In her fiction debut, textbook author and retired teacher-librarian Mary Elizabeth Nelson presents three harrowing days in the life of an Anglo-Saxon girl in the 11th century.

During a walk on the heath, 13-year-old Catla notices smoke billowing from her village and realizes that a Viking raid is underway. Knowing that her family is in danger, she rushes to the nearby village of Aigber for help, where she becomes embroiled in a plot to outsmart the Vikings, capture them as slaves, and (hopefully) save her family.

Nelson’s action-packed narrative is filled with exceptional female characters. Raised among warrior women, Catla is a feisty girl who refuses to be belittled or excluded from the rescue plans. Her cleverness and confidence ultimately help the rescuers find a secret path into her raided village.

A subplot concerning a marriage proposal from Olav, a successful but smelly and greying peddler, also showcases Catla’s burgeoning independence and sense of self. During her journey, she musters the courage to oppose her father’s wishes and strike a different deal.

While Catla’s actions make her a strong role model, moments of introspection keep her relatable. She misses her family, doubts her abilities, and fears wolves, goblins, and ghosts in the dark.

Set after the 1065 rebellion in Northumbria, the book offers an historically accurate taste of Anglo-Saxon life, including trade, art, tools, and medicine. The narrative’s Christian undertones add to the sense of time and place, but may deter some readers.

Although the book’s ending may be a bit too neat and tidy, Catla and the Vikings will likely endure for its valuable lessons in overcoming obstacles, using wits over weapons, and never letting gender get in the way of a good adventure.