History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

Sword of a Valkyrie (The Vinland to Valhalla Saga #2) Author: Melanie Karsak Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy  Publisher: Clockpunk Press Release Date: March 13, 2025 Pages: 400 Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:       Born hearing the call of Valkyries.     Dreaming of distant shores.    Torn between the past and the future.     Destined to become a legend.     Iceland, 985—      When Eirik the Red sailed from Iceland to journey west, everyone knew he was mad. Everyone knew Jörmungandr would swallow him and his crew whole. Everyone lost faith in him, including his wife, who turned to her Christian friends for solace.     Everyone gave up on Eirik the Red, except his daughter.     When Eirik went west, so did Brien, the man Freydis loved. But Freydis knew her father’s determ...

Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3) Author: Melanie Karsak Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Clockpunk Press Release Date: October 29, 2024 Pages: 364 Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.  Synopsis: In the shadows of the hollow hills, a queen's destiny unfolds.      Britain, AD 38. Having defeated her enemies, Queen Cartimandua works swiftly to stabilize the north. But not all foes yield quietly. Forces move in the shadows to destabilize the Brigantes. Working to root out resistance, Queen Cartimandua finds an unlikely ally in deposed Prince Venutiux—much to his wife’s dismay. Even with King Eddin’s support, facing an unnamed enemy proves difficult. Darkness, in the shape of an eagle, looms for them all.      Yet even amongst the chaos, a glimmer of hope persists. As Queen Cartimandua and King Consort Cormag chart their new life together, a bright future seems wi...

Today, I have the pleasure of having an interview with Melanie Karsak! I have read and enjoyed her many series of books on some of history's more obscure or misunderstood women. Often, little is known about their true histories, either from not being recorded because of their gender and the unimportance given to women or else intentional character assassination. Mrs. Karsak seeks to bring light where much is shrouded in darkness. As a result, we are enriched by their lives and these fascinating women can speak to us through the centuries. In this interview, Mrs. Karsak talks about what drew her to these women and her writing pro cess! Thank you Mrs. Karsak! You have written books on Lady MacBeth, Hervor, Queen Boudica, Queen Cartimandua, and now Freydis. What drew you to write about these women? I like the unsung and maligned heroines. Hervor is a significant character in the Norse Hervarar Saga . In fact, there are two Hervors in that tale—grandmother and granddaughter. But ...

The Heart of a Valkyrie (The Vinland to Valhalla Saga #1) Author: Melanie Karsak Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Clockpunk Press Release Date: March 5, 2023 Pages: 290 Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Born hearing the call of Valkyries.      Dreaming of distant shores.      Torn between the past and the future.      Destined to become a legend.      Iceland, 976—Freydis Eiriksdottir, born to a völva mother and berserker father, lives a quiet life on her remote farmstead in Iceland. Busy dreaming of the sea and haunted by the loss of her mother, she has no idea what the Norns have in store for her. When her father, Eirik the Red, marries the daughter of a powerful chieftain, the course of Freydis’s life changes forever.      Deciding that Freydis would be better off with the gothar, Eirik sen...

The Crow Queen (Eagles and Crows #2) Author: Melanie Karsak Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Clockwork Press Release Date: December 5, 2023 Pages: 267 Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: A queen at war.       A love woven by the gods.      The looming shadow of darkness to come.      Britain, AD 38, When destiny crowns Cartimandua queen of the Brigantes, she inherits not just the rule of her ancient tribe but an imminent war. Seeking to take advantage of the upheaval amongst the Brigantes, the Parisii tribe strikes.      Cartimandua’s enemies soon discover the new Brigantes queen wears a crown of thorns and talons. Carti has no time to waste on petty squabbles. The Cailleach whispers of a looming threat from the south. Wielding ruthless strategy and strength, Cartimandua acts quickly to secure her hold on the north ...