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tracythewriter's review
4.0
Read with my son, who loved it so much the first time he wanted to read it again with me. <3
thetalesofabookishmom's review
3.0
Vikings
Well I love Vikings. This book was ok. I wish it had more actual lore about Vikings and their traditions and beliefs but also understand it’s a children’s book and complete fiction.
Well I love Vikings. This book was ok. I wish it had more actual lore about Vikings and their traditions and beliefs but also understand it’s a children’s book and complete fiction.
booknotes_athina's review
4.0
You can read the full review also on my blog Book Notes by Athina
This book was really good. It is a middle grade fantasy book that combines Norse Mythology in it which makes it even better.
I enjoyed the setting of the book and the story. It is a great adventure with many humorous scenes. It is also fast-paced. Abby is a really good character. She is smart and decisive and I loved the friendship dynamics of the three protagonists.
If you like Rick Riordan books I believe you will like this one too.
This book was really good. It is a middle grade fantasy book that combines Norse Mythology in it which makes it even better.
I enjoyed the setting of the book and the story. It is a great adventure with many humorous scenes. It is also fast-paced. Abby is a really good character. She is smart and decisive and I loved the friendship dynamics of the three protagonists.
If you like Rick Riordan books I believe you will like this one too.
toblerowl's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bookfreak28's review
4.0
Abby bravely leads us through this book with fun nods to Viking culture (the goodish parts).
_marit's review
DNF. I... couldn't do this one. And I am *kind of* angry about it.
To be clear - this should be my cup of tea. I was toughened by the blustery winters of Minnesota, fed lefse by my great-grandmother as she sang to me in Norwegian, and grew up reading books about the legends that were born from the fjords that my family called home. I love discovering stories for children, am very connected to the land where my family lived before immigrating to the United States, and am knowledgeable about Norwegian-American history and the communities that exist in America.
This book did not work for me for multiple reasons. Here are a few of them (as I do not have the energy to make the whole list):
1. There were multiple moments where it was painfully clear that the author was a man writing a young girl. It could be cringy and distracting and also just weird to me - especially since it was written in first-person POV.
2. The descriptions of Minnesota lacked accuracy and substance. There is something special about the land (with its name coming from the Dakota word for "sky-tinted water" or "cloudy water") and I feel like it was not properly respected. It felt like the author had not even been there. This left a very bad taste in my mouth.
3. The writing felt clunky.
4. The concept of being a Viking didn't feel flushed out. Vikings weren't only warriors. I don't feel like this was given the nuance it deserves which is extremely important because...
5. In the current political climate, there is a responsibility that comes with writing about Norse mythology and history relating to the Vikings. Though it is not new for neo-Nazis or white supremacists to co-opt this history/culture/identity for themselves, it is more prevalent than ever. This made some parts of this book feel both out of touch and irresponsible. This was the final straw for me.
This book was a massive letdown that honestly just made me sad. Good riddance. Want some content that is related to the Vikings and Norse Mythology? Go watch Ragnarok on Netflix! :)
To be clear - this should be my cup of tea. I was toughened by the blustery winters of Minnesota, fed lefse by my great-grandmother as she sang to me in Norwegian, and grew up reading books about the legends that were born from the fjords that my family called home. I love discovering stories for children, am very connected to the land where my family lived before immigrating to the United States, and am knowledgeable about Norwegian-American history and the communities that exist in America.
This book did not work for me for multiple reasons. Here are a few of them (as I do not have the energy to make the whole list):
1. There were multiple moments where it was painfully clear that the author was a man writing a young girl. It could be cringy and distracting and also just weird to me - especially since it was written in first-person POV.
2. The descriptions of Minnesota lacked accuracy and substance. There is something special about the land (with its name coming from the Dakota word for "sky-tinted water" or "cloudy water") and I feel like it was not properly respected. It felt like the author had not even been there. This left a very bad taste in my mouth.
3. The writing felt clunky.
4. The concept of being a Viking didn't feel flushed out. Vikings weren't only warriors. I don't feel like this was given the nuance it deserves which is extremely important because...
5. In the current political climate, there is a responsibility that comes with writing about Norse mythology and history relating to the Vikings. Though it is not new for neo-Nazis or white supremacists to co-opt this history/culture/identity for themselves, it is more prevalent than ever. This made some parts of this book feel both out of touch and irresponsible. This was the final straw for me.
This book was a massive letdown that honestly just made me sad. Good riddance. Want some content that is related to the Vikings and Norse Mythology? Go watch Ragnarok on Netflix! :)
bibliophilicjester's review
2.0
I've delayed writing a review bc I noticed the author liking 5 star reviews of his book, which makes me feel weird about carefully describing what I thought. So.
