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The Icefjord Saga #1
Teeth
Twelve years after the death of his family, Isa meets a boy in the woods with an injured foot who can bring ravens back to life. But something else has come to Ulfheim, and when Isa opens the rune ward keeping the village safe to let the strange boy through, the wicked beast that has haunted Isa’s dreams his entire life follows.
Six years later, the boy from the woods returns and his arrival sets events into motion much grander than Isa could have foreseen. Isa’s control is slipping. The wolves close in on Ulfheim and home is no longer safe.
In the north, Fenrisborg stirs. If Karel wants to save his sister and prove his worth, he must act now. But Ulfheim is as unforgiving as his father's chilled halls and Karel will need all his skills to deceive a jarl and capture an evil creature.
Six years later, the boy from the woods returns and his arrival sets events into motion much grander than Isa could have foreseen. Isa’s control is slipping. The wolves close in on Ulfheim and home is no longer safe.
In the north, Fenrisborg stirs. If Karel wants to save his sister and prove his worth, he must act now. But Ulfheim is as unforgiving as his father's chilled halls and Karel will need all his skills to deceive a jarl and capture an evil creature.
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2018
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1132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 24, 2020
What I liked:
1. The research - very nice research done on Runes, viking establishments and terms
2. The magic - the magic system is based on rune wielding, where one has the power to charge the rune (the Sjaelir) and the other to magically use the rune (the Runik).
3. The plot: supernatural god-like creature attacks two boys and changes their lives
What needs a bit of improvement and why this isn't a 5 star for me:
1. Telling versus showing - We are being told a lot how Isa and Rakkian feel and the historical background is told via narrative exposition most of the time.
2. Isa and Rakkian are nicely rounded MCs, but the rest of the supporting characters are pretty generic: the one we are supposed to hate because he is mean and envious, the one we are supposed to feel sympathy for because his father doesn't appreciate him, the one that is supposed to be a fatherly role model etc.
At this point don't expect any romantic feelings between the MCs, but I feel we are getting there in the next books.
Final rating 3.5.
I recommend you give this series a chance if you are interested in Icelandic themed sagas.
1. The research - very nice research done on Runes, viking establishments and terms
2. The magic - the magic system is based on rune wielding, where one has the power to charge the rune (the Sjaelir) and the other to magically use the rune (the Runik).
3. The plot: supernatural god-like creature attacks two boys and changes their lives
What needs a bit of improvement and why this isn't a 5 star for me:
1. Telling versus showing - We are being told a lot how Isa and Rakkian feel and the historical background is told via narrative exposition most of the time.
2. Isa and Rakkian are nicely rounded MCs, but the rest of the supporting characters are pretty generic: the one we are supposed to hate because he is mean and envious, the one we are supposed to feel sympathy for because his father doesn't appreciate him, the one that is supposed to be a fatherly role model etc.
At this point don't expect any romantic feelings between the MCs, but I feel we are getting there in the next books.
Final rating 3.5.
I recommend you give this series a chance if you are interested in Icelandic themed sagas.
August 11, 2019
I always have a difficult time keeping track of strange, foreign names and places; so they all just jumbled together nonsensically for me. I felt like our main characters had zero personality, and the world building just felt kinda incomplete. This was a pretty big let down after absolutely loving Zaya Feli’s Iron Breakers Trilogy.
October 15, 2018
Oh my god. It was damn amazing. I love it's world's building...and you know I'm sucker anything with Norse myrhlogy (and yet I never read any related to it except this book 😝)
and it was mind blasting too with all the gore and blood stuff.
and I do love all the characters (Isarin ❄ and even Skygge! 🐦 Such a sweet girl).
It's a fast pace reading and I think so far it was well written and you know what? I'm carving for the second book!
and it was mind blasting too with all the gore and blood stuff.
and I do love all the characters (Isarin ❄ and even Skygge! 🐦 Such a sweet girl).
It's a fast pace reading and I think so far it was well written and you know what? I'm carving for the second book!
July 7, 2018
This paints a vivid, and at times quite bleak, picture of norse-era society. Just so you're not mislead, this is pure YA fiction and is NOT mm romance.
April 4, 2020
Ok, I loved this book! It took a tiny second to get into it - the first few pages it felt like the main character's name was used too much (Isa did this, Isa thought that, Isa wanted what Isa wanted) but luckily this either stopped or the story was so engaging that I forgot about it.
I just need to also say that I am Nordic trash, and this book is so Nordic I love it! Battles, runes, gatherings, Gods - all the best stuff!
Talking about best stuff, Skygge exists. She is amazing. She's a raven and has the BEST personality of any animal companion you could ask for.
The story. We have Isa, who is a bit of an outcast in his village after his parents were killed and he was cursed. Rakkian, a westerner who has had a rough time. Taken from his home, escaped, then captured again, he just wants his freedom and wants to go home. And Karel, a character who appears part way through the book, with orders from his father to capture the creature that cursed Isa so he can save his dying sister.
Chuck in rune magic, the best raven ever, that lovely viking tradition of 'I want to destroy / own everything!' and you've got yourself a great story on your hands!
As you can see by the tags, this book does have lgbt themes, but if you're expecting a big ol' gay viking plot you may be disappointed (but hey, maybe check out Seidman ?) There's the potential that two of the main characters will get together in the next book (Feli is the queen of the slowest of burns) but there's no outright indication here. What we do have is a few convos here and there that are lgbt friendly. One girl talks about how she wants to marry a warrior woman, and one main character mentions that he doesn't like men or women (yes, imagine that! Asexual rep!)
Over all I'm really interested in reading the next book. Who knows, if I order it now it might get to me in a month! (for future me - it's quarantine time...that's why it would take ages)
I just need to also say that I am Nordic trash, and this book is so Nordic I love it! Battles, runes, gatherings, Gods - all the best stuff!
Talking about best stuff, Skygge exists. She is amazing. She's a raven and has the BEST personality of any animal companion you could ask for.
