What do you think?
Rate this book
The United States of Asgard #3
The Apple Throne
There is only one person in the whole world who remembers the famous prophet Astrid Glyn: the berserker Soren Bearstar.
Ever since Astrid agreed to give up her life, her name, and even her prophetic dreams to become Idun the Young, the almost-goddess who protects the apples of immortality in a secret mountain orchard, she’s been forgotten by everyone. Everyone except Soren.
For the last two years he’s faithfully visited her every three months. Then one day he doesn’t come. Though forbidden to leave the orchard, Astrid defies the gods by escaping with a bastard son of Thor to find Soren. But ancient creatures are moving in the mountains beneath the country. They are desperate to leave the shadows and Astrid’s quest might be the key they need.
Not-quite-a-goddess, but no longer only a girl, Astrid must choose a path that will save herself and the people she loves without unraveling the ancient magic that holds the entire nine worlds together.
Welcome to the final chapter of the United States of Asgard.
Ever since Astrid agreed to give up her life, her name, and even her prophetic dreams to become Idun the Young, the almost-goddess who protects the apples of immortality in a secret mountain orchard, she’s been forgotten by everyone. Everyone except Soren.
For the last two years he’s faithfully visited her every three months. Then one day he doesn’t come. Though forbidden to leave the orchard, Astrid defies the gods by escaping with a bastard son of Thor to find Soren. But ancient creatures are moving in the mountains beneath the country. They are desperate to leave the shadows and Astrid’s quest might be the key they need.
Not-quite-a-goddess, but no longer only a girl, Astrid must choose a path that will save herself and the people she loves without unraveling the ancient magic that holds the entire nine worlds together.
Welcome to the final chapter of the United States of Asgard.
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2015
About the author
Tessa Gratton
81 books1,972 followersTessa Gratton is the author of adult and YA SFF novels and short stories that have been translated into twenty-two languages, nominated twice for the Otherwise Award, and several have been Junior Library Guild Selections. Her most recent novels are the dark queer fairy tales Strange Grace and Night Shine, and queer the Shakespeare retelling Lady Hotspur. Her upcoming work includes the YA fantasy Chaos and Flame (2023), and novels of Star Wars: The High Republic. Though she has lived all over the world, she currently resides at the edge of the Kansas prairie with her wife. Queer, nonbinary, she/any.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 22, 2015
Rating: 3.5/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
April 30, 2017
I always find it hard to talk about books I really, really loved, because I find myself just saying how great everything was with very little in the way of actual critical thought. But I loved The Apple Throne in a way that I haven't loved a book in a long time, and I think the book deserves as many kind words as I have to give.
I didn't like Astrid in The Lost Sun, because Astrid is the exact kind of person I find difficult in real life—her convictions seemed unshakeable, and I found her comfort with fate tiring. Gratton's other protagonists, Soren and Signy, are far more willing to forge their own paths, for better or for worse, and I think that probably makes them more relatable to most readers—it certainly did for me. But I think that's the greatest trick to Gratton's United States of Asgard—she takes so many varied, differing characters and brings them into conversation. Everyone is allowed to be wrong, and everyone is allowed to be right, and there's not always an answer either way.
Astrid is a beautiful character. Her voice is more poetic than either Soren's or Signy's, and it allows Gratton's writing to really sing. I love beautiful prose, but I think it's hard to sustain over a novel—so often a talented writer can overdo it, but Tessa Gratton knows when to let her words unfold and when to reign them in. Astrid sees the world so beautifully, so gently—she's isn't blind to terrible things happening, but here Signy revels in death and rot, and Astrid turns toward a kinder view. It shows in the writing, it shows in her thoughts, and it shows in her actions.
And Astrid's story is so, so powerful. On a purely superficial level, it's nice seeing the girl rescuing the boy for once. But Astrid's story is so much more than that—it's about choosing your own path when you don't want to abandon everything you already have. That's, possibly, the driving theme behind the whole series—choice, certainly, but choice that doesn't require ripping everything down to its foundations and creating it anew; choice, but productive choice, half struggle but also half acceptance. The book is beautiful and hopeful and triumphant, and it left me both warm and sad at the same time.
Sweeping thematic elements aside, The Apple Throne is just a damn good story. The plot is well-paced—there's the epic road trip that's characterized each of these books, the vibrant characters, primary to tertiary. There's danger and humor and laughter and darkness, and sometimes it was hard to focus on the words because I was so caught up in the plot. The story rests when it needs to and runs when it needs to and punches you in the face when it needs to and it all falls together so well.
