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The Björkan Sagas
Drawing upon his Cree and Scandinavian roots, Harold R. Johnson merges myth, fantasy, and history in this epic saga of exploration and adventure.
While sorting through the possessions of his recently deceased neighbour, Harold Johnson discovers an old, handwritten manuscript containing epic stories composed in an obscure Swedish dialect. Together, they form The Bjorkan Sagas.
The first saga tells of three Bjorkans, led by Juha the storyteller, who set out from their valley to discover what lies beyond its borders. Their quest brings them into contact with the devious story-trader Anthony de Marchand, a group of gun-toting aliens in search of Heaven, and an ethereal Medicine Woman named Lilly. In the second saga, Juha is called upon to protect his people from invaders bent on stealing the secrets contained within the valley’s sacred trees. The third saga chronicles the journey of Lilly as she travels across the universe to bring aid to Juha and the Bjorkans, who face their deadliest enemy yet.
The Bjorkan Sagas is a bold, innovative fusion of narrative traditions set in an enchanted world of heroic storytellers, shrieking Valkyries, and fire-breathing dragons.
While sorting through the possessions of his recently deceased neighbour, Harold Johnson discovers an old, handwritten manuscript containing epic stories composed in an obscure Swedish dialect. Together, they form The Bjorkan Sagas.
The first saga tells of three Bjorkans, led by Juha the storyteller, who set out from their valley to discover what lies beyond its borders. Their quest brings them into contact with the devious story-trader Anthony de Marchand, a group of gun-toting aliens in search of Heaven, and an ethereal Medicine Woman named Lilly. In the second saga, Juha is called upon to protect his people from invaders bent on stealing the secrets contained within the valley’s sacred trees. The third saga chronicles the journey of Lilly as she travels across the universe to bring aid to Juha and the Bjorkans, who face their deadliest enemy yet.
The Bjorkan Sagas is a bold, innovative fusion of narrative traditions set in an enchanted world of heroic storytellers, shrieking Valkyries, and fire-breathing dragons.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
2 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Harold R. Johnson
15 books86 followersBorn and raised in Northern Saskatchewan, Harold Johnson has a Master of Law degree from Harvard University. He has served in the Canadian Navy, and worked in mining and logging. Johnson is the author of five novels and one work of non-fiction, which are largely set in northern Saskatchewan against a background of traditional Cree mythology. The Cast Stone (2011) won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Fiction.
Johnson practiced law as a Crown Prosecutor in La Ronge, Saskatchewan, and balanced that with operating his family's traditional trap line using a dog team.
Johnson died in early February, 2022.
Johnson practiced law as a Crown Prosecutor in La Ronge, Saskatchewan, and balanced that with operating his family's traditional trap line using a dog team.
Johnson died in early February, 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 12, 2022
I've read a few of Harold R. Johnson's books, but this one, the last published before his death, is my favourite.
I hope he died as peacefully as Joe did.
I hope he died as peacefully as Joe did.
January 23, 2022
The Bjorkan Sagas is unlike anything I've ever read before. Although it contains interstellar travel and dragons, I'm hesitant to classify it under SFF, just like how Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant is really about civil war history and memory despite outwardly a story of knights and dragons.
The first part is in modern day Molanosa in Saskatchewan where 'Harold Johnson' and his wife Joan assist in sending their ailing elderly Swedish neighbour Joe to the hospital. Among the papers that Joe entrusts to Harold is The Björkan Sagas written in a type of obscure Swedish. The Björkans live in a sheltered valley, their lives and culture shaped by the björka trees growing in their valley. They can change substance by storytelling, walk on water. The way this arc is presented has the rhythm of a fable, a heroic ecofable on how beings have to live sustainably and not let greed and powerlust incite wars and bloodshed.
On every planet where tetrapodal beings evolved to rule, their greatest danger has always been themselves. We are the cause of our own suffering. There is no animal more dangerous to a human than a human, except of course, dragons.