The story. We have Isa, who is a bit of an outcast in his village after his parents were killed and he was cursed. Rakkian, a westerner who has had a rough time. Taken from his home, escaped, then captured again, he just wants his freedom and wants to go home. And Karel, a character who appears part way through the book, with orders from his father to capture the creature that cursed Isa so he can save his dying sister.
Chuck in rune magic, the best raven ever, that lovely viking tradition of 'I want to destroy / own everything!' and you've got yourself a great story on your hands!
As you can see by the tags, this book does have lgbt themes, but if you're expecting a big ol' gay viking plot you may be disappointed (but hey, maybe check out Seidman ?) There's the potential that two of the main characters will get together in the next book (Feli is the queen of the slowest of burns) but there's no outright indication here. What we do have is a few convos here and there that are lgbt friendly. One girl talks about how she wants to marry a warrior woman, and one main character mentions that he doesn't like men or women (yes, imagine that! Asexual rep!)
Over all I'm really interested in reading the next book. Who knows, if I order it now it might get to me in a month! (for future me - it's quarantine time...that's why it would take ages)
December 6, 2018
Interesting YA fantasy inspired by Norse culture and mythology. I enjoyed the story and liked Isa, one of the MCs, but did not like the execution; it feels rushed, too fast paced. It dealt with long journeys in just a sentence or a paragraph and felt like all the plot took place during a long, nightmarish day. It lacks depth and atmosphere. Still I will probably give the next book a chance.
June 22, 2020
Well THAT just happened...
Talk about stressful endings. I must read the sequel right this instance.
Full review probably won’t come but I highly recommend this book. Zaya Feli writes such good fantasy and this one is based on Viking like characters, I loved the main characters and the SLOW BURN that is clearly there between Rakkian and Isa. If they don’t kiss in the next book I shall be very angry!!
(Pssst- there’s also a badass raven named Skygge!)
Talk about stressful endings. I must read the sequel right this instance.
Full review probably won’t come but I highly recommend this book. Zaya Feli writes such good fantasy and this one is based on Viking like characters, I loved the main characters and the SLOW BURN that is clearly there between Rakkian and Isa. If they don’t kiss in the next book I shall be very angry!!
(Pssst- there’s also a badass raven named Skygge!)
January 19, 2019
English/Español review.
3.5 stars.
I loved the built world because it is Nordic and I adore it. The story starts very interesting but for the middle part I think it lacked some action. I was waiting for something else to happen, because there are several interesting characters with good stories but almost none did anything. Everything began to move again for the end, that plot twist left me OMG and obviously I will read the book that follows because I want to know what will happen.
3,5 Estrellas.
Me encantó el mundo construido porque es Nórdico y adoro. La historia comienza super interesante pero para la parte del medio creo que le faltó algo de acción. Estaba esperando que pasara algo más, porque hay varios personajes interesantes y con buenas historias pero casi ninguno hizo nada. Todo se empezó a mover para el final ese plot twist me dejó OMG y obviamente voy a leer el libro que sigue porque quiero saber qué va a pasar.
3.5 stars.
I loved the built world because it is Nordic and I adore it. The story starts very interesting but for the middle part I think it lacked some action. I was waiting for something else to happen, because there are several interesting characters with good stories but almost none did anything. Everything began to move again for the end, that plot twist left me OMG and obviously I will read the book that follows because I want to know what will happen.
3,5 Estrellas.
Me encantó el mundo construido porque es Nórdico y adoro. La historia comienza super interesante pero para la parte del medio creo que le faltó algo de acción. Estaba esperando que pasara algo más, porque hay varios personajes interesantes y con buenas historias pero casi ninguno hizo nada. Todo se empezó a mover para el final ese plot twist me dejó OMG y obviamente voy a leer el libro que sigue porque quiero saber qué va a pasar.
August 26, 2020
I'm a big fan of Zaya Feli's books so I bought this with many expectations. I am happy to say that I wasn't disappointed! Teeth embodied the ~vibes~ of her previous works that I've read.
Recently I have been in need of Viking/medieval/fantasy stories and for those I always turn to Feli's works (not to mention her beautiful art work!!).
World building in The Icefjord Saga was one of the greatest points of this book and series as a whole. I enjoyed the old, norse language, however I got kind of lost with all the new names and information. The characters were complicated, their backgrounds in the shades of gray, not just black and white and it obviously takes a while for their character arch to make sense. Maybe that's why I usually enjoy the following books of series much more.
This is a good story so 3.5/5.
Recently I have been in need of Viking/medieval/fantasy stories and for those I always turn to Feli's works (not to mention her beautiful art work!!).
World building in The Icefjord Saga was one of the greatest points of this book and series as a whole. I enjoyed the old, norse language, however I got kind of lost with all the new names and information. The characters were complicated, their backgrounds in the shades of gray, not just black and white and it obviously takes a while for their character arch to make sense. Maybe that's why I usually enjoy the following books of series much more.
This is a good story so 3.5/5.
August 14, 2018
WHERE IS THE SECOND BOOK?
Earlier this year I read the Iron Breakers series and absolutely loved it and so I was looking forward to this book.
I enjoyed this book so so much. The story and the characters are super interesting! I loved the world that was created, I loved the magic, I loved Skygge. It was great. Can't wait for the second book! I'm so curious what is going to happen next.
Earlier this year I read the Iron Breakers series and absolutely loved it and so I was looking forward to this book.
I enjoyed this book so so much. The story and the characters are super interesting! I loved the world that was created, I loved the magic, I loved Skygge. It was great. Can't wait for the second book! I'm so curious what is going to happen next.
January 20, 2020
Overall, I had my gripes with this book, though I think that is due in part to the fact that I do not dwell well with the setting. It's a rough and merciless one, of course, and that doesn't speak much to me right now.
Overall it was a pretty juicy set-up to the second half of the series, though, so I'm looking forward to watching these three stories unfold!
Overall it was a pretty juicy set-up to the second half of the series, though, so I'm looking forward to watching these three stories unfold!
July 3, 2018
Actual rate: 4.50 stars
October 9, 2018
This book brings the Vikings to life in a magical way!
