lowkey broke my effin heart D:

Providence picks up right after Vows. Providence is a study in virtues and morals of 14th century Norway. The titular character Olav struggles with the happenings of Vows where he killed his wife's rapist and ends up confessing his sins to a priest. Undset here toys with the idea of morality, religiosity, and law of the land by letting Olav stew in panic about consequences of his confession. In the meantime, his wife, Ingunn falls into depressive state unable to get out of room or her bed, severely ailing physically and undergoing the pregnancy and childbirth - the child of her rapist who she had to give away to a foster family. Olav adopts the son of his wife's rapist and brings into his home to reunite the child with his mother - Ingunn.

Olav slowly takes over his legacy, being the last in the line, as he and Ingunn start their lives together as married couple like they were intended to. But the doom of Olav's sin looms close and Ingunn's declining health, miscarriages hold their happiness back.

Thank you University of Minnesota Press and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

God help me

$14 for a Kindle book felt pricey to me, but it was 100% worth it. Can’t wait to read the next one.

But be sure to get the Tiina Nunnally translation. It’s much better than the older one.

This book is not as compelling as Vows. It's more of a psychological thriller and not a lot happens. The ending doesn't provide a real resolution either and it's honestly fairly depressing to read as Olav wrestles with, but does nothing to repair, his misdeeds of the past. Ingunn is a deeply troubling character but I can't put my finger on why.

Although I have always enjoyed well written historical fiction, I wasn't really drawn to read about medieval times in Norway so this series has been a pleasant surprise. The characters are people of their time, but not so very different from people in any age. Olav Audunsson is a man of faith and morals who nevertheless became an outlaw for several years. Now he is back and can claim Ingunn as his wife Ingunn. He and feels guilty for the trials she has gone through, but like so many of us he can't express those feelings. Nevertheless, he lovingly cares for her through her many miscarriages and stillbirths, and grieves over her suffering.

It pulled me along into the pit.

Fabulous follow up to the first book.
My oh my what a marriage.

Olav and Inguun continue to battle with their feelings. Undset shows a beautiful picture of a couple who are bound to each other but have such difficulty expressing themselves. The background of religion and paganism in 13th century Norway becomes more apparent in this book. This series feels like a travel book in a way (a genre which I love). It's both a beautiful portrait of a couple and a portrait of Norway at the time.

Slower and more melancholy than part 1. I love these, but may need a break before diving in to pt 3.

"Olav lay awake most of the night. He realized that he now understood one thing: a battle had been raging in Heaven between God and His Enemy since the dawn of time, and everything that possessed life, soul, or spirit had joined in the fight in one phalanx or another, whether they knew it or not--angels and supernatural creatures, humans here on earth and in the world after death. And it was most often a man's fear that allowed the Devil to tempt him into his fold. This happened when a man feared that God would demand too much of him--that he must speak a truth that was difficult to utter, or that he must renounce a coveted desire that he didn't think he was strong enough to live without, such as rewards or prosperity, sensual pleasures, or the approval of other people. Then the ancient Father of Lies would appear to capture the man's soul with his old assertion that he demanded less of those who sided with him and rewarded them better--for as long as it lasted, that is. Now Olav had to make his own choice regarding which army he wished to serve."

For me, Providence did not quite have the magic of Vows (the first book in the series). I think this was partly because a lot happened in Vows, whereas this second volume was more about the aftermath of those earlier actions, without a huge amount of new action taking place. It therefore felt a little plodding at times and I found myself flicking the pages, waiting for something interesting to happen. It didn't help either that, while I remembered the general events of book one, it had been a while since I read that first volume, and it therefore took me a few chapters of book two to really get back on track with what was going on, as the story launched us straight in without much in the way of a recap. This was not a bad book; it simply lacked the excitement of its predecessor. Therefore, I am giving it 3 stars. Providence didn't leave me super excited for book three in the series; however, if given the opportunity, I would read on, in the hope that things will pick up again in the next volume.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kristen Laverensdatter is ten times richer, but if you’ve read KL and want something new, this works! It’s not amazing work, but It’s perfect for getting away from the stress of the day. You will keep coming back.