Reviews

A Flame in the North by Lilith Saintcrow

instalovewithbooks's review against another edition

I'm just bored.

thereviewbooth's review

adventurous inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed Solveig & Arneior’s characters. Their relationship brimming with fierce loyalty born of their roles to each other and how long they had been together. I would like to know about how the magic system works and especially why Solveig’s magic is so unique – I especially enjoyed her magic’s unique qualities and the way she thinks outside of the box. I like the threads of Norse mythology woven throughout the story and contained elements that I hadn’t seen before. The other characters in the book as supporting characters felt a little flat in comparison. I hope that the Northern wolves and the Elder history is expanded upon a little more in the next book – both appear important to the current storyline.

The pacing in this book was fairly slow & a little bit of a struggle – I feel like it’s a little bit of a hang-up for the first book in epic fantasies though. The traveling/fight/fleeing to different locations seemed to drag on and I feel it could have been shortened in some way. The places that were visited seemed to be mired under all of the traveling.

There are several things that I still have questions swirling around in my brain regarding. I will continue this series, especially with the hope that the second book goes smoother. I absolutely loved the series Strange Angels, also by this author but under Lili St. Crow – it is YA but I remember tearing through the series and it was my main reason for requesting this book. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy slow-paced epic fantasy quests & Norse mythology. I look forward to seeing where the story goes from this book. I would like to thank Orbit Books & Lilith Saintcrow for a gifted copy of this new and promising Norse-inspired epic fantasy to read. All opinions are my own.

catmom22's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

hammychop's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.75

vigil's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I think the writing style and limited autonomy of the protagonist (due to her status as glorified hostage, misogyny, and the reality as

human mortal among inhumans or other immortals)

but i found it to be a very intelligent portrayal. often times author's can fall into the trap of making a woman to anachronistically modern, or a helpless waif who has never thought to move against a man or the patriarchy in her life. solveig reads honestly as a woman who works to have her voice and feelings heard, but believably still of her time.

i really do love a travel fantasy story so this book really just hit all the marks for me. I do think there is a small issue of repetitiveness in sol's inner monologue, but i'm not going to detract that from the star rating. mostly because i fully believe it's getting a worse rep than it deserves. don't let the archaic prose style intimidate you, this book is excellent and rather readable once you grow use to the style. 

very interested in what comes next for this series. i definitely recommend it for those who enjoy both folklore / mythology inspired fantasy (bear and the nightingale, spinning silver, and possibly circe come to mind) and who enjoy poetic complex prose. 

also, sol and arn have a vibe right??? i’m not crazy am i?? but also sol x eol and sol x aeredh have hints through the book… i’m happy with anything so long as arn and sol aren’t pushed aside, romance or not.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, Death, and War

kmarie75's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

seymourw's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

danreadsitall's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Ever had a trip, you weren't 100% on board with go just a bit sideways on you? For Solveig there are some signs pretty early on. Wrapped "A Flame in the North" by Lilith Saintcrow the other day and I am excited for the sequel in July.

Solveig has a problem. That being she is weregild, sort of hostage/guest, because her brother killed someone during a ritual. Her father's guests insisted she come North with the for a year and a day. Might be because of her seidhr has fire that they hope could be used against the dark forces creeping south that folks don't know about. Or know exist still. With her shieldmaiden, Arneior, they embark of a journey into myth trying to keep their feet as they encounter horrors and wonders.

Reasons to read:
-Norse inspired story
-Warriors who have wits as sharp as their blades
-Using the rules to your advantage in social situations
-Hosts not fully explaining the situation and it biting them in the ass
-Foreshadowing of fates for people we won't see again

Cons:
-Big spider monster late in the book that moves uncomfortably fast

kusine's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

astridlovesbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-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? No

3.5