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kentcryptid's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely descriptions of Northumbria, but the central couple didn't have much chemistry for me.
josy's review
5.0
~ 4.5 stars ~
- the ending was too rushed for my liking but apart from this I really enjoyed the whole book
- for me, it was angstier than I expected; maybe because of the religious theme?
- awesome narration although it took me a while to get used to the accent
- need to re-listen
- the ending was too rushed for my liking but apart from this I really enjoyed the whole book
- for me, it was angstier than I expected; maybe because of the religious theme?
- awesome narration although it took me a while to get used to the accent
- need to re-listen
jessslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
beeziereadsromance's review
5.0
Excellent historical fiction
I adored this. The history is richly described, and the relationship between Cai and Fen slowly, beautifully developed.
I didn't want to stop reading it.
I adored this. The history is richly described, and the relationship between Cai and Fen slowly, beautifully developed.
I didn't want to stop reading it.
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read (possibly even saga!) from Harper Fox.
I'm always wary of reading books set so far back in time because life was hard, the smallest thing can kill let alone armed raiders and life was short even with luck on your side. However, this was a good story, full of hope, sadness, peace, horrors.
Cai has left his family to join the Christian monks on Fara though his warrior and more heathen upbringing are making his move tricky. I liked his healing abilities and that when the chips were down, Cai stepped up. He is no mamby pamby monk!
Fen is one of the marauding vikings and is injured by Fen. After being left for dead by both his fellow vikingr and the monks, he is eventually rescued by Cai. I did like that his initial thoughts were to kill Fen, by knife and then by barely sufficient care. Fen gradually works his way into Cai's heart and life.
If only more Abbot Theo's were around but unfortunately more Aelfric's were common. This bit got a little preachy but not too in your face and melded in the story.
I didn't really get my head around the Gleipner bit but it did serve to reunite Fen and Cai and Adder's miracle was a saving grace, I was getting my hankie out in readiness!!!!
Once again, a great writing style that sucked me into the story and keeping me up far too late at night!
I'm always wary of reading books set so far back in time because life was hard, the smallest thing can kill let alone armed raiders and life was short even with luck on your side. However, this was a good story, full of hope, sadness, peace, horrors.
Cai has left his family to join the Christian monks on Fara though his warrior and more heathen upbringing are making his move tricky. I liked his healing abilities and that when the chips were down, Cai stepped up. He is no mamby pamby monk!
Fen is one of the marauding vikings and is injured by Fen. After being left for dead by both his fellow vikingr and the monks, he is eventually rescued by Cai. I did like that his initial thoughts were to kill Fen, by knife and then by barely sufficient care. Fen gradually works his way into Cai's heart and life.
If only more Abbot Theo's were around but unfortunately more Aelfric's were common. This bit got a little preachy but not too in your face and melded in the story.
I didn't really get my head around the Gleipner bit but it did serve to reunite Fen and Cai and Adder's miracle was a saving grace, I was getting my hankie out in readiness!!!!
Once again, a great writing style that sucked me into the story and keeping me up far too late at night!
decembergrace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
yoda32's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
dreamyescapist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
paperback's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book… holy shit. I’ve never been a big reader of historical fiction or historical romance, but this… utter perfection.
pam_h's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars
This was so interesting, and nothing like I was expecting. I went into it prepared for a slow start, but I was pulled into Caius' world from the very beginning.
The history: I was nervous about the far-distant time frame for some reason, but the writing style makes for an easy read without feeling anachronistic and it's really not history-heavy at all. In fact, I wanted *more* history. There's a thematic reason we don't get a whole lot of factual background, but what we did get really piqued my interest and made me desperately wish for more.
The monks: The other thing that kept me from reading this for so long. I just could not see myself getting invested into monk life, but the way Caius fits in with the brotherhood (and the ways he doesn't) and the details that set their abbey apart are a large part of what made this so interesting.
The mysticism: I skew pretty woo-woo myself, so I was fully on board with this element, but the ending didn't feel quite right after all the buildup. It felt ... too small for the epic nature of the rest of the story? The simplicity was fine, but I guess I was expecting a grander scale to the epilogue? I don't know, but it was still satisfying overall.
I also went in forewarned for tears, so I made a point not to get too invested in anyone outside of the MCs, and for once that actually worked! (Of course some days it feels like numb and detached has become my default mood to get through these strange times, so that may have helped me here...)
Highly recommended
This was so interesting, and nothing like I was expecting. I went into it prepared for a slow start, but I was pulled into Caius' world from the very beginning.
The history: I was nervous about the far-distant time frame for some reason, but the writing style makes for an easy read without feeling anachronistic and it's really not history-heavy at all. In fact, I wanted *more* history. There's a thematic reason we don't get a whole lot of factual background, but what we did get really piqued my interest and made me desperately wish for more.
The monks: The other thing that kept me from reading this for so long. I just could not see myself getting invested into monk life, but the way Caius fits in with the brotherhood (and the ways he doesn't) and the details that set their abbey apart are a large part of what made this so interesting.
The mysticism: I skew pretty woo-woo myself, so I was fully on board with this element, but the ending didn't feel quite right after all the buildup. It felt ... too small for the epic nature of the rest of the story? The simplicity was fine, but I guess I was expecting a grander scale to the epilogue? I don't know, but it was still satisfying overall.
I also went in forewarned for tears, so I made a point not to get too invested in anyone outside of the MCs, and for once that actually worked! (Of course some days it feels like numb and detached has become my default mood to get through these strange times, so that may have helped me here...)
Highly recommended