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Sagaen om Isfolket #1-47
The Legend of the Ice People
The Legend of the Ice People (in Norwegian language Sagaen om Isfolket) is a 47-volume story of a family bloodline. The author of the series is Margit Sandemo. The novels are based in historical facts, mostly occurring in Scandinavia, but the fantastic is never far off. The series first began as a feuilletonin the Norwegian magazine Hjemmet. The first volume was released 1982, and the series became one of the best-selling series of novels in Scandinavia, with more than 25 million copies sold. The series has been published in at least Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Polish, Russian, Hungarian and most recently English.
The story begins in Trondheim, Norway in 1581, with the story of Silje Arngrimsdotter, and how she comes into contact with Ice People, a community of people living in an isolated valley. From there on it follows Ice People through the centuries, with members of the clan migrating from Norway to Denmark and Sweden. Other members of the clan wind up in or visit various corners of Europe and Asia over the course of the series.
Ice People are cursed with a terrible forefather, Tengel the Evil, whose actions resulted in at least one cursed individual being born in every generation. The cursed individuals were born with magical and mystical abilities, but also the potential for bottomless evil. They have also yellow eyes, malformed shoulder blades and Mongol features. Some cursed individuals fought their tendency to evil, whilst others embraced it.
Each book tells a separate story, very often the story of one or a few individuals of the clan. Quite often the protagonist of each book is a female, sometimes of Ice People, but sometimes one who will marry into the clan. Many of the books also focus on the cursed individuals, their battle with their evil tendencies, and also how they utilise their powers, be it for good or evil.
The story begins in Trondheim, Norway in 1581, with the story of Silje Arngrimsdotter, and how she comes into contact with Ice People, a community of people living in an isolated valley. From there on it follows Ice People through the centuries, with members of the clan migrating from Norway to Denmark and Sweden. Other members of the clan wind up in or visit various corners of Europe and Asia over the course of the series.
Ice People are cursed with a terrible forefather, Tengel the Evil, whose actions resulted in at least one cursed individual being born in every generation. The cursed individuals were born with magical and mystical abilities, but also the potential for bottomless evil. They have also yellow eyes, malformed shoulder blades and Mongol features. Some cursed individuals fought their tendency to evil, whilst others embraced it.
Each book tells a separate story, very often the story of one or a few individuals of the clan. Quite often the protagonist of each book is a female, sometimes of Ice People, but sometimes one who will marry into the clan. Many of the books also focus on the cursed individuals, their battle with their evil tendencies, and also how they utilise their powers, be it for good or evil.
12200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
33 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Margit Sandemo
224 books395 followersMargit Sandemo was a Norwegian-Swedish historical fantasy author. She has been the best-selling author in the Nordic Countries since the 1980s, when her novel series of 47 books, The Legend of the Ice People, was published. She has also written many other book series such as Häxmästaren and Legenden om Ljusets rike.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 5, 2021
Läste denna oförglömliga bokserie som tonåring och läste om dem igen förra året. Hade inte så höga förväntningar då jag tänkte att jag troligtvis hade vuxit ifrån dem. Till min stora förvåning upptäckte jag att jag älskade böckerna ännu mer som vuxen(!!) på grund av att jag förstod så mycket mer av handlingen nu och dessutom kunde relatera till flera av karaktärerna som jag i tonåren hade upplevt som ointressanta och tråkiga.
Margit Sandemo hade verkligen en stor förståelse för det mänskliga psyket och en förmåga att väcka känslor i sina läsare av sällan skådat slag. Hur många av oss har inte ryckts med i denna speciella släktsaga och handlöst förälskat oss i en eller flera av hennes "drabbade" karaktärer?
När jag var tonåring så fann jag mina första kvinnliga förebilder i den här serien - starka, vackra, självständiga och modiga unga kvinnor! Fast nu som vuxen märker jag att deras impulsiva natur inte längre imponerar på mig. Istället känner jag vördnad inför de lugna, trygga, stabila karaktärerna som utgör en grundtrygghet för de mer färgstarka karaktärerna som är lite betydligt mer "vilda" till sin natur.
Så jag rekommenderar alla som läste denna bokserie som unga att göra det igen för det kan hända att ni får en helt annan upplevelse! Innehållet är dock fortfarande lika fångade som det alltid varit, som man har skrattat och gråtit av dessa böcker!
