Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald

3 reviews

palmkd's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I am glad to have finally read this one after the cover caught my eye a long time ago, even if the story was nothing like what I thought it was about after reading the description! 

Zelda approaches life from the viewpoint of a modern day viking. She has rules for most things which help her function and her tribe, mainly her brother and his sometimes girlfriend, come first before all else. She knows her brain works differently than other's due to her mom's poor choices (aka drinking while pregnant with Zelda) but that doesn't mean she's incapable. She's passionate about vikings and loves learning new facts about them and sharing them with those around her.

This story tells Zelda's quest to become a legendary viking in her own right, despite the challenges and villains the world throws her way.

It's a coming of age story very different from most I've read and I do believe it was well written. I can't really speak to the disability rep, but it felt well done seeing things from Zelda's perspective.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Medical content

Minor: Drug use

Brain injury, Drug possession/dealing,

jasmineshollow's review against another edition

funny hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content

Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Abortion, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse

kmc359's review

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship

Minor: Child abuse