What do you think?
Rate this book
The Vinland Viking Saga #2
THE FLIGHT OF ANJA
WIFE.
DAUGHTER.
DREAMER.
Anja Freydisdottir has always heard whispers of her mother’s adventures in Vinland. All she longs for is to spread her wings and follow them but she’s trapped by the expectations of 11th-century society.
Liberation comes from an unexpected source when she is helped to flee across the Atlantic on a Viking longboat bound for Vinland shores.
Haunted by the ominous shadows of a family history she does not know, Anja must seek a perilous path into an unfamiliar wilderness to find her answers…
DAUGHTER.
DREAMER.
Anja Freydisdottir has always heard whispers of her mother’s adventures in Vinland. All she longs for is to spread her wings and follow them but she’s trapped by the expectations of 11th-century society.
Liberation comes from an unexpected source when she is helped to flee across the Atlantic on a Viking longboat bound for Vinland shores.
Haunted by the ominous shadows of a family history she does not know, Anja must seek a perilous path into an unfamiliar wilderness to find her answers…
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2022
12 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 5, 2022
This haunting story of Anja follows her mother, Freydis Eiriksdottir, from Vinland saga - a strong-willed woman, who defied the odds of her society.
Greenland, 1012 AD. Anja Freydisdottir secretly has been resenting her mother and praising her father for his warmth and kindness. Not knowing that she’s been deceived by her conniving father, she, at the age of fifteen, is about to find out how deceitful he is when he sells her for the highest dowry, which he will be pocketing according to the agreement reached before Anja was born. In exchange, her mother gains freedom from her father.
Anja has been hearing whispers about her mother’s adventures in Vinland, and supposedly her brutality. The side Anja picks is very clear. But she is strong headed like her mother, and with her mother’s push she defies the expectations of her society when opportunity strikes.
Anja’s journey takes her to Vinland, with quite a different turn. In Greenland, she witnesses some brutality towards women from the hands of men. In Vinland, her encounters are first with bears and wolves. The wilderness tests her strength, exposing the dangerous and unpredictable situations. Her survival now depends on the skills she has learned from her mother.
The first part of the story reflects the harsh societal norms of the time, and those were especially brutal for women, who had no saying in any decision making. In the second part, Anja’s bravery and actions reflect the attributes of the Viking warriors, while she is not fighting other men, her fight is tested in the wilderness. In the last part, she experiences something new; a different side of men’s behavior towards women and different rituals of Beothuk tribe, where a woman is honored. She slips into this new place very naturally and feels accepted.
Anja doesn’t seem to be as strong as her mother Freydis, but it doesn’t mean that she is not strong. She has her struggles with coming to terms with deceits she was fed as a child. After a traumatizing experience with a bear, she struggles to find her spirit. But she is human, and continues to make sense of all that has happened to her.
The writing is beautiful and reflects the time period of ruthlessness and the place of harsh climate. The brutality of the time period may not be easy to read for some. This Vinland Viking saga comes alive with a fascinating character that engages readers with her perilous journey.
P.S. This book 2 can stand-alone; however, I highly recommend reading also book 1 – The Voyage of Freydis.
P.S. Kudos to cover-designers, it’s gorgeous.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Greenland, 1012 AD. Anja Freydisdottir secretly has been resenting her mother and praising her father for his warmth and kindness. Not knowing that she’s been deceived by her conniving father, she, at the age of fifteen, is about to find out how deceitful he is when he sells her for the highest dowry, which he will be pocketing according to the agreement reached before Anja was born. In exchange, her mother gains freedom from her father.
Anja has been hearing whispers about her mother’s adventures in Vinland, and supposedly her brutality. The side Anja picks is very clear. But she is strong headed like her mother, and with her mother’s push she defies the expectations of her society when opportunity strikes.
Anja’s journey takes her to Vinland, with quite a different turn. In Greenland, she witnesses some brutality towards women from the hands of men. In Vinland, her encounters are first with bears and wolves. The wilderness tests her strength, exposing the dangerous and unpredictable situations. Her survival now depends on the skills she has learned from her mother.
The first part of the story reflects the harsh societal norms of the time, and those were especially brutal for women, who had no saying in any decision making. In the second part, Anja’s bravery and actions reflect the attributes of the Viking warriors, while she is not fighting other men, her fight is tested in the wilderness. In the last part, she experiences something new; a different side of men’s behavior towards women and different rituals of Beothuk tribe, where a woman is honored. She slips into this new place very naturally and feels accepted.
Anja doesn’t seem to be as strong as her mother Freydis, but it doesn’t mean that she is not strong. She has her struggles with coming to terms with deceits she was fed as a child. After a traumatizing experience with a bear, she struggles to find her spirit. But she is human, and continues to make sense of all that has happened to her.
The writing is beautiful and reflects the time period of ruthlessness and the place of harsh climate. The brutality of the time period may not be easy to read for some. This Vinland Viking saga comes alive with a fascinating character that engages readers with her perilous journey.
P.S. This book 2 can stand-alone; however, I highly recommend reading also book 1 – The Voyage of Freydis.
P.S. Kudos to cover-designers, it’s gorgeous.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
April 14, 2022
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Flight of Anja is the second installment within The Vinland Viking Saga. In the beginning, you see Freydis giving birth to Anja. Then you see her all grown up and being bartered for marriage by her father and uncle. Two people who I'm not on friendly terms with. One would think they could redeem themselves in this book, but no that didn't happen. If anything, it made me hate them even more.
It really hurt to watch Anja idolize her father in front of her mother. Mostly because of all the lies he told to make himself look better. If I was Freydis, I would probably kill the guy and go on with my life. Alas, I'm not and so I sat here and did nothing. Before Anja begins her adventure, you can definitely see Freydis struggle with telling her the truth. Of course, it all goes in one ear and out the other because she didn't believe any word of it.
Along her journey, she basically almost dies but is rescued by Bjorn. Now I liked him and instantly started to ship them together. Of course, we had to go with the little love triangle idea for a while but for me it was always Bjorn and Anja. Together. Forever.
She also eventually learns that her mother was telling the truth. The people of her father's clan tell her what truly went down and accept her. I really liked getting to see the places Freydis went to in this book. Mostly because of how they all praised and liked her. It just makes me said that Freydis didn't join the trip and had to stay behind.
In the end, I'm excited for the next Viking adventure in this series. Especially since it's about Bjorn!
The Flight of Anja is the second installment within The Vinland Viking Saga. In the beginning, you see Freydis giving birth to Anja. Then you see her all grown up and being bartered for marriage by her father and uncle. Two people who I'm not on friendly terms with. One would think they could redeem themselves in this book, but no that didn't happen. If anything, it made me hate them even more.
It really hurt to watch Anja idolize her father in front of her mother. Mostly because of all the lies he told to make himself look better. If I was Freydis, I would probably kill the guy and go on with my life. Alas, I'm not and so I sat here and did nothing. Before Anja begins her adventure, you can definitely see Freydis struggle with telling her the truth. Of course, it all goes in one ear and out the other because she didn't believe any word of it.
Along her journey, she basically almost dies but is rescued by Bjorn. Now I liked him and instantly started to ship them together. Of course, we had to go with the little love triangle idea for a while but for me it was always Bjorn and Anja. Together. Forever.
She also eventually learns that her mother was telling the truth. The people of her father's clan tell her what truly went down and accept her. I really liked getting to see the places Freydis went to in this book. Mostly because of how they all praised and liked her. It just makes me said that Freydis didn't join the trip and had to stay behind.
In the end, I'm excited for the next Viking adventure in this series. Especially since it's about Bjorn!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
3.5 stars
The first book in this series followed Freydis as she left Greenland and sailed to Iceland to get away from her abusive husband. Now she's back home and raising her daughter Freydis as best as she can, but unfortunately Torvard is still hanging around and causing all kinds of problems. To escape a bleak future, Freydis must follow in her mother's footsteps and sail for the land of her father and hopefully find a better life.
So much of this is about survival and it made the story go by quickly. There are so many perils in traveling alone across a vast distance, especially well before there were engines or modern medicine. Though Anja could be frustrating at times with her insistence that Torvard was the hero and Freydis the evil one, I also pitied her for being brainwashed from a young age. Anja goes through a lot in this story and we see her mature and start to make life choices. I was happy with her progress by the end and I hope she gets the happy ending that Freydis didn't.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the copy
The first book in this series followed Freydis as she left Greenland and sailed to Iceland to get away from her abusive husband. Now she's back home and raising her daughter Freydis as best as she can, but unfortunately Torvard is still hanging around and causing all kinds of problems. To escape a bleak future, Freydis must follow in her mother's footsteps and sail for the land of her father and hopefully find a better life.
