Reviews & Links
From: Good Reads
I’ve heard from a friend about Valkyries and unhesitantly downloaded the book. I have no knowledge about such mythical creatures except of their wings. But this book not only put its definition but told a great story. It narrates the adventure of a valiant and benevolent Valkyrie named Freya/Gee/Greta. She was unhappy and confused of all she has and her purpose back in Asgard, where all the Valkyries live under Odin. She flew to Midgard/earth to fulfill a promised made and understand humans along with her purpose as a battlefield maiden. While she was in earth, she not only fulfilled her promise but also helped a lot of people along the process like the geek squad, Curtis’s family and others. Towards the end I have this huge grin at the same time clutching my lower lip as page per page towards the climax. I was really happy how the story ended. And I am not gonna spoil it for readers. Before I end this review as I was reading the author’s acknowledgment, I like that some of the character’s name were from real people and real work designation. And lastly the last page dedication just got me grinning, its a message for those people or kids being bullied to remind them that people do care they just have to tell anyone or someone of such predicament.
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Valkyrie is written very much for young readers but it still resonates with the inner child in adults as it recalls moments of childhood and the turbulent years of being a teenager and trying to find our own identity as well as learning that the world isn’t as innocent and nice as we thought it was. The mythological world Kate creates for her Valkyries is rich in it’s own culture with a great social structure and I am very impressed with the originality and uniqueness she has brought to the Valkyries themselves as beings in their own right but also through to the way they do their job of collecting warriors for Odin’s army. It is a great, pacey, action packed and thrilling story which speaks about the truth of of fighting for and defending what’s right such as friendship, love, family. Even when the whole world may be set against you and even if you may suffer because of it. All is shown through the great cast of characters demonstrating some of the failings in ourselves as humans but also as part of the society we live in. Such as a drunk disappearing mother, a bully who refuses to say sorry or stop going to the extreme for the sake of cruelty, a kid who is homeless, a boy who still dreams of becoming a hair-dresser even though his home situation pulls him back. But it shows the goodness in us all like the window cleaner who is prepared to adopt threatened children, the female lawyer prepared to take on big corrupt development firms, the police who are prepared to take on drug gangs, the friends who will risk their lives for friends. From Amazon UK: Nice story good against evil good old fashioned story with a modern twist easy reading good characters suitable for all ages
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I read this having not read her previous Pegasus books so wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. And I loved it! An excellent blend of Norse mythology and…well I don’t want to say too much but lets just say there’s more going on than you might at first think. Freya’s impulsive recklessness never gets old – and means she will ALWAYS bite off more than she can chew. Looking forward to more books in this series – will have to read the Pegasus series while I wait!
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Katherine, age 13: I have read many books but this is by far my favourite although I loved Kate O’Hearns’ Pegasus series too! I would recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a good book to read, and I already have to many of my friends! I read it in a day I found it that amazing! Right from the start it captures your attention and after reading it I feel like I’ve made new friends. I’m sure once you’ve read this book you’ll agree with my opinion.
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Nice story good against evil good old fashioned story with a modern twist easy reading good characters suitable for all ages
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From Amazon USA
The book was not only interesting but showed what bullying can lead to. I’m young and love fantasy but this book made me realize that you can find magic in other types of books too. I love how the author almost connects with you about being with your friends and that a good friend would stand up and say something or like the characters in the book did, protect their friends and stuck together. I have also read “Pegasus” and thought that book was equally fantastic.
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What more is there to say – 5 Stars! It would be great for this to become a lit-series, given this book stands alone or can be expounded upon.
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From: Waterstones
Norse mythology + great writer = amazing book! I read this having not read her previous Pegasus books so wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. And I loved it! An excellent blend of Norse mythology and…well I don’t want to say too much but lets just say there’s more going on than you might at first think. Freya’s impulsive recklessness never gets old – and means she will ALWAYS bite off more than she can chew. Looking forward to more books in this series – will have to read the Pegasus series while I wait!
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Venture into Norse mythology In Valkyrie, Kate O’Hearn takes a character from Norse mythology and throws her into the human world. Growing up in Asgard, Freya knows what will be expected of her when she turns fourteen: she will have to take her place among the Valkyries, traveling to battlefields on Earth to select human heroes and bring them to Asgard, where for all eternity they can feast in Valhalla by night and practice their battle skills by day. It all leaves rather a bitter taste in Freya’s mouth: the warriors that fill Valhalla are repulsive to her, yet she has no choice, she is Valkyrie and to reap the dying is her fate, her destiny. But, despite her dislike of human beings, when Freya collects her first soldier from the battlefield she makes a promise to him, a promise she is determined to fulfill: to help his troubled family. And so, with the help of the trickster Loki, against all the rules, she sneaks across Bifröst, the light bridge that connects Asgard to Earth, and goes in search of Tyrone’s family. The trouble with Loki, though, is that he thrives on mischief. Can Freya do what she needs to and return to Asgard before Loki stirs up trouble? O’Hearn has cooks up another interesting blend of myth and modernity. Although I would have liked a little more myth and a little more pace, Valkyrie is filled with moral dilemmas, action, and one girl’s determination to do the right thing. “Kate O’Hearn serves up a winning mix of modern adventure and classic fantasy,” Rick Riordan (author of Percy Jackson) is quoted as saying, which sums the book up extraordinarily well. With flying horses, Dark Searchers, guardian angels, and quite a lot of running and fighting, Valkyrie has much to entertain young readers and, just maybe, will spark an interest in a different mythological realm that is just as rich in history and lore as the Greeks and Romans.
