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The Iron Tithe
In a village just outside the Arctic Circle, the People of the Wave and the Wing have found peace, hidden as they are from the ancient enemy - by the grace of the nameless gods. This peace is bought through the people's payment of the iron tithe, which dictates that the last of everything given must be returned to the the final fish from a net, the dregs of a draught of ale, the end of a skein of wool.
Peace abandons the people when the Jarl's son washes up on the beach, dead and drowned (in that order), and they learn - to their horror - that they are owing.
The gods demand the last.
At the urging of the priestess (their conduit to the gods) they obey the call to return the last of the most precious gifts that they ever their children.
None have been born to the people in two decades, leaving Haedi, Aidan, Sylvi, and Isevelt as the last.
Bonded by sacrifice and then torn apart by time, the four young women are faced with the unimaginable - returning to life after death. Stripped of all but their duty, they each must What more is there to give after you pay the ultimate price? Is there a power in living that is greater than the power of dying? And, can sacrifice ever truly exist if it doesn't make you bleed?
Told through four heroines who are equal parts imperfect and inspiring, The Iron Tithe is a seamless marriage of non-linear narrative and changing perspective, which leaves readers to ponder the characters and their choices, long after their fates are decided. A tale of time travel that spans the Viking Age, the Golden Age of Piracy, and The Great War, The Iron Tithe by K. D. Kind is an epic coming-of-age story of loss and love, of friendship and of enmity, that will appeal to readers of historical fiction and fantasy alike.
Peace abandons the people when the Jarl's son washes up on the beach, dead and drowned (in that order), and they learn - to their horror - that they are owing.
The gods demand the last.
At the urging of the priestess (their conduit to the gods) they obey the call to return the last of the most precious gifts that they ever their children.
None have been born to the people in two decades, leaving Haedi, Aidan, Sylvi, and Isevelt as the last.
Bonded by sacrifice and then torn apart by time, the four young women are faced with the unimaginable - returning to life after death. Stripped of all but their duty, they each must What more is there to give after you pay the ultimate price? Is there a power in living that is greater than the power of dying? And, can sacrifice ever truly exist if it doesn't make you bleed?
Told through four heroines who are equal parts imperfect and inspiring, The Iron Tithe is a seamless marriage of non-linear narrative and changing perspective, which leaves readers to ponder the characters and their choices, long after their fates are decided. A tale of time travel that spans the Viking Age, the Golden Age of Piracy, and The Great War, The Iron Tithe by K. D. Kind is an epic coming-of-age story of loss and love, of friendship and of enmity, that will appeal to readers of historical fiction and fantasy alike.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2021
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 10, 2021
What a amazing read.
Eloquently written with unique characters in another world and time. I love that each of the women protagonists in this story were strong in their own way, without sacrificing any weakness. I loved how each of their point of views ended, and that each ended in a way that showed their strength and growth.
The story itself inspires thought and causes us to question our insight into life and death.
Into sacrifice and Gods.
It highlights the fact that finding your way to God shouldn’t involve sacrifice like some ancient civilisations might have believed, and figuratively this is still very true. You don’t have to give up anything of yourself to feel the love of God. You should already be able to feel the love within you.
I loved reading every word of this book, and every single word contributed in building a deep and intriguing world.
Such an amazing premise and beautifully executed story.
Has definitely made it onto my favourites bookshelf.
Highly recommend!
Eloquently written with unique characters in another world and time. I love that each of the women protagonists in this story were strong in their own way, without sacrificing any weakness. I loved how each of their point of views ended, and that each ended in a way that showed their strength and growth.
The story itself inspires thought and causes us to question our insight into life and death.
Into sacrifice and Gods.
It highlights the fact that finding your way to God shouldn’t involve sacrifice like some ancient civilisations might have believed, and figuratively this is still very true. You don’t have to give up anything of yourself to feel the love of God. You should already be able to feel the love within you.
I loved reading every word of this book, and every single word contributed in building a deep and intriguing world.
Such an amazing premise and beautifully executed story.
Has definitely made it onto my favourites bookshelf.
Highly recommend!
September 10, 2021
This book makes me so happy.
It’s an instant classic and a personal favourite and one I will continue to re-read for the rest of my life.
It’s dark and intense but with happy little bubbles of wit and poetry throughout. The craftsmanship of the writing is exquisite: if you enjoy mysteries and clever foreshadowing then you will love it!
For me, it’s up there with Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series and Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicle.
It’s super fresh, super tight and super readable, and the author treats their audience like curious and intelligent human beings.
It’s brilliant. I love it.
It’s an instant classic and a personal favourite and one I will continue to re-read for the rest of my life.
It’s dark and intense but with happy little bubbles of wit and poetry throughout. The craftsmanship of the writing is exquisite: if you enjoy mysteries and clever foreshadowing then you will love it!
For me, it’s up there with Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series and Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicle.
It’s super fresh, super tight and super readable, and the author treats their audience like curious and intelligent human beings.
It’s brilliant. I love it.
September 12, 2021
I'll keep this review spoiler-free because this story deserves to be read with fresh eyes, and you deserve to experience its magic for yourself.
"The Iron Tithe" has reignited my interest in historical fiction. The plot is unique and each of the characters have such depth. It's one of those books that leaves you longing for more, not because it lacks anything, but because the characters are so interesting and well-written that you just can't get enough of them. It's the kind of book that makes you feel lost when you finish it... like you just don't know what to do with yourself now that it's over. Of course, that's the best kind of book!
"The Iron Tithe" has reignited my interest in historical fiction. The plot is unique and each of the characters have such depth. It's one of those books that leaves you longing for more, not because it lacks anything, but because the characters are so interesting and well-written that you just can't get enough of them. It's the kind of book that makes you feel lost when you finish it... like you just don't know what to do with yourself now that it's over. Of course, that's the best kind of book!
October 16, 2021
exceptional
‘The Iron Tithe’ is the novel that reignited my love for reading. The fully-formed characters, the pull across time and everything in between is told so beautifully. The craftsmanship is phenomenal; every single word scribed has been perfectly, and purposefully crafted by the author to tug on your heart strings and capture you. It truly gives me shivers. This novel is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life and one that I will reread regularly.
‘The Iron Tithe’ is the novel that reignited my love for reading. The fully-formed characters, the pull across time and everything in between is told so beautifully. The craftsmanship is phenomenal; every single word scribed has been perfectly, and purposefully crafted by the author to tug on your heart strings and capture you. It truly gives me shivers. This novel is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life and one that I will reread regularly.
October 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️.75 stars
This was weird. I do not like the overarching theme of the book which was sacrifice, I don’t like how it ended and I also don’t really think I get it. There was only one moment in the book I liked and that was August and Isevelt’s relationship. Even though it was small and basically nonexistent it was the only redeeming quality of the book. The writing was also beautiful but I just don’t think this one’s for me.
This was weird. I do not like the overarching theme of the book which was sacrifice, I don’t like how it ended and I also don’t really think I get it. There was only one moment in the book I liked and that was August and Isevelt’s relationship. Even though it was small and basically nonexistent it was the only redeeming quality of the book. The writing was also beautiful but I just don’t think this one’s for me.
September 11, 2021
loved this book!!
Took me a bit to read. (Due to having little ones) but I love this book. Wish there was just a little more. I didn’t want it to end!!
Took me a bit to read. (Due to having little ones) but I love this book. Wish there was just a little more. I didn’t want it to end!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews