The Unfinished Land Av Greg Bear

Reynard, a young apprentice, seeks release from the drudgery of working for his fisherman uncle in the English village of Southwold. His rare days off lead him to strange encountersnot just with press gangs hoping to fill English ships to fight the coming Spanish Armada, but strangers who seem to know himone of whom casts a white shadow.The village's ships are commandeered, and after a fierce battle at sea, Reynard finds himself the sole survivor of his uncle's devastated hoy. For days he drifts, starving and dying of thirst, until he is rescued by a galleon, also lostand both are propelled by a strange current to the unknown northern island of Thule.Here Reynard must meet his destiny in a violent clash between humans and gods.