While the sagas take us to aliens, a medicine spaceship, telepathy, screaming bloodlusty naked Valkries and dragons, the book always felt quite grounded to me returning to the basics of respecting nature, living in harmony and anti-colonialism, with Cree beliefs and practice infused. I'm not familiar with Scandinavian mythology enough to identify the derivation of this mythic fiction though we are informed by Johnson toward the end that björka is the Swedish word for birch and Juha, well, read to find out. The worldview and sociocultural anthropology of the Björkans is satisfyingly presented in detail, the reader gets caught up in their dangerous predicament. The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was the delineation of roles for Björkan men (warriors) and women. The nagging question that readers will have is, is all this real? By using his and his wife's name in the story with similar autobiography, the author has introduced the element of mystery into this fantastical tale. This is very much like what Ruth Ozeki did in her A Tale for the Time Being. I like the ambiguity, it creates possibilities for the imagination in a metaphysical dimension and reminds us the importance of storytelling in shaping the narrative and changing 'reality' can never be underestimated.
The first part is in modern day Molanosa in Saskatchewan where 'Harold Johnson' and his wife Joan assist in sending their ailing elderly Swedish neighbour Joe to the hospital. Among the papers that Joe entrusts to Harold is The Björkan Sagas written in a type of obscure Swedish. The Björkans live in a sheltered valley, their lives and culture shaped by the björka trees growing in their valley. They can change substance by storytelling, walk on water. The way this arc is presented has the rhythm of a fable, a heroic ecofable on how beings have to live sustainably and not let greed and powerlust incite wars and bloodshed.
On every planet where tetrapodal beings evolved to rule, their greatest danger has always been themselves. We are the cause of our own suffering. There is no animal more dangerous to a human than a human, except of course, dragons.
While the sagas take us to aliens, a medicine spaceship, telepathy, screaming bloodlusty naked Valkries and dragons, the book always felt quite grounded to me returning to the basics of respecting nature, living in harmony and anti-colonialism, with Cree beliefs and practice infused. I'm not familiar with Scandinavian mythology enough to identify the derivation of this mythic fiction though we are informed by Johnson toward the end that björka is the Swedish word for birch and Juha, well, read to find out. The worldview and sociocultural anthropology of the Björkans is satisfyingly presented in detail, the reader gets caught up in their dangerous predicament. The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was the delineation of roles for Björkan men (warriors) and women. The nagging question that readers will have is, is all this real? By using his and his wife's name in the story with similar autobiography, the author has introduced the element of mystery into this fantastical tale. This is very much like what Ruth Ozeki did in her A Tale for the Time Being. I like the ambiguity, it creates possibilities for the imagination in a metaphysical dimension and reminds us the importance of storytelling in shaping the narrative and changing 'reality' can never be underestimated.
abandoned-dnf
June 5, 2024DNF'd @ 32%. I knew this indigenous novel was going to have some fantasy elements, but I'm afraid I have to draw the line at meeting up with aliens.👽 At that point, the shift in the story's tone was too jarring and more than I could tolerate. What a shame; I'd been looking forward to reading it for months.😞
June 5, 2025
I am going to be thinking about this book for a long time. There is a lot here to contemplate, and I certainly have not figured it out. I would love to write about this book someday. Also, my all-time favorite depiction of Valkyries.
August 5, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley.com for the advance reading copy of The Bjorkan Sagas. Johnson says in his notes to The Bjorkan Sagas that he wanted to write a story that honored both sides of his heritage--the Scandinavian and the Cree. The result is a strangely bittersweet piece of mythopoeic science fiction that owes a substantial debt--knowing or not--to C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy. The text has many of the same elements--angelic, transparent aliens, gun-toting capitalists, creatures that may or may not be human.
I enjoyed the book, but I know that my training predisposes me to enjoy some of its narrative conceits--the most important of these is the "secret manuscript" conceit. Our main narrator assists an elderly neighbor who has lived entirely off grid. When he dies, he discovers a manuscript--the titular Bjorkan Sagas--written in Swedish. The story that is revealed in the "translated version" is peopled with aliens, living trees, and a people who wield magical stories. And there are dragons. The "telling magic" results in a lot more exposition than I would have liked. Nonetheless, the book captures the beautiful tone of a frozen landscape filled with people who love the trees and define themselves as their caretakers.
