Author: Tiana Warner
Series: The Helheim Prophecy #1
Genre: Mythology/Sapphic/Adventure
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2022
Edition: 400 pages, ebook
Source: NetGalley
Pre-Order: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | BAM | Book Depository | Bookshop | Powell's
Synopsis:
For as long as Sigrid could remember, she’s wanted to become a mighty, fearless Valkyrie. But without a winged mare, she’s a mere stable hand, left wondering who her parents were and why she’s so different. So when the Eye shows her a vision where she's leading a Valkyrie charge on the legendary eight-legged horse Sleipnir, she grabs the possibility of this greater destiny with both hands, refusing to let go.
Too bad that the only one who can help her get there is Mariam, an enemy Valkyrie who begrudgingly agrees to lead her to Helheim but who certainly can’t be trusted―even if she does make Sigrid more than a little flustered. As they cross the nine worlds, battling night elves, riding sea serpents, and hurtling into fire to learn the truth about Sigrid’s birthright, an unexpected but powerful bond forms.
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?
Too bad that the only one who can help her get there is Mariam, an enemy Valkyrie who begrudgingly agrees to lead her to Helheim but who certainly can’t be trusted―even if she does make Sigrid more than a little flustered. As they cross the nine worlds, battling night elves, riding sea serpents, and hurtling into fire to learn the truth about Sigrid’s birthright, an unexpected but powerful bond forms.
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?
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Formally titled "The Helheim Princess"
This book had a pretty slow start, and for me, it took a while for things to really pick up. I liked both Sigrid and Mariam, their budding romance was slow-burn enough that it didn't come across like 'Insta-love'. The dialog was occasionally very modern, and at times it took me out of the story. The relationships are the best part of the book, there really needs to be more sapphic stories like this, and I would have loved for this book to exist when I was a teen, and I am so glad it does for teens now.
The plot, as I mentioned, was a little slow moving at first, but once things did pick up, they really picked up. I don't know how much this can really be called 'Enemies to lovers' as they weren't "enemies" for really that long. They became allies fairly quickly, still mildly distrustful of each other, but they worked together and fought side by side for most of the book.
The chapters were really short, and while I prefer chapters to be on the shorter side, in this book, it sometimes read like the chapter was cut in half and a new one started. It made some of the chapters feel... choppy. This is a personal preference, but I don't really like chapter titles, and this book has them. I know it's YA, but chapter titles feels more like something done in middle grade books.
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