Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking is an engaging urban fantasy novel that draws readers into a world where Norse mythology meets a modern-day setting. As the first book in the Valkyrie duology, it introduces readers to a universe filled with gods, monsters, and powerful female warriors who walk the line between life and death.

The story follows Malin, a young Valkyrie-in-training whose duty is to slay immortals when their time on Earth is up. Malin has been raised to believe in the strict code of the Valkyries, taught by her mother to do her job without question. However, Malin's world is turned upside down when she discovers that her mother broke this code by sparing the life of an immortal. This revelation sets off a chain of events that forces Malin to question everything she thought she knew about her role, her family, and her place in the world.

Malin is a compelling protagonist, struggling with the weight of her responsibilities and the moral ambiguities that come with her role as a Valkyrie. She’s torn between the expectations placed upon her and her own desires and fears. Hocking does a good job of fleshing out Malin’s character, showing her growth as she grapples with difficult choices and the implications of her mother’s actions. The internal conflict Malin experiences as she navigates her dual roles as both a dutiful Valkyrie and a young woman seeking her own identity is central to the novel’s emotional depth.

The world-building in Between the Blade and the Heart is one of its highlights. Hocking draws from Norse mythology but infuses it with a fresh, modern twist, creating a vibrant and dangerous world where gods and mythical creatures coexist with humans. The setting, a gritty urban environment where danger lurks around every corner, complements the dark and mystical elements of the story. Hocking’s descriptions of the city’s underworld, populated by all manner of supernatural beings, add a rich layer of atmosphere to the novel.

The supporting cast of characters adds complexity and diversity to the story. Malin’s relationships with other characters, including her best friend Oona, her love interest Asher, and her complicated relationship with her mother, are well-developed and add emotional stakes to the narrative. Asher, in particular, brings a sense of mystery and tension to the story, as his own quest for vengeance intertwines with Malin’s journey, leading to a partnership that is both intense and fraught with conflict.

The novel’s pacing is generally brisk, with a mix of action-packed sequences and moments of introspection. Hocking balances the adrenaline of fight scenes with the quieter, more emotional moments that allow readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The plot is filled with twists and turns, some of which are predictable, but others that keep readers guessing and engaged.

One of the novel’s key themes is the exploration of free will versus destiny, as Malin confronts the question of whether she is bound by the strict codes of the Valkyries or if she can forge her own path. This theme is woven throughout the story, giving it a philosophical edge that elevates it beyond a simple action-adventure tale.

While Between the Blade and the Heart has many strengths, it does follow some familiar tropes of the urban fantasy genre, including the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and the forbidden romance. However, Hocking’s engaging writing style, strong character development, and unique mythological elements help the novel stand out.

Overall, Between the Blade and the Heart is a fast-paced, entertaining read that will appeal to fans of urban fantasy and mythology. Amanda Hocking has crafted a story that combines action, romance, and a touch of the supernatural into a compelling narrative that sets the stage for an exciting continuation in the series. With its intriguing world and relatable heroine, the novel offers a fresh take on the Valkyrie myth and leaves readers eager to see what happens next in Malin’s journey.

Going into this book and based off the description, I thought the basis for the supernatural creatures would be Norse, given that Valkyrie are one of the most famous facets of that pantheon. However, from the offset the mythology seemed to be a bit of a compilation. I noticed when Malin said the immortals slain by Valkyrie go to Kurnugia. Not familiar with the term I looked it up and it's not from Norse mythology but rather Sumerian. It does still refer to an underworld but readers should be aware that it's not Norse the way Odin and the Valkyrie are.

This one was an okay for me. Readable, but not truly my style. Would try the author again, though.

Never judge a book by its cover. And now I should tell you that never judge a book by its blurb either.

The Blurb: As one of Odin's Valkyries, Malin's greatest responsibility is to slay immortals and return them to the underworld. 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.

As Malin 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. Malin, along with her best friend and her ex-girlfriend, must decide where her loyalties lie...and whether helping Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk—to the world and to her heart.

What it delivers: Well...I tried to like it. Norse myth is one of my favourites. But I guess it just did not sit well with me. I have read Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology and since then I practically devoured everything that contain NM. But I guess I tried to compare them subconsciously. And everything fell flat.

But I will give it 3 stars. Amanda Hocking is a prolific writer of YA/Fantasy genre. But I guess her writing is not very up to the mark. This books did not work out.

I haven't read a Amanda Hocking book that I haven't devoured within a few hours. There is just something so captivating about her books and her writing is just amazing.

This is the first book in a new adult Valkyrie series, which was inspired by Norse mythology. I loved the romance part of this book so much, there was lots of angst and tension! I highly recommend this to fellow fantasy romance lovers.

I love ever second of this book! I couldn’t get enough of it! It was everything I have come to know and love about this author! Her stories will sleep you off your feet and transport you to a whole new world!

Do you love mythology, especially Norse mythology, and kickass heroines? Me too.
“Between the Blade and the Heart” by Amanda Hocking has both and it is good read.
Hocking’s world is interesting and not necessarily predictable. I didn’t know exactly what I was expecting but something about the world left me feeling off. It was well written, but I guess I was surprised by the level of technology/futuristic-ness/sci-fi when throwing in Norse mythology. It worked in a strange way, but it was just not what I was expecting, and it took a while for me to wrap my head around.
The characters are well written but I was hoping for more from their relationships at times and more in terms of their individual development by the end. Our heroine Malin is a strong Valkyrie that gets pulled into things far beyond what she was expecting her life to be. She develops nicely throughout the course of the book but the rest of the characters left me wanting for more.
A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

BETWEEN THE BLADE AND THE HEART by Amanda Hocking was a really good read, but I did find that the story line was very similar to other books that I have read in the past which distracted me from fully enjoying the book.

This book is about Malin, a Valkyries (their job is to return immortals to the afterlife by killing them, her mother is one also, and Malin is in training. All is well till Asher comes into Malin's life insisting that Malin's mother did the unthinkable and left an immortal alive. Thus starts the adventure of Malin and her friends trying to right the wrongs before the whole world is destroyed.

This is the first book in the series and it is a great start to a new series and I will be reading the second book just to find out what happens, as this book ends with a cliff hanger.

Will no longer be reading or reviewing this book due to lack of interest in the title, and the fact that the title has been archived.

Apologies for the long time in response, it's been a rough and busy year.

If I remember correctly, I tried to read this one but I didn't have much luck getting into it unfortunately.

Mini review:

DNF

I received this E-ARC via the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was really looking forward to reading this! Unfortunately it wasn’t for me.

The descriptions in the beginning made me sick. Very graphic to describe her murdering someone. I was expecting that. Yet I still felt ill. Thus I couldn’t continue.

Still recommend.

Filled with Norse mythology, Between the Blade and the Heart is a perfect story for fans of Percy Jackson and even the Thor movies. With Valkyries and Odin himself, this story is a intense tale of love, betrayal, and at the heart., an adventure worth reading.

**thank you to the publisher for the ARC**

I couldn't finish this book or its sequel. Strongly do not like this series. I found the main character unlikable and truly messed up. She does not seem like an appropriate character for a YA novel with drug use and sleeping around. I can't continue in this series. Yowza. This is the first series I DNFed.

<I>Between the Blade and the Heart</I> by Amanda Hocking

<b>Star rating</b>: ★★★☆ ☆ 3/5 stars

<b>Format</b>: galley ebook

<b>Summary</b>: Malin is a Valkyrie, just like her mother. Their task is to kill immortal beings who the gods have decided have outlived their time on earth. Malin discovers her mother didn't finish a kill and has left the whole world unbalanced.

<b>Review</b>: I received a free ARC copy of this book from Netgalley for review.

I liked the world building a lot, the lore and the whole setup of the world is really cool. I thought the world was well constructed, it's very rich in detail and I wish I had more just about the world.

This book took me a long time to finish. The story doesn't move at a good pace. There's a lot of unnecessary bullshit relationship drama that bogs the story down. I like that Malin is bisexual but I feel like her reasons for not being with Quinn are weak at best. I just can see Quinn genuinely cares for Malin and she does everything for her.

