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Berserker #1
Berserker
Are Hanne's powers a gift from the old Norse gods, or a curse?
Her brother Stieg swears their powers are a gift from the old gods, but Hanne Hemstad knows she is truly cursed. It's not Stieg's fault that their father is dead, their mother has left, and their brother Knut has been accused of a crime he didn't commit.
No, the fault lies with Hanne and her inability to control her murderous "gift"--she is a Berserker. When someone she loves is threatened, she flies into a killing state. The siblings must leave Norway for the American frontier or risk being brought to justice.
Aided by a young cowboy who agrees to be their guide, Hanne and her siblings use their powers to survive the perilous trail, where blizzards, wild animals, and vicious bounty hunters await.
Will they be able to reach their uncle, the one man Hanne believes may be able to teach her how to control her drive to kill? With Berserker, Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14, presents her vision of an American west studded with Viking glory.
Her brother Stieg swears their powers are a gift from the old gods, but Hanne Hemstad knows she is truly cursed. It's not Stieg's fault that their father is dead, their mother has left, and their brother Knut has been accused of a crime he didn't commit.
No, the fault lies with Hanne and her inability to control her murderous "gift"--she is a Berserker. When someone she loves is threatened, she flies into a killing state. The siblings must leave Norway for the American frontier or risk being brought to justice.
Aided by a young cowboy who agrees to be their guide, Hanne and her siblings use their powers to survive the perilous trail, where blizzards, wild animals, and vicious bounty hunters await.
Will they be able to reach their uncle, the one man Hanne believes may be able to teach her how to control her drive to kill? With Berserker, Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14, presents her vision of an American west studded with Viking glory.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2017
37 people are currently reading
3288 people want to read
About the author
Emmy Laybourne
30 books1,221 followersEMMY LAYBOURNE is a Young Adult novelist best known for her Monument 14 series, an internationally best-selling trilogy that has been translated into 9 languages. Her standalone book Sweet won a Junior Library Guild Award, was a YALSA Quick Pick and got a Perfect Ten rating from VOYA. Her latest books, Berserker, and Ransacker tell the story of a family of Norwegian teens with ancient Viking powers and are currently being adapted for television.
Emmy is a former character actress, and is occasionally recognized from her role as Mary Katherine Gallagher’s best friend in the movie “Superstar.” She lives outside New York with her husband, two kids, faithful dog and a flock of seven nifty chickens. Visit her online at www.EmmyLaybourne.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.twitter.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.instagram.com/EmmyLaybourne
Emmy is a former character actress, and is occasionally recognized from her role as Mary Katherine Gallagher’s best friend in the movie “Superstar.” She lives outside New York with her husband, two kids, faithful dog and a flock of seven nifty chickens. Visit her online at www.EmmyLaybourne.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.twitter.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.instagram.com/EmmyLaybourne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
March 29, 2019
oh, to have been a fly on the wall during the author’s pitch for this book series:
“so, it’s like x-men in the wild west, only the x-men are a family of norwegian teenagers on the run in the american west in the late 1800s after some regrettably bloodbathy berserking back home and there’s only a few different kindsa powers you can have, so it won’t be like ‘shit, it’s book three and i'm out of ideas - meet jubilee and her sparkleworks’ or something.”
“huh. that’s certainly an unusual mashup.”
“oh, and there’s also a love story. and a heartwarming tale of orphaned siblings sticking together. and there’s a cross-country pursuit by like monster hunter types. and a dog.”
“a dog?”
“a really really great dog.”
“oh, god, does the dog die?”
“LALALAALALALAA i’m not telling!”
so, yeah - there’s a lot happening here, but i swear it all works. it shouldn’t work, but somehow, laybourne makes it into this awesome jigsaw puzzle, where the powers of the nytte have unexpectedly useful application in the inhospitable climes of the american west. i am a big fan of westerns and man v. nature survival stuff, and there was plenty on that front for me to chew on, with or without the magical safety nets, and while i am not into love stories, this one at least didn’t make me queasy.
the focus on a teengirl berserker is also pretty awesome. it’s not something i’ve read before, and i love both the mental image of her kicking butt and also the humanity of this particular character, as she wrestles with her “gift,” seeing only its downside.
i went into this book thinking it was a standalone, but i’m really excited to know that there’s more to come. i await them with great anticipation!
********************************************
review to come, but i'm so glad i won this one!
********************************************
Congratulations karen!
You are one of our Giveaways lucky winners! You will soon receive a free copy of Berserker (Berserker #1) in the mail. Please allow a few weeks for shipping.
wooooHOOOOOO!!!!
1) i love that my lowercase k was honored.
2) i have entered a number of giveaways for this book and i am so glad that persistence pays off!
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK!
come to my blog!
“so, it’s like x-men in the wild west, only the x-men are a family of norwegian teenagers on the run in the american west in the late 1800s after some regrettably bloodbathy berserking back home and there’s only a few different kindsa powers you can have, so it won’t be like ‘shit, it’s book three and i'm out of ideas - meet jubilee and her sparkleworks’ or something.”
“huh. that’s certainly an unusual mashup.”
“oh, and there’s also a love story. and a heartwarming tale of orphaned siblings sticking together. and there’s a cross-country pursuit by like monster hunter types. and a dog.”
“a dog?”
“a really really great dog.”
“oh, god, does the dog die?”
“LALALAALALALAA i’m not telling!”
so, yeah - there’s a lot happening here, but i swear it all works. it shouldn’t work, but somehow, laybourne makes it into this awesome jigsaw puzzle, where the powers of the nytte have unexpectedly useful application in the inhospitable climes of the american west. i am a big fan of westerns and man v. nature survival stuff, and there was plenty on that front for me to chew on, with or without the magical safety nets, and while i am not into love stories, this one at least didn’t make me queasy.
the focus on a teengirl berserker is also pretty awesome. it’s not something i’ve read before, and i love both the mental image of her kicking butt and also the humanity of this particular character, as she wrestles with her “gift,” seeing only its downside.
i went into this book thinking it was a standalone, but i’m really excited to know that there’s more to come. i await them with great anticipation!
********************************************
review to come, but i'm so glad i won this one!
********************************************
Congratulations karen!
You are one of our Giveaways lucky winners! You will soon receive a free copy of Berserker (Berserker #1) in the mail. Please allow a few weeks for shipping.
wooooHOOOOOO!!!!
1) i love that my lowercase k was honored.
2) i have entered a number of giveaways for this book and i am so glad that persistence pays off!
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK!
come to my blog!
October 23, 2017
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was an excellent book! I was really quite surprised by just how much I ended up liking this one. I try to go into books as blindly as possible so I didn't read the summary of this book too closely and as a result, I was really quite surprised by some of the turns the story ended up taking. This was the kind of book that I found myself reaching anytime I had a moment to spare. I am so glad that I took a chance on this gem of a book.
Hanne and her siblings posses a gift. Or maybe a curse depending on how you look at it. Hanne doesn't see it as a gift. She is a Berserker which means that anytime someone she cares for is in danger she loses control to the Nytte and people die. Hanne doesn't want to be someone who kills so she really struggles with this gift. She must eventually flee Norway with her siblings after one of her murderous rages.
I really liked the characters in this story. Hanne was so easy to like and her struggle with her different sides felt authentic. Her elder brother, Stieg, has his own gift which proves to be rather useful to the family. Stieg is a really even tempered and intelligent man. Knut also has a gift and is the quietest of the siblings but he possessed a certain wisdom. Sissel was the youngest sibling and the most difficult of the group. I am not sure that I really cared for her character but I think she added a needed element to the group.
When I started reading this book, I had no idea that the story would soon shift to the American frontier. The change in setting was really well done. I could completely envision the small towns and wilderness that this group encountered. I think the combination of the frontier setting and the Norse mythology worked perfectly in this little story and I found it to be really exciting. There were a few sections of the book that were a bit more violent that I would have expected but it worked well with the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This book is listed as being the first in a series but this story stands on its own. This was the first book written by Emmy Laybourne that I have had the chance to read but I am eager to read more of her work including future installments in this series.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - Feiwel & Friends via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I really liked this book. It was very different than I had imagined it would be which was wonderful. I loved the characters and the premise of the story.
This was an excellent book! I was really quite surprised by just how much I ended up liking this one. I try to go into books as blindly as possible so I didn't read the summary of this book too closely and as a result, I was really quite surprised by some of the turns the story ended up taking. This was the kind of book that I found myself reaching anytime I had a moment to spare. I am so glad that I took a chance on this gem of a book.
Hanne and her siblings posses a gift. Or maybe a curse depending on how you look at it. Hanne doesn't see it as a gift. She is a Berserker which means that anytime someone she cares for is in danger she loses control to the Nytte and people die. Hanne doesn't want to be someone who kills so she really struggles with this gift. She must eventually flee Norway with her siblings after one of her murderous rages.
I really liked the characters in this story. Hanne was so easy to like and her struggle with her different sides felt authentic. Her elder brother, Stieg, has his own gift which proves to be rather useful to the family. Stieg is a really even tempered and intelligent man. Knut also has a gift and is the quietest of the siblings but he possessed a certain wisdom. Sissel was the youngest sibling and the most difficult of the group. I am not sure that I really cared for her character but I think she added a needed element to the group.
When I started reading this book, I had no idea that the story would soon shift to the American frontier. The change in setting was really well done. I could completely envision the small towns and wilderness that this group encountered. I think the combination of the frontier setting and the Norse mythology worked perfectly in this little story and I found it to be really exciting. There were a few sections of the book that were a bit more violent that I would have expected but it worked well with the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This book is listed as being the first in a series but this story stands on its own. This was the first book written by Emmy Laybourne that I have had the chance to read but I am eager to read more of her work including future installments in this series.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - Feiwel & Friends via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I really liked this book. It was very different than I had imagined it would be which was wonderful. I loved the characters and the premise of the story.
November 13, 2017
I'm so excited for my fans here on Goodreads to discover my new book, Berserker. While Berserker has a very different setting from my Monument 14 trilogy, both series share the same fast pace and breathless, visceral action sequences.
I've invented a new kind of Norse mythology for Berserker -- the teens in the book have a gift called the Nytte and they are a new type of Viking superhero.
The Nytte is an ancient blood-gift given hundreds of years ago to three Viking kings by the god Odin. The Kings would have children with one of several gifts designed to make unstoppable raiding parties. A child with the Nytte in his or her blood might be a Storm-Rend, able to create gales to speed the boats across the sea; or a Ransacker, able to find hidden treasure; or be a Berserker, driven to kill to protect their kinsmen.
In addition to the new mythology, there is also a very strong love story at the heart of this book. When the teens with the Nytte are forced to flee Norway, they come to America to try to find a relative they believe can help them control their powers. On the way, they hire a down-on-his-luck cowboy to be their guide. The love story between the main character and this cowboy unfolds in a sweet and tender way, in the midst of a great deal of danger and action.
I believe this is a book that will thrill fans of the Monument 14 trilogy, as well as earn me some new readers -- people who love fantasy, Vikings and stories with heart. I'm especially excited for fans of Kristin Cashore, Leigh Bardugo and Maggie Stiefvater to pick up Berserker.
Please read it and let me know what you think!
I've invented a new kind of Norse mythology for Berserker -- the teens in the book have a gift called the Nytte and they are a new type of Viking superhero.
The Nytte is an ancient blood-gift given hundreds of years ago to three Viking kings by the god Odin. The Kings would have children with one of several gifts designed to make unstoppable raiding parties. A child with the Nytte in his or her blood might be a Storm-Rend, able to create gales to speed the boats across the sea; or a Ransacker, able to find hidden treasure; or be a Berserker, driven to kill to protect their kinsmen.
In addition to the new mythology, there is also a very strong love story at the heart of this book. When the teens with the Nytte are forced to flee Norway, they come to America to try to find a relative they believe can help them control their powers. On the way, they hire a down-on-his-luck cowboy to be their guide. The love story between the main character and this cowboy unfolds in a sweet and tender way, in the midst of a great deal of danger and action.
I believe this is a book that will thrill fans of the Monument 14 trilogy, as well as earn me some new readers -- people who love fantasy, Vikings and stories with heart. I'm especially excited for fans of Kristin Cashore, Leigh Bardugo and Maggie Stiefvater to pick up Berserker.
Please read it and let me know what you think!
December 19, 2018
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
Hanne and her siblings were gifted with the Nytte, an ancient ability from the Viking Gods. Hanne is a Berserker, meaning that when someone she loves is in danger, she will stop at nothing to protect them. After her father was attacked one night, Hanne finds herself unable to control her killing tendencies, causing the siblings to flee Norway. On their journey to find their Uncle, another Berserker, they meet an American cowboy named Owen who agrees to guide them to Wolf Creek. But, little do they know someone a lot more dangerous is looking for them.
I loved the sibling bonds in this book! Knut was 100% my favourite character, he was such a gentle giant and so sweet. Steig was the level headed one of the group and always caused the other siblings to see reason. I liked how protective Hanne was of her family, even if it was partly due to her Nytte. I'm still unsure about how I feel about Sissel, she is young so its understandable that she was a bit of a brat, but she still got on my nerves at times. I liked Owen and his dog Daisy as well, they were a great addition to the story!
At times, I think the story was a bit slow paced for my liking. I loved the action and fighting scenes though! I'm definitely a bit disappointed with the ending, everything seemed to resolve far too well in my opinion. But, I do know there is a second book in the series so I'm excited to see where the story goes.
Hanne and her siblings were gifted with the Nytte, an ancient ability from the Viking Gods. Hanne is a Berserker, meaning that when someone she loves is in danger, she will stop at nothing to protect them. After her father was attacked one night, Hanne finds herself unable to control her killing tendencies, causing the siblings to flee Norway. On their journey to find their Uncle, another Berserker, they meet an American cowboy named Owen who agrees to guide them to Wolf Creek. But, little do they know someone a lot more dangerous is looking for them.
I loved the sibling bonds in this book! Knut was 100% my favourite character, he was such a gentle giant and so sweet. Steig was the level headed one of the group and always caused the other siblings to see reason. I liked how protective Hanne was of her family, even if it was partly due to her Nytte. I'm still unsure about how I feel about Sissel, she is young so its understandable that she was a bit of a brat, but she still got on my nerves at times. I liked Owen and his dog Daisy as well, they were a great addition to the story!
At times, I think the story was a bit slow paced for my liking. I loved the action and fighting scenes though! I'm definitely a bit disappointed with the ending, everything seemed to resolve far too well in my opinion. But, I do know there is a second book in the series so I'm excited to see where the story goes.
October 27, 2017
3.75/5 Stars review to come on Lair Of Books (Link is in the bio)
Full review can also be viewed on Lair Of Books:
https://lairofbooksblog.wordpress.com...
PLOT
Berserker wasn’t at all what I was expecting & for a minute there I wondered aloud what exactly I was reading? the answer took me by surprise & intrigued the hell out of me enough for this frightful bookworm to read through the bloody scenes. I can only describe Berserker as Norse Mythology meets the American Frontier with hints of the classic novel Of Mice and Men & guess what bookworms?!?! IT WORKS!!! part of the reason I think that it did is because Laybourne has created her own lore in this world instead of using everything we know about Norse Mythology. The opening scene really sets the tone for this short read, bloody and raw. Our MC Hanne & her siblings (with the exception of the youngest) all have been gifted/cursed with special abilities from the Viking Gods. It is believed that the Viking God Odin gifted three of his favorite Kings with special abilities known as The Nytte. This gift/curse doesn’t come without its consequences, there is a big price to pay as a result of using their ability. The odds of inheriting The Nytte are greater if both parents are descended from these kings & such is the case for our MC & her siblings. They don’t know the names of each ability or even if they quite believe in the origin of these abilities but they’ve learned to use them to make a living. Hanne is a Berserker which is the only gift that is focused on taking life whenever someone she loves in danger. While in Norway, her father has her using her “gift” to slaughter pigs for local farmers (detailed in the book) because her technique leads to better quality meat. A incident on the farm triggers Hanne’s Berserker abilities ending in tragedy & the need to go on the run. While on the run they manage to catch the interest of a man who has made it his mission to find Nyttes daughters & sons with a keen interest in their abilities. Although this mans intentions are not readily made known, Hanne doesn’t trust him & will keep her siblings running to put as much distance as possible between the law & this stranger.
CHARACTERS
*IN ORDER NOT TO SPOIL ANYTHING, I WON’T BE INCLUDING EACH CHARACTERS NORSE GIFT/CURSE…BESIDES IT’S MORE FUN FINDING OUT FOR YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY ;)
Hanne- The MC aka the Berserker & sort of the matriarch of the family. She loves her family fiercely & her abilities have sharpened her senses to the point where if any danger is even headed their way she is ON IT! Hanne doesn’t see The Nytte as a gift but rather a curse she can’t control & when it strikes it leaves her mortified at the end results. When I picture Hanne there is only one Goddess that comes to mind…Lagertha !
Stieg- not sure if he’s the oldest or second oldest to Hanne but either way he is more of the patriarch of this family. Stieg is a intellectual with a passion for knowledge & conversation. He knows more than one language & will never pass up the opportunity to teach. Stieg also has a ability that he uses sparingly whenever in dire straights. What I liked about Stieg is that he wasn’t made out to be the stereotypical bookworm, he’s just as much down to have fun as he is to hit the books. Also, his ability is pretty bad a** ;)
Knut- Knut reminded me most of Lennie from Of Mice and Men which meant that I was already on Over protective mode upon meeting him. Tender hearted standing at 6’2, Knut also carries The Nytte & it is tied to his physical strength. There’s no way you won’t love him when you meet him :)
Sissel- my least favorite of the siblings, she is the youngest and most spoiled. Sissel is all about comfort and finding a good match for marriage, in other words being taken care of. Sissel is described as frail in physical appearance & very likely to have had The Nytte skipped her. This being book 1 in the series, I can’t help but wonder if Laybourne has special plans with this sibling…
Owen- The cowboy the siblings pay to safely guide them to a uncle who could possibly help Hanne control her Berserker abilities. He is actually one of my favorite characters in this book, its just him and his dog Daisy until he meets the siblings. Owen loves Daisy to pieces & has trained her to help herd cattle with dreams of one day training pups on a farm to do the same. He minds his business & lives a simple life until chaos is introduced and he has a decision to make…
WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS
I managed to fly through my reading of Berseker because of my general interest in Norse Mythology & the ease with which Laybourne used the well known mythos as a jumping board. This is a VERY bloody read & had some cringe worthy passages that surprisingly engrossed me. Why the 3.75 rating? well for starters, this is still a good rating in my book & translates into a 4 star rating on Goodreads. The siblings were for the most part traveling in this book trying to reach their uncle to help Hanne & I enjoyed that adventure very much. However, my only complaint is how neatly the ending was presented compared to how bloody, chaotic, and raw Berserker was for the most part. Berserker could also easily be viewed as a stand-alone which really left me thinking where the series would take Hanne and her siblings. I’m still curious & have every intention on continuing on to read the next book. It may very well be that in the sequel the siblings find a way to reverse or at least stop the consequences of their abilities…So, I do have questions bookworms which means I’ll be returning to this world when the next book is releases :)
HUGE thanks to Feiwell & Friends, Netgalley, Goodreads, and Emmy Laybourne for the ARC copy of Berserker.
Full review can also be viewed on Lair Of Books:
https://lairofbooksblog.wordpress.com...
