Gorgeous cover, beautiful premise and amazing storyline! This is a sweeping Norse mythology story set in the vein of a young adult novel. It's a perfect read for those craving Twilight but for Valkyries.

I just finished Rise by Freya Finch. I received an eARC from NetGalley.

17 year old Bryn lives in an amusement park. Literally. It's a Ren Faire in the midwest where she lives with her mom and 2 older sisters. Bryn's mom works the forge at the Faire by day, and is the captain of the Midgard Valkyries by night-- going on secret missions for Odin. That is, until she goes missing. Bryn is the only one of her sisters who seems worried that they haven't heard from her mom in weeks. Not a full fledged Valkyrie (nor are her sisters), there's little Bryn can actually do about it. One night, when she's walking through the park, a surprise visitor falls out of Yggdrasil, claiming to be her half sister, and a half giant. Worse, she claims that Ragnarok is coming, and with Bryn's mom missing, the 4 sisters must do what the can to prevent the impending apocolypse.

What a fun book! I love Norse mythology, and I feel like it's always told from the perspective of male characters-- so it's nice to have a "behind the scenes" look at the world of the Valkyrie. Bryn is a very likable main character, she's plucky and loyal, determined and capable. I think that anyone who likes Rick Riordan, Alexandra Bracken, or Victoria Aveyard will find something that they like in this one. Freya Finch doesn't just stop at creating a great MC, all of the characters are rich with backstories, personalities, and quirks that make this world feel so real and lived in. I love the Ren Faire-esque setting, it gives a modern story almost a medieval twist, which really helps bridge the gap between ancient mythology and the present day. I can't wait to read her next one if this is any indicator of what she's going to put out!

Characters were compelling, and I loved the mystery. My students complete a unit on mythology, and I will definitely purchase this for my classroom!

I really struggled with this book. It’s an urban fantasy, where I was expecting high fantasy, which is the first point that I struggled with.
The characters were interesting at the beginning but became boring and flat after a little while. Bryn in particular was quite cool, and then Wyatt showed up and she became insufferable.
I love Norse mythology, I love anything Viking or shield maiden related. I’m also a big YA reader, despite not being that age. None of these things affected my review, and if anything should’ve worked in favour for this book. I couldn’t bring myself to finish it as it felt too tedious and boring.

Thank you Disney Hyperion for the review copy.

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Scoville Spice Scale: The world's mildest 🌶 😉

"It's naked, but that doesn't mean much when it looks like a week old scab woke up and chose violence."

This is Freya Finch's debut novel? I don't know whether to say pinch me or pinch her because this reads like a seasoned author wrote it!

Meet Bryn - who thinks she's the worst valkyrie ever. Bryn is having a hard time and you would be to if your half sister you never knew about showed up out of the blue and your older sisters are always telling you that you are out of your depth and there's a new Black Knight at the Renaissance Faire where she lives full time. Bryn's life was already interesting but then her mom disappeared and when Juniper, the aforementioned halfsister, showed up with some zombie type of monsters in tow, things got complicated real fast. Especially with that guy, Wyatt, playing the Black Knight!

This norse mythology inspired story absolutely enthralled me. Bryn, our female main character, is a take charge, get it done gal and she has no fear of jumping in feet first. The only problem is this gets her in trouble sometimes.

Juniper, half-sister to Bryn and her sister, is a darling yet fierce defender of her family. She and Bryn bond so beautifully. Readers will adore their relationship.

Wyatt. I love how Bryn and Wyatt slowly open up to each other and it is so pure and good. Wyatt is such a wonder male character. I don't want to call him main because this book is all Bryn. But Wyatt's character grows so much.

I read this as an adult and enjoyed it so much. This book is geared towards Teens and Young Adults. I give it high recommendations.

Bryn is spending the summer between her junior and senior years of high school as an employee at a souvenir shop at the Ravenswood Renaissance faire outside of Chicago, which employs her two older sisters and their mother, too. Unlike most people, they live at the faire site year round - a fitting place for a family of Valkyries to live, where their occasional appearance in full armor will be overlooked by most people. But some odd things happen this summer; Bryn's mother never returns from a business trip and can't be reached, and an unfamiliar teenage girl appears - from Jotunheim, the realm of the Frost Giants. From there, things get a little strange.

