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Valkyrie #1
Dead Radiance
Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow on the people around her. And she knows all too well what psychiatrists do to people who claim impossible powers. She's always stayed below the radar, but when she discovers the meaning of the beautiful auras, she's not sure why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead and be unable to do anything about it.
But Bryn is on the brink of the unbelievable truth - she is a creature from myth. Valkyrie- a warrior maiden of the God Odin. And a Collector of Souls.
Aidan Lee just can't do what he's told. Visiting Craven was not supposed to be a time to fall in love. He's just helpless when faced with the beautiful Brynhildr, but there is more to the biker dude that either Bryn or Aidan himself knows.
Can their fledgling love survive the secrets and intrigue, the reality of Odin's realm of Asgard, the pressures of being a warrior of the gods,
But Bryn lucks out when the Trickster god Loki sets his sights on her. Can Bryn hold her own against the charmingly manipulative god long enough to discover what Loki is really planning?
But Bryn is on the brink of the unbelievable truth - she is a creature from myth. Valkyrie- a warrior maiden of the God Odin. And a Collector of Souls.
Aidan Lee just can't do what he's told. Visiting Craven was not supposed to be a time to fall in love. He's just helpless when faced with the beautiful Brynhildr, but there is more to the biker dude that either Bryn or Aidan himself knows.
Can their fledgling love survive the secrets and intrigue, the reality of Odin's realm of Asgard, the pressures of being a warrior of the gods,
But Bryn lucks out when the Trickster god Loki sets his sights on her. Can Bryn hold her own against the charmingly manipulative god long enough to discover what Loki is really planning?
354 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2012
391 people are currently reading
4742 people want to read
About the author
Tee Ayer
134 books593 followersI have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes...
My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands - I shall forever remain crosseyed.
I love talking to my readers so email me if you have any questions or even if you just want to chat...
Email: teeayerauthor@gmail.com
Keep up to date with news, release dates and giveaways by subscribing to the newsletter HERE
My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands - I shall forever remain crosseyed.
I love talking to my readers so email me if you have any questions or even if you just want to chat...
Email: teeayerauthor@gmail.com
Keep up to date with news, release dates and giveaways by subscribing to the newsletter HERE
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
September 10, 2016
Read August 23,2015
After being placed in foster care after her father's death, Bryn begins to discover something about herself. She sees people's auras before they die. She starts to believe that she has some type of curse until the new foster kid, Aidan. He shows affections to Bryn and then disappears but leaves behind book that suggests Bryn might be a valkyrie. That's when things change for her and the journey begins. This was a very good book and I can't wait to continue this series.
Re-Read Sept.2016
I'm glad that I re-read this. It was a good refresher so I can continue with the the next book with a fresh start.
After being placed in foster care after her father's death, Bryn begins to discover something about herself. She sees people's auras before they die. She starts to believe that she has some type of curse until the new foster kid, Aidan. He shows affections to Bryn and then disappears but leaves behind book that suggests Bryn might be a valkyrie. That's when things change for her and the journey begins. This was a very good book and I can't wait to continue this series.
Re-Read Sept.2016
I'm glad that I re-read this. It was a good refresher so I can continue with the the next book with a fresh start.
July 17, 2012
This is the first in a series and it's also the first book written by T.G. Ayer. [Full disclosure - T.G. is a friend of mine] I really liked the premise for the story - the Norse mythology is a fun new aspect for me as I haven't read any other YA books with Valkyries in them. Of course, it's not new to the sf/fantasy world - Thor & the Avengers anyone? :) The characters were likable and there were some nice touches of humor and description. There was a little too much world building at times and it slowed the pace, and sometimes the plot just sped up and skipped certain things that I would have liked to see played out - for example Aiden's family and background - what happens to him in the story is a really big deal . The ending was rushed (like most books I've reviewed here :) and a bit...hard to believe. However I see lots of potential and talent in these pages.
March 20, 2012
After reading the first chapters online I had high hopes for a great book, and Dead Radiance did not disappoint.
I can quite happily report that I thoroughly and enthusiastically LOVED this book.
I LOVED the story.
Norse mythology threaded into an intricately woven teenage tale of loss and hardship, mystery and intrigue, first love, deceit, self discovery and more.
I LOVED the characters.
Bryn is a typically normal kid dealing with the heavy burden of being in the foster system and never quite fitting in anywhere, while struggling with a strange and haunting ‘gift’.
Her quiet and soft nature at odds with the realisation of what she is to become, Bryn is both challenged and tormented by that new life.
Aidan is cute bad boy, come geek, come secret agent, come saviour, come love interest, come everything!
He is secretive and intriguing and has strong and confusing feelings for our heroine that will ultimately lead to his possible demise.
The secondary characters also, are interesting and diverse, with a couple of complete little biarches you’ll want to slap a time or two thrown into the mix.
And lets not forget the Norse Gods.
Some I think you will love and want to learn more about, others, well with their holier than thou attitudes we'll lump them in with the biarches!!
I LOVED the writing.
The story flows smoothly and effortlessly from the page.
It is clear and concise without unnecessary fillers and overly detailed sentences that do nothing more than fill the word count.
T.G. Ayer has written this book in a real and believable teenage voice that I literally could not put down.
After dropping my three girls off at school I sat down with coffee and snacks at hand, and except for toilet breaks and an unexpected storm front closing my daughter’s school early, I did not move until I was finished.
Dead Radiance had me completely engrossed, I lost myself amongst its pages and I was enraptured with Bryn and her story.
A beautifully written and endearing tale, Dead Radiance is a definite 5 Star read ~<;]
I can quite happily report that I thoroughly and enthusiastically LOVED this book.
I LOVED the story.
Norse mythology threaded into an intricately woven teenage tale of loss and hardship, mystery and intrigue, first love, deceit, self discovery and more.
I LOVED the characters.
Bryn is a typically normal kid dealing with the heavy burden of being in the foster system and never quite fitting in anywhere, while struggling with a strange and haunting ‘gift’.
Her quiet and soft nature at odds with the realisation of what she is to become, Bryn is both challenged and tormented by that new life.
Aidan is cute bad boy, come geek, come secret agent, come saviour, come love interest, come everything!
He is secretive and intriguing and has strong and confusing feelings for our heroine that will ultimately lead to his possible demise.
The secondary characters also, are interesting and diverse, with a couple of complete little biarches you’ll want to slap a time or two thrown into the mix.
And lets not forget the Norse Gods.
Some I think you will love and want to learn more about, others, well with their holier than thou attitudes we'll lump them in with the biarches!!
I LOVED the writing.
The story flows smoothly and effortlessly from the page.
It is clear and concise without unnecessary fillers and overly detailed sentences that do nothing more than fill the word count.
T.G. Ayer has written this book in a real and believable teenage voice that I literally could not put down.
After dropping my three girls off at school I sat down with coffee and snacks at hand, and except for toilet breaks and an unexpected storm front closing my daughter’s school early, I did not move until I was finished.
Dead Radiance had me completely engrossed, I lost myself amongst its pages and I was enraptured with Bryn and her story.
A beautifully written and endearing tale, Dead Radiance is a definite 5 Star read ~<;]
April 13, 2012
Eh, another book I had a hard time getting into - really, really not for guys, though there's some cool mythology and with some creative editing here and there, deleting a lot of the first third of the book and then a few paragraphs every chapter or so in the second third, I might actually have really liked it. As it is, this book kind of suffers from somewhat overwritten, angsty prose (the prologue and first chapter are really bad offenders) and a cliched start (plus the Aidan character), though after the bad first third the plot does get better ... and more interesting.
Still, it's not what I was expecting from a book about Valkyries, I guess I expected there'd be more fighting and action and there really isn't any until the last third. Before that, the writing makes Bryn seem really mopey and down all the time, alot of talk about death, so she ended up really annoying me - at least until she got out of dodge. I liked her a lot better after that, when she stopped being so morbidly depressing and actually loosened up abit. I think all of her good quotes come in the final third when she's finally written with some spunk.
