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secondhandpages's review against another edition
5.0
Holy cow this was a wild ride! The action started on page one and continued all the way through the book. I was very satisfied with the pace of the book. Even when it was "slow" it wasn't truly. There was always some kind of action propelling the story forward. I'm not surprised at all considering it's coming from the brain that gave us Alosa. Rasmira was instantly likeable, with her strong willed attitude, but soft core. She was a well rounded character that really held her own.
The world was viking feeling, as Levenseller promised, and it worked. It worked so well that I felt as thought I was racing through the woods with an ax strapped to my back, bound in leather pants and leather straps adorning my wrists. It was such a wonderfully vivid world that I really didn't want to leave.
As promised, Rasmira is betrayed and tossed out on her ass -- into the world of monsters and scary things in the night. You know, all the things that we typically try to avoid. Her trek through the wilderness wouldn't be complete without a slow burning romance to keep them warm at night, and Levenseller did not disappoint!
I was THRILLED that Levenseller included a gay character, Iric. He was funny, witty, clever - all the things I love in a character anyways, to add that he resides in my reality made me love him even more.
My favorite part of the novel was the monsters. In the wilderness, the creatures were crazy and insane. I was almost afraid of what I would read next. God, monsters and scary things all rolled into one.
As this novel is a stand alone, I was very happy with how it was concluded. I really thought the ends justified the means, and that Rasmira showed how truly bad ass she was through out the entire novel. It's a very fast read, and the action makes it seem as though you've just started reading when you've reached the end.
This novel is a definite 5 stars! A must read for anyone who loves high fantasy, bad ass women, or just a wild ride of fun.
The world was viking feeling, as Levenseller promised, and it worked. It worked so well that I felt as thought I was racing through the woods with an ax strapped to my back, bound in leather pants and leather straps adorning my wrists. It was such a wonderfully vivid world that I really didn't want to leave.
As promised, Rasmira is betrayed and tossed out on her ass -- into the world of monsters and scary things in the night. You know, all the things that we typically try to avoid. Her trek through the wilderness wouldn't be complete without a slow burning romance to keep them warm at night, and Levenseller did not disappoint!
I was THRILLED that Levenseller included a gay character, Iric. He was funny, witty, clever - all the things I love in a character anyways, to add that he resides in my reality made me love him even more.
My favorite part of the novel was the monsters. In the wilderness, the creatures were crazy and insane. I was almost afraid of what I would read next. God, monsters and scary things all rolled into one.
As this novel is a stand alone, I was very happy with how it was concluded. I really thought the ends justified the means, and that Rasmira showed how truly bad ass she was through out the entire novel. It's a very fast read, and the action makes it seem as though you've just started reading when you've reached the end.
This novel is a definite 5 stars! A must read for anyone who loves high fantasy, bad ass women, or just a wild ride of fun.
hannah_farnsworth_'s review against another edition
5.0
I couldn’t put this down! The story was so original. I enjoyed all the characters the world building. I did feel that the ending was a tad predictable, but that wasn’t a bad thing for me.
Overall, 5/5 stars. Loved. Definitely want to add to my personal collection.
Overall, 5/5 stars. Loved. Definitely want to add to my personal collection.
the_alexeli's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
I'm not sure if it is due to all the hype surrounding this book, or if it just wasn't my exact cup of tea, but I found this book to be a little lackluster. I mean, when I pick up a book about vikings, I tend to have certain expectations, like war and badass battles and wild feasts! If there weren't so many mentions of axes, you honestly wouldn't even be able to tell it was about vikings. And nothing much happened. There was a betrayal, a banishment, friends were made, love blossomed, and then, at the VERY end, there was a fight. Between two people. I was left wanting more, and not in a good way.
I will say that the writing was pretty decent, but what really saved this book for me was some of the characters. Soren, Iric, and Irrenia, to be specific. Soren is so sweet and loyal. Irrenia is a freaking queen in all the best ways. And Iric has so many issues, bitter remarks, and sarcastic comeback, I just want to adopt him. These three are what really made this book for me. They were wonderful, flashed out characters, with flaws and dreams and personalities.
