{Blog Tour} Valkyrie Rising - Ingrid Paulson

From 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.

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.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13034113-valkyrie-rising

Release date: October 9th, 2012 |Publisher: HarperTeen

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Ingrid Paulson lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter and enjoys long-distance running, eavesdropping, and watching science documentaries. She has always loved books and writing short stories, but was surprised one day to discover the story she was working on wasn't so short any more. VALKYRIE RISING is Ingrid's first novel.

Ingrid's grandmother might actually be a Valkyrie; she's still waiting for her to come clean.

Official links:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ingridepaulson

Website: http://www.ingridepaulson.com/

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/IngridPaulson

 

My Thoughts:

I loved this book! I found it to be a breath of fresh mythological air. Don't get me wrong, I adore me some Greek Mythology, but it is nice to read about Norse Mythology also! And come on...VALKYRIES! You just cannot beat that. 

Ellie was a fun character. She is all but repressed by her older brother who thinks it is his life's mission to keep her in a bubble. But for a couple weeks in Norway she is free, until he shows up with his best friend Tucker. 

Tucker. What to say about him? 

/swoon?

Yes, that will work. 

While in Norway visiting their grandmother, Ellie discovers that a lot of 18 year old boys are going missing. The rumor is that Valkyries are stealing them. But why? Can that even be true? Ellie learns first hand that not only is it true but she is one of them!

So yes, much awesomeness in this book. Bad-ass butt-kicking females. Fur lined boots of win, battles of mythological proportions. Oh and Loki. Can't forget to mention Loki!

Now, do yourself a favor and go out and read this book! You will not be disappointed.

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Everneath ~ Brodi Ashton

 Title: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Pub Date: January 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins / Balzer + Bray
370 pages
Author Website: http://www.brodiashton.blogspot.com

From GoodReads: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her friends—before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s...

First off, I have to say that I adore Persephone myths. I'm not sure what it is that draws me in, but it never fails. To my delight, that is what Everneath was: a Persephone story! To my un-delight I did not enjoy the book as much as I hoped I would :(

"Why do we hope when all hope is lost?"

After 100 years, Nikki Beckett returns to life after being in an underworld knows as the Everneath. There, Immortal beings feed on human despair. Connected to Nikki is Cole-the Immortal who wants her to be the Queen to his King. 


Now that Nikki is back on Earth, only six months have passed since she disappeared. And she has six months to correct her mistakes/make peace before the Everneath comes to claim her for good. She can go as either Queen or as food. It's her choice. 


As her time draws to a close, Nikki must decide to accept her fate, or find a way out. Either way there will be consequences and lives broken. 



I enjoyed the mythology the most. There was a little bit of Greek, a little bit of Egyptian. And what I consider new mythology for the book itself. Even descriptions of Everneath confused me somewhat. It was a wonderful storyline, I just feel that some of the execution was not for me and what I was expecting. (I may have put it on too high a pedestal.) I did not feel connected to any of the characters. At all.I found Nikki to be stupid. And in the end, that stupidity didn't hurt just her. She had so many opportunities to explain and get help, but she chose not to. I did not feel she was a 'wounded' character, but just a stupid one. Her friends? Yeah, didn't like them either. As it is, I'm writing this less than a month after finishing and I cannot remember her best friend's name O.o

Okay, on to the part I just love...The Dreaded Love Triangle. This one was majorly annoying. Jack and Cole. Mortal and Immortal. Yes, Jack = very doting and was crushed when Nikki disappeared, and doesn't really know how to handle her being back. I felt that at first Jack wanted nothing to do with her, then all of a sudden bam! he has to! Then there is Cole, who in his own special Immortal way does care about her. He is trying to save her from the Everneath. But in the end, neither guy is worth it. (Although, to be honest, if I had to choose: Cole all the way.)

I do want to read the sequel, and even the novella to see how the story continues because seriously? Even though I knew how the book was going to end, Brodi Ashton wins an award for Cliffhanger of EVILNESS! Ugh so not cool to leave us like that!

And now, time to look at the beautiful cover of Everbound!  Sooo pretty. I hope book 3 follows in the same vein. I would show you the cover to Neverfall, which takes place between book 1 and 2. And from Cole's point of view.

"Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with."

In keeping with the mythology, I am curious, what is your favorite myth? Your favorite hero? 

Goddess Test ~ Aimee Carter

2011 Debut Author

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Pub Date: April 2011
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
293 pages
Author website: http://www.aimeecarter.com

From GoodReads:
EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.
NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests. Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess. IF SHE FAILS...


Ginny's Rules for Reading The Goddess Test

1. Do not read this with any preconceived notions of Greek Mythology
2. Do not read the list of Gods in the back of the book (it will ruin parts)
3. Remember: this is FICTION and is supposed to be fun

If you remember these 3 rules you should be good to go!


I enjoyed this book. I read some of the negative reviews, but I honestly and thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Persephone and Hades myth has always fascinated me, which is what this book follows. Kate is given a choice-to save her mother and come to Eden Mansion to face a series of tests, or, let her mom die. What's a girl to do. Kate has to pass seven tests. Interestingly enough, these seven tests are the Seven Deadly Sins.

I thought the mixture of mythology and Christianity, and really other religions was well played. It was not overdone, and reminded me of some of my studies in my mythology course from college.


And now I am off to read the next book, Goddess Interrupted.