PLOT
Berserker wasn’t at all what I was expecting & for a minute there I wondered aloud what exactly I was reading? the answer took me by surprise & intrigued the hell out of me enough for this frightful bookworm to read through the bloody scenes. I can only describe Berserker as Norse Mythology meets the American Frontier with hints of the classic novel Of Mice and Men & guess what bookworms?!?! IT WORKS!!! part of the reason I think that it did is because Laybourne has created her own lore in this world instead of using everything we know about Norse Mythology. The opening scene really sets the tone for this short read, bloody and raw. Our MC Hanne & her siblings (with the exception of the youngest) all have been gifted/cursed with special abilities from the Viking Gods. It is believed that the Viking God Odin gifted three of his favorite Kings with special abilities known as The Nytte. This gift/curse doesn’t come without its consequences, there is a big price to pay as a result of using their ability. The odds of inheriting The Nytte are greater if both parents are descended from these kings & such is the case for our MC & her siblings. They don’t know the names of each ability or even if they quite believe in the origin of these abilities but they’ve learned to use them to make a living. Hanne is a Berserker which is the only gift that is focused on taking life whenever someone she loves in danger. While in Norway, her father has her using her “gift” to slaughter pigs for local farmers (detailed in the book) because her technique leads to better quality meat. A incident on the farm triggers Hanne’s Berserker abilities ending in tragedy & the need to go on the run. While on the run they manage to catch the interest of a man who has made it his mission to find Nyttes daughters & sons with a keen interest in their abilities. Although this mans intentions are not readily made known, Hanne doesn’t trust him & will keep her siblings running to put as much distance as possible between the law & this stranger.
CHARACTERS
*IN ORDER NOT TO SPOIL ANYTHING, I WON’T BE INCLUDING EACH CHARACTERS NORSE GIFT/CURSE…BESIDES IT’S MORE FUN FINDING OUT FOR YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY ;)
Hanne- The MC aka the Berserker & sort of the matriarch of the family. She loves her family fiercely & her abilities have sharpened her senses to the point where if any danger is even headed their way she is ON IT! Hanne doesn’t see The Nytte as a gift but rather a curse she can’t control & when it strikes it leaves her mortified at the end results. When I picture Hanne there is only one Goddess that comes to mind…Lagertha !
Stieg- not sure if he’s the oldest or second oldest to Hanne but either way he is more of the patriarch of this family. Stieg is a intellectual with a passion for knowledge & conversation. He knows more than one language & will never pass up the opportunity to teach. Stieg also has a ability that he uses sparingly whenever in dire straights. What I liked about Stieg is that he wasn’t made out to be the stereotypical bookworm, he’s just as much down to have fun as he is to hit the books. Also, his ability is pretty bad a** ;)
Knut- Knut reminded me most of Lennie from Of Mice and Men which meant that I was already on Over protective mode upon meeting him. Tender hearted standing at 6’2, Knut also carries The Nytte & it is tied to his physical strength. There’s no way you won’t love him when you meet him :)
Sissel- my least favorite of the siblings, she is the youngest and most spoiled. Sissel is all about comfort and finding a good match for marriage, in other words being taken care of. Sissel is described as frail in physical appearance & very likely to have had The Nytte skipped her. This being book 1 in the series, I can’t help but wonder if Laybourne has special plans with this sibling…
Owen- The cowboy the siblings pay to safely guide them to a uncle who could possibly help Hanne control her Berserker abilities. He is actually one of my favorite characters in this book, its just him and his dog Daisy until he meets the siblings. Owen loves Daisy to pieces & has trained her to help herd cattle with dreams of one day training pups on a farm to do the same. He minds his business & lives a simple life until chaos is introduced and he has a decision to make…
WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS
I managed to fly through my reading of Berseker because of my general interest in Norse Mythology & the ease with which Laybourne used the well known mythos as a jumping board. This is a VERY bloody read & had some cringe worthy passages that surprisingly engrossed me. Why the 3.75 rating? well for starters, this is still a good rating in my book & translates into a 4 star rating on Goodreads. The siblings were for the most part traveling in this book trying to reach their uncle to help Hanne & I enjoyed that adventure very much. However, my only complaint is how neatly the ending was presented compared to how bloody, chaotic, and raw Berserker was for the most part. Berserker could also easily be viewed as a stand-alone which really left me thinking where the series would take Hanne and her siblings. I’m still curious & have every intention on continuing on to read the next book. It may very well be that in the sequel the siblings find a way to reverse or at least stop the consequences of their abilities…So, I do have questions bookworms which means I’ll be returning to this world when the next book is releases :)
HUGE thanks to Feiwell & Friends, Netgalley, Goodreads, and Emmy Laybourne for the ARC copy of Berserker.
October 13, 2017
4 Stars
Review:
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher and JeanBookNerd. This has not influenced my review.*
I was super excited for this book because I’d been craving some fantasy books set in the Old West, and I’m happy to say this Old West/Norse mythology mash-up did not disappoint.
One of my favorite things about the book was how well the settings were portrayed, both Norway and the American Old West. The book was a little slow-paced, but in a good way because I found the settings and the struggles inherent to them to be so interesting, and the writing/tone of the book seemed to match them perfectly in a way that drew me in. And the author sure wasn’t afraid to get into the violence and grittiness at times when it suited the situation.
The Norse/viking mythology was interesting as well. Some people have what’s called a Nytte, which is a special kind of power, but each Nytte has its own consequence (for example, Storm Rends go blind if they use their power too much, and Berserkers starve to death if they don’t eat enough after using their ability). Hanne is a Berserker, which means she goes into killing trances to protect the ones she loves. Her father could build amazing ships. Her younger brother has incredible strength. Her older brother can control wind/weather to an extent. And seeing how they all used their powers, as well as how they felt about them, was neat.
Speaking of Hanne’s siblings, that was another thing I really liked—the family relationships. I liked how the siblings all worked together, how their individual personalities meshed but also sometimes clashed, and most importantly how they loved and tried to protect each other.
Individually, main characters Hanne and Owen were both very serious, but I could understand why they were that way—I probably would be too if I had the tough lives they had—and they were still characters I liked and felt sympathy for. As for the rest of the characters, some of them were a little stereotypical (like Knut, who was big and strong but sweet and not very bright), but others were complex (like Stieg, who was sweet and kind and tried really hard to balance being a good big brother and taking care of his family with pursuing his own dreams). And Daisy, Owen’s dog, was a sweetheart!
There was also a tiny bit of romance between Hanne and Owen, and while I would’ve preferred they not use the word ‘love’ so quickly since it didn’t seem like they knew each other well enough for that, their interest in each other was cute in a shy kind of way. I look forward to seeing more of their interactions with each other since it seems that relationship will probably be more prominent in the next book.
So overall, I thought the Old West setting and the viking/Norse mythology aspects were both interesting, I thought the family relationships were sweet, and I really enjoyed this book!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes young adult, sweet family relationships, the Old West, and viking/Norse mythology.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher and JeanBookNerd. This has not influenced my review.*
I was super excited for this book because I’d been craving some fantasy books set in the Old West, and I’m happy to say this Old West/Norse mythology mash-up did not disappoint.
One of my favorite things about the book was how well the settings were portrayed, both Norway and the American Old West. The book was a little slow-paced, but in a good way because I found the settings and the struggles inherent to them to be so interesting, and the writing/tone of the book seemed to match them perfectly in a way that drew me in. And the author sure wasn’t afraid to get into the violence and grittiness at times when it suited the situation.
The Norse/viking mythology was interesting as well. Some people have what’s called a Nytte, which is a special kind of power, but each Nytte has its own consequence (for example, Storm Rends go blind if they use their power too much, and Berserkers starve to death if they don’t eat enough after using their ability). Hanne is a Berserker, which means she goes into killing trances to protect the ones she loves. Her father could build amazing ships. Her younger brother has incredible strength. Her older brother can control wind/weather to an extent. And seeing how they all used their powers, as well as how they felt about them, was neat.
Speaking of Hanne’s siblings, that was another thing I really liked—the family relationships. I liked how the siblings all worked together, how their individual personalities meshed but also sometimes clashed, and most importantly how they loved and tried to protect each other.
Individually, main characters Hanne and Owen were both very serious, but I could understand why they were that way—I probably would be too if I had the tough lives they had—and they were still characters I liked and felt sympathy for. As for the rest of the characters, some of them were a little stereotypical (like Knut, who was big and strong but sweet and not very bright), but others were complex (like Stieg, who was sweet and kind and tried really hard to balance being a good big brother and taking care of his family with pursuing his own dreams). And Daisy, Owen’s dog, was a sweetheart!
There was also a tiny bit of romance between Hanne and Owen, and while I would’ve preferred they not use the word ‘love’ so quickly since it didn’t seem like they knew each other well enough for that, their interest in each other was cute in a shy kind of way. I look forward to seeing more of their interactions with each other since it seems that relationship will probably be more prominent in the next book.
So overall, I thought the Old West setting and the viking/Norse mythology aspects were both interesting, I thought the family relationships were sweet, and I really enjoyed this book!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes young adult, sweet family relationships, the Old West, and viking/Norse mythology.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 24, 2017
4.5 Very quick, really enjoyed this one, review to come closer to the release.
February 3, 2021
I don't want to say too much about this one because it is a future book club book and a lot of my book club members follow my reviews. Keeping this short, sweet, and vague, which actually rather fits this book.
