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margaret_k30's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Violence, Classism, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Minor: Xenophobia and War
rorikae's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
'All the Horses of Iceland' is a lightly speculative novella that tells a created legend of how horses came to Iceland.
The story centers on a Norse trader who leaves Iceland and travels on the Silk Road, ultimately acquiring horses that he will bring back to Iceland. In particular, there is one white mare that is special from all of the rest of the horses and that he takes a particular liking to. During these travels there are some small hiccups in their journey, including ghosts and war.
I'm conflicted on how I feel about this novella. It feels much more like a legend that is being told to you and has only the barest speculative elements. I was hoping for some more fantasy and whimsy where this is much more a straightforward telling of a legend. It's a legend created by the author, Sarah Tolmie. I think if you go into this story knowing that it reads exactly like a legend as opposed to a novella then you will have a greater chance of liking it. I was hoping for a bit more narrative and fantastical elements, which is why I didn't find it particularly satisfying. I think this story would have really benefited from multiple perspectives, especially the perspective of the white mare. I think that could have elevated the story greatly and made it much more engaging.
There is a frame narrative to this story that is just barely hinted at that I wish was incorporated more into the story. It would have added much more depth to learn about the person telling the story, why they were telling it, and to whom but we only get a few snippets of this and it makes it feel underdeveloped.
I will be interested in what Sarah Tolmie writes in the future though I will likely wait until I can read some reviews before deciding if I want to read it myself.
The story centers on a Norse trader who leaves Iceland and travels on the Silk Road, ultimately acquiring horses that he will bring back to Iceland. In particular, there is one white mare that is special from all of the rest of the horses and that he takes a particular liking to. During these travels there are some small hiccups in their journey, including ghosts and war.
I'm conflicted on how I feel about this novella. It feels much more like a legend that is being told to you and has only the barest speculative elements. I was hoping for some more fantasy and whimsy where this is much more a straightforward telling of a legend. It's a legend created by the author, Sarah Tolmie. I think if you go into this story knowing that it reads exactly like a legend as opposed to a novella then you will have a greater chance of liking it. I was hoping for a bit more narrative and fantastical elements, which is why I didn't find it particularly satisfying. I think this story would have really benefited from multiple perspectives, especially the perspective of the white mare. I think that could have elevated the story greatly and made it much more engaging.
There is a frame narrative to this story that is just barely hinted at that I wish was incorporated more into the story. It would have added much more depth to learn about the person telling the story, why they were telling it, and to whom but we only get a few snippets of this and it makes it feel underdeveloped.
I will be interested in what Sarah Tolmie writes in the future though I will likely wait until I can read some reviews before deciding if I want to read it myself.
Content Warnings
Minor: War and Xenophobia
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