Between the Blade and the Heart is described as BLADE RUNNER meets GAME OF THRONES meets THOR: RAGNAROK. Once I read that I knew I wanted to read this book. I love Thor: Ragnarok, and I have always had a fascination with mythology and this book mixes them together.
Between the Blade and the Heart is a gripping action adventure set in a world where immortals walk the earth. The Book follows Malin she is a Valkyrie-in-training, and, to keep the peace, it’s her responsibility to slay immortals, returning them to the underworld. She is sent orders from the Gods, they decide who will return to the underworld it’s just the Valkyries job to kill return them, no questions asked.
Malin not only has to keep the balance in the world, she also has to keep the balance in her life which she struggles with. She needs to balance her school life, her Valkyrie training, and her love life which is slightly complicated due to her mixed feelings for her ex fellow Valkyrie Quinn.
Things becomes more complicated for Malin when a beguiling stranger breaks into her home on a quest for vengeance. Asher is hunting the rogue immortal who murdered his Valkyrie mother, and he thinks Malin may have information.
What Malin find out will unravel everything she ever knew about her family and the world. She must decided if she willing to help Asher with his revenge and right a wrong, but helping Asher comes with a risk to her life and her heart.
This book is fast-paced and action packed book, the action starts from chapter one where we are introduced to Malin and her mother Marlow as they stake out the next person they are to return to the underworld.
I like the friendship between Malin and her best friend and roommate Oona, Malin is trying to be the Valkyrie her mother is wants her to be. Where Oona is there to help remind her that she is more than that.
One if my favourite exchanges between the two of them is below;
Oona stood behind me with her arms folded over her chest and a self-satisfied grin on her face.
“You’re lucky you have me,” she said.
I looked at her in the reflection of the mirror said, “I know.”
“You’d be totally lost without me,” she reiterated.
“I really would,” I agreed with a laugh.
“You could show your appreciation a little more.”
I turned back to her. “Hey, I made you breakfast this morning, and I helped you work on your term paper for your Miracles and visions course.”
I loved that even though they live in this crazy world, friendship doesn’t change.
I liked Malin as a character, she is not perfect but she is doing the best that she can. She wants to do the right thing, even if it is not the easy option. Malin is a kick ass female, who can take care of her self (most of the time) she is smart and drive, I was glad that Malin wasn’t like Marlow.
I found it interesting the mixture of norse mythology with other fantasy creatures like the vampires. It’s really interesting to read a book that about the Valkyries, they make interesting leading character. I am glad that Amanda kept in the fact that Valkyries are Bisexual. The romances in this book is a love triangle between Malin and a female and male character, it was nice to see that Malin didn’t focus on the gender but how the person made her feel.
The book is really a page turner and by the end of the book I was exited to see what happens next in From Earth to the Shadows which is planned to published 3rd May 2018.
If you would lile to find out more about the Author click HERE.
I give this book 4.1 out of 5
I would recommend this book if you like;
- Kiss ass Woman
- Mythology
- Norse Mythology
- Romance
- Cute mythical pets. (Search Wolpertinger)
Thank you to Pan for supply me with the copy of the book to read and review for an honest review.
This books comes 22nd February 2018, and I will be doing a giveaway of Between the Blade and the Heart to celebrate on my twitter account, so keep an eye out.
Thanks for Reading
Gem x
