| Title | : | The Strange Maid (The United States of Asgard #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0307977536 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780307977533 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published June 10, 2014 |
Signy Valborn was seven years old when she climbed the New World Tree and met Odin Alfather, who declared that if she could solve a single riddle, he would make her one of his Valkyrie. For ten years Signy has trained in the arts of war, politics, and leadership, never dreaming that a Greater Mountain Troll might hold the answer to the riddle, but that’s exactly what Ned the Spiritless promises her. A mysterious troll hunter who talks in riddles and ancient poetry, Ned is a hard man to trust. Unfortunately, Signy is running out of time. Accompanied by an outcast berserker named Soren Bearstar, she and Ned take off across the ice sheets of Canadia to hunt the mother of trolls and claim Signy’s destiny.
The Strange Maid (The United States of Asgard #2) Reviews
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A wizard is that person who is outstandingly clever, the person of amazing skill and accomplishment; she who practices magick, also known as a conjurer and enchanter. Ms. Gratton epitomizes this definition, she is a true wizard and The Strange Maid confirms it.
As the second in The United States of Asgard Books, I assumed that Signy’s saga would pick up where The Lost Sun left off. (Ms. Gratton throws back her head and wickedly laughs at my basic expectation.) Of course she would never do something so simple, so mundane, so exactly-what-the-reader-expects. No, her way is cooler than the other side of the pillow. Using her mad, magickal skills, Ms. Gratton seamlessly gives the reader a more comprehensive look at Asgard as a whole, then cohesively melds Book 1 and Book 2, evoking a familiarity and comfort level in the oh-so-fortunate-reader.
The passionate, albeit petulant, Signy is such a strong, laudable, endearing character that, truly, Ms. Gratton could have had her eating cereal and still given us a remarkable yarn. This reader couldn’t keep from rooting for the courageously determined, head-strong heroine with a carefully hidden, yet not closely guarded, pure and kind heart.
Signy is plagued by a riddle. She firmly believes that the answer to the riddle will reveal who she is and what she is meant for. This lyrical portrayal of Signy’s journey is captivating and wholly engrossing with colorful and alluring characters all along the way. It is also sneaky and clever in that the journey proves more enlightening than the destination.
True to form, Ms. Gratton masterfully and oh-so-subtly unveils Signy’s self-realizations throughout the story, beautifully presenting growing pains and character developments that all adolescents experience in their voyage to adult-hood. The supporting cast including trolls of all varieties, gods and goddesses and my personal favorite, Glory the Fenris Wolf; keeps this story fresh and wildly entertaining.
Tiny twists throughout amused and delighted me. Ms. Gratton’s uncanny ability to present various points of view is a unique, remarkable trait that keeps the reader open-minded and hopeful. Red-Stripe exemplifies this. Which author could have me terrified of mountain trolls while simultaneously wishing I had my very own Red-Stripe? None other than Wizard Gratton, of course.
I’ve come to learn that whenever I pick up a Tessa Gratton book, I’m in for a special treat. There is no doubt that the tale will be compelling, heart-felt and diabolically funny at times. The other certainty is the plethora of quotes that I pull from each tome: “…that a way of life, a tradition, does not equal truth.” Righteous. -
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A Valkyrie, a mysterious man with an unholy sword, and berserker who serves a different a god are out to claim her destiny.
Opening Sentence: “I was born under a frenzied star, so our poets would say.”
The Review:
Signy Valborn was given a riddle to solve by Odin when he made her a Valkyrie, and Ned Unferth shows up years later to help her. Signy has been training to be a Valkyrie since she was seven. She ran from the Valkyrie council in order to bring glory to the Valkyries and solve her riddle. Along the way she meets Ned the spiritless who is also a poet. Half of the book takes place before book 1, The Lost Sun, and the other half of the book takes place during and after. Ned teaches Signy how to hunt and fight trolls.
In one massive troll attack Signy believes that Ned is killed and she realizes her quest is tied directly to the mother Troll. Signy ends up meeting the berserker group and Soren in quest to hunt the trolls. Soren and Signy become close friends while trying to figure out her dreams, and her destiny.
I am not going to go into too much more because of spoilers. However, I will say this book is packed with action, another weird love story and tons on Norse mythology. Signy is an interesting main character she is often rash, for example in the troll attack in the first book, you find out in this book she is the woman who charged into the group of trolls with nothing but a sword. I say weird love story because it’s like Astrid and Soren in the first book where they just kind of fall in love. Initially I thought this might be a standalone, I didn’t understand how she tied it in with the first book, but once you get about halfway through the book that becomes clearer. Signy and Soren are tied together because of the mother troll and Signy’s destiny. The gods work in mysterious ways.
I loved this book, although I admit I struggled in the beginning, she really wasn’t mentioned in the first book so I had no clue who she was and what she had to do with the story as whole. But despite that struggle, I really loved the whole Norse culture in the modern world. It’s so interesting and Tessa really incorporates some wonderful aspects of Norse culture and poetry in the book. I have to admit that I am total sucker for the Valkyries, Berserkers and Beowulf. You really can’t ask for more in a book, than that!
Notable Scene:
“Again and again it appears against the starry sky, weaving in and out of itself like a message for the entire world.”
