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A review by briannethebookworm
When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald
4.0
Zelda was born on the fetal alcohol spectrum. Her and her big brother, Gert, are left to fend for themselves after their mom loses her battle with cancer and their father walks out on them. When an abusive uncle takes them in, Gert realizes he has to get them out of there; he applies for a college scholarship and gets a new place for him and Zelda to live. Zelda thrives with rules and routine, but Gert’s shady side businesses begin interfering with the flow of their daily routines. Zelda, who loves Vikings, is determined to make her own legend and defeat anyone villainous who tries to hurt her tribe, even the shady people Gert is working for. Zelda wants to be a hero and will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves, even if it means compromising her own safety.
This was told in Zelda’s unique voice, and I loved her fierce loyalty to those she claimed as her “tribe.” The story is not only about Zelda trying to protect her brother, but also about her journey to becoming a more independent young woman, despite the limitations her disability creates for her. I felt like it was a little bit of a slow build and it ended really quickly. I also was unsure about how to feel about Gert. I viewed him as a hero for all that he sacrificed to fake care of him and Zelda, but I felt the ending made me question him. Thanks to Book of the Month for this unique selection!
This was told in Zelda’s unique voice, and I loved her fierce loyalty to those she claimed as her “tribe.” The story is not only about Zelda trying to protect her brother, but also about her journey to becoming a more independent young woman, despite the limitations her disability creates for her. I felt like it was a little bit of a slow build and it ended really quickly. I also was unsure about how to feel about Gert. I viewed him as a hero for all that he sacrificed to fake care of him and Zelda, but I felt the ending made me question him. Thanks to Book of the Month for this unique selection!