A cracking fun debut! I knew very little of this book going in other than "valkyries" and came out of it with a burning desire to see what a renaissance faire is like in person. Although I've never been to a ren faire (nor have I been to Asgard or Jotunheim, I suppose), the world drew me in from the first page and reading this book almost felt like watching a little movie in my head. I particularly loved seeing the world through the eyes of Bryn, an infuriatingly and endearingly messy teenager who is the precise sort of disaster I might be if I were a valkyrie. Her complicated relationship with her sisters, her wonderful relationship with Juniper, her adorable relationship with Wyatt, her relentless faith in (and desperation for) her mother—Finch does a great job exploring Bryn as a person who is just trying her best (and sometimes her worst), and it is such a treat to read. I can't wait for this book to be out so everyone else can enjoy it as much as I did.

PS: Shoutout to the A+ dynamic between James and Wyatt—very much not center stage in this book (we get the perfect amount), but nonetheless an absolute delight. I won't say more for spoiler reasons, but I would love it if this dynamic could make it to a sequel.

Such a fun read. Definitely Percy Jackson/Thor vibes. It was a tad juvenile, but I actually loved that aspect, because it made it a light, fun read that was simply enjoyable. It didn't take itself too seriously but was very well written! It had a nice balance of great story and easy read. One of the better Norse mythology inspired books over read. Would definitely recommend to readers who like YA Norse inspired stories, and fans of PJ or Thor!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the opportunity to read and review an ARC for Rise!

This is a very entertaining fantasy story for teenagers and up. Action packed from the beginning to end. The pages just flowed by as I read. The characters are perfect for teenagers to enjoy, all fun and presented to us with interesting personalities. First novel for this author, I hope Disney has already signed up for sequels and more from Freya Finch. Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Rise is an incredible book combining two of my greatest loves: Norse mythology and renaissance faires! I loved the setting of this book which I think elevated the story of Bryn and her sisters. Of course valkyries would live at a renaissance faire! Bryn is such a great character too and really exemplifies what it is like to be the youngest in the family, constantly trying to live up to your older siblings. I loved the family dynamics and the twists and turns that came about in this book. It is a great read for anyone who loves Norse mythology.

Freya Finch's "Rise" masterfully blends the thrilling action of "Percy Jackson" with the intricate heroines of "The Cruel Prince." The story follows Bryn, the youngest and most rebellious valkyrie in her family, living in a Renaissance faire in Chicago. When Bryn’s mother disappears on a mission for Odin and visions of Ragnarök plague her, Bryn struggles to convince her perfect older sisters of the impending danger.

The novel takes a dramatic turn when Juniper, a half-human, half-giant, arrives with a zombie, confirming Bryn’s fears. Together with Wyatt, the enigmatic new addition to the faire, Bryn and her allies face off against a horde of monsters threatening their world. Bryn’s journey is complicated by her decision to save Wyatt, defying Odin’s command, and by whispers of Loki’s interference.

Finch skillfully intertwines themes of fate and choice with the bonds of sisterhood. Bryn’s growth from a rebellious teen to a determined warrior is compelling, and the book’s pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The vivid Renaissance faire setting and the complex mythology add depth to the narrative.

While some readers might find the number of characters and plotlines a bit overwhelming, the richly developed world and engaging storyline make "Rise" a standout novel. Finch's ability to create a captivating blend of action, adventure, and emotional depth ensures that "Rise" will appeal to fans of fantasy and mythology.

This book was so so fun. It was everything I look for in a light YA fantasy. It was fast paced and full of adventure, with just the right amount of teenage drama. I honestly couldn’t put it down. The storyline was so engaging and pulled me in so completely I didn’t just want to know what was going to happen, I NEEDED to.

I really enjoyed Bryn’s character. She’s brave, kind, and unfailingly loyal to her friends and her personal beliefs. Like any good YA protagonist she has the tendency to throw herself into situations without thinking them thru, but it’s always with the best intentions. She’s not in it for glory or to make a name for herself, she just wants to do the right thing but goes about it the wrong way. While she does go through some growing pains and works through a lot of self-doubt, these aspects of the story never take center stage for long, adding to the plot without taking it over.

I love stories with mythology, and I this book was no exception. I appreciated the fact that the author didn’t try to explain how or why the Norse Gods rule the nine realms, they just do. There were a few times where I needed to take things at face value, to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride, but that was easy to do because I was having such a good time.