The mythology (sort of) impressed me. From a lot of the details and descriptions, I think it's pretty clear that Ayer did more than just copy and repeat the basic Wikipedia entries about the Norse gods (as some authors are wont to do, not naming names). I wanted to see more though, the first third was really overwritten and I was kind of disappointed that the second third in Asgard felt in comparison underwritten; I guess all the fancy writing was used up on the funeral at the beginning so going through Odin's palace didn't feel as epic in comparison.
The final third's the best part, with the sort of action and plot development I'd been expecting (though Aidan's still written badly, too passive and really out of character with what happened in the first third), and I would've happily given this book another star had I not had to slog through the first third. For the future, I'd just skip down to the Valhalla part, the characters will repeat the previous plot points anyway, and then this book won't be as bad. Too bad the entire book's not written like the last third, but based on the preview the next book seems to be, so there's that. Two and a half starts (rounded up).
Still, it's not what I was expecting from a book about Valkyries, I guess I expected there'd be more fighting and action and there really isn't any until the last third. Before that, the writing makes Bryn seem really mopey and down all the time, alot of talk about death, so she ended up really annoying me - at least until she got out of dodge. I liked her a lot better after that, when she stopped being so morbidly depressing and actually loosened up abit. I think all of her good quotes come in the final third when she's finally written with some spunk.
The mythology (sort of) impressed me. From a lot of the details and descriptions, I think it's pretty clear that Ayer did more than just copy and repeat the basic Wikipedia entries about the Norse gods (as some authors are wont to do, not naming names). I wanted to see more though, the first third was really overwritten and I was kind of disappointed that the second third in Asgard felt in comparison underwritten; I guess all the fancy writing was used up on the funeral at the beginning so going through Odin's palace didn't feel as epic in comparison.
The final third's the best part, with the sort of action and plot development I'd been expecting (though Aidan's still written badly, too passive and really out of character with what happened in the first third), and I would've happily given this book another star had I not had to slog through the first third. For the future, I'd just skip down to the Valhalla part, the characters will repeat the previous plot points anyway, and then this book won't be as bad. Too bad the entire book's not written like the last third, but based on the preview the next book seems to be, so there's that. Two and a half starts (rounded up).
August 24, 2012
Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer
Dead Radiance is a Mythology adventure, this is something I don’t normally read but to be honest I loved the cover and decided I should read it. T.G. Ayer writing is good, the story flowed well, character descriptions were well written well and I felt like I got to know and understand the main characters.
We meet Bryn Halbrook, her mother deserted her and when her father died she was placed into foster care. Bryn knows she is different and feels as she has never really fit in. Figuring out that she sees a person’s aura and when it lights up they usually end up dying. She of course tells no one. When a young man comes to live in her foster home things start to unravel for her. Finding out more about her father work and where she came from is very confusing, trying to piece everything together and realizing she is in danger she must leave her home to keep her foster family safe. The next part of this story then takes place Asgard, the city of Odin. Bryn learns she is a Valkyrie and a very powerful one. We meet some new characters and some old ones return. This story is faced paced, has some mystery/suspense and if full of some very interesting Mythology.
This book takes you on a Mythology ride and I quite enjoyed it.
I have rated Dead Radiance 4 stars and I cannot wait to read Dead Embers (Valkyrie, #2).
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
Dead Radiance is a Mythology adventure, this is something I don’t normally read but to be honest I loved the cover and decided I should read it. T.G. Ayer writing is good, the story flowed well, character descriptions were well written well and I felt like I got to know and understand the main characters.
We meet Bryn Halbrook, her mother deserted her and when her father died she was placed into foster care. Bryn knows she is different and feels as she has never really fit in. Figuring out that she sees a person’s aura and when it lights up they usually end up dying. She of course tells no one. When a young man comes to live in her foster home things start to unravel for her. Finding out more about her father work and where she came from is very confusing, trying to piece everything together and realizing she is in danger she must leave her home to keep her foster family safe. The next part of this story then takes place Asgard, the city of Odin. Bryn learns she is a Valkyrie and a very powerful one. We meet some new characters and some old ones return. This story is faced paced, has some mystery/suspense and if full of some very interesting Mythology.
This book takes you on a Mythology ride and I quite enjoyed it.
I have rated Dead Radiance 4 stars and I cannot wait to read Dead Embers (Valkyrie, #2).
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
May 29, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author T. G. Ayer.)
16-year-old Bryn always knew that she was different, but despite a pushy psychiatrist, she’s always been able to see a golden glow around certain people. Now Bryn knows what the glow means though, and she’s scared.
It started with a girl at school – she glowed gold, then she died. Then it was Bryn’s best friend Joshua, and he died too. Now it’s Bryn’s younger foster brother Brody, and she doesn’t know what she can do to stop what seems inevitable. Her newest foster brother Aidan is different though. She barely knows him, but she can’t help but be attracted to him, and to also feel like she can confide in him.
What or who is Bryn? Can she trust Aidan? And is there anything she can do to prevent her younger brother’s death?
This was an interesting story about a teenage girl who is a reincarnated Valkyrie, and her discovery of her true heritage.
I have never read anything about Valkyries before, so this was new for me! I liked the storyline in this book but it was actually the first few chapters that I found most compelling. Bryn’s grief over the loss of her best friend, and her blossoming feelings for Aidan were compelling reading, and I really felt for her, and sympathised with the situation she was put in. I found the Valkyrie stuff a little confusing in places, I’ve never read anything about Valkyries before, and have no clue about their background or the ideas behind them at all. Thankfully the story had enough explanation to get me through without needing to know any extra information, but if you already have an interest in this subject then I’m guessing that the story would probably mean more to you!
Bryn was a really caring person, and I was impressed at how well she was coping following her father’s death and her mother’s abandonment. I also thought she showed great feeling and respect when she expressed a desire to let her foster mother know that she was okay, and again when she wanted to tell her dead friends that she was okay too, even if it wasn’t exactly possible.
I liked Aidan, and I would have liked for there to have been maybe a touch more romance between the pair. Aidan’s flirting and character was really sweet, and really wanted Bryn and Aidan to be together properly. I thought they made a really good couple, and it was a shame how their situation seemed to be keeping them apart.
I did enjoy this story overall, although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the cliff-hanger ending. I did like the main characters Bryn and Aidan, and it was interesting to learn a little about Valkyries. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to Bryn and Aidan in the next instalment!
Overall; an enjoyable and different story about a reincarnated Valkyrie.
6.75 out of 10.
16-year-old Bryn always knew that she was different, but despite a pushy psychiatrist, she’s always been able to see a golden glow around certain people. Now Bryn knows what the glow means though, and she’s scared.
It started with a girl at school – she glowed gold, then she died. Then it was Bryn’s best friend Joshua, and he died too. Now it’s Bryn’s younger foster brother Brody, and she doesn’t know what she can do to stop what seems inevitable. Her newest foster brother Aidan is different though. She barely knows him, but she can’t help but be attracted to him, and to also feel like she can confide in him.
What or who is Bryn? Can she trust Aidan? And is there anything she can do to prevent her younger brother’s death?
This was an interesting story about a teenage girl who is a reincarnated Valkyrie, and her discovery of her true heritage.
I have never read anything about Valkyries before, so this was new for me! I liked the storyline in this book but it was actually the first few chapters that I found most compelling. Bryn’s grief over the loss of her best friend, and her blossoming feelings for Aidan were compelling reading, and I really felt for her, and sympathised with the situation she was put in. I found the Valkyrie stuff a little confusing in places, I’ve never read anything about Valkyries before, and have no clue about their background or the ideas behind them at all. Thankfully the story had enough explanation to get me through without needing to know any extra information, but if you already have an interest in this subject then I’m guessing that the story would probably mean more to you!
Bryn was a really caring person, and I was impressed at how well she was coping following her father’s death and her mother’s abandonment. I also thought she showed great feeling and respect when she expressed a desire to let her foster mother know that she was okay, and again when she wanted to tell her dead friends that she was okay too, even if it wasn’t exactly possible.
I liked Aidan, and I would have liked for there to have been maybe a touch more romance between the pair. Aidan’s flirting and character was really sweet, and really wanted Bryn and Aidan to be together properly. I thought they made a really good couple, and it was a shame how their situation seemed to be keeping them apart.
I did enjoy this story overall, although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the cliff-hanger ending. I did like the main characters Bryn and Aidan, and it was interesting to learn a little about Valkyries. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to Bryn and Aidan in the next instalment!
Overall; an enjoyable and different story about a reincarnated Valkyrie.
6.75 out of 10.
Want to read
May 15, 2012I am not sure why authors' don't take advantage of every single avenue of publication open to them. I know that if I come across a recommendation from goodreads or a friend I check the book out right away, if it is available and is interesting to me, I buy it. If it is not available for me to buy on the Nook, I don't and then...I forget about it. Essentially the author has lost the chance at a sale, because I am not going to remember that I wanted a particular book 1 week from now much less 3 months from now when the author finally gets around to putting it up on other vendors sites. I don't read or buy Amazon books and I never will because I don't agree with Amazon's business practices (and I own a Nook and 1 e-reader is enough for anyone!) Anyway this was a rather long rant to simply say, this book looks good...too bad I won't be able to read it. I think I'll be posting this note on every book that I look up here that looks interesting to me but is not actually available for me to purchase!
February 13, 2012
I LOVED this book, the debut from T.G. Ayer. I'm a huge fan of all mythology, but Norse myth is something I haven't seen tackled in YA before. I found myself gleefully making connections, remembering things I'd forgotten from my uni days studying Odin and Freya and the amazing Valkyries. Ayer has done an amazing job with not only the accuracy of the myth, but with the development of her MC, Bryn. A teen abandoned to a life as a foster kid, Bryn is real and told in a sharply accurate emotional voice. I hate giving too much away in reviews, but I will say this--Ayer will have you from the very first chapter and you'll not be able to stop until the book is done.
Great debut, looking forward to the sequel!
Great debut, looking forward to the sequel!
December 30, 2016
I believe this is my first Valkyrie book that I have read and I doubt it will be the last, especially by this author. I very much enjoyed it and found it difficult to put down. The main characters are nice (mostly) and likable.
July 6, 2012
Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog
The YA genre has had it's fair share of vampires, ghosts, angels, demons etc ... It's difficult to find something new and refreshing. When I saw that Dead Radiance was about Valkyries, I immediately signed up for the blog tour because I liked the sound of the book.
Bryn Halbrook sees golden auras around certain people. Up until her best friend, Josh, dies she doesn't realize that these auras mean that these people's deaths are approaching. Soon after, Aidan, a mysterious and gorgeous guy comes to live with her foster mom. When Aidan suddenly disappears, Bryn is taken away to a secret location known as Asgar, where she comes to the realization that she's the re-incarnation of a powerful Valkyrie.
I liked Bryn as a character. She started off as an insecure loner, but throughout the story she grew and became a lot more stronger. I thought that by the end of the book she had overcome all her previous obstacles regarding her personal self. I really like reading about characters maturing since it's always very enjoyable to develop a liking to characters gradually. I liked the fact that Bryn accepted the fact that she was a Valkyrie in a brave way and didn't act all panicked because she thought she was a freak. Although she came across a few issues, she actually embraced her new life. Moreover, she was the kind of character who was naturally inquisitive and tried to find answers to the countless questions she had all by herself. She didn't wait for everything to be revealed to her magically. Overall, I thought Bryn was a character who was easy to root for.
There was a serious case of instant-love in Dead Radiance and I honestly couldn't stand it. In a way, this very immediate love dampened by full enjoyment of the book. I didn't understand the attraction between Bryn and Aidan. To be honest, I felt like the barely spent time together and knew next to nothing about each other. If it had been mentioned as lust or attraction, I would have been able to forgive the book, but towards the middle of the book, Bryn called Aidan the man that she loved and that annoyed me infinitely because they never even had a proper conversation. All they had ever done was make out. I've never been a fan of instant romance, so there's no way I could have enjoyed it in this book.
What I loved most about Dead Radiance was the fantastic world-building. The author went to great lengths to explain and thoroughly describe her setting, so that the reader can feel that he/she is present along with the characters. T.G Ayer did her research and I was absolutely enthralled by the myths and legends in the book. I don't know much about Norse Mythology, but I did learn quite a bit from Dead Radiance. The Gods, the different creatures and the lifestyles fascinated me. According to me, the prologue was smashing since it really set the tone of the book, but I was slightly disappointed with the first quarter of the book. In my opinion, it was slow and quite dreary. As soon as Bryn found herself in Asgar, things got so much better. Along with Bryn, I loved discovering this new world that she had come to. From that point onward, the plot became a lot more tense and my interest was piqued even further. T.G Ayer is a fantastic author. She has a beautiful and very descriptive writing style that brings her words to life. Because of the way she wrote, it was easy to vividly picture the setting of the book. Furthermore, the book ended in a cliffhanger, so there's no doubt that I'll be checking out the next installment.
If you're looking for a unique and not yet explored theme in YA paranormal books then I suggest you read Dead Radiance since despite its slight flaws it ended up being a highly entertaining read!
April 12, 2014
Okay, so I admit, when I first started the book, I didn't think I was going to like it. I was a bit confused with some of the present/past bouncing, and sometimes I didn't know if we were in the present or the past or a flashback or what, and all I could think was, "Oh boy, is the whole book gonna be like this?"
Well, it wasn't. And it was well worth getting through that rocky start.
So you have Bryn, a likeable foster kid robotically moseying through her days, watching her best friend, Josh, glow and then die, and then dealing with the brunt of the other girls who blame her for (a) being Josh's friend and (b) being alive.
Those bitches!
Anyhoo, along comes Aiden, sexily dark and mysterious with an obvious Einstein-sized brain and a seeming attraction to Bryn. Gotta love these 2 characters.
Gotta love the plot, too. So Bryn's life becomes inter-woven with Norse mythology. Valkryies. Asgard. Valhalla. King Odin. His wife, Frigga. Freya. And not let's forget that little devil, Loki. I'm not all familiar with Norse mythology, so this as all very interesting to me, and fresh. If there are boo boo's in the interweaving and retelling, I wouldn't know. And I certainly don't care. I was so caught up in the plot and the betrayals and the sniping and the mischievous antics that it was all good fun.
The end is cliff-hanger worthy. Definitely makes you want to pick up the next book and continue the story, which I shall do!
Well, it wasn't. And it was well worth getting through that rocky start.
So you have Bryn, a likeable foster kid robotically moseying through her days, watching her best friend, Josh, glow and then die, and then dealing with the brunt of the other girls who blame her for (a) being Josh's friend and (b) being alive.
Those bitches!
Anyhoo, along comes Aiden, sexily dark and mysterious with an obvious Einstein-sized brain and a seeming attraction to Bryn. Gotta love these 2 characters.
Gotta love the plot, too. So Bryn's life becomes inter-woven with Norse mythology. Valkryies. Asgard. Valhalla. King Odin. His wife, Frigga. Freya. And not let's forget that little devil, Loki. I'm not all familiar with Norse mythology, so this as all very interesting to me, and fresh. If there are boo boo's in the interweaving and retelling, I wouldn't know. And I certainly don't care. I was so caught up in the plot and the betrayals and the sniping and the mischievous antics that it was all good fun.
The end is cliff-hanger worthy. Definitely makes you want to pick up the next book and continue the story, which I shall do!
July 23, 2012
I really love Norse mythology, but this book was a disappointment. It was too hodgepodge to be taken seriously. Here is why I didn't really like this book:
1. Bryn and Aidan. She hates him, but then they kiss passionately and apparently they are dating. The whole book is based on this premise. They seriously have about 2 conversations and then the author acts like they have this deep relationship. I know that teens are always falling madly in love in young adult novels, especially in this genre, but this was too much.
2. What is the point of being a valkyrie if you end up back on earth acting like a bumbling teenager? On earth they are scared and running from two goons, but then end up defeating an ancient dragon God? How does this make sense?
3. The story always had this feel: "and then this happened, and then we saw this, and then I wanted to love Aidan but I couldn't, and then I fought a God, and then my wings magically caused no problems on earth, and then..., and then..., and then..." It was hard to follow the story because it was told like that.
Won't be reading anymore, but if anyone has any good suggestions for fictional Norse mythology books, please let me know!
1. Bryn and Aidan. She hates him, but then they kiss passionately and apparently they are dating. The whole book is based on this premise. They seriously have about 2 conversations and then the author acts like they have this deep relationship. I know that teens are always falling madly in love in young adult novels, especially in this genre, but this was too much.
2. What is the point of being a valkyrie if you end up back on earth acting like a bumbling teenager? On earth they are scared and running from two goons, but then end up defeating an ancient dragon God? How does this make sense?
3. The story always had this feel: "and then this happened, and then we saw this, and then I wanted to love Aidan but I couldn't, and then I fought a God, and then my wings magically caused no problems on earth, and then..., and then..., and then..." It was hard to follow the story because it was told like that.
Won't be reading anymore, but if anyone has any good suggestions for fictional Norse mythology books, please let me know!
May 4, 2012
Holy Halls of Valhalla! :) Dead Radiance is an awesome telling of ancient Norse Mythology. It took me on a wonderful journey from a small town of Craven, to Asgard and Valhalla, to the Underworld and back. Bryn, a girl who sees people glow before they die, finds out that she is a Valkyrie. But, not only a Valkyrie, a reincarnation of the Warrior Brunhilde.
I don't want to give away the story, but this book was hard to put down. I can't wait for Dead Embers!
I don't want to give away the story, but this book was hard to put down. I can't wait for Dead Embers!
June 1, 2012
OMG! I Loved this story! Right up there with Twilight as far as I am concerned!
August 18, 2013
*NOT PART OF REVIEW*
I wrote my whole review and then I have no idea what happened, so I hope I don't miss out too much :(
*START OF REVIEW*
I showed my grandmother my bingo board, as she is a very avid reader and has worked at Whitcoulls for fifteen years. She gave me a list of books that she thought might fit the criteria of each section. I chose this book from the list of “New Zealand Authors” because the blurb interested me. It was interesting because it is a fantasy-fiction. This is a genre I am interested in and it also based around Norse Mythology which I find intriguing, as I know very little about Norse Mythology.
This is the first book in a trilogy, it is set in a fictional small town called Craven, in America. Bryn, the main character is a foster-child and main character in the book. Becoming more important to the world as the book develops.
The book had so many interesting characters, most of the characters in the book all have important parts to play in the story of Bryn’s transformation. The main protagonist is Bryn or Brynhildr. Bryn is an orphan living in foster care, she has always been different and more so now she is a teenager. She could see auras of people, a golden glow, as it was described in the book. She soon found out that when she saw a person surrounded by a golden glow it meant they would soon be dead and she couldn't do anything about it. But this was just the start of all the changes that would happen to Bryn. As the story develops the reader finds out why Bryn has feelings of being different and goes on an incredible journey with her and all the others she meets along the way. I like that the way the author slowly builds the character of Bryn, using teenage angst as a starting point, as I think many teenagers feel like they don’t know who they are and the unknown of what is to come is scary for many.
You could never expect anything in this book and if you did it was wrong, it made it so much more exciting, wanting to turn the page and find out what was going to happen, everything was a mystery, you never knew if it was going to go Bryn’s way or another way and it was never clichéd, even to the ending. This gave you a chance to predict what could happen, make you want to keep reading, along the way finding out if your predictions were true or false, this helped the book to stay in your hands for as long as it takes to read.
If you like the hunger games, then you will definitely like this book, it has such strong plots that go through the entire book, your imagination will run wild, making you think you were actually there. The way this book is written, made you imagine what Bryn and the other main characters visually looked like, you’d stop reading and think about it, pausing just to imagine the scene you have just read about. It may not be a book full of action, but the interesting events that keep happening keep it in your hands.
The author(T.G Ayer)had researched her subject matter, because after reading or during parts I went and looked up what a Valkyrie could be, Norse Mythology, Odin, Brynhildr and more and everything mentioned in the book I was able to get more information on, this made it more than just something to fantasize about, but also allowed you to think above and beyond this novel.
I like how it had a little bit of romance between Bryn and Aidan, it added excitement to the book although this wasn’t a love story. I liked how everyone thought Bryn was special, such a humble person, not thinking anything more of herself than any other person. Odin, the largest and most powerful god provoked in the book handed Bryn help whenever needed, seemed to always think of her as a gift, one in need of great care to succeed, same with many people who were sent to serve Bryn, they would do anything to fulfil what Bryn had in mind, especially Sigrun, who slowly became best friends with Bryn. My favorite moment which showed just how special Bryn really is, was when she watched a golden leaf float downward to lay on her shoulder, the leaf wasn't any leaf as Bryn's friend and witness of the scene Sigrun said "This Rowan is special. No season affects it. No leaves fall from it unless Glasir wishes it. We believe that Glasir will only give you a leaf if you are important or special" After Sigrun informs Bryn with that information she then explains that everyone knew Bryn was special, but the blessing from Glasir clarified it.
The book was a fantastic read, it made me think more than any other book has. I would recommend this book to teenagers who like adventure, fantasy and with a historical theme, that creates further subjects to learn about.
I wrote my whole review and then I have no idea what happened, so I hope I don't miss out too much :(
*START OF REVIEW*
I showed my grandmother my bingo board, as she is a very avid reader and has worked at Whitcoulls for fifteen years. She gave me a list of books that she thought might fit the criteria of each section. I chose this book from the list of “New Zealand Authors” because the blurb interested me. It was interesting because it is a fantasy-fiction. This is a genre I am interested in and it also based around Norse Mythology which I find intriguing, as I know very little about Norse Mythology.
This is the first book in a trilogy, it is set in a fictional small town called Craven, in America. Bryn, the main character is a foster-child and main character in the book. Becoming more important to the world as the book develops.
The book had so many interesting characters, most of the characters in the book all have important parts to play in the story of Bryn’s transformation. The main protagonist is Bryn or Brynhildr. Bryn is an orphan living in foster care, she has always been different and more so now she is a teenager. She could see auras of people, a golden glow, as it was described in the book. She soon found out that when she saw a person surrounded by a golden glow it meant they would soon be dead and she couldn't do anything about it. But this was just the start of all the changes that would happen to Bryn. As the story develops the reader finds out why Bryn has feelings of being different and goes on an incredible journey with her and all the others she meets along the way. I like that the way the author slowly builds the character of Bryn, using teenage angst as a starting point, as I think many teenagers feel like they don’t know who they are and the unknown of what is to come is scary for many.
You could never expect anything in this book and if you did it was wrong, it made it so much more exciting, wanting to turn the page and find out what was going to happen, everything was a mystery, you never knew if it was going to go Bryn’s way or another way and it was never clichéd, even to the ending. This gave you a chance to predict what could happen, make you want to keep reading, along the way finding out if your predictions were true or false, this helped the book to stay in your hands for as long as it takes to read.
If you like the hunger games, then you will definitely like this book, it has such strong plots that go through the entire book, your imagination will run wild, making you think you were actually there. The way this book is written, made you imagine what Bryn and the other main characters visually looked like, you’d stop reading and think about it, pausing just to imagine the scene you have just read about. It may not be a book full of action, but the interesting events that keep happening keep it in your hands.
The author(T.G Ayer)had researched her subject matter, because after reading or during parts I went and looked up what a Valkyrie could be, Norse Mythology, Odin, Brynhildr and more and everything mentioned in the book I was able to get more information on, this made it more than just something to fantasize about, but also allowed you to think above and beyond this novel.
I like how it had a little bit of romance between Bryn and Aidan, it added excitement to the book although this wasn’t a love story. I liked how everyone thought Bryn was special, such a humble person, not thinking anything more of herself than any other person. Odin, the largest and most powerful god provoked in the book handed Bryn help whenever needed, seemed to always think of her as a gift, one in need of great care to succeed, same with many people who were sent to serve Bryn, they would do anything to fulfil what Bryn had in mind, especially Sigrun, who slowly became best friends with Bryn. My favorite moment which showed just how special Bryn really is, was when she watched a golden leaf float downward to lay on her shoulder, the leaf wasn't any leaf as Bryn's friend and witness of the scene Sigrun said "This Rowan is special. No season affects it. No leaves fall from it unless Glasir wishes it. We believe that Glasir will only give you a leaf if you are important or special" After Sigrun informs Bryn with that information she then explains that everyone knew Bryn was special, but the blessing from Glasir clarified it.
The book was a fantastic read, it made me think more than any other book has. I would recommend this book to teenagers who like adventure, fantasy and with a historical theme, that creates further subjects to learn about.
May 23, 2012
T.G. Ayer’s debut novel, Dead Radiance, was a breath of fresh air in the somewhat repetitive and often cliché YA market. Devoid of vampires, werewolves, fallen angels and 1984-esque governments, Dead Radiance brings something new and wonderful to the table.
Bryn Halbrook, foster kid and mostly typical teenager, has seen “the glow” for as long as she can remember. It isn’t until tragedy strikes that she realizes just what it means – impending death. But knowing when someone is about to die isn’t exactly a talent Bryn appreciates having. When her foster family expands to include mysterious, infuriating Aidan, Bryn finds herself falling... and falling hard. But Aidan knows things she never would have expected, and his involvement in her life might put her, and her foster family, in serious danger. Or, maybe Bryn is the dangerous one.
First off all, that cover. Seriously. A kick-ass girl with a wicked sword. The cover is brilliant and does such a wonderful job of setting the tone for the book. Bryn is no damsel in distress, which is one of the things I absolutely loved about her. She’s strong and brave and smart, but she’s also flawed and, let’s face it, a teenager. Second, I loved that she’s strong as a girl. I’ve read too many books with a “strong female lead”, in which said “strong female lead” has to spend the entirety of the book pretending to be a man in order to be taken seriously.
I love the world of Norse mythology that I was exposed to while reading Dead Radiance. It was something I hadn’t come across in any of the other YA I had read. T.G. Ayer does such a fantastic job of bringing it all to life; she knows her characters, she knows her settings, and she knows her mythology.
The plot is exciting and moves quickly, drawing the reader along for a very fun ride. The characters are compelling and real. Everything is beautifully imagined and skillfully transferred to the page.
I would highly recommend Dead Radiance to any reader. Grab a copy and give it a read! You won’t regret it!
Bryn Halbrook, foster kid and mostly typical teenager, has seen “the glow” for as long as she can remember. It isn’t until tragedy strikes that she realizes just what it means – impending death. But knowing when someone is about to die isn’t exactly a talent Bryn appreciates having. When her foster family expands to include mysterious, infuriating Aidan, Bryn finds herself falling... and falling hard. But Aidan knows things she never would have expected, and his involvement in her life might put her, and her foster family, in serious danger. Or, maybe Bryn is the dangerous one.
First off all, that cover. Seriously. A kick-ass girl with a wicked sword. The cover is brilliant and does such a wonderful job of setting the tone for the book. Bryn is no damsel in distress, which is one of the things I absolutely loved about her. She’s strong and brave and smart, but she’s also flawed and, let’s face it, a teenager. Second, I loved that she’s strong as a girl. I’ve read too many books with a “strong female lead”, in which said “strong female lead” has to spend the entirety of the book pretending to be a man in order to be taken seriously.
I love the world of Norse mythology that I was exposed to while reading Dead Radiance. It was something I hadn’t come across in any of the other YA I had read. T.G. Ayer does such a fantastic job of bringing it all to life; she knows her characters, she knows her settings, and she knows her mythology.
The plot is exciting and moves quickly, drawing the reader along for a very fun ride. The characters are compelling and real. Everything is beautifully imagined and skillfully transferred to the page.
I would highly recommend Dead Radiance to any reader. Grab a copy and give it a read! You won’t regret it!
May 6, 2013
Move aside Vampires and Werewolves… Valkyries are here and they are her to stay. When I found this book on tour, I knew I had to be a part of it because I have been practically itching to try out something new. While, Vampires and werewolves make for an entertaining read, and I am always up for a good murder story, but every now and then something new feels refreshing.
Bryn Halbrook is lost in the foster care system ever since her father died he stay mother walked out of her life. She often feels lonely as she feels that she is different from those around her. For instance nobody around her can see the auras and nobody else has had to realise that the ‘gift’ that she has helps her know who is going to die only by losing their best friend. Then Aiden turns up and everything seems to shift in her life. She is attracted to Aiden, the brooding new kid in the foster family. But just as sudden as his appearance in her life Aiden disappears from their lives. Now Bryn is left alone to work out her inherited legacy.
As the protagonist, Bryn Halbrook is certainly an interesting character. True to her teenage years, she is having trouble in ‘finding herself’ and things are bit dramatic. But what’s teenage life without a bit of angst and drama? Her character grows over the story and she grows into someone I can like – quite practical (well most of the times) and strong. Aiden, with his brooding nature and good looks is intriguing. I always have a hard time believing in the love at first sight thing and so the ‘love’ between Bryn and Aiden was a bit too much for me to accept. I mean, they hardly knew each other before Bryn’s self admission of her one and only love.
The plot as such was quite interesting to me. I love Mythology even though I have very little knowledge of foreign mythology, I enjoy reading and learning more. Valkyrie was a new concept for me and I liked it. The novel is fast paced and the author has hardly wasted any time with unnecessary details or situations.
Overall I liked quite a lot.
Bryn Halbrook is lost in the foster care system ever since her father died he stay mother walked out of her life. She often feels lonely as she feels that she is different from those around her. For instance nobody around her can see the auras and nobody else has had to realise that the ‘gift’ that she has helps her know who is going to die only by losing their best friend. Then Aiden turns up and everything seems to shift in her life. She is attracted to Aiden, the brooding new kid in the foster family. But just as sudden as his appearance in her life Aiden disappears from their lives. Now Bryn is left alone to work out her inherited legacy.
As the protagonist, Bryn Halbrook is certainly an interesting character. True to her teenage years, she is having trouble in ‘finding herself’ and things are bit dramatic. But what’s teenage life without a bit of angst and drama? Her character grows over the story and she grows into someone I can like – quite practical (well most of the times) and strong. Aiden, with his brooding nature and good looks is intriguing. I always have a hard time believing in the love at first sight thing and so the ‘love’ between Bryn and Aiden was a bit too much for me to accept. I mean, they hardly knew each other before Bryn’s self admission of her one and only love.
The plot as such was quite interesting to me. I love Mythology even though I have very little knowledge of foreign mythology, I enjoy reading and learning more. Valkyrie was a new concept for me and I liked it. The novel is fast paced and the author has hardly wasted any time with unnecessary details or situations.
Overall I liked quite a lot.
February 29, 2012
This book was so awesome! I have not read a Valkyeri book before and this was such a great one to start with. The book just flows along at a great pace. It's never boring, never slow. Dead Radiance is a great adventure that kept me riveted from start to finish.