So much of this is about survival and it made the story go by quickly. There are so many perils in traveling alone across a vast distance, especially well before there were engines or modern medicine. Though Anja could be frustrating at times with her insistence that Torvard was the hero and Freydis the evil one, I also pitied her for being brainwashed from a young age. Anja goes through a lot in this story and we see her mature and start to make life choices. I was happy with her progress by the end and I hope she gets the happy ending that Freydis didn't.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the copy
May 31, 2022
The Flight of Anja (Book 2, Vinland Viking Series) – Tamara Goranson
I was given a copy of this story by the publisher in order to provide a review.
Tamara Goranson is a clinical psychologist working with trauma survivors and has a great interest in Viking women, especially those who travelled around 1000 AD to the New World.
Now we are back in the lands of Greenland many years after the events of The Voyage of Freydis. Freydis is much older now and has her beloved daughter, Anja.
Though Freydis is not with Thorvard anymore he still does what he can to make her life miserable. His latest move has been to slowly turn Anja against her. Not revealing the whole truth of her birth and where she really comes from.
Yet when Thorvard tries to marry Anja off to an old drunken brute, Freydis comes up with a daring plan to stop it and change Anja’s destiny. Much like Freydis did all those years ago, they manage to get Anja smuggled aboard a ship headed for Vinland – headed for her true home and her people.
Alas, she finds herself the lone survivor of a shipwreck, washed on the very shores of Vinland. However, that is just the start of Anja’s troubles. But on her journey to discover the tribe of her people and the truth of who her parents are, there are many obstacles she must face.
She discovers the story she was told growing up is painfully different to the truth and that is something that hurts and is hard to accept. And the ghosts of her mother's past seem to haunt her and every turn, almost like she is paying for perceived slights that were not of her own making.
“The Flight of Anja” is a beautiful story of a girl who through many trials and tribulations learns to find herself and her true family. The heartache and betrayal that Anja goes through is really felt by the reader – owing to the absorbing storyline and relatable characters that the author has created. What makes this story more fascinating to me is that this was sadly probably so true for many young Viking people who journeyed to the shores of Vinland all those years ago. And much like The Voyage of Freydis I found this book very hard to put down and just had to find out what happened next. Hence why the wait for the next book in this series I feel will be a painfully long one for me.
I was given a copy of this story by the publisher in order to provide a review.
Tamara Goranson is a clinical psychologist working with trauma survivors and has a great interest in Viking women, especially those who travelled around 1000 AD to the New World.
Now we are back in the lands of Greenland many years after the events of The Voyage of Freydis. Freydis is much older now and has her beloved daughter, Anja.
Though Freydis is not with Thorvard anymore he still does what he can to make her life miserable. His latest move has been to slowly turn Anja against her. Not revealing the whole truth of her birth and where she really comes from.
Yet when Thorvard tries to marry Anja off to an old drunken brute, Freydis comes up with a daring plan to stop it and change Anja’s destiny. Much like Freydis did all those years ago, they manage to get Anja smuggled aboard a ship headed for Vinland – headed for her true home and her people.
Alas, she finds herself the lone survivor of a shipwreck, washed on the very shores of Vinland. However, that is just the start of Anja’s troubles. But on her journey to discover the tribe of her people and the truth of who her parents are, there are many obstacles she must face.
She discovers the story she was told growing up is painfully different to the truth and that is something that hurts and is hard to accept. And the ghosts of her mother's past seem to haunt her and every turn, almost like she is paying for perceived slights that were not of her own making.
“The Flight of Anja” is a beautiful story of a girl who through many trials and tribulations learns to find herself and her true family. The heartache and betrayal that Anja goes through is really felt by the reader – owing to the absorbing storyline and relatable characters that the author has created. What makes this story more fascinating to me is that this was sadly probably so true for many young Viking people who journeyed to the shores of Vinland all those years ago. And much like The Voyage of Freydis I found this book very hard to put down and just had to find out what happened next. Hence why the wait for the next book in this series I feel will be a painfully long one for me.
June 30, 2022
I was kindly sent this book from @harpercollinsuk One More Chapter through @netgalley for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this haunting Viking inspired story set in 1012 AD which follows Anya on her journey to find out where she comes from.
This is actually book two in a series, the first being The Voyage of Freydis, which is highly inspired by the Vinland Sagas, written in the 13th and 14th centuries. I, unfortunately haven't read the first book yet and I know it seems strange to read the second book first but I think it really worked for this series. In The Flight of Anya I was able to follow Anya on a journey of discovery which allowed me to connect with her more than I perhaps would have if I already knew Freydis (from book one) backstory.
