Rise

Starred review from April 15, 2024
A fledgling teen Valkyrie tries to avert Ragnarök in Finch’s spirited, Norse mythology–inspired debut. Most assume Bryn Martel, her older sisters Prima and Reagan, and their mother are ordinary people who live and work at Ravenswood Medieval Faire, a Chicago-area tourist attraction. In truth, Bryn’s mother is a Valkyrie, charged with ferrying souls to Valhalla and doing Odin’s bidding on Earth, and her daughters are training to join her—Bryn less adeptly than her siblings. Prima and Reagan dismiss Bryn’s concerns when Mom is late returning from a mission, so Bryn doesn’t tell them when she starts having apocalyptic visions; it’s not like they’d believe her. Then a half-giant called Juniper appears and drops two bombshells: she’s their half sister, and the doomsday war known as Ragnarök is nigh. Prima and Reagan distrust Juniper, prompting her and Bryn to partner with a “very attractive” shape-shifter named Wyatt to find Bryn’s mom and forestall the end of all things. The boldly drawn, white-cued cast is feisty and funny. Coupled with Bryn’s snarky first-person-present narrative, Finch unveils a rollicking, twist-filled plot, which puts a modern spin on ancient folklore while sensitively exploring issues of identity and fate. Ages 12–up. Agent: Richard Abate, 3Arts Entertainment.

June 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 Bryn is the youngest of three sisters in the "Martels Who Live in a Theme Park" family. They live in a Renaissance fair outside Chicago, which already weirds people out. She's also the youngest of the modern Valkyries, used by Odin to bring valiant warriors to Valhalla. After her mother, the head Valkyrie, is summoned and gone longer than is normal, Bryn starts having scary visions and seeing more than the normal number of messenger ravens. And then things get really eerie: Juniper, from Jotunheim, appears in Bryn's front yard, fighting a zombie and warning of Ragnar�k. Add to that the appearance of very cute Wyatt, who might be Bryn's first einherjar to be delivered to Odin and could be something magical all on his own. Readers are likely to recognize themselves in Bryn--the youngest and always trying to prove she's worthy enough to be a full Valkyrie--and enjoy her journey, with epic fights and consequences. A natural pick for fans growing out of Rick Riordan's Magnus Chase books.

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May 1, 2024
One modern-day valkyrie can see the signs: "Ragnar�k is coming." Brynhildr Martel is named after the valkyrie Brunhild, but as the youngest of three sisters, one of whom is "the smart and responsible one" and the other "the talented and lovable one," she's never felt like her legendary namesake. At 17, she's still learning to be a valkyrie, in between her shifts in the gift shop at Chicago's Ravenswood Medieval Faire, where her family lives. When the faire is besieged by a troll, an undead army, and more creatures straight out of Norse mythology, Bryn knows that Ragnar�k (or the end of the world) is nigh. With a half-giant and a berserker by her side, she plans to save the day--but it would help if her sisters ever listened to her. Bryn might be a valkyrie, but in between worrying about Ragnar�k and guiding the dead to Valhalla, she has other pressing concerns, like what to say to the cute new boy at the faire and how to deal with all her family drama and the fact that she's grounded--again. The contemporary setting combined with Norse mythological elements is fresh without being overwhelmed by too much godly interference, leaving room for Bryn to contend with all sorts of magical creatures and make plenty of mistakes along the way. Principal characters are coded white. A well-balanced story of both teenage and godly dramas. (Fantasy. 13-18)

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August 1, 2024

Gr 6 Up-Bryn is an average teen girl, struggling to get along with her two older sisters, work her summer job at a Renaissance fair on the outskirts of Chicago, and keep up with her training-as a Valkyrie. Like their single mother, Bryn and her sisters are magical warrior women working for the Norse god, Odin. A Valkyrie's job includes collecting brave dead souls to join Odin's army in Valhalla, a duty Bryn fails to complete in the midst of several simultaneous crises: her mother has disappeared, a previously unknown half-giant sister has arrived, monsters are attacking her home, and the cute new local boy can somehow turn into a bear. Is the trickster god Loki to blame? And could this be Ragnar�k, the foretold Norse end of days? Finch deftly weaves a coming-of-age tale with traditional Norse mythology, embracing even the strangest of Norse mythology (teeth carved with runes!). Bryn's first-person perspective provides context and explanation for the fantastical elements while avoiding the pitfall of exposition dumps. Everyone goes through strong character arcs, growing and developing throughout. While the story leaves room for sequels, this one is satisfying on its own. Finch's website provides a list of content warnings, which include violence, death/dying, and alcohol use (though it is made clear that the healing mead the teens drink is special from Asgard, not normal mead). VERDICT Finch's debut is perfect for readers of other myth-based books, such as "Percy Jackson," and fans of the Marvel cinematic universe who want to learn more about traditional Norse mythology.-Tammy Ivins

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