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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Violence, Death of parent
3.5 stars.
this was def better than i was expecting (i'm not big on literary fiction in general and wasn't sure i'd like this) but all of the characters were so real and i loved zelda's journey. as someone with an autistic brother, i could see a lot of him in zelda and how she went through life, which brought an extra aspect of relatability to me. i guess the reason this isn't rated higher is that the ending felt really rushed? like i wish there was a little more resolution for all of the characters involved instead of sending them all off on their own paths, but still a solid read.
trigger warnings for repeated use of the r-slur (challenged), attempted SA, drug use.
this was def better than i was expecting (i'm not big on literary fiction in general and wasn't sure i'd like this) but all of the characters were so real and i loved zelda's journey. as someone with an autistic brother, i could see a lot of him in zelda and how she went through life, which brought an extra aspect of relatability to me. i guess the reason this isn't rated higher is that the ending felt really rushed? like i wish there was a little more resolution for all of the characters involved instead of sending them all off on their own paths, but still a solid read.
trigger warnings for repeated use of the r-slur (challenged), attempted SA, drug use.
I picked up this book purely from the title seeing it was "fiction" and, in my mind, about vikings. I figured I'd give it a whirl.
It ended up being exactly NOT the type of book I would ever read, but I really enjoyed it! I tend to read only sci-fi, fantasy, science nonfiction and the odd historical fiction. So, YA realistic fiction isn't my go-to. Still, I stuck with the story and I'm glad I did. A nice little read that took me into the life of someone I'll never be. Well written and a great pace. A tidy little read.
It ended up being exactly NOT the type of book I would ever read, but I really enjoyed it! I tend to read only sci-fi, fantasy, science nonfiction and the odd historical fiction. So, YA realistic fiction isn't my go-to. Still, I stuck with the story and I'm glad I did. A nice little read that took me into the life of someone I'll never be. Well written and a great pace. A tidy little read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A young woman with fetal alcohol syndrome uses the Viking way to find her own inner strength.
Oof. This is a hard book to rate/review.
I'm glad this book exists. I am so happy more books are being written with characters who have different minds. I so loved Zelda, and Annie. I loved most of the characters, actually. This book also kept reminding me vaguely of the movie "The Other Sister."
I also like/appreciate how the book challenges you (the reader) about stereotypes. Zelda's observations on the world are fantastic too, YET I found myself growing bored around 30%. I struggled my way to 50% (stopping to read two other books) and then decided I'd read more than enough around 60% (plusI felt guilty still keeping it when others were waiting for it at the library).
I'm not doing my usual 2-stars for a DNF because the book doesn't deserve that rating.
SUMMARY: This is a "coming of age" story about a 21yo living with fetal alcohol syndrome, Zelda. Zelda makes sense of her world through Viking lore and history (hence the name of the book).
I'm glad this book exists. I am so happy more books are being written with characters who have different minds. I so loved Zelda, and Annie. I loved most of the characters, actually. This book also kept reminding me vaguely of the movie "The Other Sister."
I also like/appreciate how the book challenges you (the reader) about stereotypes. Zelda's observations on the world are fantastic too, YET I found myself growing bored around 30%. I struggled my way to 50% (stopping to read two other books) and then decided I'd read more than enough around 60% (plusI felt guilty still keeping it when others were waiting for it at the library).
I'm not doing my usual 2-stars for a DNF because the book doesn't deserve that rating.
SUMMARY: This is a "coming of age" story about a 21yo living with fetal alcohol syndrome, Zelda. Zelda makes sense of her world through Viking lore and history (hence the name of the book).
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved all of the supporting characters in Zelda’s life, and how strong and resilient she is despite life’s challenges. Wished he brother could have risen to uplift himself but that’s life I guess
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought this one was absolutely precious. I really liked how the author wrote Zeldas voice. Zelda is born with Fetal Alcohol syndrome and is obsessed with Vikings. She is a strong and resilient character.