When We Were Vikings is one of those unique and rare finds in the book world. I enjoyed it as I read it but am most impressed by how much it has stuck with me since I finished reading. It is told from the perspective of Zelda, a feisty 21 year old woman who is on the fetal alcohol spectrum. At birth, she wasn't given much hope for a future. However, she's proven all the doubters wrong as she is high functioning with a strong moral compass. Zelda has a fascination with everything related to Vikings and often sees her own life through a "Viking filter."

Her brother, Gert, is the only family Zelda has since her father is not in the picture, her mother died from cancer and her uncle proved to be abusive. Gert is trying to watch out for Zelda but he doesn't always make the right choices either. She also has a group of friends and a boyfriend. Probably one of the characters she is the closest with is her brother's "on again off again" girlfriend, AK47 (Annie).

Seeing this story unfold from Zelda's perspective really is the perfect way to somewhat understand what it feels like to "walk in her shoes" and understand how she feels when others talk down to her or underestimate her. It is also extremely painful when she makes mistakes and you're in her head to witness just how hard she is on herself.

I am a Viking fan myself, so I loved the tie in with Viking lore. One thing I found interesting is that Zelda is always trying to become legendary throughout the book and she is checking off a list as she goes. The last item on her list is to fight a villain - - which she often believes is a Grendel. Sadly, villains can be those you least expect and Zelda always thought they would be obvious. Unfortunately, she learns that isn't the case. She definitely wins legendary status as a Viking Warrior though...at least in my humble opinion. She's an amazing character and reading this book was an absolute gift!

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press and Mr. MacDonald for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emotional story with a heartwarming protagonist. I really liked reading the story in Zelda's voice and watching events unfold through her perspective.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Zelda is a young woman with a mental disability who was mostly raised by her brother, Gert. After Gert gives her a book about Vikings, she becomes obsessed with the goal of becoming a legendary Viking hero herself. Her book lists some criteria of every legend that she decides to pursue, including becoming skilled in hand-to-hand combat, obtaining a powerful weapon, saving a maiden, and more. Zelda sets out obtain all of these things, and simultaneously manages to find her power and voice as a modern young woman, save the day for a few people, and more.

Comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime are apt in that this book is told from the POV of a character who sees the world in a profoundly different way than an average person, and it is laugh-out-loud hilarious at points. Zelda’s perspective on life is at once both innocent and remarkably wise, and this book treats mental disabilities respectfully and shows how people with these conditions have needs and desires too. Highly recommended.

I really liked this book, but can't really say "enjoyed." I fell in love with Zelda right from the beginning, and had a difficult time as the plot got more suspenseful. This is one of those books where the reader knows more than the narrator what is going on, and I got very scared for Zelda! The writing was very good and kept me engaged, and it was one of those that I had to keep reminding myself it was just a book so that I could continue reading it. It does turn out really well in the end, so don't let the danger parts stop you from reading!

Zelda was not the only wonderful character. I really liked Gert, although he's making some really bad decisions, and has some violent outbreaks, his heart is in the right place. AK47 (Alice) is also wonderful, and I'd like to read a whole book just about her! Zelda's friends and community are quite well written as well, and I have to do a shout out to the librarian, being one myself.

One note: there is a lot of swearing and violence in this book. It is appropriate for the subject matter and characters, and not out of keeping with the story. On several occasions the swearing is quite funny, but I know some people don't like reading books with a lot of profanity.

Anyway, great book, great characters, and very well written.

Not for me, but I think because its more a YA book. Did love the characters and the basic story. I loved the viking view. That was pretty unique.

This book appeared in my inbox. I read the blurb and thought I'd give it a try. Yet another instance when I think the "...for fans of..." is somewhat misrepresented.

Is this a YA novel? Perhaps. Didn't much matter to me, nor would it change my opinion. I am in the distinct minority of readers--who raved.

About love and family. Zelda, a 21-year old woman with fetal alcohol syndrome is under her brother, Gert's care. She's obsessed with the Viking world. Zelda has limitations; but is "high functioning." She views much through her Viking lens.

I liked Zelda. BUT. I found this novel very simplistic [did this have to do with the main character? I do not know], somewhat too long, and repetitive. Nonetheless the book often was quite clever and sometimes humorous. And often predictable.

A few phrases/descriptions I liked:
"She was giving me THE LOOK .THE LOOK is like a missile...it explodes whoever she shoots it at."
"...small bulding that looked like a red-brick house that had eaten a lot of glass windows and metal."

And it seemed like a little bit of everything has been thrown in: various people on the autism spectrum, gays, Muslims, an abuser, gangsters [for want of a better term], and two kind professionali--a librarian and a psychiatrist.

Sometimes very crass.

So--read it if you wish, but not on my recommendation.

Beautifully and lyrically written, this is a story not to be missed. Born with alcohol syndrome, and never expected to amount to much, twenty one year old Zelda does. She lives with her brother Gert, is an expert on all things Viking, and spends her days productively. Zelda has a quirky and bright mind, loves her brother, and his girlfriend AK47, and Dr. Laine, who helps her process her feelings. The doctor had just given her an article showing one of the Vikings buried with their swords and fighting materials is actually a woman. Zelda makes a list so she too can be a Viking warrior hero. Zelda is growing mentally , she’s ready to have sex with her boyfriend and gets a job at a library.
Things go awry when Gert stops going to college and gets involved with the wrong people, and it’s now up to Gert to save her family ( tribe) from harm.
MacDonald writes beautifully and I love how he describes Zelda, shows her intricate feelings and what’s going on in her head. One of the most poignant novels I’ve read this year, and read to be savored.

When We Were Vikings is a story surrounding two siblings that are essentially one another’s life. We have our narrator, Zelda, a grown woman who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She loves Vikings and likes rules. Zelda uses the code of Vikings to improve her life and circumstance while also rescuing those she loves. Gert is Zelda’s big brother who supports Zelda solely. He was a young boy pushed into a rough life that can get you into trouble. From there, the siblings try to save one another from trouble and life.

When We Were Vikings is a fairly enjoyable novel. At times, I was a bit bored with the writing. But there were also a lot of scenes and situation that were quite enjoyable and done well. For example, I genuinely enjoyed reading from Zelda’s point of view. The author did a great job of really emulating how a person suffering from FAS might process thoughts and events. Which this can be truly hit and miss. I could not stand reading from Christopher’s POV in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Also, a reader can’t help but to like Zelda. She is a smart girl, it just might take her some time to get there. But she will. Don’t underestimate her.

There were a few problems that I had with this novel though. One of the issues that I have are honestly petty as hell. But I am going to go there. Zelda refers to herself as a librarian. Zelda is not a librarian. Zelda is smart enough to be know her proper job title (especially if you consider the ending). I felt like the author didn’t really bother to inquire on what it takes to be a librarian (which is a master’s degree). Alright, now I am done being petty. But I do have one more issue and that is the ending. (view spoiler).

Overall, I think that the author portrayed a great deal of talent with this novel. There were some great situations and drama that make this novel enjoyable. But there are also some flaws. And I think the author took some liberties to give Zelda a happy ending that just don’t make sense in the grand scheme of her FAS. That is why I am giving this story a 3.5 star rating and rounding to 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery, Picket Books for the advance read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scout Press, and Andrew David MacDonald for the opportunity to read and review his debut novel - 5 stars for an imaginative special read. It was an honor to occupy Zelda's world.

Zelda is a high-functioning adult born with fetal alcohol syndrome. She is obsessed with Vikings and the idea of becoming her own legend. She lives with her older brother, Gert, who has struggles of his own, trying to keep Zelda out of harm's way and keep her safe. When Zelda discovers that Gert is breaking their rules and is involved with some questionable people, Zelda undertakes her Viking mission to save their tribe (family).

The author writes Zelda's thoughts and world views with compassion, letting her quirkiness come through. He never pities any of the characters with special needs but shows what possibilities they can achieve to all become legends.

Highly recommended - I can't wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
I really loved this book. For me, it provided a unique perspective on developmental disabilities that wasn't whiny but powerful. The emphasis seemed to always be on the main character Zelda's strengths and not weaknesses. That was refreshing. I loved her character and found her super relatable. I found it heartwarming how she saw the best in her friends and boyfriend Marxy, but even when she wronged them I understood her motives. I also loved how the story stuck to the main theme of vikings all throughout. It added to the uniqueness of the story. I would say that it had total "The Reckless Oath We Made' vibes, and that is definitely not a bad thing.
The only major issue I had with this story was the lack of consequence for the character's actions. There were a lot of times where Zelda acted bravely, and I feel like that's super empowering and I loved it. She was standing up for her tribe, and that's something I can respect. But there were also a lot of times where she was in real danger, and I feel like that wasn't stressed enough and that it wasn't realistic how the story ended. In other words, she was almost too lucky.
I enjoyed this book for what it was, which was a mostly light, easy quick read that made me feel really good. I would totally read it again and would love to buy a copy when it comes out. I will 100% recommend it to friends/family.

As many other reviews stated, this book is reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, as it centers around a 21-year-old woman with ASD, Zelda. Zelda is under the care of her older brother following foster placement with an abusive uncle. This story follows Zelda and her understanding of the world as she navigates it with the help of her day program and her brother, whom she is very close to. Zelda learns of some shady activity her brother falls into, and in doing so, begins to navigate the world of adult relationships.

Zelda lives her life by a set of rules, many of which are based on how Vikings lived. She is fascinated by Viking history, and strives to live as one. MacDonald does a wonderful job incorporating many real-life struggles to those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including juggling appointments with a psychiatrist, managing activities of daily living, and navigating the social world. While the story itself wasn't always gripping, there were times when the reader can relate with many of the characters and their life experiences. The storyline moves along well and reads easily.

