Kvinnen ved jordas kant

Daughters of Freya #1

by Gunhild Haugnes

Frøydis Eiriksdatter er en av vikingtidens mest markante kvinneskikkelser. Hun lever et barskt liv mellom steile fjell og veldige breer innerst i en grønlandsk fjord. Frøydis dyrker Frøya, Tor, Odin og de andre norrøne gudene. Hun må gifte seg med den litt veike storbonden Torvard, men det er andre menn som får blodet hennes til å bruse - og hennes barn har ulike fedre.

Frøydis hegner om sin frihet, følger sine lyster og er like stri som sin far, Eirik Raude. Hun følger i sin halvbror Leiv Eirikssons fotspor og leder to eventyrlige seilaser til Vinland. Kjærlig, kvinnekamp og mektig historie. Dette er en fortelling som sitter lenge i.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Viking Romance

333 pages, Hardcover

First published January 12, 2017

About the author

Gunhild is a native Norwegian who takes her name from two valkyries, Gun and Hild.
She is currently working on a series of independent novels collectively designated ‘Daughters of Freya’, after the greatest Norse goddess.

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CONTACT/INFO:
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gunhi...
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Email: gunhildhaugnes@msn.com

Reviews

[Cherime MacFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As most of you know, I review for NetGalley. This one caught my eye and I picked it up. This is an excellent book. It caught me and I found myself unable to put it down. I've always been intrigued by the navigational skills of the men who went a viking.
I've read about the site in Nova Scotia which proves Lief Erickson really did make it to the Americas before anyone else. I've heard other tales of inroads as far as the Great lakes and wondered how true the tales might be. I digress.
But you see, this is where the book took me. Back to the older days, to times of explorers and visionaries, long boats and lands like the one I live in where it's March and the temperature was -19F this morning. It picked me up and deposited me in that other place and... I loved it. Exactly what a good book is supposed to do.
Read this one. It's good.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freydis by Gunhild Haugnes is the fictionalized autobiography of Freydis, the sister of Leif Ericson, daughter of Erick the Red. As historical fiction goes, it was a good read. I learned all kinds of things I hadn't known about that time and how things went. Freydis had the heart of an explorer and of a Viking warrior in a time when women did not behave thus (when wasn't that time?) and the Viking's marauding was frowned upon by he rest of her family. Of course, this is hugely fictionalized as there are few written records but it was a highly interesting read.

Freydis was a lusty woman. Her husband fathered only one of her three children. One of her sons was lost as a newborn to a huge wave that stole him from her arms. Very few approved of her or even liked her. In this rendition of her story there was an element of the supernatural, which was probably fairly prevalent at the time. There were appearances of Norse gods as well as Christian priests, again, probably fairly accurate. It told the story of the discovery of Vinland (British Columbia) by her brother, and it's settlement, although not permanent, by herself and her husband as well as others. It was an engaging read even if it was very much the author's imagination based very loosely on fact. I enjoyed it. I recommend it.

I received a free ARC of Freydis from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #fredis

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Epic Life💕 Well Lived

ADULT Historical Viking Romance💕 and Adventure

Eiriksfiord, Greenland, 1000 AD. This is a fictional novel based on TRUTH.

This wonderfully written novel chronicles the very long life of Freydis, her 💘Love (Eirik The Red🐺🔪) and passions, losses and adventures.

Freydis💃💕, as she ages, and those she knew all die of old age and sickness, becomes very introspective about her life and wants forgiveness from those she wronged over the years. She sees ghosts.

This well written book may not appeal to everyone because of the overall theme of melancholy and sadness that Freydis👵 seems to radiate throughout.

Of course , little is known about this period in Viking 🐺🔪⛵ history except that the explorers went from Iceland⛵ to Greenland ⛵and on to Canada⛵ by the year 1000.

[Nordic Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freja är en välskriven och researchad vikingasaga som är modig och trovärdig. Bakgrunden av Grönland och platser längre västerut ger en antydan om var vikingarna kan ha strövat omkring, berättade genom ögonen på en stark kvinnlig karaktär.

[Christina]

DNF Halfway. Many grammatical errors. Too much telling. I really tried to like it though.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freydis is book one of Daughters of Freya by Gunhild Haugnes. First off, this remarkable book reads exceedingly well in the English translation. Over the years books from several different languages have interested me but the English version was often choppy or awkward for lack of a better way to describe reading those English versions. To my wonderful surprise, reading Freydis is smooth, flowing, transporting you back to the Viking era, of dangerous voyages and hardy survivors.

