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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
The back story of a girl from a Norse fairytale that I've never heard before. It was good! I like Napoli's imagery in this work. Quite lovely.
Although it's portrayed as a strength, it worries me that Mel was willing to give up her voice so very quickly. As discussed by many feminist philosophers, a woman's voice is often her only weapon, and when it's taken away... bad things happen. However, given the circumstances, it completely fits the character of Mel to refuse to speak. I don't know.
It made me think, and that's always a good thing about a book.
Although it's portrayed as a strength, it worries me that Mel was willing to give up her voice so very quickly. As discussed by many feminist philosophers, a woman's voice is often her only weapon, and when it's taken away... bad things happen. However, given the circumstances, it completely fits the character of Mel to refuse to speak. I don't know.
It made me think, and that's always a good thing about a book.
This was a really enjoyable read. I had trouble getting into it at first, the story starts off a bit slow and meanders through some character development...THEN all of the sudden it picks up speed and before I knew it the story was over and I kind of missed the characters. I love Melkorka the main character an Irish Princess taken in a raid to collect slaves and the story of her journey on a slave ship. The details were exacting enough to imagine and the historical accuracy was notable but not noticed. I am not generally a historic fiction reader but this story really worked for me and I have not been let down by this author yet. Actually will probably seek out more of her books.
One of the greatest books ever. 'Nough said.
Edit 6/22/19
I read this novel years ago (around 10) and I remember loving it so much that the story stuck with me and I claimed this as one of my favorites for the longest time.
After rereading it, I think it’s interesting to see how not only do a reader’s tastes change but also what that reader can tolerate.
Reading it now, I couldn’t help but be annoyed by the main character for a good chunk of the book. Her arrogance and better-than-everyone attitude set me off for the majority of it. But, I think it was very important to see this side of her and the change that occurs within her as the events unfold in the novel.
There are very serious topics in this novel that shouldn’t be taken lightly and I think the author did a great job of accurately depicting this interesting story. However, I did find these topics a very bitter pill to swallow and yet I still couldn’t put it down and I think that showcases very well how great an author can be.
Edit 6/22/19
I read this novel years ago (around 10) and I remember loving it so much that the story stuck with me and I claimed this as one of my favorites for the longest time.
After rereading it, I think it’s interesting to see how not only do a reader’s tastes change but also what that reader can tolerate.
Reading it now, I couldn’t help but be annoyed by the main character for a good chunk of the book. Her arrogance and better-than-everyone attitude set me off for the majority of it. But, I think it was very important to see this side of her and the change that occurs within her as the events unfold in the novel.
There are very serious topics in this novel that shouldn’t be taken lightly and I think the author did a great job of accurately depicting this interesting story. However, I did find these topics a very bitter pill to swallow and yet I still couldn’t put it down and I think that showcases very well how great an author can be.
I found it to be rather boring and the dialogue and characters felt too modern for the story to be set in medieval Ireland.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
I actually haven't read this book since middle school, but I remember a good amount of the details. It was a well-written historical book that followed a good protagonist who adapted to her situation in the old European slave trade. From my memory, the book was written well and the development of everything was pretty good. I do recommend this book for people who like grimmer stories and tales.
My only complaint is that some parts could have been trimmed here and there and nothing would have been lost overall. Things drag out a little here and there.
That being said, excellent book. Melkorka was a fascinating character and seeing her go from haughty, pro-slavery princess to slave was an interesting transition.
Really, really good book.
That being said, excellent book. Melkorka was a fascinating character and seeing her go from haughty, pro-slavery princess to slave was an interesting transition.
Spoiler
I was also surprised to see that the author went with a downer-ending (Melkorka never escapes, the story ends with her finding out she's pregnant by her new master), and that we never find out what happened to Brigid or Melkorka's family.Really, really good book.
Really interesting concept written in a very lyrical prose. It was beautifully done, and an interesting look into the past. I felt like the whole world was created, not just two dimensional backdrops. It was a little hard to get into Melkorka's character itself, but the secondary characters were amazingly done, particularly Maeve.
I picked up this book in the library when I was looking for a quick read because I love Sirena by the same author and thought this re-telling of Irish and Icelandic folk tales sounded interesting. I'm so glad I did! I loved following the story of Melkorka and her journey from Irish princess to Icelandic chieftan's favourite slave and everything in between. I really cared what happened to the various characters (mainly the slaves and especially Malkorka, Maeve and the children) and was fascinated by the look at the people and lands of Melkorka's world.
This was a fascinating (and quick) YA read. Based on an old Icelandic legend and set in the late 900s, Melkorka is an Irish Princess who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Having always been told at home that she needs to learn to "hush", Mel makes a vow of silence once she's kidnapped, realizing her silence makes her an enigma to her captors. She grasps this tiny thread of power and we watch as she struggles to understand her life and eke out a new existence with her new life.
The first person narrative works for 99% of the book. Mel slips a few times into more modern thought patterns and phrases that were jolting to the otherwise well-rendered historical time period. The choice of a first person narrative also hindered what little information I could glean about the character of Maeve. Presented a peasant women, Maeve knew an awful lot about languages, geography, foreign currency and customs for me to fully believe she was an Irish peasant. Her backstory is never explained so she appears not to truly exist as part of the story, but rather a convenient way for the author to impart historical information. It comes across as more of a "Look! I did research!" rather than a fully developed character. Perhaps if the reader wasn't dependent on Mel's narrative, we could know more about Maeve and she wouldn't ring so false.
Other that those small qualms, I really enjoyed this book and Donna Jo Napoli remains high on my "must read" list for authors.
The first person narrative works for 99% of the book. Mel slips a few times into more modern thought patterns and phrases that were jolting to the otherwise well-rendered historical time period. The choice of a first person narrative also hindered what little information I could glean about the character of Maeve. Presented a peasant women, Maeve knew an awful lot about languages, geography, foreign currency and customs for me to fully believe she was an Irish peasant. Her backstory is never explained so she appears not to truly exist as part of the story, but rather a convenient way for the author to impart historical information. It comes across as more of a "Look! I did research!" rather than a fully developed character. Perhaps if the reader wasn't dependent on Mel's narrative, we could know more about Maeve and she wouldn't ring so false.
Other that those small qualms, I really enjoyed this book and Donna Jo Napoli remains high on my "must read" list for authors.