If you’re into mythology, magical realism, and YA reads about figuring life out, I highly recommend this book. It leaves it pretty open for a sequel and I’ve got my fingers crossed there’ll be more to come. Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (Rounded up for Goodreads and NetGalley)

Pub Date: July 2, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for a free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review

A stunning, incredible Norse mythology YA with Valkyries in the human world trying to stop Ragnarök.

Rise follows 17yo, Bryn, the youngest and most rebellious sister in her family of Valkyries. She lives in a Renaissance faire town in Chicago. After her mother disappears when on a mission from Odin, Bryn starts having visions about Ragnarök. Her and her sisters grow more and more worried their mother is in danger when she doesn’t come home. They need her now more than ever—the captain of the Valkyries. Their world becomes even more worrisome when a half-human, half-giant named Juniper with a zombie in tow. To make matters worse, Wyatt, the faire’s newest hire has a dangerous secret that threatens everyone. Bryn is determined to stop Ragnarök and find her mother, and with the help of Juniper and Wyatt, they might just be able to protect the faire from monsters and save Midgard.

This is an absolutely amazing, incredible book! I am entirely obsessed and cannot wait to read more from Freya Finch. I loved the Norse mythology and was captivated with the story. The plot is so interesting and kept me guessing until the end. I adored the setting! The Renaissance faire was so cool and made for such a unique story, and the perfect hiding place for Valkyries. It was all very atmospheric and so vivid to picture with the lovely writing.

I adored the beautiful themes of sisterhood and the unbreakable bond between sisters. Bryn is such a lovely main character. She’s so strong and sure of herself. She goes after what she believes in even when her sisters try to reign her in, and I really admired that. She’s such a strong main character! I loved Juniper!! She was so cute and funny trying to learn about human customs. And her magic was so cool. Reagan and Prima were such good older sisters. I really enjoyed their dynamic and felt so much for the two as Bryn is the baby and causes so much trouble—for good reason. They were all just so lovely to read about. Wyatt has my heart! He was so sweet, and smart, and has such an interesting background. I lovedddd the romance between Wyatt and Bryn!

Overall, this is such an incredible YA fantasy set in our world intricately woven with Norse mythology, impeccable characters and relationships, and gorgeous writing!

This was SUCH a fun read. Fast paced, action packed and bursting with snark, this book swept me up and wouldn't let go.

Juniper was my favourite character and I wish to bundle her up and take me home with me, but the entire cast is full of fantastic characters who are easy to root for, including our protagonist Bryn who although humourous and daring also struggles with her feelings of inadequacy in a very relatable way. I also adored Reagan and sweet shy Wyatt was impossible not to love.

You can see the passion Finch has for Norse Mythology in every page of this book, it's a treasure trove of references and as someone who loves Norse Myths also, this was such a fun fresh take.

This book is SO GOOD. It left me laughing and then almost in tears and then gasping and then laughing again, rinse and repeat. My new favorite book!! I could not put it down!! Loki may or may not be in it!!

You will connect instantly to Bryn and honestly to most of the characters in this story. Everyone is interesting and fleshed out as characters. Add to that a non-stop plot, and you've got a winner.

It is said that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. In this case, we most definitely should. Let me explain why.

If you’re a mythology nerd like me, especially into Norse mythology, Freya Finch’s debut is going to be a blast to read. Rise is imaginative, funny, action-packed, engaging, and surprisingly wholesome at times. Bryn’s voice alone makes the plot so engaging that I found myself grinning in anticipation of her response to the situations she finds herself in. She’s the type of friend I had back in school who, if they called in sick, I knew the day would pass by a lot slower. She is funny, fierce, rebellious, loyal, messy, and just like anyone her age, wants to prove herself and find her place in the world... or Realms, in her case. But it’s not just Bryn. This novel is filled with an incredible cast of characters. So much so, in fact, that there isn’t a single character who failed to leave an impression on me. From Prima and Reagan to Juniper, Wyatt, and James, and many other characters that I can’t mention to avoid spoilers. My point being, I find it difficult to remember names in real life, let alone fictional characters, so the fact that I can remember the names of each single character in Rise says a lot about how real and impactful they all felt.

There was also the mystery aspect of the story. Kara, Bryn’s mother and the captain of the Valkyries, is missing, and Ragnarök is approaching. To make things worse, a half-giant, and a mysterious boy, are added to the mix, and Loki is apparently up to his usual mischief again. Joining in on the detective work to try and figure out how all of these components fit together was surprisingly one of the most fun aspects in a novel that features Valkyries and Ragnarök.

