wigginsblake's review against another edition
3.0
Zelda, the narrator of this book, is a funny, wholehearted character, and I love her relationships with her brother Gert, her friends Marxy and AK47, and her therapist Dr. Laird. These dynamics make the book really enjoyable, even if the subject matter is a little disturbing to me.
zombi02's review against another edition
2.0
I just want to say this wasn't a bad book. My star rating was because the book wasn't really for me. It was a lot darker then I anticipated going into and was a lot heavier then I was ready for. From like the second chapter you (as the reader) know what kinda shit Gert has gotten himself into and we stumble along with Zelda while she figures it out. There were a few plot points that kinda were left unanswered and while Vikings played their part in this, I would've loved to know how Zelda got so interested in them in the first place. Like I said it wasn't a bad book. It just wasn't my cup of tea, nor what I expected going in.
amymprice's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this as my January BOTM, and in lieu of my 2020 goal to actually read the book the month I get it, I actually finished it in time (yay!). When We Were Vikings follows Zelda, a young adult with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, as she attempts to become a legend like her heroes, the Vikings. However, I think the book flap is very misleading about this being a light-hearted book; there is abuse, attempted rape, vivid deaths, and more. It is sometimes hard to remember this considering the entire book is told through Zelda's slightly childish voice. The #1 thing I enjoyed about this book is that the female characters were all incredibly strong, including Zelda, and oftentimes were the heroes of every scene - and that's the kind of literature I want in 2020. I think her relationships with everyone around her, spare her brother's "friends", are actually relatively realistic, and I loved to see the development of her character as the story went on. The only reason this book did not receive a full five stars for me is because I feel like there were some subplots that were not necessary to the book, and were just thrown in there to get an audible "wow" from the audience. Overall, it was an easy and enjoyable read, and one I would recommend to others.
Spoiler
(AK47 was easily the hero and best character of the book, and I really respected Pearl as a mother and woman.)Spoiler
(for example, the attempted rape was unnecessary, in my opinion, as well as the whole subplot involving the letters to Viking expert Dr. Keppel)suvata's review against another edition
5.0
Zelda is twenty-one-year-old who is obsessed with Vikings. She lives with her older brother, Gert. Their parents are dead and Zelda has diminished mental capacity due to fetal alcohol syndrome. Gert will do ANYTHING to protect and support her. This book is full of memorable, unforgettable characters. It’s both heart-wrenching and humorous. I love Zelda who definitely has a Viking spirit.
From the Publisher:
Sometimes life isn't as simple as heroes and villains.
For Zelda, a twenty-one-year-old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother, Gert, life is best lived with some basic rules:
1. A smile means "thank you for doing something small that I liked." 2. Fist bumps and dabs = respect. 3. Strange people are not appreciated in her home. 4. Tomatoes must go in the middle of the sandwich and not get the bread wet. 5. Sometimes the most important things don't fit on lists.
But when Zelda finds out that Gert has resorted to some questionable—and dangerous—methods to make enough money to keep them afloat, Zelda decides to launch her own quest. Her mission: to be legendary. It isn't long before Zelda finds herself in a battle that tests the reach of her heroism, her love for her brother, and the depth of her Viking strength.
When We Were Vikings is an uplifting debut about an unlikely heroine whose journey will leave you wanting to embark on a quest of your own, because after all...
We are all legends of our own making.
From the Publisher:
Sometimes life isn't as simple as heroes and villains.
For Zelda, a twenty-one-year-old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother, Gert, life is best lived with some basic rules:
1. A smile means "thank you for doing something small that I liked." 2. Fist bumps and dabs = respect. 3. Strange people are not appreciated in her home. 4. Tomatoes must go in the middle of the sandwich and not get the bread wet. 5. Sometimes the most important things don't fit on lists.
But when Zelda finds out that Gert has resorted to some questionable—and dangerous—methods to make enough money to keep them afloat, Zelda decides to launch her own quest. Her mission: to be legendary. It isn't long before Zelda finds herself in a battle that tests the reach of her heroism, her love for her brother, and the depth of her Viking strength.
When We Were Vikings is an uplifting debut about an unlikely heroine whose journey will leave you wanting to embark on a quest of your own, because after all...
