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%

Absolutely precious and sweet story! Well written and necessary. Coming from a long line of Norwegians I found so many funny things. Thanks for the copy!

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.

Zelda is very interested in Vikings. She reads books and websites about them. Zelda is also on the fetal alcohol spectrum and loves having rules and lists for everything. She has a list of Things Legends Need and has already checked off two items. Zelda’s mother is dead and her dad is missing. She is turning twenty-one and lives with her older brother, Gert. Gert is in college but makes his living selling drugs. Some of the people he deals with are not nice. This is a story of how Zelda built her legend while protecting her tribe. Because that is what Vikings do and how Legends are made When We Were Vikings.

You can’t help but love Zelda for her love of life regardless of others’ perceptions of her. Her brother, Gert, tries to protect and watch out for her in his own unusual way. When they both get into trouble, they, along with Gert’s on-again-off-again girlfriend nicknamed AK47 by Zelda, find a road to legendary status. The problems these people face are real. However, the best part of this book for me was all the Viking lore. For example, I didn’t know anything about the Valkyries (other than the opera connection mentioned by Zelda in the book). I also liked the gentle humor throughout the story. An example was right at the beginning when Gert invites a male stripper dressed as Link to come to Zelda’s birthday seeking Zelda, of course. Instead of stripping, he made balloon dragons that looked “more like a snake that had tried to tie itself like shoelaces.”

When We Were Vikings seemed almost like a young adult read except it had a lot of talking about sex—both consensual and not. Zelda has a boyfriend named Marxy. They are curious about sex—and somewhat confused about it too. So this book may be a bit much for young teens to read. It is a heartwarming tale of how anyone can be legendary—if they have enough heart and gumption to succeed. 4 stars!

Thanks to Scout Press, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What a debut novel?! MacDonald just entered the literary world with a bang.

We meet Zelda, a 21-year-old woman with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, who is in the throws of making sense of herself and the world around her. Socioeconomic struggles, as well as prejudiced views, affect her and her tribe deeply but Zelda tackles them with such heart and brilliance you can’t help but root for her every step of the way. She is a relatable and incredibly likable character. Her love for Vikings is contagious. The plotline is interesting but almost secondary in this unique coming-of-age novel.

There are a few features I enjoyed tremendously in this book. Zelda is unique and her inner monologue is captivating. Her brother, Gert, is incredibly complex. At times I wanted to hug him and tell him what a wonderful person he is. He has a big heart coupled with a profound sense of responsibility and ambition. At other times, I wanted to shake him and yell “what in the world were you thinking?”. While I haven’t had the same struggles as Gert I could acutely relate to this character. We have all been that age where our actions constantly switch between those of a responsible adult and a very lost teenager. The difference is that most of us weren’t also the sole provider for a disabled sibling at the same time. AK47 doesn’t just have a badass name but is all around a badass female role model. Her astute and innate knowledge of what’s right and wrong is only made better by her perseverance and complete willingness to stand up for her beliefs. AK47 and Gert struggle with their own issues and as a reader, we get to explore those through the eyes of Zelda, which gives this complex “love story” a rare twist. Those issues are also in stark contrast to Zelda’s own relationship issues – they’re both valid but of completely different consequences which gave this YA novel a very mature adult-like quality.

I think this is a wonderful book for many more reasons than I have mentioned but at its core, it beautifully captures the human condition and makes the reader think. Yes, there are problems with the way MacDonald presents an individual with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome at times but that doesn’t take away that this book made me feel simultaneously light-hearted and gut-wrenchingly heavy. This novel is one that takes time to digest. It prompts us to re-evaluate what we think, how we react, and how we want to proceed forward. And honestly, isn’t that one of the most profound experiences literature is supposed to bring about in us?!

When We Were Vikings is told from the perspective of an adult with fetal alcohol syndrome.  There was so much h fine right with this book!  You couldn’t help but to fall in love with all the characters.  The innocence is heart warming.  There is also some darkness and major depth to the storyline as well.  This was a great book that is sure to be on loads of to be read piles!!

A debut binge read by Andrew David MacDonald explores the mind and life of a young Vikings aficionado Zelda. This is a coming of age story of Zelda who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She lives with her brother Gert in a house and life governed by rules and routine. Zelda considers herself a Viking warrior and constantly seeks guidance from the old Viking tales.

Zelda is a brave girl. She does not let her disability come in the way of her living a ordinary life. She takes on the challenge of finding a job, exploring her sexuality and defending her tribe whenever needed. She is honest and blunt with her thoughts. I really appreciated how the author drew out Zelda, honest and blunt with her thoughts. There was no masking of violent or vulgar incidences.

Triggers of violence, vulgar language and attempted rape.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery / Scott Press for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Review also posted on Goodreads and Instagram. See below for the links -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3161545505

https://www.instagram.com/p/B78_X7hAMOj/?igshid=56jjqzm3oids

This book was extremely sweet. There was A LOT of detailed information about vikings as though one was reading an encyclopedia for a research paper. That aspect I found to be a bit boring each time it came up. Some instances were easier than others when you take into mind that the books perspective is coming from Zelda.

What an incredible debut from author, Andrew David MacDonald!  
Told in the voice of his 21 year old, special needs, Viking obsessed protagonist, Zelda, the reader is taken into a modern day Viking Saga where Zelda strives to uphold the Viking standards to become a skjaldmaer, a woman warrior, a legend. 
Up to this point, in the absence of parents, Gert, Zelda's brother and care-giver, has aimed to provide and protect his sister and surround her with a watchful "tribe".  When, Gert finds some unseemly ways to pay the rent, Zelda springs into action and roles are reversed.  
This is not a book to take lightly.  It is a coming of age novel different from what you may have read.  Adult issues come into play especially the difficulties special needs adults face in trying to come to terms with their emotions and sexuality.
I highly recommend this wonderful, very readable and heart warming novel and I look forward to reading more of MacDonald in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This sounded like a perfect book for me. Wrong. I appreciate the author taking on the task of bringing to light the trials of a young women who was mentally disabled. The book was hard to follow bouncing back and forth all over the place.  I realized that the only one I liked in the book was the AK45. I did force myself to finish the book because I felt I owed it to the author who took the time to write the book. The ending was touching.

I would like to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very interesting! I don't think this was EXACTLY what I thought it was going to be, which might have inhibited my enjoyment of it a little bit. It almost felt a little on the YA side, which I was not bothered by, again, I just wasn't necessarily expecting it. All of that being said, I'm really happy that I read it. It was a really unique experience, and I loved reading more from a Canadian author. All in all a positive reading experience!