January 19, 2019
4.5*
Fantasía + Vikingos + Representación LGBT+, ¿qué podría salir mal? Nada.
RTC.
Fantasía + Vikingos + Representación LGBT+, ¿qué podría salir mal? Nada.
RTC.
August 6, 2021
TEETH was a very interesting read and I liked that this was focused on Norse mythology which isn't something I've come across too much. I got pretty immersed in the world but I will admit there were a few things that took a little bit for me to understand. There were a lot of plot lines going on but most of the story centers around Isa, a young man who was attacked and bitten by the Varg (wolf like creatures feared by the people of the Icefjord) as a child. The bite left a strange mark on his shoulder and the people of Ulfheim, as well as Isa, believe that he's cursed by the Varg. However, Isa has made a life for himself as one of Ulfheim's Runiks which are basically people who can use and control magic infused runes. Everything begins to change when a neighboring clan tries to trick and attack Ulfheim during what's supposed to be a peaceful meeting. These events end with Rakkian, a servant from the neighboring clan, being held by Ulfheim. When it's discovered that Rakkian is a Sjaelir, meaning he has power inside his body that Runik's can drain and place in runes to use later, Ulfheim's leader decides to keep him around. But it turns out that Isa knows Rakkian, they met years before and this meeting was the catalyst to Isa being attacked by the Varg.
Things progress from there and only get more complex and interwoven. While the plot was sometimes a little convoluted I did really like both Isa and Rakkian, who are a lot younger than I was expecting at only 19 and 17. Because of his curse, Isa is a loner and he's used to pushing people away. He keeps his thoughts and emotions close to the chest and rarely leans on anyone else. In contrast, Rakkian is a welcoming and upbeat young man even though life has not been kind to him. He was taken as a child from his home and has been shuffled around several times as a servant. He has no idea what a Sjaelir is and it comes as quite the shock and he struggles to understand how the relationship between Runik and Sjaelir can be open and about free will. And I'll admit as the reader, even I struggled with this. The other Sjaelir in Ulfheim are not considered servants or slaves but it's also expected that they'll allow their magic to be drained whenever a Runik needs it. But even with all this, Rakkian remains so soft and sweet and just really compassionate toward other people, especially Isa. While there's absolutely no romance between Isa and Rakkian, there are a few hints that things could develop in the 2nd book.
In addition to Isa and Rakkian there is also another main character who was intriguing. Karel is the son of the Fenrisborg ruler and he's been tasked with finding and capturing the Varg so that he can hopefully save his sister who is ill. He comes to Ulfheim looking for the Varg and finds himself wrapped up in the events unfolding there. Karel is a fairly morally ambiguous character but I found his story heartbreaking as more of it is revealed.
My biggest complaint is that it felt like a lot of things were happening to Isa and Rakkian and they were just swept along instead of being the ones to push the story forward. It was a lot of reaction instead of action. The last 25% of the story really ramps up and the end was a big surprise. It's also a bit of a cliffhanger so be ready with the 2nd book!
Things progress from there and only get more complex and interwoven. While the plot was sometimes a little convoluted I did really like both Isa and Rakkian, who are a lot younger than I was expecting at only 19 and 17. Because of his curse, Isa is a loner and he's used to pushing people away. He keeps his thoughts and emotions close to the chest and rarely leans on anyone else. In contrast, Rakkian is a welcoming and upbeat young man even though life has not been kind to him. He was taken as a child from his home and has been shuffled around several times as a servant. He has no idea what a Sjaelir is and it comes as quite the shock and he struggles to understand how the relationship between Runik and Sjaelir can be open and about free will. And I'll admit as the reader, even I struggled with this. The other Sjaelir in Ulfheim are not considered servants or slaves but it's also expected that they'll allow their magic to be drained whenever a Runik needs it. But even with all this, Rakkian remains so soft and sweet and just really compassionate toward other people, especially Isa. While there's absolutely no romance between Isa and Rakkian, there are a few hints that things could develop in the 2nd book.
In addition to Isa and Rakkian there is also another main character who was intriguing. Karel is the son of the Fenrisborg ruler and he's been tasked with finding and capturing the Varg so that he can hopefully save his sister who is ill. He comes to Ulfheim looking for the Varg and finds himself wrapped up in the events unfolding there. Karel is a fairly morally ambiguous character but I found his story heartbreaking as more of it is revealed.
My biggest complaint is that it felt like a lot of things were happening to Isa and Rakkian and they were just swept along instead of being the ones to push the story forward. It was a lot of reaction instead of action. The last 25% of the story really ramps up and the end was a big surprise. It's also a bit of a cliffhanger so be ready with the 2nd book!
July 3, 2018
NOOO----!
soo good.
WHY DID IT HAVE TO END ALREADY??? T____T
soo intense.
I AM DYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NOW!
soo gripping.
I NEED BOOK #2 RIGHT NOW!!!
soo soo soo exciting.
Oh, Isa.
My heart breaks for you, but I'm also weeping for sweet little Rakki *sigh*
And Skygge – sweet gurl!
I know everyone always said that but I honestly couldn't put it down!
THIS is exactly what I miss in this genre. I do hope Zaya Feli has another hundred stories she will bring us! I've been a huge fan since Stag's Run.
All of her books are all full of the most fantastic characters who'll slowly steal their way into your heart!
I cannot recommend TEETH enough.
soo good.
WHY DID IT HAVE TO END ALREADY??? T____T
soo intense.
I AM DYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NOW!
soo gripping.
I NEED BOOK #2 RIGHT NOW!!!
soo soo soo exciting.
Oh, Isa.
My heart breaks for you, but I'm also weeping for sweet little Rakki *sigh*
And Skygge – sweet gurl!
I know everyone always said that but I honestly couldn't put it down!
THIS is exactly what I miss in this genre. I do hope Zaya Feli has another hundred stories she will bring us! I've been a huge fan since Stag's Run.
All of her books are all full of the most fantastic characters who'll slowly steal their way into your heart!
I cannot recommend TEETH enough.
April 13, 2019
As it’s the case with most self-published works, most of the issues I found were mostly from a lack of editing. I did find the story interesting enough to read it twice in a row so I could give it a fair review than I would have If I had read it once. It's a fairly short book so i didn't really care about “wasting” reading time. Now, in my and the author’s defense, I read this book on my Easy Reader app while working and in my daily transit, which means I could have easily passed by a few details that could have enriched my experience. The monotone tone off the app and the fact that I was busy doing something else entirely kind of always play in my enjoyment when making my phone read a book instead of my eyes, so I try to not be so hard on the books read that way.
I must say that that the whole feeling of the very first half (mostly everything happening before Jættedahl) is of a stumble, the story stumbles forward, the equivalent of someone behind me screaming “CHOP CHOP” while I read. It needs to -breathe-, as it is it only feels like the author just wanted to get to the good part. It would have been nicer in the prologue to have a bigger portion about Isa’s life and his loneliness as a child (which was just briefly mentioned, I need to SEE it to FEEL it, show don’t tell my friends!).
Same thing as Isa and Rakkian’s meeting, they should have hung out longer than two or three days. Maybe a few weeks of Isa sneaking around the village, so that their reunion has more significance later. You know one of my most favorite tropes is people reuniting after years of separation and for this one to leave me meh? Their relation needed more buildup. So that when they’re on nickname basis after two days, it just feels weird, you never see it happening, it's just there after the second day.
All this extra time could have allowed the author to include more world building, I want to know more about Runiks, Sjaelirs, seers, all that magic system, about what a Jalr is the whole system of the village and the surrounding villages and Fenrisborg, etc. As children they just gloss over some of it. It was a perfect opportunity for us the audience to learn more about it through Isa teaching Rakkian.
Even more so because in a certain perspective, not a lot happens and since it’s a fairly small book, it’s not as if there was a need to cut it short. From what I found out there will only be two books in this series, it could have probably been a single book for the content present in book one or it could have been longer in two books. Instead we have two books with limited content that would have easily had more depth.
Plot wise, I somehow knew right off the bat that the Varg was Rakkian somehow? I don’t know why or how, but when Karel thought it was Isa I just went “Is he though?” (hahaha Thor reference for a norse story, THEMATICS). Un chapter 6 you get « Could it really be that Karel had found the Varg already? » this right there puts a doubt in the reader. Because it’s so common for characters have this kind of thought only to find out they were wrong all along that in our day and age, it’s not a twist anymore. So now when we get to these lines, we know that the character is off track. Sooooo, it should have been someone else, then use Isa as red herring so when it’s revealed to be Rakkian it comes as a surprise. And since the Varg only appears or acts when Rakkian gets to Ulfheim we’re naturally tempted to think it’s him. The characters only mention the fact that the Varg reappeared when Rakkian comes to the village near the end and THEN throw us off the track from Rakkian to Isa by saying that the Varg was reacting to a strong Sjaelir energy, it’s already way too late, it should have come much sooner.
There’s some writing bits that I noted:
-Physical closeness is often describe in the same ways “Face centimeters appart”, “Could feel his breath on his face”, “could smell the mead on his breath” and so on. Sometimes when you write you don’t notice your patterns and that’s why proof readers are so important, it offers a outside view.
-Now it’s said at one point that Isa never smiles while in chapter one we see him grin and laugh in the same conversation (and laugh again in chapter four and grin another time later in the book) and I know that a grin is not a smile and a laugh doesn't necessarily mean smiling either, but I don’t feel that if someone were to grin and/or laugh that he’d be labelled as someone who never smiles? I don’t know man.
For the positive stuff I have to say.
-The ending is successfully intriguing so that even if I saw the Varg plotwist coming I’m still satisfied with the ending. Which means I do want to read the next book because I do want to know what the eff that was.
-I have adopted many children now thank you it’s not like I needed more, but here we are.
-The theme for characters in books nowadays is all about badassery and stuff, so it’s very refreshing to see a kind character and to see all of them being afraid whether it’s of fights, boats or puppies.
-Cute gays checking out strong gays wrestling, yes good. Thank you.
-There are a lot of stuff that got me going “wait was this even a thing yet in those days” then remembered that they’re Vikings and the chances that it was, in fact, a thing were high.
-I love love when there’s a character compendium in books
All in all I liked it, it wasn’t perfect, but I can’t really give a hard(er) time to a book that wasn’t handled by a publisher which is also why I tried to keep my review constructive.
Ps: For the love of dear god please include a pronunciation guide.
I must say that that the whole feeling of the very first half (mostly everything happening before Jættedahl) is of a stumble, the story stumbles forward, the equivalent of someone behind me screaming “CHOP CHOP” while I read. It needs to -breathe-, as it is it only feels like the author just wanted to get to the good part. It would have been nicer in the prologue to have a bigger portion about Isa’s life and his loneliness as a child (which was just briefly mentioned, I need to SEE it to FEEL it, show don’t tell my friends!).
Same thing as Isa and Rakkian’s meeting, they should have hung out longer than two or three days. Maybe a few weeks of Isa sneaking around the village, so that their reunion has more significance later. You know one of my most favorite tropes is people reuniting after years of separation and for this one to leave me meh? Their relation needed more buildup. So that when they’re on nickname basis after two days, it just feels weird, you never see it happening, it's just there after the second day.
All this extra time could have allowed the author to include more world building, I want to know more about Runiks, Sjaelirs, seers, all that magic system, about what a Jalr is the whole system of the village and the surrounding villages and Fenrisborg, etc. As children they just gloss over some of it. It was a perfect opportunity for us the audience to learn more about it through Isa teaching Rakkian.
Even more so because in a certain perspective, not a lot happens and since it’s a fairly small book, it’s not as if there was a need to cut it short. From what I found out there will only be two books in this series, it could have probably been a single book for the content present in book one or it could have been longer in two books. Instead we have two books with limited content that would have easily had more depth.
