Icelandic folktales are the close cousins of Viking fairy stories, although perhaps a little darker in their tone, but they share many of the same themes of innocence and trickery, triumph of good sense over pride, and all with a strong moral message. One particular characteristic though is that often the prince is rescued by the princess who has suffered much hardship in the journey to rescue the foolish male from the clutches of an ogre or a wicked crone. Stories include: The Story of the Three Princes, Hildur, Queen of Elves, The Giantess and the Granite Boat, The Magic Scythe.

FLAME TREE 451. The bestselling paperback series on myths, legends, warriors, leaders and epic literature. Although Norse, Greek and Celtic mythology dominate the popular imagination in Western countries, there are so many other tradition around the world that contribute to the rich exploration of our collective past and create new perspectives on events of the past, and the lessons of the future.