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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
This short novel is about a the magic of horses and the magic of travel and learning about new cultures. There is a nice ghost story at the heart of it as well.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An interesting, academically-toned, ninth-century historical fiction novella – with a hint of what may or may not be magic. I wish the writing style was less clunky and stilted in spots, even if it mimics the old sagas. However, the concept of the acquisition and introduction of steppe horses to Iceland, alongside the backdrop of a Rus-Khazar conflict, is a unique take on historical fantasy. Despite the novella's brevity, it also offers up a relatively detailed exploration of intersecting religious traditions, cultural mores and norms, language exchange, and funerary practices.
3.5 stars rounded up because I learned things and enjoyed the hypothetical scenarios.
3.5 stars rounded up because I learned things and enjoyed the hypothetical scenarios.
A lovely little novel set in that hotbed of historical fiction: 9th C Eastern Europe (joke! joke!). In it, Norse traveller Ekvind travels the Silk Road just as Christianity is making inroads across the region. He scoffs at religion, even after his own perhaps magical (or is it just Norse pragmatism at work?) powers come to the fore. The storytelling, which culminates in Eyvind's contribution to Iceland: the delightful little horses all descended from his one (possibly haunted) white mare, feels organically like a saga.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This books, although short in lengh, immediately sets the tone by it's unique, well research, and lifelike style which immitates in parts the prose found in all sagas. We are left to always wonder if we are or not reading non-fiction, making the entire spiritual and mystical aspects of the plots so much more engaging. A quite charming fable that manages in very few pages to create colorfull characters and complex geopolitical context! Would recommend to anyone who loves horses, curses and likeable old witches whom will feed you testicules.
While driving the Golden Circle in Iceland, we opened Libby and searched for books on Iceland. This was the first one available, and it's length was perfect for our trip. It was enjoyable to listen to, particularly as we drove by the fields of horses.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No