In WHEN WE WERE VIKINGS we follow Zelda, a 21-year-old born with fetal alcohol syndrome. She is obsessed with Viking stories and culture and strives to live the life of a Viking. Zelda lives with her older brother Gert who loves his little sister but doesn’t always make the wisest decisions. When Gert gets in with some shady characters and winds up more than a bit out of control, Zelda decides to step up as the hero of her own story.⁠
⁠
I picked this one up at the end of January wanting a lighter read after some heavier topics. I both did and did not get what I was looking for in this one. This one deals with some heavy topics including discrimination against those not seen as “normal”. Zelda doesn’t have many physical characteristics that give away her fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosis, but in speaking with her some identify her as someone easy to take advantage of. My heart hurt for Zelda as I read situations where I knew something bad was coming that her innocence didn’t recognize.⁠

Andrew David MacDonald delivered an amazing story in, When We Were Vikings. I absolutely adored this literary fiction about our protagonist Zelda who was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, due to her mother's heavy drinking, and their father died while in prison and her mother died shortly after. This leaves Zelda and her brother Gert to survive on their own. Zelda obsessed with Vikings adapts the Viking culture to make it through life’s difficulties and challenges.
This is truly an amazing heart warming story about these two people learning to lean on each other as siblings to traverse their difficulties in their lives. The ending was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. MacDonald wrote with such heart and creativity. This is certainly a must read and wonderful coming of age story as well.
I highly recommend this amazingly brilliant book.

This novel is simply epic! The MC, Zelda is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome from an alcoholic mother, who later dies. Her father is also deceased and she is raised by an abusive uncle. Here, the enemy for both Zelda and her brother, Gert, are the cycle of poverty and generational trauma that manifests in subtle and sinister ways in their lives.

Zelda is a triumph of characterization, embarking on her own heroic journey to protect her small group and save herself and those she loves from the tragedy that seems to lurk at every turn. The disability rep is powerful in this book and I found myself cheering for Zelda at every turn. Wonderful, well-written book.

ARC Provided by NetGalley

This book attempts to tackle some very difficult and somewhat unusual subject matter, and I applaud the author’s to make her protagonist Zelda (who suffers from the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) both relatable to the average person and also uniquely challenged in a way that the average person is not.

That said, while I commend the effort, the story leaves the reader feeling more upset than enlightened. I can certainly accept and would to an extent applaud that the narrative deliberately makes the reader somewhat uncomfortable. I think we would all agree that it’s important to read about subjects which put us outside of our comfort zone.

However, when the author achieves that with content that often feels exploitative and deliberately grotesque, I question the method even if I can appreciate the message.

While I think Zelda’s plight and the plight of others like her is important to understand, I didn’t love the approach. There is much that feels like a breed of gallows humor that doesn’t really land, and much that feels like it was included just to trigger emotions in the reader, rather than to tell a story that might evoke those emotions in the reader more organically.

21 year old Zelda is a Viking -- well, not really. She's a young woman with development and cognitive issues who uses Viking myths and philosophies to guide her life. She longs to create and live her own legend and be a hero to her loyal friends and her brother. When her brother runs afoul of some villains, Zelda tries to use her Viking skills to help him.

This is a sweet story for young adults about resilience and family and friendship. Zelda is a strong character with depth and emotion. I was so invested in what happened to her. Her brother is, on the surface, a thug and a liar who is on a path that will only lead to trouble, but Gert's motives are clear -- he wants what's best for his sister. The plot progresses at a quick pace, and I couldn't put this book down. It would be a good addition to any high school library with two strong caveats -- there's a great deal of profanity throughout and one LONG pretty graphic sex scene. Although I felt that both are appropriate to the characters' lifestyle and ages, this could be offensive for some younger, more sensitive readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Eh. I keep trying to like mythology-based works, but I usually fail. This was a just-okay novel I had to push myself to muddle through. I'm sure it hit perfectly with some, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I enjoyed When We Were Vikings and the message the author was trying to convey, but I don't think it was a good fit for me personally. I tend to avoid books about abuse or rape, because they're ugly truths about the world we live in. When I read, I want it to be fantastical or romantic -- something lighthearted and fun. I want to watch people fall in love, fight bad guys, or learn something new about themselves. I appreciate that there are books like this out in the world, and sometimes they're what I pick up to read (I believe we should read books that make us uncomfortable every once in awhile), but they're not my first choice. I know there are dark corners in most people's lives, but when it's in your face as you're reading, it's really depressing. It makes you focus on the fact that this happens, and it happens a lot. It's hard for me to pull myself out of that headspace, so I try to avoid going there at all.

Zelda is a Viking in her own right, and I really loved her as a main character. Her brother, Gert, doesn't always make the best decisions, but he has Zelda's best interests at heart. He's there for her, present in her life when he doesn't have to be, and he provides for her knowing that she would struggle to do it on her own. We soon learn that Zelda is actually more than capable of taking care of herself, but she does struggle with some of the nuances of the world.

I disliked that there was no resolution with a certain someone, because I felt like there should have been some severe consequences for their actions. It's left unresolved, which annoys me, but I can see why the author chose to leave that thread loose. It was realistic and lent the story more authenticity. I still wish someone had kicked their ass and made them regret every choice they'd ever made.

Annie/AK47 was one of my favorite people. She loves Zelda and cared about Gert, but she also knows when to leave an unhealthy relationship. She takes care of herself, and loves from a distance when a person isn't good for her. I thought her sister-like behavior with Zelda was bittersweet, since they loved each other, but both wished for something that would likely never happen. In some ways, AK47 was a better influence than Gert, and understood that Zelda was an adult and should be treated like one despite the opinions of others.

When We Were Vikings will repeatedly break your heart, and make you wish for impossible things. Zelda gets caught up in something she doesn't fully understand, and it has dire consequences for herself and the people she loves the most. Her quest to find herself, her passion for Vikings, and her desire to protect those closest to her -- they are just a few of the things that make Zelda a character worth rooting for.

This story had a unique premise, as it was told from the point of view of a woman who was born with fetal alcohol syndrome.
The story follows Zelda as she strives to become a Viking legend and overcomes overwhelming odds as she works to save herself and her brother from the Grendals or bad guys.
Zelda lives with her brother Gert on the wrong side of the tracks. When Gert starts to mess up in school and is kicked out. He has to turn to less then stellar means in order to keep himself and Zelda from having to move back in with their abusive uncle.
As things go from bad to worse, Zelda finds herself stuck between two war drug Gangs as they try to take over each others turf. Zelda decides that she is going to save Gert and become a Viking legend.

I have very mixed feeling about this story, and I have really struggled what I would rate this book. Zelda is a very interesting character that has a great sense of what it is to be an honorable person and tries desperately to become a Viking legend. She desperately wants to be her own person and wants to be and do grown up things such as sex. This is where I struggled. While I understand wanting to be your own person, this character seemed to have the mental age of a small child who views the world through children’s eyes. As the author described the attempt for Zelda and her boyfriend Marxy, who is also mentally disabled, it felt voyeuristic. Almost like reading about small children trying to have sex for the first time. It was just all sorts of wrong. What was the point of this scene? I just can’t seem to reconcile the point of the scene with the overall theme of the story that we are all heroes of our own legend. Had that not been in the book I would have enthusiastically recommended this book to anyone that would listen, it is well written, you do really see the world as Zelda sees it. You get caught up in her desire to be a Viking and you want to be the honorable Viking with her. However, I just can’t get past that scene.

4.25/5 stars


#WhenWeWereVikings #NetGalley

One of my most anticipated book of the year

One of the greatest, courageous main characters I’ve ever read about. This is one book that I cannot write a long review on because it was a beautifully put together novel, with such emotional parts that made me feel deeply about the main character, along with her brother, and her brother’s girlfriend. Truly this will be one of my favorite books of all time simply for the fact of Zelda (the main character).

However there were parts in this novel that made me feel off and that is why this wasn’t a perfect 5 star read for me, but still is a beautiful novel.

Everyone seems to love this one and I seem to be in the minority in my opinions, but I can’t get over the use of the r-word, the f-word, or what seems to be the sexual conquest of Zelda, a character with fetal alcohol syndrome. While I appreciate what I think the author is trying to do, he didn’t accomplish it for me. The continual references to the Vikings began to be repetitive to me and became an extremely boring part of the book. I liked Gert fine, but AK47 was probably my favorite character in the book. Overall, this book reminded me of Eleonor Oliphant Is Fine, another book I didn’t care for.

DNF @ 49%

Holy moly did I love this book! Zelda is one of my favorite characters from all the books I've read and it was so nice to see her grow. This book made me nervous, sad, happy, and I felt all the feels. I was so happy with how everything worked out and the world Zelda created. I would as strongly recommend this to anyone that wants a heartwarming story with a little more substance. I would love a sequel to see how Zelda and Gert's sibling relationship changes and maybe see Zelda find a happily ever after.

Zelda is a 21 year old woman who with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome who is living with her brother, who has taken care of her since their mother died. She’s obsessed with Vikings and lives her life in the Viking way and utilizes rules to keep things in order and manageable. She is high functioning but has cognitive issues. Her brother gets tangled up with some unsavory folks and complicates their life and the story is about how Zelda navigates independence and life. I found this book to be moving and my heart was rooting for Zelda the entire time. She's incredibly lovable and I felt extremely protective of her. The cast of characters in this book are fantastic - even the supporting characters are well flushed out and so believable. I wasn't surprised to read a review by Bryn Greenwood, this book definitely gave me some Reckless Oath We Made vibes in the beginning, so much that I was a little nervous I would not be as engaged but it turned into its own story and feel. As I turned the last page, with tears in my eyes, I was so glad to have spent time with Zelda. I hope we can all find a little bit of Zelda in ourselves.

Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When We Were Vikings is a quirky book about two siblings in their early 20s. Brother Gert is responsible for taking care of his sister, Zelda, who has a unique way of looking at the world. Everything is filtered through the idea of "what would a Viking do?" Though Zelda has some learning difficulties that cause her to see the world in an unconventional way, it turns out that she is sometimes the one taking care of Gert and trying to get him out of trouble. Zelda is brave, and Gert, though his outward appearance is somewhat intimidating, is a warm and caring brother.

"When We Were Vikings" is a story of two siblings trying to keep their tribe together in the face of a very difficult life. On the surface, the story is about Zelda, a neurodiverse young woman, trying to find her own legend. She is the storyteller. But as I read the book, I became aware that her brother, Gert's, story was arguably vying for the position of "main story" being told from his sister's perspective. This complexity created a rewarding read that I couldn't put down. It's an important reminder of the stories of neurodiverse characters that don't get told, and how all of us are capable of more than anyone (including ourselves) might suspect. Not to mention the important and complications of family, and what it means to choose ourselves in the face of deep love that may or may not be good for us.
I highly recommend "When We Were Vikings" for fans of the "The Rosie Project."

When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald is the story of a young woman with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) that is on a journey to live her own Viking legend, where she becomes the hero. Along the way, she learns that there are different ways to protect and care for her tribe, that villains and heroes can sometimes switch roles surprisingly quickly, and that small steps can add up to big accomplishments.

This novel is a piece of literary fiction that has put me on a quest to search out more like it. It is difficult to believe that this really is MacDonald's debut novel because it is so masterfully done. While I was reading, I continued to wonder how someone that is not affected by this himself could write the character of such an idiosyncratic person and yet make it so believable. But after reading some author interviews with the author, it now makes more sense. Seldom have I found myself so engrossed in a character's narration and rooted for them as much as I did with Zelda. I am excited to see a new Canadian author get as much attention as MacDonald has been because it is well deserved. I look forward to reading more from him.

When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald is an interesting book with a unique voice. Zelda is fascinated by Vikings. Her favorite book is Kepple's Guide to the Vikings, and after she finds out that there was at least one female Viking warrior, she wants to be a Viking herself (or at least the modern equivalent).

I quickly realized that something was different about Zelda. She has a very unique voice in this book, and there's just something different about her. She was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, and as a result, things are more difficult for her. She's trying to become more independent so she can be legendary like the Vikings, and I think by the end of the book, she succeeded.

One of Zelda's challenges is her brother, Gert. He hasn't been dealt the easiest hand in life, and I'm sure it isn't easy to be the guardian of your intellectually disabled sister, but he has made a few bad choices in life that puts them in a difficult situation. Zelda deals with this situation well, as she develops over the course of this book and becomes a stronger person.

Zelda is twenty-one, and part of the book deals with her interest in having sex with her boyfriend Marxy, who has more intellectual challenges than Zelda does. It's probably good that a book featuring a character like Zelda deals with this topic. On a slightly unrelated note (having nothing to do with Marxy) there is an attempted sexual assault, so a trigger warning is probably a good idea here.

I recommend When We Were Vikings for the unique point of view this book offers, as well as the way it covers difficult topics regarding the intellectually disabled. Zelda is a likeable character and, even though not everything is well at the end of the story, there is hope that things will look up for her in the future.

Good premise. Poor execution. This feels exploitive more than insightful. The writer gives the main character abilities and disabilities to suit his fancy. And enough with the fuckdick swears.

I enjoyed this book quite more than I expected to. It was a quick read; the story just swept you up and took you for a ride. I can already see this being a good book club book.

Zelda and Gert, sister and brother, keeping each other afloat. Zelda likes to live by rules, and Gert (for the most part) sticks by the rules to support his sister. Until Gert starts getting involved in new ways to help support them, things seem to be under control.

I like the quirkiness of the characters in this book. I loved Zelda's character. I did not like how small characters treated her, and took advantage of her. Overall, I thought this was an interesting story with a innocence to it, but it didn't do much for me. It felt slow and anticlimactic.

This was my favorite of any audiobook I’ve listened to lately, Zelda had such a unique voice and it was such a pleasure to get a glimpse inside of her mind. This was an inspiring read and one I won’t forget.