The Reluctant Queen: Valkyrie: An Ascension Novel (Ascension of the Nine Realms Book 1) by Melissa A. Craven

The Reluctant Queen: Valkyrie: An Ascension Novel (Ascension of the Nine Realms Book 1) Reviews

• 
  Jessica

  Alithea Ahlstrom is Queen heir of the Valkyries, but she's always thought she was more suited to be a warrior than a queen. When Thea is 16 it's time to officially proclaim her Queen heir and present her future husband. In a desperate attempt to escape her destiny Thea flees to the human realm, convinced that her sister Sylvi will take over as heir. For three years she evades the bounty hunters trying to take her back home, but eventually she gets cornered. Thea is chocked to realize that her family live as prisoners, at the mercy of an heir nobody saw coming. Now she has to do the very thing she wanted to escape - step up as Queen heir in order to save her family and her people from war and terror.
  
  I've read several other books by this author, but they've been with a co-author. This is the first book I've read where Melissa A Craven writes on her own. Clearly it doesn't matter, I seem to love everything she writes!
  
  Here we get presented with a world of nine realms, based on Asgard and Norse mythology. It's post-Ragnarok, when the gods are gone and the Valkyries rule. Besides Valkyries we meet druids, berserkers, warders, giants - and even a dragon! If that's not enough to persuade you to pick this up how about a feisty heroine, several other characters you can't help but adore, an enemies-to-lovers trope, lots of plot twists and surprises, and a world you don't want to leave! Highly recommended!
  
  * I received an ARC from the author via Booksprout and I'm giving my honest review. *
• 
  Krista Dallas

  I really enjoyed this book. I loved the imagery and how easy it was for my imagination to see what Melissa was describing. It had a great pace, and I think it would be a good introduction to fantasy and world building, if that has never been something you’ve gotten into.
  
  Unfortunately for me, I’m a fantasy junkie. So while I enjoyed this book and the world she is creating with this series, it lacked the grab for me. I am, however, still glad I was able to read this, and I would recommend it to anyone just getting into the fantasy world.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Sarah

  This was an entertaining read, and an interesting tale on Norse mythology, but I did feel that the characters all needed a little more time for me to believe their motivations. The story moved fast and was entertaining, but the character and world building depth fell short for me.
• 
  Leah

  Yeah, well, it didn't go as I expected AT ALL. I walked myself into corners so many times with this story that it's ridiculous. Every time I thought we were going in one direction, the story took a turn I didn't see coming and left me confused. First, I missed the memo that it has an Urban Fantasy streak, then I felt like Thea had more chemistry with Ben and even Fiske than Druan. Then the big reveal happened about Ben and I just couldn't take it any more.
  
  You see, it's not a bad book but everything felt a little meeh. The battles were bland to the point I completely missed them in a blink, the relationships were confusing (is it a love triangle, a quadruple? enemies-to-lovers? or romance shouldn't be an active part of the story? who knows, not me.) If it's supposed to be YA, I guess it's fine because the characters (and hence the story itself) are very immature.
  
  I wish I could have connected with it on a deeper level because it really did have the potential, but potentials and the actual products are not always on the same page.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Lene Blackthorn

  Thea was raised as the future heir to the Valkyrie throne, bound by many traditions and senseless rules. Tired of being overlooked and dismissed, she takes the only path she sees as a solution - fleeing to the human world. But even there, she is hunted and forced to frequently change locations. Yet her past inevitably reaches her, and Thea needs to return to right her mistakes and take her rightful spot - and save her people from war and enslavement. However, after her time spent away, would she be accepted back the way she is?
  The first book in the Nine Realms series introduces an enchanting world full of wonders and mythological references, fantastic creatures like berserkers and valkyries, and great magic. Also the main characters are very complex, with lots of development potential, and they are growing in front of the reader's eyes. The story develops fast and flows naturally, and the book is a great reading experience.
• 
  TXBRITGAL

  Destiny, family, determination.... EPIC!!!
  