I enjoyed the book, but I know that my training predisposes me to enjoy some of its narrative conceits--the most important of these is the "secret manuscript" conceit. Our main narrator assists an elderly neighbor who has lived entirely off grid. When he dies, he discovers a manuscript--the titular Bjorkan Sagas--written in Swedish. The story that is revealed in the "translated version" is peopled with aliens, living trees, and a people who wield magical stories. And there are dragons. The "telling magic" results in a lot more exposition than I would have liked. Nonetheless, the book captures the beautiful tone of a frozen landscape filled with people who love the trees and define themselves as their caretakers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2021
The rating is only because for this book, I need a good conversation about it. The backstory of how the author came across these papers, the story itself from…. The oldest man who lived possibly?! Who knows. But I’m looking forward to hearing more about the saga in the future mostly regarding its connection to museums.
Im confused by the story a little but luckily it’s a quick read and if I wanted to, I could try to read it again. Please recommend follow up material for this book (podcasts, video, text etc).
The story feels sexist - I think - but there’s some power here held my women and other genders and the men, still hold most of it I gather.
This book is a fantastical (maybe “true”) story of the author’s authoring of another man’s stories found in a chance encounter after his neighbour’s death of old age.
This scenario is a chance meeting of a Cree/Swedish lawyer/author who is left with his Scandinavian neighbour’s papers. Johnson explains this story at the beginning of the book which he published his neighbour’s papers after he’s passed on. I’m wondering if he should have put his neighbour’s name on the book and himself as writing the foreword and editing? The creativity of the book seems to have come from the dead neighbour’s creativity/experiences. Maybe I didn’t get something. But he’s a lawyer - I’m sure he’s balanced the ethics of legalities of that.
Anyway, I need some post reading or dialogue for this one or, to read sections again slowly and take notes along the way. I’m also unsure about the gender roles. I mean, parts seem cool but then other parts, feel weird and I can’t explain it.
Im confused by the story a little but luckily it’s a quick read and if I wanted to, I could try to read it again. Please recommend follow up material for this book (podcasts, video, text etc).
The story feels sexist - I think - but there’s some power here held my women and other genders and the men, still hold most of it I gather.
This book is a fantastical (maybe “true”) story of the author’s authoring of another man’s stories found in a chance encounter after his neighbour’s death of old age.
This scenario is a chance meeting of a Cree/Swedish lawyer/author who is left with his Scandinavian neighbour’s papers. Johnson explains this story at the beginning of the book which he published his neighbour’s papers after he’s passed on. I’m wondering if he should have put his neighbour’s name on the book and himself as writing the foreword and editing? The creativity of the book seems to have come from the dead neighbour’s creativity/experiences. Maybe I didn’t get something. But he’s a lawyer - I’m sure he’s balanced the ethics of legalities of that.
Anyway, I need some post reading or dialogue for this one or, to read sections again slowly and take notes along the way. I’m also unsure about the gender roles. I mean, parts seem cool but then other parts, feel weird and I can’t explain it.
August 7, 2022
Harold Johnson said in an interview this book began as a dream, was first written as an epic poem, was first intended to be a graphic novel, and seeks to combine old Norse sagas with Cree storytelling. Yet even this fails to prepare the reader for the kind of story this is. For those unfamiliar with Wisakedjak stories or the old Norse epics, the closest comparisons I can think of (and they really aren't that close) are to Neil Gaiman and science-fantasy pulp fiction. Using a minimalist and poetic narrative style, Johnson weaves an epic featuring the inhabitants of an iron age world able to wield magic through story-telling on a quest that sees them traveling with intangible aliens who travel the galaxy hunting for medicine ( medicine in the Cree, not Western, sense of the word), discovering ww2 era weaponry, and kidnapping a man to make him serve as the head of government. Yet even that doesn't feel like an adequate description.
Yet while the setting is difficult to describe, the meaning and characters are simple. The characters are almost entirely defined by their role in the story (the warrior, the thinker, the storyteller ect.) Yet the book itself has a potent message on the need for forgiveness, for living in balance with nature, in the strength of community, for constantly practicing empathy and the power of a good story. It is also inherently anti-colonialist, as one should expect from a champion of Indigenous rights.
