A Sapphic Quest for Young Adults
The Valkyrie's Daughter
YA Fantasy
Entangled: Teen
July 26, 2022
Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
400
From the time she was born, Sigrid has only ever been ordinary. Being paired at birth with a plain horse―instead of the powerful winged mare of a valkyrie―meant there would be no warrior path for her. No riding the skies, no glory among the nine worlds. Just the simple, unremarkable life of a stable hand. Everything changes when a terrible enemy ambushes Vanaheim and Sigrid sees a vision of herself atop a mythical stallion, leading the valkyries into a harrowing battle. Finally, she can grab her future with her own two hands and become the hero of her own story…if she dares. But her destiny is tied up with Mariam, a fallen valkyrie who’s allied herself with the very enemy Sigrid is trying to stop. Now Sigrid has left ordinary behind as she begins a journey with the beautiful―if treacherous―valkyrie, each step bringing her closer to answers…and to awakened feelings for Mariam. Only, the life Sigrid has escaped may have been paradise compared to the one she’s racing toward. Because her destination is the realm of the dead: the gates of Hel.
“The Valkyrie’s Daughter” by Tiana Warner is the perfect place to start for a young reader interested in fantasy or Norse mythology. The first book in what promises to be an adventure-filled series, readers are led on a quest by our fierce and determined heroine, Sigrid. Left alone at birth with no one but her trusted horse Hestur, Sigrid is raised to become a stable hand and cares for the Valkyrie’s winged mares. Sigrid dreams of being a Valkyrie. Each day Sigrid lives vicariously through the Valkyrie teams. She trains on her personal time with her non-winged horse in the hopes that one day she’ll be able to join the prestigious team in some capacity.
“Sigrid, you’ve been thinking of life as either being a valkyrie or not being a valkyrie. Maybe there are other options. Maybe there’s another destiny that’s perfect for you.”
Sweet
“The Valkyrie’s Daughter” is based on (the nine worlds/realms, magic and sorcery, Gods) isn’t very well known. Warner tells readers in her Author’s Note that of what we know of Viking society comes from medieval Christian historians and records kept by their opponents, which is most likely biased. Warner wrote this story with a very specific audience in mind. Knowing that it would be found by young fantasy writers, the focus isn’t too deep into the nitty gritty realistic history. Instead there are subtle details weaved through the pages to make sure the reader can follow along with the subject matter while being part of the constant action.
“The gods created the valkyries to maintain balance and peace in the nine worlds, and that purpose called to her more than anything. She wanted to travel with them through the upper and middle worlds, to provide help in emergencies, and to fight and defend innocent lives from the evils of the lower realms. She wanted the reverence that came with being a guardian, a protector, a valued member of the best warriors in the cosmos. Most of all, in her heart, being a valkyrie was her destiny.”
Salty
Reviews should be honest, so I’ll share that while I loved the adventure and quest that Sigrid, Mariam and Fisk are on, there were also parts of the story that caused me some stress. A young reader most likely wouldn’t be bothered by the below but as an adult, I was irked by the following:
- The title doesn’t really seem appropriate. Unless this is foreshadowing for a future book, I feel it’s misleading. Sigrid’s birth rite and family history are a HUGE plot point, and the title should reflect as much.
- The underlying romance felt flimsy. The pairing was to me felt unrealistic. Sigrid killed Mariam’s mare in the beginning of the story, but then uses Mariam to help her follow what she believes is her destiny and they fall in love along the way? Maybe my cynical heart imagined that Mariam would turn on Sigrid at the first opportunity to spite her.
- The timeline of events once Sigrid meets Elina. Without giving too much away, the timing felt very off. Fantasy should get a little detailed and in-depth, and the plot points during that time were rushed and then drawn out in the wrong places.
All things considered, “The Valkyrie’s Daughter” is a good place to start for a fantasy novel. I hope that with the next installment, Warner keeps the level of adventure at the current high pace, but takes the time to build out the world a little deeper and structure the plot points slightly more dramatically to keep readers on their toes.
I’m Val, and I’m excited to share my love of books with you! I’m a sassy Sour Patch kid from New Jersey, dog mom to Chance the beagle, and much like the rest of the Hive, I’m a coffee lover (I think it’s a requirement to be here). The first book I remember reading voluntarily involved a boy wizard who lived in the cupboard under the stairs, and I’ve been chasing magic ever since. I love Happily Ever Afters, and I love love. My favorite genres are romance and rom-coms, fantasy, and young adult/new adult. If I’m not reading, I’m probably kayaking, watching the Great British Baking Show, or discovering a new craft beer.
