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Catla and the Vikings
In the fall of 1066, a thirteen-year-old Anglo-Saxon girl named Catla watches from afar as Viking raiders burn her village and imprison her family and the other villagers. No one sees her as she flees toward Aigber, the closest village, praying the people there will help.
Catla must ignore her terror as she makes her way to the standing stones, a place of refuge, where she meets Sven, an older boy from her village. Together, they continue toward Aigber and are able to alert the village of the coming peril. Catla and Sven rally the villagers of Aigber, and with Catla's help, a plan is put in place that will save both villages from the Nord-devils.
Catla must ignore her terror as she makes her way to the standing stones, a place of refuge, where she meets Sven, an older boy from her village. Together, they continue toward Aigber and are able to alert the village of the coming peril. Catla and Sven rally the villagers of Aigber, and with Catla's help, a plan is put in place that will save both villages from the Nord-devils.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 4, 2019
The book I chose to read was named “Catla and the Vikings”, written by Mary Elizabeth Nelson. This book is about a 13 year old Anglo-Saxon girl named Catla. On a peaceful autumn day, she watches from a distance as the Nord-devils burn her Village and capture her friends and family. In the process, she takes off the nearest Village, Aigber. Luckily she meets a friend from home named Sven, on the way. She seeks help by the Aigber villagers to come up with a plan to save both Anglo-Saxon villages from the Vikings.
When I first started reading the book I found it too detailed and Mary used too many descriptive words and for me that clouded the story. For example she wrote “one by one, like silent, flitting phantoms, people gathered in the thin fog behind her”, I found that that sentence went on longer than it needed and it threw me off of the story. Personally I don’t like it when many of these compact sentences are used all the time in a book, because then I usually find myself rereading a lot because I didn't understand the first time.
The whole book wasn't bad though, after a while I got used to the detailed sentences and I think that the book was historically accurate. I liked how they used slightly different words; they would say “this night” instead of tonight, or “nay” instead of no which I found amusing. One other thing that I liked was when Catla turned down a marriage because she felt uncomfortable, and because she didn’t want to marry him. I liked that part because I think it showed maturity and because today people still are forced to marry and since she had a choice, I felt good knowing she stuck with what she wanted instead of what everyone else thought was good. I know that that might not be historically accurate but I still enjoyed reading that I wouldn't recommend reading “Catla and the Vikings” for amusement but for a school project I think it’s very suitable.
When I first started reading the book I found it too detailed and Mary used too many descriptive words and for me that clouded the story. For example she wrote “one by one, like silent, flitting phantoms, people gathered in the thin fog behind her”, I found that that sentence went on longer than it needed and it threw me off of the story. Personally I don’t like it when many of these compact sentences are used all the time in a book, because then I usually find myself rereading a lot because I didn't understand the first time.
The whole book wasn't bad though, after a while I got used to the detailed sentences and I think that the book was historically accurate. I liked how they used slightly different words; they would say “this night” instead of tonight, or “nay” instead of no which I found amusing. One other thing that I liked was when Catla turned down a marriage because she felt uncomfortable, and because she didn’t want to marry him. I liked that part because I think it showed maturity and because today people still are forced to marry and since she had a choice, I felt good knowing she stuck with what she wanted instead of what everyone else thought was good. I know that that might not be historically accurate but I still enjoyed reading that I wouldn't recommend reading “Catla and the Vikings” for amusement but for a school project I think it’s very suitable.
April 8, 2012
Thirteen-year-old Catla is an Anglo-Saxon girl living in England in the fall of 1066. Life in her small, isolated village has been peaceful for many years. Catla's biggest worry is her possible marriage to Olav, a much older merchant that Catla doesn't like. Her father will only change his mind about the marriage if Catla gives him a good reason why she shouldn't marry Olav. Catla is taking a walk to think about her dilemma when Viking raiders suddenly attack her village without warning.
As the only person from the village who escaped, Catla must go to find help. The nearest village is over a day's walk away, and Catla must travel there all on her own, with the threat of being attacked by other raiders or wild animals. Luckily, halfway through her journey Catla meets up with Sven, a boy from her village who was returning home after a trip to York, the nearest city. Together, the two teenagers must come up with a plan to defeat the Vikings and convince the other village to help them.
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I learned some interesting facts about life during this time period that I didn't know, such as the fact that in times of war the women in small villages often had to fight alongside the men, and that gender roles were more varied than I would have expected. However, I found the ending to be unsatisfying since a lot was left unresolved. Near the end, it's suggested that an even larger attack by the Vikings is coming, and I wish that the ending hadn't been left so open. Perhaps there will be a sequel, but I hate being left with a cliffhanger when a book appears to be a standalone novel until right before the ending.
As the only person from the village who escaped, Catla must go to find help. The nearest village is over a day's walk away, and Catla must travel there all on her own, with the threat of being attacked by other raiders or wild animals. Luckily, halfway through her journey Catla meets up with Sven, a boy from her village who was returning home after a trip to York, the nearest city. Together, the two teenagers must come up with a plan to defeat the Vikings and convince the other village to help them.
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I learned some interesting facts about life during this time period that I didn't know, such as the fact that in times of war the women in small villages often had to fight alongside the men, and that gender roles were more varied than I would have expected. However, I found the ending to be unsatisfying since a lot was left unresolved. Near the end, it's suggested that an even larger attack by the Vikings is coming, and I wish that the ending hadn't been left so open. Perhaps there will be a sequel, but I hate being left with a cliffhanger when a book appears to be a standalone novel until right before the ending.
August 5, 2016
The simplicity of the book excludes it from the "gripping read" category, yet it also dodges so many tiresome cliches. It doesn't present history as a time when women were completely subjugated, romance as either a goal or some strange drug to turn sensible girls into ninnies, nor emotion as the only driving force of a young person. The story is largely drama-free but solid and grounded.
The year is 1066 and the story includes enough details to be believable. It's not a textbook and doesn't overlay modern values on characters meant to exist in a society nearly a thousand years in the past: the purpose of this book is not to show you every detail of life in those times but it gives a sense of the lifestyle and attitudes then all the same. The rise of Christianity is included and a particularly interesting note.
Catla is a flawed but pragmatic narrator and her romantic situation is likewise a challenge between her sense of duty to her parents and her desire for personal happiness. It's also not a focus. It's there, both in an impending to betrothal to a man she dislikes and strongly implied feelings for a local boy, but often put aside for more important factors. I liked that quite a lot. Too often romance becomes the focus in books and it's a touch insulting that people think a girl cares more about her boyfriend than, in this instance, saving her town from Vikings.
Overall a touch sedate for a book about battles, Vikings, and coming of age--not to mention surprisingly lacking in drama for something narrated by a 13-year-old--this book lacks many common features of entertainment but is nonetheless an enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction.
The year is 1066 and the story includes enough details to be believable. It's not a textbook and doesn't overlay modern values on characters meant to exist in a society nearly a thousand years in the past: the purpose of this book is not to show you every detail of life in those times but it gives a sense of the lifestyle and attitudes then all the same. The rise of Christianity is included and a particularly interesting note.
Catla is a flawed but pragmatic narrator and her romantic situation is likewise a challenge between her sense of duty to her parents and her desire for personal happiness. It's also not a focus. It's there, both in an impending to betrothal to a man she dislikes and strongly implied feelings for a local boy, but often put aside for more important factors. I liked that quite a lot. Too often romance becomes the focus in books and it's a touch insulting that people think a girl cares more about her boyfriend than, in this instance, saving her town from Vikings.
Overall a touch sedate for a book about battles, Vikings, and coming of age--not to mention surprisingly lacking in drama for something narrated by a 13-year-old--this book lacks many common features of entertainment but is nonetheless an enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction.
March 5, 2020
Catla and the Vikings by Mary Elisabeth Nelson is a wonderful, historically accurate book about a young thirteen-year-old Anglo-Saxon girl. She stares in disbelief as her village is raided and burned by Vikings. Her family is captured along with everyone else in the village, so she needs to do something about it. She starts to head toward the closest village, Aigber, for help. On the days walk there, she meets an older boy from her village, Sven, and he helps her get there. On their way, they spot Viking ships heading toward Aigber, planning to attack. Catla has to stay strong in order to save her family. They arrive and quickly inform the people of Aigber about the approaching Vikings, hoping they will have enough time to prepare for the attack. They work together to devise a plan, and when the Vikings attack, hopefully, they will be ready. Will Catla make it back to her village in time to save her family? You’ll have to find out.
The thing I liked most about the book was how all the characters were round or dynamic and how the imagery really created a picture in my head of the medieval period in time. I also liked how easy it was to connect with the protagonist, Catla. I really felt how worried and scared she was while she was away from her family. Catla was very strong and refused to give up. The subplot, about Olav, an older man, proposing marriage to Catla also shows how she will fight for what she wants. Throughout the novel, Catla has to think of a way to get out of the marriage.
One thing I didn’t like about the book was how easily the attack happened. I wished that during the Viking raid, there was more action. I also wished for more suspense between chapters so that I had more of an urge to keep reading. But otherwise I enjoyed the book.
The author based the story off an actual historical event, the rebellion close to York in Northumbria which is not far from Catla’s village in Covehithe, 1066. The Viking ships attacked and people were enslaved. The author tries to recreate this setting the best she can and what it would have been like for someone during this time. I think she does this well.
The thing I liked most about the book was how all the characters were round or dynamic and how the imagery really created a picture in my head of the medieval period in time. I also liked how easy it was to connect with the protagonist, Catla. I really felt how worried and scared she was while she was away from her family. Catla was very strong and refused to give up. The subplot, about Olav, an older man, proposing marriage to Catla also shows how she will fight for what she wants. Throughout the novel, Catla has to think of a way to get out of the marriage.
One thing I didn’t like about the book was how easily the attack happened. I wished that during the Viking raid, there was more action. I also wished for more suspense between chapters so that I had more of an urge to keep reading. But otherwise I enjoyed the book.
The author based the story off an actual historical event, the rebellion close to York in Northumbria which is not far from Catla’s village in Covehithe, 1066. The Viking ships attacked and people were enslaved. The author tries to recreate this setting the best she can and what it would have been like for someone during this time. I think she does this well.
January 25, 2022
Thirteen-year-old Catla sets out on her journey to Aigber form Covehithe after Viking raiders started invading her village. She observes the mayhem from afar. Her family and friends are imprisoned in goat pens. She flees to a nearby village praying for help. Catla must ignore her horror as she makes her way to the Standing Stones, a place to rest, where she meets Sven, an older boy from her village. Both stick together and rely on each other to finish their journey.
I like how the author did a lot of research before compiling the book. I feel that she tried to make everything accurate and precise. I liked how I learned a lot about the days of yore. The author has created many characters that we can all relate to because of their natural flaws and instincts. This is a good book for young readers who want to learn more about early life.
The author includes many examples of the diversity between the relationship of gender roles. These examples allow readers to understand that the historical setting was different and complex as our own time. The author tried her best to match the historical time and setting and it seemed spot on. She describes the setting well with key features like weather conditions, historical monuments and more.
I disliked the modesty of the story. I felt that the story was rushed a lot and I was very disappointed by the ending. The ending includes a cliffhanging which really upsets me since there is no sequel. The book could've have been longer and could’ve used more detail.
This novel was an interesting read and I learned many new things.
I like how the author did a lot of research before compiling the book. I feel that she tried to make everything accurate and precise. I liked how I learned a lot about the days of yore. The author has created many characters that we can all relate to because of their natural flaws and instincts. This is a good book for young readers who want to learn more about early life.
The author includes many examples of the diversity between the relationship of gender roles. These examples allow readers to understand that the historical setting was different and complex as our own time. The author tried her best to match the historical time and setting and it seemed spot on. She describes the setting well with key features like weather conditions, historical monuments and more.
I disliked the modesty of the story. I felt that the story was rushed a lot and I was very disappointed by the ending. The ending includes a cliffhanging which really upsets me since there is no sequel. The book could've have been longer and could’ve used more detail.
This novel was an interesting read and I learned many new things.
May 1, 2021
Catla and the Vikings introduces young readers to a brave girl as she attempts to save her Saxon village from a Viking invasion. Mary Elizabeth Nelson presents an exciting adventure about a time in history I had not yet explored. While I appreciated how women were portrayed as warriors amoung men, I was disappointed by how abruptly the book ended. Another aspect of this book that I found to be well done, was in the way such a violent event as an invasion, was presented, so that it was appropriate for its younger audience.
Although it didn’t conclude to my satisfaction, I would still recommend Catla and the Vikings to fans of middle grade historical fiction.
Although it didn’t conclude to my satisfaction, I would still recommend Catla and the Vikings to fans of middle grade historical fiction.
October 11, 2014
This author obviously knows her stuff and if you want to give your young person a taste of what it was like to live in England around the time of the battle of Hastings, this is a good read. She especially won my heart by referencing BOTH Boudicca and Aethelflaed. Also, she scored points by using the name Egbert in her narrative as the name of a little boy. King Egbert was the first "king" of England and it was nice to have his name slipped in there, made me smile.
March 14, 2016
Story was ok. It was quite short and simple so it made for a light read. I don't feel like I connected with any of the characters, probably due to the simplicity. I don't have criticism for the story aside from overuse of the phrase "Nord-devils" to describe the Norsemen.
October 11, 2012
The plot was interesting enough, but I just didn't connect with any characters.
July 28, 2012
A bit boring for a so-called adventure set in one of my favorite time periods.
December 4, 2013
Perhaps young readers fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Recommended for all readers as far as I am concerned. Read it. You will be transported to another time , another place.
May 28, 2014
not the best book I've ever read... but the plot is captivating and the characters felt real. A bit disappointed by the ending though.
October 3, 2013
Quick read but very good.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews