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
1 comment:
I loved the setting of this book and agree that it was just ok. Norway is pretty unique, though!
Hope you're doing well!!
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