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piburnjones 's review for:
Hild
by Nicola Griffith
This book is a wonder. Deeply researched, intricately detailed historical fiction of the puts-you-in-the-world variety. Most of the names and situations are all unfamiliar at first (because how many stories set in the seventh century have most of us read?), but like good fantasy or sci fi writers, Griffith makes sure you figure things out quickly enough.
A lot of things about this made me think back to the Beowulf seminar I took for my English degree - this is a world with scops and peaceweavers and kings who give armbands and rings and other loot to their warriors as a mark of their loyalty.
From a very young age, Hild is placed in a precarious political position because of her relationship to people in power. She quickly becomes the king's seer, learning to find ways to stay more informed than most and manipulate situations to her benefit - while also dealing with the usual coming-of-age uncertainties.
A lot of things about this made me think back to the Beowulf seminar I took for my English degree - this is a world with scops and peaceweavers and kings who give armbands and rings and other loot to their warriors as a mark of their loyalty.
From a very young age, Hild is placed in a precarious political position because of her relationship to people in power. She quickly becomes the king's seer, learning to find ways to stay more informed than most and manipulate situations to her benefit - while also dealing with the usual coming-of-age uncertainties.