I received a free digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐
If you know your Norse mythology, you are already aware that Valkyries are supernatural beings who determined life or death in battle. They spared some, and guided the weapons that killed others. In this way, Viking warriors would not have died in vain, or survived by chance. Valkyries thus determined their fate, their destinies completely out of their own hands.
Through her extensive research then, the author shows just how important women actually were in medieval Iceland, showcasing a multitude of instances where real flesh-and-blood women wielded great power in various roles on top of also controlling the destinies of warriors in the supernatural world.
I was so excited to get a copy of this text, but in the end found myself a bit on the disappointed side. On the surface it looks like something I would love, and I so wanted to love it. The biggest issue for me remains that I much preferred when the author cited archaeological evidence as the basis for her conclusions. I don't mean to dismiss the various Sagas and the entirety of Norse mythology, but they will not give a complete and accurate picture and I feel the author at times relied more on those than the tangible evidence. Both are necessary, but I would have liked it to be more even in how each were addressed and incorporated into the text. There were definitely times I had to skim when it came to those Saga/mythology sections as the book went on.
In the end, my opinion is just that, opinion. There are plenty who will enjoy this incredibly detailed examination of the Sagas especially. The author has clearly spent much time in analysis of her subject and knows quite well what she is talking about. This informative text proves it.
Recommended for those with an interest in Vikings and the Sagas especially.
i took a class in Norse Mythology in uni and quite enjoyed it... there's a lot to absorb in the sagas and eddas: it's a complex subject. i think your post is penetrating and thoughtful, tx...
ReplyDeleteThank you! I enjoy the sagas and analysis of them, but I wish this book would have been more balanced.
DeleteIt's nice to see woman represented in History!
ReplyDeleteYes, we need more of that!
DeleteInteresting. I'll keep it on my 'Look Out' list without *actively* looking for it. Good to see more women's history though. Definitely not enough of that around.
ReplyDeleteProbably a good idea, nothing you need to find and read IMMEDIATELY. I appreciate the subject matter greatly, but wish the analysis would've been more balanced between the sagas and archaeological evidence.
DeleteI can see your point. Though I can also appreciate that she chose to make her points based only on the Sagas.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoy analysis of the sagas, but it just did not feel balanced enough to me. You would still enjoy this one quite a bit I think.
Deleteit almost sounds like textbook and it is all about the research. no shortcuts will work
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I would have definitely liked a better balance between the archaeological finds and the sagas. It was so saga-heavy.
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