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Helruna: An Anglo-Norse Tale of Terror.
Young Bessie and Bryant enjoy everything an old New England family has to offer: hereditary wealth, an historical home on Long Island Sound, generations of connections, an all-but-assured successful future. They have the world in their hands as they enjoy the warm, calm summer water of the Sound on a Connecticut beach, preparing to go off to college in Montreal. Their idyllic life suddenly begins to unravel with the arrival of a new girl in town, a discovery in their parents' attic, and the unveiling of a familial curse that has pursued their forebears for centuries.
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 16, 2022
Poor Editing
Bessie and Bryant Butterworth are attractive fraternal twins, who have recently graduated from high school and are anticipating attending college in Montreal. But before they leave, their lives change when they discover an old case that houses ancestral documents.
I thought that I would be immersed into a world, where Bessie and Bryant, devoted twins, became powerful beings who broke with tradition, immensely trusted each other, and forged their own path. I was incorrect. Bessie and Bryant's path is so intertwined with a past, they only became privy to at age 18, that they will never be released.
There are so many ideas resonating in the story that I can do a role call:
Secrets. CHECK. Lies. CHECK. Seduction. CHECK. Spell casting. CHECK. Visions. CHECK. Shape-shifting. CHECK. Illusive relationships. CHECK. Jealousy. CHECK. Murder. CHECK. Family Drama. CHECK. Narcissism. CHECK. Ancestral curses. CHECK. Undeveloped Characters. CHECK. A daring escape. CHECK.
Neat little ending that is its own story. CHECK. CHECK. CHECK.
If I forgot something, I apologize. Nevertheless, the bulk of tge gang participated in this poorly edited story about a world of nefarious pagan politics and servitude. As the reader, you know whose name is supposed to appear where another should not. It is as if the author forgot the story. For example, when the rescue party attempts to retrieve Anselm, it is noted that Aunt Felicia would remain in the vehicle to ensure a "speedy exit" and summon a deity to assist the others if trouble arises. But during the actual rescue, Aunt Felicia is there, and she was not using astral projection, nor was it stated that she 'felt' as if there was trouble and left the vehicle.
This is just one of many errors. Thus, should you decide to read this non-terrorizing tale, proceed with caution.
Bessie and Bryant Butterworth are attractive fraternal twins, who have recently graduated from high school and are anticipating attending college in Montreal. But before they leave, their lives change when they discover an old case that houses ancestral documents.
I thought that I would be immersed into a world, where Bessie and Bryant, devoted twins, became powerful beings who broke with tradition, immensely trusted each other, and forged their own path. I was incorrect. Bessie and Bryant's path is so intertwined with a past, they only became privy to at age 18, that they will never be released.
There are so many ideas resonating in the story that I can do a role call:
Secrets. CHECK. Lies. CHECK. Seduction. CHECK. Spell casting. CHECK. Visions. CHECK. Shape-shifting. CHECK. Illusive relationships. CHECK. Jealousy. CHECK. Murder. CHECK. Family Drama. CHECK. Narcissism. CHECK. Ancestral curses. CHECK. Undeveloped Characters. CHECK. A daring escape. CHECK.
Neat little ending that is its own story. CHECK. CHECK. CHECK.
If I forgot something, I apologize. Nevertheless, the bulk of tge gang participated in this poorly edited story about a world of nefarious pagan politics and servitude. As the reader, you know whose name is supposed to appear where another should not. It is as if the author forgot the story. For example, when the rescue party attempts to retrieve Anselm, it is noted that Aunt Felicia would remain in the vehicle to ensure a "speedy exit" and summon a deity to assist the others if trouble arises. But during the actual rescue, Aunt Felicia is there, and she was not using astral projection, nor was it stated that she 'felt' as if there was trouble and left the vehicle.
This is just one of many errors. Thus, should you decide to read this non-terrorizing tale, proceed with caution.
