To be honest, I am waffling between 2 and 3 stars. I found it to be quite a romp. The adventure starts and basically never stops. I think, perhaps, a bit too silly at times. Almost farcical. All of the folks had some qualities that made them likable. I think Vigga and Jakob were probably the ones that I like the most. It was adventure throughout the whole story. I don't think it got too boring or anything the whole way through. That being said, I didn't entirely love the story. I don't know, it just didn't quite pull me in like I would have thought it would. Also, I didn't like the ending. I found it to be sad and a little bleak and not at all in line with the rest of the book. I don't think I will read the second book at this time. And exactly how old was Alex?