I just didn't like this. So much of the slang and expressions used felt like things from MY childhood, and I'm 37. I haven't heard anyone say "what gives?" at least since the 90s. All the dialogue felt off and it really took me out of the story.
Other than that, it's just a sort of vague feeling of inconsistencies. I'll believe there are monsters and vikings in the world, but not that a 12 year old can competently drive in a blizzard. If she had really been flooring the gas and swerving to exit the highway, there would've been massive accidents and casualties. Especially if she's driving a wee sedan. Don't make the real world things unbelievable. Also, if you're going to say the Vikings never died out slash kept existing in secret...how can any information be lost to time? If the people survived, so did the culture. The knowledge should be there.
Things were happening...but I didn't really care. Unless the dialogue was tagged with a name, I couldn't tell who was saying what. At one point I thought it was the MC's friend speaking, but it was a doctor. And the dude friend...Grimsby was it? I hated him. He's meant to be the funny likable sidekick and I resent that.
I'd be curious what actual 8-12 year olds make of this - I imagine they would t even notice half the things I did. I read a lot of middle grade, so I don't think I'm being unnecessarily harsh. And this is where I feel awkward if this author reads his reviews... because I didn't like anything about this. I didn't like or care about any of the characters. the plot was really just a bunch of things happening and trying too hard to be funny, and I don't think "stay alive" or "save dad" are plot points. Just things to do. I definitely didn't click with the writing, humor, storytelling, or any other aspect.
It's possible I'm extra disappointed because I was absolutely sure I'd end up loving this! I love the idea. But I didn't like the execution, I suppose. Not the worst things I ever read, and definitely not offensively bad. Just not to my taste. Again, I'm sure the I tended age group will like this way more than I did! But I definitely won't be continuing the series. I just don't think this author is for me.
1.75 stars rounded up to 2 physical. And REALLY sad about my rating
I just didn't like this. So much of the slang and expressions used felt like things from MY childhood, and I'm 37. I haven't heard anyone say "what gives?" at least since the 90s. All the dialogue felt off and it really took me out of the story.
Other than that, it's just a sort of vague feeling of inconsistencies. I'll believe there are monsters and vikings in the world, but not that a 12 year old can competently drive in a blizzard. If she had really been flooring the gas and swerving to exit the highway, there would've been massive accidents and casualties. Especially if she's driving a wee sedan. Don't make the real world things unbelievable. Also, if you're going to say the Vikings never died out slash kept existing in secret...how can any information be lost to time? If the people survived, so did the culture. The knowledge should be there.
Things were happening...but I didn't really care. Unless the dialogue was tagged with a name, I couldn't tell who was saying what. At one point I thought it was the MC's friend speaking, but it was a doctor. And the dude friend...Grimsby was it? I hated him. He's meant to be the funny likable sidekick and I resent that.
I'd be curious what actual 8-12 year olds make of this - I imagine they would t even notice half the things I did. I read a lot of middle grade, so I don't think I'm being unnecessarily harsh. And this is where I feel awkward if this author reads his reviews... because I didn't like anything about this. I didn't like or care about any of the characters. the plot was really just a bunch of things happening and trying too hard to be funny, and I don't think "stay alive" or "save dad" are plot points. Just things to do. I definitely didn't click with the writing, humor, storytelling, or any other aspect.
It's possible I'm extra disappointed because I was absolutely sure I'd end up loving this! I love the idea. But I didn't like the execution, I suppose. Not the worst things I ever read, and definitely not offensively bad. Just not to my taste. Again, I'm sure the I tended age group will like this way more than I did! But I definitely won't be continuing the series. I just don't think this author is for me.
1.75 stars rounded up to 2 physical. And REALLY sad about my rating
sailormoon19's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The writing is well done and includes some fun, advanced vocabulary for younger readers to learn but on the whole it is too much like Percey Jackson.
Abby, Grimsby and Gwynn are nice characters, but I feel like I've seen them all before. There is nothing new or noteworthy here, other than the Viking mythology approach to the chosen one trope.
Abby, Grimsby and Gwynn are nice characters, but I feel like I've seen them all before. There is nothing new or noteworthy here, other than the Viking mythology approach to the chosen one trope.
cathy_acasefullofbooks's review
4.0
Well this was fun! It reminded me of Percy Jackson, but Viking based instead of Greek mythology.
ki4eva's review
5.0
A fun book to read. Really like all the characters and the mystery/hunt.
Similar feel to the Percy Jackson series, just with the Viking mythology.
Similar feel to the Percy Jackson series, just with the Viking mythology.