Anya has grown up in Greenland with Freydis who has taken care of her since birth. She is suddenly plunged into an arranged marriage and with the help of Freydis escapes on a ship to a new land. Here she is attacked by a bear and left for dead until a man named Byorn finds her and takes her back to her birth families tribe. Here she learns that not everything she thought about her mother, father and her birth has been true.
This book delves a lot into trauma, shock and post traumatic stress syndrome. Anya goes through a lot and although she is tough and resilient she isn't immune to being scared and frightened about events that have happened to her. The author being a clinical psychologist, used a lot of her own knowledge in developing Anya's character in this way making her a believable character. This book borders on YA/adult, with beautiful writing a raw characters. I loved it and give it a solid 4.5 ⭐
I really enjoyed this haunting Viking inspired story set in 1012 AD which follows Anya on her journey to find out where she comes from.
This is actually book two in a series, the first being The Voyage of Freydis, which is highly inspired by the Vinland Sagas, written in the 13th and 14th centuries. I, unfortunately haven't read the first book yet and I know it seems strange to read the second book first but I think it really worked for this series. In The Flight of Anya I was able to follow Anya on a journey of discovery which allowed me to connect with her more than I perhaps would have if I already knew Freydis (from book one) backstory.
Anya has grown up in Greenland with Freydis who has taken care of her since birth. She is suddenly plunged into an arranged marriage and with the help of Freydis escapes on a ship to a new land. Here she is attacked by a bear and left for dead until a man named Byorn finds her and takes her back to her birth families tribe. Here she learns that not everything she thought about her mother, father and her birth has been true.
This book delves a lot into trauma, shock and post traumatic stress syndrome. Anya goes through a lot and although she is tough and resilient she isn't immune to being scared and frightened about events that have happened to her. The author being a clinical psychologist, used a lot of her own knowledge in developing Anya's character in this way making her a believable character. This book borders on YA/adult, with beautiful writing a raw characters. I loved it and give it a solid 4.5 ⭐
June 19, 2022
The Flight of Anja is a historical fiction novel set in the Viking era. I've not read book one, but this was totally fine as a standalone book. The beginning was quite harsh and almost put me off reading further, but I did read on in the end and it tuned out to be a quick, enjoyable read. Not as good as Octavia Randolph's Ceridwen Saga (I'm a big fan and this series seems to be along the same lines and topics). Content warnings for rape and assault. Women were not being treated well during this era.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
April 9, 2023
This is as gripping, powerful, disturbing, and emotionally exhausting as the first book in this saga. There is a slightly more uplifting tone to this story, but it remains laced with tragedy, heartbreak, and the terrible realities of harsh lives in the wilderness. This is magnificent, but it's not a book for the timid.
February 1, 2023
The Flight of Anja is the second in a series about Vikings in Greenland and Vinland (North America). Anja, the daughter of Freydis who was the protagonist of the first book, ends up leaving Greenland to escape a marriage and to find her family in Vinland. I hadn't read the first book but was intrigued by the story setting, the beautiful cover, and my love of a good historical Viking book!
I haven't read any books set in Greenland or Vinland and it was so cool! This book shows relationships between Norse and indigenous people and dealt with the complexity of two cultures with different beliefs, social norms, and political structure as they mix over several years. I only knew about this from a historical perspective and really enjoyed getting to see Vinland depicted in fiction. Anja is badly injured by a bear attack and develops a fear of bears from the encounter that continued to affect her throughout the story. I liked seeing Anja learn to ground herself through the fear that she experienced.
Despite these positive areas, I found the rest of the book to be very "meh." I'm not sure if this is just because I didn't read the first book, but I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling. Anja is on a ship and later injured for a lot of the book and I would have liked more detail in the navigation and medicinal world during that time. I found the mix of formal and informal dialogue to be weird. Some of the descriptions of people and places were nice, but I counted that the word "slurp" was used five times. I think that is a record for any of the books that I have read and definitely for historical fiction. These together made me feel like I was fighting to get to the end.
There is a lot of descriptions of physical pain, blood, and injuries in this book. If that is not your thing, I would proceed with caution.