Jag vet att en del personer som har svårt för att läsa "vanliga" böcker kan sluka denna serie. Enligt vad jag hört så har Margit till och med fått vissa människor med dyslexi att börja läsa böcker. Jag tycker dock att denna serie lämpar sig för tonåringar och vuxna, absolut inte för barn som är yngre än så, trots att det är väldigt lättläst och de säkert skulle kunna hänga med i handlingen. Vissa inlag kan vara lite skrämmande och faktiskt ge upphov till mardrömmar.. (talar av egen erfarenhet och jag är inte särskilt lättskrämd, tro mig.. )
Innehållet känner de flesta av oss redan till, men en snabb förklaring är att den skildrar en släktsaga från tidigt 1600-tal fram tills 80talet(?) dvs det som var "nutid" då den publicerades. Berättelsen handlar om en väldans massa människoöden under dessa århundraden, de skildrar också samtiden, inlag av folktro och mycket annat.. men den röda tråden i denna saga handlar om ett ont arv från en elak stamfader som inte bara sålde sin egen själ till ondskan, utan också såg till att minst en person i varje kommande generation skulle födas till en "drabbad" och bära på det onda arvet, dvs födas med övernaturliga förmågor och en vilja att tjäna ondskan. Ett utmärkande drag hos de drabbade är breda skuldror som ofta dräper sina mödrar under födseln, samt de kännetecknande gula ögonen.
Vi får följa detta släktled från början till slut, många av de icke-drabbade och de som kallas för "utvalda" (de som föds med övernaturliga förmågor, men inte är onda utan snarare behöver bekämpa ondskan, även de utvalda har de kattgula ögonen) kämpar hårt för att upphäva denna förbannelse. Några av de drabbade kan ha omvänts, men de måste då föra en inre kamp för att stå emot sina impulser och övervinna det mörka inom sig själva. (Obs. Vet inte om det bara är jag, men som vuxen läsare så har jag ofta känt att man kan tolka denna inre kamp symboliskt för sånt som vissa människor måste fightas med på riktigt, tex olika typer av tvångsbeteenden, psykisk ohälsa, missbruk, etc)
De första böckerna är helt klart bäst och mest välskrivna, men slutet kan man ju inte missa, så man ser ändå till att läsa ut de där 47 böckerna! ;)
--
Kan även rekommendera isfolket-föreningen, isfolket-podden och de grafiska novellerna av Raymond Husac (men då måste man ha läst böckerna först, eftersom många saker faller bort då det måste kortas ned så mycket) Det skulle inte förvåna mig om det görs en filmatisering om detta en vacker dag och då är det bra att ha läst böckerna först! 👍
Margit Sandemo hade verkligen en stor förståelse för det mänskliga psyket och en förmåga att väcka känslor i sina läsare av sällan skådat slag. Hur många av oss har inte ryckts med i denna speciella släktsaga och handlöst förälskat oss i en eller flera av hennes "drabbade" karaktärer?
När jag var tonåring så fann jag mina första kvinnliga förebilder i den här serien - starka, vackra, självständiga och modiga unga kvinnor! Fast nu som vuxen märker jag att deras impulsiva natur inte längre imponerar på mig. Istället känner jag vördnad inför de lugna, trygga, stabila karaktärerna som utgör en grundtrygghet för de mer färgstarka karaktärerna som är lite betydligt mer "vilda" till sin natur.
Så jag rekommenderar alla som läste denna bokserie som unga att göra det igen för det kan hända att ni får en helt annan upplevelse! Innehållet är dock fortfarande lika fångade som det alltid varit, som man har skrattat och gråtit av dessa böcker!
