Conflict between peoples is the theme of this tale, with Vikings and native Irish alike trying to settle lands and form alliances. An unlikely romance forms between a chieftain and a white-haired Norse maiden, who would rather pick up a sword than wed.

Conor Mac Ferghal is known as the Devil in respect for his prowess in battle. He challenges a band of Norse whom he finds in a village and one comes out to meet him in combat. Conor doesn't realise until he has bested the armoured warrior that this is a girl. His people have heard of her - the Angel, for her pale hair and knack of defending the defenceless. He has the injured girl taken to his dun, or fortified home, along with another injured Norseman. The girl's name is Erika Silverhair and the other captive is her brother Olan. Erika is nicknamed the Valkerie but the other Irish people resent her and for her own safety Conor has her moved to his quarters and guarded, sleeping elsewhere himself.

Conor is so impressed with the bravery, spirit and beauty of Erika that he wishes to marry her. She refuses and they eventually strike a bargain that she will fight a duel with him at Bealtaine, the spring festival, and if he wins they will wed. Many of his people are unhappy with the idea and Erika, DEVIL'S ANGEL, knows she must learn how to be a queen, with management of the dun, its people, stores, and medical herbs, high on the priority list. Olan meanwhile has found an admirer in Conor's sister. But another Irish princess comes riding in - Magda, who lived here for twenty years before marrying, and is now widowed and in need of a home. The Norse may have been settling down and marrying into Irish clans for two hundred years by now, but the strife is far from over, and sometimes trouble is stirred up from within.

Just as science fiction can hold up a mirror to today's society, so historical fiction can present the issues of today in a clearer light. The Norse had so little arable land that the softer fields of the British Isles were an obvious attraction for colonisation, but the locals were not about to be displaced. Romances were bound to spring up, but other than arranged marriages to seal peaceful bargains, only strong people could survive the community's displeasure and marry. Mallery Malone has done a good job of recreating the times and bringing her interesting, funny, courageous people to life. Erika is a great heroine and her warrior upbringing does tally with what we know of the Norse, including Leif Erikson's sister who colonised and defended her people in what they called Vinland. DEVIL'S ANGEL is a good read and a fine romance.