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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Omg I loved this! I like the Viking aspect the fantasy aspect, and the godsss. The notion that the gods have given people an ounce of their power. It was so good. I enjoyed it all. The plot was a little redundant but I could seee and feel the love between Bjorn and Freya. I freaking loved their forbidden relationship. I did get a bit annoyed with the amount of times her struggles seem so mundane and that she need to snap out of her indecisiveness but her being of two god makes that a bit bearable. Freya was strong and super temperamental but I like that. She was out of control but always did what she thought was best. Will that be her downfall? absolutely. She will be torn between two gods, the two sides of her that are opposed, and the love and hate she feels for Bjorn. Bjorn is an idiot but I love him. freaking knew he was the traitor but I believed he had good intensions. I didn’t doubt him for a second. He should have told her. I understand her anger and hope they can work it out because they are freaking adorable together! Excited to see all the new characters
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No spoilers. Read via physical.
I go into my books blind, so I did not know anything about this book and I did not expect it to be what it was. I am still newly into fantasy so maybe this book was just too advance for me or I am just not smart at all. LOL. I will probably reread this when the next book comes out to see if I have different thoughts about it, because maybe it could have been right book wrong time as well. I had this book as a book club, I could not stop to write my thoughts because I was pushing myself to read it. I think I may like it more later in the future. It is a good book and well written, it just was not for me at this time. It has a lot going on, along with the twists of the book.
Would I recommend? IF the book sounds good to you, yes it will probably be a good book for you. If you are on the fence, I say try it!
I go into my books blind, so I did not know anything about this book and I did not expect it to be what it was. I am still newly into fantasy so maybe this book was just too advance for me or I am just not smart at all. LOL. I will probably reread this when the next book comes out to see if I have different thoughts about it, because maybe it could have been right book wrong time as well. I had this book as a book club, I could not stop to write my thoughts because I was pushing myself to read it. I think I may like it more later in the future. It is a good book and well written, it just was not for me at this time. It has a lot going on, along with the twists of the book.
Would I recommend? IF the book sounds good to you, yes it will probably be a good book for you. If you are on the fence, I say try it!
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I've never been that interested in romantasy and I only read this as it's for my book club. It's definitely turned me off romantasy for good though. If it wasn't a book club read I probably would have DNF'd it.
Aside from Freya and Bjorn, all the characters are a bit one dimensional, there aren't any arcs or growth for anyone aside from those two.
Bjorn was a bit annoying but probably the best written character in the book, the only one with any sort of complexity.
Freya I found so frustrating, she acts almost childlike, unable to do anything. I know the entire world is focused around men (which I also hate) but she could have broken free so many times and refuses. Everyone is awful, no idea why she is loyal to them.
The plot is also kind of simple, it's easy to follow but it's pretty predictable, I guessed what would happen early on. I was hoping for more actual fantasy, at the start there was more, but it seemed to stop. It's frustrating as there were some concepts that could have been so much better and explored, there was so much potential but instead we got flat characters and no world building.
I did skim some of the sex scenes as they didn't add anything to the plot. Good if you like smut, but not for me as it's sex for the sake of it, not relating to the story. I guess it's good if you like it but I find it hard to judge as it all seems so off and ridiculous to me.
The writing is OK, the book is very readable, some phrases are overused but it's fine. What does annoy me is trying to make this a historical base and using terms that wouldn't exist back then, which an editor should have caught.
Also I don't like books where there is such sexism when nobody even addresses it or tries to do anything about it.
Overall I didn't like this book, but I guess I'm not the target audience as other people clearly like it. If you don't mind sexism, like smut, don't care about world building/fantasy and want more of a romance book that is easy to read I can see this being a good fit.
Aside from Freya and Bjorn, all the characters are a bit one dimensional, there aren't any arcs or growth for anyone aside from those two.
Bjorn was a bit annoying but probably the best written character in the book, the only one with any sort of complexity.
Freya I found so frustrating, she acts almost childlike, unable to do anything. I know the entire world is focused around men (which I also hate) but she could have broken free so many times and refuses. Everyone is awful, no idea why she is loyal to them.
The plot is also kind of simple, it's easy to follow but it's pretty predictable, I guessed what would happen early on. I was hoping for more actual fantasy, at the start there was more, but it seemed to stop. It's frustrating as there were some concepts that could have been so much better and explored, there was so much potential but instead we got flat characters and no world building.
I did skim some of the sex scenes as they didn't add anything to the plot. Good if you like smut, but not for me as it's sex for the sake of it, not relating to the story. I guess it's good if you like it but I find it hard to judge as it all seems so off and ridiculous to me.
The writing is OK, the book is very readable, some phrases are overused but it's fine. What does annoy me is trying to make this a historical base and using terms that wouldn't exist back then, which an editor should have caught.
Also I don't like books where there is such sexism when nobody even addresses it or tries to do anything about it.
Overall I didn't like this book, but I guess I'm not the target audience as other people clearly like it. If you don't mind sexism, like smut, don't care about world building/fantasy and want more of a romance book that is easy to read I can see this being a good fit.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have not had the pleasure of reading a Norse inspired romantasy before. I enjoyed this for what it was! I borrowed it on Libby so I'll have to wait for the sequel as it's on hold right now - but this was very enjoyable!
