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jorobin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a bit hard to get into due to the creative language, as other reviewers have explained. However, I grew to enjoy it and by the end I was very invested and moved by the group of characters, however far removed they are from modern experience and sensibilities. I admire how Meek can imagine these medieval lives with so much human relevance for the 21st century, without moralising to the reader or bringing modern or postmodern deliberations into the story. The story speaks for itself and begs kindness - but not pity - for its characters. This book brings topics like gender, fate, victimhood and redemption to life in a believably Middle English way, even if the language still feels a bit forced here and there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Rape, Violence, Murder, and War