I quickly became immersed in the story and in the time setting. It’s obvious that the author has done her homework and is able to write very convincingly about the life of the Vikings who settled in the Hebridean Islands. The story unfolds under Ms Black’s skilful story-telling and it was easy to ‘see’ everything that was happening in my mind’s eye. The characters are well-rounded and the reader can sympathise immediately with the young couple’s dilemma and pain when they discover that Asgeir’s father has arranged for him to marry the chieftain’s daughter.
The daughter, Breda, at first comes across as a very stiff, unlikeable person and one’s sympathies are not with her, but with the unwilling groom and his sweetheart, for a while. Until certain events happen that makes you see her in a different light and she becomes the focal-point of the story, although the other characters are far from forgotten, and you want things to come right for her and for her to be happy.
Human nature doesn’t change and people who lived centuries ago were afflicted by similar circumstances as they are today – children suffer from parents who leave a lot to be desired, or from the demands of those around them. So many complexities in the human nature are dealt with by Ms Black, showing how one young man, through his own strengths, manages to overcome and become the good person he wants to be and the other loses the battle. In some ways, I found the story sad and I couldn’t help sorrowing for poor Asgeir, who had suffered much at the hand of his father and didn’t have the strength of character to overcome in the way that Thorry had.
I thought the ending somewhat abrupt, but possibly that’s because there may be a sequel?
OR
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
About the author
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2019Format: Paperback
Top reviews from other countries
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in the United States on 15 August 2020
Terrible
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