Rise is a coming-of-age novel based on Norse mythology, with a few changes to make the story fit into today's world. As happens all too often in Norse mythology, Loki is causing mischief, and the onset of Ragnarök looms - unless Bryn can stop it before the world ends. This is a fast-paced and engaging novel, with a main character who is real and realistic, a 17 year-old young woman with real interests, family problems, and fears. This novel is recommended for readers of all ages, but is most especially recommended for teens and young adults.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really loved this take on Valkyrie’s and Norse mythology. The modern spin was fun and it kept me engaged. I loved the Renn faire setting. Very creative and original spin on some of my favorite mythology.

DNF'ed, immediately could tell that the writing style was just not going to be for me personally. Not sure if it was from what the book was about or if it really just was the author's writing style.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

I kind of need more in this world? Like, Valkyries living in a RenFaire next to Yggdrasil and all of the other elements of this novel? It was so refreshing to see this take on Norse Mythology, and I need more of Bryn and Wyatt and Juniper. I do think there is some openness for continuing in this series with some of the strands that were left (like Bryn's decision and powers, Juniper's parents, etc.) and I would honestly love to read more.

I enjoy anything mythology related, so picking up this book was a no brainer. Rise fits perfectly into the YA category for age appropriateness and fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson novels will gobble it up. The story takes place in Michigan and involves sisters who are Valkyries in training. When their mother goes missing, the youngest sister Bryn, knows something is wrong. The captain of the Valkyries on Midgard just doesn't disappear. Bryn is your average teenager who struggles to find herself while also dealing with the possibility that Ragnarok is upon us. She finds a few friends along the way and I love the awkwardness between Bryn and Wyatt. This is a great read for teens and adults alike.

A YA book that I actually think is categorized as age appropriate for once. I haven’t read Cruel Prince yet so I can’t attest to comparison there but I do get Percy Jackson vibes. This book was a super quick, easy read. Reading it as an adult I found it juvenile in writing but I think for a YA it was written well for it's audience, therefor I’m rating it on it’s ability to do what is marketed as. I loved all the mythology, different creatures and Gods. The draugr reminded me of white walkers from GoT, loved the descriptors and scenes with them in it. It had twists I didn’t see coming. I also enjoyed the complicated dynamics between the sisters. I don’t have any siblings but I can imagine it isn’t easy to have that many sisters. Also love when the “love interest” isn’t instalove. There are some good life lessons in here for young ones to explore.

Based in Norse mythology, this is another one about the importance of family and finding one’s own strength. Bryn is the youngest of three Valkyrie sisters, but her magic doesn’t come easily to her.

Being able to hide their true identities by living in a Renaissance Faire/amusement park type village, the three sisters are waiting for their mother to return from a secret mission in Asgard.

But that’s not actually where the story begins. We start in Jotenheim with Juniper, who must urgently find her mother in Midgard (Earth).

Add in Bryn’s sister’s self-absorbed ex-boyfriend and the new Black Knight (who has a big secret of his own), and things get complicated really fast. Especially when Juniper drops the bomb that Bryn’s mom…is also her mom. Bryn is filled with self-doubt about how well she really knows her mother, her late (and totally normal) father, and her place in her family.

As more and more events portend the coming of Ragnarok, Bryn wonders if she—or any of them—will be able to survive.

There are mistaken identities, secrets, and more as this story gallops toward its satisfying conclusion.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Magic. Violence. There are LGBTQ+ characters. Mild cursing. Parental death or distance.

Who Might Like This Book:
If you like Norse mythology, this is definitely one for your collection. Also for fans of family stories and coming of age. There is a romantic element, but it is definitely not the focus of the story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/07/lets-start-july-with-bang.html

Valkyries, half-giants, and a war brewing to end all the realms unless one girl and her friends find a way to stop it. Bryn is the youngest daughter from a family of valkyries, she lives on earth in a Renaissance faire and has been searching for her mother. Bryn is determined to find their mother yet her sisters dont seem as set, Bryn knows that their mother, the captain of the Valkyries would be able to set things right... especially as Bryn begins to receive visions of Ragnarök. On top of that a newcomer comes crashing into her life, a half human half giant named Juniper and she comes with a violent zombie in tow.... and Bryn also begins to have feelings for Wyatt, the mysterious newcomer at the faire who plays the Black Knight and has a secret of his own. Bryn has her hands full and a mission on the way, but with whispers of Loki on the loose, who nows how well this can be. I definitely think this was an interesting take on Norse mythology and think middle grade readers/younger young adult readers will have a ton of fun with this as the story has a bit of romance and really focuses on family bonds. While this one just didn't work for me particularly, I do think it's a fun read for others.

