3.25 Stars

Firstly, I received an e galley of this story from St Martin's Press, in exchange for an honest review.

I typically love Amanda's work so I expected to love this just as much but something just felt off for me. There was very minimal world building. Enough that I knew it wasn't set in either our time or our reality, but not enough to get a full grasp of where (or when) they actually were. Was it the future? Was it an alternate reality? Both? Who knows, not me. There was just not enough world building for me to fall in love with it.

The characters were hard for me to connect with as well. Malin was only likable for about the last quarter of the book. I liked Oona and Asher and that was about it. I honestly had to look up Quinn's name because, despite the fact she plays a major role throughout the book, I couldn't remember if her name was Quinn or Gwen.

There were none of the usual twists that I love in Hocking's writing. The foreshadowing was so heavy you pretty much knew exactly where the story was going to go but unlike in her Trylle and Kanin series, it got there exactly how you expected it to.

There wasn't a lot of action or anything. It was mostly the group sitting around talking about what the next step in their plan was, and it just felt off for me.

I like the little bit of Norse mythology that we got, I just wish there was more of it.

Will I continue this series? Yes, because I know what Hocking is capable of and I expect to see it in full force in the sequel.

Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie #1) is a brand-new series by Amanda Hocking that is based on Norse Mythology and more specifically the training of a young Valkyrie who discovers that her life and all she believed was twisted lies and hidden agendas.  I have to admit when this first came on to Netgalley it reminded me a little bit of Lost Girl the show I couldn’t get enough of that show so I could not wait to read it. This was easy entertaining and fast paced and a series I will definitely continue. While this is not my first book by Amanda Hocking this is the first book by her that will be getting a 4 star rating. I found the concept well thought out but my connection with the characters just did not happen the way I would have liked… That being said I loved the end it left me curious and wanting more. All and all I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get lost in a beautifully written fantasy and doesn’t mind a cliff hanger because this book has one. Thank you to all parties that made it possible for me arc. I really did enjoy this book.