Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
Expected Publication Date: October 9th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 352 pages
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher for Review
Goodreads
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.Oh. My. God. As well all know, after Starling by Lesley Livingston and now Valkyrie Rising, Norse mythology is on the rise in YA fiction. Say goodbye to the Greeks and say hello to those tall, blond Norse hotties! Alexander Skarsgard anyone? Valkyrie Rising definitely kept me on my toes and the characters were all incredibly real. I loved the lush setting of Norway and Paulson's amazing descriptions that had me feeling like I was right there. If you haven't already picked up a copy of Valkyrie Rising you need to get on that RIGHT NOW. Valkyrie Rising will have you on the edge of your seat and the ending will leave you begging for more!
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 is an amazing character. She's kind of weak and helpless at the beginning of the novel, but she really grows into her own by the end. I loved seeing her become such a strong and independent female. Ellie really developed as a character which was amazing to see. And Tucker, oh my God Tucker. He was so delicious and such an amazing love interest. There are so many scenes in which Ellie describes Tuck and how appetizing he is and I loved every minute! Even Graham, Ellie's brother, grows throughout the story. I loved all of the different characters for different reasons, but they were all so life-like that it was easy for me to fall in love with each of them.
The story itself is fantastic. I have a huge love for Norse mythology now that it's become so popular in YA fiction. I've even begun doing my own research on the topic just to understand the origins of some of the characters, and I can't wait to see what else is coming out. Paulson's take on the Valkyries was wonderful. I loved reading about these strong women who could easily take on anything and were so connected to each other that it physically hurt to be away from the rest of their kind. And there were so many plot twists and turns! I found myself gasping out loud on more than one occasion! As I said before, Paulson's writing is just fantastic and beautiful. She's incredibly descriptive to the point where you actually feel like you're in Norway, or even Valhalla, and I was completely immersed in the story.
Overall, I absolutely loved Valkyrie Rising. It's an amazing story about learning who you are and where you come from while staying strong and protecting those you love. The characters are fantastic and the writing style is gorgeous. I loved every minute of the story and it's hard to believe that this is Paulson's debut novel. The ending is definitely a bit of a cliff-hanger; some things weren't wrapped up so I'm really hoping there will be a second one! I just can't wait to see what she's coming out with next! If you're a fan of mythology and need something different and refreshing, Valkyrie Rising is one you won't want to miss out on!
