Larissa Golden Brown

I am not a big romance novel reader, but the book description enticed me right away so I signed up on Library thing to see if I could get an advanced review copy. I must confess I had a hard time getting into this book. Once I got my copy I started it, restarted, put it down and then started again. I think it has to do with the writing and pacing style which I needed to get used to. After I got past my own difficulties, this book just grabbed me, pulled me in and still hasn't let me show more go!

Beginning in a future Iceland where Jen, a linguist at a virtual reality company, is testing a simulation when something happens that transports her to 10th century Iceland. There begins her adventure living in a long house as part of a Viking family. We learn of daily life during all seasons and events. Jen (now Ginn) must learn to be useful to the family and she does not shy away of anything thrown her way. The Chief, Heirik, is cursed as untouchable, but Ginn is enamored and through a slow process of building trust, encouraging love and not giving up she works to build a relationship with Heirik.

The descriptions, characters and story are wonderful. I was so enthralled with the people, love interests, daily life and all that I want to go back and read this book again. I also want to know what happens next! show less

So Wild A Dream by Larissa Brown is a time travel story set in Iceland. Eona, the main character, travels from the 22nd century to the 10th century and encounters a world she has planned for, yet it is slightly different then expected. Her own time is depleted of nature and time travel may help to solve this problem. She seeks Ginn (Jen) another time traveler; but encounters murdered men and Brosa, the chieftan's brother, lamenting in his dead wife's grave. Through their travels in Iceland show more Eona falls in love with Brosa and then tries to save him in his trial for murder. Her goal is to travel back to the 22nd century. Layered with Norse history and witchcraft, So Wild A Dream is well written and has good organization. At times the reader may wonder, what happened in the first book? Will a third tale continue the saga? The story will be enjoyed by readers of Science Fiction-Fantasy and those who enjoy stories of the history of the Norse of the 10th century. show less

Without a doubt, Beautiful Wreck is one of the best novels I've read recently. While on the surface it could be categorized under certain genres such as fantasy and romance, it dispenses with the usual clichés associated with these classifications and tosses them away to forge a new path. We are transported from a near-future, which is enthralled by visions of the past, to the imagined past of Iceland in the year 920 which full of beauty and hope for the future.

We watch Ginn discover a show more reality thought unattainable and beyond her wildest dreams. She has yearned for an immersion of indistinct boundaries where she could actually experience "art, magnificent in its fervent detail", what happens to her when the impossible arrives?

Brown's writing describes a world that makes me wish for the tank. Ginn’s experiences draw you in from the very start without any desire to tap out, so plan ahead and clear your schedule (or prepare for a sleepless night).

I highly recommend Beautiful Wreck.

Disclaimer: I have done work for the publisher and (after begging) received an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. show less

This book grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let go. I was very intrigued by Jen's 22nd century life, where a simulation tank allowed people to live the lives of long-gone cultures. One day, a glitch in the tank sends Jen back to real 10th century Iceland where she must learn how to really fit in with the culture she has studied for years. She quickly learns that even the best historian can't get all the little details right and occasionally makes embarrassing mistakes, all while falling show more in love with a man believed to be cursed.
This is definitely a new favorite! I would love to see a sequel! show less