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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
This is how historical fiction should be done. Whenever I picked up this book to continue where I left off, I found myself transported back to Medieval Europe. The sites, the smells, the experiences were all there.
This is probably the next best thing to time travel itself.
One of the two drawbacks to this book was that through the first half-dozen or so chapters, I found myself annoyed by the main character, Melkorka. Perhaps it was that Spoiled Princess Syndrome of hers I found myself put off by. However, as soon as the drama and action shifted to her being held captive on the Russian Slave Trader's ship, I found myself starting to become more and more sympathetic towards her, and, eventually, liking her a lot.
The best character, however, in my opinion, was Maeve. I found myself at times wanting to shout at Melkorka to open *her* mouth to ask Maeve just how the heck she knew what she knew. Of course, I'm sure it was probably just a narration device put in place by the author because if there wasn't a character such as Maeve, you wouldn't know where (roughly) the ship was sailing to, the various people groups they were coming in contact with, or the belief systems of these people.
The other drawback to this book was how Höskuldr, her eventual 'master' (and baby daddy) was portrayed. He seemed to be, at best, a secondary character without much flesh on him (as it were).
This book was based on characters found in the Icelandic Saga Laxdæla saga. While it has been years since I read that particular saga, I now find myself wanting to go back and re-read it for comparison's sake; not to mention the fact that even though in that particular saga, Melkorka had a minor, minor role, the picture Ms. Napoli painted with her words were so vibrant, I now feel as though I can fully imagine the world in which that saga took place.
Highly recommended.
This is probably the next best thing to time travel itself.
One of the two drawbacks to this book was that through the first half-dozen or so chapters, I found myself annoyed by the main character, Melkorka. Perhaps it was that Spoiled Princess Syndrome of hers I found myself put off by. However, as soon as the drama and action shifted to her being held captive on the Russian Slave Trader's ship, I found myself starting to become more and more sympathetic towards her, and, eventually, liking her a lot.
The best character, however, in my opinion, was Maeve. I found myself at times wanting to shout at Melkorka to open *her* mouth to ask Maeve just how the heck she knew what she knew. Of course, I'm sure it was probably just a narration device put in place by the author because if there wasn't a character such as Maeve, you wouldn't know where (roughly) the ship was sailing to, the various people groups they were coming in contact with, or the belief systems of these people.
The other drawback to this book was how Höskuldr, her eventual 'master' (and baby daddy) was portrayed. He seemed to be, at best, a secondary character without much flesh on him (as it were).
This book was based on characters found in the Icelandic Saga Laxdæla saga. While it has been years since I read that particular saga, I now find myself wanting to go back and re-read it for comparison's sake; not to mention the fact that even though in that particular saga, Melkorka had a minor, minor role, the picture Ms. Napoli painted with her words were so vibrant, I now feel as though I can fully imagine the world in which that saga took place.
Highly recommended.
When I read this book as a younger reader, I really struggled with the content. It was incredibly well-researched but ultimately a dreary read for a young girl who loved optimistic, romantic fiction. Now, I realize that the story really stuck with me and I have come to appreciate Napoli's well-crafted storytelling style.
Not Donna Jo Napoli's best work. This is pretty boring. I liked the beginning, but had a hard time paying attention to the rest. And there was very little princessing to be had. A disappointment.
5 Stars
Melkorka and her sister, Brigid, are Irish princesses. But one day, everything changes when they are kidnapped and brought onto a slave ship. What will happen? Read Hush to find out.
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I had totally guessed something totally different than what actually happened in the end would occur. Melkorka was such a lovable character. I felt for her, every step of the way. Honestly, I didn't like Brigid very much. This is the reason I will most likely not read the next book in the series, Hidden, considering it is in Brigid's POV. (If the next book was in Melkorka's POV I would totally read it but, well....) I highly recommend Hush!
UPDATE: October 16, 2016 Well.... Looking back on the ending of this book makes me rethink my original rating... I will keep it at 5 stars but I still haven't read the next book.
[bc:Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale|20759577|Hush An Irish Princess' Tale|Donna Jo Napoli|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391974558s/20759577.jpg|751656]
Melkorka and her sister, Brigid, are Irish princesses. But one day, everything changes when they are kidnapped and brought onto a slave ship. What will happen? Read Hush to find out.