Overall, I liked the setting of this book and wasn't a huge fan of the rest. I would recommend this book if you are a big fan of historical romance, survival stories, and Vikings, in that order. 2.5 stars from me. Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
TW: sexual assault, violence, gore
I haven't read any books set in Greenland or Vinland and it was so cool! This book shows relationships between Norse and indigenous people and dealt with the complexity of two cultures with different beliefs, social norms, and political structure as they mix over several years. I only knew about this from a historical perspective and really enjoyed getting to see Vinland depicted in fiction. Anja is badly injured by a bear attack and develops a fear of bears from the encounter that continued to affect her throughout the story. I liked seeing Anja learn to ground herself through the fear that she experienced.
Despite these positive areas, I found the rest of the book to be very "meh." I'm not sure if this is just because I didn't read the first book, but I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling. Anja is on a ship and later injured for a lot of the book and I would have liked more detail in the navigation and medicinal world during that time. I found the mix of formal and informal dialogue to be weird. Some of the descriptions of people and places were nice, but I counted that the word "slurp" was used five times. I think that is a record for any of the books that I have read and definitely for historical fiction. These together made me feel like I was fighting to get to the end.
There is a lot of descriptions of physical pain, blood, and injuries in this book. If that is not your thing, I would proceed with caution.
Overall, I liked the setting of this book and wasn't a huge fan of the rest. I would recommend this book if you are a big fan of historical romance, survival stories, and Vikings, in that order. 2.5 stars from me. Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
TW: sexual assault, violence, gore
October 25, 2023
My thanks to HarperCollins One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Flight of Anja’ by Tamara Goranson.
This is Book 2 in her Vinland Viking Saga series, feminist retellings of the ancient Icelandic texts that chronicle the first attempts by the Vikings to travel across the Atlantic and settle in North America circa 1000 AD. It takes place fifteen years after events in ‘The Voyage of Freydis’ (2021).
Anja Freydisdottir has always heard whispers of her mother’s adventures in Vinland. She is a free spirit who longs to spread her wings but she’s trapped by the expectations of Harpa’s 11th-century society.
When Anja’s uncle tries to arrange her marriage to an odious widower, Freydis helps her daughter flee across the Atlantic on a Viking longboat bound for Vinland shores. I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers, though Anja’s quest to find answers about her family history quickly proves perilous.
While Freydis is a historical character, the daughter of Erik the Red whose tale features in the Vinland sagas, her daughter is a fictional creation. Anja certainly has a rough time in Vinland, that stresses how dangerous life could be. Still, she is a strong woman well up to the task.
.
I was again impressed with Tamara Goranson’s depiction of both Viking society and that of the indigenous Beothuk peoples. As she writes in her Author’s Note, “my motivation was to present the customs and culture of the Beothuk people in a respectful and non-pejorative manner.” I feel that she succeeded. It was interesting to read of the differences in the status of women in both communities as well as their respective spiritual beliefs.
Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Flight of Anja’ very much, finding it an immersive reading experience. I am now looking forward to Book 3, ‘The Oath of Bjorn’, which is due for publication in December 2023.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
This is Book 2 in her Vinland Viking Saga series, feminist retellings of the ancient Icelandic texts that chronicle the first attempts by the Vikings to travel across the Atlantic and settle in North America circa 1000 AD. It takes place fifteen years after events in ‘The Voyage of Freydis’ (2021).
Anja Freydisdottir has always heard whispers of her mother’s adventures in Vinland. She is a free spirit who longs to spread her wings but she’s trapped by the expectations of Harpa’s 11th-century society.
When Anja’s uncle tries to arrange her marriage to an odious widower, Freydis helps her daughter flee across the Atlantic on a Viking longboat bound for Vinland shores. I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers, though Anja’s quest to find answers about her family history quickly proves perilous.
While Freydis is a historical character, the daughter of Erik the Red whose tale features in the Vinland sagas, her daughter is a fictional creation. Anja certainly has a rough time in Vinland, that stresses how dangerous life could be. Still, she is a strong woman well up to the task.
.
I was again impressed with Tamara Goranson’s depiction of both Viking society and that of the indigenous Beothuk peoples. As she writes in her Author’s Note, “my motivation was to present the customs and culture of the Beothuk people in a respectful and non-pejorative manner.” I feel that she succeeded. It was interesting to read of the differences in the status of women in both communities as well as their respective spiritual beliefs.
Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Flight of Anja’ very much, finding it an immersive reading experience. I am now looking forward to Book 3, ‘The Oath of Bjorn’, which is due for publication in December 2023.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
June 27, 2022
My Thoughts:
On my own, I found out information about the name Vinland, who the Beothuk people were, Leif Erickson, and other notable history.