For those interested in seeing fantasy almost diametrically opposed to that of Tolkien in terms of writing and world-building, who want to see fantasy born out of a Cree literary tradition instead of a western one, and those who enjoy dream-like stories that flow into one another and are more concerned with meaning and emotion than realism or practicalities, this is the book for you. Assuming, of course, you enjoy a minimalist writing style and poetics verses, if not you'll probably be put off very quickly. If you want in-depth world-building, character-driven dramas, exciting action, or a traditional narration style, you should give this book a pass and try one of Johnson's other books.
Yet while the setting is difficult to describe, the meaning and characters are simple. The characters are almost entirely defined by their role in the story (the warrior, the thinker, the storyteller ect.) Yet the book itself has a potent message on the need for forgiveness, for living in balance with nature, in the strength of community, for constantly practicing empathy and the power of a good story. It is also inherently anti-colonialist, as one should expect from a champion of Indigenous rights.
For those interested in seeing fantasy almost diametrically opposed to that of Tolkien in terms of writing and world-building, who want to see fantasy born out of a Cree literary tradition instead of a western one, and those who enjoy dream-like stories that flow into one another and are more concerned with meaning and emotion than realism or practicalities, this is the book for you. Assuming, of course, you enjoy a minimalist writing style and poetics verses, if not you'll probably be put off very quickly. If you want in-depth world-building, character-driven dramas, exciting action, or a traditional narration style, you should give this book a pass and try one of Johnson's other books.
September 19, 2022
The Bjørkan Sagas is a strange novel to read – the writing is poetic, favoring simplicity in structure but complexity in message. The plot tells itself as if it was straightforward, but the world-building process is anything but that. I enjoyed it, but I was confused. I didn't understand, yet I couldn't stop. The main character favors simplicity in life, so the writing reflects that... both to its benefit and detriment.
While I wasn't entirely fond of the plot's progression, the writing kept me going. The way Johnson (or Juha) describes nature and our kinship with it is beautiful, and I loved all of the fables and folklore!
The prologue starts a bit dry, staying very factual and again, simple. However, by the time you finish that segment, Johnson's given you exactly enough to care. The Sagas themselves are wild. I was never prepared for where the story was going to go, and for the first Saga I found that fact difficult to digest. It was like I missing half the story, trying to keep up with what sort of world Juha lived in, where the line was drawn between our reality and his. Once the Bjørkans met the Story Trader, though, I was able to get hooked. Introducing a human character grounds the reader and gives Juha a reason to speak in comparisons, shedding light on the world and how we understand it.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Bjørkan Sagas! I've never read anything like it.
While I wasn't entirely fond of the plot's progression, the writing kept me going. The way Johnson (or Juha) describes nature and our kinship with it is beautiful, and I loved all of the fables and folklore!
The prologue starts a bit dry, staying very factual and again, simple. However, by the time you finish that segment, Johnson's given you exactly enough to care. The Sagas themselves are wild. I was never prepared for where the story was going to go, and for the first Saga I found that fact difficult to digest. It was like I missing half the story, trying to keep up with what sort of world Juha lived in, where the line was drawn between our reality and his. Once the Bjørkans met the Story Trader, though, I was able to get hooked. Introducing a human character grounds the reader and gives Juha a reason to speak in comparisons, shedding light on the world and how we understand it.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Bjørkan Sagas! I've never read anything like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2022
Juha led a party of adventurers from the valleys of the Björkan in search of the story trader. To the Björkan people, truths and stories of lands outside their valleys are very valuable. Upon finding the story trader, the adventurers were confronted by gun-toting aliens and taken hostage along with an ethereal healer aboard her spaceship. After fooling the aliens into leaving the spaceship and then freeing themselves and the healer, the adventurers returned home. Now, back in the lands of Björkan, Juha and the people of the valleys must face a warlord and fire-breathing dragons.
The Björkan Sagas is an exciting new novel by Harold Johnson. He uses the prologue and epilogue to tell the fascinating tale of how he came up with the story. Written in the style of an epic poem, Johnson calls upon his Cree and Swedish heritage to deliver this innovative saga, blending ancestral wisdom with elements of science fiction. Whether traveling aboard a living spaceship of forests or battling dragons with Valkyries, the action never stops. Johnson weaves in messages of conservation and the need to protect the environment. This is a truly legendary saga for anyone bold enough to embark on the journey.
