DiscoverMiddle Grade Fantasy

Compass to Vinland

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Loved it! 😍

Join Wren and his new friends as ancient myth swiftly becomes a startling reality.

Young Wren Larkin is a friendless boy who lives in a sleepy town in Pennsylvania where nothing ever seems to change. But as a mysterious fog rolls in, Wren's whole life is turned upside down as myth becomes a startling reality. Wren and his new friends, Rusty and Maria, are swiftly drawn into a web of magical intrigue. Soon, the battles begin, heralds of a great war yet to come.


Compass to Vinland is a gripping narrative that draws the reader into its world of myth and magic from the very first chapter. Young Wren is a character that is easy to identify with, as he struggles with his complicated family dynamic and finding his place in the world. As Wren is aided by Rusty, the teenage tough kid with a difficult home life and a heart of gold, the action starts to hit high gear. Maria, the determined girl who doesn't hesitate to speak her mind, also joins in for a journey of epic proportions that doesn't stop until the final page.


I loved the complex mythos of the world, and the inclusion of many world cultures, from Viking legend to Native American lore. The story discusses the importance of tolerance at length, without being overly preachy about it. There are bold storytelling moments, with multiple characters facing their difficult family situations. And there is such a rich variety of characters that are memorable and relatable, from the conflicted Tristan to the edgy Eyota and her best friend to the hard-as-nails Mrs. Tovar. The story was so engrossing that I truly felt transported to this legendary world, and the final chapter left me hungry for more.


Book one wraps up neatly, but leaves plenty of room for a sequel. There are only a few bumps in the storytelling. Wren was so easy to identify with that it was unclear whether the character was male or female until the end of chapter two. I disliked the dishonesty of a few of the characters, especially towards the end of the book. The true nature of the compass to Vinland is still a bit shrouded in mystery, and the large publisher watermark present on every page also made it difficult to read at times. However, these are very small problems in a very large, complex setting, where true tolerance may be the key to saving the world.


With intense battle scenes, minor language, and a complex view of the reality of finding a place to call home, this book is perfect for ages 12 and up, and all avid readers of fantasy. When the "normal" world and the realm of legends collide, the action never stops!

Reviewed by

Hello! I am Dakota Love, and I am an indie author, blogger, and book reviewer. I have published over forty indie titles, including "The Allies: Family and Friends", "The Guardian of Freedom", and "Coyote Stories: Legends of a Manitou." I love nothing better than to discover new stories.

Morning of the Mist

About the author

Being born on Friday the Thirteenth, I have always been drawn to the more mysterious elements of life. The pull of the unknown has inspired both my visual and literary work. I enjoy collecting strange things from stranger places and will never grow tired of the gothic music of my youth. view profile

Published on September 07, 2021

Published by Warren Publishing

80000 words

Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

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