July 9, 2022
I won this book through the Goodreads giveaway and was excited to start reading it. Glad to say I was not disappointed! The storyline was definitely interesting and enjoyed reading it. I did feel it was a little rushed. I was intrigued and would have loved to dive into Bessie and Bryant's world.
That said, I did notice some editing errors and certain names that were incorrect during specific "adventures"...I did have to reread passages to make sure I didn't miss anything only to realize it may have been an error that slipped in.
On a different note, it was fun to read about characters coming to Montreal since I'm from there!
That said, I did notice some editing errors and certain names that were incorrect during specific "adventures"...I did have to reread passages to make sure I didn't miss anything only to realize it may have been an error that slipped in.
On a different note, it was fun to read about characters coming to Montreal since I'm from there!
March 15, 2022
What is there not to like? Twins Brother and sister find, as they come of age, that their whole lives have been a lie. The family is not Christian, being closeted old world pagans instead. They will have to face a new world basically on their own as family secrets are revealed that shatter their previously close relationship as they head out to college and get no direction from their parents. They find themselves on opposite sides of a 1400 year old curse that seems unsermountable. The writing style is spare and to the point, telling a story of familial love breaking in the face of outside forces. The end makes me think there is another story to be told and I sure hope there is.
The cover is beautiful but I struggled to match it to the book on account of the cats. Did I miss something?
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Bruce for my copy and the little note. ❤
The cover is beautiful but I struggled to match it to the book on account of the cats. Did I miss something?
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Bruce for my copy and the little note. ❤
August 24, 2022
Thank you goodreads for the giveaway!
This was a fun read. Story of twins Bessie and Bryant who as they turn 18 and head away to college gain knowledge of their family’s history and the curse they’ve been under for centuries. As they learn more about their roles within the family, they are faced with more dangers. A fascinating glimpse into ancient Anglo-Saxon and Norse mythologies and history, it feels like what could just be the beginning of a good old saga. The writing style is clean and spare but could use a good editing to clean some things up including the awkward dialogue. At the same time, it feels like it could be a longer and more interesting story if the family history were fleshed out more fully. I definitely want to know more!
This was a fun read. Story of twins Bessie and Bryant who as they turn 18 and head away to college gain knowledge of their family’s history and the curse they’ve been under for centuries. As they learn more about their roles within the family, they are faced with more dangers. A fascinating glimpse into ancient Anglo-Saxon and Norse mythologies and history, it feels like what could just be the beginning of a good old saga. The writing style is clean and spare but could use a good editing to clean some things up including the awkward dialogue. At the same time, it feels like it could be a longer and more interesting story if the family history were fleshed out more fully. I definitely want to know more!
April 30, 2022
I won this novel in a book giveaway. Although not my usual type of story line I was very intrigued and decided to give it a fair shot. Happy to have done this because I felt myself drawn into the storyline wondering okay what is going to happen next! I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in necromancy, the occult etc. You won't be disappointed for sure! The writing is spectacular and very descriptive! I loved it 😍
August 29, 2022
This book would get slightly confusing at times with the characters switching between 3 languages as well as the point of view suddenly switching from one character to another. The overall story was really different to read and I love mythology so this was a perfect read for me. I like how the story came full circle but still left it open at the end for a sequel, which I would definitely read. The footnotes throughout the book were greatly appreciated and made reading the book easier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2022
So poorly written... Spelling and grammar issues in a published piece?
The initial storyline should have been fascinating but there were so many unnecessary turns in the plot, new characters added too late to matter with little relevance to the story overall, and so many unanswered questions. I was not scared once, for a "Tale of Terror" this was unequivocally, not scary.
Only reason I finished the book was because my free trial on Scribd ended and they took my payment.
The initial storyline should have been fascinating but there were so many unnecessary turns in the plot, new characters added too late to matter with little relevance to the story overall, and so many unanswered questions. I was not scared once, for a "Tale of Terror" this was unequivocally, not scary.
Only reason I finished the book was because my free trial on Scribd ended and they took my payment.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews