Valkyrie Rising

by Ingrid Paulson

Overview

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 that something powerful and ancient will awaken in her and that strange whispers will urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, suddenly there's 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062025722
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/09/2012
Series:	Valkyrie Rising Series
Pages:	345
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.30(d)
Lexile:	HL800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter and enjoys long-distance running, eavesdropping, and watching science docu-mentaries. 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 anymore. Valkyrie Rising is Ingrid's first novel.

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

Editorial Reviews

New elements such as the isolated Norway backdrop and the coldly beautiful Valkyries add a fresh touch. Teen girls will empathize with Elsa’s feelings of unsure independence and courage. — Booklist

Readers who like a strong, talented heroine who can save the day but still lose her heart to a roguish equal, in the spirit of Cashore’s Graceling and Melling’s The Chronicles of Faerie, will find much to enjoy in this complex, clever fantasy. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

New elements such as the isolated Norway backdrop and the coldly beautiful Valkyries add a fresh touch. Teen girls will empathize with Elsa’s feelings of unsure independence and courage.

Booklist

Readers who like a strong, talented heroine who can save the day but still lose her heart to a roguish equal, in the spirit of Cashore’s Graceling and Melling’s The Chronicles of Faerie, will find much to enjoy in this complex, clever fantasy.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Readers who like a strong, talented heroine who can save the day but still lose her heart to a roguish equal, in the spirit of Cashore’s Graceling and Melling’s The Chronicles of Faerie, will find much to enjoy in this complex, clever fantasy.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

New elements such as the isolated Norway backdrop and the coldly beautiful Valkyries add a fresh touch. Teen girls will empathize with Elsa’s feelings of unsure independence and courage.

Booklist

Readers who like a strong, talented heroine who can save the day but still lose her heart to a roguish equal, in the spirit of Cashore’s Graceling and Melling’s The Chronicles of Faerie, willfind much to enjoy in this complex, clever fantasy.

The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books

This debut introduces readers to Norse mythology, apparently still operating in modern times. Sixteen-year-old Ellie travels to Norway to visit her grandmother and finds that she has an identity she never expected. She learns that both she and grandma are Valkyries, the mythological maidens who transport dead warriors to Valhalla, where they join Odin's supernatural army. But it seems that Odin has decided not to wait for more battles to supply him with warriors. He wants new warriors now, so he sends his supermodel-gorgeous Valkyries out to kidnap living boys. As soon as Ellie arrives, she learns that the local population hates both her grandmother and her, with the exception of handsome Kjell, who can't stay away from her. But when both Kjell and Ellie's recently arrived brother Graham fall prey to the Valkyries, Ellie vows to get them back. Meanwhile, she's in love with Tucker, Graham's best friend and traveling companion, who seems immune to the Valkyries, and Ellie will learn the reason why in due course. Paulson does a nice-enough job of incorporating the Norse legends, but she laboriously explains every detail of the story, every decision Ellie makes, every feeling Ellie experiences and every move she makes. Even with the decisive battle raging, the action stops for more explanations (and some flirting). A good idea that needs better delivery. (Paranormal romance. 12-16)

Kirkus Reviews