illidia316's review against another edition
5.0
I love Amanda Hocking’s books so much. Her characters are always amazing and the stories captivating, and this book was no different. I love the relationships between all of the different characters, especially Malin and Asher. While I’m sad that their story is over, it ended very well. I will definitely continue reading Hocking’s books.
weaverl13's review against another edition
4.0
Although this is a fantasy book, there are also very strong sci-fi and dystopian vibes so if you are a fan of those genres and want to try something different, check out this duology.
In this book, there is a lot more traveling. Which I loved, as Hocking excels at world building, so to be able to experience new places with these characters was great.
The main theme was all to do with fate and destiny, and how much control we have over what we do. This really got me thinking. I like how even with all of the unexpected plot twists, everything finally all ties together.
The glossary at the end fooled me! It took up 30 pages, so I thought I still had a lot to read and then turned a page to discover I had finished which was a surprise!
There a few things I would have liked more of. More action in the fight scenes.
Overall it was a really enjoyable duology with likeable characters, a constant and interesting theme and brilliant worlds.
In this book, there is a lot more traveling. Which I loved, as Hocking excels at world building, so to be able to experience new places with these characters was great.
The main theme was all to do with fate and destiny, and how much control we have over what we do. This really got me thinking. I like how even with all of the unexpected plot twists, everything finally all ties together.
The glossary at the end fooled me! It took up 30 pages, so I thought I still had a lot to read and then turned a page to discover I had finished which was a surprise!
There a few things I would have liked more of. More action in the fight scenes
Spoiler
and more info on Asher being possessedOverall it was a really enjoyable duology with likeable characters, a constant and interesting theme and brilliant worlds.
meganmreads's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed Between the Blade and Heart as a fun and somewhat unique urban fantasy with valkyries, gods, drama, and mayhem. From the Earth to the Shadows is the much anticipated sequel.
I liked the supporting characters in the first book and I was glad to see more of them in the sequel.
If I’m being honest, From the Earth to the Shadows wasn’t the thrilling sequel that I expected. It felt very much like a second book instead of an epic finale. Something was missing and the writing felt clunky. I don’t remember not liking the writing in the first book, so I’m not sure if the tone changed or if I’m just more forgiving when I’m reading a first book. I do tend to forgive a first book for feeling a little like info-dump, but it didn’t work in a second book. It just felt like the characters went from point A to B to C without a lot of world or character building in a way that would have smoothed the story out.
The plot itself was good, I just wished the story was executed in a more polished way.
If you’re looking for a fun urban fantasy, the story is good. If you tend to read a lot of unpolished indie books and don’t mind a little bit of roughness in the storytelling, it’s definitely a great read and I thought it ended well.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
3.0
*I got this book for review and I would give it 3.5 stars*
I was super impressed by the world that Hocking cont. to expand in this series. I loved the various myths we were introduced to. I loved how we experiences both the "normal" world and also the supernatural world in this book. It was a super fast pace read. I was never super invested in the main romance but I really love Ash IN general. I also loved the supporting characters and their expanded role in book two. I would highly rec. reading these two books back to back because book 1 and book 2 are two parts of the same story. I grew to enjoy the lead throughout this series and she reminds me alot of faith from buffy and her morality choices. I would def read more by this author in the future. The highlights of this book is the world building and the supporting characters and the fast pace adventure. The parts I struggled with at points was the romance but I still really enjoyed this read.
I was super impressed by the world that Hocking cont. to expand in this series. I loved the various myths we were introduced to. I loved how we experiences both the "normal" world and also the supernatural world in this book. It was a super fast pace read. I was never super invested in the main romance but I really love Ash IN general. I also loved the supporting characters and their expanded role in book two. I would highly rec. reading these two books back to back because book 1 and book 2 are two parts of the same story. I grew to enjoy the lead throughout this series and she reminds me alot of faith from buffy and her morality choices. I would def read more by this author in the future. The highlights of this book is the world building and the supporting characters and the fast pace adventure. The parts I struggled with at points was the romance but I still really enjoyed this read.
momwithareadingproblem's review against another edition
3.0
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Some reviews are really hard to write. This is one of them. While I enjoyed aspects of From the Earth to the Shadows, others I didn’t, making this just an okay read for me. I was on the fence about reading this one simply because of my feelings about the first book [b:Between the Blade and the Heart|34964846|Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie, #1)|Amanda Hocking|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497298600s/34964846.jpg|44948152]. But after how it ended, I wanted to continue the series and find out what would happen to Malin, Asher, and their friends.
From the Earth to the Shadows picks up three days after the end of the first book. I liked this because it meant there was little to catch the reader up on, and I was able to jump right into the story. The author does give a brief review of the events that occurred leading up to the opening scene. It didn’t feel repetitive, but like a reminder of where Malin is and what is about to happen.
Unlike the first book, this book is filled with fights scenes. While this made for an exciting read, it also became dull. The characters kept finding themselves in situations that were conveniently solved without actually growing the characters in any form or fashion or even really adding to the plot. Rather than driving the plot, these scenes slowed the story down. And don’t get me started on the love triangle. This was an issue I had with the first book and I really thought it was resolved at the end of that book, but I was wrong *mentally rolling my eyes*
The book’s saving grace was it’s continued world-building. I liked the addition of Odin and the quest he sends Malin on. I love Hocking‘s ability to blend mythology with a future urban world. I liked the mythological creatures Malin faces and even her everyday struggles. However these things can’t carry the book.
Overall From the Earth to the Shadows was just an okay read for me. I honestly found myself skimming during some scenes and savoring others. I couldn’t empathize with Malin, and I detested the triangle. If you read and enjoyed the first book, I believe you will be happy with this one. But honestly, I could have taken it or left it.
Some reviews are really hard to write. This is one of them. While I enjoyed aspects of From the Earth to the Shadows, others I didn’t, making this just an okay read for me. I was on the fence about reading this one simply because of my feelings about the first book [b:Between the Blade and the Heart|34964846|Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie, #1)|Amanda Hocking|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497298600s/34964846.jpg|44948152]. But after how it ended, I wanted to continue the series and find out what would happen to Malin, Asher, and their friends.
From the Earth to the Shadows picks up three days after the end of the first book. I liked this because it meant there was little to catch the reader up on, and I was able to jump right into the story. The author does give a brief review of the events that occurred leading up to the opening scene. It didn’t feel repetitive, but like a reminder of where Malin is and what is about to happen.
Unlike the first book, this book is filled with fights scenes. While this made for an exciting read, it also became dull. The characters kept finding themselves in situations that were conveniently solved without actually growing the characters in any form or fashion or even really adding to the plot. Rather than driving the plot, these scenes slowed the story down. And don’t get me started on the love triangle. This was an issue I had with the first book and I really thought it was resolved at the end of that book, but I was wrong *mentally rolling my eyes*
The book’s saving grace was it’s continued world-building. I liked the addition of Odin and the quest he sends Malin on. I love Hocking‘s ability to blend mythology with a future urban world. I liked the mythological creatures Malin faces and even her everyday struggles. However these things can’t carry the book.
Overall From the Earth to the Shadows was just an okay read for me. I honestly found myself skimming during some scenes and savoring others. I couldn’t empathize with Malin, and I detested the triangle. If you read and enjoyed the first book, I believe you will be happy with this one. But honestly, I could have taken it or left it.
innowen's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com in exchange for my review.
Book two of Amanda Hocking’s Valkyrie series, From the Earth to the Shadows, is at it’s core, a creation myth story. Hocking jumps right into the storyline events at the moment after the first book ends; with Malin and her friends regrouping after the big boss fight. Throughout this novel, Malin continues to fight, continues to find items to help stop the big bads from destroying the world around her, and dealing with the coming-to-terms moments of what it means to be her. Fan favorite characters appear back in this book (yay for Bowie) and we’re also treated to a few new players.
Hocking’s writing is crisp and action-oriented. The scenes fly by and there’s little room for introspection or sleep. This book is fast paced. It’s like we went from setting up an initial sequence of bad events to a whole new level of apocalyptic occurrence in a compressed timeline. Some readers may enjoy this quick pace, however I personally feel the characters and their interactions suffer from the speed. It feels like Hocking wanted to wrap this book up so she could move onto something more inspiring.
With this title wrapping up the series, I wished the events in this book to be broken down across two books. I wanted to see more of the world building that Hocking treated us in book one. I wanted more of those moments of contemplation for what is going on and how the character’s actions affect the rest of the human and immortal worlds. I think fans should've been treated to a three book series.
It occurred to me, after finishing From the Earth to the Shadows that this series describes an creation myth as it unfolds. The climax of From the Earth to the Shadows and the ritual of making everyone mortal sets this series up for more stories. The plot may have followed Malin around, but the story is about a world where the rules of who dies and who lives has changed and these struggles could form the basis for more stories. Even Malin acknowledges that there is a place for her and what the old valkyries did in this new world. I’d love to see more books featuring Malin, Oona, Asher, and Samuel, and the others. I want to see how they grow and become leaders during the world’s transition period. It’s my hope Hocking returns to this series later on and writes more on how the change affects everyone.
Book two of Amanda Hocking’s Valkyrie series, From the Earth to the Shadows, is at it’s core, a creation myth story. Hocking jumps right into the storyline events at the moment after the first book ends; with Malin and her friends regrouping after the big boss fight. Throughout this novel, Malin continues to fight, continues to find items to help stop the big bads from destroying the world around her, and dealing with the coming-to-terms moments of what it means to be her. Fan favorite characters appear back in this book (yay for Bowie) and we’re also treated to a few new players.
Hocking’s writing is crisp and action-oriented. The scenes fly by and there’s little room for introspection or sleep. This book is fast paced. It’s like we went from setting up an initial sequence of bad events to a whole new level of apocalyptic occurrence in a compressed timeline. Some readers may enjoy this quick pace, however I personally feel the characters and their interactions suffer from the speed. It feels like Hocking wanted to wrap this book up so she could move onto something more inspiring.
With this title wrapping up the series, I wished the events in this book to be broken down across two books. I wanted to see more of the world building that Hocking treated us in book one. I wanted more of those moments of contemplation for what is going on and how the character’s actions affect the rest of the human and immortal worlds. I think fans should've been treated to a three book series.
It occurred to me, after finishing From the Earth to the Shadows that this series describes an creation myth as it unfolds. The climax of From the Earth to the Shadows and the ritual of making everyone mortal sets this series up for more stories. The plot may have followed Malin around, but the story is about a world where the rules of who dies and who lives has changed and these struggles could form the basis for more stories. Even Malin acknowledges that there is a place for her and what the old valkyries did in this new world. I’d love to see more books featuring Malin, Oona, Asher, and Samuel, and the others. I want to see how they grow and become leaders during the world’s transition period. It’s my hope Hocking returns to this series later on and writes more on how the change affects everyone.
christenthereader16's review against another edition
4.0
The first one was good, and didnt take long for me to get through the second took a little longer...
jglee50's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
The most predictable book I’ve ever read in my life. The world and characters were original but the plot wasn’t at all.