Rounded to 3.5 stars.

This book is a fascinating look at Polish history, and some lesser known figures. I'm partial to well-done historical fiction, especially that which focuses on times and places of which I have little to no knowledge of. And this one fits the bill.

My father spent his early years in Poland, and I've heard lots of spoken Polish, as well as seen it written. And despite my father's insistence that "words are pronounced exactly as they're spelled," I also know that my brain and mouth doesn't form these words easily (read: at all). So I chose to get the audiobook for this read. And while it made the names easier to understand, it also made it kind of difficult to keep track of everything. Because there's a LOT of information and characters throughout this book. Granted, it's nearly 24 hours long, but the narrator did a great job with the voices, accents, and Polish words, something that I would have struggled with reading this as a print book.

While the story mainly focuses on Swientoslawa, it also incorporates the people around her, including her brother, half-sisters, and other royal figures. The chapters and sections jump between different key players in the story, and while it was a struggle at times to keep track of everything, I chalked that mainly up to my reading this in audiobook format, rather than a shortcoming of the story.

Swientoslawa was such an intriguing character, and I loved the way her father held unusual views about the value of daughters. He raised three smart, loyal, and stubborn women who were well-versed in the politics of the time and had a great understanding of ruling. It touches on the clash between Christianity and older belief systems, and how that can create strife within a kingdom, as well as the sometimes ruthless way in which a religion is spread.

Despite the length of this book, I was always intrigued. It isn't slow moving at all, which is rare to find in a book of this length, and it held my attention from start to finish. I loved seeing how everything unfolded, even though the story ends on a cliffhanger. Now I have to just be patient for the next book to come out so I can find out what happens next.

I enjoyed this depiction of 10th century Europe and the rulers who fought over it. The book's purpose is to make known the first Polish Duke's daughter, whose true story has mostly been lost to history, as I understand it. She's known as "The Bold One", and she earns the title through her unflinching stubbornness and outspokenness.

I saw this described as a Polish Game of Thrones and I understand why -- it has the same kind of tone, themes, and political drama. Unfortunately the character work isn't quite as good -- which is what I love in a novel like this. Our lead, Świętosława, is brilliantly drawn but every other character pales in comparison. The action as well is lacking. We don't get many battle scenes, and when we do they always disappoint. The tension in the political drama, where it really should be, is often stale. Where this book shines is when Świętosława gets to put people in their place -- her triumphant moments don't happen often, and they are extremely satisfying.

My favourite part of the reading experience was discussing Polish history with my dad. So even though I found the unconclusive ending annoying as heck, I miiiiiight try picking up the sequel. :)

My Review:⭐️⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars

This is for fans of Game of Thrones and Viking sagas - it has all the intrigue of familial plotting, backstabbing, betrayal, forbidden love, war, and so much more. The rich Scandinavian and Polish royal history really was intriguing because I knew almost next to nothing about this time period from the 900s -1000s. Duke Miasko I is at the head of the Polish throne and Swietoslawa and his other two daughters start alliances through their strategic marriages. Through this they are united by Sweden, Jomsberg, and Norway. This was such an interesting time as many of the people in these regions still practiced their Nordic pagan religion and to see the spread of Christianity by each family dynasty was very interesting. Swietoslawa was such a strong person, despite not having much say in her own life decisions. I am not sure if she really had lynxes as pets, but that would have been amazing. Also, the bond between Olav and Swietoslawa - I yearned for them to be together even though they spent most of the book apart. I couldn't find much online about them in real life, so that might actually be fictional. I can easily visualize this whole saga as a tv show - there is so much that goes on and so fascinating that most of this is based on actual history.

I highly recommend it for those that are big history/royal family nerds, but want to stay awake. This book is very well written and easy to read. It was very helpful for the author/translator to reiterate some of the names and who they were again and again throughout the book so you don’t have to keep flipping back.

Thank you to Tor Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

US Pub Date: April 6, 2021

A huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to review this epic historical novel in exchange for an honest review.

A unique setting - the dawn of the middle ages in what is now Eastern Europe.
The plot- a bloodthirsty cross between a Game of Thrones roller coaster of a ride and the ethereal plot of The Bear and the Nightingale, that pits Christianity against paganism.
The characters- a heroine that reminds me of Lada Dracul from Kiersten White's The Conqueror's Saga.

Swietoslawa is determined to be more than a pawn in her father's political machinations, more than a means to garnering a strategic alliance. She wants a throne of her own and is confident she has the cunning, ruthlessness and wisdom to rule without a husband. Although there are five main characters, her story enthralled me the most.

This was meticulously researched. The daily lives of the main characters, from mundane tasks to their hopes and dreams, unfold with precision and wonder.

Highly, highly, highly recommend.

My Review:⭐️⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars

This is for fans of Game of Thrones and Viking sagas - it has all the intrigue of familial plotting, backstabbing, betrayal, forbidden love, war, and so much more. The rich Scandinavian and Polish royal history really was intriguing because I knew almost next to nothing about this time period from the 900s -1000s. Duke Miasko I is at the head of the Polish throne and Swietoslawa and his other two daughters start alliances through their strategic marriages. Through this they are united by Sweden, Jomsberg, and Norway. This was such an interesting time as many of the people in these regions still practiced their Nordic pagan religion and to see the spread of Christianity by each family dynasty was very interesting. Swietoslawa was such a strong person, despite not having much say in her own life decisions. I am not sure if she really had lynxes as pets, but that would have been amazing. Also, the bond between Olav and Swietoslawa - I yearned for them to be together even though they spent most of the book apart. I couldn't find much online about them in real life, so that might actually be fictional. I can easily visualize this whole saga as a tv show - there is so much that goes on and so fascinating that most of this is based on actual history.

I highly recommend it for those that are big history/royal family nerds, but want to stay awake. This book is very well written and easy to read. It was very helpful for the author/translator to reiterate some of the names and who they were again and again throughout the book so you don’t have to keep flipping back.

Thank you to Tor Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

US Pub Date: April 6, 2021

Spellbinding from the first chapter! I greatly enjoyed this book despite how complicated it is, full of characters sprawled across 10th century kingdoms, with ever-changing loyalties and myriad connections to one another. However complicated the political and geographical lines are, the characters are all richly drawn. The story is primarily centered around Swietoslawa of Poland, Sven of Sweden, and Olav of Norway. I was immediately charmed by the headstrong Swietoslawa and felt the tension caused by her father’s ambitions in every section centered in Poland in the beginning of the book.

I greatly enjoyed following Swietoslawa's journey as she grew into a headstrong woman, still tied to negotiating peace or political ties but also independent and fulfilling her owns desires.

Let me say (written to avoid spoilers), I was delighted later in the book by a reveal of sorts regarding an early scene of two people unknown to one another crossing paths. (Perhaps I just wasn't observant enough regarding the scene. But it was written deliberately enough that it all fell into place later.)

Things definitely were confusing at times and details I found important often occurred during time skips and were recounted after the fact, but I still enjoyed this book greatly. I stayed up all night to read from Chapter 42 to Chapter 53 because those final chapters of the book really got interesting. I was eager to see how Swietoslawa handled her changing position of power (sorry for the vagueness. Trying not to spoil the story). I'm disappointed it ended on such a cliffhanger and hope a second, translated installment will follow soon.

Verdict
A marvelous, sprawling look at actual historical figures of the 10th century (though, of course, highly fictionalized since info regarding women of that time is sparse or contradictory). This was just my cup of tea.

So, who would enjoy this book?
Historical fiction lovers, especially those who enjoy tales of powerful women navigating the intrigues of royal marriages and royal life, will love this. It had a smattering of sex scenes to sate those who love steamy historical fiction but keeps the focus on the strength and insight of Swietoslawa, the Bold One. However, be warned, this is not a fantasy book and is not really comparable to "Game of Thrones," as some have suggested. If you're expecting GoT vibes, you'll be disappointed. This is more History Channel's "Vikings" than GoT.