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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
If you are looking for a happy book, or perhaps a birthday gifts for a child, I would not recommend this book. This story really is a series of horrible events(violence, kidnapping, rape etc.). But despite that, I recall it's also an intriguing read. And it doesn't leave you feeling that sad either. Also, the little epilogue the writer attached makes this book quite special.
It's a compelling novel, but certainly not a happy one. Around the year 900, a young Irish princess is kidnapped by Vikings and ends up in Iceland as a slave. She's strong-willed and refuses to speak. Historically, it's a fascinating description of the time and people and the conflict between the Vikings and everyone else. The idea that this people just came in and took whomever they wanted--men, women, and especially children--and sold them as slaves is barbaric. Not a happy, nor even pleasant novel to read, it is fascinating.
Wow! I remain convinced of Donna Jo Napoli's writing talent. This book's vivid descriptions had me right there in the moment with Melkorka, the medieval Irish princess who is kidnapped and taken aboard a slave ship, and who finds some scrap of power over her captors by becoming selectively mute. I enjoyed the Norse and Gaelic words sprinkled throughout, and though it is not exactly a happy or neat ending, it is not hopeless. Sensitive readers should be aware of some onscreen violence and offscreen rape.
Favorite quotes/tidbits:
mustering -- a gathering of storks
(Are there really no snakes in Ireland? Isn't there a legend about this? Must investigate.)
"The wind whistles, and I shiver so hard it makes me tired."
"I wonder if anyone realized who St. Patrick was while he was still a slave? Are we born to be good or evil? Does daftness help us to do the Lord's work?"
"'But each day,' says Crazy Woman, 'one wins only by a tiny bit, because they are equal in abilities. They are almost twins. Like I said. It's just that Calhoun knows who he is and Aedan doesn't. Calhoun has always had his freedom, but Aedan needs to learn to seize his."
(portaging -- Melkorka mentions nine of them carrying the ship -- just how big is this ship? I was picturing it much larger than carrying size)
Favorite quotes/tidbits:
mustering -- a gathering of storks
(Are there really no snakes in Ireland? Isn't there a legend about this? Must investigate.)
"The wind whistles, and I shiver so hard it makes me tired."
"I wonder if anyone realized who St. Patrick was while he was still a slave? Are we born to be good or evil? Does daftness help us to do the Lord's work?"
"'But each day,' says Crazy Woman, 'one wins only by a tiny bit, because they are equal in abilities. They are almost twins. Like I said. It's just that Calhoun knows who he is and Aedan doesn't. Calhoun has always had his freedom, but Aedan needs to learn to seize his."
(portaging -- Melkorka mentions nine of them carrying the ship -- just how big is this ship? I was picturing it much larger than carrying size)
I liked it, but I didn't love it! I am trying to be really accurate with my reviews and I honestly wanted to love it. This has all the elements for a book I would like. (History, drama, girl power, etc) This is a very hard review to right because I am not sure why I didn't love it. Maybe I was looking for a book that by the end of it everything is "fixed"! This book is probably more true to real life in its ending and story because it doesn't have a wonderful the world is great ending. My favorite part of the book was the Author's notes at the end. I wish they had put that information at the beginning. I think I will read this book again after reading the Author's notes and see if my opinion changes.
This is my second Napoli book. Set in the early 900s, it tells the tale of an Irish princess who is "whisked away" by Russian slave traders and makes a journey through many areas of the world. Her greatest defense is to remain mute, which (thanks to various cultural superstitions and legends) convinces her captor she might be something more than just human.
Hush flows along smoothly, and the story is paced well. However, I didn't feel particularly close to the main character—I'm not sure why that is. The book definitely succeeded in making me sympathetic to the plight of the slaves, and also drove home the point that all cultures have good and bad points once you are really looking. It's a fairly good read that I would recommend to YA readers with any interest in the time period.
I also liked it better than Bound, the first Napoli book I read.
Hush flows along smoothly, and the story is paced well. However, I didn't feel particularly close to the main character—I'm not sure why that is. The book definitely succeeded in making me sympathetic to the plight of the slaves, and also drove home the point that all cultures have good and bad points once you are really looking. It's a fairly good read that I would recommend to YA readers with any interest in the time period.