This review was originally published at https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/pr...
The Björkan Sagas is an exciting new novel by Harold Johnson. He uses the prologue and epilogue to tell the fascinating tale of how he came up with the story. Written in the style of an epic poem, Johnson calls upon his Cree and Swedish heritage to deliver this innovative saga, blending ancestral wisdom with elements of science fiction. Whether traveling aboard a living spaceship of forests or battling dragons with Valkyries, the action never stops. Johnson weaves in messages of conservation and the need to protect the environment. This is a truly legendary saga for anyone bold enough to embark on the journey.
This review was originally published at https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/pr...
October 26, 2021
An interesting melding and merging of the author’s personal Cree and Swedish heritages, reading this is a magical mystical experience… but one which ultimately leaves the reader feeling like something was missing. Normally I’m complaining about a lack of editing and titles being too long… this time I felt like it needed something more… maybe it was just because the whole thing was too amorphous...
I will admit to being very confused with what I’ll call the provenance of this story (not really the right word but the right word escapes me…)... I don’t know whether this is fact or fiction? The story begins with the author ‘helping his neighbour’ and ‘finding’ these manuscripts. Is that part real? I don’t know…
Does it matter? I suppose it shouldn’t, but it does… If it is not real, then the conceit of inserting himself into the story in this way really bugs me (can’t say why, but it does…) I don’t know whether or not this is an ‘original’ story… or whether this is him ‘re-telling’ a found story… For some reason it bugs me...
I will admit to being very confused with what I’ll call the provenance of this story (not really the right word but the right word escapes me…)... I don’t know whether this is fact or fiction? The story begins with the author ‘helping his neighbour’ and ‘finding’ these manuscripts. Is that part real? I don’t know…
Does it matter? I suppose it shouldn’t, but it does… If it is not real, then the conceit of inserting himself into the story in this way really bugs me (can’t say why, but it does…) I don’t know whether or not this is an ‘original’ story… or whether this is him ‘re-telling’ a found story… For some reason it bugs me...
January 20, 2022
I feel the simple prose and the tone set a great ambiance and tone, and made you feel like you knew exactly where the story was going and what to expect, before it threw a wild curve ball. And with that, I would argue the first two sagas are the best (would rate them a 4/5 starts), and I feel the third really falls in quality (which is why its a 3/5). I also feel that while the style and simple prose is great, it really falls off when it tries to scientifically explain itself. I felt those moments were unnecessary, and that they took away from what may simply be considered mysticism (or explained through author commentary later on, or in an afterword, etc.) If those two issues were to be fixed, this would definitely be a 5/5 in my books.
Overall, I find this an interesting mix of cultures, themes and ideas that starts off really well, but ends with a conclusion that feels it doesn't match up to what it could have been. But this is definitely something I want others to read, if only to be able to discuss all the interesting ideas presented within.
Overall, I find this an interesting mix of cultures, themes and ideas that starts off really well, but ends with a conclusion that feels it doesn't match up to what it could have been. But this is definitely something I want others to read, if only to be able to discuss all the interesting ideas presented within.
September 1, 2022
A truly unique reading experience.
I picked this book up by chance at City Lights bookstore in San Francisco last week. I simultaneously couldn’t stop and didn’t want to finishing reading it.
I now understand that I was under the spell of a master story teller. It’s the most enticing kind of story, one that draws on things familiar to tell a grand tale of greater meaning. Almost similar to how a music producer can sample multiple instruments, or entire pieces of older songs to make something entirely new.
I remember visiting The Viking Ship Museum in Olso, Norway about 20 years ago and learning about the Viking Sagas. Clearly, these were not entirely true stories meant to be taken word for word. However, they were fascinating and they did hold truth. They helped explain a world that had no explanation.
I walked away from The Bjorkan Sagas with the same feeling. I’ve just read something fantastical that speaks to so many truths about the world we live in. A world that is still begging for an explanation.
I picked this book up by chance at City Lights bookstore in San Francisco last week. I simultaneously couldn’t stop and didn’t want to finishing reading it.
