It's no surprise I like this book. It's historical fiction, about a period I like to read about. The author does her research and has also written non-fiction history books. There's a love story with a happy ending, but a far more realistical portrayal of the people in love than is usual. In my opinion, that's a good thing and added to my enjoyment of the book. If I ever found myself in medieval Finland, I think Kaari Utrio's books would be the most useful books as a guide. ( )