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.