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kasaya_mt33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Enemies to lovers. Entertaining & well written.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
If I say that I wanna learn more about Norse mythology, that I want to explore their world, get to know their Gods, and get to know all the magical creatures they wrote about, there's no way I can say no when an epic fantasy based on Norse Mythology is offered to me on BookSirens. Not that I wouldn't have gotten this book without the Norse Mythology. The rest of the synopsis sounds amazing as well and got me really curious.
Just like a lot of epic fantasies this book needed some time to really get going. It's only at the end of the book that the pieces of the puzzle click and that it's clear what the main plot has been all along. However, that doesn't mean I grew bored along the way. On the contrary! There was so much world building! There were so many Gods present, so many creatures and monsters. It was so great to be on this journey!
I think it's easier to follow this book if you have a basic understanding of the Norse mythology, but that doesn't mean this isn't a great introduction to it if you haven't. The author included a glossary to give some more information on certain characters, names and monsters, but a lot of explanations are also in the text itself. However, those are usually only very briefly. There is no room for info-dumps, luckily, in this book.
I also really liked the main characters in this story, although I still think the romance developed a little fast, but I guess the ending explained a lot of the why when it comes to that. The heroine was amazing, though. I loved her fighting spirit, especially because it wasn't always physical, and I loved how she also had this capacity to win the hearts of so many people, even of those people we were told to fear. Kindness can absolutely be a strength!
The epilogue makes me excited and terrified of the next book in the series!
Just like a lot of epic fantasies this book needed some time to really get going. It's only at the end of the book that the pieces of the puzzle click and that it's clear what the main plot has been all along. However, that doesn't mean I grew bored along the way. On the contrary! There was so much world building! There were so many Gods present, so many creatures and monsters. It was so great to be on this journey!
I think it's easier to follow this book if you have a basic understanding of the Norse mythology, but that doesn't mean this isn't a great introduction to it if you haven't. The author included a glossary to give some more information on certain characters, names and monsters, but a lot of explanations are also in the text itself. However, those are usually only very briefly. There is no room for info-dumps, luckily, in this book.
I also really liked the main characters in this story, although I still think the romance developed a little fast, but I guess the ending explained a lot of the why when it comes to that. The heroine was amazing, though. I loved her fighting spirit, especially because it wasn't always physical, and I loved how she also had this capacity to win the hearts of so many people, even of those people we were told to fear. Kindness can absolutely be a strength!
The epilogue makes me excited and terrified of the next book in the series!
cladis's review against another edition
4.0
Small note to self: Erick and Alisa remind me of Uthred and Brida from The Last Kingdom
mevanalt's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I was so excited for this book, but it turned out to be incredibly rushed and poorly executed. The concept was there, and the writing style is actually decent, but the pacing was super weird and the romance was very instalove. No development of side characters either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
andrea4's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thefantaysbookdragon's review
4.0
Love it!
this books was so good, I really enjoy it, even love it. the concept of this book was amazing and enjoyable, you don't normal read a lot of norse mythology but I think this book did it right, it helped me that I knew a little bit about it already, can not to read more books in this type of genre
this books was so good, I really enjoy it, even love it. the concept of this book was amazing and enjoyable, you don't normal read a lot of norse mythology but I think this book did it right, it helped me that I knew a little bit about it already, can not to read more books in this type of genre
atrailofpages's review against another edition
5.0
This story follows Ailsa who has a sickness that’s been passed down the line of her mother that will kill her eventually. One day, an elfin and his army come to get the Tether that was stolen from them. It happens to be the ring Ailsa’s mother owned and that she wears and she accidentally tethers herself to the Tether and the elfin has to take her physically with him. He takes her to Alfheim where the elfin dwell. Why? Well you’ll have to read to find out
allyssabrinker's review against another edition
5.0
In short, the story follows Ailsa and Vali. Vali is a god who has been searching for the "tether" to save his land. Ailsa's entire family has been slaughtered by Vali in search of the tether. Ailsa was born with a chronic disease passed down from her mother and has been sheltered her entire life because of it, though she longs to explore.
When the tether bounds itself to Ailsa, Vali is forced to take her to his home land.
The world building was exceptional. While I'm a fan of mythology, I don't know too much of Norse mythology and I found that despite this, the author's details of the mythology were clear and engaging.
I also found the characters enjoyable. The MC Ailsa is fierce and strong. I also appreciate the storyline of Ailsa's family curse, and how she's still strong and shows that what others perceive as weakness doesn't have to define a person. I also loved Vali right away and enjoyed watching his progression.
The slow burn between the two made the story that more believable. The pay off was worth it. In my opinion, the beginning IS engaging, (especially when Vali and Ailsa first meet) but the story really picks up about thirty percent of the way through. :)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When the tether bounds itself to Ailsa, Vali is forced to take her to his home land.
The world building was exceptional. While I'm a fan of mythology, I don't know too much of Norse mythology and I found that despite this, the author's details of the mythology were clear and engaging.
I also found the characters enjoyable. The MC Ailsa is fierce and strong. I also appreciate the storyline of Ailsa's family curse, and how she's still strong and shows that what others perceive as weakness doesn't have to define a person. I also loved Vali right away and enjoyed watching his progression.
The slow burn between the two made the story that more believable. The pay off was worth it. In my opinion, the beginning IS engaging, (especially when Vali and Ailsa first meet) but the story really picks up about thirty percent of the way through. :)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
div143's review against another edition
3.0
the worldbuilding was scattered and idk how you fall in love with a man who murders your dad and sisters