  I've long been a fan of Norse mythology, and especially that of the Valkyrie. This beautifully written gem combines many elements of the Norse myths and weaves a unique and exciting story with one heckuva young female MC!! Get ready for all kinds of twists and turns, shocking reveals, action galore, wit and snark, a plethora of AWESOME women characters, and some pretty amazing males along the journey. The introduction to this new world and cast of characters was such fun! It expertly introduced the reader to the realm without overdoing it, yet left us wanting so much more. I can't wait to see what's next in this exciting series!!! I have a feeling this journey has a few more bends in the road ahead as it were ;) .....go ahead and treat yourself, you won't regret it!
• 
  Arabella Auberon

  I have a love for mythology, especially Norse mythology, and this book exceeded my expectations. I love that it moves beyond Ragnarök, and takes place in the world of the Valkyries and the other descendants within the 9 realms.
  
  I don’t just love this book because of its association with mythology, I love this book because it is so well written I fell in love with the characters and became an observer and not just a reader. That is an incredibly difficult thing to do as a writer and I can not give enough praise for that feat alone!
  
  I also truly appreciate that it is one story, on its own, but will still be connected to the other future stories in this series, due to the overarching plot point of Ascension to the thrones of the 9 realms.
  I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!.
  
  I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Emily Pennington

  Making Things Right . . .
  
  Alithea is next in line for the Valkyrie throne, but her talents lie in battle and not politics. She is convinced her sister would be a better choice for heir. Also having a husband chosen for her by the council is not a compelling reason to stick around. So Alithea instead rejects her destiny and runs to the human realm to hide.
  
  Meeting Ben, also a Valkyrie, they become friends. Finding out that her cousin had usurped the throne instead and her people are suffering, Alithea is forced to return to the kingdom and make things right. With Ben by her side, can she successfully overthrow the vicious usurper and free those she loves who have been trapped? Is she willing to take her rightful seat as the High Queen of the Nine Realms?
  
• 
  thebooksuccubus

  Fast paced, action packed, Norse Mythology fantasy! I love Norse Mythology so this was a must for me and Melissa did not disappoint. Thea is all that I could ask for in a Valkyrie and so much more. She is strong, stubborn, battle fierce, but with just the right amount of heart and love. Thea must fight for not only the ones closest to her but the people she left behind when she ran away from her crown. When she arrives back it not only what has changed since she left but secrets from decades passed that put this all into motion. It is time that she must take back what it her and bring about a new future. Absolutely adored Ben, if you don't have a friend like him I am truly sorry.
• 
  Sue Wallace

  The Reluctant Queen: Valkyrie by Melissa A. Craven.
  Book 1 of Ascension of the Nine Realms
  Heir to the Valkyrie throne, Alithea belives she is better suited to the battlefield than the throne room.
  On the eve of her betrothal ceremony where she will finally meet the young man the queen's council has chosen for her--the man raised to serve her every need--Alithea makes a desperate decision that will change her life forever. Rejecting her birthright, she flees across the broken bridge to the human realm where she must hide her true Valkyrie nature.
  A good read with good characters. Likeable story. I loved the cover though. 4*.
  
  
• 
  Saundra Wright

  We all have responsibilities; things others expect from us. But what if that responsibility was to rule a kingdom? Would you feel adequate to such a challenge?
   
  Thea has been raised and trained to be queen but has never felt right for the role. Her sister would be a much better ruler. Despite her protests, no one listens. In desperation she flees to the human realm.
   
  Can she make a life for herself there? Especially when she must continually move to stay ahead of the bounty hunters send to retrieve her. And what of the realm she left behind? Have the valkyrie prospered?
   
  Great new epic adventure!
• 
  Whitney

  Original and gripping. Draws you I. From the first page and keeps you hooked until the last page. I need to know what happens to this cast of characters. 10/10. Great world building and great plot and character progression.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Kat M

  i really enjoyed this valkyrie based novel, it took the Norse mythology elements and added to it. This was a really well done story and I was hooked from beginning to end.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Shannon

  Good book with well thought out, co pled characters who have believable motives and personalities. The setting is detailed and rich in lore and the story moves at a nice pace to keep you interested.
• 
  Pat

  She didn’t want to be queen but in the end she had no choice. She needed to protect her people and the ones she loves. Fantastic read throughout
• 
  Allison ☾

  I had fun reading this. I love Norse myth as well as Valkyries.
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  Intriga WH

  A story about a Norse myth. The author did an interesting spin of this tale. I love the action and adventure aspect in this story. I enjoyed reading about the main character, I love a strong female character. Looking forward to the next story.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.