Jag vet att en del personer som har svårt för att läsa "vanliga" böcker kan sluka denna serie. Enligt vad jag hört så har Margit till och med fått vissa människor med dyslexi att börja läsa böcker. Jag tycker dock att denna serie lämpar sig för tonåringar och vuxna, absolut inte för barn som är yngre än så, trots att det är väldigt lättläst och de säkert skulle kunna hänga med i handlingen. Vissa inlag kan vara lite skrämmande och faktiskt ge upphov till mardrömmar.. (talar av egen erfarenhet och jag är inte särskilt lättskrämd, tro mig.. )
Innehållet känner de flesta av oss redan till, men en snabb förklaring är att den skildrar en släktsaga från tidigt 1600-tal fram tills 80talet(?) dvs det som var "nutid" då den publicerades. Berättelsen handlar om en väldans massa människoöden under dessa århundraden, de skildrar också samtiden, inlag av folktro och mycket annat.. men den röda tråden i denna saga handlar om ett ont arv från en elak stamfader som inte bara sålde sin egen själ till ondskan, utan också såg till att minst en person i varje kommande generation skulle födas till en "drabbad" och bära på det onda arvet, dvs födas med övernaturliga förmågor och en vilja att tjäna ondskan. Ett utmärkande drag hos de drabbade är breda skuldror som ofta dräper sina mödrar under födseln, samt de kännetecknande gula ögonen.
Vi får följa detta släktled från början till slut, många av de icke-drabbade och de som kallas för "utvalda" (de som föds med övernaturliga förmågor, men inte är onda utan snarare behöver bekämpa ondskan, även de utvalda har de kattgula ögonen) kämpar hårt för att upphäva denna förbannelse. Några av de drabbade kan ha omvänts, men de måste då föra en inre kamp för att stå emot sina impulser och övervinna det mörka inom sig själva. (Obs. Vet inte om det bara är jag, men som vuxen läsare så har jag ofta känt att man kan tolka denna inre kamp symboliskt för sånt som vissa människor måste fightas med på riktigt, tex olika typer av tvångsbeteenden, psykisk ohälsa, missbruk, etc)
De första böckerna är helt klart bäst och mest välskrivna, men slutet kan man ju inte missa, så man ser ändå till att läsa ut de där 47 böckerna! ;)
--
Kan även rekommendera isfolket-föreningen, isfolket-podden och de grafiska novellerna av Raymond Husac (men då måste man ha läst böckerna först, eftersom många saker faller bort då det måste kortas ned så mycket) Det skulle inte förvåna mig om det görs en filmatisering om detta en vacker dag och då är det bra att ha läst böckerna först! 👍
September 30, 2019
This is probably the best series of books I ever read. I read the first 28 books (minus number 17, which I missed) at a pace of one book a day, then number 29 came out and I bought that one too, then I had to wait for 2 months for each book to be published. That was painful. However, it was worth the waiting.
October 7, 2024
Disclaimer: Nie trawię romansów. Diclaimer #2: Saga o Ludziach Lodu ma dla mnie mocne znaczenie emocjonalne.
Ludzie Lodu... 47 tomów rollercoastera i to dosłownie, bo ta seria skacze od góry do dołu. Jedyny pewnik to to, że czyta się szybko.
Elementy fantastyczne są według mnie zaskakująco spójne jak na taką serię, zwłaszcza tak przez pierwsze 2/3. Później robią się trochę fikołki, ale autorka dzielnie walczy i próbuje to wyjaśnić lepiej lub gorzej.
Bohaterów mamy tony, i większość z nich nie przeszkadza, a kilku zapada w pamięć (zwłaszcza dotknięci i wybrani jak Heike, Tarjei, Ingrid, ale nie tylko, Cecylia czy Vendel również są w większości spoko), mało denerwuje jako całość (poza bohaterami i bohaterkami których jedyną cechą charakteru jest bycie zakochanym w XYZ). Wartym podkreślenia elementem (i jednym z najmocniejszych) jest wplatanie losów bohaterów w kształtującą się państwowość Norwegii i relacji z Danią i Szwecją z tej okazji.
Językowo jest zwykle przeciętnie i co najgorsze, powtarzalnie. "Och, jaka jestem szczęśliwa" mam już wyryte w uszach. Ale w sumie zgodnie z oczekiwaniami.
Co do fabuły - no idzie przez długie lata, dzieją się zwykle dosyć ciekawe rzeczy i bohaterowie biorą udział w swoich przygodach ratując/rozwiązując rodzinne problemy oraz różnych historycznych wydarzeniach (głównie w wojnach) oraz przede wszystkim poszukując miłości (co powoduje często tzw. "horny brain" i idiotyczne decyzje w konsekwencji tegoż). W końcówce/ ostatniej 1/3 pojawia się coś, co mnie irytowało - deus ex machina, odbierające sporo decyzyjności bohaterom i rozwiązujące za nich problemy w odpowiednim czasie albo na styku.
