I want to start by saying, this is a dense book. There's a lot going on, and especially in the first half, it was difficult to track the dozens of names and places being referenced. (Especially because most of these names are in Old English or Old Irish—I don't even want to try pronouncing most of them!) Seventh-century Britain is a complex place, with kings rising and falling, religions dying, and wars brewing. As readers, we see this world through the eyes of a child, and hence have a limited view of it for a while. As Hild grows and gains a better understanding of the land and story, so do we.

Oh, Hild. As a character, she holds a special place in my heart. She is so wild and strong and clever, and watching her grow through these pages was captivating. I also adored her companions, Begu and Gwladus and all her men. They were so brilliantly crafted, especially Begu and Gwladus, and I loved seeing such deep female relationships in a historical novel.

The story picks up pace and starts making more sense around halfway through this story. The plot gets easier to understand, and the places and people a bit easier to track. To be honest, though, to fully enjoy this book I had to accept that I wasn't going to fully understand it and just settle in for the ride. And what a ride it was! I loved seeing the different conflicts—the rise of Christianity, the bloody wars, the subtle political maneuvers, and Hild's constant fight for safety and power. Nicola Griffith is a master at weaving these conflicts together and slowly letting Hild untangle them, and her unique writing style brings wild, ancient Britain to vivid life. I absolutely loved this book.

If you like historical fiction, or even fantasy books like Game of Thrones or Priory of the Orange Tree, you will undoubtedly like this book. Hild is a complex story brimming with bright characters, rich writing, and a tense, well-woven plot. I cannot wait to see Hild's fight continue in the sequel, Menewood.