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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I definitely prefer retellings to the originals, so when I saw this as a giveaway, I entered. Honestly, it was enjoyable, well-written story, full of adventure. I enjoyed alternating between the dragon and the other characters. I will look for more books by [a:Sharon Emmerichs|22732083|Sharon Emmerichs|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png].
I LOVE FRYDA. Such a well written heroine who had me rooting for her at every turn. There is one particular character (I will not spoil) that I could not hate more. They did some shit that made me see red.
Also the slow burn/ forbidden love story arc was SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.
Also the slow burn/ forbidden love story arc was SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to like this book. I like retellings, I love Norse mythology/history, I like historical fantasy... It just did not hit the mark for me.
I really wanted to DNF is multiple times, but I kept telling myself it had to hit it's stride soon enough. I only became more invested in the plot and what happened to anyone about 3/4 of the way through the book.
I did not find the main character endearing, relatable, or inspiring - and I feel like she was intended to be all of them. I didn't like the way her disability was depicted, because it felt very modern. The Norse would have made a big-ish deal about the physical disability, but they also would have been like "well that sucks, man, but at least you have a killer story to go with it." There's only so many times I could read about her "tugging her sleeve over her hand." I really wanted to like the disability representation, it just didn't feel like it fit the story.
I was way more invested in practically every side character - namely King Beowulf, the blacksmith, and the MC's handmaiden. The dragon had way more interesting lore, worldbuilding, and POV sections. I wish there was more dragon and less MC, unfortunately. Pretty much all of the stars go toward the side characters and the dragon.
I really wanted to DNF is multiple times, but I kept telling myself it had to hit it's stride soon enough. I only became more invested in the plot and what happened to anyone about 3/4 of the way through the book.
I did not find the main character endearing, relatable, or inspiring - and I feel like she was intended to be all of them. I didn't like the way her disability was depicted, because it felt very modern. The Norse would have made a big-ish deal about the physical disability, but they also would have been like "well that sucks, man, but at least you have a killer story to go with it." There's only so many times I could read about her "tugging her sleeve over her hand." I really wanted to like the disability representation, it just didn't feel like it fit the story.
I was way more invested in practically every side character - namely King Beowulf, the blacksmith, and the MC's handmaiden. The dragon had way more interesting lore, worldbuilding, and POV sections. I wish there was more dragon and less MC, unfortunately. Pretty much all of the stars go toward the side characters and the dragon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
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
inspiring
This book obviously took quite a bit of research, from the Beowulf myth to the ancient Norse culture, it never felt like Emmerich was using the simple, pop-culture version of Vikings. Another plus is that the writing style is descriptive and emotive without being overwrought and meandering, I could always get a clear picture in my head of what was going on. However, I found the pacing a little odd. The scenes and POV's jump around and made it hard to follow at times, and some plot threads feel too loosely connected. Most of the cast felt a bit on the flat side, too, despite being point-of-view characters. I was never really sure who they were outside of their relationship to the main character. It's a good story, but I think it could have used a bit more polish.
“On the morning of her thirteenth birthday, Fryda of Clan Waegmunding—daughter of Weohstan and jewel of King Beowulf’s eye—wanted only one good kill.”
This was an interesting historical fiction; it delves into politics, family/social dynamics of the time, betrayals, and the Beowulf Mythos (particularly him taking on the dragon).
The author knows her stuff for this time frame, so there was a lot of descriptive imagery and detail which I loved.
The characters were so-so, some felt a bit flat, others I wanted to know more about. The POVs switch throughout the story, it works, but I think just sticking with Fryda would’ve helped with the continuity of the tale and kept the reader in the moment.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and RedHook Books for a copy!
This was an interesting historical fiction; it delves into politics, family/social dynamics of the time, betrayals, and the Beowulf Mythos (particularly him taking on the dragon).
The author knows her stuff for this time frame, so there was a lot of descriptive imagery and detail which I loved.
The characters were so-so, some felt a bit flat, others I wanted to know more about. The POVs switch throughout the story, it works, but I think just sticking with Fryda would’ve helped with the continuity of the tale and kept the reader in the moment.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and RedHook Books for a copy!
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty good. I liked the characters. Well written, but I would've liked a bit more backstory so that it doesn't rely on the reader having prior knowledge about Beowolf. The dragon curse was u clear to me.