meat on the bones of this tale, while Catholics will find the book is a perfect conversation starter about history, faith, and geeky interests!
Why buy it?
It is a good adventure for children that adults can enjoy as well. The characters are excellent, the art is beautiful, and the story a grand adventure. Why not buy it?