Release Date: July 2, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide | Melissa de la Cruz Studio for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you NetGalley and Disney publishing for the advance reader copy of Rise by Freya Finch.
This is a fun YA title combining a present-day time period with Viking mythology. I cared about the characters, there were plot twists that I didn't see coming, and there is enough of the realms mentioned in the story to keep the reader interested in sequels. With the exception of the character's ages, I would think this would be a good middle grade title.

I throughly enjoyed Rise by Freya Finch. It had everything you could want in a book. A lil romance, a lil sibling drama & a lot of action. There were plot twists a plenty & fun relatable (even though they were magical) characters.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes Percy Jackson/mythology with a modern take.

Think Percy Jackson, but the realm of Viking gods. Oh, and the main character is the youngest of three sisters. Did I mention she is a Valkyrie? Bryn lives with her mom and two sisters in a renaissance fair permanently located in Chicago. Her mom is going off on missions for Odin frequently, but this time she hasn’t come back. Bryn knows in her bones that something is wrong, but being the constant screw up in the family, her sisters won’t listen. She will do anything to save her family.
This story was so fast paced and action packed! I love how Bryn stands up for her beliefs, and that she will defy even the gods for what she believes in her soul is the right thing to do. I was leaning towards 4 stars through most of the book, but that ending!!! Explosive! 5 stars from this humble reader, and I await with bated breath for a sequel. Loved it!

This book was such a fun read! I can totally see this becoming a movie 👀

Rise tells us the story of Bryn, her 2 sisters, and her mom who are Valkyrie’s living in a renaissance faire. After Bryn’s mom doesn’t return from a Valkyrie mission, she becomes very worried and enlists the help of fellow faire worker, Wyatt, and a half giant, Juniper, who has found her way to earth somehow. They work together to find Bryn’s mom and also find a way to stop Loki from bringing about Ragnarok, which is plaguing the faire.

I love the personality that the author gave to Bryn. She is witty, funny, strong and always has a good comeback! The setting is such a cool idea and I’m obsessed with it, it really sets the vibe and I was able to fully picture everything.

This is a great YA story and I would 1000% recommend you pick this one up!

Oh valkyries are so freaking cool. I really enjoyed this one, despite the writing style not being particularly for me, but the setting and the plot were so freaking cool that I didn't mind!

(Unedited) Will publish in Minnesota June 29. Will publish in South Dakota July 5.

"Rise" is an all new, modern-day Ragnarök tale, that will come crashing into bookshelves on July 2, with an action-packed YA fantasy debut from author Freya Finch.
Bryn isn't your average 17-year-old in every way imaginable, though she loves pizza, doesn't see eye-to-eye with her older sisters, is prone to making mistakes and often jumps to conclusions — like most 17-year-old girls. However, Bryn also lives at a Chicago Renaissance faire, is an ace with a bow and arrow and is well-versed in the ways of Valhalla, because she and her sisters, along with her mother, are valkyries.

With her mother gone on a mission for an extended period of time and concerning visions of the end of days plaguing her, a pointy-eared half human, half giant races into Bryn's path with a zombie-looking creature hot on her trail. Bryn's valkyrie training may not be complete, to say the least, but it doesn't stop her from springing to action, and as she forms alliances and friendships amidst the appearance of monsters, her frequent visions and signs of the mischievous god Loki, Bryn and her family and friends find themselves forging bonds that the world may just depend on.

"Rise" is appropriate for readers ages 12 and up, and will be released in hardcover format on July 2.

Reviewer opinion: "I was uncertain how a modern valkyrie story would pan out, but I was very pleasantly surprised! I appreciated the inclusion of some of the classic Norse mythology stories and some of the lesser gods tales, as well. I hope that Freya Finch continues with Norse mythology-themed novels in this manner."

"Rise" by Freya Finch

c. 2024, 384 pages, $18.99

Rise was everything I needed in a Norse Mythology YA Contemporary Fantasy set in a Midwest Renaissance Faire!! Freya Finch knocked this out of the park. The plot was fast-paced, action packed and witty! I loved the way the Norse mythology was so easily woven into a current timeline! The characters were fleshed out and so easy to root for, with wonderful & believable relationship building! The romance was a perfect little side plot and didn’t get in the way of the story. This is one of my new favorite YA reads!!