Bryn is awesome! She is kick butt, kind, and all around awesome! I started out feeling so bad for her. She had no friends and she was bounced from foster home to foster home. It must have been tough on her. I certainly couldn't imagine it. And then there is the glow that she sees around people. I just wanted to hug her! But once she started figuring out who she really was, things started turning around. It was at this point that I became super engrossed in her story. And then there is Aiden.
Boy oh boy did I like Aiden. First of all he is super smart and resourceful. I have a thing for smart guys. Kind of a big thing. And man did Aiden and Bryn have chemistry! Honestly I found myself impatiently waiting for the next encounter between the two of them as I was reading. I wanted to see even more of them. And that ending! It killed me! I thought a little bit more could have been developed in the relationship front for the two of them. But all in all I liked the pace and I loved that it was believable. Too many times, I read a story where people fall victim to insta-love. Not here, and it was so refreshing.
Overall, Dead radiance is an awesome start to a series! I loved it!! One of my favorite books that I have read this year so far. It is well written, and the plot is great! I cannot wait to find out what will happen next! I need to read the next book asap.
Bryn is awesome! She is kick butt, kind, and all around awesome! I started out feeling so bad for her. She had no friends and she was bounced from foster home to foster home. It must have been tough on her. I certainly couldn't imagine it. And then there is the glow that she sees around people. I just wanted to hug her! But once she started figuring out who she really was, things started turning around. It was at this point that I became super engrossed in her story. And then there is Aiden.
Boy oh boy did I like Aiden. First of all he is super smart and resourceful. I have a thing for smart guys. Kind of a big thing. And man did Aiden and Bryn have chemistry! Honestly I found myself impatiently waiting for the next encounter between the two of them as I was reading. I wanted to see even more of them. And that ending! It killed me! I thought a little bit more could have been developed in the relationship front for the two of them. But all in all I liked the pace and I loved that it was believable. Too many times, I read a story where people fall victim to insta-love. Not here, and it was so refreshing.
Overall, Dead radiance is an awesome start to a series! I loved it!! One of my favorite books that I have read this year so far. It is well written, and the plot is great! I cannot wait to find out what will happen next! I need to read the next book asap.
June 30, 2012
I grabbed this one awhile back when it was a freebie. I'm always a fan of a great mythology read. It took me awhile to get into it but once it did it had me hooked. If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan I recommend this book. Instead of a male lead you have a female heroine.
Meet Bryn Halbrook, a normal teenager placed in foster care after her father died. Her mother disappeared. After a short time Bryn meets Aidan. Aidan turns out not to be the person Byrn thought was and he mysteriesly lives without telling Byrn goodbye. Once Bryn discovers the truth about Aidan and her self the truth hits her like venom. One night when Aidan does return for a short visit to her foster Mom, Byrns true self comes revieled. She's taken to a place that only should exist in myths, she's taken to Asgard the home to King Odin.
I'm looking forward on reading Dead Ember when it comes out, I'll be looking forward to the series.
Meet Bryn Halbrook, a normal teenager placed in foster care after her father died. Her mother disappeared. After a short time Bryn meets Aidan. Aidan turns out not to be the person Byrn thought was and he mysteriesly lives without telling Byrn goodbye. Once Bryn discovers the truth about Aidan and her self the truth hits her like venom. One night when Aidan does return for a short visit to her foster Mom, Byrns true self comes revieled. She's taken to a place that only should exist in myths, she's taken to Asgard the home to King Odin.
I'm looking forward on reading Dead Ember when it comes out, I'll be looking forward to the series.
April 28, 2016
3.5/5 if I'm being technical. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. I mean, the action is pretty good, the mythology is well thought out, there's a good amount of creativity and world-building, and I really like the character Aiden, but I couldn't get attached to the main character. She was way too cranky for my liking. I think the final straw for me was the way she treated Aiden. Yes, he did major wrong by her, but she couldn't figure out if he hated him or not. Also, claiming to love him after knowing him for a few days? Yeah, that's not really how love works. I didn't find it believable given the way she treated him. I also thought the villain was brought in way too late, and I didn't have a very clear mindset on the main plot. I also think the end was a definite cheap-shot to hook us into the next book. I wish I could give this an actual 4, but I just didn't like the main character enough.
April 20, 2012
I am one of those readers who get board so easily and if you do not grip me from the first page I struggle. Dead Radiance out did my first page rule - it gripped me from the first line ! T.G Ayer is an extraordinary writer. So much depth in a sentence. The story and plot very intriguing and original. Characters are bold and very likable. With loads of character and chemistry. I also thrive on fast paced reads , and this read met my expectations almost perfectly. I am hard to please - but I was satisfied indeed. I also am a huge sucker for cliff hanger endings - so now I eagerly await the sequel to a great adventure .
September 17, 2015
2.5*
I really wanted to like this one because you can do a lot with the story when you have Norse mythology as your source but the execution with this one was terrible. The biggest problem was the writing, it's just not good, very superficial i couldn't imagine the world at all because her descriptions are so basic and unimaginative. Everything was just so amateur-like, it felt like I was reading a book written by an 8th grader
I really wanted to like this one because you can do a lot with the story when you have Norse mythology as your source but the execution with this one was terrible. The biggest problem was the writing, it's just not good, very superficial i couldn't imagine the world at all because her descriptions are so basic and unimaginative. Everything was just so amateur-like, it felt like I was reading a book written by an 8th grader
February 26, 2012
This is a MUST read!! No doubt about it! Words just cant describe the awesomeness that is Dead Radiance (: could not put it down! I read it again and again and again (: T.G Ayer takes you on a trip
In to Bryn's life and in to the world of Norse mythology. This book breaks from the current trends and is something fresh and new that will leave you definitely wanting more (:
In to Bryn's life and in to the world of Norse mythology. This book breaks from the current trends and is something fresh and new that will leave you definitely wanting more (:
November 9, 2015
Sometimes I like the old-mythology-done-anew genres, but this was pretty terrible.
August 29, 2016
The writing is a little too melodramatic for my taste.
May 4, 2012
Original Review at: http://gothicangelbookreviews.blogspo...
I first saw this beautiful book when somebody tweeted a link to the publishers freebie event. I fell instantly in love with the cover and blurb, I knew it was something I needed to download.
I haven't read anything about Valkyries and am not even all that familiar with the Norse Mythology, so this really caught my attention.
I am so glad I got this book when I did. It was so captivating. I enjoyed every second, from the first word I was sucked into a world I was unfamiliar with but could feel unfolding around me as time went by.
I can honestly say, this is one of my favourite books and I simply cannot wait for the next book, DEAD EMBERS to be published. You can guarantee I will be downloading it as soon as Tee hits 'publish'.
So what's the book all about? Sit back, get comfortable and I will tell you (in a non 'spoilery' way, of course).
Bryn Halbrook lives in the town of Craven. It's the most recent in a string of foster homes. This time, her foster mother, Ms Custer is different from the others. From the start she makes Bryn feel welcome, like a real part of the family, even insisting she should called her Mom. She's a sweet woman with a broad smile and a good heart. It's here Bryn feels most at home, with her foster siblings; Brody and Simon.
But even feeling a sense of peace from being in good care cannot help Bryn feel better about the glow.
She'd seen the glow since she was a child, but never understood what it meant. The first time she saw it happen in Craven, Aimee Carter ended up dying from Cancer. The next time, her best friend Joshua died in a car accident. An accident Bryn feels guilty for as she was also in the car.
After Joshua's death, people treat her like a social pariah, silently blaming her for the death of the beautiful boy they all knew and loved. What they don't know is, they could never make her feel worse than she makes herself feel. It constantly runs through her head that she too should be dead. The impact threw her from the car, straight into a street lamp. Something that would have crushed a normal persons spine. But not Bryn. That's because she's not normal.
She doesn't know yet what's so different about her. All she knows is that when she sees the glow around people, what some people call an Aura, it gradually gets brighter until they die.