If I had one critique, it's that the book could be a little bit longer—everything ties together so well, all the previous books and this one, setting up such a beautiful, changed, chosen future for Gratton's world, and I wish I might have seen a bit more of it. I do think the subplot between Amon and Sune could've used a scene or two more of elaboration, though I loved the note it ended on. Really, I just wish there had been about 100 more pages, even if Gratton was just describing everyone sitting together at a Wafflehouse.
As for the actual climax of the book, the conflict and it's resolution, well.
There's so much more I can say. I love the physical friendship between Sune and Astrid and Amon, and I loved the disteant but real love Freya felt for Astrid. I loved the world, I love everything about Gratton's worldbuilding—I love her complicated, heavy rules and the dark cruelty of her Asgard and also all the light and beauty and energy. I loved the trolls and the elves and goblins and the vibrant landscapes, both real and fantastic. I loved her Loki and I loved her Thor and above all I loved her Freya. This is such an amazing book, and Tessa Gratton is such an amazing author, and there aren't enough superlatives in the world for me to truly articulate how good these books made me feel. I'm sad it's over, and I'm so, so glad I saved the short stories for last.
I didn't like Astrid in The Lost Sun, because Astrid is the exact kind of person I find difficult in real life—her convictions seemed unshakeable, and I found her comfort with fate tiring. Gratton's other protagonists, Soren and Signy, are far more willing to forge their own paths, for better or for worse, and I think that probably makes them more relatable to most readers—it certainly did for me. But I think that's the greatest trick to Gratton's United States of Asgard—she takes so many varied, differing characters and brings them into conversation. Everyone is allowed to be wrong, and everyone is allowed to be right, and there's not always an answer either way.
Astrid is a beautiful character. Her voice is more poetic than either Soren's or Signy's, and it allows Gratton's writing to really sing. I love beautiful prose, but I think it's hard to sustain over a novel—so often a talented writer can overdo it, but Tessa Gratton knows when to let her words unfold and when to reign them in. Astrid sees the world so beautifully, so gently—she's isn't blind to terrible things happening, but here Signy revels in death and rot, and Astrid turns toward a kinder view. It shows in the writing, it shows in her thoughts, and it shows in her actions.
And Astrid's story is so, so powerful. On a purely superficial level, it's nice seeing the girl rescuing the boy for once. But Astrid's story is so much more than that—it's about choosing your own path when you don't want to abandon everything you already have. That's, possibly, the driving theme behind the whole series—choice, certainly, but choice that doesn't require ripping everything down to its foundations and creating it anew; choice, but productive choice, half struggle but also half acceptance. The book is beautiful and hopeful and triumphant, and it left me both warm and sad at the same time.
Sweeping thematic elements aside, The Apple Throne is just a damn good story. The plot is well-paced—there's the epic road trip that's characterized each of these books, the vibrant characters, primary to tertiary. There's danger and humor and laughter and darkness, and sometimes it was hard to focus on the words because I was so caught up in the plot. The story rests when it needs to and runs when it needs to and punches you in the face when it needs to and it all falls together so well.
If I had one critique, it's that the book could be a little bit longer—everything ties together so well, all the previous books and this one, setting up such a beautiful, changed, chosen future for Gratton's world, and I wish I might have seen a bit more of it. I do think the subplot between Amon and Sune could've used a scene or two more of elaboration, though I loved the note it ended on. Really, I just wish there had been about 100 more pages, even if Gratton was just describing everyone sitting together at a Wafflehouse.
As for the actual climax of the book, the conflict and it's resolution, well.
There's so much more I can say. I love the physical friendship between Sune and Astrid and Amon, and I loved the disteant but real love Freya felt for Astrid. I loved the world, I love everything about Gratton's worldbuilding—I love her complicated, heavy rules and the dark cruelty of her Asgard and also all the light and beauty and energy. I loved the trolls and the elves and goblins and the vibrant landscapes, both real and fantastic. I loved her Loki and I loved her Thor and above all I loved her Freya. This is such an amazing book, and Tessa Gratton is such an amazing author, and there aren't enough superlatives in the world for me to truly articulate how good these books made me feel. I'm sad it's over, and I'm so, so glad I saved the short stories for last.
April 19, 2015
Loved this trilogy!
April 26, 2015
Is it hyperbolic to open by declaring that THE UNITED STATES OF ASGARD might be the best books I've ever read? I don't care: they are, and THE APPLE THRONE continues this tradition with more style and grace than I would have thought possible.
I think my favourite part about it was that the book dealt majorly with characters I didn't think I would ever get to see again. Gratton took the people I met (and loved) in GOLD RUNNER and wove them in with Astrid and Soren and Signy, and I really could not be more pleased about it. Every thread - from the books, the novellas, the online pretend magazines - was tied, however small it was, and it was FREAKING DELIGHTFUL.
I also rather desperately loved Astrid's refusal to just be. She basically got her heart's desire (ish) at the end of THE LOST SUN, but she didn't let her destiny be her ending, and I liked that a lot. Also, she got to rescue Soren (twice!), and that is pretty great.
And Signy. And Amon. And Su(uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu)ne. My heart.
What will forever be the cornerstone of these books, for me at least, is the world building. Gratton has left nothing aside, and yet somehow there is never the worry that the reader will be crushed by all the details. It's just so effing real. It is the smartest thing I've ever read, which I think is why it's also the best, and the world is a big part of that. What THE APPLE THRONE says about girls and monsters (and some who are both), and inclusion and second chances and love and death and chance and fate is amazing.
I look forward to rereading this series for the rest of my life, and I am SO GLAD I got to read this book.
I think my favourite part about it was that the book dealt majorly with characters I didn't think I would ever get to see again. Gratton took the people I met (and loved) in GOLD RUNNER and wove them in with Astrid and Soren and Signy, and I really could not be more pleased about it. Every thread - from the books, the novellas, the online pretend magazines - was tied, however small it was, and it was FREAKING DELIGHTFUL.
I also rather desperately loved Astrid's refusal to just be. She basically got her heart's desire (ish) at the end of THE LOST SUN, but she didn't let her destiny be her ending, and I liked that a lot. Also, she got to rescue Soren (twice!), and that is pretty great.
And Signy. And Amon. And Su(uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu)ne. My heart.
What will forever be the cornerstone of these books, for me at least, is the world building. Gratton has left nothing aside, and yet somehow there is never the worry that the reader will be crushed by all the details. It's just so effing real. It is the smartest thing I've ever read, which I think is why it's also the best, and the world is a big part of that. What THE APPLE THRONE says about girls and monsters (and some who are both), and inclusion and second chances and love and death and chance and fate is amazing.
I look forward to rereading this series for the rest of my life, and I am SO GLAD I got to read this book.
April 3, 2015
Tessa Gratton's THE APPLE THRONE is an excellent example of how to end a trilogy. It's a book that ties all of the books together, but does so by adding to their stores without repeating. Soren Bearstar, everyone's favourite berserker and best friend, is the central thread connecting the first two novels and novellas, but in THE APPLE THRONE we learn it's Astrid who holds the world together.
This novel explores power, strength, and the different forms they take. It is about how people who believe different things can live together without compromising their individual needs. It's a book about choice. Consent. Astrid, who took up the role as Idris, Lady of the Apples, is a mortal goddess who offers the apples of immortality to the Asgardian pantheon. These apples must be "freely given," and therein lies the truth of THE APPLE THRONE. Each time Astrid makes a choice, the text respects it. Reinforces that her choices drive the narrative.
Astrid is kind, but she is not weak, because this is a book that understands the strength of kindness. By representing the different ways we can be strong, THE APPLE THRONE reinforces that we can choose our strength and our way of doing battle. It does not say one is better than the other, so much as remind us that they are all options. It gives us a view of a world conflicted as our own, but says we can find our way through. If we don't like the paths being offered, we can forge better ones.
This is a hopeful book, and it's the best possible ending to the story that began in THE LOST SUN.
This novel explores power, strength, and the different forms they take. It is about how people who believe different things can live together without compromising their individual needs. It's a book about choice. Consent. Astrid, who took up the role as Idris, Lady of the Apples, is a mortal goddess who offers the apples of immortality to the Asgardian pantheon. These apples must be "freely given," and therein lies the truth of THE APPLE THRONE. Each time Astrid makes a choice, the text respects it. Reinforces that her choices drive the narrative.
Astrid is kind, but she is not weak, because this is a book that understands the strength of kindness. By representing the different ways we can be strong, THE APPLE THRONE reinforces that we can choose our strength and our way of doing battle. It does not say one is better than the other, so much as remind us that they are all options. It gives us a view of a world conflicted as our own, but says we can find our way through. If we don't like the paths being offered, we can forge better ones.
This is a hopeful book, and it's the best possible ending to the story that began in THE LOST SUN.
May 2, 2015
These books are really amazing. They give a glimpse into a world where gods are real, and passion and poetry are much more important to daily life than logic and machinery. It's hard to put them down, and I really hope there will be more!
May 22, 2021
The United States of Asgard series is the most underrated series in YA Fantasy - fight me. In this final novel Gratton manages to pull together threads she's been weaving throughout The Lost Sun, The Strange Maid and even the collection of short stories, The Weight of Stars. If you haven't read those yet, immediately go out and do it! They are amazing, also spoilers for those books will follow, lol.
This book focuses on Astrid, our seether-turned-goddess Idun from the first book. It goes back a bit at the start, to address the beginning of her time looking after the apples of immortality. Unfortunately as a result of being a sort-of goddess, she's lost her ability to seeth. She's already struggling with that blow to her sense of self when her love, Soren Bearstar, who can only visit her 4 times a year, fails to show up for his 8th visit. What to do?? She knows she ought to stay in place but - nope. That's just not what Astrid's going to do. She abandons her "apple throne" and manages to hook up with Amon, Valhalla's most misbehaving half-god (and rapidly becoming my favorite character), to track him down.
It turns out Soren's under investigation for a murder where he possibly went berserk, and in the course of trying to find him and find out what's going on, we have Signy drawn back into the mix, as well as the elf princess who just won't quit, Eirfinna. And of course you can't have a manhunt without Thor's main hunter, Sune - providing some nice sparks for the Amon storyline (but not enough!). Can Astrid, who's slowly getting her seething powers back, untangle this all in time - without abandoning the apples of immortality for which she's responsible for too long? Can she be a girl and goddess, or will she have to choose?
Like all the other books, this one is about our main character finding their own power and their own path. It's first of all SO NICE to see a young lady rescuing her man for once! But more than that, Astrid's choice at the climax is instrumental to deconstructing some of the Asgardian mythology that revolves around one winner/one loser. She builds and heals rather than destroys.
This book is less sexy than all the others but still filled with deep, powerful and complicated emotions. I've said it before, but I could spend forever in this world. I guess I will just have to wait for the TV series! *she writes hopefully*
This book focuses on Astrid, our seether-turned-goddess Idun from the first book. It goes back a bit at the start, to address the beginning of her time looking after the apples of immortality. Unfortunately as a result of being a sort-of goddess, she's lost her ability to seeth. She's already struggling with that blow to her sense of self when her love, Soren Bearstar, who can only visit her 4 times a year, fails to show up for his 8th visit. What to do?? She knows she ought to stay in place but - nope. That's just not what Astrid's going to do. She abandons her "apple throne" and manages to hook up with Amon, Valhalla's most misbehaving half-god (and rapidly becoming my favorite character), to track him down.
It turns out Soren's under investigation for a murder where he possibly went berserk, and in the course of trying to find him and find out what's going on, we have Signy drawn back into the mix, as well as the elf princess who just won't quit, Eirfinna. And of course you can't have a manhunt without Thor's main hunter, Sune - providing some nice sparks for the Amon storyline (but not enough!). Can Astrid, who's slowly getting her seething powers back, untangle this all in time - without abandoning the apples of immortality for which she's responsible for too long? Can she be a girl and goddess, or will she have to choose?
Like all the other books, this one is about our main character finding their own power and their own path. It's first of all SO NICE to see a young lady rescuing her man for once! But more than that, Astrid's choice at the climax is instrumental to deconstructing some of the Asgardian mythology that revolves around one winner/one loser. She builds and heals rather than destroys.
This book is less sexy than all the others but still filled with deep, powerful and complicated emotions. I've said it before, but I could spend forever in this world. I guess I will just have to wait for the TV series! *she writes hopefully*
April 6, 2020
Gratton does a good job of tying up story lines from the first two books in this third book that finally brings together Astrid the seether and Signy the valkyrie. Soren the Berserker is off camera for most of the book, although Astrid's continued memories of him make his presence felt.
This is Astrid as Idun's book. Here she has to reconcile her desire to serve the gods with the loss of her ability to change fate and act on the world. Luckily, one of Thor's half-mortal sons, Amon, and a young Hunter who is helplessly in love with Amon comes along for the ride.
Yep, its another road trip as Astrid seeks out answers to why Soren would be charged with murder and to solve the final riddle of what to do with the troll heart Signy won in the last book.
If you started this series, this is a satisfying ending, however, Gratton does such a good job with the side characeters (including Amon's sister who catalogues bones in a crypt) that I wish there were books that told their stories as well.
This is Astrid as Idun's book. Here she has to reconcile her desire to serve the gods with the loss of her ability to change fate and act on the world. Luckily, one of Thor's half-mortal sons, Amon, and a young Hunter who is helplessly in love with Amon comes along for the ride.
Yep, its another road trip as Astrid seeks out answers to why Soren would be charged with murder and to solve the final riddle of what to do with the troll heart Signy won in the last book.
If you started this series, this is a satisfying ending, however, Gratton does such a good job with the side characeters (including Amon's sister who catalogues bones in a crypt) that I wish there were books that told their stories as well.
March 3, 2021
I remember very little about this book (other than the messy gays, and I WISH I remembered more about them because they are SO GOOD), but I do know that this entire series wasn't quite what I wanted it to be, and I WAS disappointed that we didn't get full ot3 with Soren, Astrid, and Baldur, and I might have liked this book better than the others in the series? (So we'll say a strong three stars, even 3.25, but not quite 3.5, I think.) But overall, as a unit, this series is underwhelming; I probably won't be revisiting it anytime, and I likely wouldn't really recommend any of it to people, either.
May 8, 2023
I almost didn't finish this one, it felt like it was meandering instead of arrowing towards the climax. Though I'm glad I stuck with it because once it picked up the pace it was good and like a proper ending book it started to tie the various plot strands together not just from this book but from all of them.
March 20, 2020
New tales of Norse mythology for the modern world
I have loved all the Gods of New Asgard books, and pray that there will be more. For me, they capture the essence of the Norse mythology, while giving it a modern, and human, twist.
I have loved all the Gods of New Asgard books, and pray that there will be more. For me, they capture the essence of the Norse mythology, while giving it a modern, and human, twist.
February 5, 2022
3.5 or maybe even 3.75 😋
I really like this world Tessa Grafton has created. This book is good, just not great. 🙂
I really like this world Tessa Grafton has created. This book is good, just not great. 🙂
November 18, 2016
"It is by touching gods and godlings, elves and trolls and men and women, by starting a new story for ourselves and our names, that we reach into the future.
"That is how we thrive."
Astrid Glynn traded her life as a talented prophet and seethkona to save the person she loves. Soren Bearstar struck a bargain in turn so that he would remember Astrid even as the rest of the world forgot her.
It has been two years since Astrid gave up her name, her prophetic dreams, and her life to become Idun the Young--the not-quite goddess who guards and distributes the apples of immortality. In those two years Soren's bargain has allowed him to visit her every three months. Until he doesn't come.
Certain that something terrible is keeping Soren away, Astrid goes against the gods to escape her hidden orchard and search for him. With unexpected help from one of Thor's bastard sons, Astrid travels across New Asgard to find Soren and save him.
Astrid is no longer the seer she once was nor is she exactly a goddess. She will have to bridge the gap between her old life and new if she wants to save the people she loves and protect the world as they know it in The Apple Throne (2015) by Tessa Gratton.
The Apple Throne is the conclusion to Gratton's Songs of New Asgard (United States of Asgard) series. It is preceded by The Lost Sun and The Strange Maid. All of the books function very well as stand-alone titles however, because of timeline and character overlap, The Apple Throne does include spoilers for the earlier books. These titles have all been reissued by the author through CreateSpace as paperbacks and eBooks.
The Apple Throne is a fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite fantasy series. This story starts soon after the conclusion of Soren's story and references the events of Signy's ascension to her title as Valkryie. Although Astrid's story is removed from that of the other protagonists in this series, her arc culminates in a finish that neatly ties all three books together.
Astrid accepts her current role as Idun, a quasi-goddess, gladly. But the loss of her identity as young prophet Astrid Glynn and her separation from Soren still sting. More importantly, Astrid isn't sure who she is without a place in the world and her dream visions to guide her. Throughout the story Astrid has to reconcile who she used to be with who she has become as she tries to correct past mistakes and protect the people she holds dear.
A feminist story literally about a young woman carving a place for herself in the world, The Apple Throne is another thoughtful fantasy filled with the intricate world building that Gratton's fans will expect. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, The Curiosities by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley, Soundless by Richelle Mead, Clariel by Garth Nix, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
"That is how we thrive."
Astrid Glynn traded her life as a talented prophet and seethkona to save the person she loves. Soren Bearstar struck a bargain in turn so that he would remember Astrid even as the rest of the world forgot her.
It has been two years since Astrid gave up her name, her prophetic dreams, and her life to become Idun the Young--the not-quite goddess who guards and distributes the apples of immortality. In those two years Soren's bargain has allowed him to visit her every three months. Until he doesn't come.
Certain that something terrible is keeping Soren away, Astrid goes against the gods to escape her hidden orchard and search for him. With unexpected help from one of Thor's bastard sons, Astrid travels across New Asgard to find Soren and save him.
Astrid is no longer the seer she once was nor is she exactly a goddess. She will have to bridge the gap between her old life and new if she wants to save the people she loves and protect the world as they know it in The Apple Throne (2015) by Tessa Gratton.
The Apple Throne is the conclusion to Gratton's Songs of New Asgard (United States of Asgard) series. It is preceded by The Lost Sun and The Strange Maid. All of the books function very well as stand-alone titles however, because of timeline and character overlap, The Apple Throne does include spoilers for the earlier books. These titles have all been reissued by the author through CreateSpace as paperbacks and eBooks.
The Apple Throne is a fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite fantasy series. This story starts soon after the conclusion of Soren's story and references the events of Signy's ascension to her title as Valkryie. Although Astrid's story is removed from that of the other protagonists in this series, her arc culminates in a finish that neatly ties all three books together.
Astrid accepts her current role as Idun, a quasi-goddess, gladly. But the loss of her identity as young prophet Astrid Glynn and her separation from Soren still sting. More importantly, Astrid isn't sure who she is without a place in the world and her dream visions to guide her. Throughout the story Astrid has to reconcile who she used to be with who she has become as she tries to correct past mistakes and protect the people she holds dear.
A feminist story literally about a young woman carving a place for herself in the world, The Apple Throne is another thoughtful fantasy filled with the intricate world building that Gratton's fans will expect. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, The Curiosities by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley, Soundless by Richelle Mead, Clariel by Garth Nix, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
April 1, 2015
*4.9 stars*
I have loved Tessa Gratton's whole United States of Asgard series, with its fantastic worldbuilding, wonderful writing and compelling characters. The Apple Throne is a beautiful, powerful ending to the series that made me want to re-read all the earlier stories. I don't think it could stand alone - it pulls together all the themes and characters from the first two books and their linked novellas (from her US of Asgard collection THE WEIGHT OF STARS), and you certainly ought to have read at least the first book in the trilogy before reading this one - but the way it pulls them all together at the end is incredibly moving for anyone who has read those earlier stories.
At the end of Book 1, Astrid Glyn made the choice to sacrifice her life in the outside world and become Idun, the goddess who guards and grows the apples of eternal life for the rest of the Norse pantheon. Only one mortal in the outside world will remember her existence - Soren Bearstar, the berserker she loves. He's only allowed to visit her for one day, every three months, though. He had to walk away from the orchard, leaving her behind for most of the years, at the end of Book 1. In this book, we hear Astrid's own voice, as she is forced to confront the reality of her decision and balance her devotion to the gods - and her ideals of service - with her own needs and her shifting identity. It's an intense and compelling struggle - made much more intense when she realizes something terrible has happened to Soren in the outside world, and she is going to have to make a series of very hard choices.
I love, love, love Astrid's voice, her heart, her courage, and her strength. I love the way she faces her fears and builds herself a new identity. The only reason I gave this book 4.9 stars instead of 5 is because there was one brief scene with Loki early in the book which I didn't quite believe in, in terms of Astrid's choices - but that was a very small scene that didn't affect the main plot, and apart from that one scene, everything about the novel was *awesome*, powerful and assured and really emotionally spot-on. I love just how real the US of Asgard feels, in every gritty or fabulous magical detail. I love the complexity of the moral choices that Astrid has to make.
And oh, the ending of this novel - ! The last few paragraphs were SO perfect. I finished the book with that "good book sigh". ("Ohhhhhh that was just right!")
This was a wonderful end to one of my favorite YA series ever.
I have loved Tessa Gratton's whole United States of Asgard series, with its fantastic worldbuilding, wonderful writing and compelling characters. The Apple Throne is a beautiful, powerful ending to the series that made me want to re-read all the earlier stories. I don't think it could stand alone - it pulls together all the themes and characters from the first two books and their linked novellas (from her US of Asgard collection THE WEIGHT OF STARS), and you certainly ought to have read at least the first book in the trilogy before reading this one - but the way it pulls them all together at the end is incredibly moving for anyone who has read those earlier stories.
At the end of Book 1, Astrid Glyn made the choice to sacrifice her life in the outside world and become Idun, the goddess who guards and grows the apples of eternal life for the rest of the Norse pantheon. Only one mortal in the outside world will remember her existence - Soren Bearstar, the berserker she loves. He's only allowed to visit her for one day, every three months, though. He had to walk away from the orchard, leaving her behind for most of the years, at the end of Book 1. In this book, we hear Astrid's own voice, as she is forced to confront the reality of her decision and balance her devotion to the gods - and her ideals of service - with her own needs and her shifting identity. It's an intense and compelling struggle - made much more intense when she realizes something terrible has happened to Soren in the outside world, and she is going to have to make a series of very hard choices.
I love, love, love Astrid's voice, her heart, her courage, and her strength. I love the way she faces her fears and builds herself a new identity. The only reason I gave this book 4.9 stars instead of 5 is because there was one brief scene with Loki early in the book which I didn't quite believe in, in terms of Astrid's choices - but that was a very small scene that didn't affect the main plot, and apart from that one scene, everything about the novel was *awesome*, powerful and assured and really emotionally spot-on. I love just how real the US of Asgard feels, in every gritty or fabulous magical detail. I love the complexity of the moral choices that Astrid has to make.
And oh, the ending of this novel - ! The last few paragraphs were SO perfect. I finished the book with that "good book sigh". ("Ohhhhhh that was just right!")
This was a wonderful end to one of my favorite YA series ever.
December 18, 2015
Sometimes you read a book, and the only difficult part about it is writing the review. The temptation even comes up to skip the review, and just rate it; that would be easier. But when a book is as good as Tessa Gratton's last entry into her United States of Asgard series, you just have to let people know about it.
Set in an alternative (way cooler) world where Odin and Thor steer national policy, The United States of Asgard series has a ton of awesome going for it. Creatively interwoven into our own world, the reader is able to escape to a much more magical place, a place where you could not only get a good job or get to serve your country, you might even get the honor of being born a Berserker or earn your way into becoming a Valkyrie. You could get to meet Baldur the beautiful, or be able to help others by seething the direction their lives are heading. All of these things are fantastic, fun and enamoring. But you hardly notice them, because they are just a setting for the complex and incredibly well written characters.. You will KNOW Tessa's characters . You will be annoyed by them, you will be mad at them, you will be ashamed at and for them. But most of all, you will love them, because they are all real, and full and oh so human.
The Apple Throne is this idea nearly to perfection - we get to know imperfect characters, and get to love them because of their imperfections. Perhaps best of all, we get to see how we can love others because of the power of her characters and how powerfully they can care for others, even when everything says they should not, they should be full of anger. I don't feel like I can even iterate how powerfully Tessa pulls this off; let's just leave it at, some of her characters leave me wanting to be a better person, and the bookworm/daydreamer in me just wishes the characters were real so I could actually get to know them.
In a year of amazing books, this is one of my favorites. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Set in an alternative (way cooler) world where Odin and Thor steer national policy, The United States of Asgard series has a ton of awesome going for it. Creatively interwoven into our own world, the reader is able to escape to a much more magical place, a place where you could not only get a good job or get to serve your country, you might even get the honor of being born a Berserker or earn your way into becoming a Valkyrie. You could get to meet Baldur the beautiful, or be able to help others by seething the direction their lives are heading. All of these things are fantastic, fun and enamoring. But you hardly notice them, because they are just a setting for the complex and incredibly well written characters.. You will KNOW Tessa's characters . You will be annoyed by them, you will be mad at them, you will be ashamed at and for them. But most of all, you will love them, because they are all real, and full and oh so human.
