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bridget_h's review against another edition
5.0
Add me to the people smitten with Zelda and her tribe. This book continued to surprise me at every turn with its sensitivity, insight, and care.
briannethebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Zelda was born on the fetal alcohol spectrum. Her and her big brother, Gert, are left to fend for themselves after their mom loses her battle with cancer and their father walks out on them. When an abusive uncle takes them in, Gert realizes he has to get them out of there; he applies for a college scholarship and gets a new place for him and Zelda to live. Zelda thrives with rules and routine, but Gert’s shady side businesses begin interfering with the flow of their daily routines. Zelda, who loves Vikings, is determined to make her own legend and defeat anyone villainous who tries to hurt her tribe, even the shady people Gert is working for. Zelda wants to be a hero and will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves, even if it means compromising her own safety.
This was told in Zelda’s unique voice, and I loved her fierce loyalty to those she claimed as her “tribe.” The story is not only about Zelda trying to protect her brother, but also about her journey to becoming a more independent young woman, despite the limitations her disability creates for her. I felt like it was a little bit of a slow build and it ended really quickly. I also was unsure about how to feel about Gert. I viewed him as a hero for all that he sacrificed to fake care of him and Zelda, but I felt the ending made me question him. Thanks to Book of the Month for this unique selection!
This was told in Zelda’s unique voice, and I loved her fierce loyalty to those she claimed as her “tribe.” The story is not only about Zelda trying to protect her brother, but also about her journey to becoming a more independent young woman, despite the limitations her disability creates for her. I felt like it was a little bit of a slow build and it ended really quickly. I also was unsure about how to feel about Gert. I viewed him as a hero for all that he sacrificed to fake care of him and Zelda, but I felt the ending made me question him. Thanks to Book of the Month for this unique selection!
shelbynuck's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This should have been my first book of the year! I struggled between a 4 and 5, but I ultimately chose a 5 because it is unlike anything I’ve read previously. From the POV of a 21 year old woman who is on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum. She has a fixation on Vikings and their culture and relates it back to her everyday life. In her Tribe is her Brother who saved her from an abusive family member after their mother died. However, to do that he had to start selling drugs which brought some unsavory characters into their lives. I would highly recommend this book. Heartfelt.
“There are people around the poker table of life whose hands aren’t perfect and they see what they have and fold right away. They don’t even bother playing. I feel like I’ve been that kind of person…. I’m tired of folding, know that my sisters the kind of person who would play her hand, no matter how bad the cards were.”
“For her, the world is a place where courage, and being a part of a tribe means more than anything else - where we are all Vikings paddling together, to the beat of the same drum.”
“There are people around the poker table of life whose hands aren’t perfect and they see what they have and fold right away. They don’t even bother playing. I feel like I’ve been that kind of person…. I’m tired of folding, know that my sisters the kind of person who would play her hand, no matter how bad the cards were.”
“For her, the world is a place where courage, and being a part of a tribe means more than anything else - where we are all Vikings paddling together, to the beat of the same drum.”
ketchikrista's review against another edition
2.0
Whoa! Really not what I was expecting. Don’t know how it got labeled heartwarming.
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
What do I say about 21 year old Zelda (who is on the fetal alcohol spectrum), who dreams of becoming a Viking hero? That she has a heart bigger than those give her credit for? That she loves learning new words thru Word-of-The-Day? That she attends a program for special needs adult at the community center? Do I tell you, that she is on a quest to be legendary? No, I will tell you that Zelda is there for her brother Gert as he tries to find his way in the so called normal world. I will tell you that Zelda is a legend. For readers who loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
sshouse's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and have been recommending it to all. The main character has intellectual disabilities. The writer gives a voice to those who are often not heard. The story brought about all the feelings...hard to read at times (but oh so good).
daniellersalaz's review against another edition
3.0
I received an early copy of this book from Net Galley.
The story is told from the point of view of Zelda, a woman who was born with mental defects due to her mother’s alcoholism during pregnancy. Zelda lives with her older brother, Gert, who does his best to take care of her, but is having a hard time taking care of himself. Zelda loves Viking legends and decides that she needs to become legendary by fighting villains, going on quests, and even earning the love of a fair maiden.
I found this book unusual for the sensitive way it treated Zelda and her strengths and weaknesses. It took a very humanitarian approach to mental limitations. I didn’t necessarily think the other characters were as well developed as the protagonist, and I don’t feel that the story will stock with me for a long time, but it was a good way to spend a few hours.
The story is told from the point of view of Zelda, a woman who was born with mental defects due to her mother’s alcoholism during pregnancy. Zelda lives with her older brother, Gert, who does his best to take care of her, but is having a hard time taking care of himself. Zelda loves Viking legends and decides that she needs to become legendary by fighting villains, going on quests, and even earning the love of a fair maiden.
I found this book unusual for the sensitive way it treated Zelda and her strengths and weaknesses. It took a very humanitarian approach to mental limitations. I didn’t necessarily think the other characters were as well developed as the protagonist, and I don’t feel that the story will stock with me for a long time, but it was a good way to spend a few hours.
laurazdavidson's review against another edition
3.0
“The Grendels are evil,” I said. “Well,” Dr. Laird said, “maybe the Grendels you’re talking about are pure evil. But regular monsters are more complicated.”
Zelda is a 21-year-old woman born with Fetal Alchohol Syndrome and obsessed with Vikings, and this, her coming of age story, is in turns heartwrenching, horrifying, and (ultimately) uplifting. The language and situations can be rough; there are several situations that some readers may find triggering.
Zelda is a 21-year-old woman born with Fetal Alchohol Syndrome and obsessed with Vikings, and this, her coming of age story, is in turns heartwrenching, horrifying, and (ultimately) uplifting. The language and situations can be rough; there are several situations that some readers may find triggering.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
5.0
I usually find my self not liking the super quirky characters very much, always something that irks me, but I fell in love with Zelda. Definitely one of my favorite characters to read about. This book is heartwarming but also her and her brother has to go through some tough times. Liked it a lot!