“Death Chooser, Strange Maid, the binding rune scare says.”
“The Valkyrie of the tree will prove herself with a stone heart.”
“But a Valkyrie does not balk at death.”
“I make myself a mirror to understand the beast.”
FTC Advisory: Random House Books for Young Readers provided me with a copy of The Strange Maid. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. -
Signy Valborn has fire in her veins. Anger over a devastating childhood incident led her to climb the New World Tree where she met and was claimed by the Alfather, Odin, for his own.
But being a Valkyrie in training is not what she expected. The current Valkyries are tame compared to their history. They are the consultants to kings and presidents, and Signy longs for, burns for, the old ways.
The final insult comes when she wakes to find a riddle on the day she is supposed to become a fully realized Valkyrie. It's a question she must answer. One she cannot find a solution to. It keeps her from rising to the full position of Alfather's fierce servant, and it sets her on a dark, dark journey to find herself.
~~
Dark, dark, dark. If you have read THE LOST SUN you will likely not be prepared for THE STRANGE MAID. This is a story about fate and death and longing. Its a story that explores 'the glory' of revenge and warfare, and unlike the previous book, there is more truth to the world-building here. These people seem closer to what I would expect from those descended from Vikings, from those who live and worship the old gods.
There are fewer Christian sensibilities in this book. We get new insight into the Berserker battle lust, and we get animal sacrifices.
I love this book because it's more adult than THE LOST SUN, and because there's less flitting around the violence. This is part of Odin that sees value in heroic death and monumental violence.
I love this book because there's poetry in the writing. The use of words isn't frothy and light, but dense and evocative. And Tessa Gratton is afraid to let her characters take sex casually or lose themselves to what we might consider madness.
**[Sex, drinking, and violence. Beowulf and swordwerk.]
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also
http://booksforkids-reviews.blogspot....
--review copy -
Complex, dark, and evocative tale – Gratton’s best book yet, 4.5 stars
Tessa Gratton has penned her best book yet with Book 2 of her United States of Asgard series:
The Strange Maid. I stayed up late into the night, with goosebumps raised on my arms, to finish this book. The story, the writing, and the characterization are all beautiful, deep, and complex. I love a book like this that prioritizes character development over plot, but The Strange Maid still manages to combine the two well. Most of all, though, I love the risks that this book takes with characterization, theme, and source material.
Signy Valborn is a girl on the verge of Odinist glory as a Valkyrie, and she embraces the dark things she believes that should include – blood and death and violence and chaotic, passionate things stirring inside her soul. I love that Gratton was willing to create a wild, out-of-control, and fearsome female character; in doing so, she affirms that madness, desire, and a longing for revenge can be felt by all, not just males. Signy, however, is not a one-note character; she also experiences fear, doubt, and love. The other characters who flank and support Signy are also well-developed, from Soren Bearstar of the first book to Ned the truth-teller who hides behind his poetry to the gods and other Valkyries themselves. I also so appreciated the themes conveyed in the story about loss and revenge, the balance between chaos and control, choice versus destiny, and the types of relationships that matter in our lives.
In addition, Gratton skillfully plays with and updates Norse mythology to create a modern tale that pays homage to the violence, strength, and madness that was celebrated in Old English works like Beowulf. Because of this and the adept way the characters are portrayed, this book felt more mature than most other YA titles I’ve read. This is a complex and evocative tale that will be best appreciated by readers who aren’t afraid to feel uncomfortable from time to time while reading. Reading the first book in the series or having a background in Norse tales isn’t necessary to understand and appreciate the story, but it will likely help.
I have always been a fan of Gratton’s work, but my appreciation for her craft and the intentionality of her writing has been taken to a new level after my reading of The Strange Maid. I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series brings, and I will definitely be recommending this title to my friends and older students alike.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy. -
I love Gratton's United States of Asgard books. Because I have to read so much for the Campbell Memorial Award and student writing, her US of A books (
THE STRANGE MAID and book 1,
THE LOST SUN) are the first novels I've read for fun in months. And what a perfect pleasure these are!
THE STRANGE MAID kept me up until 3am - I had to finish it! It's exciting, beautifully written, wonderfully structured, and a real pleasure to read in all the ways both readers and writers enjoy books. It demonstrates how professional confidence, in-depth research, and deep understanding of a fictional world are everything in writing great spec-fic. Bravo!
This volume works just fine as a stand-alone; you don't have to read the first book to love the second. In fact, only one character (besides the gods) appears here from the first volume (and only as a secondary character), though I would recommend reading
THE LOST SUN, too, to fully immerse in this fantastic world - and because I loved it, as well.
If you like alternate history, Norse mythology and gods, trolls, Valkyries, YA fantasy, and the triumph of the human spirit, you'll love this book.
I'm really looking forward to Gratton's next work! -
4.5
I enjoyed "Lost Sun" well enough, and while I wasn't actively looking *forward* to the next book, I was keeping half an eye out for it. And I'm glad I did 'cause, wow!