I've been bouncing off of YA as of late, but I did enjoy this one. It was nice to read something that clipped along, kept the action moving, and followed a predictable path. The narrative falls into some standard teen pitfalls, but I enjoyed the rest enough to not become too annoyed. I liked the Norse mythology swirled in with a western. It was an interesting pairing. It was also interesting reading a story that centers on an entire family of siblings and not just one Special Girl. Each sibling had their own personality and motivations, and I actually liked a couple of them more than the MC. (Truthfully I was all about the cowboy, but that's pretty on brand for me.) I also always seem to forget that I like westerns and their tendency to introduce man vs. nature elements, so that was fun too. I'm interested in reading more in this universe, but I'm a bit hesitant to pick up the next in the series as it follows the character I liked the least. All in all I found this a fun diversion - nothing terribly memorable or mind blowing, but a fun way to spend some time. (And honestly, that's what I want from most YA offerings.)
Book Club: 03/21
I've been bouncing off of YA as of late, but I did enjoy this one. It was nice to read something that clipped along, kept the action moving, and followed a predictable path. The narrative falls into some standard teen pitfalls, but I enjoyed the rest enough to not become too annoyed. I liked the Norse mythology swirled in with a western. It was an interesting pairing. It was also interesting reading a story that centers on an entire family of siblings and not just one Special Girl. Each sibling had their own personality and motivations, and I actually liked a couple of them more than the MC. (Truthfully I was all about the cowboy, but that's pretty on brand for me.) I also always seem to forget that I like westerns and their tendency to introduce man vs. nature elements, so that was fun too. I'm interested in reading more in this universe, but I'm a bit hesitant to pick up the next in the series as it follows the character I liked the least. All in all I found this a fun diversion - nothing terribly memorable or mind blowing, but a fun way to spend some time. (And honestly, that's what I want from most YA offerings.)
Book Club: 03/21
October 17, 2017
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
I was very excited to get to this book, because did you read the synopsis? Sounds amazing, right? And yay, it really was! I am quite a fan of historical fiction, and I think you probably need to at least like it to enjoy this book, because it definitely fits that genre. But there's a lot more to it, of course! So, let's get to it.
What I Enjoyed:
Oooh, this book is dark. I really didn't expect to go to some of the places that it did. It was pretty rough at times, but not unnecessarily so. What I mean is, the harshness was a great parallel to the world around the characters. It made the tension of the book at a constantly heightened state, and made the stakes feel very high.
The family connections were great. I loved that this group of siblings wanted to keep each other safe no matter what. Admittedly, they had a lot of troubling relationship dynamics throughout the book, but that too seemed quite realistic, especially in the situation.
I liked the magic aspect. Magic and powers can be very hit or miss for me. But in this case, I thought they worked well. The way they were integrated into the world worked for me, and I liked that it was something they tried to keep under wraps. It just felt, to me, as believable as magic can.
The settings were amazing! While we didn't spend a ton of time in Norway, I was happy that we got a glimpse of it. And of course, the uncharted American west was awesome. Not only that, it worked well in the context of the story.
There was only one real thing that was lacking a bit for me, and that was that I didn't feel quite the emotional connection to the characters that I would have liked. I mean, I cared about the outcome and their fates, but sometimes I just felt a bit distant from them.
Will I Read the Sequel? I'd literally read it this second if someone handed it to me!
Bottom Line: Historical fiction that is often quite dark, and includes elements of magic? Oh so much yes. Need the next book, because obviously.
*Copy provided for review
I was very excited to get to this book, because did you read the synopsis? Sounds amazing, right? And yay, it really was! I am quite a fan of historical fiction, and I think you probably need to at least like it to enjoy this book, because it definitely fits that genre. But there's a lot more to it, of course! So, let's get to it.
What I Enjoyed:
Oooh, this book is dark. I really didn't expect to go to some of the places that it did. It was pretty rough at times, but not unnecessarily so. What I mean is, the harshness was a great parallel to the world around the characters. It made the tension of the book at a constantly heightened state, and made the stakes feel very high.
The family connections were great. I loved that this group of siblings wanted to keep each other safe no matter what. Admittedly, they had a lot of troubling relationship dynamics throughout the book, but that too seemed quite realistic, especially in the situation.
I liked the magic aspect. Magic and powers can be very hit or miss for me. But in this case, I thought they worked well. The way they were integrated into the world worked for me, and I liked that it was something they tried to keep under wraps. It just felt, to me, as believable as magic can.
The settings were amazing! While we didn't spend a ton of time in Norway, I was happy that we got a glimpse of it. And of course, the uncharted American west was awesome. Not only that, it worked well in the context of the story.
There was only one real thing that was lacking a bit for me, and that was that I didn't feel quite the emotional connection to the characters that I would have liked. I mean, I cared about the outcome and their fates, but sometimes I just felt a bit distant from them.
Will I Read the Sequel? I'd literally read it this second if someone handed it to me!
Bottom Line: Historical fiction that is often quite dark, and includes elements of magic? Oh so much yes. Need the next book, because obviously.
*Copy provided for review
August 12, 2017
Best Character: Daisy the dog cattle-herding-extraordinaire
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group Feiwel & Friends
Setting: Norway & Montana
Source: I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 3.8/5
Main Characters: 3.8/5
Secondary Characters: 4/5
The Feels: 3.5/5
Addictiveness: 3.8/5
Theme or Tone: 3.5/5
Flow (Writing Style): 3.5/5
Backdrop (World Building): 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Book Cover: 5/5
Ending: 3.8/5 Cliffhanger: Sort of
Total: 3.8/5 STARS
⇝My Thoughts⇜
First off, I freaking love this cover, it's what initially drew me in, and the synopsis had me thinking, wow, that's sounds amazing…Norway mixed with some early American old west…I totally clicked on the READ NOW button on Netgalley. I'm not at all disappointed that I did, either…overall I really liked Berserker…it's just so different from anything else I've been reading lately, but I do have a few issues.
Berserker is very violent and it doesn't sugarcoat any of it, either. Plot wise it's a very ambitious undertaking and I'm not sure the Author pulls it off completely. I would have liked more character development and I wished the romance was a little more developed too. The ending scenes were a little over-the-top supernaturally, and I didn't fully commit to feeling them.
⇝Will I continue this series⇜ I would like too…just to see where it goes from here. It really could have ended with this book, though.
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group Feiwel & Friends
Setting: Norway & Montana
Source: I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 3.8/5
Main Characters: 3.8/5
Secondary Characters: 4/5
The Feels: 3.5/5
Addictiveness: 3.8/5
Theme or Tone: 3.5/5
Flow (Writing Style): 3.5/5
Backdrop (World Building): 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Book Cover: 5/5
Ending: 3.8/5 Cliffhanger: Sort of
Total: 3.8/5 STARS
⇝My Thoughts⇜
First off, I freaking love this cover, it's what initially drew me in, and the synopsis had me thinking, wow, that's sounds amazing…Norway mixed with some early American old west…I totally clicked on the READ NOW button on Netgalley. I'm not at all disappointed that I did, either…overall I really liked Berserker…it's just so different from anything else I've been reading lately, but I do have a few issues.
Berserker is very violent and it doesn't sugarcoat any of it, either. Plot wise it's a very ambitious undertaking and I'm not sure the Author pulls it off completely. I would have liked more character development and I wished the romance was a little more developed too. The ending scenes were a little over-the-top supernaturally, and I didn't fully commit to feeling them.
⇝Will I continue this series⇜ I would like too…just to see where it goes from here. It really could have ended with this book, though.
September 17, 2017
At first I was so surprised by how quickly I finished this, but then I checked and saw that this book is only 288 pages lol
Anyways, this was a really quick, easy and rather entertaining read. Though, it could probably use a little more world building. And while I certainly have some unanswered questions, I am not sure if they warrant another entire book. The conclusion of this one felt rather solid, but I suppose we'll have to see how the rest of the series goes I guess.
*Review to Come*
Anyways, this was a really quick, easy and rather entertaining read. Though, it could probably use a little more world building. And while I certainly have some unanswered questions, I am not sure if they warrant another entire book. The conclusion of this one felt rather solid, but I suppose we'll have to see how the rest of the series goes I guess.
*Review to Come*
October 16, 2017
Started strong, went "meh" in the middle and then went into NO territory for me by the end. Disjointed plot (this was an ARC, so maybe things were fixed?). I felt no connection to any of the characters.
January 3, 2018
Berserker is the first novel in a new series that follows the Hemstad family from Norway to the United States after a horrible event catapults their lives on a new course. It’s 1883, and the family, made up of two brothers and two sisters, live and work with their father on the family farm. Their lives are hard and difficult. In addition sixteen-year-old Hanne and her family are a bit different from others. Hanne and her two brothers are Nytteson, meaning they have different gifts bestowed upon them by the Norse gods. Hanne is also a Berserker, or a perfect killing machine, which happens whenever her loved ones are threatened. After an event awakens her powers and leaves her father dead, the siblings must escape to America. There they meet Owen, a cowboy who agrees to help them make a life for themselves, even among some wild, colorful characters. What they don’t know is that they’re being chased across the plains by those who know about their powers.
Laybourne has managed to combine an action-packed thriller with history, mythology, fantasy and psychological motivation. The pace allows the reader to enjoy each of the characters, but the story moves forward at a rapid enough rate that one has an elevated heart-rate wondering how the family will get out of their newest predicament. I enjoy historical fiction, and much more when there’s a fantastical or magical turn to the tale. I was so caught up in all the character’s stories, and now wish for a prequel before a second installment comes out. However I eagerly await the next in the series and a chance to reunite with the family once again. This is a fine example of cross-over fiction for adults and teens.
Reviewed by Llyr Heller, Librarian, Teen'Scape
Laybourne has managed to combine an action-packed thriller with history, mythology, fantasy and psychological motivation. The pace allows the reader to enjoy each of the characters, but the story moves forward at a rapid enough rate that one has an elevated heart-rate wondering how the family will get out of their newest predicament. I enjoy historical fiction, and much more when there’s a fantastical or magical turn to the tale. I was so caught up in all the character’s stories, and now wish for a prequel before a second installment comes out. However I eagerly await the next in the series and a chance to reunite with the family once again. This is a fine example of cross-over fiction for adults and teens.