I also liked it better than Bound, the first Napoli book I read.
I really enjoyed this story of an Irish princess taken from her home by slave traders. Surrounded by strangers, Melkorka struggles to come to terms with her new circumstances, and what lies ahead in her future. Based on a snippet of historical fact, this is a lovely tale - while the plot makes the story sound like an adventure tale, it doesn't really fit into that category. It's slower, quieter - as Melkorka grieves the loss of her old life, we are caught up with her.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was a wonderful book that I really enjoyed reading. I loved the character and how even without her dialogue her thoughts made you feel for her as well as her actions. This is a story of heartbreaking tragedy for the character and throughout the book it kind of goes from bad to worst. Even when a different character comes in to help or comfort or allow some kind of sunshine in, most of the time it gets snuffed out. If your ready to maybe cry or feel sad then I would read this book (you need to be prepared this isn't a happy-go-lucky book), but also if your ready to hear a young women journey filled with great challenges you have to read this story.
I'm sad to mark this as DNF. This is not my first read from this author. [b:The King of Mulberry Street|1012335|The King of Mulberry Street|Donna Jo Napoli|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440614843l/1012335._SY75_.jpg|1433921] was a great read that I lost sleep over. Initially I did have trouble getting into it and had to restart it because I set it aside for too long. But once I got back to it, I loved it!
I faced the same problem with this book and was hoping that maybe I would be more invested if I just kept going. Sadly, this was not the case.
Unfortunately, I don't have many positive points. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Brigid (I think I spelled that right). Despite only being 8 years old, she had more common sense than Mel. Now, since I didn't finish- I don't know Brigid's fate but what I did read- she took action which says a lot.
Cons/Dislikes:
1) I did not like Mel. At all. Her attitude was bratty and snobbish. Her tone/voice wasn't engaging. When it came to the characters in general- I didn't care for any of them really. The mom scared me. The crew of the slave ship didn't have much personality and it was so hard to tell them apart. The captives were slightly more unique and individual but again, I just didn't like them. As I mentioned earlier- Brigid would have to be my favorite of what I read.
2) While the plot had serious potential to be exciting, I personally found it slow. Even when it really picked up- I just couldn't get into it.
3) There was a bit of TMI and rape. From what I read in other reviews, there's more of this to come and it's not handled well. One reviewer mentioned something to the effect that Mel somehow found hope through this "relationship" with the man who bought her??? Yeah. Reading those reviews is a large part of why I finally called it quits.
Needless to say, I was disappointed. Others may really enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me. I'm not going to write this author off, because I did really enjoy The King of Mulberry Street. Hopefully this one was just a fluke.
I faced the same problem with this book and was hoping that maybe I would be more invested if I just kept going. Sadly, this was not the case.
Unfortunately, I don't have many positive points. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Brigid (I think I spelled that right). Despite only being 8 years old, she had more common sense than Mel. Now, since I didn't finish- I don't know Brigid's fate but what I did read- she took action which says a lot.
Cons/Dislikes:
1) I did not like Mel. At all. Her attitude was bratty and snobbish. Her tone/voice wasn't engaging. When it came to the characters in general- I didn't care for any of them really. The mom scared me. The crew of the slave ship didn't have much personality and it was so hard to tell them apart. The captives were slightly more unique and individual but again, I just didn't like them. As I mentioned earlier- Brigid would have to be my favorite of what I read.
2) While the plot had serious potential to be exciting, I personally found it slow. Even when it really picked up- I just couldn't get into it.
3) There was a bit of TMI and rape. From what I read in other reviews, there's more of this to come and it's not handled well. One reviewer mentioned something to the effect that Mel somehow found hope through this "relationship" with the man who bought her??? Yeah. Reading those reviews is a large part of why I finally called it quits.
Needless to say, I was disappointed. Others may really enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me. I'm not going to write this author off, because I did really enjoy The King of Mulberry Street. Hopefully this one was just a fluke.