Welcome to my stop on the Valkyrie Rising tour hosted by Itching For Books!
You can follow the full tour HERE
You can follow the full tour HERE
I have a review and giveaway for a signed copy open to US residents.
Release Date: October 9, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 353
Genre: YA Valkyries
Source: Tour for review
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.
What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.
Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.
What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.
Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.
Ellie, her overprotective brother Graham, and his best friend Tuck are visiting her grandmother in Norway. Ellie arrives first and gets a chance to get away from her brother who constantly scares boys away. While on a date with med student Kjell, some girls enter the bar and try to steal him away. She stops them and he explains that Valkyries are kidnapping boys and that the myths are real. Several have disappeared recently even though a Valkyrie is only supposed to lead a dead solider to Valhalla. Odin is breaking the rules and Ellie will need to stop him to save all the kidnapped boys.
I am not very educated in Norse mythology but the book does a great job of explaining everything and was easy to follow along. My only other read including this mythology was the Need series by Carrie Jones. Although with all the mythology I thought the action was a little slow. Ellie was very brave to stand up to the Valkyries and to work so hard to get her brother back. I've said it a million times, no way would I do anything like this for my brother. lol I would have been like oh well you snuck out that is what you get! But then again I kind of feel like Ellie was partly to blame since she kept things from Graham that might have kept him from sneaking out.
Ellie and her grandmother kind of drove me nuts. Ellie knows that boys 18 and over that are strong and good looking are being kidnapped. So when her brother arrives, who happens to be all those things, she doesn't tell him what's going on?! She thinks keeping it a secret will protect him. Also her grandmother keeps her in the dark for a long time and just tells Graham not to go out of town but doesn't explain why. Well if a teenage boy wants to go party, he will, unless someone explains that his life is in danger! I was rather irritated with all the lack of communication going on.
I thought Tuck was a sweet love interest. I loved that Ellie and him had been friends for so long. But I also was ready for Ellie to just date the med student she met because Tuck would not get the courage to make a move and stand up to Graham. Tuck was nice to respect his friend but if you really love Ellie you need to speak up and work things out and stop teasing us! lol Tuck does grow and stand by Ellie so I really began to enjoy them as a team. While I would have liked a bit more action, and the characters annoyed me at times, I did enjoy the book. I think it just wasn't exactly for me but if you love Valkyries, kick butt heroines, and Norse mythology I would highly recommend it.
"And I'm assuming you know losing you scares me more than anything."
"Were you two just kissing?"
"I know, right?" Tuck grinned. "It was even better than I imagined."
Rating: 3/5
Author Spotlight
Ingrid Paulson lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter and enjoys long-distance running, eavesdropping, and watching science documentaries. She has always loved books and writing short stories, but was surprised one day to discover the story she was working on wasn't so short any more.
~ Giveaway ~
US Only
US Only
This is the second not-too-thrilled review of this book I've read in the last five minutes or so, and consequently, I'm not too thrilled about it myself. I hate it when characters make unreasonable choices that are bound to have terrible consequences. It is one of those things I simply can't forgive. On the other hand, I love that this would give me a chance to learn more about Norse mythology, which I know very little about.
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
aw.. sucks that this wasn't the book for you! And like you said, it seems nice that both were friends for such a long time! lovely review dear, this seems awesome!
ReplyDelete- Farah @ MajiBookshelf
It's too bad that this book wasn't for you. I totally get what you mean about Ellie and her grandmother holding things back, but I can also see where Ellie was coming from. She thought that Graham would go out and try to be a hero if he knew what was going on, but when he seemed to be going out and putting himself in danger and not realizing it, she should have told him about it. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteI have two European countries that are on my must-go list if I ever traveled around the world, Germany and Italy. I don't know that I could pick just one though, both would be amazing! Thanks so much for the giveaway and I'm sorry that the book wasn't for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI am still a little intrigued by this book even though I know a few haven't really loved it. I appreciate the honest review!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to travel all of Europe because I haven't been anywhere. LOL Paris is on my list but so is Venice and London and a million other places. I think it's about time I stop day dreaming about it and get my butt in gear. LOL
I love mythology, and if any book contains something about it, then I will jump at my chance to grab a copy.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hate it, too. When characters make unreasonable choices or do unreasonably stupid things. But I guess that this is life, and we don't always make reasonable choices ourselves.
I would love to read this, and I have added it to my TBR.
GREAT review.
Your constant reader,
Soma
http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/
I honestly didn't love VR. The story, and sometimes the style just didn't do it for me. I agree w/your thoughts on Ellie and her grandmother. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIf I could visit Europe I'd love to go to Greece, Italy and Ireland!!! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI'd fogotten that Need has Norse mythology. The Frost series by Jennifer Estep also has Valkyries. I just love mythological books. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI'm unsure if this would be for me now, but it does sound pretty interesting. My knowledge on Norse mythology is pretty sketchy too so I'd love to learn some more from this book. Great review, Jennifer!
ReplyDelete"..if you love Valkyries, kick butt heroines, and Norse mythology.."
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, and yes. lol. I really want to read this book, even though that kind of stuff you mentioned about the lack of communication bothers me too.
I would visit Norway, of course! I'd love to visit my grandma's family there, and see where my great grandparents were born.
Good review. Thanks for participating :)
ReplyDeleteI'd go back to Ireland for a visit then on to United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey ... And the list goes on ...
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything with Norse mythology! But this does sound interesting, minus the few issues, like the lack of communication. That would bother me as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading mixed reviews on this one. I still want to read it though because it sounds so different. PLus, I just love the book name!
ReplyDeleteI just finished Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill which was set in London most so if I could visit any European Country is would be Great Britain for sure!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great read, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for a well written, easy to understand article on this. It can get really confusing when trying to explain it – but you did a great job. Thank you! Rinoplasti
ReplyDeleteI love Norse mythology since little but it's true it's a darker universe than the roman or greek one...still i love how realist they can be with their value and there women has rights long before the rest ^^
ReplyDeletei have this book on my wishlist but still haven't gotten the opportunity to get it but at my knowledge there are not many with valkyries ( the dead readiance series by TG Ayer is one of them and i'm reading it now, good so far) so it's interesting and original
thank you for the review!