"Forest Child"

Vikings of the New World Saga, #2

by Heather Day Gilbert

 

 

 

Description

Viking warrior. Dauntless leader. Protective mother. Determined to rise above her rank as the illegitimate "forest child" of Eirik the Red, Freydis launches a second voyage to Vinland to solidify her power and to demand the respect she deserves. She will return home with enough plunder to force her brother, Leif, to sell her the family farm in Greenland. But nothing can prepare her for the horrors she must confront in Vinland...and nothing can stand in her way when her family is threatened. In her race to outrun the truths that might destroy her, Freydis ultimately collides with the only enemy she cannot silence—her own heart. Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, Forest Child brings the memorable, conflicted persona of Freydis Eiriksdottir to life. This immersive tale is Book Two in the bestselling Vikings of the New World Saga.

Biography

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, a Grace Award winner and bestselling author, writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, generational story-telling runs in her blood. Heather is a graduate of Bob Jones University, and she and her husband are raising their children in the same home in which Heather grew up.

Heather's Viking historical novels, God's Daughter and Forest Child, are Amazon Norse bestsellers. Heather has also authored the bestselling Murder in the Mountains mystery series, the Hemlock Creek Suspense series, and the Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher.

Sign up for Heather's newsletter updates on her upcoming releases here: http://eepurl.com/Q6w6X 

 

 

 

My Thoughts ~

 

This genre is quite new to me, but I was captivated by the events throughout this book. A novel about the differences between family, enemies and the struggle for power takes us on journeys to Vinland and Greenland. The fight for power and respect creates both darkness and horror. Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, the daughter of Eirik the Red, Freydis Eiriksdottir is known as the illegitimate Forest Child. 

Unfamiliar with either Vinland or Greenland, I discovered much through Gilbert's descriptive skills of both the terrain and the lifestyles of people throughout these areas during this time period. Freydis demonstrated an immense power and strength that many men couldn't match. Her craving for respect and power nearly consumed her. This obsession for power brought her to experience unknown atrocities and horror.

I found it very difficult to like Freydis through this powerful novel, and was I was repulsed by her actions while in Vinland. I grew to respect her after her return to Greenland when she endured unfairness and cruelty from her brother. Once she returned to Vinland Freydis became a character I grew to respect and favor. 

Forest Child is a powerful and deeply disturbing tale of a woman who fought like a man, but exhibited love for a child. Impressed by "Forest Child," I will be picking up a copy of "God's Daughter." Forest Child has piqued my interest in learning the background for this compelling tale! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review, with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.