The overarching story is good but it gets convoluted as it goes. There's so much jam packed into this that a lot of it ends up almost too much. The lore is cool but there feels like too many subplots to me. It got to a point where I just didn't understand who the villain was anymore.

There's a lot of potential in this but it just wasn't coming together for me. I had to keep forcing myself to pick this up and I've been working on it for months. I don't think this is one I would pick up the sequel to.

<b>Recommendation</b>: Some of the lore in this is really cool but it gets bogged down in the story. There are a lot stronger YA books that use myth and lore.

Wednesday Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Between the Blade and the Heart. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Malin Krigare is one of Odin's Valkyries like her mother, Marlow. Still in training, Malin feels the call to slay immortals whose time is up and need to be returned to the Underworld. When Malin learns a secret that threatens her very existence, will she be able to help right the wrongs that were committed? Will assistance come from unexpected sources or will Malin be on her own?

If this book wasn't packaged with the typical YA love triangle, I may have found it more interesting. I liked the dynamic between Malin and her best friend Oona, with the ex-girlfriend Quinn and love interest Archer less so. The idea of the rise of returned immortals was interesting enough and did not need to be muddled with spurred love and romance. The conclusion of the book was a little more intriguing than the beginning, so I might be willing to read the next installment of the series. YA readers who like romance with a side of paranormal fantasy may find Between the Blade and the Heart to their liking.

This one just didn't work for me. I didn't find myself connecting with the story.

Thank you for the chance to read it early.

I don’t usually see that many books on Valkyrie’s so when this book stumbled onto my radar, I quickly picked it up. And for the most part, I found it entertaining and enjoyed the book.

The one thing that was pretty misleading about this book was the fact that it’s LGBT but nothing is mentioned on the synopsis or anywhere else. To me, I thought that this fact was really relevant because not only is Asher trying to win her heart, Malin is still struggling with her ex-girlfriend and how to get over it. So I thought it really interfered with her character as a whole. I just wish that this was somehow stated somewhere at least.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the creatures in this book. It was like a fantasy/mythology fest! Tons of creatures all mixed into one book – if they have any fantasy/mythology aspect to it, then they’re definitely in this book. There are dragons, demons, goddesses, and so much more. I also enjoyed the Valkyrie aspect to it as well and how there is that distinct gender division for this race. However, at the same time, be aware that with all of those varied characters and tech, it’s a bit of a confusing world. There are hovercrafts yet old-time swords. So there were definitely a few times when it seemed a bit scattered and all over the place.

Malin, for the most part, was a character I enjoyed reading about. Despite her stoic behavior and firm belief that Valkyrie cannot love, I found her to be loyal, passionate and just. She always tried to do the right thing either for her family and friends or for her “true calling in life” aka Valkyrie duties. The one thing that made me feel a bit frustrated towards her was her wishy washy feelings for her ex-girlfriend as well as any feelings for Asher. It seems to me that she couldn’t decide on any romantic aspects in her life and her relationship with her own mother didn’t help that at all.

Overall, while I enjoyed this book, I still think that Amanda’s other novels (Tyrelle Trilogy) was a lot better. Compared to her other novels, this one somehow seemed to lack something. I might have to pick up book two to decide better.

This book wasn’t for me. I decided not to review it on my site or any of the major retailers/Goodreads.

This didn't disappoint in that I was very interested in the Norse mythology angle of this story. Malin in a Valkyrie in training and she and her friends fight immortals. It didn't catch me the way I hoped overall, but I did like the Norse information.

Once she completes her training, Malin will be a Valkyrie. As one of Odin's female warriors she is tasked to end the lives of the immortal beings when their time on earth is up. To be a Valkyrie is more than a job for Malin; it is her destiny and identity. But everything changes when Malin learns that her mother let one of the immortals she was sent to kill live. Now, like it or not, Malin is learning the consequences of disobeying orders.

Amanda Hocking's new series combines Norse mythology with the mythologies of many other cultures. The result is a paranormal setting that I found quite enjoyable.