The smut was just ok. A lot of build up for half a page and I was left going "that's it?" so it's a little disappointing for me but overall I like the story.
The smut was just ok. A lot of build up for half a page and I was left going "that's it?" so it's a little disappointing for me but overall I like the story.
3.5 ⭐️
I’m a little surprised at my rating because I have lots of feelings about this book.
First half of this book was so boring. I almost DNF but I really wanted to see how Freya would develop. I am pleased to say that I’m happy with how she ended up. She felt a little weak and annoying in the first half, but really picked herself up in the second half. Thank heavens for that.
I really feel like more could’ve been done. The action scenes were good but everything else seriously lacked. Descriptions of things are not something this book does, which made following along a little hard to understand. Where are we? There’s an altar? I thought they were in a building? Why is there a bunch of people? Are we outside? Really made it more difficult than it needed to be.
The romance got me, unfortunately. Their beginning was so disgustingly cringe that I for sure thought I wouldn’t like them together but Bjorn is a great guy (for the most part ahem ahem).
This book doesn’t have a lot of sex (a good thing imo) but Freya was constantly thinking of sex in the worst times. Get your head in the game!
I also think it didn’t lean that heavy into Norse mythology. What was included was very interesting!! All the children of the gods were so interesting to me, especially Steinnun.
I have comments from while I was reading it:
“I’m going to make you a free woman so that you can bed me with no concerns for propriety.” GAGGGG I CANT
“Gripping the wrapped fish under my left arm, I bent and snatched up a stick. Twisting, I cracked it against one tree and then another, moving down the pathway as though the forest around me were a horde of raiders, not caring that I was acting more like a child than a grown woman. I lifted my package of fish like a shield, knocking back imaginary attacks,” Gurl please put the fish down.
3 chapters in and I am suffering a little.
“All the women in Halsar will curse your name if I lose half my fingers.” Omg can we have one serious conversation without sex being alluded to please.
I wish there was more imagery. The world feels bland.
“falling on his back in the dirt and shouting at the sky that he’d lost the ability to sire children, he’d not fared much better.” Get up rn please.
“Only a fool would be thinking about sex anyway” Siri, play ‘I’m a fool’ by Elderbrook.
Her battle was pretty cool and I’m so happy she dumped her lame brother and friend.
Steinnun’s magic is so cool!!
Angry Freya is the best Freya
“In your selfishness and greed, you stuck your own necks under the axe, yet weep that it is my fault when the blade threatens to descend.” Okayyyyyy that was hard
Poor Ylva. I don’t like her but she’s such a pitiable woman.
The ending was expected but also ouch. Ouch.
Read for the 2024 Fantasy Bingo
I’m a little surprised at my rating because I have lots of feelings about this book.
First half of this book was so boring. I almost DNF but I really wanted to see how Freya would develop. I am pleased to say that I’m happy with how she ended up. She felt a little weak and annoying in the first half, but really picked herself up in the second half. Thank heavens for that.
I really feel like more could’ve been done. The action scenes were good but everything else seriously lacked. Descriptions of things are not something this book does, which made following along a little hard to understand. Where are we? There’s an altar? I thought they were in a building? Why is there a bunch of people? Are we outside? Really made it more difficult than it needed to be.
The romance got me, unfortunately. Their beginning was so disgustingly cringe that I for sure thought I wouldn’t like them together but Bjorn is a great guy (for the most part ahem ahem).
This book doesn’t have a lot of sex (a good thing imo) but Freya was constantly thinking of sex in the worst times. Get your head in the game!
I also think it didn’t lean that heavy into Norse mythology. What was included was very interesting!! All the children of the gods were so interesting to me, especially Steinnun.
I have comments from while I was reading it:
“I’m going to make you a free woman so that you can bed me with no concerns for propriety.” GAGGGG I CANT
“Gripping the wrapped fish under my left arm, I bent and snatched up a stick. Twisting, I cracked it against one tree and then another, moving down the pathway as though the forest around me were a horde of raiders, not caring that I was acting more like a child than a grown woman. I lifted my package of fish like a shield, knocking back imaginary attacks,” Gurl please put the fish down.
3 chapters in and I am suffering a little.
“All the women in Halsar will curse your name if I lose half my fingers.” Omg can we have one serious conversation without sex being alluded to please.
I wish there was more imagery. The world feels bland.
“falling on his back in the dirt and shouting at the sky that he’d lost the ability to sire children, he’d not fared much better.” Get up rn please.
“Only a fool would be thinking about sex anyway” Siri, play ‘I’m a fool’ by Elderbrook.
Her battle was pretty cool and I’m so happy she dumped her lame brother and friend.
Steinnun’s magic is so cool!!
Angry Freya is the best Freya
“In your selfishness and greed, you stuck your own necks under the axe, yet weep that it is my fault when the blade threatens to descend.” Okayyyyyy that was hard
Poor Ylva. I don’t like her but she’s such a pitiable woman.
The ending was expected but also ouch. Ouch.
Read for the 2024 Fantasy Bingo
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-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