This is an exciting buffy the vampire slayer kind of novel. I not sure why we get the comparison to blade runner with a games of thrones reference as i did not get that at all. I did thoroughly enjoy the novel, We got malin who is in training to carry out death sentences for those people who she been told number is up. She not the judge just the person carrying out the death sentence. Then she finds out that her mom has failed at least once to do this. End result she has to go out and take care of the problem that now been created by this. So the whole story ends up centering around Malin going into the underworld so to speak to take care of business and then we end up with a cliff hanger that ends up having you want the next book like yesterday. I enjoyed all of amanda tyrlle series and this one was just as good.

Between the Blade and the Heart follows a girl named Malin, who comes from a line of Valkyries. Valkyries are these strong, badass, female warriors, who have one main responsibility: returning immortals to the afterlife. Not following through on their responsibility can have catastrophic consequences. So what happens when they don’t follow through?

This was a fast-paced and entertaining story that takes on Norse Mythology. I thought the world-building was evenly spread throughout the book, so I never felt overwhelmed with information. While the beginning was a bit slow, overall this was such a unique book. Eventually you’re thrown into this fantastical world, and I’m excited at what the next book will bring.

I very much liked Malin, though I do wish we had gotten to know her a bit more. I am hopeful that, since this is only the first book in a new series, it will happen soon. She’s a badass Valkyrie, but she also has her moments filled with confusion and insecurities. And something that I didn’t know before I requested this was that she is not straight. While I don’t think her sexual orientation was ever mentioned, less than 10% into the book we learn that she has an ex-girlfriend.

Ultimately I really enjoyed this book. I do hope the characters are a bit more developed in the next book, but I am so happy we won’t have to wait very long for it!

Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking is the first book in a new young adult fantasy series, Valkyrie, which is inspired by Norse Mythology. The series features a main character that is a Valkyrie in training who finds her whole world turned upside down from everything she has ever known.

I will admit to picking this one up half based on the beautiful cover but also the fact that instead of the Vampires and Werewolves that seem to be everywhere in young adult fantasies it was about a Valkyrie and inspired by mythology. Not a subject you normally find to read about just dealing with that alone gave it a fresher feel than the next Vampire novel would have done.

When starting off reading I found Malin to be somewhat unlikable with a rather brash personality but while getting to know her I thought she was perfectly done to fit a young Valkyrie and the background from which she came. She’s one tough cookie and once getting into the story more I actually did end up liking her. I also quite liked a few of the other characters and all seemed to be well developed.

I would warn with this comes a bit of a love triangle if those are something readers like to avoid. Malin meets a guy named Asher who starts her on her journey in the story but also involved is her ex-girlfriend. There are feelings for both involved but none of this bothered me at all and seemed to fit well in what we know about Malin herself and the journey she takes in self discovery and in her duties as a Valkyrie.

Overall, I thought this was a great beginning to this new series and will definitely be interested in continuing on in the next book with an ending that definitely left room for more to come in the story. The series is fast paced and action packed which I always enjoy to keep the pages turning and hints at book two being even more so.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: January 2, 2018

Valkyries have one great responsibility: to return immortals to the afterlife by slaying them. As a Valkyrie, Malin has always known that the balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.

Malin not only wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought—she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. The balance of the world is at stake. And, as Asher competes with Malin’s ex for her love and loyalty, so is her heart.

This was an interesting read which delves both into significant character and world building. I enjoyed the fresh take on some of the Norse mythology. Malin is a complicated character with potential for growth. She's likeable in her indecisiveness, especially her love life. I do want to see her open up a bit more. I liked the secondary characters as well.

One hope for improvement is to provide a villain with some additional depth. I found myself wanting a bit more in this avenue. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book like I have Hocking's other titles. It is ideal for an older teen transitioning into New Adult who enjoys urban fantasy, mythology and a bit of romance.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Between the Blade and the Heart is the first in a new duology from one of my favorite YA authors, Amanda Hocking! This story is classic Hocking with a more complex plot and a fantasy world as big as the one found in the Trylle Trilogy.

Malin, Valkyrie-in-training, gets the biggest upset of her life. Her mother and mentor, Marlow, didn't kill the immortal she was assigned. Her actions have caused the slow unwinding of the world as they know it and it's up to Malin and her friends to fix her mother's mistake. As they wade through vicious supernaturals to find their target, signs of someone powerful pulling the strings become apparent.

Between the Blade and the Heart is an intense read that will suck you in with its fierce monsters and even fiercer heroes. Fighting for justice never seemed like so much fun until Malin teams up with her roommate, Oona, a friend from the past, Quinn, and the guy who might be her future, Asher.

