I've been obsessed with all things Vikings lately after binge watching the TV show, so this book came at the perfect time! I was so excited read it, especially since so many people said how amazing it was. While I did enjoy the majority of the novel, it felt a little rushed to me. I felt like the final battle was built up throughout the second half of the novel and then was over in 5 pages. I wanted more fighting, because they are vikings after all! I also felt like the romantic relationships didn't feel truly organic. I love some good romance in a novel, but it needs to build appropriately, and I didn't feel like that was the case in this novel.

Young did an amazing job with world building throughout the novel. The setting was beautiful and I could picture each of the villages perfectly. Another thing that really stood out to me was the family aspect in the novel. Eelyn and Fiske were so loyal to their families and it added a little human something to the typically barbaric vikings.

I really enjoyed the novel as a whole. There were a few times when I felt a little bored, but not enough to diminish the quality of the novel. I would definitely recommend Sky in the Deep to readers who enjoy novels about vikings and the YA genre. Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

It has been so long since a Young Adult Fantasy book has blown me away. I loved everything about this book. I've never read anything about Vikings before so when I requested this from Netgalley I was filled with both excitement over discovering something new and apprehension over whether I'd love it or not.

Eelyn is a 17 year old warrior. She was raised in a formidable viking clan. A rival clan begins to raid their villages slaughtering their friends and family members. Eager to defend her home, Eelyn rushes into battle only to find her brother, Iri, is not only alive after being thought dead for several years, but he's also fighting on the side of the rival clan.

I adored Eelyn. I sympathized with her entire situation. The feelings of betrayal and heartache were palpable. She was fierce and strong, but in a realistic way. She had her weaknesses and her faults which made her much more relatable.

Fiske was someone that I hated and admired at the same time. He did things that made me want to kick him in the shin. On the other hand, he was a character that added so much more depth to the story and his actions typically had good reasons behind them no matter how horrible they were. The more I read about him the more I loved him.

Iri was a whole other story which I will let you all discover on your own. lol

Overall, I loved the writing, the pacing, the characters were dynamic and fleshed out, and now I want to go watch the Vikings tv show, because that's how I pictured a lot of the characters. This book is incredible. It is so worth the time to read it!

Now, excuse me while I figure out the perfect spot for it on my bookshelf, because have y'all seen that cover? Stunning! It needs a place in my home!

Special thanks to the publisher and Adrienne Young for approving my request to read this book through Netgalley!! <3

Sky in the Deep was such a great novel! There is tons of action right from the beginning, a great plot and some fantastic characters. I definitely recommend this book to action and fantasy fans.

Five years ago, Eelyn watched her bother Iri die in a battle against the Riki, so when her brother's image comes to her just as she's about to die and saves her life, Eelyn believes that the gods have favoured her. But when she sees Iri a second time in battle she can't help but follow him. Iri was taken in and healed by the Riki five years ago, and now he is one of them. The only way he could protect Eelyn after she went too far to follow him, was to take her in as a slave. Now trapped in the mountains with the Riki and her traitorous brother, Eelyn must find a way to survive against all odds and make her way back to her people.

Eelyn was a fantastic main character. She is a strong and powerful woman that has so much life within her. She's not afraid to say what she's thinking and do what she feels is right. I loved her so much in the beginning, but I definitely loved her even more in the end. Eelyn goes through some amazing character development, and is just a please to read from in her point of view.
As for the other main characters, I really liked most of them. Fiske was absolutely fantastic from beginning to end, just seeing him in a scene made me so much more excited to read it. I adore Inge and Halvard, they really gave the book a family aspect, especially Halvard since he felt like a little brother figure, and was just so loveable that you can't help but love him.
The characters I didn't really like were Iri and Runa, Iri just seemed very stuck up and kept constantly doing the wrong thing and just expecting everyone to forgive him and see his side of the story. He never really apologizes and just doesn't seem like the great brother figure that Eelyn remembers him to be. It also didn't feel like he went through any character development and just sort of stayed the same from the beginning to the end of the book. As for Runa, she was talked about a lot in the book, but was never really present in the moment, and when she was, she just never made a lasting impression.

