As you all know by now, I love reading. So when I was contacted to review The Book of Bera, a new YA title from debut author Suzie Wilde of course I readily agreed.
The Book of Bera – A Review
The Book of Bera – Blurb from the Back Cover
The Book of Bera is a Viking adventure fantasy novel which follows the saga of Bera, a young Viking woman who is struggling to control her invisible spirit twin and develop her inherited gift of sight.
On a long winter night, Bera is left to defend her stark village alone and in the ensuing battle, her dear childhood friend Bjorn is killed. When soon after her father weds her to the chieftain of a rival clan, Bera realises the unthinkable; his second in command is responsible for her friend’s death. Though she must now learn how to be a wife and a step mother to a hostile boy, Bera vows her revenge and sets off on a path to grow in power and hone her skills in the rough, macho clan into which she has been sold.
As her gifts continue to grow, her visions of looming disaster become more and more ominous until she has to make the ultimate choice; will she choose revenge? Or will she succeed in leading her people to safety before it’s too late?
The Book of Bera is a work of great character, imagination and considerable drive that will take you on an epic journey of duty, vengeance and salvation.
The Book of Bera: My Thoughts on the Book
The Book of Bera wasn’t what I was expecting at all – because it’s a Viking book, I was expecting a lot of brutality, fighting and pillaging. Although this is mentioned in passing, it is far from the central theme of the book.
The book is more of a coming of age story of a teenage girl who finds herself forced to grow up very quickly. It follows Bera through her time as a new wife and mother, and shows the hardships she faces adjusting to her new role. Bera is very much an independent woman, who’s mother was respected in her community, and now Bera expects the same.
When she finds herself in a community that views woman as a mere commodity, she struggles to make herself heard. The book follows as Bera gradually starts to earn the respect of the villagers.
Bera is a character who is quite relatable as she struggles against her time’s version of the patriarchy and tries to find her place in a male dominated world. Affected hugely by grief and loss, Bera struggles between her vow to avenge her friend and her vow to keep her new community safe.
There is also a lot of mention of the relationship between Bera and her new stepson, Heggi. This is a really interesting dynamic and it’s great to watch this relationship change and grow as the story progresses.
I don’t think the write up on the back cover does this book justice – the story is much more of an emotional journey than what is conjured up by the description. It gives a good insight into the lives of the villagers and the hardships they face.
The Book of Bera: Conclusion and Rating
I thoroughly enjoyed The Book of Bera. I quickly got drawn into the story and wanted to know how it all turned out. there where times I cringed along with Bera and times I wanted to punch the air in joy at her triumphs.
Overall, this is a pretty good debut novel. 4/5
The Book of Bera is available now.
Do you think you would enjoy The Book of Bera? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of The Book of Bera in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and as an avid reader, I would never recommend a book I didn’t truly enjoy.
The Book of Bera sounds good! I like that there is more depth to the story with it being about coming of age rather than just battle scenes. Sounds like the kind of book that really draws you in! x
I think you’d like this one Becky – it’s not a horror or gory lol 🙂 x
Sounds interesting. I love history novels and if there’s more depth in them, then even better! #anythinggoes
Not sure it’s my kind of book to be honest – having said that, I have read books in the past that are way off my usual favourites, so I never say never! #anythinggoes
I have to read a book that draws me straight in, so this one sounds like a goer! Alison x #AnythingGoes
ohhhh- I am a but obsessed with the Vikings after watching five seasons of it on TV
#anythinggoes
This actually sounds like of intresting! I’m not huge into the Vikings…however, this might have a good story to it.
#anythinggoes
It doesn’t sound like something I would read, but I would have expected more blood and brutality from a book about vikings #anythinggoes
I’d normally avoid a book like this because as you said I’d presume it would be violent and not really my cup of tea. However I’m finding that by reading your reviews your opening my eyes to the possibility of stepping outside my comfort zone. I’ve read a couple of your posts now and thought “that’s not usually the sort of thing I’d go for but I’d love to give it a try”. This one is definitely going on my to read list! #anythinggoes
I love finding new genres I normally wouldn’t read and I’m so happy to be able to help you do the same 🙂
This doesn’t look like something I’d pick up, but your review makes me think twice. Thank you!
Sounds interesting – not sure that the theme it’s my cup of tea but it’s good to know about these different genres. Plus I admire any debut novelists. #Anythinggoes
I love ya fiction – thanks for bringing to my attention #bloggerclubuk
From the title I didn’t think it was going to be my kind of book. But reading your views on it and description of the story, I think it would be one I would like. #bloggerclubuk
popping back in from #bloggerclub uk
Yep, this sounds pretty good and something a little different:)
Mainy
#BloggerClubUK
Not my usual read but your review has me intrigued.
Thanks for sharing
#bloggerclubUK
I haven’t seen this, it looks like a good read! I’ll look it up! #BloggerClubUK
Not sure ive ever read a viking based book before.
Do you think its having some success based off the tv show “vikings”?
Perhaps – I think that show brought the idea of Vikings to a lot of people who maybe otherwise wouldn’t have really been interested in them.
Definitely not the kind of thing I would usually pick off the shelf but sounds interesting! #AnythingGoes
I love having new book ideas and this seems like a really different book to the usual ones I read, which I love! will have to add it to my list. Sorry commenting a little late for #anythinggoes, it has been one of those weeks xxxx
No worries, sometimes stuff comes up! x
This sounds like a great book, sounds like a more complex story line which I do prefer when choosing a book. #BloggerClubUK
That sounds lovely. I really like anything Viking and this sounds like a really thoughtful look at the period and setting.
I really enjoyed it!
I’m always grateful for reviews, so many thanks, Debbie! I’d only add that it was billed YA because of the young protagonist – but was written for adults and has big emotional heft. Plus, she loses her virginity so maybe 15 upwards is safer. I smiled when I saw some of the comments because I don’t read SFF generally : but this longboat kept coming out of the mist when I was writing a crime thriller, so I decided to follow it …
You’re welcome 🙂 It’s great when an idea keeps pulling you in like that!