This story is suited for an audience a bit older than usual, but it's not too graphic. Just be prepared to find that this duology is darker and steamier than anything that's come before.
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Wow -- This new story by Amanda Hocking is an interesting combination of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Mythology.  Malin is attending the Ravenwood Academy in a dystopian United States where she is training to be a Valkyrie like her mother.  All she wants in life is to slay creatures as ordered by the gods.  For all of Malin's strengths, she is most stubborn and won't be a full-fledged Valkyrie unless she graduates and her grades are not what they should be.  Her ex, Quinn, and Archer, both children of Valkyries and already where Malin wants to be, she finds out that her mother isn't all she is cracked up to be. There is also Oona, a sorceress in training that rounds out the group.  There could seriously be a love quadrangle at some point between these four.  Oh yeah, there is a lot of romance so this is best suited for older teens.  

There is a lot of action and adventure as we follow Malin (love that name!), to the gates of the underworld as she tries to right a wrong and all because of her mother.  That internal struggle of Malin's is the core of the story since she thinks her mother is perfect and when she finds that her mother actually has a slip of compassion, it tilts her worlds a bit.  

The world building is quick and to the point and contains all sorts of multi-ethnic and magical creatures.  It hits a lot of marks when it comes to being inclusive with a bisexual main character and I wish that the world was given a bit more definition but then the book would have been a hundred pages longer.  The story was full of action and turned out to be a fast read for me!  I can't wait for the conclusion because this left me hanging a bit.

In the new Norse-mythology inspired novel by author Amanda Hocking; Malin, one of the Valkyries of Odin, is tasked with returning immortals to the underworld. But when a strange man knocks on her door bearing a secret that could change her world, Malin must team up with him, her best friend, and her ex-girlfriend to get revenge and save the world.
I loved the world that the author created in this book. Dark and atmospheric, I really felt immersed as I read it. The author uses her knowledge of Norse mythology to the maximum as she beautifully blends the myths with our world, resulting in unique characters, beautiful settings and cool technologies. As I went through Malin’s story, I could feel the thick grunginess in the air as she describes the city-states, over population and pollution that riddle the world.
Along with having a great world to set her tale, she also has created characters to fill it with. Each with their own unique personas and back stories, they all feel real and fleshed out throughout the novel. Malin’s mother for example is far from the regular loving mother that most readers see in YA. She is badass yet socially strange as she lacks the ability to say simple words such as ‘I love you’. I like how unlike the usual one-dimensional mothers that are present in YA, she felt well developed and real. Another thing that I enjoyed were the LGBT characters that frequented the novel. The main character, Malin, for example is one of these characters. I really appreciated that the author wrote her as an LGBT character because LGBT main characters in fantasy novels are so rare that something like this is refreshing to see. The author did not at all write Malin as an LGBT character just to be able to cross it off her list, but to make it a genuine aspect of her personality that flows well with the rest of the book.
And of course, no book is complete without a good plot which this book had plenty of. I loved all the twists and turns that the author wrote throughout the book. What I expected to go one way proved me wrong as the author sent me on a thrill ride littered with little fun tidbits to keep me entertained.
I would recommend this book for mythological adaptation lovers looking for a refreshing take on of tales. Some younger readers might not enjoy because of mature scenes and languages, violence, and drugs. If you are hoping to get immersed into an entertaining word, this book is for you.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: Although this one was a little meh it was still pretty good.

Check out author's other books? Maybe
Recommend this book? Yes

Notes and Opinions: This one starts off giving us some info dumping which worked out. I liked how the author gives us everything we need in a little two page intro. We get everything we will need to know in a very easy to understand way. The next thing that comes is chapter one and were on our way. This one had some great world building and some creatues that we dont see much in Young Adult. We also get some diverse characters and yes folks there is a love triangle so be warned! It worked out ok for this title. The only issue I really had with this one was that it was kind of meg. It wasn't at least to me all that excting and I wish we would have gotten some more instensive suspence. The writing was great and this is the first book from this author that I really did like and enjoy the story and I will be picking up the next one. I just wished that it would have gotten me towards the end of my seat.

Go Into This One Knowing: Not Totally Exciting, LGBT Characters, Love Triangle

This book was reviewed by Jessica P.

I really liked Between the Blade and the Heart. All the supernatural beings you could ask for...angels, demons, sirens, sorcerers, valkyries and so many more. All the good vs evil battles but without the gore, but boy what a cliffhanger...another sequel I'm going to have to wait a year for.

Wowzie, this story was so good I didn't even want it to end and what a cliffhanger. Amanda writes a great story, that moves along and the colorful characters! I loved it, will be reading the next book in the series you can say that again! 5 Stars, I would give this a 6 if I could!

