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The Viking's Sacrifice

by Julia Knight (Goodreads Author)

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57 · rating details · 35 ratings · 20 reviews

Viking raiders destroyed Wilda’s home. She witnessed the murder of her mother and would have been killed herself if it weren’t for the Viking boy Einar, who saved her from his ruthless brother. The blood and murder left Wilda cold and shorn of feeling.

Eight years later, the heathens return for Wilda. As a captive in the Viking village, she finds protection and silent comfo...more

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Published January 12th 2012 by Carina Press (first published January 2nd 2012)

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Oct 15, 2012 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-for-review, historical-romance-vikings, publisher-carina-press, first-read-of-an-author, 2012-reads, reviewed-for-netgalley, reviewed-at-blithelybookish, historical-romance-suspense-religio, reviewed-by-me, 3-5-stars

They know but unsurely who sit within, what manner of man is
come.~ Hávamál: 133

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing. ~ Proverbs 18:22

Julia Knight's The Viking’s Sacrifice is one of those stories that you don’t come across often, but will stay with you for a long time. It takes place during one of my favorite periods, pre-tenth century, with the Anglo-Saxon and Viking battles, the back and forth invasions, vying for riches, land and power. Part of what makes this time period so interesting...more
They know but unsurely who sit within, what manner of man is
come.~ Hávamál: 133

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing. ~ Proverbs 18:22

Julia Knight's The Viking’s Sacrifice is one of those stories that you don’t come across often, but will stay with you for a long time. It takes place during one of my favorite periods, pre-tenth century, with the Anglo-Saxon and Viking battles, the back and forth invasions, vying for riches, land and power. Part of what makes this time period so interesting to me is how the growth of Christianity changed the influence of mythological and pagan gods and the lives of those who worshiped them. But while I enjoyed the story for the historical aspect alone, I loved it because of Einar and Wilda, whose struggles for justice and freedom made The Viking’s Sacrifice an emotional read.

From the cover:

Viking raiders destroyed Wilda’s home. She witnessed the murder of her mother and would have been killed herself if it weren’t for the Viking boy Einar, who saved her from his ruthless brother. The blood and murder left Wilda cold and shorn of feeling.

Eight years later, the heathens return for Wilda. As a captive in the Viking village, she finds protection and silent comfort in the man who once gallantly saved her.

Einar has been cursed to silence by his brother. With the dark net of his brother’s power cast over their village, silence is a small price to pay for his family’s safety. But Einar is immediately drawn to Wilda, and the need to protect her from his brother awakens his Viking courage. Can Einar break his brother’s curse in time to save the village and the woman he loves?

Each chapter begins with a passage from either the Bible or the Hávamál - Words of Odin, the High One - and gives us a glimpse into what’s to come. For some, those passages might seem a bit preachy, but remember that during this time, and this story specifically, "religion" of whatever kind is a huge part of their lives, and if you keep that in mind, you’ll understand that the passages are more insightful than preachy.

The bottom line: This is a hard book to review because it doesn’t fit snugly into a single genre. It’s historical fiction for sure, but also historical romance, historical romantic suspense, mild Christian fiction, pagan beliefs … but in the end, for me, the labels don’t matter. What does matter is that this is such a poignant story. Heartbreaking, yet inspiring, and much more than a romance, The Viking’s Sacrifice is a wonderful love story. Wilda and Einar had to fight, not just to live, but to love, and so their happily ever after is a truly beautiful thing.

3.5/5 stars

My thanks to netgalley.com providing me with a copy of this ebook in behalf of Carina Press.
(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Feb 10, 2012 ♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, light-romance, arc

A childhood meeting when a young girl Wilda is caught between a young Einar viking boy & his traitorous brother who kills one of their other brothers and tries to kill him. Einar saves Wilda.

Later Wilda is taken as a slave by the grown Vikings to find Eianr playing a simplton & a coward. They recognize eachother & Einar must break the curse to save Wilda & the village.