Review
When We Were Vikings
by Andrew David MacDonald

I adored this book. It is beautifully written, tells a terrific story, has some wonderful characters, especially the truly marvelous Zelda, a twenty-one-year-old Viking enthusiast who shares her story with us. I can only hope that author Andrew David MacDomald has a sequel on the way. I read this book courtesy of the author, NetGallery and publisher Pocket Books. In exchange for an honest review. That's easy: READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.

When We Were Vikings tells the story of Zelda, a developmentally challenged young lady who lives with her older brother a biker/drug dealer, ever since their mom died. As her brother struggles to pay rent and other living expenses, Zelda wonders about her place in the world, struggles for independence and love (she has a boyfriend). Vikings are an important part of Zelda's life, she strives to live her life as a warrior maiden and takes matters into her own hands to protect her brother from 'the bad guys.'

What I really appreciate is that MacDonald isn't afraid to face the difficult issue of sex between consenting adults with developmental issues. In fact, he tackles it head on, with frankness, humor and grace.

There is so much to love about this book. I hope it gets the attention and praise it deserves.

Endearing coming-of-age debut novel. Perfect for book clubs and a great addition to any literary collection.

Tried, but just could not get into it. I found it confusing, and I did not find the characters interesting or believable. It was a good idea for a plot, but the result did not work for me. One star for the good idea.

This is a beautiful story that is narrated by Zelda, a young adult with fetal alcohol syndrome who is entranced by Vikings and tries to live by their values. While she idolizes her older brother, Gert, Zelda ends up surpassing him in courage and morals. Despite some harsh realities, she proves to everyone that she is not as limited as they think she is. Women are the heroes in this story, both Zelda and Gert's girlfriend, Annie, who is on a quest of her own. Highly recommended for those who enjoy Young Adult and Adult fiction.

To say I adored this book would be an understatement. It's one of those rare novels that's both heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time! Meet 21-yr-old Zelda who was born with fetal-alcohol syndrome and suffers from anxiety and other social issues. She lives with brother Gert who has his own set of problems as he attempts to keep them both afloat and is involved in some shady dealings. The novel is narrated by Zelda who has such a unique voice that endears you to her from the very first page. We witness her obsession with Vikings and her determination to become her own legendary Viking hero complete with the six things she must do to fulfill her quest. We see her battle everyday life, things most of us take for granted, but of course are a challenge for her. We witness a first boyfriend, a first job, and those who will take advantage of her because of her inability to understand every social cue. I laughed out loud, I cried, I cheered her on as she battled her own version of evil Grendel and completed her quest. It's simply a lovely novel and I find it hard to believe it's a debut. I await your next book, Mr. MacDonald; you are one of my heroes now!

When We Were Vikings by Andrew MacDonald is a captivating story. He has developed his characters well and they are very relatable to. Zelda and Gert are wonderful people, and I love the references to the Vikings era as that is what Zelda is into and relates to. You see family dynamics and social dynamics in a whole new way. This story was very hard for me to put down. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are mine and are my honest review of this book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Zelda, a young woman born with fetal alcohol syndrome, is dependent on her brother Gert for her care. She develops skills to become independent and learns a lot about life. Her fantasies about being a Viking help her succeed during difficult times.

A thought provoking and emotionally compelling novel. I love it!

First I want to thank NetGalley and Gallery Pocket Books for letting me read this book!

From the start I was drawn to this book. I liked how strong minded the main character was, and the author did a great job translating her personality into the story. I found this book to be very eye opening into the mind of someone with fetal alcohol syndrome. It's something that I did not know too much about before reading this book. But the book does a great job showing how our main character's brain functions differently.

I kinda looked at this book as a coming of age story for the main character, Zelda. Though she is 21, she is not independent enough to really live on her own. And throughout the book she slowly discovers ways she can be more self reliant. Most of the time, she does this by trying to help out her brother, Gert, as he is caught in a sticky situation. He is in debt to a shady character, and does some favors to pay this guy back. And Zelda decides she wants to help out the 'tribe' as she calls it. One of the reasons I liked this book was all the references back to Vikings, since Zelda is obsessed with them. She refers to her brother, and a few others, as her tribe and would do anything to help them. Throughout the book Zelda also discovers her own sexuality and what that means to her.

I would say this is definitely an adult book. There is lots of adult language and a few adult situations. It didn't bother me, but I can see how it could effect other readers experience. But overall i enjoyed this book. I found it to be a little uncomfortable at times, but I think that is intentional. It was something different than I had read before, and I found it to be a refreshing breath of air.

I absolutely loved this book in so many ways! I loved Zelda and Gert especially. If you love Silver Lining Playbook, this is the book for you!