I have been reading Amanda Hocking for years now, and she is consistently a good read and continues to evolve as a writer.

I loved this author talk on the Valkyrie myth. This book was so fast pace and I really loved both the characters and also the world building. I thought all of these elements made the book not only engaging but also so enjoyable to read. I was not in love with romance that developed and felt like I would have enjoyed the book more, if those two characters remained friends. But I am really excited to read book two and am happy it comes out mid 2018! I will def being checking out how this series ends! If you enjoy percy jackson novels but with a focus on world budding and romance I would rec you check out this book!

A world where immortal beings roam freely until the gods decree that it's their time to be returned to the afterlife by the hand of a Valkyrie is explored in Amanda Hocking's Between the Blade and the Heart. 

Malin has been training her entire life to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a Valkyrie bearing the responsibility of returning immortals when their time is called. Having always been taught that returning immortals helps to maintain a delicate balance in the world, Malin is shocked when she learns from Asher, the son of a Valkyrie whose death was precipitated by her mother failing to return an immortal, throwing the entire world off-kilter. In an attempt to rectify this wrong and seek revenge, Malin battles more than just the immortal responsible, but also a god, her emotions, and her understanding of what it means to be a Valkyrie. 
This quickly-paced book takes classic creatures and mythology and molds them into a new world to present a familiar narrative; however, while the overall concept of this world is decently built, there's a lack of setting establishment to easily root the narrative into something entirely coherent. There were also areas within the text where objects, ideas, or creatures were presented and then overly explained - these could have been done more intricately through context clues rather than consistent overt info-dump explanations. Though I do have some issues with the overall construction, I am intrigued by the story set up in this first installment, particularly the aspect of predetermined fate, to continue reading subsequent books if only to see how everything plays out despite standard plot devices. 

Overall, I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

Valyries are women warriors trained for battle and their job is to return immortals to the underworld when their time is determined by the gods. Yet what would happened if one was to question it and not do there job. Would it alter things? Is there free will or no matter what you do fate is already written and cannot be changed.

A fast pace entertaining story. I feel the Norse Mythology theme is what kept me reading. Not a bad story.

Between the Blade and the Heart is the first installment in author Amanda Hocking's Valkyrie duology. This duology features 19-year old Malin Krigare as a Valkyrie in training under her mother Marlow's mentorship. A mentorship that is both dysfunctional and bizarre in nature. The story takes place in a alternative reality; in a city known as New Edgewater where mortals and immortals co-exist. Valkyries are the arm of the Gods as it were.

Valkyries are tasked with the slaying of immortals and returning them to the underworld by order of the gods, and no one can or ever has gone against orders because the world would go out of balance if they did. But, after learning about a huge mistake done by her own mother which caused another Valkyrie's death by the son of said Valkyrie and creating an immortal creature known as a Draugr, Marlow put the world on the brink of destruction. Malin puts together a team of the willing to clean up Marlow's mess.

Malin's team includes her ex-girlfriend Quinn Devane who is also a Valkyrie, Oona Warren who is Malin's best friend, roommate, and sorceress-in-training; and Asher Varja, son of a Valkyrie who tracks down Malin and Marlow demanding answers as to why his mother was murdered and why Marlow screwed up in sending an immortal to Kurnigia which is filled with angry demons and devils. Asher is also a potential love interest for Malin which means....::cough:: LOVE TRIANGLE ::cough:: Oh wait, I forgot about Marlin's other side dish. ::slaps head:: My bad!

Now the bad news: While there were some good ideas behind the writing of this story, I think that Hocking spent way too much time on Malin's sex life, and I do mean sex life. It appeared as though everyone that she meets in this book, except perhaps her roommate and a mean girl from school, has had a relationship at one time or another with Malin.

I am understandably curious as to why Hocking would feature a school called Ravenwood Academy when there was so much other stuff happening that needed immediate attention by Malin. Except for the fact that a secondary character starts explaining the idea behind free will and that everyone has a destiny that has already been planned out for them, it is just fodder to be tossed away. Ok, there is the other issue of Malin having to actually graduate in order to become an official Valkyrie.

I have a hard time understanding why a parent would tell their own child that love is not necessary; that Valkyries never fall in love since they have to focus on doing what the Gods tell them. This caused Malin nothing but issues, especially with Quinn who still carries a torch for her. Finally, let's really talk about Malin as a lead character. She's not smart, as others have indicated. She is barely surviving school! She is, above all else, stubborn. She dives head long into things without having a plan (as witnessed as she disobeys her mothers order).

