Description: Set in tenth-century Denmark and its environs, Hidden follows the fortunes of Brigid, sister of Melkorka, the main character of Napoli's Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale. Unlike Melkorka, Brigid escapes from the Russian slaver who has abducted them, taking refuge first with a family in northern Jutland; then with Astrid and Beorn, a former slave and her new husband; and finally with a queen and king in Jutland's main trading center. Now known as Alfhild (or "elf battle," for her seemingly otherworldly arrival and strong, upstart nature), Brigid becomes a competent sailor and archer; eventually, despite the love she bears her foster families and suitor, she heads out to search for news of her sister. She and her crew of women become notorious pirates (Napoli was inspired by the story of Alfhild, the first Norse woman pirate), roaming the Baltic and freeing those captured by slavers and returning them to their families. This is a warm-hearted, adventure-filled romp, steadied and enriched by enough historical underpinnings that it treads the fine line between historical fiction and romantic fantasy with aplomb. Napoli's portrayals of Norse language and culture, cultural assimilation and the slave trade, and sisterly loyalty contribute equally to the story's entertainment value.

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