I now understand that I was under the spell of a master story teller. It’s the most enticing kind of story, one that draws on things familiar to tell a grand tale of greater meaning. Almost similar to how a music producer can sample multiple instruments, or entire pieces of older songs to make something entirely new.
I remember visiting The Viking Ship Museum in Olso, Norway about 20 years ago and learning about the Viking Sagas. Clearly, these were not entirely true stories meant to be taken word for word. However, they were fascinating and they did hold truth. They helped explain a world that had no explanation.
I walked away from The Bjorkan Sagas with the same feeling. I’ve just read something fantastical that speaks to so many truths about the world we live in. A world that is still begging for an explanation.
February 20, 2022
What a strange book! I definitely enjoyed seeing how the author mixed the mythologies and mindsets of his Swedish father and Cree mother to create a very unique tale.
The novella is impossible to categorize neatly, as it is framed by the death of a reclusive old man in the “real world” before taking the reader on a wild ride through new-age science-fiction (telepathic aliens with spaceships made of living water) and fantasy (literal fire-breathing dragons) concepts, all held together with themes of love, healing, and ecological balance.
I especially liked the middle of the book, as I enjoyed Juha’s storytelling style and the twists just kept coming. For whatever reason, the last quarter of the book felt more rushed, and I wasn’t satisfied by the final pages (but then, I’m often grumpy about ambiguous endings).
All in all, it was 4/5 stars for me, but probably would not be everyone’s cup of tea.
The novella is impossible to categorize neatly, as it is framed by the death of a reclusive old man in the “real world” before taking the reader on a wild ride through new-age science-fiction (telepathic aliens with spaceships made of living water) and fantasy (literal fire-breathing dragons) concepts, all held together with themes of love, healing, and ecological balance.
I especially liked the middle of the book, as I enjoyed Juha’s storytelling style and the twists just kept coming. For whatever reason, the last quarter of the book felt more rushed, and I wasn’t satisfied by the final pages (but then, I’m often grumpy about ambiguous endings).
All in all, it was 4/5 stars for me, but probably would not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Read
April 23, 2022The Bjorkan Sagas was stuffed full of stories, lessons, characters, and adventures. For such a short book, it covers a lot of ground. I found myself confused and lost in the different perspectives and time periods but what I did grasp was ambitious and exciting. As we met first Harold (the character, but kind of also the author) and his neighbour Joe, I was very invested. Once we were properly into the saga with ancient Scandinavians fighting dragons and aliens...I was taken out of the story.
Not for me, though for people who like post-modern/experimental writing, this might be super engaging and fun. Sort of impossible to classify as a genre or style, which for some might be a positive. For me, I was left scratching my head but marveling at the author's talents. His work is expansive and spare at the same time.
Harold Johnson passed away this February and will surely be missed.
Not for me, though for people who like post-modern/experimental writing, this might be super engaging and fun. Sort of impossible to classify as a genre or style, which for some might be a positive. For me, I was left scratching my head but marveling at the author's talents. His work is expansive and spare at the same time.
Harold Johnson passed away this February and will surely be missed.
November 1, 2023
This was kind of a weird book, and I'm not entirely sure if I liked it or not. It starts off fairly normally, with a few people who live off the grid in rural Canada. Our main character, Harold, goes to visit his elderly neighbour, Joe, and find him in medical distress. Upon brining him to the hospital, Joe requests that Harold take charge of a small suitcase from his home. In this suitcase, Harold discovers a bunch of papers that, once translated, tell some stories of the Bjorkan people. The main body of the book is made up of these Bjorkan sagas, with us then returning to Harold & Joe at the end.
The Bjorkan stories is where things get weird. We have aliens travelling to a distant galaxy to try and find God, fire breathing dragons living within trees, and flying Valkyries. The story was fairly interesting, but, like I said, pretty weird.
The Bjorkan stories is where things get weird. We have aliens travelling to a distant galaxy to try and find God, fire breathing dragons living within trees, and flying Valkyries. The story was fairly interesting, but, like I said, pretty weird.