As far as historical fiction, it was really good. It did have me frustrated as intended I'm sure, with the back a...more

3 likes · like · see review

Dec 07, 2012 J.L. Hilton rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of Wilda, a Saxon girl who witnesses the destruction of her village and murder of her mother by Vikings. As a Christian woman and a lady, the Vikings return, slay her husband and take her away to a life as a "thrall," a slave, in their cold, heathen village. Einar is a young Viking on his first raid and prevents Wilda from being slain along with her mother, but he is witness to a terrible betrayal by his own brother, and cursed to never speak of it. His people think he a coward...more

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Jan 02, 2012 rameau rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley, historical, romance, vikings, january-2012-challenge, read-in-2012

The story starts off running. It's a prolonged flashback to explain why two people who don't know each other or speak the same language would trust each other, risk everything, and fall in love.

It just takes a terribly long time for this non-speaking happy couple to get there and finally meet each other again. I wish I'd marked the page but I just have a vague recollection of thinking about this around the 20% mark. Majority of the time leading up to their reunion is used for world building and...more The story starts off running. It's a prolonged flashback to explain why two people who don't know each other or speak the same language would trust each other, risk everything, and fall in love.

It just takes a terribly long time for this non-speaking happy couple to get there and finally meet each other again. I wish I'd marked the page but I just have a vague recollection of thinking about this around the 20% mark. Majority of the time leading up to their reunion is used for world building and selling the historical setting lock, stock, and barrel to the reader.

When Wilda and Einar finally meet, they don't speak. They just look at each other. The continued and somewhat forced silence is the bane of my existence, or so I thought for 95% of the time. I kept screaming–mentally–at the book for Einar to get his voice back. I wished for him to open his mouth, speak, and defy the power held over him. The fact that he didn't, mostly, ended up heightening the romance. Every look and touch gained in meaning the longer the words evaded them.

This book has the hottest (also the first) sex scenes I've read this year and it's not because of the explicitness.

It might not be news that religion in literature usually gives me the hives. It's not the case here. Both faiths, his and hers, have a justified and well defended place in the story and in the characters' lives. They're living in the 9th century after all. That's one thing I absolutely loved about this book. Although, both Wilda and Einar were deeply pious and devoted to their own gods, they didn't feel the need to change the other's beliefs. I think they even reached a point where they could joke about it.

What I didn't love however were the circular thought patterns. I don't care that it made sense character development-wise, both Wilda and Einar were too stuck on their ways of thinking, their own forms of self-sacrifice. It was especially noticeable when Wilda blamed Einar for her current hell, but a page later considered him her salvation.

Those thought patterns and Einar's persistent silence are the reason why the main confrontation in the story is delayed, repeatedly, to the point of reader exhaustion. Every time I was expecting Einar to end it with a well placed jibe, I was wrong. Until I wasn't. I must confess that the author gave me fair warning by comparing Odin's and Thor's different kinds of courage, but it was a small comfort while I was reading the book.

See, I'm not mad because the author can't write (she can), or because the sex scene descriptions (less is truly more), or because of the postponed confrontation (okay, maybe I am, a little). I'm mad because, although, the author didn't chose the path I wanted to see written, she did make me believe in her characters and her story. She made me want for their happy ending, even if it felt like a cop out. (Seriously, who lives through all that.)

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher through NetGalley.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 05, 2012 Anna (Gatsby's Girl) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Wilda is a young girl who just wants to run free, and be allowed to do all the things her brothers can do. But this changes on the day that the Vikings invade her home and slaughter her entire family. Wilda only gets away because of a young boy named Einar, who saves her from his brother's axe after Bausi murders their older brother Arni. Bausi curses Einar to stay silent for the sake of the lives of his younger brother Sigrid and sister Gudrun. It's not until years later that Einar (now known a...more

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Jan 03, 2012 ♥DarlingAmanda ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, viking-hunks, medieval

This book have two strong heroes. Wilda and Einar. Wilda was a young girl who enjoyed running along the beach and feeling the sand in her toes.Until one day a gang of heathens came a raid her town.

