A review by bookwomble
All the Horses of Iceland by Sarah Tolmie
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A wonderful little book, deeply researched and told plainly, as befits the worldly-naïf MC. It's marketed as a historical fantasy, but the second half of that description is somewhat misleading, I think. The story is presented within the world view of its protagonists, who believe in ghosts, magic and the supernatural, so naturally those elements appear, but they are part of life, not apart from it.
The story follows 7th century Icelander, Eyvind, in his travels into Central Asia, his experiences with the peoples he meets along the way, his bonding with an unnamed spirit mare, and his journey home with his precious cargo of Mongolian horses. Part Secret History, part Just So story, part Culture Hero mythic journey, all wonderfully fascinating.
The story follows 7th century Icelander, Eyvind, in his travels into Central Asia, his experiences with the peoples he meets along the way, his bonding with an unnamed spirit mare, and his journey home with his precious cargo of Mongolian horses. Part Secret History, part Just So story, part Culture Hero mythic journey, all wonderfully fascinating.