June 18, 2021
The Bjorkan Sagas is a great fantasy story that tells the tales of Juha and his fellow Bjorkans. At the beginning, we follow a man who is going to help his dying neighbor named Joe. Joe leaves the neighbor a box of papers which is the story of the Bjorkans. The characters are very well written and the setting is outstanding. The plot is unique and a real page-turner, it is almost impossible to put down. I loved Juha and the storytellers and their traditions. All in all, it is a fantastic book. I hope the author writes more, I really want to go back and read more about the Bjorkans.
November 7, 2022
Well that was… a lot…. in not much space. I came for the Cree and Scandinavian folklore blend and stayed even when the gender essentialism and aliens arrived. The former is always a problem for me, while the latter is usually a draw. In this case, I was just confused. The magic in the world of the saga is promising, and the framing story is poignant. If the author were still with us, I’d hope for both to be fleshed out. As it is, I’ll be grateful to have this unexpected reading experience, however incomplete it feels.
July 2, 2021
*I was given an eARC by Netgalley/House of Anassi Press Inc of The Bjorkan Sagas in return of an honest review.*
DNF 25%
I really like the way the book was written. It had a poetic feel to it. However, the story couldn't give justice to the writing. The whole concept fell flat and failed to deliver. I do look forward to reading some other works of the author given their beautiful writing style.
DNF 25%
I really like the way the book was written. It had a poetic feel to it. However, the story couldn't give justice to the writing. The whole concept fell flat and failed to deliver. I do look forward to reading some other works of the author given their beautiful writing style.
March 1, 2022
Interesting riff on Heart of Darkness with a perspective on SF colonialism and perhaps a shift to an alternate reality. The shell around the saga mostly works and grounds the saga but perhaps does not quite connect strongly enough. Johnson surprises his reader with the breadth of his interests. Unfortunately this is probably his last book, since he recently passed. Wishing him dragons of his own and a peaceable existence as an excellent thinker.
June 18, 2021
This book is weird and wonderful, and I'm not sure how to describe it, to be honest. I think it worked really well because it felt like a short fable. In a lesser writer's hands it would have been drawn out and just been too much, but the brevity of the story, and the crispness of the writing just worked.
December 26, 2021
The Bjorkan Sagas the writing is well styled and plays on your emotions. It is visually descriptive and the words sing on pages. Even while reading on my kindle it still has an impact. With the cultural differences explained and the imagination is amazing.
This arc was given to me by netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It was published on Oct 05 2021
This arc was given to me by netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It was published on Oct 05 2021
August 22, 2023
So this is a hard novel to describe and it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. That being said, I really enjoyed it and how the sagas tied in to the "present day" plot from the start of the book. This is a quick read featuring some well known names from Norse mythology.
Adam Henderson and Andrea Stefancikova do a good job with the audiobook narration.
Adam Henderson and Andrea Stefancikova do a good job with the audiobook narration.
February 6, 2022
This story drew me in from the first page! It is absolutely impossible to categorize the genre so I will not try, however, if you like science fiction/fantasy and quirky fargo-esque characters, then this is the saga for you! I will definitely be following the author in the future!
April 5, 2022
Solid 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The world was amazing and believable told as an old saga discovered packed away from time.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
June 9, 2022
What a wonderfully weird story. It is sad that we won’t be able to read more Harold Johnson stories. Rest In Peace and thank you for all the unique, entertaining and thought provoking stories you have written.
February 1, 2024
definitely an interesting read yet it felt oddly uneven. For instance, there seemed to be more attention paid to a sex scene than with the dragons threatening an entire valley of people. The saga ending felt rushed which goes against my whole concept of a saga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
The story seemed a bit rushed and I would love to have seen it given more detail and more elaboration on the world building but it was very enjoyable nevertheless. Something quite different! I very much enjoyed the book and will explore more of the author's works.
October 25, 2021
"Breathing is the single greatest resistance to tyranny. Only when you have let out your last breath have you fully succumbed to the tyrant."
December 30, 2021
This was really fun, it was like a Swedish "Out of the Silent Planet" by CS Lewis
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February 19, 2022Interesting little story. Introduced as a mix of first nations-Scandinavian stories and folklore, and it is a thoughtful and stirring combination.
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