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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Characters are simple, built on one or two easy traits ("tall and independent", "pious but bloodthirsty", etc). Characters act primarily as observers to the plot and do basically nothing but watch the entire time, which means this book REALLY spiked my anxiety. There are basically two large points of character agency in the book, both of which happen near the very end and whose consequences are just sort of assumed rather than discussed. Lingers on very weird specific details (the longest chapter in the book is a witchcraft trial which the characters can do nothing but watch) while the preceding 6 months are glossed in two sentences. Also, the book has this very tedious romance shoehorned in which I think is supposed to be a central feature of the plot? But all decisions and plot events would have happened approximately the same way without it, and they *don't even end up together*. The thematic tension built by the romance, especially as a contrast Ursa's fraught relationship with her husband, is left to be constructed entirely by the reader in the last 10 of the book. I am not sure why so many words were spent on the romance in particular because it was mostly presented as a slow-burn that did not much assist in building the tension, which is a shame because it *could* have been a very stressful element throughout. Instead, the protagonists are basically just audience members to a deeply messed up 17th century gore theater and THEN get to do things in the last 20 pages. At no point before that was I actually worried about the perspective characters even a little.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The ending made me so mad and the whole book is heartbreaking but it’s amazing.
This was such a good read! I really enjoyed the setting -- both the time period & also the location.
A community of people in the far reaches of Norway have their lives upended when a storm devastates their village and kills all their men folk who were at sea fishing, leaving only the women (and those too old or young to fish) behind. This leads to outsiders (a man of God and a Commissioner sent by the King) to come and guide the remaining women.
I loved the main characters of Maren and Ursa. I will admit that the earlier parts of Ursa's life in Bergen before she moves to Vardø did bore me a little. I was so captivated by Maren's life and how Kiran Millwood Hargrave writes about the setting and the people, how their life was affected by the storm and how they try to recover.
This book is also about the witch trials that had a hold over the societies of that time period and how this comes to affect life in Vardø -- and subsequently the blossoming romance between Maren and Ursa. This is very much a slow burn romance with any affirmation of their affection for each other only coming towards the end of the book. Like, in the last few chapters.
Ursa's husband, and commissioner of Vardø, Cornet was a very well written villain (if I could call him as such). He had a dark, foreboding presence in most chapters and it was hard to tell how he would act. Sometimes he was gentle and a loving husband and other times there were glimpses of the hard and unforgiving, fanatical witch hunter that he was known to be. Did he anger me at times? Oh yes but I think that's intentional.
He is not a likeable man at all which also helps to sway favour towards a union between Ursa and Maren. Their interactions are so sweetly written and it's a delight to follow their friendship as each tries to understand and navigate the unfamiliar feelings of romantic attraction towards someone of the same sex. Sadly this book doesn't have a happy ending but I think it was concluded in the best way possible. A second book, exploring Maren's life on the run after leaving Vardø would be interesting to me. Especially if there was something about Ursa and her baby (if she has it).
But I was very satisfied with this book. It didn't wow me but it was a nice read and very well written. I'd definitely be looking to pick up more books by Hargrave in the future.
A community of people in the far reaches of Norway have their lives upended when a storm devastates their village and kills all their men folk who were at sea fishing, leaving only the women (and those too old or young to fish) behind. This leads to outsiders (a man of God and a Commissioner sent by the King) to come and guide the remaining women.
I loved the main characters of Maren and Ursa. I will admit that the earlier parts of Ursa's life in Bergen before she moves to Vardø did bore me a little. I was so captivated by Maren's life and how Kiran Millwood Hargrave writes about the setting and the people, how their life was affected by the storm and how they try to recover.
This book is also about the witch trials that had a hold over the societies of that time period and how this comes to affect life in Vardø -- and subsequently the blossoming romance between Maren and Ursa. This is very much a slow burn romance with any affirmation of their affection for each other only coming towards the end of the book. Like, in the last few chapters.
Ursa's husband, and commissioner of Vardø, Cornet was a very well written villain (if I could call him as such). He had a dark, foreboding presence in most chapters and it was hard to tell how he would act. Sometimes he was gentle and a loving husband and other times there were glimpses of the hard and unforgiving, fanatical witch hunter that he was known to be. Did he anger me at times? Oh yes but I think that's intentional.
He is not a likeable man at all which also helps to sway favour towards a union between Ursa and Maren. Their interactions are so sweetly written and it's a delight to follow their friendship as each tries to understand and navigate the unfamiliar feelings of romantic attraction towards someone of the same sex. Sadly this book doesn't have a happy ending but I think it was concluded in the best way possible. A second book, exploring Maren's life on the run after leaving Vardø would be interesting to me. Especially if there was something about Ursa and her baby (if she has it).
But I was very satisfied with this book. It didn't wow me but it was a nice read and very well written. I'd definitely be looking to pick up more books by Hargrave in the future.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is beautifully written, and I loved the gloomy vibe of it, but for me the romance felt too unnatural. There's a lovely build up throughout the book, but I felt like the focus was more on platonic love, and the bond of friendship in such an isolated place than anything else.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A heartbreaking story that I couldn’t stop reading.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What an incredible book, beautifully written & so emotional, I even got teary at the end, which never happens (the “breathe deep” scene). The feminism, the LGBTQIA+ representation, the isolated setting..!
I love learning / reading about witches & witch trials & loved that this was partly based on a true event that happened & the real life historical events that occurred around this time were also touched upon.
Absolutely loved Maren & Ursa & Kristen was just portrayed incredibly. I thought the first 2 parts of the book were quite slow, but I think this was necessary for scene setting & character development & made Part 3 even better.
Outstanding!!! Book of the year so far.
I love learning / reading about witches & witch trials & loved that this was partly based on a true event that happened & the real life historical events that occurred around this time were also touched upon.
Absolutely loved Maren & Ursa & Kristen was just portrayed incredibly. I thought the first 2 parts of the book were quite slow, but I think this was necessary for scene setting & character development & made Part 3 even better.
Outstanding!!! Book of the year so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Torture, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent