Choosers of the Slain

The Valkyries #1

by Ann Chamberlin

Throughout the recited and recorded history of mankind in all cultures, a few women have gone to great lengths to rise above their inherent positions of obscurity. Often they have reached a position of recognition only through great sacrifice. Common history chooses to discount the efforts and contributions of these amazing women, but this more thorough telling strives to give due credit, even in the fantasy realm of fiction. This series, The Valkyries, is dedicated to the goal of telling the woman’s side of history and life, predicated on the determination that not all myth and lore is reserved to celebrate men alone.


The Valkyries tells the story of one such woman. As a young girl, Brynhild of the Peoples of the North, the tribe of the Angles, is doomed to die in the Spring Thaw ritual. However, she manages to skirt death, only to be marked as warriormaiden destined to ride with Odin. How she comes into her own as she suffers the trials and tribulations of the life thrust upon her is only part of the story. Throughout her life, she wrestles with questions that plague her. As a female, is it possible to claim glory and freedom only at the expense of denying one’s womanhood? And the freedom from womanhood – is it truly freedom or some sham construct, a cruel trick played by the gods?


Perhaps there are no answers, only the life she chooses to live, despite the glower of the god who chose her, One-Eye, Aesir of the Sky. Perhaps her destiny truly is what she has always tried to avoid – embracing the Vanir of the Earth and her role in the Wheel of Life

282 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2014

Reviews

[Nathan Marquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ann writes in a very sophisticated style, which had me re-reading a few pages to fully grasp the concept that she describes. She does a great job in referencing Nordic mythology and applying it to her novel; after reading her bio and understanding that her background is very archeological and theological, you can see that quite a bit in the story. I think overall it was a great book, my biggest issue was sometimes the pacing of the story was very erratic. Some parts of it were very long and seemed like she was putting extra effort in detailing minor things, but then come significant battles and development for Brynhild or Signy, they seemed to start and end in a matter of one chapter.

It doesn’t give me the option but I’d rate the book 3.5/5

[Vanessa Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1st part of the story of the Valkyries (Choosers of the Slain) told a great story of Brynhild, a girl of just 10, when her journey of life takes her on a new path. I was bewildered by the ceremonies, sacrifices and the challenges that Brynhild took on (and unfortunately was a little squeamish with some of the graphic details, especially what became of her friend), to become a Valkyrie, and the strong woman that she became. I will definitively be reading the next installment and many of the other book by Ann Chamberlain.