The Flight of Anja is book two in the series. I have not read book one which probably would help me understand the background and other gaps in the story.
One of the main problems I had with the story is I didn't always know what part of the world I was reading about. What I mean is what and where is Vinland? And when Anja travels on a Viking ship, I thought the destination (for a while) was in Norway or another Scandinavian country. So, I was lost. I don't like to be lost
Freydis is a huge character. She is an interesting character. She is difficult to switch away from and towards Anja. I was not ready to leave Freydis.
For half (or more) of the book the tone and pace are a mix of on the edge of your seat-engaging-serious-suspicious-tense. Then the tone switches and an additional theme is introduced. There is a lag in between.
I had a difficult time becoming invested in the character of Anja. And for reasons I have yet to fully discover beyond the previous above statements in this section. It is unlike me to not have more description to give. In brief, this book is just not for me.
Source: I received a complimentary e-book from One More Chapter, HarperCollins and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review.
On my own, I found out information about the name Vinland, who the Beothuk people were, Leif Erickson, and other notable history.
The Flight of Anja is book two in the series. I have not read book one which probably would help me understand the background and other gaps in the story.
One of the main problems I had with the story is I didn't always know what part of the world I was reading about. What I mean is what and where is Vinland? And when Anja travels on a Viking ship, I thought the destination (for a while) was in Norway or another Scandinavian country. So, I was lost. I don't like to be lost
Freydis is a huge character. She is an interesting character. She is difficult to switch away from and towards Anja. I was not ready to leave Freydis.
For half (or more) of the book the tone and pace are a mix of on the edge of your seat-engaging-serious-suspicious-tense. Then the tone switches and an additional theme is introduced. There is a lag in between.
I had a difficult time becoming invested in the character of Anja. And for reasons I have yet to fully discover beyond the previous above statements in this section. It is unlike me to not have more description to give. In brief, this book is just not for me.
Source: I received a complimentary e-book from One More Chapter, HarperCollins and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review.
September 6, 2022
"𝙄 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪," 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙡𝙮. "𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖đ𝙞𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥" - 𝘼𝙣𝙟𝙖
"𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤" - 𝘽𝙟𝙤𝙧𝙣
Another awesome read from the Vinland Viking Saga! Unlike the first book, that follows Viking Freydis, Anja is a complete work of fiction. That doesn't make Anjas story any less though. I enjoyed this from start to finish.
We start by learning what happened to Freydis and Thorvard once they made it home. Then we start following Anja as she grows up. Thorvard entraps Anja with lies and deceit about her mother Freydis. Creating a bitterness that grows into resentment as Anja grows from a child to a young woman. Once Thorvard shows his true colours, Freydis fears her daughter will end up in the same life she was sentenced to. Freydis and Anja create a plan to change the fate of Anjas future.
Anja then begins a long and lonely journey to Vinland, following in her mother's footsteps. Not unlike her mother, she is faced with many hardships along the way. Anja is a strong and fiercely independent character. Once Anja reaches Vinland, the hardships don't stop. But she now has help from another Norseman, Bjorn.
This book and book one of the Saga, can be hard to read. They don't sugar coat anything, and are very true to how harsh of a world the characters lived in. In comparison to book one, i found that I flew through this one much more quickly. I am super excited for book three!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
"𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤" - 𝘽𝙟𝙤𝙧𝙣
Another awesome read from the Vinland Viking Saga! Unlike the first book, that follows Viking Freydis, Anja is a complete work of fiction. That doesn't make Anjas story any less though. I enjoyed this from start to finish.
We start by learning what happened to Freydis and Thorvard once they made it home. Then we start following Anja as she grows up. Thorvard entraps Anja with lies and deceit about her mother Freydis. Creating a bitterness that grows into resentment as Anja grows from a child to a young woman. Once Thorvard shows his true colours, Freydis fears her daughter will end up in the same life she was sentenced to. Freydis and Anja create a plan to change the fate of Anjas future.
Anja then begins a long and lonely journey to Vinland, following in her mother's footsteps. Not unlike her mother, she is faced with many hardships along the way. Anja is a strong and fiercely independent character. Once Anja reaches Vinland, the hardships don't stop. But she now has help from another Norseman, Bjorn.
