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evmanessa's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
devoe1se's review against another edition
4.0
As many other reviews stated, this book is reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, as it centers around a 21-year-old woman with ASD, Zelda. Zelda is under the care of her older brother following foster placement with an abusive uncle. This story follows Zelda and her understanding of the world as she navigates it with the help of her day program and her brother, whom she is very close to. Zelda learns of some shady activity her brother falls into, and in doing so, begins to navigate the world of adult relationships.
Zelda lives her life by a set of rules, many of which are based on how Vikings lived. She is fascinated by Viking history, and strives to live as one. MacDonald does a wonderful job incorporating many real-life struggles to those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including juggling appointments with a psychiatrist, managing activities of daily living, and navigating the social world. While the story itself wasn't always gripping, there were times when the reader can relate with many of the characters and their life experiences. The storyline moves along well and reads easily.
Zelda lives her life by a set of rules, many of which are based on how Vikings lived. She is fascinated by Viking history, and strives to live as one. MacDonald does a wonderful job incorporating many real-life struggles to those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including juggling appointments with a psychiatrist, managing activities of daily living, and navigating the social world. While the story itself wasn't always gripping, there were times when the reader can relate with many of the characters and their life experiences. The storyline moves along well and reads easily.
whatshawnareads's review against another edition
4.0
Zelda is different from your typical narrator and seeing tragic events through her childlike optimism is heart wrenching. The comparison to Bryn Greenwood is accurate, but Zelda is not at all like Gentry. (From The Reckless Oath We Made) It’s definitely a lesson in empathy.
Narration: Perfectly captures Zelda’s voice. 5/5
Content Warning:
Thanks to Libro.FM and Simon & Schuster Audio for my ALC for review.
Narration: Perfectly captures Zelda’s voice. 5/5
Content Warning:
Spoiler
drugs, domestic abuse, sexual assault, use of the R wordThanks to Libro.FM and Simon & Schuster Audio for my ALC for review.
heidisreads's review against another edition
4.0
This powerful story is even more dynamic because it is told from the perspective of Zelda, a young woman born with brain damage due to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. For years Gert and Zelda have taken care of each other and followed some basic rules. But, after Zelda uncovers one of her brother's dangerous secrets, she begins a quest (Zelda has a thing for Vikings) to become her own legend - and save her tribe. This story has an unforgettable cast of characters and will leave you smiling as the tears dry on your cheeks.
cassiesnextchapter's review against another edition
4.0
Despite being on the fetal alcohol spectrum, Zelda wants to be a modern day Viking hero so she can save her family. Join her on her quest!
Full Book Review
My Thoughts... 4.5 stars!
I loved that When We Were Vikings is told from Zelda's viewpoint. She's a wonderfully unique and resilient protagonist. Instead of the story being told about her, which might elicit pity instead of understanding, Zelda reframes her disabilities by telling her own story. We're able to see her strengths and limitations through her own eyes.
The cast of characters is very diverse (races, sexual orientations, ages, family situations, mental abilities) but it doesn't feel forced. This charming and quirky bunch of characters brings such candor and breathes life into the pages. They're awkward and uncomfortable, often failing miserably and are shockingly offensive, but they always try again.
Having some family members with mental disabilities, this book really touched my heart. Not because it merely talks about similar people who struggle with the same life choices, but because it portrays them so compassionately...And with awkward humor for their unflinching comfort with things that make many others flinch. Like sex. Oh my, the conversations about sex that Zelda and her boyfriend have with their family is amazing and so perfectly honest.
Give this book a try, I can't imagine you'll be disappointed. There's laughs, tears, and smiles to be had! I can guarantee that you will fall in love with Zelda, and you might even decide to become your own Viking hero!
TW for sexual abuse and violence / CW for language and sexual language
Thank you to Scout Press for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Full Book Review
My Thoughts... 4.5 stars!
I loved that When We Were Vikings is told from Zelda's viewpoint. She's a wonderfully unique and resilient protagonist. Instead of the story being told about her, which might elicit pity instead of understanding, Zelda reframes her disabilities by telling her own story. We're able to see her strengths and limitations through her own eyes.
The cast of characters is very diverse (races, sexual orientations, ages, family situations, mental abilities) but it doesn't feel forced. This charming and quirky bunch of characters brings such candor and breathes life into the pages. They're awkward and uncomfortable, often failing miserably and are shockingly offensive, but they always try again.
Having some family members with mental disabilities, this book really touched my heart. Not because it merely talks about similar people who struggle with the same life choices, but because it portrays them so compassionately...And with awkward humor for their unflinching comfort with things that make many others flinch. Like sex. Oh my, the conversations about sex that Zelda and her boyfriend have with their family is amazing and so perfectly honest.
Give this book a try, I can't imagine you'll be disappointed. There's laughs, tears, and smiles to be had! I can guarantee that you will fall in love with Zelda, and you might even decide to become your own Viking hero!
TW for sexual abuse and violence / CW for language and sexual language
Thank you to Scout Press for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and all opinions expressed are my own.
birgits_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Die junge Erwachsene Zelda ist besonders, denn ihre Mutter hat Alkohol getrunken, während sie mit ihr schwanger war. Sie und ihr Bruder Gert versuchen gemeinsam das Leben und die täglichen Schlachten zu meistern - dabei hilft auch ihre Sippe und sie helfen ihrer Sippe.
