The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
tfarfan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, and Misogyny
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
tashtasher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Trafficking, War, Blood, Death, Grief, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Transphobia, Alcohol, and Chronic illness
wildflowercrypt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
the historical inaccuracies are numerous and glaring. the writing itself is juvenile and in no way reflects the time period or its setting; everyone in this book talks like teenagers from a CW tv show— any CW tv show. the main character of Gunnhild is selfish, contemptuous, petulant, and for a nearly thirty year old woman, infuriatingly childish. Oddny is better, in that she’s at least likable, but her characterization is far too bland to be compelling.Â
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Rape
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.Â
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: War and Death of parent
bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence and Animal death
Moderate: War
Minor: Slavery and Sexual assault
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!Â
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and War
Minor: Slavery