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tamara_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Trafficking, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Classism, Gore, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Murder, Outing, Slavery, and Deportation
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Transphobia, and Sexual assault
katiemack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I liked this better than Genevieve Gornichec's previous novel, The Witch's Heart, likely because it was less of a straightforward mythology retelling and more of Gornichec's own creation. The dialogue is also stronger and less awkward. One aspect from The Witch's Heart that I was happy to see preserved here, however, is how much agency our women protagonists have--they're incredibly strong, inspiration, smart, and bitingly funny in their wit. There's also a trans character (possible spoiler?) that ends up having a major role in the story.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: War and Death of parent
curiosityp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This novel is gripping, fascinating, adventurous, and humorous. At one point, the action was so well described that I could see this being adapted for the screen.
I loved the characters, especially the inclusion of a trans character. I enjoyed how strong and independent the women were. I loved the snarky retorts and relationship between Gunnhild and Eirik. I loved the mythology and the historical setting. I enjoyed the ending's conclusion yet openness for more.
Although I haven't read or watched any Game of Thrones, I would still recommend this to anyone who likes the series and/or the Viking era.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC!
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and War
Minor: Slavery