We are all legends of our own making.
retropaidni's review against another edition
4.0
A story about a high-functioning young woman diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and the way she navigates her adult life. It was a super easy read and I did love being inside of Zelda’s mind - however some parts of this story did rub me the wrong way. Although MacDonald can be applauded for wanting to tackle difficult subjects like identity and ableism, I felt as though basing a whole subplot on Zelda’s sexual awakening felt a bit exploitative. With that being said, I loved the character depth of Zelda, Gert & AK47. This story made me feel so many emotions, I’d say it is definitely worth the read, but to be weary as you read.
nerdyrev's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this blind and it was a BOTM pick for me. While I enjoyed the character of Zelda, who has fetal alcohol syndrome and navigates the world openly, but with rules, it was the story which threw me for a curveball.
Zelda’s narration and worldview makes this book fun to read. It begins though with the story of her brother, who has recently broken up with his girlfriend AK47 (yes, really) and has begun connecting with a local drug distributor Toucan. It begin with. Zelda not knowing what is happening, but discovering clues along the way. This story was great and could have carried the book.
The odd digression was Zelda also wants to have sex with her boyfriend Marxie “who is like her.” Absolutely nothing wrong with this, except it begins to take over the back half of the book for several chapters, not just a couple, several. It was an odd steering in the narration flow as the rest of the main story just disappears for those chapters, except for cameos by Toucan and Hendo.
It will come back to the main story, but to me, it threw the narration off. It is probably 3.5 stars.
Zelda’s narration and worldview makes this book fun to read. It begins though with the story of her brother, who has recently broken up with his girlfriend AK47 (yes, really) and has begun connecting with a local drug distributor Toucan. It begin with. Zelda not knowing what is happening, but discovering clues along the way. This story was great and could have carried the book.
The odd digression was Zelda also wants to have sex with her boyfriend Marxie “who is like her.” Absolutely nothing wrong with this, except it begins to take over the back half of the book for several chapters, not just a couple, several. It was an odd steering in the narration flow as the rest of the main story just disappears for those chapters, except for cameos by Toucan and Hendo.
It will come back to the main story, but to me, it threw the narration off. It is probably 3.5 stars.
sargar114's review against another edition
4.0
This ended up being quite the beautiful coming of age tale. Zelda: Lover of all things Viking is a twenty one year old girl on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum is our protagonist finding her way in the world with the help of her brother and her friends. She encounters some terrible villains but it is quite the journey she goes on. Some strong emotions along with some very heart warming moments.
hannchilada's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, When We Were Vikings was really difficult to read at times. But in the end, I adored the message. And I think the things that made it heartbreakingly painful and endearingly meaningful were one and the same.
The more I think about it, the more When We Were Vikings feels like poetry in every facet. Despite the pain…I'm really looking forward to more from Andrew David MacDonald.
For a much more detailed review, visit my blog, Hardcovered by Hannah.
The more I think about it, the more When We Were Vikings feels like poetry in every facet. Despite the pain…I'm really looking forward to more from Andrew David MacDonald.
For a much more detailed review, visit my blog, Hardcovered by Hannah.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald is the story of a young woman with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) that is on a journey to live her own Viking legend, where she becomes the hero. Along the way, she learns that there are different ways to protect and care for her tribe, that villains and heroes can sometimes switch roles surprisingly quickly, and that small steps can add up to big accomplishments.
This novel is a piece of literary fiction that has put me on a quest to search out more like it. It is difficult to believe that this really is MacDonald's debut novel because it is so masterfully done. While I was reading, I continued to wonder how someone that is not affected by this himself could write the character of such an idiosyncratic person and yet make it so believable. But after reading some author interviews with the author, it now makes more sense. Seldom have I found myself so engrossed in a character's narration and rooted for them as much as I did with Zelda. I am excited to see a new Canadian author get as much attention as MacDonald has been because it is well deserved. I look forward to reading more from him.
Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @gallerybooks for sending me an egalley in exchange for an honest review. I am glad to have been able to read this novel.
This novel is a piece of literary fiction that has put me on a quest to search out more like it. It is difficult to believe that this really is MacDonald's debut novel because it is so masterfully done. While I was reading, I continued to wonder how someone that is not affected by this himself could write the character of such an idiosyncratic person and yet make it so believable. But after reading some author interviews with the author, it now makes more sense. Seldom have I found myself so engrossed in a character's narration and rooted for them as much as I did with Zelda. I am excited to see a new Canadian author get as much attention as MacDonald has been because it is well deserved. I look forward to reading more from him.
Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @gallerybooks for sending me an egalley in exchange for an honest review. I am glad to have been able to read this novel.
madsthemads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25