Plot wise, I somehow knew right off the bat that the Varg was Rakkian somehow? I don’t know why or how, but when Karel thought it was Isa I just went “Is he though?” (hahaha Thor reference for a norse story, THEMATICS). Un chapter 6 you get « Could it really be that Karel had found the Varg already? » this right there puts a doubt in the reader. Because it’s so common for characters have this kind of thought only to find out they were wrong all along that in our day and age, it’s not a twist anymore. So now when we get to these lines, we know that the character is off track. Sooooo, it should have been someone else, then use Isa as red herring so when it’s revealed to be Rakkian it comes as a surprise. And since the Varg only appears or acts when Rakkian gets to Ulfheim we’re naturally tempted to think it’s him. The characters only mention the fact that the Varg reappeared when Rakkian comes to the village near the end and THEN throw us off the track from Rakkian to Isa by saying that the Varg was reacting to a strong Sjaelir energy, it’s already way too late, it should have come much sooner.
There’s some writing bits that I noted:
-Physical closeness is often describe in the same ways “Face centimeters appart”, “Could feel his breath on his face”, “could smell the mead on his breath” and so on. Sometimes when you write you don’t notice your patterns and that’s why proof readers are so important, it offers a outside view.
-Now it’s said at one point that Isa never smiles while in chapter one we see him grin and laugh in the same conversation (and laugh again in chapter four and grin another time later in the book) and I know that a grin is not a smile and a laugh doesn't necessarily mean smiling either, but I don’t feel that if someone were to grin and/or laugh that he’d be labelled as someone who never smiles? I don’t know man.
For the positive stuff I have to say.
-The ending is successfully intriguing so that even if I saw the Varg plotwist coming I’m still satisfied with the ending. Which means I do want to read the next book because I do want to know what the eff that was.
-I have adopted many children now thank you it’s not like I needed more, but here we are.
-The theme for characters in books nowadays is all about badassery and stuff, so it’s very refreshing to see a kind character and to see all of them being afraid whether it’s of fights, boats or puppies.
-Cute gays checking out strong gays wrestling, yes good. Thank you.
-There are a lot of stuff that got me going “wait was this even a thing yet in those days” then remembered that they’re Vikings and the chances that it was, in fact, a thing were high.
-I love love when there’s a character compendium in books
All in all I liked it, it wasn’t perfect, but I can’t really give a hard(er) time to a book that wasn’t handled by a publisher which is also why I tried to keep my review constructive.
Ps: For the love of dear god please include a pronunciation guide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2019
I'll be short, cause I literally can't wait to read the second book .
I love Zaya Feli.
She is one of those authors I always wonder how come they're not more popular, but that's a different topic.
Awesome setting, very well researched- but as the Author has said- that's her home :)
As in her previous books, Zaya never portraits a one-dimensional character. So I am really interested in seeing more of "the enemy", I feel he's slowly stealing my heart.
Oh- and of course - I am crazy about Isa, but that was expected .
I love Zaya Feli.
She is one of those authors I always wonder how come they're not more popular, but that's a different topic.
Awesome setting, very well researched- but as the Author has said- that's her home :)
As in her previous books, Zaya never portraits a one-dimensional character. So I am really interested in seeing more of "the enemy", I feel he's slowly stealing my heart.
Oh- and of course - I am crazy about Isa, but that was expected .
August 11, 2024
I had a good time with this one.
It's been a hot minute since I've reviewed a YA on here so I think this was a good one to step back in with.
I think it was an immersive and exciting first book in the series. I would have liked a little more showing than telling but it has such a digestible style. I like that we have a slow burn romance going on here as well. I think it really allows us to get to know the characters as individuals first instead of halves of a whole.
Overall a great start to this series.
It's been a hot minute since I've reviewed a YA on here so I think this was a good one to step back in with.
I think it was an immersive and exciting first book in the series. I would have liked a little more showing than telling but it has such a digestible style. I like that we have a slow burn romance going on here as well. I think it really allows us to get to know the characters as individuals first instead of halves of a whole.
Overall a great start to this series.
August 7, 2018
4.75 stars, but happy to round up to 5.
Reading Zaya Feli’s work always feels very personal for me. I read Stag’s Run not two weeks after its original release and followed it through every book that came after, thoroughly enjoying it to the end. I’ll admit, I had some issues with the first book and wrote a rather long (and embarrassingly) ranty review that I took back a month later after realising I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and it had somehow snuck it’s way into my heart. After that, I eagerly awaited each sequel and was pleased to see the story only get better with each book. And once Iron Breakers ended, I could only contain my excitement for Zaya Feli’s next series - The Icefjord Saga.
It’s first book - Teeth - I feel is Zaya Feli’s best work so far. This is not a poke at my previously mentioned issues with Iron Breakers, but rather an acknowledgement of the author’s incredible improvement since her first release in 2016. I’ve always liked Zaya Feli’s writing - it's very clear and not over-complicated as some fantasy novels tend to do - but this is them at their best. It was very immersive from the start, although I will admit if I had one poke to make, it’s that modern swearing in medieval fantasy fiction really does throw me off… I’m not sure why, but it does. It wasn’t a dealbreaker anyway, just something I couldn’t help picking up on as something I wasn’t a fan of.
The Norse inspiration for this book was very interesting, even if Norse mythology is definitely not a subject I know anything about. Or at least, anymore. A rather fun coincidence while picking up Teeth was that I also happened to be reading Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series alongside… which certainly didn’t make it any easier to understand, but both made similar references so at the very least it was familiar and I feel like I learnt some things after finishing them both.
I highly enjoyed all of our three protagonists; Edgy, Pure, and Tired- I mean, Isa, Rakki, and Best Boy Karel. But I think we can all agree that best Skygge is by far Best Girl and the true showstopper. You might think ravens would be considered a slightly overused trope by now, but honestly I never tire of raven sidekicks (not that I would ever consider Skygge a sidekick when she is the honest MVP).
Although I am happy to give this book a five star, I still stand by my 4.75 star rating. I didn’t want to take the star away from the actual review, but I have to admit that there was still something about the book that didn’t quite sit right with me and it took me a why to figure out what it was and it’s honestly one of the issues I had with Iron Breakers too, now that I think of it.