This book and book one of the Saga, can be hard to read. They don't sugar coat anything, and are very true to how harsh of a world the characters lived in. In comparison to book one, i found that I flew through this one much more quickly. I am super excited for book three!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
July 25, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I had to put it down for a while before returning to it. This has to do with my personal life and not fault of the book. I'm unsure if this effects how I think of the book. I rate this more 3.5 (just rounded to 4 for goodreads)
I saw some people saying this book can be read alone, but I recommend starting with the first book, The Voyage of Freydis. It gives so much background, however I do think the first book has a lot more triggers.
The story follows Anja, daughter of the fierce Freydis Eiriksdottir from the Vinland saga. In 1012 AD Greenland, 15yr old Anja discovers that her father, whom she admired, has deceived her and sold her into marriage. Her mother, Freydis, gains freedom from this deal.
Anja, influenced by whispers about her mother’s brutal adventures, decides to forge her own path. She travels to Vinland, facing wild animals and harsh conditions, relying on the skills she learned from her mother. The story contrasts the harsh treatment of women in Greenland with the more respectful customs of the Beothuk tribe in Vinland, where women are honored.
Though Anja struggles with her father’s deceit and her own trauma, she grows stronger throughout her journey. The writing vividly portrays the brutal time and harsh climate, making the saga engaging despite its challenges.
I saw some people saying this book can be read alone, but I recommend starting with the first book, The Voyage of Freydis. It gives so much background, however I do think the first book has a lot more triggers.
The story follows Anja, daughter of the fierce Freydis Eiriksdottir from the Vinland saga. In 1012 AD Greenland, 15yr old Anja discovers that her father, whom she admired, has deceived her and sold her into marriage. Her mother, Freydis, gains freedom from this deal.
Anja, influenced by whispers about her mother’s brutal adventures, decides to forge her own path. She travels to Vinland, facing wild animals and harsh conditions, relying on the skills she learned from her mother. The story contrasts the harsh treatment of women in Greenland with the more respectful customs of the Beothuk tribe in Vinland, where women are honored.
Though Anja struggles with her father’s deceit and her own trauma, she grows stronger throughout her journey. The writing vividly portrays the brutal time and harsh climate, making the saga engaging despite its challenges.
June 29, 2022
This book is just phenomenal. I love how this young woman grows and matures as the truth of reality confronts her. She bends so gracefully to the traumas she faces. AND THIS LOVE STORYY I canttttt. Wow it wasn’t forced or based on lust but in deep rooted respect and trust. Very good A plus.
“I watch myself, lost in fog, searching for the part of myself I thought I knew, the part of myself I know I’ve lost” pg 53
““It’s no use feeling badly about what has come to pass.” “Its wise advice,” he mumbles, eyeing me” pg 172
“I can feel a change coming; a sense that life as I know it is almost done and that I am about to lose what I have come to know. Soon there will be another ending I must face” pg 197
“I reach down deeply and find that lost part of myself— the joyful part, the part that feels like I belong.” Pg 233
“I have lost the joy I used to feel when I wandered off on my own. Now I constantly worry about the dangers I will face” pg 274
“You have lived a story of suffering but if you tell it to yourself too frequently, you cannot love” pg 318
“I watch myself, lost in fog, searching for the part of myself I thought I knew, the part of myself I know I’ve lost” pg 53
““It’s no use feeling badly about what has come to pass.” “Its wise advice,” he mumbles, eyeing me” pg 172
“I can feel a change coming; a sense that life as I know it is almost done and that I am about to lose what I have come to know. Soon there will be another ending I must face” pg 197
“I reach down deeply and find that lost part of myself— the joyful part, the part that feels like I belong.” Pg 233
“I have lost the joy I used to feel when I wandered off on my own. Now I constantly worry about the dangers I will face” pg 274
“You have lived a story of suffering but if you tell it to yourself too frequently, you cannot love” pg 318
January 17, 2024
Again, another book that has unnecessary crap added at the end. Why do we need the love triangle? To what purpose does Bjorn maim Huritt, who was like a brother to him? I tell you to what purpose. To that of too much soap opera influence. It’s like I’m seeing the Salvatore brothers fighting over Elena. Anja anyway had a VERY hard time choosing what to do. And she keeps repeating to herself: it must be my choice. Well, it’s not really your choice if you’re gonna be shunned from your tribe for loving someone from a different tribe. You’re more like pushed to leave your kin and the village of your father’s tribe. There was enough internal struggle in Anja to make this a psychological novel and actually give her the chance to choose. With a little luck, she would have chosen to go to Leifsbidur and then she’d have been able to return back to her people and visit. I imagined her as the unifying link between two worlds and cultures, not as the one who would alter those relationships forever… Ah well, disappointing and cheesy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2025
Anja, daughter of Fredis Eriksdottir, has grown up believing that her mother killed Anja's mother and stole her baby to raise as her own. She believes everything her father, Thorvar, has told her over the years. Anja's uncle, Leif, arranges a match for her. To her horror it is to the drunken father of the two men who assaulted her in the meadows. She knows that she won't be safe. Freydis comes up with a plan for Anja to escape to Vinland, which is close to her own plan many years before. Fredis teaches her the way of the Shieldmaiden so she can try to defend herself if the need arises. Can they pull it off?