The action starts right at the beginning of the story and continues right to the end. I was really impressed with how much I wanted to read this book, and just not put it down. The world that Adrienne Young created was absolutely fantastic and very creative.

While the action, pacing and world were great, this book did tend to be a little predictable. The predictions I made at the beginning of the book came true in the end, and there really wasn't anything that surprised me about the story.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you love action and fantasy novels, and especially if you love strong female characters. If this book wasn't as predictable as it was, I would have definitely given it five stars. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

“I wouldn’t last in this village that whole winter. I couldn’t wait for the thaw. I had to find a way home.”

I adore this Viking and Celtic inspired world. It is such a refreshing change from the standard medieval European inspired world. I really hope we get more of this world. Either a sequel, a spin-off novel, a novella or a short story, I’m not fussy! Please, can we get more!

To my surprise, this story ended up being a lot more character driven than originally thought. Don’t get me wrong the action scenes are done amazingly. The pace is fast and it feels like you’re there alongside Eelyn during the battles. After the fighting is done for the day, we get these pockets of normality where we see more of the Aska culture. When she sees her brother on the battlefield fighting alongside the Riki, she tries to tell her father but he refuses to listen. But Eelyn doesn’t believe it and the next day her curiosity forces her to look for her brother, which end up with Eelyn being taken as a Riki hostage. Which is where the story switches its focus. Eelyn want’s to survive; she wants to get back home. So the narrative becomes more internal focused on herself, Iri and the Riki clan she’s found herself living with.

Adrienne Young has the beautiful way of showing the difference between these two clans during the time Eelyn stays with Fiske and Iri. And most of it is through the simplest of things. The way Eelyn braids hair and in the slight colour variation in the two sides armour and weapons. But the most stunning thing is getting to see how similar the two clans are outside the battlefield.

Eelyn is a wonderfully complex character. She starts off as this battle harden, Aska warrior who follows her beliefs and training completely, never really questioning anything. She, in the beginning, unlikable, also slightly one dimensional as this is all we see her as a warrior. As the novel progresses you see the changes in Eelyn too. She softens, but it’s not at all easy for Eelyn to accept this. She fights tooth and nail to cling to her hatred of the Riki and the belief that they are the enemy because it’s a difficult reality to realise that these people might be exactly like her. For me, this is handled beautifully and feels like a very human thing to do, because if she keeps questioning the way her world works does her life even make sense anymore? The most interesting thing to see was Eelyn thoughts has she told herself these people meant nothing and she wouldn’t hesitate to kill them to get want she wants to be juxtaposed with her soften actions towards them. Eelyn character development was amazingly handled and that takes a seriously talented writer to pull that off.

The mythology is a particular interest of mine and I adore the way Young has interweave the Viking inspired culture and beliefs. We have the two gods, Thora and Stgi. The Vikings are known to have been superstitious people and we see hints of that through the novel; totems carried in the armour of the Aska, the sacrificing ceremonies carried out to thank the gods for keeping them safe.

This story has so much to offer, more than what you might originally think of a YA fantasy. I was so looking forward to it, as I love the Viking and Celtic cultures and history. I am so happy that thing book was everything I want it to be and more. If you’re not sure if this is the right book for you, trust me it is. I cannot wait to see what Adrienne Young writes next but I’m hoping it’s something set in this world!

I don't exactly know what to say or where to start with this one. I'm not sure that I even have the right words. It was such an incredible ride.



First of all, I guess I should say that I feel so unbelievably blessed to have had the opportunity to read this book before release. I've been watching it ever since I first saw the cover. (OMG, how amazing is that cover?) I could tell that it was a dark and raw fantasy novel that I desperately needed in my life. When I started seeing reviews and comments rolling in, it was solidified and I knew that I would have to own this book.



Secondly, I think I have to say that one of my favorite things about this book is also something that makes me very sad. Sky in the Deep is a STANDALONE!!! I love it because there was no waiting to find out how the heroine would resolve the conflict. I'm sad because I was enjoying the book so much that I didn't want it to end. EVER.