Reviewed by Llyr Heller, Librarian, Teen'Scape
March 15, 2021
I liked the unusual mix of concepts in this book.
It makes sense to put a little Norse mythology into a Western if you think about it. Lots and lots of immigrants came to the West from Norway in the 19th century. The magic system was interesting, and I liked that if you had a special power, there was also a cost to it.
I also liked Hanne and her family. Allowing Hanne to keep her siblings with her kept the book from getting too "chosen one" and her responsibilities to her family kept her grounded. Hanne is far more practical and stoic than most YA heroines, and I really appreciated that too.
I liked Owen as well. I don't know if I needed the attraction between him and Hanne, but both of them had important things to think about other than each other so the romance didn't take over the book or drive plot decisions much.
The weakest part of the book was probably the plot line of Hanne's pursuers. I'm not sure there was a good reason to chase them all the way into the West, and Ketil's lightning-fast conversion from lazy charmer to bloodthirsty and nonchalant killer felt jarring to me. There are some very violent parts in the book, some of which seem to come out of nowhere.
I also didn't love the ending- it felt rushed and Hanne's mastery of her ability felt unearned. But I did enjoy the journey and would consider reading more by this author.
It makes sense to put a little Norse mythology into a Western if you think about it. Lots and lots of immigrants came to the West from Norway in the 19th century. The magic system was interesting, and I liked that if you had a special power, there was also a cost to it.
I also liked Hanne and her family. Allowing Hanne to keep her siblings with her kept the book from getting too "chosen one" and her responsibilities to her family kept her grounded. Hanne is far more practical and stoic than most YA heroines, and I really appreciated that too.
I liked Owen as well. I don't know if I needed the attraction between him and Hanne, but both of them had important things to think about other than each other so the romance didn't take over the book or drive plot decisions much.
The weakest part of the book was probably the plot line of Hanne's pursuers. I'm not sure there was a good reason to chase them all the way into the West, and Ketil's lightning-fast conversion from lazy charmer to bloodthirsty and nonchalant killer felt jarring to me. There are some very violent parts in the book, some of which seem to come out of nowhere.
I also didn't love the ending- it felt rushed and Hanne's mastery of her ability felt unearned. But I did enjoy the journey and would consider reading more by this author.
July 23, 2017
4.5 stars!
This was really good and I'm so glad I took a break from my YA fast to enjoy it. I've always had a fascination with Vikings and Norse history, but I haven't found many fiction books that explore the culture or time period. I won't name names, but those that I have read were mediocre at best.
Berserker is a fascinating blend of fantasy and historical fiction. We visit historical Norway and the western frontier. We experience a family immigrating to the United States and their journey across the country to Montana. I'm not sure of the historical accuracy, but most of the journey seemed plausible and I enjoyed seeing it.
The characters were really excellent. Main character, Hanne, is struggling to control her Nyette which is a gift (or a curse depending on how you look at it) given to her ancestors by the old Norse gods. It is passed down from generation to generation, skipping some while giving others talents in areas like strength and ship building. It was believed to be gifted to help create unstoppable raiding parties. In Hanne's case she is a berserker which means she flies into a blind rage when someone she loves is in danger. We watch as she tries to navigate her gift and deal with the guilt leftover from those she has hurt and killed.
Out of all the characters Knut was probably my favorite. Hanne's younger, but much larger brother. He is described as simple, but kind hearted. He is an "Oar-Breaker" which means he is huge and impossibly strong. I hope to see much more of him as this series continues.
Once in Montana they meet Owen, who is probably the sweetest cowboy ever, and his dog Daisy. He is another great and lovable character. I enjoyed him as well, but wish he hadn't been so down on himself. His self-deprecating inner dialogue was frustrating at times. He had done some great things and I was really wishing he would give himself a break.
The bad guys in this book are just how you'd want them to be. Really bad and so easy to hate. While the ending offered excellent closure, but also felt a little rushed, it alluded to a future of more challenging obstacles for Hanne, her siblings, and Owen.
This was really good and I'm so glad I took a break from my YA fast to enjoy it. I've always had a fascination with Vikings and Norse history, but I haven't found many fiction books that explore the culture or time period. I won't name names, but those that I have read were mediocre at best.
Berserker is a fascinating blend of fantasy and historical fiction. We visit historical Norway and the western frontier. We experience a family immigrating to the United States and their journey across the country to Montana. I'm not sure of the historical accuracy, but most of the journey seemed plausible and I enjoyed seeing it.
The characters were really excellent. Main character, Hanne, is struggling to control her Nyette which is a gift (or a curse depending on how you look at it) given to her ancestors by the old Norse gods. It is passed down from generation to generation, skipping some while giving others talents in areas like strength and ship building. It was believed to be gifted to help create unstoppable raiding parties. In Hanne's case she is a berserker which means she flies into a blind rage when someone she loves is in danger. We watch as she tries to navigate her gift and deal with the guilt leftover from those she has hurt and killed.
Out of all the characters Knut was probably my favorite. Hanne's younger, but much larger brother. He is described as simple, but kind hearted. He is an "Oar-Breaker" which means he is huge and impossibly strong. I hope to see much more of him as this series continues.
Once in Montana they meet Owen, who is probably the sweetest cowboy ever, and his dog Daisy. He is another great and lovable character. I enjoyed him as well, but wish he hadn't been so down on himself. His self-deprecating inner dialogue was frustrating at times. He had done some great things and I was really wishing he would give himself a break.
The bad guys in this book are just how you'd want them to be. Really bad and so easy to hate. While the ending offered excellent closure, but also felt a little rushed, it alluded to a future of more challenging obstacles for Hanne, her siblings, and Owen.
July 20, 2020
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
3.5/5
Berserker is a young adult norse fantasy novel by Emmy Laybourne. Emmy Laybourne is an author with such diverse skills. She has written apocalyptic stories, fantasy stories, monster stories and I have to say I am a huge fan of hers. My favorite book of hers is Sweet, but Berserker was a good read as well. The description of Berserker immediately caught my attention. I love anything having to do with mythology, and norse mythology is super interesting to me. Plus, the tag line is killer- "Are Hanne's powers a gift from the old Norse gods, or a curse?". I was instantly intrigued. What are her gifts?
Berserker is told in multiple points of views. Hanne is our main character, but we also get to meet her siblings, and Owen, a cowboy from the west. Which brings me to the thing that I enjoyed most about this book, and what I am excited to see explored more in upcoming novels. I loved the dual setting. Berserker takes place both on the western frontier as well as in Norway. I liked all of the characters and I found the story to be interesting, but the book felt a little dense and slow at times. It wasn't a book I read in a single setting. I put it down and picked it back a good number of times, but overall I was glad I finished it because it was so unlike anything I have read in a while.
As far as characters go, I really felt for Hanne. Her gift is so violent, and the writing and scenes certainly reflect that. It was really interesting to see her inner dialogue and concerns regarding her power. But I really loved Owen and Knut, her younger brother most of all. I found them to add something extra to the story. I think I am most interested in learning more about the various Norse powers in the next book. I love all of that and I can't wait to see what direction Emmy is going to take this series in.
Overall, Berserker was a good read. Though it did feel slow at times, I think the next book has the potential to really pick up. I think Berserker would be great for fans of novels that don't shy away from graphic fighting scenes.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
3.5/5
Berserker is a young adult norse fantasy novel by Emmy Laybourne. Emmy Laybourne is an author with such diverse skills. She has written apocalyptic stories, fantasy stories, monster stories and I have to say I am a huge fan of hers. My favorite book of hers is Sweet, but Berserker was a good read as well. The description of Berserker immediately caught my attention. I love anything having to do with mythology, and norse mythology is super interesting to me. Plus, the tag line is killer- "Are Hanne's powers a gift from the old Norse gods, or a curse?". I was instantly intrigued. What are her gifts?
Berserker is told in multiple points of views. Hanne is our main character, but we also get to meet her siblings, and Owen, a cowboy from the west. Which brings me to the thing that I enjoyed most about this book, and what I am excited to see explored more in upcoming novels. I loved the dual setting. Berserker takes place both on the western frontier as well as in Norway. I liked all of the characters and I found the story to be interesting, but the book felt a little dense and slow at times. It wasn't a book I read in a single setting. I put it down and picked it back a good number of times, but overall I was glad I finished it because it was so unlike anything I have read in a while.
As far as characters go, I really felt for Hanne. Her gift is so violent, and the writing and scenes certainly reflect that. It was really interesting to see her inner dialogue and concerns regarding her power. But I really loved Owen and Knut, her younger brother most of all. I found them to add something extra to the story. I think I am most interested in learning more about the various Norse powers in the next book. I love all of that and I can't wait to see what direction Emmy is going to take this series in.
Overall, Berserker was a good read. Though it did feel slow at times, I think the next book has the potential to really pick up. I think Berserker would be great for fans of novels that don't shy away from graphic fighting scenes.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
October 24, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was a pretty good book, although it was missing that special something for me to bump it up to the 4 star level. I really like the background of the kids' powers and the Norse mythology in this and it blended with the old west setting better than I was expecting it to. I think that for me the plot just moved a little bit too slowly and also I thought the big fight at the end was a little bit anti-climactic. Also, while the romance between Hanne and Owen doesn't necessarily overtake the rest of the plot I do feel like it was the weakest part and while I've come to expect it from YA novels I'm always still like 'you could have left that out though'. Still it was an interesting story and a nice blending of genres that you don't really see a lot of.
This was a pretty good book, although it was missing that special something for me to bump it up to the 4 star level. I really like the background of the kids' powers and the Norse mythology in this and it blended with the old west setting better than I was expecting it to. I think that for me the plot just moved a little bit too slowly and also I thought the big fight at the end was a little bit anti-climactic. Also, while the romance between Hanne and Owen doesn't necessarily overtake the rest of the plot I do feel like it was the weakest part and while I've come to expect it from YA novels I'm always still like 'you could have left that out though'. Still it was an interesting story and a nice blending of genres that you don't really see a lot of.
March 10, 2021
Hanne, who is a reluctant Berserker, flees to America with her family after she (oopsy) murders some people.
I liked this more than I thought I would because I've been on the outs with YA for a while. Hanne and her family were written as very distinctive from each other including their 'gifts' (or lack of). I loved Knut, who is a giant-ish boy with super strength and a huge heart. This book had some suprisingly dark scenes that felt disjointed from the book but overall it was a 'family works together to get a fresh start' story.
I'm going to give the sequel a try but I'm a bit worried: Sissel is my least favorite character and there's apparently a dreaded love triangle in it. One of the things I liked in 'Berserker' was the sweet, reasonable romance that grew between Hanne and Owen. Fingers crossed!
I liked this more than I thought I would because I've been on the outs with YA for a while. Hanne and her family were written as very distinctive from each other including their 'gifts' (or lack of). I loved Knut, who is a giant-ish boy with super strength and a huge heart. This book had some suprisingly dark scenes that felt disjointed from the book but overall it was a 'family works together to get a fresh start' story.
I'm going to give the sequel a try but I'm a bit worried: Sissel is my least favorite character and there's apparently a dreaded love triangle in it. One of the things I liked in 'Berserker' was the sweet, reasonable romance that grew between Hanne and Owen. Fingers crossed!
April 15, 2020
I wanted to read some historical horror, and this book definitely fits that description. It’s about a group of siblings who flee Norway after committing several murders. They travel to America to find their uncle, but since the siblings have strange, murderous superpowers, they’re pursued by powerful enemies.
If you’re searching for a supernatural horror read with a well-developed setting, this book might satisfy your craving. It has some action, some gore, a few twists. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s a book that will stick in my mind for very long. It doesn’t have much depth. I wanted more character development. The characters are all a bit bland or stereotypical. I love the loyalty between the siblings, though!
I’m not invested enough in the characters to read the sequel, but I’d recommend this book if you enjoy historical horror or historical fantasy.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
If you’re searching for a supernatural horror read with a well-developed setting, this book might satisfy your craving. It has some action, some gore, a few twists. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s a book that will stick in my mind for very long. It doesn’t have much depth. I wanted more character development. The characters are all a bit bland or stereotypical. I love the loyalty between the siblings, though!
I’m not invested enough in the characters to read the sequel, but I’d recommend this book if you enjoy historical horror or historical fantasy.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
July 22, 2017
I received this book courtesy of Netgalley and boy, am I glad I did. Can I have some more please? I'd love for there to be another book in this series.
Berserker is a fairly short book (less than 300 pages), but it packs a lot in. It's about a family blessed/cursed with physical "gifts" than manifest at puberty. Each of them has a different gift and they also come with some pretty harsh downsides. Hanne is a berserker which means that she flies into a killing calm if she or someone that she loves is physically threatened and takes out anyone or anything that's a threat. The book starts with an incident that send hers whole family on the lam and they flee from their Norwegian town to America in search of an Uncle who they hope can help them.
There are some pretty amazing fight scenes. I felt like I was in it and left totally in awe. But also Hanne is just a normal girl dealing with a lot of changes and some harsh circumstances, some of them typical and some of them not. I also really liked how she merged the stories of Hanne and Owen. You get their alternating POVs at first until they nicely merge together about a third of the way in. I really like Laybourne's writing style.
What made this a 4 star instead of a 5 star book for me? My main criticisms were 1) Hanne's constant negativity was starting to get a bit annoying towards the end. Everyone was very accepting of her, but she was convinced that everyone was going to reject her. It got to be a little much. 2) The pivotal scene towards the end where everything comes to ahead was...strange. That being said, I liked overall how it ended.
I also wish that there was a glossary where there was a guide to the pronunciations of some of the foreign names and words. I'm pretty sure that I was saying almost every single character's name wrong in my head. And until she explained how to say Nytte about midway through the book, I was absolutely saying it wrong. 😂
It was a fast moving book and a quick read. If you like a lot of action and a little romance, I recommend that you check out Berserker when it comes out October 10, 2017.
Berserker is a fairly short book (less than 300 pages), but it packs a lot in. It's about a family blessed/cursed with physical "gifts" than manifest at puberty. Each of them has a different gift and they also come with some pretty harsh downsides. Hanne is a berserker which means that she flies into a killing calm if she or someone that she loves is physically threatened and takes out anyone or anything that's a threat. The book starts with an incident that send hers whole family on the lam and they flee from their Norwegian town to America in search of an Uncle who they hope can help them.
There are some pretty amazing fight scenes. I felt like I was in it and left totally in awe. But also Hanne is just a normal girl dealing with a lot of changes and some harsh circumstances, some of them typical and some of them not. I also really liked how she merged the stories of Hanne and Owen. You get their alternating POVs at first until they nicely merge together about a third of the way in. I really like Laybourne's writing style.
What made this a 4 star instead of a 5 star book for me? My main criticisms were 1) Hanne's constant negativity was starting to get a bit annoying towards the end. Everyone was very accepting of her, but she was convinced that everyone was going to reject her. It got to be a little much. 2) The pivotal scene towards the end where everything comes to ahead was...strange. That being said, I liked overall how it ended.
I also wish that there was a glossary where there was a guide to the pronunciations of some of the foreign names and words. I'm pretty sure that I was saying almost every single character's name wrong in my head. And until she explained how to say Nytte about midway through the book, I was absolutely saying it wrong. 😂
It was a fast moving book and a quick read. If you like a lot of action and a little romance, I recommend that you check out Berserker when it comes out October 10, 2017.
July 27, 2017
Got a copy of this from netgalley and I really really enjoyed it. It actually pulled me out of a book slump where I started 5 other books and just couldn't get into it. I managed to fly through this one and then finished 3 of the others since. I would definitely recommend this one
October 18, 2017
“She was a Berserker, cursed to fly into action whenever anyone she loved was in danger. A killer who would be compelled to murder elegantly, viciously, and without remorse.”
Berserker is the story of a family blessed with the Nytte. Or cursed with it. It depends on who you ask.
The story is told through the alternating narration of Hanne, Owen and Rolf. Hanne is the oldest daughter in her family. Her older brother Stieg, and her younger brother Knut all have a variation of the Nytte. The youngest, Sissel, shows no sign of the Nytte. Owen is a cowboy in America trying to find his way in the wild frontier; with plenty of his own demons to fight along the way.
After an incident forces the siblings to pack up and flee their home in Norway. They head to America, where they have family living in Montana. They hope to be able to find someone with the Berserker gift to help Hanne keep her gift under control.
“Embrace the Nytte,” Aud said, as Hanne scrambled backward in the pine needles and dried leaves. “Open your heart to it, or it will be the ruin of you. And your siblings, too.”
Rolf is an interesting character, and I won’t say much about him though to avoid spoilers. His is mission finding the Nytte in children and ensuring that the gifts do not die out. The role he plays with Hanne and her siblings brings a richer understanding of the legend of the Nytte, and it keeps some of the mythical elements entwined in the plot.
“Rolf kept his eyes trained on the faces of the crowd. Despite the hectic and daunting landscape that presented itself, what Rolf saw again and again, on all manner of faces, was hope.”
Once the family gets to America, they manage to make it through immigration and onto the train that will take them to Wolf Creek where their uncle lives. But they have been pursued from Norway and fleeing the men who chase them causes their path to collide with Owen’s. Literally. Owen agrees to take them the rest of the way.
“It was a strange spell that had been cast. Disaster had been so narrowly averted, and by such sudden heroics. No one could think of quite what to do next.”
The relationships between the siblings was written well. Sissel goes from being a bratty younger sister, jealous of her older siblings, to quite loving and doting when necessary. There were a few times when her tantrums felt a little shallow, but overall, it felt natural. Tantrums and jealousy aside, it was nice to read how they all worked together as a team and really only wanted the best for each other.
Owen and Daisy, his dog, were great characters. It is through them that we get a real sense of the frontier, and how hard life could be back then. In his agreeing to be their guide, we also get to read details about what travel was like then too. He is teaching them at the same time he is teaching us. I thought that was really well done.
“Perhaps even the most friendly town might seem hostile when you were on the lookout for it.”
This book is a mix of western folklore and mythology. The blend was unique and refreshing to read. It was a very fast read, at only 288 pages, and they all flew by. Laybourne does a really good job mixing enough information to really submerse us deep into both the reality of the frontier with the legend of ancient mythology, all while driving the plot forward.
What I rally liked was how each of the characters all struggled with acceptance in some way. Owen, to accept that he was good enough, even if his family thought he wasn’t. Hanne’s struggle for acceptance is a little more complicated. Her impulse to kill when her loved ones are in danger must be controlled, so she isn’t necessarily looking to ‘accept’ that aspect of herself. Sissel and Rolf both struggle with acceptance as well, though I don’t want to give anything away. And acceptance means different things for each of the characters, some leading to tragedy and others to triumph. I really enjoyed the complexity of each of these characters and how their journeys were both internal and external.
“Feelings didn’t seem to care if they made sense.”
We read books to get lost in a story, but the best stories teach us something as well. Legends and folklore often had morals to them. Endings to help us see a bigger truth either about ourselves or the world at large. So, it felt right that a book based on legend and folklore would have a moral wrapped up in it as well.
Overall, this was a fun read with a good story. It did feel a touch on the younger side of YA to me, so some of the conversations and plot pacing felt a little simplistic to me. But, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan for approving my request to read and review this book!
Berserker is the story of a family blessed with the Nytte. Or cursed with it. It depends on who you ask.
The story is told through the alternating narration of Hanne, Owen and Rolf. Hanne is the oldest daughter in her family. Her older brother Stieg, and her younger brother Knut all have a variation of the Nytte. The youngest, Sissel, shows no sign of the Nytte. Owen is a cowboy in America trying to find his way in the wild frontier; with plenty of his own demons to fight along the way.
After an incident forces the siblings to pack up and flee their home in Norway. They head to America, where they have family living in Montana. They hope to be able to find someone with the Berserker gift to help Hanne keep her gift under control.
“Embrace the Nytte,” Aud said, as Hanne scrambled backward in the pine needles and dried leaves. “Open your heart to it, or it will be the ruin of you. And your siblings, too.”
Rolf is an interesting character, and I won’t say much about him though to avoid spoilers. His is mission finding the Nytte in children and ensuring that the gifts do not die out. The role he plays with Hanne and her siblings brings a richer understanding of the legend of the Nytte, and it keeps some of the mythical elements entwined in the plot.
“Rolf kept his eyes trained on the faces of the crowd. Despite the hectic and daunting landscape that presented itself, what Rolf saw again and again, on all manner of faces, was hope.”
Once the family gets to America, they manage to make it through immigration and onto the train that will take them to Wolf Creek where their uncle lives. But they have been pursued from Norway and fleeing the men who chase them causes their path to collide with Owen’s. Literally. Owen agrees to take them the rest of the way.
“It was a strange spell that had been cast. Disaster had been so narrowly averted, and by such sudden heroics. No one could think of quite what to do next.”
The relationships between the siblings was written well. Sissel goes from being a bratty younger sister, jealous of her older siblings, to quite loving and doting when necessary. There were a few times when her tantrums felt a little shallow, but overall, it felt natural. Tantrums and jealousy aside, it was nice to read how they all worked together as a team and really only wanted the best for each other.
Owen and Daisy, his dog, were great characters. It is through them that we get a real sense of the frontier, and how hard life could be back then. In his agreeing to be their guide, we also get to read details about what travel was like then too. He is teaching them at the same time he is teaching us. I thought that was really well done.
“Perhaps even the most friendly town might seem hostile when you were on the lookout for it.”
This book is a mix of western folklore and mythology. The blend was unique and refreshing to read. It was a very fast read, at only 288 pages, and they all flew by. Laybourne does a really good job mixing enough information to really submerse us deep into both the reality of the frontier with the legend of ancient mythology, all while driving the plot forward.
What I rally liked was how each of the characters all struggled with acceptance in some way. Owen, to accept that he was good enough, even if his family thought he wasn’t. Hanne’s struggle for acceptance is a little more complicated. Her impulse to kill when her loved ones are in danger must be controlled, so she isn’t necessarily looking to ‘accept’ that aspect of herself. Sissel and Rolf both struggle with acceptance as well, though I don’t want to give anything away. And acceptance means different things for each of the characters, some leading to tragedy and others to triumph. I really enjoyed the complexity of each of these characters and how their journeys were both internal and external.
“Feelings didn’t seem to care if they made sense.”
We read books to get lost in a story, but the best stories teach us something as well. Legends and folklore often had morals to them. Endings to help us see a bigger truth either about ourselves or the world at large. So, it felt right that a book based on legend and folklore would have a moral wrapped up in it as well.
Overall, this was a fun read with a good story. It did feel a touch on the younger side of YA to me, so some of the conversations and plot pacing felt a little simplistic to me. But, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan for approving my request to read and review this book!
February 23, 2019
Disclaimer: I bought this book!
Book Series: Book 1 of Berserker
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: Octoebr 10, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (suicide, mass murder, semi forced breeding, destruction, and slight gore)(trigger warning for suicide scene, just the aftermath shown)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Are Hanne's powers a gift from the old Norse gods, or a curse?
Her brother Stieg swears their powers are a gift from the old gods, but Hanne Hemstad knows she is truly cursed. It's not Stieg's fault that their father is dead, their mother has left, and their brother Knut has been accused of a crime he didn't commit.
No, the fault lies with Hanne and her inability to control her murderous "gift"--she is a Berserker. When someone she loves is threatened, she flies into a killing state. The siblings must leave Norway for the American frontier or risk being brought to justice.
Aided by a young cowboy who agrees to be their guide, Hanne and her siblings use their powers to survive the perilous trail, where blizzards, wild animals, and vicious bounty hunters await.
Will they be able to reach their uncle, the one man Hanne believes may be able to teach her how to control her drive to kill? With Berserker, Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14, presents her vision of an American west studded with Viking glory.
Review: Holy cow this book was AMAZING! It was so well written and built. The world building was amazing, I felt like I was in the 1800s! The characters were all well developed and the story was inspiring. I really felt like this book was one of Laybourne’s best written works.
However, I did feel that this book was a bit odd in deciding what age range is suited for it. The book reads like a middle grade, it flows well and it’s very easy to understand. However, there are some themes in it that would be a bit too mature for some middle graders, like talks about suicide and mass murder/holocaust of such. However, the book is so good just as it is so if you’re mentally ready to deal with those then I say go ahead and read this book!
Verdict: READ THIS NOWWWW the sequel just came out!
Book Series: Book 1 of Berserker
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: Octoebr 10, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (suicide, mass murder, semi forced breeding, destruction, and slight gore)(trigger warning for suicide scene, just the aftermath shown)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Are Hanne's powers a gift from the old Norse gods, or a curse?
Her brother Stieg swears their powers are a gift from the old gods, but Hanne Hemstad knows she is truly cursed. It's not Stieg's fault that their father is dead, their mother has left, and their brother Knut has been accused of a crime he didn't commit.
No, the fault lies with Hanne and her inability to control her murderous "gift"--she is a Berserker. When someone she loves is threatened, she flies into a killing state. The siblings must leave Norway for the American frontier or risk being brought to justice.
Aided by a young cowboy who agrees to be their guide, Hanne and her siblings use their powers to survive the perilous trail, where blizzards, wild animals, and vicious bounty hunters await.
Will they be able to reach their uncle, the one man Hanne believes may be able to teach her how to control her drive to kill? With Berserker, Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14, presents her vision of an American west studded with Viking glory.
Review: Holy cow this book was AMAZING! It was so well written and built. The world building was amazing, I felt like I was in the 1800s! The characters were all well developed and the story was inspiring. I really felt like this book was one of Laybourne’s best written works.
However, I did feel that this book was a bit odd in deciding what age range is suited for it. The book reads like a middle grade, it flows well and it’s very easy to understand. However, there are some themes in it that would be a bit too mature for some middle graders, like talks about suicide and mass murder/holocaust of such. However, the book is so good just as it is so if you’re mentally ready to deal with those then I say go ahead and read this book!
Verdict: READ THIS NOWWWW the sequel just came out!
November 4, 2017
This was an enjoyable YA fantasy about 4 Norwegian siblings, 3 of whom are gifted--or cursed--with a special ability. Due to a crisis at home, they set sail for America to find an uncle who they think can help them. I really liked the elements of Norse culture and mythology and then being set (for most of the book) in the American West in the 1800s. Unique combination and one that worked for me! There was a bit of a romance, but no insta-love, and I thought it was more realistic than most. The only thing I didn't like was some of the characters occasionally made some really dumb decisions. It was interesting to see how their abilities could be both a gift and a curse and how the reactions of others varied: kill, or at least drive out, the freaks; weaponize them; etc. I also liked the close family relationship the siblings had and their distinct personalities.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a free e-ARC of this book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a free e-ARC of this book.
March 17, 2018
This was very much Norwegian teen X-Men: A Pioneer Story and I really enjoyed it.
Content warning: the book opens with the killing of a pig, but I'm not sure how else the author could've imparted the character information we needed from that scene for a book set in that time period.
Content warning: the book opens with the killing of a pig, but I'm not sure how else the author could've imparted the character information we needed from that scene for a book set in that time period.
August 3, 2017
"Berserker" was an interesting and unique story about four brothers and sisters who possess Nytte. Nytte were "gifts" given from the Norse gods to select bloodlines, and they show themselves upon puberty. A Berserker is one of the Nytte where the person is compelled to protect their loved ones by attacking whoever threatens them and murdering them. When the gift takes over, the Berserker is unaware and unusually skilled. Hanne is a Berserker, and she resents her gift- unsurprising, since it was the final straw that caused her mother to leave them. When her father is threatened (and then killed), Hanne is drawn to protect him by murdering his three assailants.
Not sure what to do in the wake of the deaths, the children flee to America where they hope to locate their uncle who is a Berserker and may be able to help Hanne control her gift. They are pursued by some men who collect people with Nytte and train them for unknown (and likely sinister) purposes. After being confronted by them, Hanne makes her brothers and sister jump off the train early to escape. They soon meet Owen, a cowboy in search of work. They hire him to guide them the rest of the way to where their uncle lives.
The first section of the book was a little tedious and difficult to follow as explanations come slowly about the Nytte and background. Once they begin traveling with Owen, the book really picks up and becomes engaging. I found it much better in the second part than the first. Owen and Hanne are drawn to each other pretty quickly, and I would have liked more scenes building up their relationship. They seemed to have little interactions as she was hesitant to get close to him and her siblings took up most of the attention. Regardless, their relationship was sweet. It was interesting to see Hanne evolve in the second part of the book, to begin to overcome her self-hatred and fear of the Nytte, and move towards the inevitable conclusion. The setting was also creative, combining fantasy/magical-type powers and Norse mythology with the wild west/cowboy life.
Overall, it was a creative and enjoyable story. I am very curious to see how the series will continue (with one of the siblings maybe?). Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Not sure what to do in the wake of the deaths, the children flee to America where they hope to locate their uncle who is a Berserker and may be able to help Hanne control her gift. They are pursued by some men who collect people with Nytte and train them for unknown (and likely sinister) purposes. After being confronted by them, Hanne makes her brothers and sister jump off the train early to escape. They soon meet Owen, a cowboy in search of work. They hire him to guide them the rest of the way to where their uncle lives.