Einar wanted to go on his first raid and show a lot of bravery but instead he ended up witnessing his brother killed his other brother. Then Wilda witness her mother being killed and she called her name and told her to run. Einar told Wilda to run but she ended up helping him from being killed by his...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Alex rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: imm, arc, 2012-books, reviewed, reviewed-2012

Publication Date: January 12th, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
ASIN: B00699QQ5Y
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Romance/Historical Fiction
Source: NetGalley
Lootability: ***
The Viking's Sacrifice is the romance of Einar and Wilda, kept apart by warring cultures and a terrible curse that hides the truth of Einar's brothers death. Wilda is a young Saxon girl when Vikings attack her village and Einar saves her when she is attacked for witnessing a devastating betrayal.
Eight years later the Vikings return for Wild...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 12, 2012 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read, viking, kidnapped, deaf-or-mute, family-issues, betrayal, historical, historical-experienced-heroine, widow

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

{Please note, full review contains minor spoilers}

Expected Release Date: January 20, 2012 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Carina Press
Author’s Website: http://www.juliaknight.co.uk/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy

In the end, no matter how much I enjoyed Einar’s character, the language barrier between him and Wilda, and the intriguing my...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Allison Macias rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wilda, a Saxon girl, survives a Viking attack on her village. She watched as her mother was hacked down. The Viking that killed her mother then turned on own raiders. Wilda rescues one of the Vikings before running away. Einar returns from his first raid a broken boy. His older brother killed the elder brother and then attacked Einar, and is now demanding Einar's silence. Knowing his silence will buy his remaining sibling's safety, he stops speaking and becomes the village outcast. Fast forward...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Einar thought that his first raiding mission would help make him a man. But the day he expected to show his strength and his courage, ended up ruining his life. He witnessed one brother, killing another. And he would have been killed as well, if it weren't for the actions of a brave young Saxton girl. Wilda was only 11 years old, but Einar spared her life in the raid... so she returned the favor, when she saw his brother Bausi attack him.

Even though Einar lived, his murderous older brother put a...more Einar thought that his first raiding mission would help make him a man. But the day he expected to show his strength and his courage, ended up ruining his life. He witnessed one brother, killing another. And he would have been killed as well, if it weren't for the actions of a brave young Saxton girl. Wilda was only 11 years old, but Einar spared her life in the raid... so she returned the favor, when she saw his brother Bausi attack him.

Even though Einar lived, his murderous older brother put a curse on him. Should he ever tell the village about Bausi's treachery, their two youngest siblings will be killed. And just to be sure no one ever put stock in his accusations, Bausi spread the word that Einar was a weakling and coward in battle. So now he is scorned by his people. He never speaks a word, in fear that he'll spill his secrets and activate the curse. For years he lives a lonely, miserable life. Until he crosses paths with Wilda again.

Now a grown woman, Wilda has been taken as a slave for Einar's youngest brother Sigdir. And when she sees Einar, she recognizes him instantly. She remembers the young man who fought so valiantly, not the coward his people see. Despite a massive language barrier, feelings develop between the two of them. Einar is torn between a yearning for a life with Wilda and the oath he swore to protect his younger siblings against Bausi... and he can't even tell Wilda about his struggle.

I liked the love story between Wilda and Einar. I found it especially poignant, since it happened without words. Both characters were so broken, which made the refuge they found in each other all the more sweet. But it's difficult watching the way Einar is treated. He is so beaten-down, his self-worth is almost completely eradicated. I wish we would have had more time to see him redeemed, both in his own eyes and the eyes of his people. It's a little too miserable at times and I would have liked a few more moments of happiness... maybe more than one interlude between the hero and heroine.

I could have done with a little less prayer and religious reflection from Wilda. And a few details were a little hazy surrounding the curse, especially in how it altered Sigdir. But the book was different from a lot of the standard historical fare and I liked that. It wasn't quite a full length novel... about 150 pages... but it felt longer. 3 1/2 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley(less)

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Dec 20, 2011 Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow. This sure surprised me. I expected alot less, and I'm so happy I was wrong. I guess I thought this was going to be all sex (nothing wrong with that) or all sweep-me-away romance but it actually had a very solid story line about the Vikings, about family, loyalty, courage, and sacrifice. It even dealt with curses and beliefs.