Taken from an old Vinland myth told by storytellers and may well have bent the truth to be politically correct. The questions is asked, what if they had it wrong and Fredis was a strong woman in a world of men? It can be a hard read at times, but it's interesting to see how women lived in those times. Have enjoyed both books and I hope the last one is as good.
Taken from an old Vinland myth told by storytellers and may well have bent the truth to be politically correct. The questions is asked, what if they had it wrong and Fredis was a strong woman in a world of men? It can be a hard read at times, but it's interesting to see how women lived in those times. Have enjoyed both books and I hope the last one is as good.
November 10, 2022
3.5 stars
This one echoes the story of her mother Freya. It parallels to the first book so I recommend you read The Voyage of Freydis first. I found that Anja's story has just as much pain but also redemption like her mother in a Viking world where it is not easy being a woman. This is a continuation and we see some familiar characters and a lot of new ones too. I enjoyed it and it was a quick read for me. The journey is both perilous and interesting so it is easy to get lost in.
This one echoes the story of her mother Freya. It parallels to the first book so I recommend you read The Voyage of Freydis first. I found that Anja's story has just as much pain but also redemption like her mother in a Viking world where it is not easy being a woman. This is a continuation and we see some familiar characters and a lot of new ones too. I enjoyed it and it was a quick read for me. The journey is both perilous and interesting so it is easy to get lost in.
May 15, 2023
What really struck me about this book is that it felt like a Viking saga of old, with its plot progression, the careful and methodical way of describing events and the themes it focuses on. Plus, you know, fighting a bear and winning.
This is also a coming of age story, with Anja learning who she is and where she fits in after being led astray or going along with the status quo for so long, which fits in well with the tapestry that Tamara Goranson weaves with this story.
This is also a coming of age story, with Anja learning who she is and where she fits in after being led astray or going along with the status quo for so long, which fits in well with the tapestry that Tamara Goranson weaves with this story.
June 8, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and One More Chapter for a review copy of this book.
I enjoyed the first book by Tamara Goranson, and this one was just a great!
While it is a work of fiction, it’s still special to read as my ancestry is part Norse. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction and wants to read more about Norsemen and Vikings.
I enjoyed the first book by Tamara Goranson, and this one was just a great!
While it is a work of fiction, it’s still special to read as my ancestry is part Norse. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction and wants to read more about Norsemen and Vikings.
July 4, 2022
This was decidedly "ok" for me. The writing was annoyingly opaque at times and the heroine was so obtuse as to make me not cheer for her, even though the stakes were low throughout. The setting and the secondary characters were the saving grace of this read.
August 27, 2022
A fun read of historical fiction that deals with an area that I know next nothing about. But its a great read and I kind of want to see the other books in this series. The author is a psychologist who places elements of post traumatic stress syndrome and 21st century feminism into her story.
March 28, 2023
After the first book, I felt very heavy, heartbroken, there was no Justice. Slowly but surely this book brought answers and more importantly, a home for Anja. I hope the series continues on this lighter, better note.
January 10, 2024
I liked this one a little less then the first, only because it felt almost too similar to the first like it was following too closely what made the first so great ( for me at least) i still enjoyed and will read the third eventually.
August 9, 2022
3.5 stars
October 18, 2023
Can't finish after 6 chapters. I wanted to like it. At least I found out what happened to Freydis after her return, but that's about the only thing this story has
March 2, 2024
Love this series. This follows Anja, the daughter of Freyis, as she passes as a boy on a ship bound for Vineland, to escape marriage to a man like her mother married. Great adventures await.
June 24, 2024
Awrsome journey
July 7, 2024
Book two of a trilogy, of course!
March 13, 2025
This one was much better than the first book, I found the main character soooo annoying until almost the end of the book though. Hopefully the final book wraps everything up nicely.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews