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jaxx88's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While I thought I would not like the book as much as I do, I am still throughly confused. Everything I have been told is a lie!
Love Bjorn, though.
Love Bjorn, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Vomit, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Bullying, and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Suicide attempt
elskede's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Murder, and War
jcrawford31's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Moderate: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
mlottermoser's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Got huge hype on book talk. Very spicy take on children blessed by the gods with special powers. Norse mythology. Warring tribes, political intrigue, slow burn with graphic scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, War, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
lilly_reads98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
1.25
Freya and Bjorn and their connection is the only good thing in this book. His protectiveness and her character development are what I enjoyed the most, I really hated the world and all the other characters. Nobody talks about how violent this is, the description and the reviews do not convey at all that this book is violent or gorey, so I just had no idea it would be that way. My favorite books are usually books that can make me smile and have more than just 2 likeable characters, so it’s hard for me to be happy with a book that like only has 2 likeable characters and an unenjoyable plot. Like I know not every book is meant to be lighthearted and I can still enjoy those sometimes, but I don’t enjoy when most of the plot is violent and making the main character mad because I feel the emotions of the main character. I just hate books where the characters in power are trying to control the main character and take away their freedom and choices. Freya is so selfless and yet every character still treats her like crap even when she puts their lives above her own and protects them. It’s just not enjoyable to read. I hate Ylva and Snorri. I got so tired of reading the words ‘fate’ and ‘gods’ and truly didn’t enjoy any of the scenes unless it was with Freya and Bjorn. Also, This is mostly a book about war.
I liked meeting Bjorn initially because I thought he would get Freya out of her marriage and I thought it was amusing. But then after he does somewhat help in that I just hate all the way the men talk about marriage. He’s the only character that I like besides Freya. The world they live in of marrying not for love is not what I enjoy reading. I started skimming at page 70 because I wanted to get to more enjoyable parts of the story but it wasn’t happening. I like when Freya are Bjorn are interacting but then I’m offended for Freya when he’s like not acting like he likes her anymore for a while. I had heard that the love interest has to protect the main character and train with her and that’s why I wanted to read this, that and I do want to read more fantasy romance. But the beginning is just so unenjoyable. And then it continued to be mostly unenjoyable the whole book. I kept going because I like training in books, but by page 250 they had only one training scene so I was like okay there probably won’t be any more and there wasn’t. I’m disappointed that the romance isn’t focused on more. Like I truly don’t get why all of these fantasy romance books don’t actually focus on the romance that much until the end of the book. I loved Fourth Wing so I have been wanting to read more fantasy romance, but like how am I the only one confused and disappointed by the romance taking the backseat of the plot? It’s also frustrating to me that most books I try to read lately do not interest me in the beginning and take hundreds of pages to get good. I’ve been dnfing so many books lately around page 50-150 if I’m not enjoying it but I did try harder with this one because I want to give it more of a chance since the parts I thought I would like hadn’t really happened yet. The way the main character only thinks about Bjorn as wanting him physically is also annoying and cringey. I’d rather read them falling in love but that’s just not shown to us very much. Freya does actually think later that she feels for him in her heart as well, but this story is just not for me at all. I like a more lighthearted book where the characters fall in love and the physical parts come after that. My rating is also not just based on my dislike and this book not being for me, I also found it just long and slow and repetitive. Every time Bjorn shows up, it’s written the same way. Freya turns around to find him standing there. Like the author could put more variety to how he shows up in a scene. Most of the characters are unlikeable. The plot revolves around something a seer said that may or may not be true. Freya repetitively has flashes of anger and all the other characters are also repetitive with their controlling and cruel nature. So much of the book is spent just talking about Freya. I don’t think those things make a good book. There are some lighthearted moments that made me keep going otherwise I would have dnfed this. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t enjoy the book until it focused more on the romance and that was correct, on page 351 I was like aww because of Freya and Bjorn and the only reason why I wanted to keep reading was to see them be together.
Spoiler thoughts / I liked how Freya was finally putting herself first and how he had been wanting her to and how protective he is of her. Bjorn is the best thing about this book and the stars I gave are just for him, I truly did not enjoy this book. I feel like the second one might be better since it might focus more on Freya and Bjorn but that’s only if she forgives him. I have felt with a lot of books lately that I might enjoy the second one more since it takes a first book to develop the characters and their relationship and then the book ends before we really get to see what they do after the ending.
page 381 made me somewhat glad I had pushed through the book because he is probably one of the best love interests I’ve read. And then the ending was actually getting good and I was happy they were getting a happy ending, but then of course the author ruins that at the end. The screaming and the main character abandoning all respect and love for Bjorn because of something he did that wasn’t even that bad was awful. I wanted her to just calm down and not be so mad at him. I literally never want to try any more fantasy romance if they’re all going to be like this and Serpent & The Wings of Night. It’s so toxic the way that the characters fall in love but then Freya just curses at him and threatens him after she finds out what he didn’t tell her.