The first section of the book was a little tedious and difficult to follow as explanations come slowly about the Nytte and background. Once they begin traveling with Owen, the book really picks up and becomes engaging. I found it much better in the second part than the first. Owen and Hanne are drawn to each other pretty quickly, and I would have liked more scenes building up their relationship. They seemed to have little interactions as she was hesitant to get close to him and her siblings took up most of the attention. Regardless, their relationship was sweet. It was interesting to see Hanne evolve in the second part of the book, to begin to overcome her self-hatred and fear of the Nytte, and move towards the inevitable conclusion. The setting was also creative, combining fantasy/magical-type powers and Norse mythology with the wild west/cowboy life.
Overall, it was a creative and enjoyable story. I am very curious to see how the series will continue (with one of the siblings maybe?). Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2019
I mean, I was sold at "American west studded with Viking glory," but I loved this one! Really well done historical fiction, making the small frontier American towns come alive with all their dust and dirt and hard-scrabbleness. (...is that a word? meh, I like it, I'm keeping it.) There's also a lot of wild west type stuff - shootouts! saloons! loyal horses! dog companions! And with Norse mythology mixed in! I loved it all!!
It was so interesting to see how the siblings used their "gifts" and how they felt about them. There's just enough romance between Hanne and the "young cowboy," Owen - I was more into the siblings' story and their adventures traveling from Norway towards their uncle in Montana, but Owen's appearance in the story added to rather than distracted from their storyline, for me. Hanne truly was on her own adventure and just happened to find a guy she liked along the way, rather than being a character who only existed to have a romance, and I loved that.
The *only* small tiny thing that bothered me a bit was the author sometimes did just a liiiittle too much telling rather than showing for my taste - she would kind of spell out how a character was thinking or feeling rather than writing it in a way that let us learn it on our own, or feel it along with the character. But that didn't keep me from enjoying the book, just something that stood out to me here and there... Because when she did let us feel things with the characters, it was so powerful. Man, the regret and shame Hanne feels when her powers get away from her and she realizes what terrible violent things she's done... I really felt it along with her, and I love when an author can do that.
All in all, I really enjoyed my first western historical fantasy! It sounded awesome but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did, and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book in the duology, Ransacker , published in January 2019, where Hanne's sister Sissel discovers she has a gift too. (Not-so-spoiler alert: she's a Ransacker, which means she has a gift for finding precious metals... and here she is, right in the middle of Gold Rush era America, surrounded by some new characters who *shocker* may not have her best interests at heart... Yessss dramaaaaa I am here for it...)
Final verdict: I loved it! I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others.
{ Review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }
It was so interesting to see how the siblings used their "gifts" and how they felt about them. There's just enough romance between Hanne and the "young cowboy," Owen - I was more into the siblings' story and their adventures traveling from Norway towards their uncle in Montana, but Owen's appearance in the story added to rather than distracted from their storyline, for me. Hanne truly was on her own adventure and just happened to find a guy she liked along the way, rather than being a character who only existed to have a romance, and I loved that.
The *only* small tiny thing that bothered me a bit was the author sometimes did just a liiiittle too much telling rather than showing for my taste - she would kind of spell out how a character was thinking or feeling rather than writing it in a way that let us learn it on our own, or feel it along with the character. But that didn't keep me from enjoying the book, just something that stood out to me here and there... Because when she did let us feel things with the characters, it was so powerful. Man, the regret and shame Hanne feels when her powers get away from her and she realizes what terrible violent things she's done... I really felt it along with her, and I love when an author can do that.
All in all, I really enjoyed my first western historical fantasy! It sounded awesome but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did, and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book in the duology, Ransacker , published in January 2019, where Hanne's sister Sissel discovers she has a gift too. (Not-so-spoiler alert: she's a Ransacker, which means she has a gift for finding precious metals... and here she is, right in the middle of Gold Rush era America, surrounded by some new characters who *shocker* may not have her best interests at heart... Yessss dramaaaaa I am here for it...)
Final verdict: I loved it! I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others.
{ Review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }
October 24, 2017
Love this book!
Evoking Norse mythology, diving into historical Norway, revealing the experience of immigration to the U.S., and exploring the cowboy west creates a delicious, rich mix of environments, perspectives, and characters. I could not put this down once I began reading.
This is a YA book. But I am 68 and I love it. Does that mean I am immature? Or v. v. up-to-date. I will go with up-to-date.
Hope a sequel is coming!
Evoking Norse mythology, diving into historical Norway, revealing the experience of immigration to the U.S., and exploring the cowboy west creates a delicious, rich mix of environments, perspectives, and characters. I could not put this down once I began reading.
This is a YA book. But I am 68 and I love it. Does that mean I am immature? Or v. v. up-to-date. I will go with up-to-date.
Hope a sequel is coming!
March 20, 2018
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
I finally got around to reading Berserker and loved it! It wasn't quite what I expected in some ways, but I really enjoyed the experience of this book. Berserker feels kind of like Little House on the Prairie, except with Norse powers and a lot more violence. The Nytte are powers gifted by Norse gods to certain human bloodlines. Hanne is one of those gifted. More specifically, she is a Berserker and turns into a killing machine when people she loves are threatened. Her brothers are gifted with unnatural strength and control of the wind respectively. But like all magic, the gifts come with a price that can be devastating and Hanne sees them as a curse. When her father is murdered, Hanne kills the men threatening him and their family has to flee to the American West. There they meet a handsome cowboy who agrees to be their guide, not realizing that they are followed by someone dangerous.
Berserker is and interesting cross between historical fiction that richly draws America in the early 1800's, and Norse mythological fantasy. I really enjoyed the crossover. The pacing of the book isn't as fast as you might think (at least until the end), but it isn't slow either. There is the perfect balance of descriptive enjoyment of the setting with action and suspense. As a character, Hanne is very stoic and fiercely devoted to her family. I kind of expected a Slytherin and got more of a Hufflepuff. A very kickass one! Other characters are great too, including her little sister who can be extremely annoying. It's also kind of interesting as a story about immigration, although that wasn't really explored in the way that it could have been.
Overall, I really loved this book, more than I expected to I think. This genre is interesting because it isn't one we see much of in YA. Whereas in adult fantasy, it isn't so unusual to see this kind of historical fiction/fantasy mix. I enjoyed it and would like to see more of it.
I finally got around to reading Berserker and loved it! It wasn't quite what I expected in some ways, but I really enjoyed the experience of this book. Berserker feels kind of like Little House on the Prairie, except with Norse powers and a lot more violence. The Nytte are powers gifted by Norse gods to certain human bloodlines. Hanne is one of those gifted. More specifically, she is a Berserker and turns into a killing machine when people she loves are threatened. Her brothers are gifted with unnatural strength and control of the wind respectively. But like all magic, the gifts come with a price that can be devastating and Hanne sees them as a curse. When her father is murdered, Hanne kills the men threatening him and their family has to flee to the American West. There they meet a handsome cowboy who agrees to be their guide, not realizing that they are followed by someone dangerous.
Berserker is and interesting cross between historical fiction that richly draws America in the early 1800's, and Norse mythological fantasy. I really enjoyed the crossover. The pacing of the book isn't as fast as you might think (at least until the end), but it isn't slow either. There is the perfect balance of descriptive enjoyment of the setting with action and suspense. As a character, Hanne is very stoic and fiercely devoted to her family. I kind of expected a Slytherin and got more of a Hufflepuff. A very kickass one! Other characters are great too, including her little sister who can be extremely annoying. It's also kind of interesting as a story about immigration, although that wasn't really explored in the way that it could have been.
Overall, I really loved this book, more than I expected to I think. This genre is interesting because it isn't one we see much of in YA. Whereas in adult fantasy, it isn't so unusual to see this kind of historical fiction/fantasy mix. I enjoyed it and would like to see more of it.
January 2, 2018
Berserker is the first novel in a new series that follows the Hemstad family from Norway to the United States after a horrible event catapults their lives on a new course. It’s 1883, and the family, made up of two brothers and two sisters, live and work with their father on the family farm. Their lives are hard and difficult. In addition sixteen-year-old Hanne and her family are a bit different from others. Hanne and her two brothers are Nytteson, meaning they have different gifts bestowed upon them by the Norse gods. Hanne is also a Berserker, or a perfect killing machine, which happens whenever her loved ones are threatened. After an event awakens her powers and leaves her father dead, the siblings must escape to America. There they meet Owen, a cowboy who agrees to help them make a life for themselves, even among some wild, colorful characters. What they don’t know is that they’re being chased across the plains by those who know about their powers.
Laybourne has managed to combine an action-packed thriller with history, mythology, fantasy and psychological motivation. The pace allows the reader to enjoy each of the characters, but the story moves forward at a rapid enough rate that one has an elevated heart-rate wondering how the family will get out of their newest predicament. I enjoy historical fiction, and much more when there’s a fantastical or magical turn to the tale. I was so caught up in all the character’s stories, and now wish for a prequel before a second installment comes out. However I eagerly await the next in the series and a chance to reunite with the family once again. This is a fine example of cross-over fiction for adults and teens.
Laybourne has managed to combine an action-packed thriller with history, mythology, fantasy and psychological motivation. The pace allows the reader to enjoy each of the characters, but the story moves forward at a rapid enough rate that one has an elevated heart-rate wondering how the family will get out of their newest predicament. I enjoy historical fiction, and much more when there’s a fantastical or magical turn to the tale. I was so caught up in all the character’s stories, and now wish for a prequel before a second installment comes out. However I eagerly await the next in the series and a chance to reunite with the family once again. This is a fine example of cross-over fiction for adults and teens.
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