Sigrid has achieved her dream of becoming a Valkyrie and has completed her first mission as a Valkyrie, rescuing Ratatosk (the God who ferries travelers between the worlds) from the Night Elves of Svartalfheim. Following the death of King Oleifr, his sister (and Sigrid’s aunt) Kaia becomes queen, and reaches out to Sigrid, wanting her to embrace her role as princess and wanting to get to know the niece she didn’t know she had. Sigrid is not particularly excited about being a royal but sees her newfound position and influence as an opportunity to improve things for her friends, Mariam and Fisk. She knows their talents can help protect Vanaheim, and believes that if the Valkyries and elites see how they can contribute, they will value them the same way she does.

However, Sigrid does not consider whether what she thinks Mariam and Fisk want is really what they want, and she does not fully appreciate the obstacles they will face in gaining acceptance. Also, in her desire to protect Vanaheim and restore balance to the nine worlds, which means repelling the Night Elves and finding a way to counteract the mischief of Loki, Sigrid begins to lose herself, letting power and vengeance overwhelm her (aided by the heightened abilities that come with being Sleipnir's heir). Furthermore, Kaia's interest in Sigrid is less familial and more a matter of how Sigrid can help Kaia kept Vanaheim as the dominant world. Kaia believes that the people of Vanaheim, especially the royals and Valkyries, are superior to the inhabitants of the other worlds, especially the "sub-human" elves and giants.

It will take the efforts of old and new friends for Sigrid to realize that her greatest strength is her humble upbringing as a stable hand, as she respects and admires people because of how they treat her and others around them, not because of their status or their race. Her closest friends are fellow stable hands, and she has befriended a Night Elf (Fisk) and a young woman (Mariam, who becomes her girlfriend) from Niflheim, a world known for liars and thieves. Moreover, instead of wanting to conquer and rule over the other worlds or suppress the other worlds (like her mother and her aunt), she wants to talk with the leaders, especially the Night Elf King, and find ways to coexist and restore balance.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for this e-ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

The Valkyrie's Shadow is the second book in this series by Tiana Warner. The story keeps revolving around Sigrid as the main character and her journey. I really don't want to give away too much, but it was quite a ride.

Just like the first book I absolutely enjoyed the story. It was easy to get back into it even if some time went by since I read the first one. I was hooked with the first page once again and read the book in no time. We got some new characters introduced, wich I absolutely liked how perfectly crafted they were. The characters development in here was absolutely incredible once again. I love to see how they change and grow over the time.
I also enjoyed the action-packed pacing. There is really a quiet moment, but it doesn't get overwhelming. It is a perfect mixture just like in the first one.

Overall I can recommend this series and can't wait for the next book :)

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book in addition to the one before it. I really enjoyed this series, and will be posting a more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads!

I really really enjoyed the book, it was super fast-paced and I found myself reading until dawn. I loved the evolution of the plot and how we got to know more characters deeply. The action scenes were so well-written and the relationships between each characters were well-developed. It made me feel happy, mad and sad at so many points of the book. The book was so good at making us feel like we’re in Sigrid’s shoes, the wanting to trust and being betrayed, falling in love and the feeling of struggle. It was just a really really good book.

Sigrid has only gotten stronger and more determined. She has grown to be this fierce character you want to root for but you can also tell she’s learning. She’s starting to find her own identity and roots, and that causes her to have this naivety that I really enjoyed reading about. Sigrid is also really adorable with her nerves and navigating the romantic part of her life. I loved how they balanced each other our, soft and tough!

I loved the book, and this type of book needs way more hype. The lore and magic system of the book was top tier, I mean literally the valkries!! Totally recommend for people who love viking style lore and romantasies!

I loved this book the first book was so good I didn't think it could get any better but I was so wrong I devoured this book!

Valkyrie’s Shadow was a great second book in this series! For me, the book was a little hard to keep up with at times, but if you have any Norse mythology knowledge, then this shouldn’t be an issue. Sigrid had some of the best character development I’ve ever read and that made this book especially worthwhile. I can’t wait to see where this story goes!

A really great follow-up to The Valkyrie's Daughter. The world we were introduced to gets more detailed and the characters are developed much further. More characters are added to the mix, but somehow it's easy to remember them all. Sigrid understandably is the main focus, but everyone else is nicely balanced. I could always use a little more romance but this slow burn was perfect. Plus, who has time for romance when there's SO much going on? Seriously-the word action-packed doesn't do it justice. Never a dull moment and I could barely put it down for meals. I so enjoyed this book!
#NetGalley

The Valkyries Shadow: Sigrid and the Valkyries - Book 2 by Tiana Warner

400 Pages
Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC, Entangled Teen
Release Date: July 23, 2023

Fiction, Teens, Young Adult, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Norse Mythology, LGBTQIA, Coming of Age

Sigrid’s journey continues as she accepts her position with the royal family. Together with Mariam and Fisk, they are fighting to save Vanaheim from the Dark Elves. The king has died and Sigrid is asked to take her place as princess. This comes as a surprise to the junior Valkyries who have taunted her as a stable hand.