It isn't until the mysterious arrival of another foster child that Bryn begins to slowly uncover the truth. Something she had only thought of in mythological terms was about to become Bryn's reality.
Aidan is the newest addition to Ms Custer's care. He rides in on a motorbike like the proverbial bad-boy. Long black hair that glistens as he removes his helmet...
Gorgeous and intriguing, he gets right under Bryn's skin, sets her pulse racing in a way no other boy can.
At school, the Headteacher tasks Bryn with showing Aidan around. She can't help but be annoyed at this. She shows him to his classes, hoping to get away from him as quickly as possible. Is it because just being near him sets her heart racing and makes her breathing quicken? His hair, his eyes, the way he looks at her...
At this point, I won't share any more about their encounters, I will fast forward a little in time, in order that you find out those things for yourself.
It's when Bryn decides to entrust her biggest secret to Aidan that he packs up and skips town. Great, just what she needed. The one person who knows about the glow has just disappeared on her without even saying goodbye. So much for trust. Now what is she to do?
Upon inspecting Aidan's room to see that he really has packed it all up and gone, Bryn discovers a book that will change her life forever.
Again, I won't spoil things for you so I'll fast forward a little more....
As events unfold, the FBI turn up at Ms Custer's home, looking for Bryn. But Ms Custer tells them she ran away after having her heart broken. Bryn hears snippets of the conversation and stays hidden in the broom closet. (Bear with me, I'm trying to remove spoilers as I go)
The FBI finally leave, resigned to the fact that Bryn is not home and may never come back.
Bryn sneaks outside to watch the FBI leave, to make sure they really are gone. But then a strong arm grabs her from behind...
When she awakens, she's unsure of her surroundings. She's no longer at Ms Custer's home. In fact, she's no longer in Craven. She's in Asgard. (But how she discovers this is up to you to read & find out for yourself)
Upon her discovery that Asgard isn't just a place of myth, but a real place - where she also discovers people and things that are also not just confined to Norse Mythology, Bryn has a hard time trying to come to terms with it all. But that isn't the biggest shock life has in store for her...
There are a lot of events that really begin to unfold for Bryn. Not only is the stuff of mythology real, she's an intrinsical part of it all. She stands on the threshold of the biggest, most eventful journey of her life. About to discover that she has a destiny much different to how she thought her life would go. Will she find her purpose in life? A place where she can finally belong?
The answers to these questions lie within the pages of one of the best books I have read to date.
Having never read anything by T. G Ayer before, I was unsure what to expect from DEAD RADIANCE. I sure didn't expect the impact it would have on me.
Tee is an amazing author. I love the way she describes everything so beautifully and explains things so fully you feel as though you are actually a part of the story. She weaves a spell on you so that you get sucked in from the first word - with a fast-paced, well plotted story where myth and real life collide - a beautiful debut novel by an author you can expect many more amazing things from.
I fell for Aidan, big time. I have to say, I really have a thing about the bad boys. Aidan is up there among my favourite book boy crushes. He has a sad story that made me feel so sorry for him (Yes, I admit I cried).
Bryn is one of my all time favourite female MC's. She's witty and sarcastic. She's tougher than she looks and has an inner strength - an inner core, that I really admire. The way in which she handled all that was thrown at her, she really hit the ground running. Bryn is beautiful inside and out and I really routed for her throughout all the trials and tribulations she faced. It just goes to show that the girl who starts off life as the under-dog really can come out on top.
Thank you Tee for introducing me to one of the most interesting, entertaining casts of characters. Bryn, Aidan, Sigrun, Turi, Odin - even Freya and Astrid. There are some wonders to be discovered on the journey that you undertake when you open this book.
I first saw this beautiful book when somebody tweeted a link to the publishers freebie event. I fell instantly in love with the cover and blurb, I knew it was something I needed to download.
I haven't read anything about Valkyries and am not even all that familiar with the Norse Mythology, so this really caught my attention.
I am so glad I got this book when I did. It was so captivating. I enjoyed every second, from the first word I was sucked into a world I was unfamiliar with but could feel unfolding around me as time went by.
I can honestly say, this is one of my favourite books and I simply cannot wait for the next book, DEAD EMBERS to be published. You can guarantee I will be downloading it as soon as Tee hits 'publish'.
So what's the book all about? Sit back, get comfortable and I will tell you (in a non 'spoilery' way, of course).
Bryn Halbrook lives in the town of Craven. It's the most recent in a string of foster homes. This time, her foster mother, Ms Custer is different from the others. From the start she makes Bryn feel welcome, like a real part of the family, even insisting she should called her Mom. She's a sweet woman with a broad smile and a good heart. It's here Bryn feels most at home, with her foster siblings; Brody and Simon.
But even feeling a sense of peace from being in good care cannot help Bryn feel better about the glow.
She'd seen the glow since she was a child, but never understood what it meant. The first time she saw it happen in Craven, Aimee Carter ended up dying from Cancer. The next time, her best friend Joshua died in a car accident. An accident Bryn feels guilty for as she was also in the car.
After Joshua's death, people treat her like a social pariah, silently blaming her for the death of the beautiful boy they all knew and loved. What they don't know is, they could never make her feel worse than she makes herself feel. It constantly runs through her head that she too should be dead. The impact threw her from the car, straight into a street lamp. Something that would have crushed a normal persons spine. But not Bryn. That's because she's not normal.
She doesn't know yet what's so different about her. All she knows is that when she sees the glow around people, what some people call an Aura, it gradually gets brighter until they die.
It isn't until the mysterious arrival of another foster child that Bryn begins to slowly uncover the truth. Something she had only thought of in mythological terms was about to become Bryn's reality.
Aidan is the newest addition to Ms Custer's care. He rides in on a motorbike like the proverbial bad-boy. Long black hair that glistens as he removes his helmet...
Gorgeous and intriguing, he gets right under Bryn's skin, sets her pulse racing in a way no other boy can.
At school, the Headteacher tasks Bryn with showing Aidan around. She can't help but be annoyed at this. She shows him to his classes, hoping to get away from him as quickly as possible. Is it because just being near him sets her heart racing and makes her breathing quicken? His hair, his eyes, the way he looks at her...
At this point, I won't share any more about their encounters, I will fast forward a little in time, in order that you find out those things for yourself.
It's when Bryn decides to entrust her biggest secret to Aidan that he packs up and skips town. Great, just what she needed. The one person who knows about the glow has just disappeared on her without even saying goodbye. So much for trust. Now what is she to do?
Upon inspecting Aidan's room to see that he really has packed it all up and gone, Bryn discovers a book that will change her life forever.
Again, I won't spoil things for you so I'll fast forward a little more....
As events unfold, the FBI turn up at Ms Custer's home, looking for Bryn. But Ms Custer tells them she ran away after having her heart broken. Bryn hears snippets of the conversation and stays hidden in the broom closet. (Bear with me, I'm trying to remove spoilers as I go)
The FBI finally leave, resigned to the fact that Bryn is not home and may never come back.
Bryn sneaks outside to watch the FBI leave, to make sure they really are gone. But then a strong arm grabs her from behind...
When she awakens, she's unsure of her surroundings. She's no longer at Ms Custer's home. In fact, she's no longer in Craven. She's in Asgard. (But how she discovers this is up to you to read & find out for yourself)
Upon her discovery that Asgard isn't just a place of myth, but a real place - where she also discovers people and things that are also not just confined to Norse Mythology, Bryn has a hard time trying to come to terms with it all. But that isn't the biggest shock life has in store for her...
There are a lot of events that really begin to unfold for Bryn. Not only is the stuff of mythology real, she's an intrinsical part of it all. She stands on the threshold of the biggest, most eventful journey of her life. About to discover that she has a destiny much different to how she thought her life would go. Will she find her purpose in life? A place where she can finally belong?
The answers to these questions lie within the pages of one of the best books I have read to date.