Na koniec zostawiam wątek tzw. "cimcirimcim" (TW dla niezainteresowanych, skipnijcie do następnego akapitu)- niestety, często widać że to starodawna seria i porusza pewne wątki w sposób co najmniej niedopowiedni, np. w kwestii homoseksualizmu. Sceny przemocy seksualnej są wrzucane w bęben maszyny losującej i albo są przedstawione jednoznacznie jako coś złego (w większości) albo romantyzowane (w mniejszości, ale nadal to paskudne).
Podsumowując, daję gwiazdkę ponad 1 za zaskakującą spójność serii i drugą za dających się lubić bohaterów dodając jeszcze mój sentyment. Dla mnie Saga o Ludziach Lodu to definicja Guilty Pleasure, albo jak to ktoś w innej recenzji ujął książki Sandemo, książkowe jedzenie masła orzechowego łyżką prosto ze słoika - prosta przyjemność, nie wymagająca za dużo od człowieka.
Najlepsze tomy: 2, 6, 20
Najgorsze: 3, 25, 47 (posłowie de facto, bez sensu ten tom)
Ludzie Lodu... 47 tomów rollercoastera i to dosłownie, bo ta seria skacze od góry do dołu. Jedyny pewnik to to, że czyta się szybko.
Elementy fantastyczne są według mnie zaskakująco spójne jak na taką serię, zwłaszcza tak przez pierwsze 2/3. Później robią się trochę fikołki, ale autorka dzielnie walczy i próbuje to wyjaśnić lepiej lub gorzej.
Bohaterów mamy tony, i większość z nich nie przeszkadza, a kilku zapada w pamięć (zwłaszcza dotknięci i wybrani jak Heike, Tarjei, Ingrid, ale nie tylko, Cecylia czy Vendel również są w większości spoko), mało denerwuje jako całość (poza bohaterami i bohaterkami których jedyną cechą charakteru jest bycie zakochanym w XYZ). Wartym podkreślenia elementem (i jednym z najmocniejszych) jest wplatanie losów bohaterów w kształtującą się państwowość Norwegii i relacji z Danią i Szwecją z tej okazji.
Językowo jest zwykle przeciętnie i co najgorsze, powtarzalnie. "Och, jaka jestem szczęśliwa" mam już wyryte w uszach. Ale w sumie zgodnie z oczekiwaniami.
Co do fabuły - no idzie przez długie lata, dzieją się zwykle dosyć ciekawe rzeczy i bohaterowie biorą udział w swoich przygodach ratując/rozwiązując rodzinne problemy oraz różnych historycznych wydarzeniach (głównie w wojnach) oraz przede wszystkim poszukując miłości (co powoduje często tzw. "horny brain" i idiotyczne decyzje w konsekwencji tegoż). W końcówce/ ostatniej 1/3 pojawia się coś, co mnie irytowało - deus ex machina, odbierające sporo decyzyjności bohaterom i rozwiązujące za nich problemy w odpowiednim czasie albo na styku.
Na koniec zostawiam wątek tzw. "cimcirimcim" (TW dla niezainteresowanych, skipnijcie do następnego akapitu)- niestety, często widać że to starodawna seria i porusza pewne wątki w sposób co najmniej niedopowiedni, np. w kwestii homoseksualizmu. Sceny przemocy seksualnej są wrzucane w bęben maszyny losującej i albo są przedstawione jednoznacznie jako coś złego (w większości) albo romantyzowane (w mniejszości, ale nadal to paskudne).
Podsumowując, daję gwiazdkę ponad 1 za zaskakującą spójność serii i drugą za dających się lubić bohaterów dodając jeszcze mój sentyment. Dla mnie Saga o Ludziach Lodu to definicja Guilty Pleasure, albo jak to ktoś w innej recenzji ujął książki Sandemo, książkowe jedzenie masła orzechowego łyżką prosto ze słoika - prosta przyjemność, nie wymagająca za dużo od człowieka.
Najlepsze tomy: 2, 6, 20
Najgorsze: 3, 25, 47 (posłowie de facto, bez sensu ten tom)
September 11, 2011
A fantastic series!!!