Malin's team rushes blindly against an enemy that is 10 steps ahead of her thanks to Malin not paying attention to details and her relationship issues with Asher and Quinn. The one constant in all this just happens to be Oona. She actually seems to be the one character to actually have her head screwed on tightly. Because of the cliffhanger ending, and the curious arrival of a major Vanir God who shalt remain nameless, I absolutely will be reading part two of this book From the Earth to the Shadows.

About: Between the Blade and the Heart is a young adult fantasy written by Amanda Hocking. It will be published on 1/2/18 by Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, 336 pages. The genres are young adult, fantasy, mythology, and fiction. This book is intended for readers ages 12 to 18. This is book one to a duology. The second book, From the Earth to the Shadows is expected to published in April 2018.

My Experience: I started reading Between the Blade and the Heart on 12/9/17 and finished it on 12/18/17. This book is a great read! It’s my second Norse Mythology inspired read after Beyond a Darkened Shore. I’m still not too thrilled with this Norse mythology because there are so many terms for names, places, and things I can’t pronounce and so many demons/gods/in-between I’m not so inclined to get to know. Other than that, I enjoy the story and I like following Malin’s adventures. I like that Malin is independent and in control of herself. I like the way the story is moving, it is like a little puzzle that lead forward from one step to another.

This book is told in the first person point of view, following Malin Krigare, 19, a Valkyrie with the responsibility to execute immortals and return them to the underworld. The reason to kill off the immortals is because there isn’t enough space for everyone on earth. In this new world where immortals and mortals co-exists and if the immortals are left to live forever then the earth will be over capacity. Malin’s mother, Marlow, also is an immortal executioner. As a Valkyrie, she has more strengths than others and the vengeance for her death is even riskier because she’s slaying other’s loved ones. One day, Asher Varja give a surprised visit to Malin and wanted vengeance against Malin’s mom, Marlow. Marlow didn’t kill an immortal, who in turn becomes dangerous and killed Asher’s mom. Now Malin and her mom have to help Asher chase down that immortal to get rid of him so that Asher can find closure, but more happened than what they bargained for.

This book is well written and developed. I enjoy the humor. I actually enjoy the love triangle in this book, especially the awkward moments when the three are together. I like Oona, Malin’s best friend/roommate and her ability with crystals. The romance is a bit quick for my liking, but it’s hot and most definitely with Asher. I like the mentions of how we are only pawns in the games of the gods. I can’t imagine human living among demons and other less humanoids. My goose bumps set itself free just thinking about it. This book is an interesting read and there were hardly any dull moments. I highly recommend everyone to read it.

Pro: humor, diversity, fast paced, love triangle, actions and adventures, a lot going on

Con: probably just me but those places, names, and things are super difficult to pronounce

I rate it 4.5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author Amanda Hocking, publisher St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. I appreciate the invitation to host a blog tour with a giveaway for this book! Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details

I never really read a book from Amanda Hocking, I read the first volume of her first saga without being more convinced, but I was ready to retry the adventure.

The big benefits of this series is its universe inspired by Norse mythology. I personally have not often read this kind of universe and it is a point that brings originality. In addition, the folklore of the valkyries has an associated imaginary that gives off badass vibes. What I also loved is the world, humans live with immortals and survive between pollution, killing and demons. There are the valkyries that will protect them and keep the balance on earth and if an immortal escapes it can have dramatic consequences as you may see.

Malin, is a Valkyrie, she's a good little soldier, she never questioned the system and always followed the rules. She is a bit cold and emotionless in the novel. She take it bad when she discovers that her mother has not followed orders. It's a girl that I had a hard time fuguring out, and I had a hard time seeing her evolution in this book and I hope it will change in the future.

If I have to summarize this novel, I can tell you that the writing style is fluid and easily immersive, the universe is frankly interesting and I am delighted to see the use of Nordic mythology. However, I did not have any surprises during my reading, everything was generic and I closed the book telling me that everything was a bit to classic.

Hey Book Friends,

As much as I wanted to love this book, as much as I love the cover. I just couldn't. Its not a bad read, I loved the Mythology background and how the author entwines that into the story she provides us.

I'm not sure if it was me and the mood I was in, but I struggled with a connection with this one.

This Fast paced, about a young Valkyrie she discovers that her mentor and her mum maybe not be who they are meant to be.

I think everyone who likes Amanda's writing will enjoy this one. I think I will return to this world again in the future as a re read.

received an early arc copy for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital ARC of Between the Blade and the Heart" by Amanda Hocking. I was happily surprised by this book. I have not had much luck with books about Valkyries but this one did a very good job with the topic. The writing is easy to follow and the story is entertaining. Fans of Cassandra Clare will likely enjoy this novel as it has a similar feel and character types.

I reviewed this book for School Library Journal so I am not able to post it on my own.