At first I found "The Strange Maid" tough to get into: Signy is a complex character who embraces traits that can come off as pretty distasteful: death, madness, selfishness, and rage. When she is a child and her parents die she leaves her foster family to become a child of Odin and join the Valkyrie. Flash forward several years, where the story really starts, and Signy is wandering, half cast out of the Valkyrie and Odin's graces, pursuing a strange riddle.
On top of Signy's acquired-taste personality there's a big emphasis on poetry - that difficulty is more of a personal thing. Signy expresses herself through rune poetry and feels heavily linked to it, and ends up joining forces with a poet, so there's a lot of poetical play that was hard for me to follow. (I don't know, it never makes sense to me. Whatever.) It lightened up a little over time - or I got used to it - and eventually blended very nicely with the story, giving things a richer, more lyrical feel.
And Signy's darkness is fantastic. Yes, she's selfish, she's risking her life and those of her friends in a quest that's suicidal at best for - it often seems - all the wrong reasons. But she's so full of passion and conviction. I loved her as a heroine. And when she eventually runs into Soren (from "Lost Sun") their friendship makes me ridiculously happy. In general, Grafton avoids tired old tropes, cliches and Suffering of the Stupid and showcases complex, interesting characters who are strong and think for themselves in a very unique world.
I'm very much looking forward to whatever Tessa Gratton comes up with next (and I DO hope there's more to this series!). In the meantime, I believe I shall read me some Beowulf. -
The Norse gods are by far some of my favorites, so I was super excited to come across The United States of Asgard series. In my opinion, they Norse gods don't get used often enough in the Paranormal/Fantasy genre. It is a genre dominated by the Greek and Roman gods and it was really nice to take a break from that. Not that I don't love them either, I just love the Norse gods a little bit more.
Tessa Gratton did an amazing job writing a book that combined a captivating story with enough danger, twists and turns to keep you interested from the very beginning. The characters were extremely well developed, well written and extremely likeable. I thought the whole book was intriguing and I absolutely loved it.
Signy's character was fantastic. She was fierce, loyal, and everything a Valkyrie should be. I loved her quest to solve the riddle from Odin. She possessed a layer of depth that a lot of female leads lack in books. I think it was because at this point, she had nothing left to lose.
Then enters Ned the Spiritless. His character was great and it was obvious from the very beginning that something was off about what he was saying to her. Towards the end of the book we find out exactly what is going on and you can't help to feel but a little sorry for him.
The Beserkers were great! Vicious, uncontrollable, and highly excitable! I loved them the minute they entered this book. I was so glad they stayed until the end of the story. I really hope that in the next book (fingers crossed) I will see them again.
I fell in love with this world that Tessa Gratton wove in The Strange Maid. I need to go back and read the first book, that way if she writes more I will have all the background information! You can't lose with this series, it is a 5-star A+ winner in my book!
I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Originally Posted On Lizzie in Wonderland -
THE LOST SUN ended up being one of my favorite books last year. The romance, the loyalty, the world - it all combined to form a delicious reading experience. But I was not prepared for the sequel. THE STRANGE MAID starts before THE LOST SUN, and is the story of Signy Valborn, a disgraced Valkyrie who couldn't be more different from Soren. Soren longed to escape his violent destiny. Signy would like to bring back human sacrifice.
Signy is a delightfully unique heroine. She dances on the edge of madness and chaos, delights in battle and revenge, has sex with whoever she wants and doesn't apologize for it. Her story is likewise violent, sexy, and just a little crazy. Also, fitting for a story set in a US where the Viking gods are real and everyone still worships them, there is a strong vein of BEOWULF running through the plot.
I loved how much more of the world Gratton explores in THE STRANGE MAID. Soren shows up eventually, but he doesn't take over the story. Signy's story stretches over even more of the land, and she spends time integrating into more groups. For all that THE LOST SUN involved a road trip, it was more insular. THE STRANGE MAID also gives more insight into the berserkers, in addition to the Valkyrie. I'm not entirely sure where Gratton is going with this series, but she obviously has a plan. Clearly, I have no idea what might happen next, and I love it.
I think that I prefer THE LOST SUN to THE STRANGE MAID, but that's because I loved the central triangle of Soren, Astrid, and Baldur in THE LOST SUN so much. I think THE STRANGE MAID has stronger worldbuilding and a more sophisticated plot. It's a rich exploration of grief, revenge, entitlement, destiny, choice, and faith. Plus, like her critique partner Maggie Stiefvater, Gratton knows how to use her words. THE STRANGE MAID is a beautiful novel.
I cannot wait for book three. -
A few months ago, I finally read book 1 of Tessa Gratton’s United States of Asgard series, The Lost Sun. (Yeah, I don’t know what took so long either.) Liking it was a no-brainer; a Norse influenced United States, complete with berserkers, Odin, Thor, trolls, and everything else that makes Norse mythology fantastic. It was extremely well-written, and the characters are so likable that I find myself thinking of them when I’m reading other books.
Strange Maid is even better. I have to admit, it took me a second to warm up, but that’s because we were really getting to know Signy, the main character. I mean, really. After reading this book, I feel like she is someone I truly know, someone I know which book to buy for their birthday, what not to make her for dinner. The characters are fantastically developed, and Signy is the example. The plot is well paced, and doesn’t give itself away. And, I have to tell you...the feels smacked me in the face. The high point of the plot sang to my heart, and I wanted to simultaneously hug Tessa and yell at her for not warning me I’d hit an emotional high finishing this book. Exclamations of exultation over lunch whilst sitting in your cube provide for some odd looks. :)
Read this. I recommend it for anyone who likes alt history, fantasy or Norse mythology. -
As beautiful as it is ugly, The Strange Maid is a triumph of a story. Signy is a nuanced mess of a character, contrary and brave and foolish, young and smart and strong. The book took a moment to hit its stride, and sometimes the pacing of certain reveals was confusing, but those are rather minor quibbles. I love Gratton's world--she transforms Norse mythology and world history deftly--but the relationships were probably my favorite thing about this book. I loved the relationship between Signy and Soren--the commonalities, but also the ideological strife. And I loved Signy and Ned. I feel like I didn't quite absorb everything on the first read, but I'm sure I'll revisit this book again and again.
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I really enjoyed the story. It was difficult to put down. However, the romance was flat, and not believable. It seems to me, if someone betrayed you, caused most of your family to be murdered by trolls, you wouldn't just welcome them back, no matter what their story is. If the author had made it more of a tortured romance, she could have made it work. As is, it's just flat. I did like the twist with the Troll Mother.
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I am kind of disappointed with this book I expected it to be as good if not better than the first book. The first book was an interesting read this one not so much.I thought it was okay not I did not like it that much. The plot was slow and it was not that good. The main character was not one I could connect to very easily.
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If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱
Iron Druid Chronicles series
✱
Valkyrie series -
........ the cover was pretty, okay?
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4.5 - I loved this! Even better than the first one in this series. Signy is a wild cannonball and her pursuit of her destiny (and the romance and friendship that happens along the way) is absolutely compelling. More rtc.
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I found this one less compelling than the first book. will wait til I've read the rest of the series before I pass judgement on the whole. This feels like a puzzle piece and I can't yet see what it's making just yet.
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I remember this book being not my jam, but still solidly written and engaging, if highkey weird. I will probably never revisit it, so that's just going to have to suffice for now, unfortunately!
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good book. however, ive moved on from goodreads so go use storygraph lmao.
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A companion - and continuation - of The Lost Sun, the first book in The United States of Asgard series. Again we see how the familiar has been twisted into a culture based on Norse mythology rather than the one we have today in America.
While the narrator and many of the characters are new to this book, a few from the first book make appearances. I can't wait to read the conclusion of this trilogy! -
Review:
Protagonist: Signy Valborn is also known as the child Valkyrie. After the tragic death of her parents she wants vengeance and tries to take her anger out on the gods, climbing the New World Tree in the process of getting to them. On her way up the tree she meets Odin, king of the gods, and he offers her the title of Valkyrie of the Tree. However she doesn't quite meld very well with the other Valkyrie and one day after receiving a riddle from presumably Odin himself she leaves her Valkyrie sisters behind to try and solve it, leaving the world to believe she ran away. I loved Signy's strength of character and stubbornness. She reminded me a lot of some other kick ass heroine's I've read about and definitely ranks high among them. Of course Signy isn't perfect, she can be too stubborn at times, a bit selfish, and even paradoxical as it is, full of self doubt. But she grows as a character throughout this book and learns to way her good traits against her bad.
Romance: I have to say that I was really impressed with this romance. As odd as it sounds though it was both a slow burning one as well as one that came on too quick. What I mean by this is that this book jumps forward in times a bit and so while Signy seems to be falling for Ned pretty quickly it's really been like half a year which is totally acceptable to me. Another thing, I was so scared after reading the synopsis on the flap of the book that seemed to imply that Signy and Soren, our hero from the first installment, were going to have a bit of romance together, however this wasn't the case, Soren and Signy do become good friends, but Soren's heart will always belong to Astrid/Idun.
World-Building: Much like the first installment of this series revolved around the legend of Baldur as well as the legend of Idun a bit, this installment revolves around the epic tale of Beowulf as well as the birth of a troll race a bit. As I've said many times before, I'm not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to Norse myths and since mythology has so many variations it was great to learn more about Norse legends and epics as I was reading this story. Also, since I read the first book in this series it was a lot easier to grasp the United States of Asgard concept, though I did have a few moments when modern things such as jeans came up and I had to remind myself that this story does take place in modern day.
Predictability: I have to say I was really surprised by the twists in this book. Sure there were a few times when I knew what was going to happen, purely because of how stories are told and how certain story formulas go. That being said when I was shocked it was because I seriously didn't see anything like what happened coming. Also, unlike the last installment there weren't any problems that I thought could have been solved differently or there were no plot holes that needed to be filled.
Ending: So the ending was interesting, in a good way I mean. After the final confrontation which was full of all sorts of amazing action scenes, things begin to die down as this book wraps up, but not before a certain trouble making goddess seems to stick her nose in where it doesn't belong. While this book doesn't quite end with a cliffhanger because as I was told by a Random House Publicist this series will have four companion novels that will tie altogether in one final installment, this book does leave a bit of an ominous haze on the future of our current protagonist leaving me excited to begin the next installment... that doesn't even have a name, cover, or release date yet...
Rating:
I LOVED this book. It had and expanded upon everything I loved about the first installment but was so much better, and the first installment was fantastic as well, so yeah. If you love mythology, or even more specifically Norse Mythology I would highly recommend this series. -
Thoughts on the Overall Book: I really enjoyed The Lost Sun so I was excited to start the new book in the United States of Asgard Trilogy and I was not disappointed. I actually might have even liked this one more than the first, but I'd have to re-read them both to say for certain.
Cover--Yea or Nay: I like the overall concept, but the girl is not how I pictured Signey. It's shiny though ;)
Characters: Signey Valborn is probably one of the few Valkyrie characters I have really liked. Mainly because no one seems to be able to get traditional valkyries but it was refreshing to read about a traditional valkyrie character as in, not one who hates men just for the sake of them being men, and all that rubbish. She was a strong female character with an actually enjoyable character to read about. She didn't have the Attitude, and she was willing to work with other people and accepted that she needed help and actually welcomed it. Overall, I really liked her and I felt for her journey. I really liked Ned Unferth as well. He's that kind of quite, mysterious character that I always enjoy, and I'm not going to give away spoilers, but I loved his story and who he turns out to be. Very clever! I also really liked getting to see Soren again and Baldur and a few of the other characters from Book One. I also really loved the berserker band that Signey gets in with. They were awesome, and I loved how she kind of became 'one of the guys' with them and how they treated her as a comrade in arms. Redstripe the troll was also adorable.
The Romance: There really isn't a lot in the way of romance. Signey does obviously feel something for Ned. If there was any more of what there was, it probably would have annoyed me, but because of what happens in the story, it's bearable.
Writing Style: I love Tessa Gratton's writing style. The whole world she has created is amazing here. I love Urban fantasy that pulls from mythology. I actually think we got to see more of the world in this book than the first one which might be part of the reason I like this one a fraction better. I just loved to see how the old Norse traditions fit into modern day America. My favorite thing might be the troll watching at the Mjolnir Institute. That was awesome. But apart from just the world building, the story-line itself is amazing. The whole correlation to Beowulf was awesome. It's one of my favorite epic stories so I always love seeing a nod to it, and the way Tessa Gratton incorporated it into the story was wonderful. I'm not going to say any particulars, because I don't want to spoil anything, but it's cool. A lot of bits of this story actually feel like they're written in epic or saga style and I loved that about it too. The first one had a little bit of that, but not nearly as much as this one did. It fit the story better overall, I think.
Accuracy/ Believability: Not really applicable, but as far as the Norse myth goes, it's very accurate or formed in a way that it's a nod to the original stories, but fit to the modern era. Tessa Gratton definitely knows her stuff.
Problems/What bothered me: Not really any particular thing. I could have done without the mooning Signey does after Ned and her random fling with one of the berserkers, but it's nothing too bad I guess. As far as content warning, there is an almost? sex scene in chapter 27, but it doesn't last too long.
Conclusion: 4 stars. I have really enjoyed this series so far, and I hope Tessa Gratton continues it. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Recommended Audience: If you liked the first one, definitely check this out. And if you haven't read them and love Norse Mythology, you must try these, you won't be disappointed. This one seemed more a girl read than a guy read, 17 and up. -
Featured in
"Reading on a Theme: Mythologies in the Modern World" on
Intellectual Recreation.
I went into
The Strange Maid knowing that I probably wouldn't love it as much as I loved the first book in the series
The Lost Sun, which I loved with an almost inexplicable fervor, and I was okay with that.
Tessa Gratton's newest book in
The United States of Asgard series follows Signy Valborn. Signy was chosen by Odin the Alfather himself to be a Valkyrie when she was a child. Now grown, she must prove herself before she can take her place on the Valkyrie counsel by solving a riddle. Its answer eludes her.
The Strange Maid begins before the events of
The Lost Sun and eventually reaches beyond the Baldur's return. It answers a plot point that was never really resolved in The Lost Sun: what of all the trolls that attacked while Baldur was missing? Signy's riddle is the answer to this question. She and a motley band, including a poet, Soren Bearskin, and several Berserkers, seek the answer to her riddle by stopping the troll attacks.
When reading a series, it's hard when the second introduces a new main character when you loved the characters in the first so much. I was immensely glad when Soren finally showed up on the scene. I like Signy too, but she is, in many ways, the opposite of Soren. She embraces Odin's madness and has a violent streak to her. She is ambitious and eager to bring back the old ways.
The writing itself is beautiful, and I love how Tessa Gratton combines the poetry and myth of old with a modern society. I love how the past and the present are connected in this story. The tale of Beowulf and those of the ancient Valkyrie resonant and are mirrored in the modern setting. It's a really lovely construction. I'll definitely continue reading this series.
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More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog
http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
The Strange Maid is the perfect bookend to The Lost Sun: contrasting the tight control of the first book's main character against the wild uncontrolled passion of the second book's protagonist. Author Gratton doesn't rest on her laurels here, resisting putting different characters in the same setting; instead, she builds the mythos of the United States of Asgaard even further. In the process, the worldbuilding is even richer, more thought provoking, and that much more realistic.
