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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: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, Classism, 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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Chronic illness, Transphobia, and Alcohol
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.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and War
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: Animal death and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault and Slavery
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!
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Slavery