The stage is set at the time of Vikings. This book holds nothing back. It is violent and descriptive. Eelyn's prejudices are well-earned, and her enemy, The Riki's treatment of her is harsh and brutal. The time that Eelyn spends as a captive of The Riki is filled with hatred and taunting and Eelyn often fears for her life. This is not a fluffy feel-good book, but in the end, it did make me think and make me aware of some pretty harsh realities of our world today.



Sky in the Deep has some absolutely amazing characters and some of the strongest women I've ever read. Also, while it may seem completely impossible, this book contains some pretty epic romance. The family relationships and friendships that are explored are quite thought-provoking.

Can Iri's actions still be seen as traitorous after all that Eelyn has seen and felt?
After all that has happened would Eelyn be welcomed back in her own village?
Can the love you feel for the family you choose be as strong as the love you have for your family by blood?
I loved everything about this book except for the fact that it ended.

5 out of 5 stars

Rating: 5/5

“OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.”

If you’re a fan of fierce AF female lead characters you absolutely HAVE to read this book! Adrienne Young has gifted this world with a gripping story rooted in family and honor that features characters you’re sure to love.

Eelyn is a 17-year-old (because this is YA) Aksa Viking devoted to her father and her tribe. Wielding an axe, this girl is a total badass alongside her best friend as they go into battle against the Riki. Eelyn never expected to see her brother, long-since dead from his last battle, fighting alongside her enemy. Eelyn follows her brother, leading to her capture by the Riki, and is then faced with the challenge of surviving in an enemy tribe while learning the truth of her brothers betrayal.

Eelyn is the character every girl wishes they could be – she’s fierce, she’s loyal, she’s beautiful, she can kick your ass and she’s unbelievably stubborn. Young does a phenomenal job developing her into this complex character as she battles her desire to return home and hatred for the Riki against her internally caring nature and love for family. Young’s writing will have you rooting for Eelyn to escape while you are simultaneously pining for her to remain with Fiske, our handsome love interest.

The world is rich with Viking culture; battle, spiritual guides and rituals, and some all-to-real violence that paints a vivid picture of the dangers our main character faces as she is thrown into an enemy camp. Young balances honesty to culture with gripping story telling that leaves readers completely immersed in this violent and captivating world. Young does a fantastic job weaving in romantic and family subplots that enhance the storyline rather than feel out of place or overused.

At it’s core, this story is about defying the odds and unity. Eelyn starts the novel as a character hell bent on proving herself in battle and destroying her enemy. Along the way, Eelyn sees that both the Aska and the Riki share a common enemy and must work to unite the tribes to work together, overcoming generations of hatred.

I absolutely loved this book and it’s a must read for anyone who loves YA novels that feature complex and fierce lead characters without a lot of frill and excessive emphasis on the romantic subplot. You get all the feels AND all the action. It’s a win-win and definitely a five star read!

I found myself at lost for words on how to describe the magnificent that is this book. Sky in the Deep left me emotionally distraught--in a good way--and craving for more. I was on edge waiting the whole time reading for what is to come next, but at the same time, I wanted to slow down and not let it end. AHHH!
It is not a story to be taken lightly, for it is filled with heart and soul. Adrienne Young has flawlessly captured the five senses into her writing giving me front seat row in the story. Every word that was uttered was done carefully and purposefully making you not want to miss a single thing said or done. 
Sensitive topics such as religion and family were approached in a way that made one listen, understand and feel. The story has a focal point on something that many ya books do not touch much on: family, sibling love, friendship, forgiveness and raw open sweet romance. There is no ya novel, to my knowledge, that has so wondrously captured the open, jealous, and tearful sibling love between a main character and brother. I have utterly and un-shamefully given my heart to this book.
Even though the book is told from a single person point of view, I was able to thoroughly connect with all the characters in the book without feeling any resentment towards any of them. The main character had the aspects of what a true heroine should be like: fierce and independent yet vulnerable and rational.
This book blew my mind. I did not want it to end. I don't know what to do with myself, now. Like, what other books out there can equal this one. This is a story that I am going to reread forever. I will never be able to get over how fantastic this book is. 
You will regret passing the opportunity to read this book. Truly from the bottom of my heart, REEEEEEEAAAAAADDDD!! THIS BOOK!!

SKY IN THE DEEP shocked me with how intense and enjoyable it ended up being.

There is a lot going on in SKY IN THE DEEP and I enjoyed it all. Eelyn had issues, but was a very strong character. I enjoyed her grit and determination to resolve the conflicts that were thrown at her. The story was easy to follow. There is a lot of hate between the Aska and Risi, but there were a few characters in the story that were able to look past that and Eelyn was able to look past that after some time with those people. The secondary characters definitely brought a lot to the table.

The romance in SKY IN THE DEEP is slow, but sweet. Two enemies find love. It is not the main point of the storyline, but it was a nice addition.

One thing that really stuck out to me after reading SKY IN THE DEEP was how pointless and wasteful the war between the Aska and the Riki clans was. It was a bit hard reading about all the death that they both caused the others over an ancient rivalry that could have easily been worked out if they would have bothered to bring forth some sort of peace talks sooner. Eelyn being taken really was a blessing in the end.

I was kinda sad that the story ended. I would have totally read more if SKY IN THE DEEP was longer or part of a larger story. I say give this one a try.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Eelyn is a girl with fire in her blood. Captured, she will have to find the strength in her to tame this fire for her survival. And let it burn bright again to unite the clans for fighting the herjas.

This is a beautiful story of love and family, with a lot of emotions and concessions.

Big thanks to the publisher for my e-copy of this book through NetGalley.

I loved it! This YA fantasy coming-of-age tale held my interest throughout the entire book. The plot was engaging with a bit of romance and lots of action scenes that will have your heart racing. The story is told through the fiery warrior heroine, Eelyn, who has to open her mind and unlock her heart if her people are to survive. The world building and characterizations are excellent. This is one THRILLING unputdownable read!

This book did not mess around. If you want action - if you want adventure - if you want non-stop - you need to pick up this book. Young did not disappoint. You find out from the start that Eelyn is one tough mamba-jamma that is not to be messed with. She can handle herself and there is never a question of that. Her character is the true definition of the word FIERCE.

When I started this, I will admit I was hesitant because a YA version of a Viking story might come across a little weak or fluffy but that is not the case here. Young can write one hell of a story. She pulled me in from the start and never let me go. I was immediately sucked into a fast-paced and gripping story of a protagonist that knows what she wants. It didn't get better than this story and I don't know how Young is going to top this other than just keep writing... forever.

I hope you all realize how much I am struggling to NOT give anything away! I just want everyone to get their hands on a copy of the gem and submerse themselves into the rich and colorful world Young created. The pages will turn so quickly and it will be over before you know it. That's what happened to me. I could not get enough and I know everyone is going to be saying the same thing. This is one book you do NOT want to miss out on.

"'Why did you do it? Why did you save Iri's life?'

'Because we were dying. Because it was the end. And at the end, life becomes precious.'"

~SKY IN THE DEEP

There aren't a lot of fiction novels set during humanity's earliest days, especially in YA. The first, and perhaps only, to spring to mind are Julie Eshbaugh's excellent Ivory and Bone duology, set in prehistoric times and full of clans, sabertooth tigers, and wooly mammoths, and Lesley Livingston's THE VALIANT, set in the time of Julius Caesar and gladiators. With shows like The History Channel's Vikings and the BBC's The Last Kingdom (Based on the Saxon Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell) becoming wildly popular, the genre is starting to bring its A-game to the dinner table in the form of books. This month, readers are lucky to see the release of not one but TWO novels centered around vikings, BEYOND A DARKENED SHORE by Jessica Leake (available now!) and SKY IN THE DEEP by Adrienne Young (available tomorrow, 4/24!). Having read IVORY AND BONE and now SKY IN THE DEEP, I've discovered I'm really intrigued by historical fiction about our long-forgotten past and am now excited to read BEYOND A DARKENED SHORE, which adds some Norse mythology into its mix.