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I had totally guessed something totally different than what actually happened in the end would occur. Melkorka was such a lovable character. I felt for her, every step of the way. Honestly, I didn't like Brigid very much. This is the reason I will most likely not read the next book in the series, Hidden, considering it is in Brigid's POV. (If the next book was in Melkorka's POV I would totally read it but, well....) I highly recommend Hush!
UPDATE: October 16, 2016 Well.... Looking back on the ending of this book makes me rethink my original rating... I will keep it at 5 stars but I still haven't read the next book.
[bc:Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale|20759577|Hush An Irish Princess' Tale|Donna Jo Napoli|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391974558s/20759577.jpg|751656]
Read the author's note if you didn't know the story's history before picking up the book: it makes the ending a little easier to swallow.
3.8. This book was quite dull at times but I enjoyed the story and I learned a lot.
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.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Hmmm....I liked the idea behind the story. But I felt that this one could have been done so much better. This story should've been told as a regular historical fiction novel and not as youth fiction.
We follow Mel, an Irish princess, as she is kidnapped and sold into slavery as a concubine. She's abducted with her sister as they are traveling to safety while their father is attacking some Viking royalty at home. They are to return when they here all is safe.
This is told in first person present tense, which is really difficult to write, in my opinion. And, for me, the story was hindered by it. We only get Mel's perspective and it's very splotchy. The story moves too fast and then too slow. I don't really feel like I get into her head with this perspective. Plus we never learn about others' thoughts and feelings within her world. We never learn about what happened to her sister when she escapes or if her family was killed in that attack. Also the story just ends. I want to know more about how she handles being in a home where she's a concubine, where she has to deal with his wife and how she handles having a child with this man who has raped her over a course of three months. I just felt it would have been a better story in a more adult context. I wanted to know her nitty gritty details about how she was handling all of this horror from being pampered royalty to becoming a slave and then to becoming a sex slave.
It does make you think about slavery and history and women's rights, etc, but not too much. It just could've been handled a lot better.
We follow Mel, an Irish princess, as she is kidnapped and sold into slavery as a concubine. She's abducted with her sister as they are traveling to safety while their father is attacking some Viking royalty at home. They are to return when they here all is safe.
This is told in first person present tense, which is really difficult to write, in my opinion. And, for me, the story was hindered by it. We only get Mel's perspective and it's very splotchy. The story moves too fast and then too slow. I don't really feel like I get into her head with this perspective. Plus we never learn about others' thoughts and feelings within her world. We never learn about what happened to her sister when she escapes or if her family was killed in that attack. Also the story just ends. I want to know more about how she handles being in a home where she's a concubine, where she has to deal with his wife and how she handles having a child with this man who has raped her over a course of three months. I just felt it would have been a better story in a more adult context. I wanted to know her nitty gritty details about how she was handling all of this horror from being pampered royalty to becoming a slave and then to becoming a sex slave.
It does make you think about slavery and history and women's rights, etc, but not too much. It just could've been handled a lot better.
My library has this shelved in the juvenile section, but I'd be pretty hesitant to actually suggest this one to anyone in elementary school. For the record, that's because I fear the wrath of parents, not because I actually think children would be damaged by reading "adult content".
Anyway, ugh, I am so disappointed. In the copy of this that I read, there was a preview chapter for another of Donna Jo Napoli's books at end of the story, and it was like being hit with a hammer. I was totally not expecting the book to be over, because NOTHING WAS RESOLVED.
I mean, I don't need a tidy ending where everything ends happily and all the answers are given. But I do expect a few answers, you know, to the lingering questions that have been in play since the first third of the novel. Gah. I feel like that was a waste of time.
Anyway, ugh, I am so disappointed. In the copy of this that I read, there was a preview chapter for another of Donna Jo Napoli's books at end of the story, and it was like being hit with a hammer. I was totally not expecting the book to be over, because NOTHING WAS RESOLVED.
I mean, I don't need a tidy ending where everything ends happily and all the answers are given. But I do expect a few answers, you know, to the lingering questions that have been in play since the first third of the novel. Gah. I feel like that was a waste of time.