January 16, 2021
Read 1-32 in a year. And I just didnt want it to end. So I waited 7 years to read them all, ecept the last one. I just can't bring myself to end the story. This serie is one of the best I've read. And all of the books isnt great. But you love them anyway. They have it all, love, mystic, historiy, family and deep friendships.
The writing isnt the best, but its easy going even tho if you are a "språkpolis" will shake your head, you just have to see past that for the great story over all. Its written a long time ago, and sometimes Margit wanted to get the story out of her head on papper, you can feel that. Its an emotionally story, with great carachters and strong womans. This serie made me want to search for my own family tree. I've starter to read the books when I was 16-17 and it was amazing then. I' ve tried to read it again, but its not the same.
The writing isnt the best, but its easy going even tho if you are a "språkpolis" will shake your head, you just have to see past that for the great story over all. Its written a long time ago, and sometimes Margit wanted to get the story out of her head on papper, you can feel that. Its an emotionally story, with great carachters and strong womans. This serie made me want to search for my own family tree. I've starter to read the books when I was 16-17 and it was amazing then. I' ve tried to read it again, but its not the same.
December 28, 2021
Leste denne serien ihjel som tenåring, så nå hadde jeg lyst å lese den første boka igjen i voksen alder for å se hvor dårlig den _egentlig_ var. Men så ble jeg overrasket: Akkurat som sist ble jeg sugd inn i handlingen og ga meg ikke før alle 47 bøker var lest.
Joda, noen av bøkene er mindre bra enn andre, og man må godta overnaturlig handling, men jeg synes det er en drivende godt fortalt slektskrønike, jeg. Med langt mindre banalt språk enn annen kiosklitteratur man kan få fatt på.
Joda, noen av bøkene er mindre bra enn andre, og man må godta overnaturlig handling, men jeg synes det er en drivende godt fortalt slektskrønike, jeg. Med langt mindre banalt språk enn annen kiosklitteratur man kan få fatt på.
January 6, 2016
I read most parts of this 47-volume family saga as a teenager and have read some of the books many times since then. The Ice People Saga spans from the 16th century up until modern day Scandinavia and are mainly about the women in the family (which I applaud, btw). They sort of feel like a literary homecoming for me, all familiar and cosy...but at the same time, they are oh so horrible! Reading these with my feminist glasses on makes me cringe in horror sometimes, especially over the sex scenes. And the language is really shoddy sometimes, though not nearly as bad as in the 50 shades-series.
The first 15 or so volumes of this series are however quite compelling with decent plots and reasonable well-written characters, which draw you in as a reader. After that, there are some good ones among the last 30 or so books but it gets a little tiresome, and also a lot less interesting to me when the setting changes to modern times.
My favourite characters are Cecilie, Villemo and Heike, so my favourite volumes are numbers 5, 10-13 and 19-23. 24 and 32 also have above-average plots and characters.
But, still worth a read if you like epic historic romance novels with a focus on women's experiences, as long as you can forgive that the sex scenes can be kinda rape-y at times. Which you generally shouldn't forgive, of course. But if, like me, you grew up with these, you are probably damaged forever in the forgiving-this-in-these-particular-novels-department.
The first 15 or so volumes of this series are however quite compelling with decent plots and reasonable well-written characters, which draw you in as a reader. After that, there are some good ones among the last 30 or so books but it gets a little tiresome, and also a lot less interesting to me when the setting changes to modern times.
My favourite characters are Cecilie, Villemo and Heike, so my favourite volumes are numbers 5, 10-13 and 19-23. 24 and 32 also have above-average plots and characters.
But, still worth a read if you like epic historic romance novels with a focus on women's experiences, as long as you can forgive that the sex scenes can be kinda rape-y at times. Which you generally shouldn't forgive, of course. But if, like me, you grew up with these, you are probably damaged forever in the forgiving-this-in-these-particular-novels-department.
April 26, 2015
I absolutely love the Legend of the Ice People - or Sagan om Isfolket as I'm used to calling it.
I have read the series multiple times in Swedish, and love every single book. I have to say though, that I was quite disappointed with the English translation. In places it was terrible, bad grammar, odd choice of words and simple things as calling 'Silje' a 'he' instead of a 'she'...I only read the first couple of books in the English translation, and then gave up. I didn't want to ruin one of my favourite series of books by picking out grammatical errors, that should be done before the book is published....
