My first YA viking story! Maybe my first viking story in general. I don't think I've ever read one before.

I liked it a lot! It was filled with violence and action and was super fast paced. The world was interesting, if slightly underdeveloped or not fully brought to life. The characters were what made this story though, and I though they were pretty fantastically written. I appreciate all of that and would've given this four stars if it wasn't for the romance.

Look, I get it. YA has romance. Usually. Not well done romance. But this one was just meh on top of blah on top of feeling completely unnecessary.

I don't get why we can't just have a bad ass heroine without the need of a love interest. Eelyn didn't need that plot development. I felt like it crippled her a bit, as most romances tend to do in YA.

All in all, I liked this story and will definitely read more by Young. I just wish the romance element was missing.