Irish coast, 795 A.D. Caught between two clashing worlds, a Christian slave and a Viking raider must crush their forbidden love before it imperils her faith and destroys his claim to the jarl’s seat—but God’s plan is greater than either can imagine.
While gathering wild strawberries near her fishing village, thirteen-year-old Brigit stumbles into the path of a young Viking warrior, Reidar. A night terror come alive, the heathen boy is part of a Norse horde descended on Ireland beneath the cover of night. Eager for conquest and glory on his first raid, Reidar takes Brigit captive. But when her terror stirs an overwhelming compassion, he defies his father and saves her from his own people as they raze her village. This unexpected act of mercy sears Brigit’s memory into his soul and becomes his Great Flaw.
Seven years later, the Vikings storm the Irish keep where Brigit is trapped in a loveless marriage. Amid the raid, their young warlord sets his sights on Brigit. Her faith, once her anchor, has withered under years of loss and hardship, and her Great Scorn for Norsemen and all who wronged her has become her only armor. Yet her defenses crumble as she wrestles with a dangerous attraction to her enemy. Bound to her captor’s will and surrounded by savagery, Brigit fights to preserve her dignity and fading faith as she clings to the memory of the boy who once spared her. But the man Reidar has become a hardened warrior, sworn to vengeance and shackled by blood feud.
Both are doomed to ruin unless they open their hearts to the one power greater than the Flaw and Scorn that bind them.
While gathering wild strawberries near her fishing village, thirteen-year-old Brigit stumbles into the path of a young Viking warrior, Reidar. A night terror come alive, the heathen boy is part of a Norse horde descended on Ireland beneath the cover of night. Eager for conquest and glory on his first raid, Reidar takes Brigit captive. But when her terror stirs an overwhelming compassion, he defies his father and saves her from his own people as they raze her village. This unexpected act of mercy sears Brigit’s memory into his soul and becomes his Great Flaw.
Seven years later, the Vikings storm the Irish keep where Brigit is trapped in a loveless marriage. Amid the raid, their young warlord sets his sights on Brigit. Her faith, once her anchor, has withered under years of loss and hardship, and her Great Scorn for Norsemen and all who wronged her has become her only armor. Yet her defenses crumble as she wrestles with a dangerous attraction to her enemy. Bound to her captor’s will and surrounded by savagery, Brigit fights to preserve her dignity and fading faith as she clings to the memory of the boy who once spared her. But the man Reidar has become a hardened warrior, sworn to vengeance and shackled by blood feud.
Both are doomed to ruin unless they open their hearts to the one power greater than the Flaw and Scorn that bind them.
My Thoughts:
Every time I had to put aside Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell, it hurt. This novel held my attention from the beginning with its smartly paced plot and the romantic tension between Brigit and Reidar. The love story leaned heavily into the enemies-to-lovers and love/hate romance tropes. These are not my favorite tropes, but the author showed the characters’ motivations, backstories, rationales, and emotions so well that I thoroughly enjoyed the friction created by these tropes.
Regarding the characters in Of Flaw and Scorn, Brigit and Reidar were both likeable as was their evolving relationship. I was more sympathetic to Brigit, whose experiences had made her jaded and cynical, than to Reidar, who had his own regrets and pain. I strongly disliked some of the customs Reidar participated in and some actions of his own choosing. Still, the author crafted Reidar in such a way that he was engaging and not without hope of redemption. For Brigit, it was a joy to see her travel the road of healing and love. I appreciated that her character presented a strong gospel message about the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Of Flaw and Scorn has been billed as akin to Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, but I found it to be more like Rivers’ book, As Sure as the Dawn. Indeed, readers that enjoyed the latter book will likely enjoy Of Flaw and Scorn. I know I did. Of Flaw and Scorn is the first installment in Vera Bell’s Gracefire series. I’m looking forward to book two. 4.5 stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Regarding the characters in Of Flaw and Scorn, Brigit and Reidar were both likeable as was their evolving relationship. I was more sympathetic to Brigit, whose experiences had made her jaded and cynical, than to Reidar, who had his own regrets and pain. I strongly disliked some of the customs Reidar participated in and some actions of his own choosing. Still, the author crafted Reidar in such a way that he was engaging and not without hope of redemption. For Brigit, it was a joy to see her travel the road of healing and love. I appreciated that her character presented a strong gospel message about the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Of Flaw and Scorn has been billed as akin to Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, but I found it to be more like Rivers’ book, As Sure as the Dawn. Indeed, readers that enjoyed the latter book will likely enjoy Of Flaw and Scorn. I know I did. Of Flaw and Scorn is the first installment in Vera Bell’s Gracefire series. I’m looking forward to book two. 4.5 stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
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