In tragedy, Signy is reborn through Odin's kiss as a valkyrie - one of only a handful in the world and the first in a hundred years. But her passionate, impulsive nature leads her to an action that causes her to be rejected from the Valkyrie home. Left with only a riddle as a clue on how to reclaim her valkyrie seat, Signy will meet up a mysterious poet warrior named Ned and discover a mission that might solve the riddle: to kill a mother troll for her heart. But in seeking the troll, Signy will learn much about the valkyries, the truth of the epic poem Beowulf, and most importantly, about her own impulsive nature.
Strange Maid transitions smoothly from The Lost Sun, adding to the world and mythos. Although half the book takes place before Baldur not rising in book one, that event sets off a key chain of events in the second book. As well, Soren Bearstar appears fairly briefly in the book, mostly at the end. As such, Strange Maid isn't a continuation of Lost Sun until the end. The book is fully about Signy and her trials as she tries to complete her quest.
I really appreciate how both books are opposites of the same coin: Soren's story of control and restraint contrasting against Signy's passionate embracing of life. But ultimately both books are about sacrifice. Indeed, the sacrifice theme runes strongly through the second book, triggering Signy's evolution to a Valkyrie continuing on to actual animal sacrifice, and what she sacrifices at the end to complete her riddle.
While Soren's story was about berserkers, Signy's is about the Valkyries, and more specifically the Beowulf mythology. Gratton gives both an interesting and intriguing spin, allowing that poets take license and the truth is often murky and unglamorous. But both mythologies are seamlessly translated into the modern USA. It's truly fascinating to see how Viking/Nord mythology is not only translated but then updated to modern settings. From New Orleans to "Vertmont" and Montreal, it all makes sense.
The writing here is, as with the previous book, beautiful. Never falling into a purple pose trap, never getting lost in the details of the world she has built, Gratton's words are as harsh or as poetic as the situations warrant. The action scenes (battling trolls) are riveting and some of the best fantasy type battles I've read. The reader really believes in the valor and the warrior spirit of the protagonists.
I greatly enjoyed reading the Strange Maid. There really is nothing like this out there - great writing, unique and distinct Nord-inspired world, and character who are very grounded and serious. I look forward to more books in the series.
Reviewed from an ARC. -
After immersing myself into Tessa Gratton's imaginative world in The Lost Sun, I was looking forward to jumping into book two. I figured I'd be entertained and get lost in the beautiful writing. What actually ended up happening was way more than that. I ended up absolutely LOVING this book. I enjoyed the first book without a doubt, but this sequel just blew me away.
The Strange Maid is told from the POV of a girl named Signy, and I am such a fan of this chick. She's strong, she's smart, and she had this pleasant confidence about her. She knew what was up. And I felt like I identified with her in a way. The world created in this series is so amazing, and I connected to it through Signy in a way that made it feel tangible to me. Then there's also the fact that Signy also carried some kickass skills around with her. She was definitely an admirable MC.
I absolutely positively loved the relationships in this book, both romantically and friendly. Ned Unferth. Oh, Ned Unferth. How I love thee. I loved the way he spoke in riddles, though Signy got irritated with it from time to time. I loved the way he carried himself, and I loved the way he just made things okay, in his own way. He was so great. And then there are all of Signy's friends. Sharkman and Thebes and Darius, how they care for her. How they fight with her, for her. Oh, and Rathi! I love those guys just as much as I love Ned. (Which is a lot, in case I haven't mentioned that.)
Soren is in this one, too. He's another one of those friends Signy has which I adore. I was so happy to see him in this book, and to see his story entangle with hers. The Lost Sun was such a ride for him, and seeing him now, thorough someone else's eyes was fantastic. He's such a wonderful person, a protective and caring friend. I'd already liked him bunches from book one, but now I'm pretty sure I have a strong, legit crush on this guy. I heart me some Soren, y'all!
Same as in the first book, the writing in this book was magical. I got pulled right back into this world as if I never left. Pairing that with the compelling voice of Signy, and this book had me on a reading binge for hours. I read this whole thing in one day because I just couldn't stop. I was so emotionally attached to this story and these characters, and I HAD to find out how it all turned out. Even more than I was with book one, I felt so invested in this novel, and I FEEL it in my heart and it's so beautiful. I don't even feel like beautiful is a strong enough word, but it'll have to do because I can't think of one better. Just...LOVE.
Overall, I fell in love with The Strange Maid. With elegant writing that makes me believe in this alternate reality, and characters that make me feel and ache and love, Tessa Gratton has completely entranced me with this story, and this series. I can't wait for next summer when book three releases, because I will without a doubt be picking it up and, very likely, falling in love.
This review was originally posted on
Bookish, and you can find more from me there!
You can also find more from me on my blog:
Stuck in Books -
"In a week and a half I'll be seventeen. It's a decade since I climbed the New World Tree, since Odin Alfather, god of the hanged, named me the next Valkyrie of the Tree, and still I have not won my place on the Valkyrie council."
Signy Valborn dedicated herself to Odin when she was seven years old. She was told one day she would join Odin's Valkyrie council and fill the long vacant place of the Valkyrie of the Tree. That was before she read the riddle. Before she left her Death Hall and her sister Valkyrie behind.
