Best I've Read 2012: Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson


The fourth book we are featuring this year is Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson.


Ingrid Paulson stopped by to teach our readers "How to Dress Like a Valkyrie" and we are also offering our readers a chance to snag a copy of Valkyrie Rising. Check out the synopsis of Valkyrie Rising and the giveaway details at the end of this post. The Larks would like to thank Ingrid Paulson for her time.


"How to Dress Like a Valkyrie" by Ingrid Paulson

Thank you so much for hosting me! I’m so excited to share a few thoughts on how to dress like a Valkyire. But first, since I’m often asked what a Valkyrie is, I thought I’d give my quick defintion: 

 Valkyries are characters from Norwegian mythology, dating back to the time of the Vikings. Valkyries are beautiful and ferocious goddesses who hover over battlefields and collect the souls of the bravest and most skilled soldiers and transport their souls to Valhalla. There the soldiers become part of an undead army that will one day end the world. Pretty grim, huh? 


 Most depictions of Valkyries show them in armor astride winged horses. But I wanted the girls in VALKYRIE RISING to be way more modern. Because they’re smart girls—if the world changes, they’d adapt. Here’s what I came up with: 

 1. Butt-kicking boots: I wanted the Valkyries to have a sign of strength and unity. The central component of their collective attire was boots. And yes, that is a big hint about what you’ll likely find on my feet. But also, on the right person, boots look tough. If I could find boots that look like the ones in my mind, I’d be wearing them. But add some laces and a thicker sole to these and you’re almost there: 



 “She wore the same uncured leather knee-highs trimmed with white fur and crisscrossed up the front with thick laces. The kind of boots you wore in case you needed to stomp on someone’s face…” 

2. Fashion-conscious accessories: The first time Ellie sees the Valkyries, they’re dressed a little strangely, hence the mention of the Ugg catsuit. But as the story progresses, they change, and not just in apparel. 

 “She had the bored, apathetic look of a supermodel forced to endure yet another catwalk. This time, she’d traded in her Ugg catsuit for jeans and a tissue-thin tank top with a long, red scarf looked once around her neck. The ends floated through the air behind her like plumes of poisonous smoke.” 


 3. Weapons: When Ellie first sees the Valkyries, they’ve got guns and knives strapped to their body. And they wouldn’t be caught any other way. These girls are prepared for anything. 

 4. Attitude: Valkyries wrap themselves in cold, hard determination. Valkyries know what they want and go for it and they let nothing stand in their way.

About The Book

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there. 

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

Purchase Your Copy
The Book Depository


Don't forget to check out all the other great Best I've Read 2012 posts for today!






Want a copy of Valkyrie Rising? I loved this book so much I'm offering one of our readers a chance to snag their very own copy.


To win:
* You must be 13+ years old.
* You must be a US resident. No PO Boxes!
* You must fill out the Rafflecopter form.

The giveaway runs from December 11-21. The winner will be notified via email on December 22.




Harper was kind enough to offer up a great prize pack for Best I've Read 2012.

Comments

  1. I want to win this because I love Norse mythology, and valkyries are my favorite :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the giveaway! I want to win Valkyrie Rising because I have always wanted to read it! it sounds interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I want to win because I'm really interested in reading more about Norse mythology (and quite simply this book sounds awesome).

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have heard nothing but negative things about this one and I'm anticipating it greatly!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love to win Valkyrie Rising because I've read many great reviews about it and love unique mythology stories. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd love to win Valkyrie Rising because I'm a mythology geek and the characters seem so awesome:)

    Thank you:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yeah for all the amazing comments about Norse mythology. I adore it! Check back on Friday - I'll be featuring another Norse inspired novel. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have been wanting to read this one for some time. Thanks for the chance to win :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've heard a lot about this book and cannot wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. been really wanting to read this book and this is a great opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  11. OMG! I soooo want to win this book!! I've entered a few giveaways for this one and no luck so far. I am so looking forward to reading this book. *fingers crossed*

    ReplyDelete
  12. Because the Valkyrie are cool! I love their lore.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love Norse mythology, and Valkyrie Rising has been on my TBR list for what feels like ages.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm interested in Valkyrie Rising, because I've read lots of vampire, werewolf, fae, and witch books. I haven't read anything about Valkyries, and it's always nice to discover a new paranormal group. Thanks for the giveaway! Nice blog too!
    Jean S.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'd like to read it because it sounds good.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've heard great things about this book and it sounds like awesome! I really want to read it especially because of all the strong female characters. Valkyries! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've seen lots of great reviews about this book, and I really want to read more YA that involves Norse mythology.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love to win this because I am a huge mythology lover.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have been dying to get my hands on this book!!! It sounds so intriguing and suspenseful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The VALKYRIE bound men (who kill) to hell (the underworld) and sent them, the rewrites of these women as saviors of men who kill is a false myth - only glorified to avoid karma. Necessity, no god or man can avoid forever. Time to speak the truth now.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

We love your comments!