You can really tell with some books that they are written by historians and this is one of those rare finds that scream it from the rooftops. Ramirez has written a brilliant story, with a feisty and lovable heroine, that pulls the reader along at a real pace, yet is full of fascinating history and detail that never once feels forced. A brilliant read aloud during a class topic on Vikings, full of cliffhangers and intrigue to keep the interest of a class, it's a real gift of a book.