The Valkyrie of the Tree will prove herself with a stone heart. Signy knows that is her riddle. But after traveling far and wide through New Asgard for years, she is no closer to finding an answer.
Until a mysterious troll hunter named Ned Unferth appears with a proposal. Ned speaks in riddles as well as ancient poetry and truths that feel more like lies. But he promises Signy that a greater mountain troll holds the answer to her riddle and offers to train Signy to hunt them. Signy has never been so close to her future and has little choice but to accept Ned's help.
Their winding journey will take Signy to the wilds of Canadia and beyond. Along the way she will cross paths with a lone berserker named Soren Bearstar, a monstrous troll mother, and the truth behind the destiny she was promised so long ago in The Strange Maid (2014) by Tessa Gratton.
The Strange Maid is the second book in Gratton's Songs of New Asgard (United States of Asgard) series. It is preceded by The Lost Sun. Both books function very well as stand-alone titles however, because of timeline and character overlap, The Strange Maid does include some spoilers for The Lost Sun if you choose to read the books out of order.
Gratton once again delivers a perfect blend of myth and fantasy in this engrossing tale. Signy is a sharp, wild narrator with strong opinions and a vibrant love of poetry that comes through in every word of her frank narration. Ned, Signy's mysterious companion for much of the novel, is a perfect foil as Signy is forced again and again to re-evaluate what she knows (or thinks she knows) about her chosen path.
The Strange Maid is a vivid story about the power of choice as well as an ode to the strength of well-chosen friendships. References to Beowulf and other Norse tales will bring these older myths to life for new readers.
Ideas of causality as well as free will are also artfully explored in this remarkable second book in a trilogy that promises even greater things to come.
Possible Pairings: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, The Curiosities by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley, Clariel by Garth Nix, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Beowulf -
This review was originally published on Narrative Investigations and concerns the audio book edition
I feel as though The Lost Sun was a stronger book than this one since I was left feeling a little disappointed as I finished this book. Lost Sun had the advantage of being the first book in a series so it was able to not only set up an on-going mystery but to also tell a stand-alone story focusing on Soren which didn't quite happen here. In some ways Strange Maid is also a stand alone story since the main part of it is about Signy's Beowulf-esque hero's journey but the story is hampered by the fact that it has to wait for Baldur to vanish and reappear before the plot can truly get rolling which I believe was around the half-way point. I'm a bit worried about the overarching story that's emerging for the series, involving Freya's manipulations of fate, since it's not very compelling so far since it's rather confusing. We still have no idea why she's doing moving these characters around and I can't even find out how long this series is so it could be a long time before that finally makes itself clear (I do expect the answer to be "Ragnarok" but that alone isn't a motivation). While it worked well with the first book, here it just seemed to hamper the flow of the book and made Signy's journey seem oddly, not realistically, paced. I will admit that the fact that I remember next to nothing about Beowulf did not help me here, thank goodness for characters who explicitly point out their strange similarities, but while I didn't dislike this book I did walk away from it feeling like it could have been done better.
And, despite how much I enjoy listening to audio books, I feel as if I don't appreciate the world-building and other small details as much. I remember really liking the cultural differences between our world and the United States of Asgard in the first book but here I almost didn't notice them or felt like they were making the book take too long (the audio book version is 10-12 hours). I did like this book as an audio book, Holloway had a nice voice which seemed to work well for Signy but I did feel like she overused an inauthentic-sounding Southern accent for some of the characters and did struggle to tell some of them apart in the later part of the book when there were simply tons of characters being constantly introduced.
It's a little hard to tell but it looks like the next book in the series is out already (Gratton's own site doesn't mention it or how many books this series is contracted for) and that there's a collection of short stories with some connecting characters I should probably pick up first so I plan to get to those as soon as my library gets them. In the meantime, if anyone here is a fan of this book I will also recommend The Story of Owen and vice versa, both of them take a decidedly old-fashioned approach to troll and dragon hunting and the importance of bards when doing so. -
Me: Idk about
The Lost Sun. It was boring as fuck and I bet the sequel is as well, or worse.
Me, after reading this one: I WOULD WALK ON A THOUSAND FIRES FOR SIGNY VALBORN !!
But honestly, what a goddamned good book, what an upgrade from the snoozefest that was the first book. If Tessa Gratton had started the United States of Asgard with this one then I would had more faith in the trilogy. The Strange Maid is about Signy Valborn's quest to prove herself as the new member of the Council of Valkyrie (yes, those Valkyrie) bringing a stone heart as a riddle said just before her getting accepted. Signy with the help of a mysterious poet find it is a mother troll's heart she must bring to the council (and to Odin by extension).
The whole book it's about Signy's quest and about redefining herself and learning what it is that she wants to do as Valkyrie in a world where they are just spokespersons to the Alfather and not the warriors of old (which is what Signy wants, madness, death and blood). What I liked most specially about it is that the author doesn't shy away from subjects you don't see in YA like the rawness and dirtiness of death, or having the protagonist have sex just because she wants with more than her love interest. I also loved than the first book is all about Soren hates having the berseker madness in him, and like, Signy in this one makes friends with a pack of berserker who are nothing but proud og having it because it is also Odin's madness in them. If book #1 was about denying fate and oneself, then book #2 it's all about accepting it. Signy and the bersekers all love what they are and she it's very decided on meet her destiny head on.
Speaking about destiny, the fact that the story of Beowulf was so present and then at the end the parallels to Signy and the Troll Mother makes itself very obvious (both to each other and to Beowulf... having to become the monster to hunt it was very A++) and it was really, really amazing and a lesson on following destiny but also having free will to know what's right (unlike book #1). Signy was an amazing protagonist: passionate, a little mad, compassionate, daring, angry... a much better rounded protagonist than Soren and Astrid in the last book, tbh. The writing as always was v. good and I loved Glory aka Fenris Wolf's cameo (will I ever stop screaming at this? I!! don't!! think!! so!!).
Anyway, I wouldn't recommend The Lost Sun normally but now I would a thousand times over if it means reading The Strange Maid after, so, get on with it!! -
Signy Valborn was seven years old when she climbed the New World Tree and met Odin Alfather, who declared that if she could solve a single riddle, he would make her one of his Valkyrie. For ten years Signy has trained in the arts of war, politics, and leadership, never dreaming that a Greater Mountain Troll might hold the answer to the riddle, but that's exactly what Ned the Spiritless promises her. A mysterious troll hunter who talks in riddles and ancient poetry, Ned is a hard man to trust. Unfortunately, Signy is running out of time, and she and Ned take off across the ice sheets of Canadia to claim Signy's destiny.
The Strange Maid is an epic journey if there ever was one, a journey through destiny and fate, through riddles and dreams. The journey of one girl racing toward a battle that could change everything.
Signy searches for an answer to a riddle she can't solve on her own, a riddle that speak of her destiny. There is no part of her that doesn't not want to be a Valkyrie, but like a Valkyrie of old. A warrior, one of power and strength, of doing battle against enemies. But that's not what a Valkyrie does anymore, not so much, and it seems to bother her. There is a core of strength and fire that runs through Signy, and it felt more and more that not being like a Valkyrie of old, a death maiden, a strange maid, would be wrong.
I find Ned to be rather interesting. Like Signy, I'm curious about him. Where he comes from, what his secrets are. Why he seems to speak the truth but in riddles. It's also interesting thinking about what's said as truth, what Signy believes to be true, and what Signy knows is true. How trust works, how we decide who to trust for different reasons.
I love the world-building, the alternate Norse mythology-centric world, the gods and goddesses, the epic tales of heroes and monsters. This felt different than the previous book. Deeper into the mythology, darker. The thrill of battle and revenge, the purpose behind a sacrifice, the mournful wails and knife-sharp pain of death. The allusions to Beowulf and the epic feel of Signy's journey.
Gratton's writing is filled with story and description, nothing unnecessary given and nothing important left behind. I would recommend reading The Lost Sun before this, though, the two are connected in some ways. Even though the book takes place over the course of some months, it felt like no time had passed from beginning to end. When I reached the last page, I wished it wouldn't end, that the journey would continue. That I could read more about Signy Valborn, the strange maid. -
Review Posted on Reading Lark 5/9/14:
http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2014/...
Tessa Gratton is one of my favorite YA writers and I have been craving this novel since I finished the first one. The combination of Norse mythology in an alternate contemporary society is highly addicting reading material. The amount of creativity that has gone into creating this universe awes me.
The Strange Maid and its predecessor are reminiscent of the Greek epics. Each story focuses on the journey of a hero or heroine. The character faces numerous trials. I also like that Gratton does not sugar coat things. Characters die, hearts are broken, and tragedy occurs. Life isn't all about pleasantries and happy endings - neither is mythology.
I enjoyed the Valkyrie lore in this one and Signy's journey to solve her riddle. Signy was an interesting character who I immediately liked. She is a girl who knows what she wants, honors tradition, and is fiercely loyal. I also liked that she isn't a perfect person. Signy has flaws and she makes mistakes. She allows her temper to guide her actions. It's nice to see someone more realistic from time to time instead of the polished perfection of some YA leading ladies. Signy is rough around the edges and certainly someone I would want on my side in a fight.
In addition to Signy, it was nice to see Soren again. I loved him in The Lost Sun. He is still the same troubled guy, but he has matured a bit. The beginning of this novel happens during the same time that Soren is on his adventure, but about midway through his path intersects with Signy's. Watching these two hunt together is a thing of beauty.
The plot of this one was intriguing, but there were some moments that felt slower than others. The beginning of the novel had some slow patches, but things start to pick up around the 40% mark. I was interested to see how the riddle would work out.
One thing that makes this novel stand out is that it isn't written like other YA novels. Gratton does not sacrifice writing quality simply because her main characters are teens. I love when writers tell an amazing story with superb writing and don't restrict themselves to telling a story based on the age of the characters. Novels like this one stretch the imagination and provide more complex literary elements.
One Last Gripe: My biggest complaint was the slower patches.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: I love Gratton's take on Norse Mythology.
First Sentence: I was born under a frenzied star, so our poets would say.
Favorite Character: Soren
Least Favorite Character: The Troll Mother