I liked meeting Bjorn initially because I thought he would get Freya out of her marriage and I thought it was amusing. But then after he does somewhat help in that I just hate all the way the men talk about marriage. He’s the only character that I like besides Freya. The world they live in of marrying not for love is not what I enjoy reading. I started skimming at page 70 because I wanted to get to more enjoyable parts of the story but it wasn’t happening. I like when Freya are Bjorn are interacting but then I’m offended for Freya when he’s like not acting like he likes her anymore for a while. I had heard that the love interest has to protect the main character and train with her and that’s why I wanted to read this, that and I do want to read more fantasy romance. But the beginning is just so unenjoyable. And then it continued to be mostly unenjoyable the whole book. I kept going because I like training in books, but by page 250 they had only one training scene so I was like okay there probably won’t be any more and there wasn’t. I’m disappointed that the romance isn’t focused on more. Like I truly don’t get why all of these fantasy romance books don’t actually focus on the romance that much until the end of the book. I loved Fourth Wing so I have been wanting to read more fantasy romance, but like how am I the only one confused and disappointed by the romance taking the backseat of the plot? It’s also frustrating to me that most books I try to read lately do not interest me in the beginning and take hundreds of pages to get good. I’ve been dnfing so many books lately around page 50-150 if I’m not enjoying it but I did try harder with this one because I want to give it more of a chance since the parts I thought I would like hadn’t really happened yet. The way the main character only thinks about Bjorn as wanting him physically is also annoying and cringey. I’d rather read them falling in love but that’s just not shown to us very much. Freya does actually think later that she feels for him in her heart as well, but this story is just not for me at all. I like a more lighthearted book where the characters fall in love and the physical parts come after that. My rating is also not just based on my dislike and this book not being for me, I also found it just long and slow and repetitive. Every time Bjorn shows up, it’s written the same way. Freya turns around to find him standing there. Like the author could put more variety to how he shows up in a scene. Most of the characters are unlikeable. The plot revolves around something a seer said that may or may not be true. Freya repetitively has flashes of anger and all the other characters are also repetitive with their controlling and cruel nature. So much of the book is spent just talking about Freya. I don’t think those things make a good book. There are some lighthearted moments that made me keep going otherwise I would have dnfed this. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t enjoy the book until it focused more on the romance and that was correct, on page 351 I was like aww because of Freya and Bjorn and the only reason why I wanted to keep reading was to see them be together.
Spoiler thoughts / I liked how Freya was finally putting herself first and how he had been wanting her to and how protective he is of her. Bjorn is the best thing about this book and the stars I gave are just for him, I truly did not enjoy this book. I feel like the second one might be better since it might focus more on Freya and Bjorn but that’s only if she forgives him. I have felt with a lot of books lately that I might enjoy the second one more since it takes a first book to develop the characters and their relationship and then the book ends before we really get to see what they do after the ending.
page 381 made me somewhat glad I had pushed through the book because he is probably one of the best love interests I’ve read. And then the ending was actually getting good and I was happy they were getting a happy ending, but then of course the author ruins that at the end. The screaming and the main character abandoning all respect and love for Bjorn because of something he did that wasn’t even that bad was awful. I wanted her to just calm down and not be so mad at him. I literally never want to try any more fantasy romance if they’re all going to be like this and Serpent & The Wings of Night. It’s so toxic the way that the characters fall in love but then Freya just curses at him and threatens him after she finds out what he didn’t tell her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Blood, Sexual content, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Gore, Murder, Violence, and Cursing
witcheep's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'll need time to contemplate this book. I'll write my review later, but some of my thoughts are already written at the book club readalong that is active throughout the month of June. Link to the readalong: https://app.thestorygraph.com/readalongs/3d87f945-3a77-4f81-a2a9-681fd2bae7ae
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Death, Violence, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Cursing, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, War, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child death, Infertility, Death of parent, Drug use, and Kidnapping
relin's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The world building was very engaging and let you in with out much in the way for lore dumps. The relationship between Freya and Bjorn was spicy and fun to read, even if we had a bit of 'but my duty means I can't'. I hope there is more in the series! Absolutely worth a reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Blood, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Kind ofromywrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a struggle to finish. And now, so many emotions are coming to the surface after having just finished this book. I wish... so many things. I really liked two scenes of this and they were all near the end. The thing with roots and something else that happened in the end. Bruh, the dragging people to Hel was sick. And I finally felt triumphant, but then she had to feel guilty and that stopped my female rage trip hard.
But thenBjorn pulled a very romantasy move. Which retroactively made the sex feel icky. Like, he lied and didn't even tell her. She wouldn't have had sex with him otherwise and I just feel sad for her even though she annoyed me as a book character. You didn't deserve any of this Freya.
Also this book edged me to high heaven. Never before. Literally not till the end of the book. Holy crackers! No! No one else do this. Thank you. Appreciate.
I am interested in the sequel. I hope Freya puts on her big girl boots and goes to town. Please. I am begging.
I am also still mad and am growing ever more so by the second. Someone deserves a bat.
But then
I am interested in the sequel. I hope Freya puts on her big girl boots and goes to town. Please. I am begging.
I am also still mad and am growing ever more so by the second. Someone deserves a bat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Fire/Fire injury
sheebsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Gaslighting, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love the teal foil embossing on the book cover.
Sadly I got a dud binding in the first edition/print of the uk hardback which made it different to keep pages open without damaging the spine.
I loved the opening. Strong momentum, banter and intrigue.
By the middle I was flagging. By the last quarter I was bored and skimming.
I loved how excited lots of reviewers have been for this. But I struggled to care. Snorri needed more nuance. Freya needs to be more mature about how people withdrawing secrets is not the same as being “lied to”. The twists weren’t surprising.
I will read book two in 2025.
Sadly I got a dud binding in the first edition/print of the uk hardback which made it different to keep pages open without damaging the spine.
I loved the opening. Strong momentum, banter and intrigue.
By the middle I was flagging. By the last quarter I was bored and skimming.
I loved how excited lots of reviewers have been for this. But I struggled to care. Snorri needed more nuance. Freya needs to be more mature about how people withdrawing secrets is not the same as being “lied to”. The twists weren’t surprising.
I will read book two in 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail