Bransoletka z kości

Viking Sagas #1

by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Poznajcie Solveig, niespełna piętnastoletnią dziewczynę z rodu Wikingów, której hartu ducha i wiary w siebie pozazdrościć mógłby niejeden wojownik. Wyruszcie wraz z nią w pełną niezwykłych przygód i niebezpieczeństw podróż, podczas której Solveig będzie musiała zmierzyć się z własnymi słabościami i przeciwnościami losu. Wraz z nią odkryjecie drzemiące w ludziach życzliwość i okrucieństwo, spotkacie niespodziewanych przyjaciół i wrogów. Odkryjecie Europę na początku II tysiąclecia, w której ideały ścierają się z interesami, a wiara z powątpiewaniem. Kupieckimi szlakami wschodniej Europy przemierzycie lądy, morza i rzeki ku Bizancjum – jednej z najwspanialszych metropolii ówczesnego świata. Czy Solveig uda się osiągnąć upragniony cel podróży? Czy poszukiwanie szczęścia nie okaże się jedynie pogonią za mrzonkami? Czas wyruszać!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, Adventure

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Kevin Crossley-Holland is an English poet and prize-winning author for children. His books include Waterslain Angels, a detective story set in north Norfolk in 1955, and Moored Man: A Cycle of North Norfolk Poems; Gatty's Tale, a medieval pilgrimage novel; and the Arthur trilogy (The Seeing Stone, At the Crossing-Places and King of the Middle March), which combines historical fiction with the retelling of Arthurian legend.

The Seeing Stone won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award and the Smarties Prize Bronze Medal. The Arthur trilogy has won worldwide critical acclaim and has been translated into 21 languages.

Crossley-Holland has translated Beowulf from the Anglo-Saxon, and his retellings of traditional tales include The Penguin Book of Norse Myths and British Folk Tales (reissued as The Magic Lands). His collaborations with composers include two operas with Nicola Lefanu ("The Green Children" and "The Wildman") and one with Rupert Bawden, "The Sailor’s Tale"; song cycles with Sir Arthur Bliss and William Mathias; and a carol with Stephen Paulus for King’s College, Cambridge. His play, The Wuffings, (co-authored with Ivan Cutting) was produced by Eastern Angles in 1997.

He often lectures abroad on behalf of the British Council, regularly leads sessions for teachers and librarians, and visits primary and secondary schools. He offers poetry and prose workshops and talks on the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, King Arthur, heroines and heroes, and myth, legend and folk-tale.

After seven years teaching in Minnesota, where he held an Endowed Chair in the Humanities, Kevin Crossley-Holland returned to the north Norfolk coast in East Anglia, where he now lives.

He has a Minnesotan wife, Linda, two sons (Kieran and Dominic) and two daughters (Oenone and Eleanor). He is an Honorary Fellow of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, a patron of the Society of Storytelling and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young adult, coming-of-age Viking tale that attempts to examine the religious differences between the Norse religion and Christianity while taking the heroine on a cross country adventure.

I liked the characters. I liked the setting. I even liked the time period. Bracelet of Bones should have been a home run for me, but it just wasn't.

At first, I thought that the book was going to feature a struggle between pagan religions and Christians: "Most of the families living along our fjord have been baptized," Asta retorted, "but they still worship Odin and the other gods as well." The young priest shook his head. "I will pray for you," he said, "and visit you again." pg 25. But, he was never heard from again. At least, not in this title.

Then, I thought that this book was going to be primarily about Solveig's journey to find her father. That was closer to the truth: "I've never felt so afraid. But I've never been so sure of what I have to do. Mother, my mother, my journey will either lead me to my father or lay me down like you." pg 29. Her mother has been dead for a long time. Not a spoiler, that is explained in the first few pages of the book.

Solveig joins a few different groups of travelers on her way. Some of the characters are trustworthy, others are not, but none of them are very memorable.

My favorite parts were the storytelling moments of Bracelet of Bones and I wished that there were more of them: "This girl lived on our fjord and she told a story about how the winter was so bitter that even the gods were famished and Skadi herself had to go ice-fishing and hunting. But she told it on the eve of the spring solstice. Her words stopped the sun from warming the earth!" pg 191.

The quote that best encapsulates this story is: "...you can sit at home by the fire and stir the stew-pot and nothing much will change, or you can say your prayers and step out and face what's unknown." pg 275. I endeavor to step out that door and face the unknown every day. Some days I'm more successful than others.

Only recommended for those who enjoy tales about Vikings. Though it reached for thrilling heights,
Bracelet of Bones feels to me like a book that chose to stay at home by the fire and stir the stew-pot.

[Rusty's Ghost Engine (also known as.......... Jinky Spring) · Rating 3 out of 5]

UPDATE! Reread February 2018

This is what I first thought

Well I've gotta say I was expecting more. This book didn't live up to expectation and it wasn't nearly as exciting as it sounds.

In fact on saying that I'm not quite sure why I picked this up at the library. I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction and I can't stand realistic fiction (this book was realistic). I (usually) only choose a book if it has an element of fantasy or science fiction, this book had neither. So I don't know what made me choose this it just sort of stood out to me. But, my gosh I regretted this choice it was so boring!


So unless you're a HUGE fan of historical stories I recommend every one give this book a miss cause seriously hardly anything happens. I definitely will not be continuing this series.

My review after the second time around

https://edwardsghostengine.wordpress....

As I have said in other posts, this is a book I reread only last week. It’s a slow-paced book that relies more on historical elements and atmosphere more than anything to move the story along, meaning it can be boring in parts.

I originally gave this book 2 stars as back in 2015 I thought the book was very boring with not a lot of wow factor (I had a kind of “Calling”, which I do get from time to time, to give this series another chance especially when I saw my library had the second book too 😛 ). While I still see not a lot of excitement in this story even now I’ve got to say I connected with the MC and the setting a lot better this time around than last time.

Firstly, the things I didn’t like. I found that very little happened throughout this book and the ending was quite predictable. The passages when it was just plain travelling I felt could have been made more colourful as this is fiction after all. It just described Solveig in her everyday travels doing everyday things like helping on the boat, going to the market etc. Sure there were the odd unusual things like the “ghost ships” and the arrow storm. But these could have had more spice in them, instead they almost sounded like everyday events (despite the death of quite an important character).

Also the passages with the other lesser characters could have been developed more and given more depth, so I thought. Instead I feel we don’t get to know them properly, neither them nor their relationship with Solveig. How did her friendships develop? And also I couldn’t grasp the full dynamics between the characters.

On to the things I did like, I will admit in this book I could connect more with Solveig I don’t know how but she felt more real this time around and it really did feel like she grew on her journey even if only a little.

I will also say I liked the historical descriptions and the clashes between the different religions more this time. Fair play the author has done his research and was apparently inspired by a name (Halfdan) scratched on a wall from long ago…. I also liked that despite there being many boring everyday parts, the book wasn’t very long and was quite well written (in a very rich way) so it flowed nicely.

I will most certainly read on in the saga and I’m not sure really why I liked this better this time around more than last, maybe i just went in it with a better attitude? 😛

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something a little different about the Vikings: in the 11th century Solveig travels from Trondheim to Miklagard [Constantinople] to reunite with her father, Halfdan, who is there part of the Varangian Guard. She passes Ladoga, Kievan Rus, Black Sea, then her destination and reunion. The author must have researched thoroughly, but the story and characters fell flat. And how on earth could a young girl travel such a distance and in dangers--such as rapids on the Dnieper River--without some male figure hurting her? Her companions in the trading ship all treated her like a sister or daughter [depending on their age]. That was a bit hard to believe. The map tracing her journey was a gem! The author states that discovering in Aya Sofia the name "Halfdan" carved into a balustrade in Runic letters gave him the idea for the story.

[Barb Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solveig is with her Viking father, Halfdan, in a valley in Trondheim, Norway, where he is telling her of his experience in the great the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 when King Olaf died and Norway fell under Danish rule. Halfdan and another man saved King Olaf's son, Harald's life and promised to serve with him in the Varangian guard in Miklagard when he sent for him. The Varangian guard were personal bodyguards to the Byzantine emperors. Harald sends for Halfdan many years after the battle, and Halfdan tells his daughter that she can go with him to Miklagard only to secretly leave in the morning without her. Solveig does not get along with her verbally abusive stepmother and one stepbrother that seems to teeter on being violent. The other stepbrother is kind and she gets along with him. The thought of spending time without her father is unbearable and Solveig sets out on a journey from Trondheim to Miklagard, (Turkey) to find him. While the historical details are well-done, the plot is somewhat weak and the pacing suffers as a result.

Solveig takes a skiff to Kiev where she is helped by two traders to find a boat that is traveling close to Miklagard. She becomes a part of Red Ottar's crew where she makes friends with the English slave woman, Edith, and Torsten who met her father. She becomes friends with Vigot only to find a dark side to him. Their friendship never seemed authentic to me. Vigot comes across as a snake and when Solveig voices her regret at confronting him, it didn't seem real. Edith and Solveig's relationship is quite authentic and real.

*spoiler*

The theme of religion gets a bit messy because the author has Muslim, Christian, and Norse mythology competing with each other. Add in a healthy dose of superstition and it made it hard to determine motivations. Solveig believes in the old Norse gods and Christianity and her thoughts reflect more Christian beliefs. Bergdis devoutly believes in the old gods while Edith is a Christian. Mihran is Muslim. The other characters are a mismash of beliefs. I did not understand why the crew turned back from the trade port when they were 11 days out due to superstitious beliefs. Even with the leader dead, I would have thought the lure of making that much money in trade would have overridden their fears. I also kept waiting for Bruni and Torsten to duke it out, but that never happens. Torsten has taken his brother's feud with Bruni, something that is historically true but in this story the two are not unreconciled. Usually payment is made or revenge sought. I thought Red Ottar might mitigate but it doesn't come about. Maybe this will happen in the sequel.

The plot doesn't have enough challenges in it as the character progresses. She suffers hardships, but conveniently finds someone (usually a man) to help her on her journey. She never has to do the seeking. Even Mihran happens to know all these kings and helps Solveig. She never earns her way except rowing a boat and carving items out of different bones. As a result, she never comes alive for me. I wanted her to be more fierce and independent. Instead she is usually saved by a man. She does show gumption portaging and also when she stands up for Edith, but even then it is a man that saves Edith, not Solveig.

The Vikings believed in Fate which is represented in the Norse myths, but their views were far from fatalistic. Life was expected to be a struggle and they tried to rise above it with bravery, loyalty, and hospitality. The prophecy represents this Fate although it seemed to be the easy way to work in tension. I think prophecies are an overused writing technique. Solveig and the others use folk tales and Norse myths to keep their courage up or explain that which is unexplainable. This and the ancient Norse verse adds a richness to the story and setting.

The ending was a bit rushed. The themes of friendship and treachery, clash of religions, and father-daughter relationship lacked enough depth to draw me into the story. Perhaps the author was trying to do too much. I'm not sure. While I loved the historical detail, the story just fell flat. If you have not read this author before then I recommend his Arthur trilogy.

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not quite sure what's going on with me lately, but I keep on having completely wrong exceptions of books. The Bracelet of Bones is no exception. Although I did read the blurb before requested the ARC, for some reason I kinda had in the back of my mind that this was a fantasy. Ok, so admittedly knowing my memory for names is bad at best, I should have known that I wouldn't necessary connect the right name with the right blurb. But see books come with covers, so I remembered the pretty cover was a story about a girl from Norway, during Viking times. Which it is! Since it was quite clear from the beginning that this is what The Bracelet of Bones is about, I was sure I am reading a fantasy book. When I was about a third in, I had the suspicion that I might be wrong and read the blurb. So long story short. This is not a fantasy but a historical novel.

It's an epic story about friendships, clash of religions, coming of age and fathers-and-daughters. The best part about this is definitely the way the story is told. Crossley-Holland knows how to tell an epic story. Though this isn't told over thousands of pages, no it's in a average sized book. Still in this relatively short span, Crossley-Holland brings across many subject and brings many thoughts to mind.
While this is a great journey, with many adventures, the novel is somewhat slow paced, not boring, but more reflective. So very much my kinda thing; I was enchanted by the prose and enjoyed the story, but mostly loved the thoughtful and subtle aspects of the novel.

The plot is interesting, but possibly my least favorite bit of the story. The entire way it was written, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, made this somewhat slow. Let me warn you this is not a sugar-glossed version of the past, no it's rather realistic. So it's not only not your HEA but be prepared for heartbreak and sorrow, but also for loss. The plot lets you quiver between despair and hope, which I guess is to a great credit to the writing of Crossley-Holland. But also no doubt due to the wonderful character building.

At the beginning of the book is an inventory of character names and who they were. It's several pages long and holds many unfamiliar names. Can you imagine how worried I was? See me, mrs. crapy-name-memory, staring at the list in utter despair? Well, though at time I had to concentrate on who was who, not once did I go back to check who I was dealing with. So yes, there are a rather big amount of characters all with not exactly familiar names, but the character building is so well done, I feel like I know them. I know who is who- and most importantly I connected with them. And yes, I said them, because I connected with every one of them. This is told from Solveigh's POV, but I got to know most of the characters, the left impressions on me, and though I saw them through Solveigh's eyes, I cared for them (even the slightly more unpleasant ones) and felt like I knew who they were.

The world building is absolutely amazing. I know quite a bit about ancient history. I also am quite clued up on the Norse gods and their mythology. And I have traveled through some of the area's this is set. So I was pleasantly surprised to find things, I didn't know. In fact after finishing the novel, I dashed to our library checking out dates, names of hero's and brushing up on my history of that time. Then I hit google. Honestly Crossley-Holland did an amazing job at bringing the time to life.

A beautiful book, that inspires thought, bring the past to life and is full of subtle wisdom.

[Silea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a Childrens' Lit course in college, and one of the first things the professor told us is that if we re-read the books we loved as a child, we'd hate them now. Little House on the Prairie was his favorite example, a series of books that young girls (at least used to) read and love, but going back as an adult, they're nearly impossible to get through. The focus is narrow, and very concrete. It's nearly an instruction manual at times.

Bracelet of Bones is in a similar vein. It's the story of Solveig's journey to find her father, but it stays very much grounded in the present, even when she's telling a story of her past or imagining her future. There's a lot of 'what', a little 'how', but almost no 'why'.

I suspect that kids will like this book, and parents can certainly read along, but it's not a book i'd recommend to an adult to read for their own entertainment.

[Seren · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book stays on one note the entire time, and it’s not a good one.
It’s very clumsy and doesn’t deliver on its promises. The blurb promised a ghost ship and a live sacrifice- the ghost ship is mentioned for all of about two sentences and is later revealed not to be a ghost ship after all, and there is no live sacrifice unless you count a chicken. The sacrifice is already dead. The titular bracelet of bones is only mentioned a grand total of twice.
Solveig herself is pretentious and annoying. She thinks she’s better than everyone else and when she opens her mouth she’s either making a commentary on something or exclaiming “Oh!”
A lot of the book is written as her thoughts eg I can see this and that I wonder if my father has been here now I’m going to say something that’s supposed to be profound.
Aside from that, every race of people was a walking stereotype, as was every religion. At one point even lepers are introduced and described as terrifying monsters that want to rip her apart. It doesn’t end there though, one of the characters is a slave who is happy to be a slave. She even says she’s glad her village was raided, her husband killed, and that she was torn away from her children because it meant she met her owner, and is carrying his child.
The only time I was vaguely excited in this book is on the last two pages, and that’s only because I was so close to the end.

In summary, this book is poorly written and there is no suspense. What little conflict there is ends as soon as it appears and is of very little consequence. Solveig is unlikeable and good at everything which ultimately makes her very dull. The plot is virtually non-existent. Don’t bother with this book.

[Kobe · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Lisa Landreth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland is a YA (Young Adult) novel and falls in the category of historical fiction. The story is about Solveig who's a changeling and whose father, the only true parent she has, leaves on a mission to Constantinople without her. Solveig is heartbroken because her father promised to take her on the trip too. So, being the strong-willed person she is, she decides to follow after and meet up with him. Solveig hitches rides on different boats with a variety of unusual people and learns about their back stories and their lives.

I liked the fact that this story was about Vikings because there are very few of them geared toward the young reader. The ghost ship and the slave sacrifice was an exciting touch too. However, I just couldn't follow the storyline very well. It strayed too far from the main character's problem and created a jumbled mess with the crisscross of other problems the minor characters suffered. I would also have to agree with some of the people on here, I got bored with her traveling by ship the entire way. It just seemed like the same stuff over and over. I would have also liked a little more "staying with the era" feel. There's talk of a "skipper and pilot" on the boat and I just don't think they used those words back then, but I could be wrong.

I think Mr. Crossley-Holland is probably a good author, but I didn't care for this particular story. I might try his Arthur Trilogy on day to see if that's more my taste.

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite must read. This book had me hooked from chapter 1.
Solveig's father Halfdan, has left to follow a fellow warrior to Miklagard and left Solveig with her step mother and half brothers. But she wants to be with him.
So she follows him, by sea on a ship of Vikings. She deveols friendships with some of them especially the captains slave girl who is pregnant with his child.
Loved this book!!

[shelby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book I thought it took too long to actually get into the story but apart from that the basic plot was alright.

[Ewelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dodano zbyt wielu bohaterów, których nie mogliśmy praktycznie poznać, większości nawet już nie pamiętam. Główna bohaterka strasznie irytuje.

[Bobbi Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting novel, It was both an engaging story of a young girl that was left behind by her father who felt he had no choice, but had to go on this mission he had promised he would do for another man who had saved his life during a war. With that in mind he left his beloved daughter behind thinking she would be well cared for, especially if anything bad would happen to him, she would not be left alone in this far-way place.
From this beginning it becomes as much a historical tale of what the times and the locations, and people were really like.
Because of how her step mother who seemed to resent her because without her father being there to help take care of their farm during the winter, she became an extra mouth to feed and she took all of her feelings out on her, her anger of him leaving her alone to do all of his jobs and hers also.
The young girl both missed her father very much and felt that she didn't fit in nor did she want to, she also felt used by her Step Mother and her two step siblings. So after much sadness and shed tears, thinking and determination she decided to follow her father across this great distance to be with him, whom she knew loved her dearly, He had told he so many times. But she was very young, too young to travel that far on her own, although she was bound to do it with or without help.. But with her mind made up she decided she could find her way and was willing to do what ever she needed to find him. With the information she had gathered, and the place and names she would need to go in the right direction, and in order to find him. she figured she could get passage and help by working to repay whom ever would help her. She does many things she had never thought she could do and learns and sees much she never realized was out there. Along the travels she learns about the diversity and differences of all the people and their belief's in the lands she travel's through. It is an amazing story, worth every minute to read and learn about the past!

[sz · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1036, Solveig lives with her father and siblings in a small town in Norway. One morning, her father leaves for Constantinopel with Harald Hardrada, leaving Sol behind. The 15 year old decides to follow her father, and catches a ride with Swedish traders, leaving her stepmother and siblings behind. On her adventure, Solveig meets many new friends, but also experiences many life changing hardships. All in all, it was a pretty good book. I really liked how many strong female characters there were, and how Kevin Crossley-Holland included so many descriptions about this setting. I found that some parts of the book were too fast paced for me, while others were so slow it was almost boring. This made it a bit confusing to read, and therefore less enjoyable for me. The historical accuracy was surprisingly good, and it is obvious that Holland put a lot of effort into researching the novel. I can’t wait to read the second book!

[Zahra Rose Duxbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

What survives of us here on middle-earth? What survives, she told herself, is just runes, some so salt-eaten it's no longer possible to read them. No! That's wrong. Each stroke of each rune in this place was carved with love, with tears. That's what survives of us. The longing that binds daughter to father, mother to son.

That's what this book was about, in the end. Solvieg's longing to reunite with her father. But like all Crossley-Holland books, it was also chock-full of dynamic characters and the most spirited prose known to middle-age fiction. I don't rank it as high as Gatty's Tale...the story dragged a bit near the beginning. But when it really got going, I remembered why I'd picked it up.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in a very poetic narrative style which would be fine if I didn't prefer action. So I did like the story well enough to do my skimming/reading. It got much more interesting once she was on the voyage. So fascinating how wide spread the Vikings were in the world. Great details. (one woman is a slave/wife, human sacrifice suggested, accidents but not too gruesome on detail, a couple swear words like b---rd) for young teens and up

[Philip Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasnt expecting much and had a slow start but I really enjoyed reading this book .Most of it takes place on a boat with a strange mix of characters. With some Historical mentions of places and people and names I haven't heard used before.
Easy reading good feel book

[Rowan Creech · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice historical fiction read that gives you a glimpse into the world of the Vikings.

[Derek Henderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

How not to write a children's book. Crossley-Holland has no sense of pacing: the book begins with pages and pages of expository dialogue. Moreover, poorly written.

[Zuzanna Zadroga · Rating 1 out of 5]

Źle napisana książka

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ It’s not bad. But not great either (in my opinion). A but confusing at times but an interesting journey.

[Hendrix Eva]

Cool

[zuzia]

dnf

[Leeanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on my blog, Leeanna.me.

==

From the summary, BRACELET OF BONES sounds awesome. After being left behind by her father, fourteen-year-old Solveig travels from Norway to Miklagard (Constantinople) by herself. For a girl who has never gone to the local market by herself, the prospect of such a journey is overwhelming, but Solveig loves her father and wants to be with him.

The author takes something that should be super exciting -- Solveig’s journey -- and makes it super boring. BRACELET OF BONES is for grades 5 and up, but I can’t see younger readers sticking with this book because there’s just not a lot happening! My younger self might have finished it, but that’s only because I’ve always had a thing about finishing books.

This book is the start of a series, which wasn’t something I realized until I finished it and saw the preview for book two. So BRACELET OF BONES is the story of Solveig’s journey from Norway to Miklagard, and only that journey. It’s somewhat repetitive, and I just feel like nothing happened. Solveig took a boat ride. Solveig took another boat ride. Solveig took a third boat ride.

I think some of my apathy for the book was due to the writing style and Solveig herself. The writing is pretty simple, which is okay because it’s a middle grade book and aimed towards younger readers. But I lost count of the “Solveig thought this” or “Solveig thought that” type of sentences, or the times she exclaimed or whispered or cried … she never just said anything. Call me overly picky, but that sort of writing pulls me out of a story. And Solveig … I never connected with her. I felt like I was watching the events of the book rather than being with her on her journey.

I wanted to like BRACELET OF BONES. I mean, Vikings? A Viking girl going on a grand adventure? That should be right up my alley. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.

==

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See more of my reviews:

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glorious. The story of Solveig, a teenage Norse girl, who travels to find her father Halfdan, a member of Empress Zoe's guard at Miklagard (Istanbul). I found the details of the journey fascinating, following Solveig's travels on the map at the front of the book. Also the clash of cultures- Christian and pagan beliefs, at a time of great upheaval in the Viking way of life.

Crossley-Holland is brave enough not to resort to a common children/ young adult device of dressing girl protagonists up as boys; Solveig is a pretty 14 year old girl, and he portrays the sexual dangers she faces honestly but not explicitly. The role of Edith, the Christian Briton concubine of the captain of the boat Solveig travels in, is also interesting, both in demonstrating exactly what could happen to Solveig but also the strongly held beliefs both of Christians and Vikings.

My only quibble (and the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars) is that the ending for me is not satisfying. It is the first in a trilogy, which is wonderful as Solveig's story will continue, but frustrating in that we'll have to wait for it! Crossley-Holland is a fantastic writer, and one I will press upon anyone lamenting the passing of the Golden Age of children's historical fiction, exemplified by Rosemary Sutcliff, Geoffrey Trease or Leon Garfield. A great read for confident readers of Y6(11 year olds)+.

[Munro's Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the first thing to note about this book is the author's style. It is poetic but also sparse and there is a sense of distance between the reader and the characters. The second thing to note is that Solveig, the main character, does not make her journey alone. She is taken onto a merchant vessel fairly early on and the book focuses on the dynamics of the characters, their various worldviews and the practicalities of their lives rather than on exiting episodes and strange sights.

Non of this is criticism of the book. The author writes with richness, compassion and great knowledge about the characters and the world they inhabit. Sometimes things are left unsaid, or only said partially, but we are given the space and tools to infer the rest. The tension mounts splendidly and never comes to a head the way you expect it to. Crossley-Holland brings the past alive in a way that very few authors do. The people and the landscapes are alien in some ways and familiar and relatable in others.

Another neat aspect of the book is its focus on the merchant side of viking society, rather than the raiders and warriors. The book is thick with details that show how much research has been put into without ever interfering with the narrative. Overall, while I am enthusiastic about the book itself I am unsure about who to recommend it to. Readers thirteen and older who are serious about history and also patient readers. I adored Crossley-Holland's work as a teenager, but would others?
-Angela

[Book Hunt With Us · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of the 'The Viking Sagas' series that take us on an quite adventurous journey. I recommend this book for children from around the age of 13-16 👦👧
................................................
Solvieg is the daughter of a Viking mercenary and she is left alone at home with her step-mother and step brothers in an awkward environment, despite her father's promise to take good care of her. So she makes up her mind and decides to set out to find her father, determined to get back the good life she once had with him who taught her stories, carving and runes which turns out to be great blessings throughout her journey.💖
....................................................
I really enjoyed how the characters evolved along the plot and the setting of the different lands. She is able to get on different boats and create good relationships with her companions in it. She is actually safe with them, although there are a few prying eyes to get her as a slave. Some emotions in these portions seemed very authentic and real. The only fall off I felt was the differences pointed out between travelers religions. Also I feel she hadn't faced enough hardships to force her to stand on her own feet. I hope the second book will have an improved story line, showing us other shades of Solvieg and some new characters.

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[Emily Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Norse mythology. The Vikings fascinate me. There's nothing like a good historical adventure to catch my interest. But despite this being a one-sit read for me this will be lost in the pile of forgettable books.

Solveig is a young Viking girl who up and decides to travel half-way across the known world to rejoin her father. So she takes up with a ship of assorted characters of more or less interest and has various adventures along the way. And, yeah, that's pretty much sums up the book.

Not that I don't appreciate a good list of adventures. I appreciated the effort, and I enjoyed the history and lore behind much of Solveig's experiences. As far as a nice children's exploration of a long-ago world, this is more than decent. The problem is that story and characters take a back seat. Solveig is a vague little thing and no one else is significantly more interesting. There's a bit of drama, but everything is so serialized that it's tough to invest too much emotion.

Crossley-Holland no doubt has a love for the Viking times and history and that passion is evident in the presentation. If you're not asking for much more than a pleasant journey with a bit of action and drama you might appreciate the world built. If you want story, this is rather unsatisfying.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tale of a young norse teenager who is told the fantastical but true tale of how he saved Harald Siggurdson (Hardrada) from the flawed battle of his half-brother. Before long he is taken away with more of Harald supports but goes without saying goodbye to his daughter Solva. Solva takes it upon herself to escape her unlikable half-brothers and step-mother to undertake a most daring and dangerous journey across continents, rivers and seas to Miklagard (Istanbul) where she knows her father will work with Harald as the famous Varangian guard to the Empereress Zoe and her husband.

The characters come across well although Sulva seems to think very poetically and deeply for one so young and sometimes this can feel a bit annoying each time the Narrator shares more of her thoughts when she sees a scene or looks upon another character. Some of the dialogue itself feels to restricted and sometimes unreal but on the whole the adventure is still gripping, the plot still has twists and turns and reveals a lot about the viking way of life, in particular from a female perspective as well as male, and I loved the ending as it adds a nice backstory to a small peice of runic graphitiy found in the Hagia Sophia.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
Solveig, a 15 year old girl, has been left behind by her father, a Viking, as he travels to Miklagard (Constantinople). She doesn't want to be away from her father so she decides to go on the journey alone to meet up with him. She begins alone, but she is unable to continue that way. This brings her in contact with others as she travels through several boats towards her destination.

My thoughts:
Wow, this is rough to get through. There is very, very little that happens. In most cases, if it then becomes really rich with character then I don't mind that, but this is not real great with that either. There is a lot of historical facts, which are interesting, but that's about it. Otherwise, you get to know Solveig a little bit, but she hasn't lived much of a life yet, so she isn't a very deep person. Then she goes on a boat, and another boat, and another. There really isn't much of an adventure within this first installment. I'm not reading the next in the series, but I hope for the sake of fans that it picks up speed.