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strawbeb's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A good read! I went in not knowing the context, because I admit I don’t read up on history that much, and was very surprised to find that the majority of the characters were based on real historical figures. They felt like genuine, creatively written characters in the story and I loved them, especially the two siblings Ragnvald and Svanhilda. The story flowed well and the grey-ness of events made them incredibly compelling.
The reason why I don’t give 5 stars is because the characterizations were sometimes messy and unstable. In the beginning, it’s explained that Ragnvald is not too bright, but then he quickly turns out to be one the smartest characters in the entire book, even moreso than the characters we’re told have years more experience than him. And as for Svanhilda,her romance was interesting, but she goes from fighting against it and hating Solvi, to begging and crying for his attention so suddenly I wondered at first if it was a ruse.
Other than the slightly off-personality changes, the book was a good read and I recommend it for anyone curious.
The reason why I don’t give 5 stars is because the characterizations were sometimes messy and unstable. In the beginning, it’s explained that Ragnvald is not too bright, but then he quickly turns out to be one the smartest characters in the entire book, even moreso than the characters we’re told have years more experience than him. And as for Svanhilda,
Other than the slightly off-personality changes, the book was a good read and I recommend it for anyone curious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Misogyny, and Incest
Minor: Child death
TW: for several romanticized adult/minor relationships and a sexualized relationship between a stepmother and her stepson. Rape and slavery are also mentioned in the story and are treated as unsettlingly casual.
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