Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie #1)
by Amanda Hocking
YA fantasy
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Blue Willow Bookshop
First, just let me say that I received a copy of Between the Blade and the Heart through an author-sponsored giveaway on Bookworm for Kids. I truly appreciate author giveaways. Not only do the authors get their work out there and talked about, but it keeps me from blowing an inordinate amount of money on new books. As a librarian, I always feel a slightly guilty about buying books, so I don't often get new ones- but that's a rant for another time.
Between the Blade and the Heart is a YA fantasy based on Norse mythology with a futuristic vibe. Malin is a Valkyrie in a world where mortals and immortals coexist. It is the job of the Valkyrie to "return" the immortals to their plane when their numbers are up. Malin is the daughter of a Valkyrie, as all Valkyries are. When a terrible secret is revealed about her mother, Malin feels she must right the wrong.
Malin is a likable enough character. She is physically strong, and can be very driven. However, I didn't get much of a sense of personality from her. She is a bisexual character with multiple love interests in the book and the scenes between her and these love interests didn't really work for me. The relationships were fully fleshed out and I thought there was good chemistry, but Malin's internal dialogue seemed a bit sentimental/cheesy and that wasn't the vibe I got from her character. Malin's mother had taught her that Valkyries cannot truly feel love and you see that same thought process in Malin. She struggles with any intense emotions and puts on a "I'm a badass who is too cool to care"mask.
I liked the supporting characters quite a bit. Malin's best friend and roommate, Oona, isn't just there to tag along. She is powerful in her own right as a sorceress-in-training. Malin's ex-girlfriend, Quinn, is already a full Valkyrie and the chemistry between the two is palpable. Asher is the son of a Valkyrie and quite strong himself. His quest to avenge his dead mother is what starts the whole ball rolling. While Malin's relationship with Quinn is tumultuous and passionate, her feelings for Asher are more comforting and safe. She acts on her feelings for both of them, which I didn't really like. I felt like she had enough on her plate without creating more drama for herself.
The world Hocking has created is quite interesting, but may not be to everyone's taste. On the back of the cover, it is described as "Blade Runner meets Game of Thrones." I don't really agree with this comparison. I see the Blade Runner references in the technology of the world and the urban landscape, but it still feels like a poor attempt to throw out some buzzwords and hope they catch.There's nothing about this story that made me think of Game of Thrones. They're both Fantasy, I guess? While it took me a while to get used to, I ultimately liked the blend of the futuristic setting with mythological and fantasy elements.
*mild spoiler ahead*
For most of the story, Malin and her crew are tracking Tamerlane- an immortal being who has passed his expiration date. I was disappointed by the ultimate show down between Malin and Tamerlane. I just wanted something more epic! I understand he was a part of a bigger picture but the moment of hero vs. villain left me wanting.
So, to summarize...
Pros:
- strong bisexual female character
- interesting world creation
- lots of mythology references with interesting creatures
- face paced narrative that holds your interest
Cons:
- cliche love triangle
-anticlimactic climax
- cheesy romance dialog
- gimmicky marketing (not the book's fault, but still bothered me)
GIF reaction:
Comments
Post a Comment