I have read the series multiple times in Swedish, and love every single book. I have to say though, that I was quite disappointed with the English translation. In places it was terrible, bad grammar, odd choice of words and simple things as calling 'Silje' a 'he' instead of a 'she'...I only read the first couple of books in the English translation, and then gave up. I didn't want to ruin one of my favourite series of books by picking out grammatical errors, that should be done before the book is published....
August 3, 2013
With the 3 first books, you go WOW!
You still think that after 20, but the WOW-factor is not as amazing as it was at the beginning.
But I still recommend people to read all of the 47 books, because they are so good!
I have read all of them at least 2 - 3 times by now..
You still think that after 20, but the WOW-factor is not as amazing as it was at the beginning.
But I still recommend people to read all of the 47 books, because they are so good!
I have read all of them at least 2 - 3 times by now..
April 14, 2014
One of my absolute favourite series growing up...
I remember hiding away to read these, over and over again!
Some of them are better than others, but for me it's pure nostalgia.
I remember hiding away to read these, over and over again!
Some of them are better than others, but for me it's pure nostalgia.
October 2, 2018
Serien som fick mig att börja älska läsning och böcker i tonåren! Den har allt jag tycker om - kärlek, äventyr, mystik, spänning, historiska miljöer och magi <3
September 26, 2019
Som en blandning av Kulla-Gulla, Harlequin och Twilight - doppat i en skål med Skandinavisk historia.
August 25, 2025
I didn't plan on reading whole 47 books, I really didn't. At first. Not after over fifteen years when I read it last time - and despite this series being a main source of information about (oh horror!) *those things* a teenager me had, I was kind of embarrassingly fascinated by the world and Scandinavia itself. The romance part was just a good addition to XVI century, plagues, nobility and peasants, and especially low-fantasy undertone—
Alright, okay, I admit—witches, it was witches. I fell in love with witches more than the tension between love-interest characters that was supposed to be a main thing. Witches for the win. Good, bad, in between, whatever. Just witches. And that's how I mostly remembered it.
So... I decided to give it a try again. Just to read something. The last time I read any book of this series was probably thirteen years ago, maybe more. Never read all forty-seven books either, I remembered well only the first few, because I read them a few times (you know, witches). The rest was a huge blur of characters and situations I barely recognised. So I was actually... curious. How can you write so many books in one universe and keep it fresh?
Firstly I just wanted to read the first one — just to grab a momentum to read other things. It seemed like a good, light novel to read before I'll take on something more serious after a big break I had from reading anything.
But... oh... boy. The shock. Was. Real. I was terrified how badly it was written. Was it really always... so bad? I asked myself. That bad? Or are my standards just higher now? I was so conflicted. And yet, I kept going, wincing from cringe from time to time, but went one book after another.
And then something weird happened. I started... enjoying it. Every single book.
Not even six months later I'm here, reviewing this whole thing 4 out of 5, even though I'm kinda embarrassed to rate it higher than 3. But come on, I actually read all of them, so how bad they can be, right?
If I sound like I didn't enjoy them, it was only because the beginning is a bit dreadful. Not gonna lie, it is a bit hard at times. Characters talk like NPCs without their own voice (saying "insults" that 5yo would laugh at), romance is stiff and flat, witches are there but barely, descriptions are the best example of not using "show, don't tell" method in writing, and if you're looking for fantasy element it's almost invisible in the first books.
And yet, I read all of them, and I'm happy to say it wasn't a wasted time. Just when you go through the first books that are "meh", later only gets better, especially from 15th onwards.
I know what it sounds like, "you just need to read fifteen books and it gets really good!!" - but anyway, the whole Saga is definitely an experience like no other, and imo worth reading front to back. Especially if you like today's Romantasy books. I highly recommend. This is better than new stuff. And almost 50 books? Come on, endless mine of content!
Alright, okay, I admit—witches, it was witches. I fell in love with witches more than the tension between love-interest characters that was supposed to be a main thing. Witches for the win. Good, bad, in between, whatever. Just witches. And that's how I mostly remembered it.
So... I decided to give it a try again. Just to read something. The last time I read any book of this series was probably thirteen years ago, maybe more. Never read all forty-seven books either, I remembered well only the first few, because I read them a few times (you know, witches). The rest was a huge blur of characters and situations I barely recognised. So I was actually... curious. How can you write so many books in one universe and keep it fresh?