The story has a steady pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. Sigrid has grown as a character from the last book. If you like Norse mythology and young adult books, you may enjoy this story.

A good second book in the series. No sophomore slump!

The story of Sigrid and the Valkyries continues with more adventures and intrigue as well as romance for some of our characters. After Sigrid’s encounter with her mother at the end of book one, Sigrid has returned home. Surprises await her as her standing in the world is elevated. She works on developing her relationship with Sleipnir, the eight legged horse of Odin. Her relationship with Mariam is a work in progress. Fisk is back in this story, too. As trouble comes to their realm, the characters pull together although not everybody is in total agreement. All in all, a really enjoyable book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Happy reading!

This book is truly captivating. I really enjoyed the plot in the character development. This book will draw you in and you’ll be wrapped up in it in no time.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

I really enjoyed the writing of this book. Of course I struggled with pronunciations but it didn’t detract from the story. I appreciate the representation shown in this book and how it was portrayed. I’m very happy that this is an ongoing series and now I’m sad to have to wait EVEN LONGER for the third

I was excited to continue Sigrid’s story, especially with the ending of The Valkyrie’s Daughter and the tension between Mariam and Sigrid. I really enjoyed the opening of the story and Sigrid’s first mission as a Valkyrie to try and save Ratatosk who may have been kidnapped by the Night Elf King. There were lots of really good battle scenes and I loved the idea of the encompassing dark and the magic used on the arrows.

Of course there is the wonderful Fisk who continues to be one of my favourite characters. There is some humour, LGBTQ+ romance, likeable characters, good/evil. The middle part of the story did feel quite long however it was important to the development of Sigrid’s character and the plot.

I think it’s correctly aimed at a teen/YA audience.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in advance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. OMG this is such a great 2nd book in the series. I need book 3 now! I really and enjoying this series so much more than I thought and I devoured this in one sitting!

I was super excited for this story and it didn't disappoint! It picks up at the end of book one and I devoured this story in one setting. I can't wait until it's out in the world!

Tha k you netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book. I loved this book so much I read it in one sitting. Wow I've not read a fantasy book this good since I first read a court of thorns and roses. Many have come very close but this tops it. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an arc of this book. Below is my honest review.

This is the second in series. It begins directly after the events of book one. I highly recommend reading the first book before The Valkyrie’s Shadow.

We start off with Sigrid, separated from Mariam, on her way to see the Svartalf king. Sigrid is supposed to be questioning him about the location of Ratatosk. Without whom, it is dangerous and nigh impossible to travel between worlds. This is her first mission with the Valkyrie’s and the question, though, the real question … why didn’t the gods save Ratatosk? Hmmm … could it be our favorite mischief maker who’s name rhymes with Smokey is causing trouble? Only readers will find out.

To be fair, I have to start this review mentioning that I’m a sucker for books based in mythology, especially Norse mythology. This series is right up my alley. There are obvious and low key connections to the myths all while the author gives her own spin on it. It is more okay if this is your first foray into the myths, and if you are like me, I think you will have a blast noticing all the connections—large and small.

Sigrid, is again, a very entertaining main character. Mariam, Fisk, and Peter rounded out a core group of fabulous friends. Hestur remains one of my favorite characters. (Fisk is a close second though). Queen Kaia was a nice addition and I kept questioning her motives — really wants family? Help? Is she on Sigrid’s side? Or Helena’s? Or her own?

I very much enjoyed Sigrid’s conflict over being a princess. She had several pros and cons and watching her struggle through was inspiring. I loved her clapping back at Kaia when they disagreed. I loved how she fought for her place and had incredibly clever ideas on how best to use each ally.

The relationships were well written … both friendships and romantic relationships. It was nice to see friends arguing, sticking up for themselves and each other, and offering forgiveness when needed.

Although I liked the first in the series more, I think this books successfully set up the potential for a ridiculously amazing finale. I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for Sigrid, Mariam, and Fisk.

A wild ride with the Valkyries: Brilliant
Wow, I am still breathless after this wild ride with Sigrid, her friends, her fellow-Valkyries and all those horses. If there is military scifi, this surely is military fantasy and this second book in the Valkyrie series has plenty of preparation for war and war going on. Every single scene is realistic well-written with lots of twists and turns … remember: breathless.
Sigrid is elevated from stable hand to princess and now we and Sigrid learn about all those machinations and intrigues going on in a royal palace. Not everything turns out as expected. Fortunately her friends from her life before have her back. There are quite a few secondary characters which add substance and other themes than war to this book: Fisk, the dark elf, Tora and Vala, the seers, Harold, the magician and Mariam … long distance is the least of Mariam‘s and Sigrid‘s problems, just sayin.
The world-building is encompassing and plain wonderful. A joy to read.
Special kudos for the horses and horsewomanship: I loved the horses which are secondary characters in themselves. So well done: The reliable Hestur and Sleipnir, the untamed god-derived horse. And the last twist: hilarious. For the next installment I would wish even more insights into the relationship of winged Valkyrie horses with their riders.
If you must, you can read this book as a stand-alone, but you get the most enjoyment if you start with the first book, The Valkyrie‘s Daughter. Now I am waiting rather impatiently for the next part.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.