Norse mythology with a Sapphic twist, magnificent steeds, Valkyries, and dangerous quests. Yes Please! The Valkyrie’s Daugher by Tiana Warner is a YA enemies to lovers, adventure fantasy novel about destiny, the courage to chase it, and the wisdom to make the right choices when you find it.
Sigrid has always known she was meant for so much more in life.
Her past may be shrouded in mystery but her present is buried in the mundane. After being discovered as a child, abandoned near Vanaheim with naught but a land-bound foal in her cradle, Sigrid became a ward of the Valkyries. Each day since has been spent in drudgery working as their stable hand and ensuring their winged horses are cared. Each night since has been spent sneaking away to practice her own fighting skills. She yearns to join their ranks but one can only be a Valkyrie with a winged steed, and while she bonded with the fastest horse in Vanaheim, Hestur can’t fly. Sigrid and Hestur struggle daily trying to prove their worth and are rewarded only with ridicule. Their chance comes when they are suddenly attacked by a legion of night elves, dire wolves and… other Valkyries?
Mariam has a purpose and it is not to die in this battle. Breaking away from the attack, she soars to the top of the tower where the Eye of Hnitbjorg (a stone that shows seers visions about the nine worlds) is kept. Sigrid alone sees where she is headed and gives chase. While battling for the Eye, she has a vision of herself riding Odin’s legendary eight-legged steed Sleipnir leading the Valkyries into battle. She ultimately stops Mariam but at a horrible cost, and loses the Eye anyway.
Her failure brings her no closer to acceptance by the Valkyrie yet she is convinced in the truth of the vision. No longer satisfied remaining a stable hand, Sigrid decides to chase the destiny shown to her by the Eye. However Sleipnir dwells in Helheim, the path to which is beyond treacherous. Mariam is her only chance of getting there alive even though she has threatened to kill Sigrid herself. However, Mariam is imprisoned and Sigrid is her only hope to escape.
The two enemies form a tenuous partnership and set out across the nine worlds where they battle night elves, the hell hound Garmr, and growing feelings of attraction for each other. But neither of them is prepared for what they find when they reach Helheim and Sigrid must decide if destiny is
Without aa past, future is important
As her feelings for Mariam deepen into something fiery and undeniable, Fate has other plans for Sigrid. What happens when the one thing you think you were meant to do might end the nine worlds?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Valkyries will draw me into a book faster than Sigrid and Hestur can deliver lunch. These Valkyries have more realistic personalities than many I have encountered and I enjoyed the fact that Warner doesn’t depict them as perfect and gives them the opportunity for growth. The characters are amazing, and their journey across the nine worlds is full of exciting adventure and growing romantic tension. Sigrid is impulsive, brave and on a mission to prove she is more than what people think of her. Mariam is strong, but more thoughtful and able to see things with a wider lens. She is the perfect match who helps Sigrid grow. And I have to mention Fisk, who is the bravest and most creative night elf in the nine worlds and alternately .
The world building is detailed but not overdone with enough elements of Norse mythology woven throughout to keep it interesting, but not so much that you lose the plot in a maze of mythos. Toss in Valkyries, night elves, dire wolves, Sleipnir and hell hound and this is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Cons And Heads Up
As with many fantasy books, the pacing slows from time. However, when it picks up, it really takes off and becomes impossible to put down.
There are a couple of content warnings to be wary of, such as bullying, death, traumatic loss, and child abandonment.
The Conclusion
The Valkyrie’s Daugher is an excellent YA fantasy novel that readers of all ages will enjoy. If you are champing at the bit for some action and adventure with a Nordic flair, join Sigrid and Mariam as they forge their way across the nine worlds in search of their destiny.
Excerpt from The Valkyrie’s Daugher by Tiana Warner
“Why do you want to be a valkyrie so badly anyway?” Peter said, tilting his head a little. “You really want to fight alongside those girls?”
“It doesn’t matter who I’m alongside, as long as I get to be more than just a stable hand.”
“Ouch.”
Sigrid winced, regretting her bluntness. “Sorry.”
“Teasing you. I get it.” Peter sighed and ran a hand through his tightly curled hair. “But we’re all more than the job, and you don’t need to be a valkyrie to know it. Take me for instance. I’m also a blacksmith, and a Svenson, and if I do say so myself, I’m a pretty good painter. You just need to find your version of that.”
Sigrid grunted. “I’m a Nobody’s-dottir with no art skills.”
Peter smiled. “You’re Sigrid. And you’re good at training Hestur.”
He pointed to Hestur’s nose, and on cue, the horse curled his upper lip as if in laughter.
She scowled at both of them, not feeling any better.
Peter came to sit next to her in the hammock. “Sigrid, you’ve been thinking of life as either being a valkyrie or not being a valkyrie. Maybe there are other options. Maybe there’s another destiny that’s perfect for you.”
It was a nice idea, but that destiny was nonexistent. She didn’t want to be an ordinary villager, like a smith or a tailor. The gods created the valkyries to maintain balance and peace in the nine worlds, and that purpose called to her more than anything. She wanted to travel with them through the upper and middle worlds, to provide help in emergencies, and to fight and defend innocent lives from the evils of the lower realms. She wanted the reverence that came with being a guardian, a protector, a valued member of the best warriors in the cosmos. Most of all, in her heart, being a valkyrie was her destiny, and without parents to confirm or deny this, it pained her to think that she was missing out on her cosmic purpose.
There had to be more in life for her.
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781649371485
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
If you enjoyed The Valkyrie’s Daugher by Tiana Warner then you should also look at
Note: I received a free review copy of The Valkyrie’s Daugher by Tiana Warner. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