Firstly I just wanted to read the first one — just to grab a momentum to read other things. It seemed like a good, light novel to read before I'll take on something more serious after a big break I had from reading anything.
But... oh... boy. The shock. Was. Real. I was terrified how badly it was written. Was it really always... so bad? I asked myself. That bad? Or are my standards just higher now? I was so conflicted. And yet, I kept going, wincing from cringe from time to time, but went one book after another.
And then something weird happened. I started... enjoying it. Every single book.
Not even six months later I'm here, reviewing this whole thing 4 out of 5, even though I'm kinda embarrassed to rate it higher than 3. But come on, I actually read all of them, so how bad they can be, right?
If I sound like I didn't enjoy them, it was only because the beginning is a bit dreadful. Not gonna lie, it is a bit hard at times. Characters talk like NPCs without their own voice (saying "insults" that 5yo would laugh at), romance is stiff and flat, witches are there but barely, descriptions are the best example of not using "show, don't tell" method in writing, and if you're looking for fantasy element it's almost invisible in the first books.
And yet, I read all of them, and I'm happy to say it wasn't a wasted time. Just when you go through the first books that are "meh", later only gets better, especially from 15th onwards.
I know what it sounds like, "you just need to read fifteen books and it gets really good!!" - but anyway, the whole Saga is definitely an experience like no other, and imo worth reading front to back. Especially if you like today's Romantasy books. I highly recommend. This is better than new stuff. And almost 50 books? Come on, endless mine of content!
December 3, 2021
There is more to this life then what we might ever deem. A captivating fantasy series that allows you to follow a bloodlines heritage and adventures over centuries. Sandemos skill for storytelling with vivid character and environmental descriptions brought life to an unravelling story where good once again had to fight evil.
Eventhough the series sprung 47 books most of them left you wanting to continue reading or search for the next book (those days obtaining books or other media wasn't always easy). However, towards the end the series felt hastened. The author herself apologised for this and to her
defence writing so many books in the same series must have taken its toll. The life of the author herself hadn't always been easy and perhaps this is one of the reasons the series felt real. Aside from an overall amazing adventure often woven together with accurate geographical and historical events there are some graphic elements that does not suit younger or demure readers.
The series was originally published between 1982 to 1989 and after that she wrote even more books sprung from this lineage. Sadly Sandemo passed away a couple of years ago but I do hope she knew she was appreciated world widely.
Eventhough the series sprung 47 books most of them left you wanting to continue reading or search for the next book (those days obtaining books or other media wasn't always easy). However, towards the end the series felt hastened. The author herself apologised for this and to her
defence writing so many books in the same series must have taken its toll. The life of the author herself hadn't always been easy and perhaps this is one of the reasons the series felt real. Aside from an overall amazing adventure often woven together with accurate geographical and historical events there are some graphic elements that does not suit younger or demure readers.
The series was originally published between 1982 to 1989 and after that she wrote even more books sprung from this lineage. Sadly Sandemo passed away a couple of years ago but I do hope she knew she was appreciated world widely.
September 25, 2023
Jedna z lepszych serii książkowych jakie przeczytałam. Serie przeczytałam 3 razy. Pierwszy raz w latach 90tych jak wyszła po raz pierwszym w Polsce, byłam wtedy nastolatką , później jak już cała seria wyszła. I teraz w języku angielskim w wieku 40 lat. Seria niestety prze te lata w moich oczach straciła, ale tylko dlatego że dorosłam. Mimo wszystko było miło przyczatac jeszcze raz serii. Dużo widzę teraz dziur w całej historii i niektóre wątki nie mają sensu i spójności. Parę książek było nudnych i ciężko się je czytało. Parę było bardzo ciekawych.
August 23, 2022
Welp, I’m done! I read those books so fast without taking a break! They weren’t too long but their were a lot of them! I loved the series. All the books weren’t great but that’s to be expected with such a long series! I got lost in the life of this family and all the ancestors from the beginning. This last book was different with the author talking about herself the last third of the book but while some people might not find it I interesting I did. It was a satisfying conclusion to the saga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
Collected entry for all of the series! This one is a childhood favourite series of mine, and I have read through it at least three times. I most assuredly will read it again in the future.