One of the aspects of Rise that I enjoyed the most was how imaginative Finch’s use of Norse mythology was. The Norse tales have been told and retold so many times in the past decade specifically, that I honestly wasn’t sure how Rise would be able to stand out. But it was such a pleasant surprise when it did, for the reasons I mentioned so far, from the characters to the mystery, but also the very imaginative utilization of the different aspects of Norse mythology. Each time Finch introduces a name or a word I think I’m familiar with, and therefore expect that I can foresee what is going to happen, I can’t do anything but watch how Finch takes something I thought I knew and transforms it into something that is unique to her story.

Overall, Rise is an incredibly fun debut by Freya Finch, and if you’re a mythology nerd and a Rick Riordan fan (both usually go hand in hand), you will absolutely fall in love with this story.

Cover. 5 out of 5 stars. Juniper. 8 out of 5 stars. Love a secret sister. Charmed is boss. Reagan. 11 out of 5 stars. Perfect in every way. A book about Valkeries hiding on Earth. One of them is trans but was accepted by Odin as a woman because, you know she is a woman. Amazing. Their mom goes missing and there is a secret half sister who is an elf. Sweet. Then…a boy shows up and is a bezerker who turns into a bear. Ok. Then the Main Character falls in love with him instantly, breaks her training, dreams of kissing him and fails the Bechdal test for the rest of the book. Grrr

This book was so fantastic! Fast-paced, voicey, and inspired by Norse mythology, RISE has a wonderfully fleshed out cast of characters. Bryn, the protagonist is relatably messy and the complex sisterly dynamic between Prima, Regan and Bryn is extremely well depicted. Wyatt is a sweet cinnamon roll of a love interest and of course who can forget Juniper? I will protect Juniper with my whole heart as she's just the greatest. Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy!

Thank you to Disney Hyperion for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel via NetGalley. Seventeen-year-old Bryn is the rebellious younger sister of a family of valkyries. Their home is inside a Renaissance faire, and they suddenly find themselves fighting to stop Ragnarök. This is a standalone young adult fantasy novel, which I LOVE because not every fantasy needs to be a series! It nicely incorporates Norse mythology into a modern settings. The book is fast-paced and reminiscent of Rick Riordan's books. This action-packed and often humorous debut novel will appeal to upper middle and high school students who don't want super dark fantasy or spicy romance novels.

Fairly formulaic in characterization yet action-packed, I think this will appeal to fans of Lore by Alexandra Bracken.

Finch’s YA debut is a rich, contemporary romp through Norse mythology with elevated Rick Riordan vibes!

Bryn is a young Valkyrie who feels as if she pales in comparison to her mother and sisters, but her fierce loyalty and determination are exactly what the world might need.

I loved this story. The characters and the twists. The old lore intertwining with fresh action. The Ren Faire setting is a character in its own right. All of it together? 100% chef’s kiss. If you're looking for a fun adventure, start here! Also!! This book is FANTASTIC for readers who are reading at a level well beyond middle grade (Harry Potter age-range) but don't love/need/want super dark fantasy or spicy romance arcs! There aren't a ton of YA fantasies that check this box!

It was soooo fun! I love the lively energy and all the jokes (Bryn is such mood, I would love her as a bestie). The writing style is immaculate and the world building is immersive, I had a great reading experience! I always love Norse myth, and RISE did rise to the occasion to bring me such great story with that myth as a base (pun intended, Bryn is getting into my head). Love all the other characters too especially sweet Juniper and Wyatt and Reagan, Prima, James... all of them!

Freya Finch knocked her debut novel out of the park. "Rise" brought my inner mythology nerd so much joy! The novel uses the hero's journey formula but with surprising plot twists. We meet our leading lady, Bryn, when she is escorted by the police to the Renaissance Faire where she lives with her mom and two older sisters. The fun trials of Bryn and her friends get started when we learn that Byrn's mother Kara is missing. Why is Kara missing a problem? Well, she is the head Valkyrie in charge of Midgard. Bryn's journey is action-packed and full of Chicago references. One of the things I enjoyed about "Rise" is Finch's flawless explanation of the Norse mythology references. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes adventure and Norse mythology. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Rise; it truly Ragnorocked.