Daughter of a Thousand Years

by Amalia Carosella, Mary Robinette Kowal (Read by)

Overview

Greenland, AD 1000

More than her fiery hair marks Freydís as the daughter of Erik the Red; her hot temper and fierce pride are as formidable as her Viking father's. And so, too, is her devotion to the great god Thor, which puts her at odds with those in power—including her own brother, the zealous Leif Eriksson. Determined to forge her own path, she defies her family’s fury and clings to her dream of sailing away to live on her own terms, with or without the support of her husband.

New Hampshire, 2016

Like her Icelandic ancestors, history professor Emma Moretti is a passionate defender of Norse mythology. But in a small town steeped in traditional values, her cultural beliefs could jeopardize both her academic career and her congressman father’s reelection. Torn between public expectation and personal identity, family and faith, she must choose which to honor and which to abandon.

In a dramatic, sweeping dual narrative that spans a millennium, two women struggle against communities determined to silence them, but neither Freydís nor Emma intends to give up without a fight.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781531868260
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	02/21/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Amalia Carosella began as a biology major before taking Latin and falling in love with old heroes and older gods. After that, she couldn’t stop writing about them, with the occasional break for more contemporary subjects. She graduated with a BA in classical studies as well as English from the University of North Dakota. A former bookseller and an avid reader, she is fascinated by the Age of Heroes and Bronze Age Greece, though anything Viking Age or earlier is likely to capture her attention. She maintains a blog relating to classical mythology and the Bronze Age at www.amaliacarosella.com and can also be found writing fantasy under the name Amalia Dillin at www.amaliadillin.com. Today, she lives with her husband in Upstate New York and dreams of the day she will own goats (and maybe even a horse, too).

Editorial Reviews

06/01/2017
Mary Robinette Kowal creates distinctive voices for the many characters in Carosella's (Helen of Sparta) dual narrative of Freydis, daughter of Erik the Red, and contemporary Emma, a woman of Icelandic descent. The author explores themes of religious tolerance, freedom, and the challenges women face. Chapters move back and forth in history as Freydis and Emma both face pressure to hide or give up their Nordic religion. Freydis faces frustration as a woman in 1000 CE. Though she wants to sail and explore, like her brothers, she's married off to a man who supports her father but whom she does not love. But Freydis is a strong, even fearsome woman. She fights convention and strikes a deal to obtain her own ship and travels to Vinland (modern-day Newfoundland) with the man who truly holds her heart. While remaining true to her father and his faith, she faces demands to give up her Norse gods as much of Iceland and her own family become Christian. Carosella knows her mythology, and Freydis's story is close to what emerges through the Vinland sagas. Meanwhile, history professor Emma fights custom in her own way in the modern world. She becomes embroiled in controversy when a student accuses her of discriminating against Christians. While the allegation is untrue, Emma's job is on the line and the situation creates trouble for her family, especially her father, a conservative Catholic congressman running for reelection. VERDICT Listeners are in good hands as Kowal brings to life Carosella's compelling Viking story. The author deftly connects this classic myth to present-day issues. Recommended.—Judy Murray, Monroe Cty. Lib. Syst., Temperance, MI

Library Journal - Audio

Amalia Carosella’s newest novel is beautiful, honest, and relevant, speaking boldly of our right as Americans to worship as our hearts direct, at a time when we most need to hear that message. Daughter of a Thousand Years is a touching examination of honesty in faith and the personal nature of religious belief. It’s also great historical fiction, with the rich detail and excitement that are hallmarks of all Carosella’s books.” —Libbie Hawker, author of Tidewater

From the Publisher