Little girls may dream of being an Elsa from Disney’s Frozen or a Merida from Disney’s Brave but women will dream of what it would have been like to be Freydis Eiriksdatter, the forceful heroine of this book. Despite her lowly beginnings in the eyes of some, she has intense passion, determination and willpower. She completes her mission and conquers the norms of her society as well as stealing the heart of readers.

History intertwined with the excellent imagination of the author makes this circle (coming full circle from beginning to end) story an award winner in any language. The historical notes and postscript are an added extra to an already amazing book. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. Best book I have read in 2020 so far.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hayley Fortin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freydis is a strong willed, clever and brave woman. A pioneer of adventure during the Vicking times when boats were considered no place for a woman. Despite being at odds with her lowly start in life she is determined to embark of dangerous voyages to discover exciting new beginnings.

This book caught my eye because I have a fascination with the Vicking age ancient history/mythology and was even more excited to see that a woman as the main character. Gunhild Haugnes creates magic with her really beautiful descriptions of the characters and breaking scenery in which this story is set. There is a dreamy flow to her writting which was great to see translated so well into English.

As a fantasy lover I thought the way Gunhild Haugnes expressed the Vicking beliefs, through their God's and the supernatural was so well done and also very interesting.
Gunhild Haugnes has clearly research the topics extensively and has great knowledge of the Vicking era and Fraydis which I really appreciate as the attention to detail brings the story together to make for an imersive, magical and exciting read.

I will definitely be continuing on with this series!

[Cathy Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love historical fiction based on Vikings, and Freydis is no exception.

Freydis was the daughter of Erik the Red. She, more than any of his sons, shared his leadership abilities. She also, unfortunately, inherited his character flaws. Freydis was strong-willed, loud, and outspoken.

This is a story of a very strong, and strong-willed (stubborn) woman. I really enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend this title to anyone who enjoys reading about Viking women.

The author, Gunhild Haugnes, very kindly gifted me a copy of Freya and the Serpent, the prequel to Freydis.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#Freydis#NetGalley

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Viking historical novel that will expand your knowledge of Norse times and lives.

I was not looking for a book to teach me about life as depicted in ancient Notes Sagas, but I am glad I discovered Freud's and her family. Freud's is the child of Erik the red and a concubine. Thus she is shunned by Eric's wife. While this shadow hosts over her, Freud's is cherished by both her father and her oldest brother Leif. We get to know all about living in Greenland as well as traveling to Vineland with these determined exploreres. All this is background for the life story of a woman who knew her own mind and continues to grow and Demelza elope even through old age.

[Nanja Beesknees · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @45%.
Such interesting source material, such an awesome time period and this book just absolutely kills the spark. Awkward sentences, grammatical errors in tenses, but what annoyed me most is that the whole story was described. Dialogue is present but doesn't support the story and sentences rely heavily on adjectives: the cheerful atmosphere, the ambitious Icelander, the friendly leader.
I really wanted to know what would happen in the story but could no longer overcome my resentment towards the bad writing.
I recently read The Sea Road by Margaret Elphinestone. That has flaws too but is (certainly in comparison) so much better.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to like the main character, but Freydis was just too remote for me to form any kind of attachment to (which is probably deliberate by the author!). I enjoyed the story, but it left me feeling a little unsatisfied. Maybe the second book in the series will fill that role!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Mrs E · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story that I couldn't put down, that held me to the very end with ancient tales of gods. However, i was disappointed with the writing style. I found many typos and missing words. (This could have happened in the translation) and I didn't like the tense it was written in. A very odd way to tell a tale.The whole disappointed me but it my reflections don't take away from from the story.

[Beth McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational Viking lore

This is a very entertaining saga of early Viking explorers. The characters are well formed, the dialog is interesting, and the story is inspirational. This book is well written. You will be carried through the life of a Viking woman who has the heart of a warrior. You will follow her journey from young childhood through a very old age, as she gains wisdom along the way. You will not be disappointed with this book.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I love everything Viking, so when I saw this book I jumped on it immediately and found myself unable to put it down. I recommend this book to anyone intrested in Norse mythology and related stories.

[Glenda Clemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific!

I loved every word of this story and will read the next book too. The author gave me a taste of what it would have been to live in Greenland and Iceland from the perspective of one woman—Freydis. What a woman!

[Shelley Bleese · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great saga. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Freydis's saga about her life's journey. Her struggles and accomplishments. I liked how she stayed strong and true to her beliefs at a time when christianity wanted to convert everyone. I will be reading further books by this author.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful well written book about the long life of Eric the Red's daughter. The account of her travel to Vinland, life there, and the terrible storm when they left, was devastating to her, but she continued, with determination to live her best life. A must-read story.

[Ann-Christin Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her er min omtale av Kvinnen ved jordas kant. Linken fører til min bokblogg. https://mineboker.wordpress.com/2017/...

[Katherine Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best modern Nordic sagas I have read. I think the author was inspired by the Goddess herself.

[Stephanie Dodd Fizer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Just want another one similar to read . Was always suprised as to her choices. If you are a strong woman not necessarily like everyone else . Read this!

[Hernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I really liked that it focused on one character, but the overall evolution was really interesting to follow. The historic aspect was very well done.

[Richard Gruner · Rating 4 out of 5]

History and Myth

An interesting mixture of Norse Saga and myth. The demise of the Vinland settlement is particularly well done. Freydis is a character not easily forgotten.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction based on facts about the early residents of Greenland and Eric the Red's family.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read about a site in Nova Scotia that suggests Leif Erikson may have arrived in the Americas before anyone else. I’ve also heard stories of expeditions reaching as far as the Great Lakes, and I have often wondered how true those tales might be.

"Freydis" is the first installment in Gunhild Haugnes' "Daughters of Freya" series, and it establishes itself as a standout work. The English translation flows seamlessly, a refreshing change from the often choppy translations of other foreign literature I've encountered. Reading "Freydis" is an immersive experience that vividly transports you to the Viking era, filled with daring voyages and resilient survivors.

Women should aspire to embody Freydis Eiriksdatter, the fierce heroine of this book. She rises from humble beginnings, defying societal expectations with her passion, determination, and unwavering willpower. Freydis not only accomplishes her mission but also challenges the norms of her time, endearing herself to readers in the process.

Haugnes masterfully intertwines history with her imaginative storytelling, creating a narrative that demands recognition and accolades in any language. The inclusion of historical notes and a postscript further enriches an already exceptional book, making it an essential read for anyone interested in powerful storytelling.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Historical Fiction and chose this book from the Amazon Prime Free book of the month for that reason. I had also recently binged-watched "The Last Kingdom" so I was somewhat intrigued with a story about Viking women.
The story was good for the most part - I felt like there were loose ends that were never woven back into the story. SPOILER ALERT!! Such as, Freydis' son Storm - was he found and raised by the indigenous tribe? Did her lover Bjarne live through that same storm and create a life in the new land? Both of these events was implied and maybe the reader is just supposed to make of it what they want, but I wanted an answer! There were also a fair number of grammar and spelling errors/inconsistencies that always get to me! Otherwise I would have rated it higher.

[Sasha Haggerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follows the saga (both historical and fictional) of Freydis Eriksdatter over the course of 80 some years. Freydis is the daughter of Erik the Red and has inherited much of his Viking spirit. She longs for adventure above all else and her temper often leads her to make both good and rash choices.
I think the authors intention is to tell a story in the way the skalds or storytellers of the past would. But, it seemed to fall a bit flat for me. Theres a lot of potential but comes across as monotonous. Perhaps that's the fault of the translation.
I had been drawn to the story due to the Völva that was to summon her. Instead the Völva makes a few random appearances and appears to only be there to inform Freydis of her origins at the end of her life.
Overall not a series I'll complete.

[Illusode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I did not finish this story. Still might someday.

This is beautifully evocative. However, the plot feels rather disconnected. Even as there are connecting themes, I didn't enjoy the wandering, jerky feel of the storyline.

To be fair, it's a well done story with realistic characters in a historical, well depicted setting. I just felt lost after awhile. Maybe because I didn't like the main characters, who could be sooo shallow and selfish. REALISTIC, yes. But I was kinda rooting for the side characters, and screamed 'noooo' several times during the proceedings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J E Suver · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am hoping that it is due to the translation into English that may have hindered the flow of this novel. So many abrupt sentences, misspelled words and a plot line that made no sense. I couldn't tell if I was reading a novel or at sometimes a brief biography. There was no depth to the characters, and frankly I couldn't even root for the heroine Freydis, and I call her that loosely because she was so self centered and unlikable. I won't be moving on to the other books in this series because I am sure they are agonizingly similar. I read the other reviews and wondered if they even read the same book I did?

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was everything I expected based on the previews and it did not disappoint. From the shores of Greenland to the rocky coves of Vineland (present day North-Eastern Canada), the Viking era is brought vividly to life through Freydis’ eyes. She is strong, determined, and passionate, capturing the qualities needed for her to survive the harshness of her voyages. I would like to read this tale in its original Norwegian, as there were a few stilted segments of the English prose that seemed a result of being lost in the translation. Still, it was well worth the read! 4 stars, leaning towards 4.5.

[Maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great journey alongside Freydis. Inspired by Nordic history and descriptive of the Viking lifestyle, the landscapes and the oceans. Powerful characters who are both loving and ruthless through a good storyline which also had an educational value for me. I really enjoyed a different style of novel.