A tale of star-crossed young love set against the backdrop of the Viking invasion of York, from a master storyteller.

Tor is the youngest son of Harald Hardrada, King of Norway and leader of the Viking fleet, whose countless victories have been woven into song, his prowess the stuff of legend.

Kata knows little of her parents, but her heart yearns for something beyond the small world of her Anglo-Saxon village south of the great city of York.

When Tor is sent to scout ahead of the Viking fleet after their invasion of Scarborough, he relies on his charm and his guile to learn the lie of the land and the location of the regional earls' forces, ready to report back to his father. Soon, however, he meets Kata, a caring and capable young woman whose fierce nature sets Tor's heart alight.

But these are troubled times. Mistrust and rumours ripple through the land: the mighty Hardrada is coming and help is far from hand. As the eve of battle draws closer, Kata and Tor must question to whom their loyalty lies: heart or home?

Crossley-Holland’s passion for history pulsates throughout this YA romance * The Bookseller *
Kevin Crossley-Holland is well known as a master storyteller, whose passion for history and folklore combined with skilled use of language make any book he writes a 'must have' as far as I am concerned. . . Perfect for anyone studying the events surrounding the conquest of England, Kata and Tor also offers an engaging 'human' story of those caught on opposing sides. . . a dramatic, immersive story which is a compelling read. * Reading Zone *
History lovers in particular will enjoy this tale much of which is historically accurate. * Red Reading Hub *
A very special and lovely read. * BookRead2Day *
Featured * The Bookseller, March Children’s Previews *

Kevin Crossley-Holland is a well-known poet and prize-winning author for children. His books include Heartsong, with Jane Ray, a collection of Poems, The Breaking Hour, both published in 2015, The Riddlemaster, published in June 2016. His retelling of traditional tales for Walker are Norse Myths, Norse Tales, Between Worlds and King Alfred and the Ice Coffin. The Seeing Stone won the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, the Smarties Prize Bronze medal, and the Tir na n-Og Award. His Arthur trilogy has won worldwide critical acclaim, sold well over one million copies, and been translated into twenty-five languages.