I liked the premise of this book, but as it neared the end, it seemed the author tried to hard to wrap it up neatly.

I had such high hopes for this book. To be honest, I was sold the second I read "old Norse gods" in the synopsis. I'm such a sucker for anything related to Norse mythology so I couldn't wait to get my hands on Berserker. And while it wasn't a bad read by any means, it didn't really spark any strong interest in me either. 

So. Berserker is a weird mix of a Western and fantasy. We have cowboys and unusual powers with their roots in Viking culture. It's a little odd but I figured I could get behind it, if it was done well. This wasn't done. . . badly? I felt like a lot of work definitely went into writing this book, especially as it falls more in the realm of historical fiction than anything (in my opinion, at least). But I treat historical fiction much like I would fantasy. Because it's not our modern world, I want more detail as a reader to fill in the blanks, to really wrap my head around this "strange new place." 

I didn't get that with Berserker. This world came off as a pretty face and nothing more. I never really went into the West or walked the roads of Norway. I wanted to but just didn't have that depth I look for in a book like this.

The same goes for the characters. Hanne drove me through the roof. She constantly brought the entire mood down and there was no reprieve. Her character's purpose was to make this power of hers, her Nyette, out to be the worst thing that ever happened to her and she now has to overcome it. Except. . . she doesn't, not really, so I really wasn't behind her to succeed. 

Owen is a nice guy but he bored me. I wanted him to reach his dreams but mostly because of the two characters, I didn't mind reading through his eyes as much as Hanne's. But nothing really happened with Owen until the two characters connect and from there it turned into a romance between characters I really didn't care much about so that subplot did nothing for me. 

The thing is, I didn't hate this book. For starters, the entire premise is so unique. I love the idea of combining what would be two genres almost into this one book. Plus, I really don't see a lot of historical YA right now so that sets Berserker apart on the shelf too.

It came down to whether I was entertained or not. This is a very quick read and the pace kept it going the whole way through, but once I finished I was pretty meh about the whole experience. I'd say give it a go if it sounds interesting to you! Just didn't work out for me.

The world building was well done, but I was unable to get into the story.

With the surge of popularity of Nora mythology, Emmy Layborne has released a winner. A cross between Rick Riordan and the Red Queen, readers will love the story and tribulations of Hanne and her family with gifts.

This fantasy western is set in (I am guessing) late 1800s, early 1900s. Hanne comes from a bloodline of people who have been gifted by the Norse gods. Hanne and her siblings have all been taught that their gifts are shameful and should be hidden, her gift most of all. Hanne is a Berseker, or a person who flies into a killing rage when someone she loves is threatened. It is this power that leads to the death of three men and her father. Hanne and her three siblings flee to the American west, where they hope to find family members who will help them control their powers. The family hires American cowboy Owen who will guide them to their destination. While the family becomes close with Owen, they must also continue to hide their secrets.

This book would be perfect for readers who enjoy action and don't mind gory violence. I had trouble getting in to the novel at first, but once Hanne's story intersected with Owen's, I became engrossed. I enjoyed all of the characters and felt that they each had a well developed personality. I even liked Owen's dog Daisy. I thought it was an interesting integration of fantasy and western.

Things I Loved:

The world: The magic system is original and fully thought out. Also, a part of it takes place in Norway

The Relationships: Berserker prioritizes familial relationships over the romance, which is rare in YA. Each family member is fleshed out and endearing.
This is not to say the romance isn't adorable, because it is. I love the realism. Instead of the two meeting eyes, realizing they are soulmates, and making vows of everlasting love, upon meeting eyes, Hanne and Owen's brains simply implode. They are incredibly awkward around each other and are unsure about the other's feelings. Hence realism.

Owen's Character: Owen's a shy and anxious character, which is uncommon in a fantasy love interest. He's an adorable sack of fluffiness.

The Gore: Berserker promised blood and it delivered despite being YA.

Things I Wasn't Crazy About:

Hanne's Character: The only interesting thing about her is her ability. Otherwise she's a cut and paste main character.


