Acknowledgments

As ever, eternal gratitude to my agent, Martha Millard, for her support and encouragement over the years.

To Marcia Markland and Kat Brzozowski of Thomas Dunne Books, for all their help in bringing this book to light.

To Bob Morales, who came up with the title.

To my friends in Finland, Kati Makki-Clements and Tino Warinowski, for assistance with all things Suomi.

To Professor K. A. Laity, for her invaluable advice regarding all things Icelandic and Kalevala.

To Jonathan Clements, very special thanks for advising me on the finer linguistic points of Finnish, Icelandic, and Old Norse, as well as for his insights into shamanism and ancient Nordic ritual.

To David Shaw, Eric Van, and Robert Wexler, for sharing their knowledge of Nordic music, as well as to everyone who posted helpful info on The Inferior 4 + 1 blog.

To Jonathan Clements, Ellen Datlow, Kate Laity, Bob Morales, and Bill Sheehan, who read this book in manuscript.

To John Clute, who traveled to Iceland with me in 2009, with all my love.

Finally, in memory of my lifelong friend, Russell Dunn, whose longtime dream was to visit Iceland, and who was my comrade-in-arms during my first trip to that country in 2007. “We know that love will be reborn, that death holds its own marvels, that both worlds hold joy.” Farewell, old friend.