While The Icefjord Saga is classed as a trilogy (or likely going to be, please don’t hold me to that) it is not technically a trilogy, but rather going to be a three-fold story told across three books. And because of this, the story reads with very little closure. It just sort of ends. Iron Breakers did this for the first and second books too and it was a little disappointing really (but also book two was super painful and I desperately needed book three), because I feel like that kind of waiting can really play with how immersive a story can be.
Teeth of course does this too, ending on a cliff-hanger - and I’m sure book two will also do something similar. Perhaps I’m just subjective, but I’ve always felt like books in a duology/trilogy/etc, each book should be able to comfortably have a beginning and ending that offers some kind of closure. Not for everything, but enough that it doesn’t just feel like you’re being thrown out of a story with nothing but a “to be continued”.
I’m not saying I dislike it entirely, but I do have to wonder on splitting what is essentially one long book into three individual books. Not that I’m complaining about having more pretty books to purchase, but it’s something I’ve thought about.
Well, this review got a little long but I think it accurately shows my feelings for the book. At least some of them. I’m super stoked for this new series and am really looking forward to what’s to come. I highly recommend following Zaya Feli on Tumblr if you’re anything like me and am constantly stalking for new information.
Reading Zaya Feli’s work always feels very personal for me. I read Stag’s Run not two weeks after its original release and followed it through every book that came after, thoroughly enjoying it to the end. I’ll admit, I had some issues with the first book and wrote a rather long (and embarrassingly) ranty review that I took back a month later after realising I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and it had somehow snuck it’s way into my heart. After that, I eagerly awaited each sequel and was pleased to see the story only get better with each book. And once Iron Breakers ended, I could only contain my excitement for Zaya Feli’s next series - The Icefjord Saga.
It’s first book - Teeth - I feel is Zaya Feli’s best work so far. This is not a poke at my previously mentioned issues with Iron Breakers, but rather an acknowledgement of the author’s incredible improvement since her first release in 2016. I’ve always liked Zaya Feli’s writing - it's very clear and not over-complicated as some fantasy novels tend to do - but this is them at their best. It was very immersive from the start, although I will admit if I had one poke to make, it’s that modern swearing in medieval fantasy fiction really does throw me off… I’m not sure why, but it does. It wasn’t a dealbreaker anyway, just something I couldn’t help picking up on as something I wasn’t a fan of.
The Norse inspiration for this book was very interesting, even if Norse mythology is definitely not a subject I know anything about. Or at least, anymore. A rather fun coincidence while picking up Teeth was that I also happened to be reading Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series alongside… which certainly didn’t make it any easier to understand, but both made similar references so at the very least it was familiar and I feel like I learnt some things after finishing them both.
I highly enjoyed all of our three protagonists; Edgy, Pure, and Tired- I mean, Isa, Rakki, and Best Boy Karel. But I think we can all agree that best Skygge is by far Best Girl and the true showstopper. You might think ravens would be considered a slightly overused trope by now, but honestly I never tire of raven sidekicks (not that I would ever consider Skygge a sidekick when she is the honest MVP).
Although I am happy to give this book a five star, I still stand by my 4.75 star rating. I didn’t want to take the star away from the actual review, but I have to admit that there was still something about the book that didn’t quite sit right with me and it took me a why to figure out what it was and it’s honestly one of the issues I had with Iron Breakers too, now that I think of it.
While The Icefjord Saga is classed as a trilogy (or likely going to be, please don’t hold me to that) it is not technically a trilogy, but rather going to be a three-fold story told across three books. And because of this, the story reads with very little closure. It just sort of ends. Iron Breakers did this for the first and second books too and it was a little disappointing really (but also book two was super painful and I desperately needed book three), because I feel like that kind of waiting can really play with how immersive a story can be.
Teeth of course does this too, ending on a cliff-hanger - and I’m sure book two will also do something similar. Perhaps I’m just subjective, but I’ve always felt like books in a duology/trilogy/etc, each book should be able to comfortably have a beginning and ending that offers some kind of closure. Not for everything, but enough that it doesn’t just feel like you’re being thrown out of a story with nothing but a “to be continued”.
I’m not saying I dislike it entirely, but I do have to wonder on splitting what is essentially one long book into three individual books. Not that I’m complaining about having more pretty books to purchase, but it’s something I’ve thought about.
Well, this review got a little long but I think it accurately shows my feelings for the book. At least some of them. I’m super stoked for this new series and am really looking forward to what’s to come. I highly recommend following Zaya Feli on Tumblr if you’re anything like me and am constantly stalking for new information.
July 7, 2018
I loved this book! But, I didn't expect anything less from Zaya Feli, after the fantastic Iron Breakers trilogy.
The rune magic and the roles of Runiks and Sjealir in Teeth are fascinating, and the information about the runes is also educational. This Viking age saga is imaginative and harsh. There is no love lost between the clans, especially Ulfheim and Fenrisborg. There is violence and blood in this world (you expect less from Vikings?) There is also plotting and scheming, some blunt and brutal, some almost Machiavellian. But, just as the story gets too harsh and gloomy, along will come a glimmer of hope or tenderness that will keep you going.
Isa and Rakki are tragic and charming, and I want to know what will happen to them next. They met as children when Isa helped an injured Rakki. Rakki's world had been torn from him, his future was uncertain, but the thing he most wanted to know from Isa was, "Are we friends?" Isa is a gentle child when we first meet him, much too sensitive for the harshness that would be Viking daily life. When we see him again six years later, life has molded him into a harsher reflection. Is the sweet Isa still in there somewhere?
The story really gets going when Isa and Rikka's meet again, and nothing will be the same. I need to know if their meeting is fate, a curse, or maybe a reward?
Karel is an enigma. We are told his objectives up front, but then we are slowly given more of his story in flashes. By the end of this book, it still feels like he has more of his past to tell.
Even the raven, Skygge is a character I find myself rooting for, chuckling at her antics, and gasping at her travails.
This is just as engrossing as Zaya's Iron Breakers trilogy. My only complaint is that we already know this is a duology, and two books will be too short of a visit to Isa, Rakki, Karen, and Skygge.
The rune magic and the roles of Runiks and Sjealir in Teeth are fascinating, and the information about the runes is also educational. This Viking age saga is imaginative and harsh. There is no love lost between the clans, especially Ulfheim and Fenrisborg. There is violence and blood in this world (you expect less from Vikings?) There is also plotting and scheming, some blunt and brutal, some almost Machiavellian. But, just as the story gets too harsh and gloomy, along will come a glimmer of hope or tenderness that will keep you going.
Isa and Rakki are tragic and charming, and I want to know what will happen to them next. They met as children when Isa helped an injured Rakki. Rakki's world had been torn from him, his future was uncertain, but the thing he most wanted to know from Isa was, "Are we friends?" Isa is a gentle child when we first meet him, much too sensitive for the harshness that would be Viking daily life. When we see him again six years later, life has molded him into a harsher reflection. Is the sweet Isa still in there somewhere?
The story really gets going when Isa and Rikka's meet again, and nothing will be the same. I need to know if their meeting is fate, a curse, or maybe a reward?
Karel is an enigma. We are told his objectives up front, but then we are slowly given more of his story in flashes. By the end of this book, it still feels like he has more of his past to tell.
Even the raven, Skygge is a character I find myself rooting for, chuckling at her antics, and gasping at her travails.
This is just as engrossing as Zaya's Iron Breakers trilogy. My only complaint is that we already know this is a duology, and two books will be too short of a visit to Isa, Rakki, Karen, and Skygge.
January 10, 2021
Oof. I’m very torn if I’m gonna want to read the sequel. On the one hand I did enjoy the books atmosphere, the Nordic setting, and the unique premise behind it all (not to mention I have had my interest piqued by the asexual Viking prince). However, the writing itself left much to be desired. There were many scenes that would have benefited from deeper descriptions especially the actions. I would have loved more details of clashing sides, flashing weapons, the spray of blood. Instead many scenes (and this is not solely the action scenes) felt brushed over. Which really took away from the story and made it more difficult to be immersed in. Following that I felt like some moments weren’t really explained or made much sense? Like I’m still not sure why Karel drugged Isa and took him to the boat?? Only to immediately then leave him sleeping by a tree?? I was convinced he was going to try and kidnap him but what we got instead was basically just a conversation between them and Isa mistaking Karel for Rakkian.
So... yeah. It was enjoyable enough, kept my attention and was a very quick read, but I’m just not sure I liked it enough to put in the effort to get my hands on the sequel. Especially when I have so many other books on my tbr list that may be more promising. Though I will admit I am a bit intrigued to see how this will wrap up...
So... yeah. It was enjoyable enough, kept my attention and was a very quick read, but I’m just not sure I liked it enough to put in the effort to get my hands on the sequel. Especially when I have so many other books on my tbr list that may be more promising. Though I will admit I am a bit intrigued to see how this will wrap up...
September 6, 2020
Grrr
I really, really wanted to like this book, but I’m ending it feeling unbelievably frustrated, so much so that I don’t want tor read the second book. These characters are all like 1/2 to 3/4 of who they had the potential to be. Like yes there were a few twists but it’s like, the main characters ended up feeling weak and lacking conviction in who they were, so much that I genuinely disliked the direction it ended up going in. It’s like a few other reviews mentioned; the main characters didn’t drive the story, they were constantly reacting to the actions of minor side characters, to the point that the minor side characters might as well have been the main characters lol. I think this had a lot of potential but maybe that’s on me for not really understanding that this was a very soft adult fantasy book heavily leaning toward young adult. Nothing wrong with that but I wish it had been noted so I could modify my expectations. I think you’d like this book if you love Norse mythology and maybe a gentler storyline? Idk. it’s definitely overall well written and didn’t have an issue with grammar of just general writing style which is like half the battle.
I really, really wanted to like this book, but I’m ending it feeling unbelievably frustrated, so much so that I don’t want tor read the second book. These characters are all like 1/2 to 3/4 of who they had the potential to be. Like yes there were a few twists but it’s like, the main characters ended up feeling weak and lacking conviction in who they were, so much that I genuinely disliked the direction it ended up going in. It’s like a few other reviews mentioned; the main characters didn’t drive the story, they were constantly reacting to the actions of minor side characters, to the point that the minor side characters might as well have been the main characters lol. I think this had a lot of potential but maybe that’s on me for not really understanding that this was a very soft adult fantasy book heavily leaning toward young adult. Nothing wrong with that but I wish it had been noted so I could modify my expectations. I think you’d like this book if you love Norse mythology and maybe a gentler storyline? Idk. it’s definitely overall well written and didn’t have an issue with grammar of just general writing style which is like half the battle.
October 14, 2019
3.5 stars
This story begins with Rakki, a boy taken from his home and sailed across the Icefjord. He escapes and wanders to the edge of the ward around Ulfheim where he is found by Isa. The boys are attacked by the Varg, an animal god that's basically a big scary wolf. The Varg disappears. Isa tells Rakki to flee and Isa is left with a curse spreading toward his heart. When Rakki finds himself in Ulfheim once again, six years later, horrible things start happening.
The jarl is dead, they've been infiltrated by Prince Karel of Fenrisborg, and Isa's curse is spreading.
I like this story. I don't think I've ever read any fiction in this setting before. And I like the magical element with the runes, the Runiks and the Sjaelirs.
Rakki is too much of a cinnamon roll for me to be okay with how upset Isa is with him by the end of the book. But is Isa right? How much is Rakki being manipulated?
This story begins with Rakki, a boy taken from his home and sailed across the Icefjord. He escapes and wanders to the edge of the ward around Ulfheim where he is found by Isa. The boys are attacked by the Varg, an animal god that's basically a big scary wolf. The Varg disappears. Isa tells Rakki to flee and Isa is left with a curse spreading toward his heart. When Rakki finds himself in Ulfheim once again, six years later, horrible things start happening.
The jarl is dead, they've been infiltrated by Prince Karel of Fenrisborg, and Isa's curse is spreading.
I like this story. I don't think I've ever read any fiction in this setting before. And I like the magical element with the runes, the Runiks and the Sjaelirs.
Rakki is too much of a cinnamon roll for me to be okay with how upset Isa is with him by the end of the book. But is Isa right? How much is Rakki being manipulated?
May 17, 2020
This is a story about three boys all trying to do the right thing, but not always able to, or sure of what the right thing always is. Isa has been cursed since he fought the monster that killed his parents, Rakkian has been enslaved again and again and is no longer certain of where home even is, and Karel is trying to save his sister and prove his father that he is worthy. These three collide in a story of love, friendship, and family, all of them trying to figure out what those words mean for them.
I really loved Isa and Rakkian and how their relationship unfolds, how they're becoming friends in this first book, how they save each other again and again, even when it might seem like they should be on opposite sides of the fight. And Karel was just great (ace rep!!), and I love how he's learning what the right thing is, how his father maybe isn't worthy of his devotion and loyalty.
The northern viking setting of this story was so great and well done, and I loved getting the politics between the different clans and how they interacted and formed alliances and all. Also, I was a huge fan of the queer diversity we got to see here, with Raki and Isa, Alma and Signy, and then Karel being ace.
TW: parental manipulation/abuse, parent death in the past, abuse/enslavement
I really loved Isa and Rakkian and how their relationship unfolds, how they're becoming friends in this first book, how they save each other again and again, even when it might seem like they should be on opposite sides of the fight. And Karel was just great (ace rep!!), and I love how he's learning what the right thing is, how his father maybe isn't worthy of his devotion and loyalty.
The northern viking setting of this story was so great and well done, and I loved getting the politics between the different clans and how they interacted and formed alliances and all. Also, I was a huge fan of the queer diversity we got to see here, with Raki and Isa, Alma and Signy, and then Karel being ace.
TW: parental manipulation/abuse, parent death in the past, abuse/enslavement
December 26, 2021
I really liked the characters in this book and the Norse mythology atmosphere. But there were several things that took away from the enjoyment of the story. The main characters did very little, it was more like things happened to them through the story. This also became annoying and repetitive, because how many times can you get into trouble for a similar reason, not actually do anything about it, and it still be enjoyable for the reader? Also, for most of this book the 2 MCs are doing things apart. Because of this, they don’t really bond with each other, so the great chemistry they had in the beginning of the story slowly dissipates by the end. I’m not sure about the sequel - I want to read it to see if things improve, because the beginning of this story was pretty good, but if it continues in the vein of the second half of this book, it will just make me more frustrated.
July 23, 2018
This is my second saga from this author, and once again, I'm in love ! This is very different of Iron Breakers, by I think I already prefer Teeth, maybe because the universe turns around the Nordic Mythology, which I really adore.
The story is captivating and I was in love with the main characters two pages after the beginning.
For me, this first book of the saga reunites all the ingredients to enjoy a very good moment of reading ; magic, myths, love and hate, fear, blood, creatures... This is all I love to found in a fantasy story, and I was far from disappointed !
At the very end, surprises comes along, and I CANNOT WAIT to have the next book. I NEED to read it. And for me, it's the definition of a perfect first. The wait until next will be torture.
The story is captivating and I was in love with the main characters two pages after the beginning.
For me, this first book of the saga reunites all the ingredients to enjoy a very good moment of reading ; magic, myths, love and hate, fear, blood, creatures... This is all I love to found in a fantasy story, and I was far from disappointed !
At the very end, surprises comes along, and I CANNOT WAIT to have the next book. I NEED to read it. And for me, it's the definition of a perfect first. The wait until next will be torture.
August 1, 2018
This book did such a good job at bringing me into the Norse world and explaining it so beautifully! I especially loved the characters Isa, Rakki, and of course who wouldn't love Skygge.
The ending surprised me I honestly did not expect that and I was pretty shocked. it was actually a really cool plot twist. I do have to say that I did not like how Isa handled the situation at the end but it's a reasonable reaction I suppose. all I wanted was to read the next book right away, maybe it was for the best because I need a minute after that ending.
I had so much confidence that Zaya Feli would make another great book after the Iron Breakers trilogy that I pre-ordered the ebook and now I'm getting a paperback copy to add to my library and re-read it.
The ending surprised me I honestly did not expect that and I was pretty shocked. it was actually a really cool plot twist. I do have to say that I did not like how Isa handled the situation at the end but it's a reasonable reaction I suppose. all I wanted was to read the next book right away, maybe it was for the best because I need a minute after that ending.
I had so much confidence that Zaya Feli would make another great book after the Iron Breakers trilogy that I pre-ordered the ebook and now I'm getting a paperback copy to add to my library and re-read it.
November 6, 2018
This ended up much better than I expected. I don't know why but I was expecting a massively complicated, hard to read fantasy. It turned out that it is written very well and the world building is really good. The atmosphere and setting of this was very vivid and immerse.
I am a fan of Norse mythology and Skyrim so this book was amazing for me. The non English words and names weren't too hard and my playing countless hours of Skyrim helped me greatly with pronunciation.
I liked our main characters Isa and Rakkian. They were both a delight to read. I need so much more of them.
My one complaint with this book is that it felt so short. I'm completely invested in this series and I can't wait for the next book.
I am a fan of Norse mythology and Skyrim so this book was amazing for me. The non English words and names weren't too hard and my playing countless hours of Skyrim helped me greatly with pronunciation.
I liked our main characters Isa and Rakkian. They were both a delight to read. I need so much more of them.
My one complaint with this book is that it felt so short. I'm completely invested in this series and I can't wait for the next book.
July 8, 2020
Mixed feelings about this one. Interesting magic themes and world building based on ancient Icelandic lore (I think). The writing carries the story well and the MC’s are well portrayed; it is very much a young adult novel - apart from the violence and amount of bloodletting, although that fits well with the historical period feel. I liked the colloquial, current day language as unless your going the whole hog for ancient Viking speak, don’t bother. However, left too much on a cliffhangar for me; I’m happy with a sequel but I do want some feeling of closure at the end of a book. Agree with other reviewers, the art is amazing and is what caught my attention.
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