Winter by Winter

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jordan Stratford
Published: March 24, 2020
Series: Sword Girl #1

Goodreads

Thank you so much to Outland Entertainment for providing an advance reading copy of Jordan Stratford’s Winter by Winter in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

Set in Scandinavia, Winter by Winter is a story of a fifteen year old girl who witnessed her village burned into the ground. Desperate for the survival of her sisters and the villagers, she leads them to build a new village. In order for their village to survive, Ladda must make arrangements, including marrying the new King.

Winter by Winter is based on the story of Hladgertha (Ladda for short, found it cute too). It is also sprinkled with Norse mythology. Disclaimer though, I’m not so familiar with Norse mythology but I’m interested about it and the bits about Norse mythology in this book was really entertaining. 

I love how this focuses on Ladda as she becomes an independent woman from an innocent young girl. It shows us her perspective, somewhere in between woman and girl, as she builds her own self in her own means instead of depending on men. In fact, she’s not afraid to step in front of a man. She becomes respected by the people around her, even by the king himself. I love her banter with the king [SPOILERS] but was disappointed she didn’t marry him. They became good friends though but seeing them as merely ‘friends’ kind of left a pang. So, imagine my reaction when I read the end!

This book was an interesting read. It was fast paced and full of action. It lets you rests but then you’re thrust again. I think this book, and the story of Hladgertha is empowering. The character growth of Ladda was done beautifully. I’d recommend it to everyone, especially if you love historical fantasy, and of course, Norse mythology.