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The Heir of Lemminkäinen
As Löhi, the Witch of the North, unleashes war upon the Seven Clans of Iron-Age Finland, the famous wizard Väinämöinen leads a desperate effort to stop her. The great smith Ilmarinen kindles hope when he reforges the magical Sampo, the ancient Finns’ most powerful totem. But only King Egan and Ulla—the Child of the Prophecy—can guarantee victory for their people.
Ulla sets out on the Trail for Singers, a wizard's life path, and Egan embarks on his own journey to become the heir of mighty Lemminkäinen, the last High King of the Far Northern Land. Drawn together by both love and destiny, the two young heroes vow to end Löhi’s rampage, but neither can imagine the surprise that awaits at journey’s end, which will change the Far Northern Land forever.
THE HEIR OF LEMMINKÄINEN, Book II of the Far Northern Land Saga, goes where no epic fantasy has gone before—Finnish mythology and the world of the Kalevala, where legendary heroes like the wizard Väinämöinen mix with original characters like Ulla and Egan to create a unique mosaic wholly new to fantasy literature.
This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Dartfrog books.
Book club questions for The Heir of Lemminkäinen by David Allen Schlaefer
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
Revenge is a motivating factor that appears in several scenarios throughout the book. What are some of the different ways Schlaefer portrays the desire for revenge, and what roles does it play in the storyline?
Why is Väinämöinen so reluctant for Ulla to become a wizard? Do you agree with his views? Why or why not?
Finnish folklore never explicitly describes what the mysterious Sampo is. In The Heir of Lemminkäinen, the Sampo is a magical totem pole reforged by Ilmarinen the Smith. What does the Sampo symbolize? What is its importance to the people of the Far Northern Land?
Egan's story arc could be compared to those of other great characters in tragic fantasy literature, like Isildur in The Lord of the Rings series. Who are some other literary figures that come to mind when you think of Egan's struggles and triumphs in this book, and in what ways are they most alike? In what ways are they different?
Serfdom and slavery are prominent features of the Far Northern Land. How do different characters react to these institutions?
Egan leads his army into the forest to destroy Löhi's camp despite Väinämöinen's misgivings. What is his motivation for doing something that some may deem reckless? Were you in his shoes, would you embark on so risky a course? Why or why not?
How are Siitsa and Ulla alike? Why do you think they make very different choices despite their shared experiences?
Ulla is jealous of and fairly negative toward Kirsikka's love for Eglano. Why do you think that is? How does she eventually overcome her negative feelings?
Based on how this book built on the events of the first installment of the series, The Mark of the Bear Clan, what do you think will happen next to Ulla and Väinämöinen? How do you think they'll try to rebuild everything they and their allies have lost?
Unaja tells Ulla that, before she fell in love with Egan, she did not desire happiness, only a "truce with life," and that finding happiness also introduced fear. What exactly do you think Unaja meant by this? Do you agree, or do you think there's another way to view the pursuit and gain of happiness?
The Heir of Lemminkäinen Book Club Questions PDF
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