The ending: It was rushed and a bit too neat.


Verdict: Read it! Although the ending was a bit convenient and unbelievable, Berserker is worth a read for its unique mythos and its focus on family.


I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

This was a really quick, easy and rather entertaining read. Though, it could probably use a little more world building. And while I certainly have some unanswered questions, I am not sure if they warrant another entire book. The conclusion of this one felt rather solid, but I suppose we'll have to see how the rest of the series goes I guess.

I love reading stories of immigrants in 19th century America. I also love Westerns. Like, seriously, I love Westerns. I've seen more Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies than I'd like to admit.

Basically: no way in hell am I turning my nose up at a YA Western/Fantasy centered around a group of Norwegian immigrants and their cowboy guide making their way through late-19th century Montana. Because Norse Mythology/Western is a crossover we all need.

So it’s 1884 in Norway, where there are living descendants of mortals gifted by the Norse Gods with special abilities. The gift - or nytte - comes in four categories: Shipwright (super awesome crafting/building skills), Oar-Breaker (massive giant strength), Storm-Rend (weather bending, I think?), and, of course, Berserker. The Berserkers of Icelandic literature were crazy-ass warriors who went into battle in a trance-like state of “let’s go commit all the violence without mail-shirts on, because that sounds like an awesome idea.” In Laybourne’s book, those gifted with Berserker powers basically turn into Hulk Smash whenever someone they love is threatened.

Our protagonist, Hanne, is a Berserker, and she’s not happy about it. I’m not sure too many people would be happy about committing mass murder whenever someone looked crosswise at their family. Hanne’s family are all Nytteson, children with the Nytte/gift: her dad is a shipwright, her older brother Steig is a storm-rend, and Knut is a gentle giant Oar-Breaker. She has a snippy younger sister called Sissel who hasn’t shown any powers yet (but, since this appears to be the first book in a series, I’m sure she will eventually). They’re all living together in relative misery in 1884 Norway because dad is a drunk, and mom just straight-up abandoned the family because she was sick of being a doll-wife just as at home she was papa's doll-child; and here the children have been her dolls and wait, I’m thinking of the wrong book. The mom abandoned the family because she was disgusted to find that her children had the Nytte - something she always thought to be evil/terrible/gross enough to merit abandoning her children. So life in Norway pretty much sucks for Hanne and her siblings.

And having a Nytte is no picnic either. Using the Nytte, even a little bit, comes with a price: Shipwrights lose their fingers and toes, Oar-Breakers get so big that their hearts just up and give out, Storm-Wrends go blind (I’m a horrible person because I giggled a little at the thought of Steig using his power causing him to go blind because, well, other activities that would supposedly blind you). Berserkers suffer from a terrible hunger after being in their Berserker-state - as in they will eat anything and if they don’t they die. So...not fun.

Anyway: Hanne uses her gift to brutally slaughter the men who killed her father and she and her siblings flee to America. They end up in Montana with a cowboy called Owen Bennett, who agrees to help guide them to their uncle in Wolf Creek. Adventures ensue, including the siblings being traced by a couple of guys hired by a Baron with some creepy plan involving people with the Nytte.

I really enjoyed Berserker. It was a fun and captivating read, full of elements that I enjoy. There were some instances where I could have used more detail, more back story, more of an explanation, but as this appears to be the first in an intended series, Laybourne may be holding out on us. Well, it worked, I’ll be looking forward to future books. But now I have to wait, so that sucks.

Waiting is hard, you guys.

So if you just watched binged your way through American Gods, the movie Sweet Land, Hell on Wheels and Deadwood and need a good YA fantasy to read, then you’ll want to read Berserker. Definitely read if you’ve just binged on all of Hell on Wheels. You’ll imagine everyone looking like The Swede (real name Thor Gundersen, real nationality: Norwegian).

** spoiler alert ** Berserker by Emmy Laybourne was an excellent introduction into the new trilogy based in Norse mythology and the American West. It’s not often you find a YA book centered around Norse mythology and presented in a understandable manner but Laybourne did just that. She made me want to dig in and research it more to see what else I could find out.

Hanne, Knut, Stieg, Sissel and Owen all were relate-able characters. The fact that there were four brother’s a sisters, reminded me of my own family and the fights they had were like the fights we had at those ages. Hanne, Knut, Stieg all have their own gifts but with every gift there comes consequences. Hanne’s gift, the Berserker, is what sets them to action with their journey in America to find their Uncle for safe haven.

During their journey they face many challenges from natural elements, fighting off the people who want to collect them because of their gifts, the Nytte. I’m looking forward to learning more about the Nytte because there wasn’t as much explanation throughout as I would have liked but knowing there are two more books, I found this okay. I want to know more about Rolf and his mysterious benefactor and why exactly they are collecting children with the Nytte.

I did enjoy this book. It took about two days for me to read and by the halfway mark I didn’t want to put it down. Would I recommend this book to friends? Yes but to people who enjoy historical/mythology based storylines. This isn’t a book everyone will enjoy but I did.


I received an ARC E-Copy of Berserker by Emmy Laybourne from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First off this cover absolutely drew me in.
I found this to be a very interesting read. I had never heard of the Nytte before and loved the concept of the different Viking raiding gifts being passed down throughout the bloodlines. While this could have technically been ended with one book I am thrilled there will be two more books. I’d really love to see the different Nytte and how they use or accept their gifts. In the beginning I do wish there had been a little more explanation on the consequences of using other Nytte besides Berserker. I ended up rereading some to see if I missed it but it wasn't really explained until later in the story. The story takes you on a grand adventure and the sweet romance was enjoyable. Not exactly insta romance but it was a fated romance, neither types would have deterred me from the story though. The siblings have complicated and loving relationships that is realistic and familiar to anyone with siblings. I highly enjoyed the whole book. I think other readers who enjoy action, adventure, and mythology will fall in love with this story as I have.

I am already dying to get my hands on book two, Ransacker!

Twisting Norse mythology with the Wild West, this is a unique read with interesting twists and turn.

Four siblings struggle with the 'talents' they've inherited thanks to an ancient blessing from the gods. When Hanne's talent accidentally leaves three men murdered in their barn, the four of them panic and take off across the ocean to the far shores of America. There, they encounter a whole new adventure and that with a hunter on their tails.

The first chapter opens with a raw scene, which lays a perfect stage for the rest of the tale. The four siblings are introduced in a northern Europe, which isn't exactly a romantic place but dirty, difficult and a search for simple pleasures. The scenes hit home, making the situation of the siblings pull at the heart-strings as their daily struggle unfolds. By the time the murders hit, Hanne's position is pretty clear and the reader can't help but sympathize with her. The emotional stage is set. As to the background, this gets a bit muddled in the first chapters. The explanations behind the sibling's state dribbles in bit by bit and lacks a solid thread, making the first part of the book a slightly more difficult read. But it is quick paced, the characters come to life and their situation is very easy to get caught up in.

The second half of the book, when they get to America, loosens up and flows better. The difference between the two worlds is tangible and well done. The characters dive into development as they discover not only how to live in the new country but also how to live with themselves. An added romance gives heart and a nice touch, despite slight awkwardness at times.

Fans of mythology who are looking for something new will want to grab this one. It walks on the darker side but promises an engaging read with characters to root for until the very end.

I adored Emmy's Monument 14 series. Berserker hews closer to historical, but it still has the speculative edge that set Monument apart. It's fascinating watching the different characters interact and seeing the very slight differences between our world and theirs.

Thanks for the chance to read.

My students enjoy this author's other books so I will probably still buy a copy of this for my high school library. However, I lost interest in the book about 20% in. I think the problem was I didn't really like one of the character's story line. Whenever the story switched over to Owen's life I was bored- I got turned off from his story early on & couldn't feel much sympathy for him. I'm sure at some point Hanne & family meet up with Owen and it becomes more interesting but I wasn't engaged enough to keep going until that point.
I found Hanne's story line interesting & the concept of families with children endowed with gifts from the Norse Gods to be entertaining. I haven't read other stories quite like this and Hanne's power as a berserker was a fresh idea. I gave it 3 stars b/c I think my students will still like it and I like the concept of the book (and even Hanne's family's story).

Berserker is a fascinating genre mix, introducing the Nytte (God-given superpowers) to the American West. It's a fascinating mix of cowboys, violence, young love, and old myths. Hanne's family is endearing, the cowboy is adorable, and I love the mix of personalities, talents, and interests in this cast of character. The beginning felt a bit choppy for me and the ending was more abrupt than I'd have liked, but overall, it's a fascinating book with a very unique feel. There's lots of violence, so be aware of that, but everything else in the book is surprisingly thoughtful and sweet.

Hanne is a fine young woman, she helps around the house, doing all the motherly work since her mother left, but she also has a terrible secret. She is the reason that her mother left, you see Hanne is a Berserker. Gifted or cursed as she see's it, by the gods with a killing prowess that comes to her when a loved one is in danger. Her father is a Shipwright, her older brother a StormRend and her younger brother is an OarBreaker, strong as an ox and just as big. Her youngest sister, Sissel, is just a pain in the neck (though i have a suspicion as to what her Nytte is going to be...). Hanne keeps a low profile until one night when her gift tells her her father is in trouble and in helping him Hanne sets her life on a new course, one that sends her to America. This was a fun and fast paced read which combined the dark thrills of Norse Mythology and the dusty danger of the American Wild West!

I enjoyed this book. This is definitely and action/adventure tale, but it also has a stream of romance hidden in it that lightens the dark situations in which the main characters find themselves. I feel that in some ways the story was a bit cliche, though it had a great premise and idea. I would definitely suggest this book to others, especially to young adult readers interested in Norse mythology.

I'm also apart of the street team for this book so make sure to check out my other social media as well to see some exclusives.

Hanne along with her siblings are Nyette meaning they have a gift or a curse that was given to their ancestors by the Norse Gods in Viking times. Hanne is known as a Berserker meaning that she will do anything to protect those she loves if she thinks they are being attacked. We have older brother Stieg who can control the weather. Younger brother Knut who is super strong and then baby sister Sissel who has yet to have the Nyette gift.
Their father also has the gift and made beautiful ships before his gift turned into a curse the older he got. As for their mother she had no idea about it until they started showing that they had gifts, and then after a horrible tragedy happened to Sissel she left because she just couldn't handle it.
This left them to fend for themselves due to their father having a drinking problem. Stieg and Hanne had to handle all of the responsibilities and tried to care for their younger siblings as best as they could. But it's now time for Stieg to go to America and he'll send for them when he has enough money to.

It all changes one night though when Hanne goes Berserker and they all must flee. This is when things got good. Not only did we see the siblings work together from this point on we also get to know more about why their ancestors were given these gifts and how they were supposed to be used.
Once they make it to America it's time to find an uncle who is supposed to be able to help them. But getting to him might just lead them all to their deaths.

I have nothing but good things to say about this book. It held my interest from start to finish. By the end of it I loved all of the siblings and Owen who I was a little unsure of at first.

I'll be the first to admit I don't really know much about Mythology or anything like that. I know the basics of Olympus, etc but anything outside of that I am completely clueless on. So this book while not only really interesting because of learning about the Norse gods and the gifts they gave their people to help them thrive. It was also interesting how it was worked into the old west and how now maybe even people here were going to start having it as well because of them immigrating away from where they were originally from.

Four siblings trying to start a new life in America.Three of them with super abilities. Two people hunting them, and one helpful cowboy this book was packed full of history and adventure.

I already want to read the next one in this series!

I couldn't get past the first scene, which included the butchering of a pig. I can handle violence and gore, just not when it is involving animals. Nothing against the book, this is a perszonal issue. I'm sorry!

I'm a huge mythology fan and this was an interesting take. I think the audience for this book will be small among my student body, but there are a few kids who will absolutely adore it.

I adored this book. The world-building was great and I couldn't wait to see how things turned out. I can't wait to read more!