Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Review♥Giveaway: Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson



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.




Review:

Okay, seriously I am in love with the concept of the book. I mean Valkyries?! Badass female warriors?! Hello! Totally epic awesomesauce! I am constantly on the look out for Norse Myth, and I really think this book is the one. It is sooo rare to find a book with such potential! It is practically glimmering with this aura of holy-of-all-I-want-it-now craziness. Really, it had this mysterious disappearance mixed into the book. 


Ellie, I really liked her name. I liked how much she fought for her brother. (I would sky dive at the edge of space for my sister.) She wasn't really the typical YA strong female. She was thoughtful and almost "indecisive". You know typical female would be the hot heads who rush into every single type of trouble. Ellie was more of a thinker. She was hesitant in many situations. I liked that. That showed strength, and courage. It was not about how fast you react, it was about how you could obtain your goal with the best possible outcome. It was almost like a chess game, you have to decide to sacrifice a piece or not. Depending on your goals, your actions will be different. Ellie had that spark in her that made her more reasonable then most females. She was somewhat introverted, and high five! *points* I like you! But! I didn't like how fast everything was when she learnt of her powers. It was a little unrealistic. 

Oh boy now on to Tuck. He was definitely the classic funny, happy, flamboyant guy with amazing comments that you wish you could've thought up first? But! He had something more. Man I definitely related him to Kise. Let me take a moment to cry as I still haven't gotten over the season finale of Kuroko no Basuke. Okay, I am good; back to Tuck. Hello! Tuck was GOR-GEOUS BABY! All the girls loved him. Yeah, I am starting to have my vision on him. I already got a guy in mind. *cough* Kise *cough. Gray eyes, wicked, deceptively innocent smile, and white teeth. Seriously, that boy can smile! The way Ellie described him, wow. I almost burst out in singing "My Shiny Teeth and Me" but maybe "My Gorgeous Smile (that can lauch 1000000 fire nation warships) and Me". He was the type of guy that would "bully and mock" girls in a teasing way. But like I said, he had two sides, which was so Kise! Tuck shifted from this happy character to this mysterious character. I don't know how to describe it, it was like a change in personality, from a child's to Sherlock, who is a deep thinker. For some reason, it made my heart beat that much faster. I think I am in love, or maybe I am just thinking about Kise too much? The romance in the novel? Meh. It was nothing special, just your typical YA romance. To me, it was predictable. A guy who said he wanted to spend time with you, blah, blah, cheese. Maybe I am just the type of girl who likes surprises? I want someone to write a book that just surprise me completely with the romance. I do not want a cookie cutter romance, I want you to enchant. 

Graham, I like. He was the brother you secretly wanted. (Sorry sis, I still love you.) He was protective, smart, and caring. He was always the one that was helping Ellie.

The plot of the book was good, but I think it could've up a notch. Yes, most of the book had the fluidity of an YA paranormal book, but you know I was expecting more. The setting of the book can provide so much more adventure, discovery, and action.

For the most part the book delivered, providing this mystical story to the audience with great characters, but sadly it lacked in originality.



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.

You can visit Ingrid on the web at
www.ingridepaulson.com
Twitter: @ingridepaulson


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6 comments:

  1. Great review! I've heard mixed reviews about this one, but I am so glad that you liked it.
    - Ellie @ The Selkie Reads Stories

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  2. As always, I'd go back to France. It's in my blood...my true home! (of course, there are loads of other places I'd want to visit, but France would definitely be my home base.)

    Great review - the more I hear about this book, the more I'm dying to read it!

    Thank you!

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  3. I would love to go to Denmark, Sweden or Norway! Thanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!

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  4. Brilliant review. Thanks for participating.

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  5. I'd like to visit Sweden. My ancestry traces back to there.

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  6. I would love to go to Italy and France, but first to Italy :) Thank you for the fun review. I am really looking forward to reading Valkyrie.

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