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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book is not a middle grade book for me, and I don’t want to own it. It’s got a lot of interesting historical meat for young people, but the anachronisms were a little too much for my Big Girl brain to track with the story. Perfectly fine book, but not for me.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was recommended by a 7th grader, and I'm glad I read it, so I can recommend it to more. A TON of adventure, a huge quest, loss, life, and lessons. (A bit much for me, but many of my kids will eat it up!) I love that the story has roots in real Norse mythology. "To ignore joy while it lasts, in favor of lamenting one's fate, is a great crime."
Viking-age historical fantasy suitable for middle school and up (some pillaging and peril, like when the main character and his sister get kidnapped by vikings, no swearing or detailed gore or sex). Another reviewer pointed out the presence of multiple religions (the protagonist's Christianity, though of a fear-and-hellfire sort from his father who is bitter to have not become a monk; the Bard's Irish animism; and the vikings' Norse mythology), which sometimes clash or somewhat mishmash in the thoughts of the teen exposed to all three from his different mentors in a way that feels believable and sometimes even funny, though the story never gets preachy; religion is not the focus here, the adventure and quest to get home is.
Recommended for readers in the transition from kids' to teens' fiction, or even adults who are looking for a good old-fashioned yarn. This is the first in a series, but it wraps up well enough that you could stop here if you want to without feeling like you're cutting off a story.
Recommended for readers in the transition from kids' to teens' fiction, or even adults who are looking for a good old-fashioned yarn. This is the first in a series, but it wraps up well enough that you could stop here if you want to without feeling like you're cutting off a story.
3 1/2 stars, mostly because it's so below my reading level and doesn't often strive to be more than that. Boldheart's part in the story was immediately apparent to me, among other things that were supposed to be mysterious. Another part is that Lucy is SO annoying, but luckily she's not in the more adventuresome part of the book, so that was more easy to enjoy.
The characters are extreme, but still believable, and the descriptions of magic drawn from the Life Force are almost palpable. I like seeing Norse mythology made alive in this way, and the way it's interwoven with Jack's world view - for example, Yggdrasil and the Life Force being one in the same. Even the trolls seemed very tangible (not that you'd want to touch them). Jack's changing perspective on things is good to see, too, especially as this is written for 10- to 14-year-olds. Overall, I'd highly recommend it for someone of the appropriate reading level (girls AND boys), but not anyone above it.
The characters are extreme, but still believable, and the descriptions of magic drawn from the Life Force are almost palpable. I like seeing Norse mythology made alive in this way, and the way it's interwoven with Jack's world view - for example, Yggdrasil and the Life Force being one in the same. Even the trolls seemed very tangible (not that you'd want to touch them). Jack's changing perspective on things is good to see, too, especially as this is written for 10- to 14-year-olds. Overall, I'd highly recommend it for someone of the appropriate reading level (girls AND boys), but not anyone above it.
Happy to have gotten a chance to revisit a childhood fav!! Honestly it’s stood the test of time, and I liked it very much still. I also see how it may have shaped some of my current views on Christianity lol.
Wonderful fantasy adventure story. Farmer is one of the preeminent storytellers of children's/young adult literature. What I love about her work is that it is not "dumbed down" -- it doesn't condescend to children -- it has a beautiful simplicity and clarity and structure that make complicated ideas or plot points readily accessible for a younger audience.
This is among the top fantasy fiction for young adults, and perhaps I gave it three stars because The House of the Scorpion was such an achievement. Nancy Farmer obviously did her research into Norse mythology and no detail is given that doesn't spring up later in the story. The characters were rich, with the exception of Jack. So often, the protagonist of young adult books is a generic, nice young man. Matt, in The House of the Scorpion, rose above that, but Jack falls short. Jack's father and mother, the bard, Olaf, Rune and the trolls are vivid, as is the setting.
This is a perfect book for anyone with Scandinavian roots or with an interest in fantasy quest stories.
This is a perfect book for anyone with Scandinavian roots or with an interest in fantasy quest stories.
Love this book! Reading it for my library science class and I think my 11 year old will like it. AND there is no secret love interest or kissing or holding hands even. *whew* Great adventure story, not my cup of tea when it comes to settings and characters. But the story and descriptions are beautiful!