The magic and mystery is great, I love following the generations from 1500-1980s, and most of the stories are really engaging. Even the stories without the magical aspect are great to read.
I recommend this series!
The magic and mystery is great, I love following the generations from 1500-1980s, and most of the stories are really engaging. Even the stories without the magical aspect are great to read.
I recommend this series!
January 24, 2021
Overall I enjoyed reading these books. 47! I spent 6 months reading them all. Some books were obviously better than others, but what I really enjoyed the most is how the author shares her ideas and how she came up with different plots. I will say though that the first 10 books were the best - the last 10 books were, in my opinion, not as good.
September 9, 2021
This series of books has a special place in my heart. While the author herself admits that some of the books aren’t good, they are all stories that needed to be told. The ending has a great deal of build up for something that basically just stops dead in its tracks, but it is still a beautiful saga full of bold choices and modern ideas.
February 3, 2026
This series is what sparked my interest in both fantasy and romance. I have re-read single books multiple times between the ages of 12 and 26. Its very much worth a read and its easily enjoyed. It spans multiple genres: romance, fantasy, crime, thriller, mystery. Margit Sandemo is a cultural treasure.
September 8, 2018
My favorite books. Read all of them several times.
September 25, 2020
Read it twice, currently on my third read through. Still in love with every character! Amazing strong leads, both male and females! You really can't put it down, just...love it.
February 24, 2021
Nejmen som en trygg kram. Är det superkvalitativ litteratur? Nej. Är det otroligt indragande och underhållande? Ja! Synd att det peakar i typ mitten, men glad att jag läste hela.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
Älskar dem, läst dem flera gånger.
Currently reading
December 12, 202331.Oct.-08.Nov.2023 > Books 1-18
March 17, 2024
I cannot recommend this series enough!
It has everything - fantasy, romance, magic, real history, family tree throughout the ages.
Love love love.
It has everything - fantasy, romance, magic, real history, family tree throughout the ages.
Love love love.
June 11, 2024
Jag bara älskar sättet Margit Sandemo väver in historiska händelser med mystik och sagoväsen i en skön blandning.
January 1, 2026
Was introduced to Isfolket by my mother. Have read the whole collection five times by now, it´s sooooo good!
January 15, 2025
I love these books, I’ve read the series several times. I can’t put my finger on why I like these books so much, because they have a lot of problems. Both in the writing itself but also in many of the themes. I know the books were written in the 80’s, and some of the problems with gender and equality can get a pass because of the age of the books. But there are several times that rape and emotionall abuse is present, and somehow gets brushed off as romantic. The historical inaccuracy bothers me sometimes too. There’s nothing major, mostly in beauty norms and clothing. It might just be that I live with a history teacher, and gets thorough explanations every time something is wrong... Most wont notice and it doesn’t really matter.
At the same time I think many of the women are great, I like the fact that the focus is women and that they aren’t all the same with different names. I can’t deny that I have had crushes on several of the men in the series. I forgive most of them for being douchbags. The story is compelling and has had me on my toes in many books. I like how she sneaks in the supernatural, you barely notice when it starts to become a major thing.
At the same time I think many of the women are great, I like the fact that the focus is women and that they aren’t all the same with different names. I can’t deny that I have had crushes on several of the men in the series. I forgive most of them for being douchbags. The story is compelling and has had me on my toes in many books. I like how she sneaks in the supernatural, you barely notice when it starts to become a major thing.
October 22, 2019
In my experience... reading it as a teenager, this epic family tale that spans over more than four centuries, was spectacular - with exciting and lovable characters, and fantastic elements vowen into factual historical events and the nordic countries geography. Loved it!
But I've heeded a warning I once read, and found very useful: Respect your nostalgia.
The books will remain in my storage... but it will never be forgotten, or thrown away. Neither will the impact it had on me back then, how it triggered my interest in fantasy - or all the good memories of summer and reading that it brings to mind.
So - in short: More suitable for young than mature readers.
But I've heeded a warning I once read, and found very useful: Respect your nostalgia.
The books will remain in my storage... but it will never be forgotten, or thrown away. Neither will the impact it had on me back then, how it triggered my interest in fantasy - or all the good memories of summer and reading that it brings to mind.
So - in short: More suitable for young than mature readers.
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