SKY IN THE DEEP is one that has had social media buzzing and received a lot of early praise; it comes out tomorrow and is definitely one to pick up the next time you're at a bookstore. I hesitate to call it a "fantasy" novel because there is no magic involved. It is a tale of clans at war, of love and loss, of family and hearth. Maybe it's fantasy in the fact that nobody can really know how Viking life really was, but it feels more "real' and though it's not "historical" either, I would say it leans more into this category than it does the former.<


The book centers around the blood feud between the Aska and the Riki clans. Every five years, the two clans come together in deadly warfare in the name of their gods, also locked in eternal battle, Sigr and Thora. Eelyn has lost much to the Riki, including her mother and brother. When she sees her brother Iri on the battlefield, she is sure her mind is playing tricks on her. When she loses focuses and is captured by the Riki, she discovers that Iri is not only alive, but living amongst the enemy. The Riki Clan is now his clan. He has been adopted by a Riki family. He is in love with a Riki girl. Eelyn's heart breaks and the vision of her brother she has held dear for so long shatters. How can he betray the Aska so deeply? How can he betray the family, betray her? Eelyn wants nothing more than to return home, but winter has arrived and the journey is deadly. Forced to live and work amongst the Riki, she discovers that they aren't so different from her own clan, and that a battle far greater than anyone could have imagined might re-shape the entire world.

This is a book that's really hard to talk about without spoilers. I went into this one not knowing much about it, just that people whose opinions I trust when it comes to books had read and loved it. I don't read a lot of historical fiction and have never watched Vikings, but I did love Eshbaugh's Ivory and Bone duology, and I am always willing to give a new genre a chance. I'm really glad I did because SKY IN THE DEEP has such a strong heart. It explores the lengths we'll go for family, the brutality of the way everyday life used to be, of the way lore once defined the world and our place in it. As much as I'm dying to talk about the characters and their relationships with one another and the way they evolved and changed, it's too spoilery to do so.

Suffice to say, SKY IN THE DEEP will keep readers on their edge of their seats with the action, the character growth, and the way Young weaves the threads of this gritty, unforgiving world together and makes them care about everyone's future. The book comes out tomorrow and is definitely worth picking up!

What a way to start! This book opens with a roaring, bloody, vicious battle from the point of view of a truly badass young woman. Jumping into battle from the get go gave me pause. I mean I knew this was about Vikings so you already kind of know what you’re getting into. But not every book has the temerity to walk up and slap the reader in the face with quite this much vigor! In the midst of this first raging battle our main character catches a glimpse of her brother. The brother she had seen killed in battle 5 years earlier. She and her father had mourned him as dead, but now she realizes he is still alive. Not only that, he is fighting for her clan’s mortal enemy. He is fighting against her. The journey she takes in finding out what happened to him, is going to challenge her deepest convictions.

Eeyln, the main character, is a warrior and has been raised in a society where fighting with the neighboring clan is a regular occurrence. She fiercely wields two weapons, and gives no quarter. The books early violence mirrors her natural inclinations, a product of her upbringing in such a martial society. Early in the book she finds herself in a field of flowers. Two women and a child work nearby to harvest the flowers. Meanwhile, Eelyn’s inner monologue is:

“I eyed the shears in Runa’s hand. If I wanted to I could set this field of yarrow on fire and let myself burn with it.”

Holy sh….!

Eelyn, is battle hardened, and her skewed perception of people around her and her tendency to react to fear with violence even causes her to assume a child to be an enemy. Her character is so thoroughly delineated that watching her story arc and growth over the course of the novel is rewarding. The author also has a deft hand with subtler emotions. Eelyn’s longing for her family, and the gentleness that she so successfully hides under layers of armor and scar tissue shines out at times, hinting at a depth of feeling in this girl. It’s easy to forget, she is still a young woman. That means romance. If that’s what you’re looking for, then you won’t be disappointed. There is a very good leading man in this story, with not a love triangle to be found. However, this is not the main point of the novel and isn’t treated like the end-all-be-all of her journey.

This is a standalone novel, but I heard that there is a companion book coming out next year. Add this author to your Goodreads follows & your Twitter feeds. Be like me, search her name on Netgalley compulsively over the next few months in hopes you’ll catch her next book early. This is an excellent start to what promises to be a great career from a new author.

Eelyn was a girl trained to be a warrior that was told she must destroy another tribe. The same happened to the other tribe.
What will happen when she will be taken by the other tribe as a captive? And how is it possible that her brother that was supposed to be dead for few years.
I loved the way this book was written and how everything was changing slowly (even sometimes painfully), but that was so captivating that I hadn't seen some changes coming.

After a slightly slow start, I ended up being sucked into this story. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion. I’m giving it 5 out of 5 stars.

The first thing that made me want to read this book was the cover. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?!? This book had been on my TBR for a while before the Sunday Street Team offered a blog tour, and I couldn’t say no. I’ve been on a contemporary binge lately, and let’s face it…that’s my go to genre. So it took me a little time to get into the story, but this ended up being a big hit for me! I loved pretty much all the characters. I don’t want to say anything spoilery, because you all need to read this, and see the amazing journey Eelyn and co. go on together for yourselves.

I haven’t read anything Viking related before, but this makes me want to find other books like it ASAP. The names and culture took a little getting used to, but it was a lot of fun to learn about the different rituals and beliefs of the clans. And the fight sequences had me on edge, waiting to see what would happen.

The ending was fantastic, and I can’t wait to see what else this author comes up with for her next book. I found a new book boyfriend (along with some other favorite characters), and that makes me very happy. I highly recommend this debut book!

SKY IN THE DEEP is pitched as "Vikings meets Wonder Woman" and in some ways that's right. There is a Viking-inspired culture and Eelyn is a strong female warrior. And yet that description doesn't convey what this book is really about.

It's not an endless adrenaline-filled battle. There is fighting, but it's portioned out well, so that each fight has weight. There's time in between the action for the dust to settle, and the consequences to really seep into the ground. In a lot of surprising ways, this story really unpacks the years-long feud between the Aska and the Riki. How it has shaped their societies, their culture, their children, their religious beliefs.

We see this through Eelyn's eyes, when she's taken out of her world, and into that of the Riki. She grows so much over the course of the story - but it's through observation and every day life, more than through any grand epiphany. The relationships she develops over the course of the story feel real and earned (friends, family, and romance) - and the conclusion felt equally well-earned and plausible.

I was speaking to a friend about this - and this book really feels like 1990s/early 2000s fantasy. Which is what I grew up reading, and so the book feels comforting and familiar. I hope people stick around through the first act, and can get used to the slower-than-current-trend pacing, because if they do there's a lot to love about this book.

(Without spoiling anything, the final act of the book was my favorite, and I'm kind of in love with the metaphor that the title derives from.)

Every 5 years the Aska clan battles with the Riki clan. It is because of this that Eelyn has trained as a warrior. In her first season she sees her brother, Iri, die. In her second, she sees him again, except on the other clans side. Caught off guard by the sight she finds herself captured by the Riki, and the only thing keeping her alive is her traitorous brother. As a captive she learns much more about herself, her brother and the war that has plagued the clans for centuries.

I loved this book so much I finished it in less than a day. The pacing in the book flows with consistent action scenes that leave you anxious for your hero’s survival. It starts with a battle and ends with a battle. When I was reading I also didn’t feel like it was the same fight over and over, each one felt like a unique sequence that offered a stimulating scene. Not only were the fighting scenes descriptive but they felt realistic. The characters had limitations with their own strengths and bodily functions as far as their injuries went. Characters didn’t emerge from fights completely unscathed and had somewhat realistic recovery time and scars.

Through all the fighting there was room for romance as well. If you’re into the hate-to-love trope then you will find it here, and in a way that lets the characters adapt to the romance. The attraction between the characters felt natural as they learned more about and spent time with each other. You guys, it was really sweet too, what the characters were willing to deal with and sacrifice for the other.

Trigger warnings: kidnapping, slavery, assault, some graphic violence

The World Building

Young did a really good job of bringing the surrounding world to life while it was engrossed in death. Maybe it’s because I live in the PNW and I am surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, but I could imagine the little villages and a winter too strong to travel through.

I loved the cultural aspects that were brought into the story to develop meaning to their lives. From the sacrifices to the miniature idols the characters are given more than just a brutal life of training to kill.


The Characters

First of all I love Eeylin. This chick is a serious bad ass, without the actual need to tell use she’s a bad ass. The culture they are raised in develops her to be brave, but through the story we learn that it doesn’t make her a monster. I love that she has so many feelings despite everything. The desperation for her own life and survival as well as the willingness to die to save herself the shame of being a slave created such a bold character. I think my favorite part about her though was the love for her family. Not only for her father, and her fighting partner, but for her brother that though he seem to have betrayed her still holds a special place in her heart.

This book almost felt like historical fiction, it was so detailed and felt so realistic. I loved the primitive feel of the warring tribes and how it felt Nordic and ancient but also relatable. It brought you back to basic human emotions and needs and it felt raw and powerful.
It was a little slow-going in the beginning and it took me a few days to really get into the story. About halfway through, I did get into it and couldn't stop after that.
As is typical for me, I ate up the romance and it gave me such strong feels. It was the best kind of star-crossed romance with a hot, sensitive guy and a strong, broken woman.
All the women in this book were fabulous warriors. And the writing was beautiful. And the more I write about this book the more I'm realizing that it was awesome and everyone should go read it. It was different and so good.

I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to see what else the author comes up with in the future!

This book starts off with our main character, Eelyn seeing her *dead* brother, Iri in the battle between Aska and Riki. The battle between the two clans is an ancient blood feud based on their religious beliefs. Her clan, the Aska, worship the god Sigr and according to his will, they fight their enemies, the Riki who worship the goddess Thora, every five years. Eelyn is captured by Iri and another Riki, Fiske to protect her from the other Riki and taken in as a slave by Iri’s Riki family. Although Eelyn is a fierce warrior trained to kill Riki since a young age, as time passes by she comes to realize that they might be similar than she thought. And that maybe they aren’t the real enemy.

The writing in this book is beautiful and conveyed everything perfectly. The worldbuilding was excellent. The action scenes are exciting and brutal enough to let you build up the scene in your mind and make your stomach churn, but not pointlessly violent enough to disgust you and make you skip them.

It also showed us Eelyn’s thoughts and emotions brilliantly. We see her shock when she first realizes her brother isn’t dead, her pain when she realizes he was alive but didn’t come home to her, her anger when she realizes he has embraced his new life. And we understand and feel her feelings with, and for her.

Characters are fleshed out well and I loved how their relationships with one another were portrayed.
Eelyn’s relationship with her brother is complicated and takes time to heal. She feels betrayed by how he left her and her father and joined their enemy. But, she also feels responsible for what happened, like she wasn’t there to help him when he needed her the most.

Myra is Eelyn’s fighting partner and her closest friend. These girls are fierce warriors who always had each other’s backs and would do anything for each other. Even though we don’t get to see much of her, from what we do see we can’t help but admire her and love her.

Due to their clan rivalry Eelyn despises Fiske at first. Of course it doesn’t help that he nearly kills her and injures her on a few occasions. What I loved about this book’s take on the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope was that they truly hated each other and there was no insta-love. Eelyn injures him in battle and Fiske does the same to her. There’s no sugarcoating or watering down their actions as enemies. And, yet despite the scars they bear by each other’s hand they learn to care for one another and work together.

This book manages to explore matters of religion, honor, and family; both by blood and by choice, in the best way possible, while being an enjoyable and entertaining read.

My Overall Opinion : I loved everything about this book and have no complaints whatsoever. This has been more than I ever expected and is my favourite read of the year so far. 100% recommend it to anyone into Vikings and YA fantasy.

*** Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC! ***

I'm giving this a solid four stars, though for me personally it was more like a three star read. I am perhaps a little burnt-out on YA fantasies all falling into the same tone and action--however! I could think of several teens I'd recommend this too, and already know many who will love this. I love that it was a standalone, I loved the quiet personal touches. That cover is stunning. The best parts of this book are all in the beginning chapters. The second half seemed in a hurry to tie things up . . . but overall a fun read.