Wilda, and Einar were wonderful lead characters. Both were strong and compassionate. They balanced each other perfectly. It also didn't hurt that Einar was a big hunk of...more

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Kimberly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, 2012-bookshelf

Oh how I love historical romance! A damaged hero and a lady captured to be his brothers wife. Sounds like the makings of a good story right? Unfortunately this one wasn't that great. In fact I'd call this one mediocre.

I could not no matter how hard I tried and I did try believe me connect to any of the characters in this story at all. To me the writing was bland and predictable. I found the story to be one of those stop and go tales where there was no seamless flow in the writing, The author, I'...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Nicole Luiken rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, historical, romance, sfantasy

Good characterization; I especially felt for Einar. The odds were so stacked against Wilda and Einar I kept wondering how the author would pull off the happy ending (no fears, she did). Well-researched historical background, both in how the Vikings lived and how their religion contrasted with the Christian Saxon culture.

Quibble: I wish the fantasy element had been played up a bit more in the first half of the story.

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Jan 08, 2012 Dana Alma rated it 4 of 5 stars

A riveting, agonizing journey of one viking and one Saxon woman. The Viking's Sacrifice by Julia Knight is gut retching and hypnotizing. Einar and Wilda will pull you in every direction as their story is told in this poignant display of sacrifice. Beautifully written, The Viking's Sacrifice will resonate with readers. I am truly delighted with this book, it is my first historical romance of the year and quite memorable.

1 like · like · see review

Jul 12, 2012 GONZA rated it 2 of 5 stars

A good story in the beginning, but particulary long and sad even if, theorically, was a love story.

Una storia che all'inizio sembrava anche particolare, ma alla fine si è rivelata troppo lunga e persino troppo triste per essere una storia d'amore!

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND CARINA PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW

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Jul 07, 2012 Kbee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicals, romance, vikings, favorites, audio-book

LOVED IT !!!!
I had credits left on audible. com and got this one didn't really know much about it but the wotd Viking was part of the tittle so I gave it a try.
And dont regret it at all.
Really great story good plot. And the narrator was excelent. A real nice smooth listening.
Wish I had a copy of it in paper.

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Aug 02, 2012 Petula Darling rated it 1 of 5 stars

I admire the author's choice to make the male romantic lead so unappealing and antithetical to the traditional hero, but unfortunately that's the high point of the book (and clearly that's a pretty low high point). Less admirable was the author's choice to make the book tedious and ridiculous.

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Jan 27, 2012 Bettielee rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very intense story of kidnapping, curses, silence, revenge and piety. Not in that order. A subtle net of magic keeps a man from speaking aloud what would set him free from shame and the accusation of cowardice. He does it all for the love of his family. Sometimes, you want to smack him, but at the same time, you respect his trust in his god and the way he takes the shame heaped on him by the multitudes. A real page turner, and hot sexy-times as well.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 22, 2012 Tash rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, favourites, netgalley

Reviewed for Booked Up . Stay tuned for the review to be posted on Booked Up's goodreads account and the Blog

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Dec 31, 2011 Tracy's Place rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.25 out of 5

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May 21, 2013 L marked it as to-read

May 11, 2013 Sammie rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 09, 2013 Maisha marked it as to-read

May 02, 2013 Willowfaerie added it

Shelves: viking

Apr 30, 2013 Bronda marked it as to-read

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Shelves: audio

Mar 24, 2013 Kay Reed marked it as to-read

Mar 19, 2013 Michele Wilson is currently reading it

Mar 16, 2013 MJ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3-star-ratings, historical-romance, standalone

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About Julia Knight

Oooh let's see. Um, loved fantasy since that first King Arthur book when I was about 8. I love all fantasy but particularly Epic, and I like a strong romance element too ( which is probably why that's what I write!)

I love Pratchett, Cherryh, Gaimen to name but a few, but heck I'll give anyone a go.

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The Pirate's Lady (Pirates of Estovan, #2)

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