eososray's review
3.0
This book really does fall in the middle, not awesome but not terrible. The main character came across as very abrasive, which put me off a little. Then, I dislike stories where plot points rely on the main character doing something stupid to move forward. Also where the story it is so obvious that they are going to f**k it all up so that there is some issue to resolve and make the story more interesting.
And I am not sure how much I like the 'women as second class' thing that seems so prevalent in the story. Maybe it is the main characters obvious put down of 'women's work' that rubs me the wrong way, or maybe the put down of women in general. I kinda of understand but it still annoys me. In a, "what is so wrong with being a women anyway" way.
But despite all that, the story was well told and for a book that is over 500 pages it absorbed me enough to forget it was so long and just enjoy the journey.
And I am not sure how much I like the 'women as second class' thing that seems so prevalent in the story. Maybe it is the main characters obvious put down of 'women's work' that rubs me the wrong way, or maybe the put down of women in general. I kinda of understand but it still annoys me. In a, "what is so wrong with being a women anyway" way.
But despite all that, the story was well told and for a book that is over 500 pages it absorbed me enough to forget it was so long and just enjoy the journey.
sci_mom's review
5.0
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. When I first read the summary, I was intrigued, but not sure what to expect. After reading it, I am so very glad that I won it. It is not my typical genre and probably not something I would have read otherwise and that would be a travesty. This story, the characters, the setting, and the mythology/folklore that it contains, is well worth reading.
The concept is original and unique, not like any story I have ever read previously. I was fascinated by the historical aspects of the Inuit and Viking cultures and the norms of each. I appreciated how the author wove the mythical/magical aspects of the gods of each so seamlessly into the story and made them integral to the telling.
While there are small parts that are happy/amusing, overall it is dark book. There is extreme hunger, rape, violence, treachery, and death. Many parts are extremely tense and others are sad. If you need a feel-good story, this is not it. If you want to read something different, well-written, and thought-provoking...this is it. Highly recommend.
The concept is original and unique, not like any story I have ever read previously. I was fascinated by the historical aspects of the Inuit and Viking cultures and the norms of each. I appreciated how the author wove the mythical/magical aspects of the gods of each so seamlessly into the story and made them integral to the telling.
While there are small parts that are happy/amusing, overall it is dark book. There is extreme hunger, rape, violence, treachery, and death. Many parts are extremely tense and others are sad. If you need a feel-good story, this is not it. If you want to read something different, well-written, and thought-provoking...this is it. Highly recommend.
yrc's review against another edition
5.0
I'll start with the bottom line- if you're looking for breathtaking fantasy inspired by Norse and Inuk traditions. READ THIS NOW!!
It's always hard to find well written and exciting fantasy standalone. So when I heard that a booktuber I really like recommended this book (kittg G), I knew I had to try it out!
This book follows a main character named Omat. One of the things that is rather different in this book versus others is that it features a character who's got a female body but they consider themselves both male and female. In my opinion, this was done really well and in itself is worth reading the book for. As Omat grows up, we follow their interaction with families in the camp and their attempts at balancing between expectations and other individuals wills. They also communicate with the spirit world and develop interesting relationships with them. When new dangers threaten the Inuk's way of life, it's up to Omat to defend and protects those they love.
The author did an absolutely brilliant job building a world of ice and winter, extremely harsh living conditions, yet made it all feel tangible and concrete. I imagine she did some in depth research for the book, and it showed. I googled different names of objects, traditions, etc numerous times during this book. I found the Inuit culture fascinating and learned loads while reading the book and watching related content online.
The other rather amazing aspect of this book is its scope. While it is indeed a standalone, throughout the books as Omat embarks on many journeys, we learn about the Norse and Dwarf way of life, how they love, who they hate and what is important to them. I found these concepts really interesting and feel like this was a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. While the book does deal with very mature and could be difficult to certain readers (physical torture, rape, very graphic violence), I think it was very important to the plot and characters' developments and not just to check a box.
In short, I really loved the book and will look into Brodsky's other works. This was very different than almost anything else I've ever read, and if you can take the darker parts, try it out asap!
It's always hard to find well written and exciting fantasy standalone. So when I heard that a booktuber I really like recommended this book (kittg G), I knew I had to try it out!
This book follows a main character named Omat. One of the things that is rather different in this book versus others is that it features a character who's got a female body but they consider themselves both male and female. In my opinion, this was done really well and in itself is worth reading the book for. As Omat grows up, we follow their interaction with families in the camp and their attempts at balancing between expectations and other individuals wills. They also communicate with the spirit world and develop interesting relationships with them. When new dangers threaten the Inuk's way of life, it's up to Omat to defend and protects those they love.
The author did an absolutely brilliant job building a world of ice and winter, extremely harsh living conditions, yet made it all feel tangible and concrete. I imagine she did some in depth research for the book, and it showed. I googled different names of objects, traditions, etc numerous times during this book. I found the Inuit culture fascinating and learned loads while reading the book and watching related content online.
The other rather amazing aspect of this book is its scope. While it is indeed a standalone, throughout the books as Omat embarks on many journeys, we learn about the Norse and Dwarf way of life, how they love, who they hate and what is important to them. I found these concepts really interesting and feel like this was a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. While the book does deal with very mature and could be difficult to certain readers (physical torture, rape, very graphic violence), I think it was very important to the plot and characters' developments and not just to check a box.
In short, I really loved the book and will look into Brodsky's other works. This was very different than almost anything else I've ever read, and if you can take the darker parts, try it out asap!
sdeeim's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
gretchen3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
lparks90's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
diaryofthebookdragon's review
5.0
Wonderful. <3 Warmly recommended if you are looking for historical fiction with Norse & Innuit mythology.
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read. I'll probably share it, but I probably won't ever read it again. A fun melding of cultures. Good characters, lots of surprises in reading it. This story didn't go where I thought it was going to go, but it worked.
omipotent's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sorry I really didn't like this book I was sold on the concept but I cant quite describe why I don't like the writing I just don't have any interest in the characters which is sad because I wanted to learn more about the Inuk and Norse gods
I just dont like the execution which is dissapointing
I just dont like the execution which is dissapointing