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laurapoulosky's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I did like Zelda and I loved AK47, but sometimes the humor felt patronizing to me.
readingwithrae's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
this was def better than i was expecting (i'm not big on literary fiction in general and wasn't sure i'd like this) but all of the characters were so real and i loved zelda's journey. as someone with an autistic brother, i could see a lot of him in zelda and how she went through life, which brought an extra aspect of relatability to me. i guess the reason this isn't rated higher is that the ending felt really rushed? like i wish there was a little more resolution for all of the characters involved instead of sending them all off on their own paths, but still a solid read.
trigger warnings for repeated use of the r-slur (challenged), attempted SA, drug use.
this was def better than i was expecting (i'm not big on literary fiction in general and wasn't sure i'd like this) but all of the characters were so real and i loved zelda's journey. as someone with an autistic brother, i could see a lot of him in zelda and how she went through life, which brought an extra aspect of relatability to me. i guess the reason this isn't rated higher is that the ending felt really rushed? like i wish there was a little more resolution for all of the characters involved instead of sending them all off on their own paths, but still a solid read.
trigger warnings for repeated use of the r-slur (challenged), attempted SA, drug use.
spacetoread's review against another edition
2.0
I received an advanced listener copy of this book from Libro.fm, Simon Audio, and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.
This book I surely unique. Narrated by Zelda, a high-functioning adult on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum, it has somewhat stilted language and was awkward to listen to on audio. I think the author attempts to have the reader charmed by Zelda’s quirks and her obsession with Vikings, but it didn’t work on me. The storyline felt very unbelievable, and the heavy and dark themes were in contrast to Zelda’s point of view. I realize that was surely the point - to show the stark difference between Zelda’s world and how she could perceive it. But I simply didn’t like that. Sex is a huge part of this book, it is talked about and had and talked about some more for almost half of the book. It felt overdone to me. Generally, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn’t that.
This book I surely unique. Narrated by Zelda, a high-functioning adult on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum, it has somewhat stilted language and was awkward to listen to on audio. I think the author attempts to have the reader charmed by Zelda’s quirks and her obsession with Vikings, but it didn’t work on me. The storyline felt very unbelievable, and the heavy and dark themes were in contrast to Zelda’s point of view. I realize that was surely the point - to show the stark difference between Zelda’s world and how she could perceive it. But I simply didn’t like that. Sex is a huge part of this book, it is talked about and had and talked about some more for almost half of the book. It felt overdone to me. Generally, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn’t that.
mere's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tarapollardyork's review against another edition
5.0
Oh Zelda, my heart ❤️. You are a true warrior, a Viking in every way. Thank you for finding me when I need you. We all need to be like Zelda and stand up for our tribes!
winterrose527's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This book was honestly unlike anything I’ve ever read. It is nuanced & heartbreaking and absolutely a reminder to all of us that we never know someone’s story.
hrobison11's review
3.0
As excited as I was to read about Zelda going on a quest to become legendary, I think the promotional line outdid the story itself.
I am glad that our main character has an unusual diagnosis, but it makes it difficult to really feel like an adult fiction being told in this style.
Overall it was cute, but I’m not likely to recommend it to many.
I am glad that our main character has an unusual diagnosis, but it makes it difficult to really feel like an adult fiction being told in this style.
Overall it was cute, but I’m not likely to recommend it to many.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the narrative voice here. And I wasn’t sure where the plot was going to go, but it was a satisfying ending. Plus, the author actually got the library parts of this book *right*. :)
dianareadsalot's review against another edition
2.0
started out sooo good, then yeah it got really real and really rough.
dnf'd at like 180 or more. i dont remember
check for trigger warnings.
dnf'd at like 180 or more. i dont remember
check for trigger warnings.