Zelda ist ein Charakter, den die Leser*innen sofort ins Herz schließen. Sie ist besonders - besonders einfühlsam, besonders mutig und besonders inspirierend!
Zelda erlebt alles noch einmal intensiver, als andere Menschen und sie durchlebt auch all ihre Gefühle intensiver und lässt diese auch zu. So wird das Lesen eine emotionale Achterbahn, der sich die Leser*innen nicht entreißen können oder wollen. Zelda gibt die Möglichkeit, durch ihre Augen zu sehen, durch ihre Gedanken zu denken und durch ihr Herz zu fühlen - ein Erlebnis, dass niemand verpassen sollte, denn es ist prägend und lehrreich.
Dass der Autor Andrew David MacDonald in seiner Kindheit ähnliches durchmachen musste, hilft dem Buch zu noch mehr Emotionalität und Persönlichkeit. Ich denke nicht, dass jemand so wunderschön über die Probleme von Gert und Zelda schreiben könnte, wenn er nicht selbst ähnliche Erfahrungen gemacht hat.
Am Ende noch etwas, dass vielleicht kleine Spoiler enthält: Was an diesem Buch ganz besonders ist, ist, dass Zelda eigentlich Probleme durchlebt, die jedem passieren könnten. Nichts von alldem ist ein Problem, dass nur auftritt weil Zelda besonders ist und deshalb zeigt Zelda allen Leser*innen wie man die Heldin der eigenen Legende werden kann - "besonders" oder nicht!
Zelda ist ein Charakter, den die Leser*innen sofort ins Herz schließen. Sie ist besonders - besonders einfühlsam, besonders mutig und besonders inspirierend!
Zelda erlebt alles noch einmal intensiver, als andere Menschen und sie durchlebt auch all ihre Gefühle intensiver und lässt diese auch zu. So wird das Lesen eine emotionale Achterbahn, der sich die Leser*innen nicht entreißen können oder wollen. Zelda gibt die Möglichkeit, durch ihre Augen zu sehen, durch ihre Gedanken zu denken und durch ihr Herz zu fühlen - ein Erlebnis, dass niemand verpassen sollte, denn es ist prägend und lehrreich.
Dass der Autor Andrew David MacDonald in seiner Kindheit ähnliches durchmachen musste, hilft dem Buch zu noch mehr Emotionalität und Persönlichkeit. Ich denke nicht, dass jemand so wunderschön über die Probleme von Gert und Zelda schreiben könnte, wenn er nicht selbst ähnliche Erfahrungen gemacht hat.
Am Ende noch etwas, dass vielleicht kleine Spoiler enthält: Was an diesem Buch ganz besonders ist, ist, dass Zelda eigentlich Probleme durchlebt, die jedem passieren könnten. Nichts von alldem ist ein Problem, dass nur auftritt weil Zelda besonders ist und deshalb zeigt Zelda allen Leser*innen wie man die Heldin der eigenen Legende werden kann - "besonders" oder nicht!
justinethejellybean's review against another edition
1.0
I don’t often DNF a book, but I had to stop halfway through this one (I did read synopsis of the rest and browsed the last few chapters, which make me glad I stopped reading).
The writing in the first person was meant to put you in Zelda’s perspective, but its simplistic structure, over explaining of common terms, and intense repetition only annoyed me. I don’t know how many times I rolled my eyes or had to set the book down for a minute. It somehow felt like the reader was getting infantilized by the author rather than representing someone with different brain development.
The depiction of Zelda, as others already pointed out, also felt icky: how fast a woman with FADS mentions that she doesn’t have physical traits of the syndrome (so we have to know she’s hot), the constant talks of sex (consensual or not…), and how quirky she was depicted, all coming from a male author, felt exploitative. Did the author think about what he was writing or did any research? Even the Viking theme was all wrong: Zelda is obsessed with it and can literally speak ‘viking’ but calls it ‘Viking language’ rather than ‘Old Norse’? Really? That’s just contradictory characterization.
Even though the premise was interesting, it didn’t deliver.
The writing in the first person was meant to put you in Zelda’s perspective, but its simplistic structure, over explaining of common terms, and intense repetition only annoyed me. I don’t know how many times I rolled my eyes or had to set the book down for a minute. It somehow felt like the reader was getting infantilized by the author rather than representing someone with different brain development.
The depiction of Zelda, as others already pointed out, also felt icky: how fast a woman with FADS mentions that she doesn’t have physical traits of the syndrome (so we have to know she’s hot), the constant talks of sex (consensual or not…), and how quirky she was depicted, all coming from a male author, felt exploitative. Did the author think about what he was writing or did any research? Even the Viking theme was all wrong: Zelda is obsessed with it and can literally speak ‘viking’ but calls it ‘Viking language’ rather than ‘Old Norse’? Really? That’s just contradictory characterization.
Even though the premise was interesting, it didn’t deliver.
cmcclure9's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, quirky characters that had me laughing out loud at times. I also learned a ton about Vikings. Overall, it was a sweet story about "tribe".
ja3m3's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone needs a Zelda in their life to show them how to be legendary. Skal.
pachypedia's review against another edition
5.0
Ésta va a ser una de mis mejores lecturas este año, no tengo ninguna duda. Zelda tiene una voz narradora muy especial, su forma de afrontar las cosas, con sus normas y su literalidad, me parece maravillosa.