Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 404 pages
Release Date: Oct. 9, 2012
Genre: Mythology
Goodreads Summary: 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.
I love mythology and YA books with mythology are a special treat for me. When I read the summary for the Valkyrie Rising and saw the gorgeous cover (don’t you love the way the mountains looks like wings coming out of her back!), I knew I had to read it. This book had so much potential, sadly it falls so short of what I wanted it to be.
Valkyrie Rising incorporates Norse mythology which is awesome. Unfortunately, the mythology is explained but the book never plunges into it, just skims the surface. The Norwegian setting is good, Paulson does a fine job of describing the country and its beauty. The characters are just fine as well. I really liked Tuck but thought that Ellie found her powers a little too easily.
The thing that really frustrates me about the book was the plot. Ellie spends the majority of the book chasing supermodel like characters all over Norway. All the while, I wanted more background about Valkyries, Odin and Valhalla that never came. What should have been a really cool YA book on Norse mythology ended being just an OK one.
Valkyrie Rising is not a bad book and if you are not really into mythology, you will probably like it more than I did. This is a decent debut novel and while I would read other books from this author, I probably won’t be picking up another book in this series.
Content: Kissing and violence
My Rating: Just OK
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is:
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publish Date: Sept. 10, 2013
Genre: Science Fiction
Goodreads Summary: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.
I have been waiting on a cover for this forever and now that I see it, it is fabulous! Also, did this always have a December 2013 publishing date? I know I’ve been MIA recently (only because I’m a new mommy to one of the best babies ever) but I thought this was coming out sooner. Regardless of the publishing date, I am dying to read this book. What books are you waiting on?
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 371 pages
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2012
Genre: Fantasy
Source: From the publisher through Netgalley
Goodreads Summary: This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.
Splintered is the second Alice in Wonderland inspired book that I have recently, and it is by far the better one. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a while!
I love the characters in Splintered, especially Morpheus! He is not the book boy that I usually go for but the character is so well written, you can’t help but love him! I also liked Alyssa and Jeb a lot. Alyssa is not perfect, but she is smart and grows a lot throughout the story. Jeb is very cool but not the typical YA leading man, I think that’s why I liked him so much.
While the characters are great, the world building and plot of this book are amazing! The story completely immerses you in Wonderland and let me tell you, it’s not all pretty and fairytale like. It’s dark, crazy, twisted and absolutely perfect, exactly what Wonderland should be! The plot is also really well done and kept me reading well into the night. I love how this story parallels Alice but still stays completely original.
Splintered is a great debut and an awesome novel. A.G. Howard has my full attention and I am excited to read whatever else she writes.
Content: Kissing, some violence
Rating: The Best!