Having never read anything by T. G Ayer before, I was unsure what to expect from DEAD RADIANCE. I sure didn't expect the impact it would have on me.
Tee is an amazing author. I love the way she describes everything so beautifully and explains things so fully you feel as though you are actually a part of the story. She weaves a spell on you so that you get sucked in from the first word - with a fast-paced, well plotted story where myth and real life collide - a beautiful debut novel by an author you can expect many more amazing things from.
I fell for Aidan, big time. I have to say, I really have a thing about the bad boys. Aidan is up there among my favourite book boy crushes. He has a sad story that made me feel so sorry for him (Yes, I admit I cried).
Bryn is one of my all time favourite female MC's. She's witty and sarcastic. She's tougher than she looks and has an inner strength - an inner core, that I really admire. The way in which she handled all that was thrown at her, she really hit the ground running. Bryn is beautiful inside and out and I really routed for her throughout all the trials and tribulations she faced. It just goes to show that the girl who starts off life as the under-dog really can come out on top.
Thank you Tee for introducing me to one of the most interesting, entertaining casts of characters. Bryn, Aidan, Sigrun, Turi, Odin - even Freya and Astrid. There are some wonders to be discovered on the journey that you undertake when you open this book.
February 28, 2017
I completely and absolutely adored this book!!! I have always had a huge love for mythology which i still have today and Valkyrie’s have always interested me so as you can imagine this was definitely a book for me. I thought the pacing of the book was perfect, it flowed really really well and it felt that everything happened at the right time. There is a lot in this book, a lot of information especially if you don't have any former knowledge of the culture that this book bases itself in but even if you are a novice the way this book is written explains it really well in such a way it's the characters learning about it so you learn alogside them.
It's hard to pinpoint certain parts of this storyline that i loved because if i am honest i loved every moment of this book and i am dying to find out what happens next in this book series. It really is an action packed book and as it's based in mythology you never know what is going to happen next as everyone's interpretation of mythology I's different especially in a novel. I would love to rave about all the differentiates of this book but I would give things away from this story that need to be experienced firsthand.
My favourite character….strangely not a main character, but I loved reading about Fen and I can't wait to find out more about him, I can't say way he is a favourite, maybe the Mystery to him, that he is not as expected text but I was drawn to him as a character. I did adore Bryn, she grows so much within this book and as the reader you go through this growth with her, comparing how she is at the beginning go who she is at the end, there is no comparison, she is so different. Butte one thing that does not change about her is her ommission and her big heart as well as how courageous she is.
I can't express how much readers needed get this book, it is just amazing!!!
It's hard to pinpoint certain parts of this storyline that i loved because if i am honest i loved every moment of this book and i am dying to find out what happens next in this book series. It really is an action packed book and as it's based in mythology you never know what is going to happen next as everyone's interpretation of mythology I's different especially in a novel. I would love to rave about all the differentiates of this book but I would give things away from this story that need to be experienced firsthand.
My favourite character….strangely not a main character, but I loved reading about Fen and I can't wait to find out more about him, I can't say way he is a favourite, maybe the Mystery to him, that he is not as expected text but I was drawn to him as a character. I did adore Bryn, she grows so much within this book and as the reader you go through this growth with her, comparing how she is at the beginning go who she is at the end, there is no comparison, she is so different. Butte one thing that does not change about her is her ommission and her big heart as well as how courageous she is.
I can't express how much readers needed get this book, it is just amazing!!!
January 19, 2024
"Dead Radiance" is a thrilling book that whisked me away on an electrifying adventure filled with Norse mythology, powerful heroines, and the allure of the supernatural. Right from the start, I found myself immersed in a narrative that skillfully combines the mystical with the contemporary.
The storyteller's flair is evident in the creation of a world where ancient Norse gods and modern-day struggles coexist seamlessly. The novel introduces characters with depth, each contributing to the unfolding saga. What sets "Dead Radiance" apart is its ability to infuse a sense of wonder and excitement into a tale that bridges the gap between the mythical and the everyday.
Themes of destiny, self-discovery, and the clash between divine powers are interwoven into the fabric of the narrative, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding story. The characters, particularly the strong and relatable heroine, embark on a journey that blends the extraordinary with the relatable. It's a tale that sparks the imagination and invites readers to explore the realms of mythology and magic.
The pacing is dynamic, with a mix of action-packed sequences and moments of introspection that allow the reader to connect with the characters. The author's descriptive prose brings the magical landscapes and mythical beings to life, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. It's a book that not only captivates but also leaves you eager for the next installment of the adventure.
In conclusion, "Dead Radiance" is a must-read for fans of supernatural adventures. If you're looking for a story that seamlessly blends mythology with a contemporary setting, this novel is a compelling choice. The author's ability to craft a narrative that is both enchanting and full of twists makes "Dead Radiance" an electrifying journey into the realms of fantasy and Norse mythology.
The storyteller's flair is evident in the creation of a world where ancient Norse gods and modern-day struggles coexist seamlessly. The novel introduces characters with depth, each contributing to the unfolding saga. What sets "Dead Radiance" apart is its ability to infuse a sense of wonder and excitement into a tale that bridges the gap between the mythical and the everyday.
Themes of destiny, self-discovery, and the clash between divine powers are interwoven into the fabric of the narrative, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding story. The characters, particularly the strong and relatable heroine, embark on a journey that blends the extraordinary with the relatable. It's a tale that sparks the imagination and invites readers to explore the realms of mythology and magic.
The pacing is dynamic, with a mix of action-packed sequences and moments of introspection that allow the reader to connect with the characters. The author's descriptive prose brings the magical landscapes and mythical beings to life, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. It's a book that not only captivates but also leaves you eager for the next installment of the adventure.
In conclusion, "Dead Radiance" is a must-read for fans of supernatural adventures. If you're looking for a story that seamlessly blends mythology with a contemporary setting, this novel is a compelling choice. The author's ability to craft a narrative that is both enchanting and full of twists makes "Dead Radiance" an electrifying journey into the realms of fantasy and Norse mythology.
April 17, 2020
The story begins at an archaeological dig, where a woman's bones has been discovered. But there's something weird about the skeleton. It seems to have wings.
T.G. Ayer has given us a fun romp through a modern take on some Norse mythology. We have Odin, Freya, Frigga, Fenrir, and even Nidhogg. And Valkyries, of course. Our heroine has to battle some pretty formidable foes to accomplish her task in this book, and to save a good friend's life.
Bryn Halbrook is the main protagonist, and she lives with in a foster home. It turns out that her father was one of the people who was overseeing the dig at the beginning of the book. He has since passed away, however, and one of his associates/competitors seems to have it out for Bryn.
I found the book to be well-written and it held my attention. I enjoyed the take on the mythology, which, as far as I know, seemed to be pretty accurate. I'm no expert on Norse mythology, but I enjoy a good story that works with it.
The only downside is that, since it's a part of a series, the ending is not really an ending. This particular plot ends, but leaves things rather open-ended in other areas.
I'm trying to not spoil anything, here. But I do recommend this story for fans of the mythology.
T.G. Ayer has given us a fun romp through a modern take on some Norse mythology. We have Odin, Freya, Frigga, Fenrir, and even Nidhogg. And Valkyries, of course. Our heroine has to battle some pretty formidable foes to accomplish her task in this book, and to save a good friend's life.
Bryn Halbrook is the main protagonist, and she lives with in a foster home. It turns out that her father was one of the people who was overseeing the dig at the beginning of the book. He has since passed away, however, and one of his associates/competitors seems to have it out for Bryn.
I found the book to be well-written and it held my attention. I enjoyed the take on the mythology, which, as far as I know, seemed to be pretty accurate. I'm no expert on Norse mythology, but I enjoy a good story that works with it.
The only downside is that, since it's a part of a series, the ending is not really an ending. This particular plot ends, but leaves things rather open-ended in other areas.
I'm trying to not spoil anything, here. But I do recommend this story for fans of the mythology.
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