Review: So I actually enjoyed this more than I was expecting I would! I haven't read many books taking place in the viking times. So I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it. But I loved this! I enjoyed how it was a quick smooth read. I think it had a really good mix of things! We get battles between clans, blood feuds, blood bonds, anger, hate, love, growth, change! We also see family be a primary part of the story for everyone. Everyone cared deeply for their family whether they were family by blood or bond. I can't say much more about family since it's a big part of the story and could spoil things, but it was fantastic seeing these bonds and how they affected the story.
The language used by the vikings in this book was also quite enjoyable to read. I'm not usually the biggest fan of tossing in other language, but I think it worked well in this book. It was brought in when talking about love, bonds, caring. It was brought in when something with a powerful meaning was brought up. I liked that because it showed the importance and weight of those things.
One thing I really liked about this book was that there was no insta-love. Eelyn is a fierce warrior focused only on fighting and protecting her clan. Her focus changes to getting answers and survival in a few different ways as the story goes on. But she never set out thinking, hey, this guy is cute and nice, I'm gonna love him. She does start to have feelings, but they were never the main focus. It was just a smaller, sweeter side to the overall fighting for survival story. With so many insta-love stories out now, this was incredibly refreshing to not see that here.
The main feud in this book is between the Aska and the Riki. They battle each other every five years. It was during the previous fighting season that Eelyn lost her brother Iri to battle. During this current one, is when she found out she didn't. One of the biggest themes in this book is betrayal. When Eelyn is captured by the Riki and sees her brother as part of them. She feels the ultimate betrayal. Her father and her grieved his loss for the past five years only to find out he's alive with the enemy. Why didn't he come back to his people? Why did he become one of the enemy? As she's forced to wait out the winter with the Riki, she learns how her brother survived that battle and how it shaped his decision to stay with the enemy. She's also forced to confront her newfound guilt. Once her father finds out Iri is alive, they both are forced to deal with their guilt now knowing they left Iri to die on the battlefield when he could have been saved.
Eventually both the Aska and the Riki are devastated by attacks. Eelyn recognizes the attackers as the Herja. The clan that took her mother from her and Iri in a freak raid when they were kids. To the Riki however, the Herja were only legends. Both clans eventually come to realize they may need to work together for them both to survive. Change needs to happen. And it's Eelyn who leads this charge for change after what she's dealt with with Iri and the Riki.
I thought how the events unfolded throughout the book set up for a beautiful ending. I will not spoil it, but it was well executed. I found it incredibly satisfying that it wrapped up like it did and didn't leave massive cliffhangers. I really loved this book! It's definitely going on my favorites shelf!