I'm not sure if it is due to all the hype surrounding this book, or if it just wasn't my exact cup of tea, but I found this book to be a little lackluster. I mean, when I pick up a book about vikings, I tend to have certain expectations, like war and badass battles and wild feasts! If there weren't so many mentions of axes, you honestly wouldn't even be able to tell it was about vikings. And nothing much happened. There was a betrayal, a banishment, friends were made, love blossomed, and then, at the VERY end, there was a fight. Between two people. I was left wanting more, and not in a good way.
I will say that the writing was pretty decent, but what really saved this book for me was some of the characters. Soren, Iric, and Irrenia, to be specific. Soren is so sweet and loyal. Irrenia is a freaking queen in all the best ways. And Iric has so many issues, bitter remarks, and sarcastic comeback, I just want to adopt him. These three are what really made this book for me. They were wonderful, flashed out characters, with flaws and dreams and personalities.
starlily's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashleywolff333's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
calliebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
bookbedtimeprocrastination's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
annabel_jr's review against another edition
3.0
[edit] I’m raising this from 3 stars to 3.5
this was fun! very easy read, not particularly pretty prose but the story and characters were fun.
I do wish it was a bit longer so that rasmira had spent a bit more time trying to figure out how to defeat peruxolo as hers was the hardest mattugr, and so that the romance between rasmira and soren could be fleshed out. I don’t ship them ngl, I feel like she was very adamant not to like him, and then as soon as they were alone together they were making out constantly. what happened to my strong independent woman! she was heartbroken and betrayed! she’s gay in my mind.
I did love iric and soren and rasmira’s sister (can’t remember her name lol)
another thing that bugged me is that the two love interests are named soren and torrin… be serious now. they sounded too similar in the audiobook.
and that the ziken were so hyped up and dangerous in the start and then barely featured when they were literally walking around in the wild?
that it felt weird that everyone succeeded first time. one of them should have failed, but their plans worked every time.
my biggest issue was that peruxolo was in fact not a god… ik that’s the whole point but her defeating him seems way more lame now. if he had actual powers it would be amazing, and it would mean he couldn’t be replaced. now the secret is out and anyone could potentially abuse the powers of the loathstones.
I just have to remember this is a ya book so maybe I shouldn’t expect something too complex.
bonus points for a cool cover tho!
if I spelt stuff wrong it’s bc I audiobooked it and there aren’t enough lengthy reviews to find spellings
this was fun! very easy read, not particularly pretty prose but the story and characters were fun.
I do wish it was a bit longer so that rasmira had spent a bit more time trying to figure out how to defeat peruxolo as hers was the hardest mattugr, and so that the romance between rasmira and soren could be fleshed out. I don’t ship them ngl, I feel like she was very adamant not to like him, and then as soon as they were alone together they were making out constantly. what happened to my strong independent woman! she was heartbroken and betrayed! she’s gay in my mind.
I did love iric and soren and rasmira’s sister (can’t remember her name lol)
another thing that bugged me is that the two love interests are named soren and torrin… be serious now. they sounded too similar in the audiobook.
and that the ziken were so hyped up and dangerous in the start and then barely featured when they were literally walking around in the wild?
that it felt weird that everyone succeeded first time. one of them should have failed, but their plans worked every time.
my biggest issue was that peruxolo was in fact not a god… ik that’s the whole point but her defeating him seems way more lame now. if he had actual powers it would be amazing, and it would mean he couldn’t be replaced. now the secret is out and anyone could potentially abuse the powers of the loathstones.
I just have to remember this is a ya book so maybe I shouldn’t expect something too complex.
bonus points for a cool cover tho!
if I spelt stuff wrong it’s bc I audiobooked it and there aren’t enough lengthy reviews to find spellings
robbins_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
_kjmac_books_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0