The Apple Throne is this idea nearly to perfection - we get to know imperfect characters, and get to love them because of their imperfections. Perhaps best of all, we get to see how we can love others because of the power of her characters and how powerfully they can care for others, even when everything says they should not, they should be full of anger. I don't feel like I can even iterate how powerfully Tessa pulls this off; let's just leave it at, some of her characters leave me wanting to be a better person, and the bookworm/daydreamer in me just wishes the characters were real so I could actually get to know them.
In a year of amazing books, this is one of my favorites. Do yourself a favor and read it.
March 20, 2016
It has been about a week since I read The Apple Throne, and I have yet to come up with anything coherent to say. So let me get the incoherent stuff out of my system first: FLAIL FLAIL FIST PUMP LAUGHTER AND CRYING AND MORE FLAILING.
Ahem.
*smooths hair and straightens clothes*
So. There are only a few authors whose books I will bravely buy before reading, and Tessa Gratton is definitely on the list. And The Apple Throne did not disappoint. Here's my top three reasons for falling in love with this book:
1. It is filled with people I want to meet (or BE), who are making hard and real choices about who they are and what they want out of their lives.
2. I got to visit new versions of places I was familiar with, which tilted my world in fascinating and sometimes disconcerting ways. I feel like I could pass these characters on the street! (Which would be AWESOME.)
3. Last but certainly not least, Tessa did this cool trick with Loki and gender-specific pronouns that my word-nerd self still can't get over.
4. Sorry, I lied. There are four reasons. This book just made me happy. Read it. I'm going to go off and flail some more.
Ahem.
*smooths hair and straightens clothes*
So. There are only a few authors whose books I will bravely buy before reading, and Tessa Gratton is definitely on the list. And The Apple Throne did not disappoint. Here's my top three reasons for falling in love with this book:
1. It is filled with people I want to meet (or BE), who are making hard and real choices about who they are and what they want out of their lives.
2. I got to visit new versions of places I was familiar with, which tilted my world in fascinating and sometimes disconcerting ways. I feel like I could pass these characters on the street! (Which would be AWESOME.)
3. Last but certainly not least, Tessa did this cool trick with Loki and gender-specific pronouns that my word-nerd self still can't get over.
4. Sorry, I lied. There are four reasons. This book just made me happy. Read it. I'm going to go off and flail some more.
July 28, 2015
Why is this over? *cries profusely*
I love this World and these characters. The final installment of the trilogy wraps all the Asgard stories together. Gratton makes this alternative world feel so real. This entire series was so creative and original and smart. These characters are full of passion and personality and strike chords in my mind and soul. Astrid's story was compelling and beautiful. I love how Gratton combines the mundane with the magic in this world. I love how the divine within mixes with real human struggle. Her insight into deep human emotion and larger world issues are interwoven seamlessly into her characters. There is something so profound in Gratton's writing that just isn't found in most other YA works. I always know I will be moved to feel and think far beyond the time I read that last sweet sentence. I look forward to more from this intelligent and thoughtful author. LOVE Love Love this book.
I love this World and these characters. The final installment of the trilogy wraps all the Asgard stories together. Gratton makes this alternative world feel so real. This entire series was so creative and original and smart. These characters are full of passion and personality and strike chords in my mind and soul. Astrid's story was compelling and beautiful. I love how Gratton combines the mundane with the magic in this world. I love how the divine within mixes with real human struggle. Her insight into deep human emotion and larger world issues are interwoven seamlessly into her characters. There is something so profound in Gratton's writing that just isn't found in most other YA works. I always know I will be moved to feel and think far beyond the time I read that last sweet sentence. I look forward to more from this intelligent and thoughtful author. LOVE Love Love this book.
April 26, 2015
Finished “The Apple Throne”, the last in Tessa Gratton’s “United States of Asgard” series and loved it!!! :D Such a great way to tie all the books & novellas together and finish Astrid, Soren, Signy, and Ned’s stories while also trying in Amon, Sune, and Eirfinna from the 1st novella. I loved this world Tessa created with the Norse gods living in our world and how it would be if that was the main religion & they were involved in our political systems too. This one featured Thor, Loki, and Freya the most, where as the first 2 books had more of Balder and Odin. Didn’t realize too that Tessa’s other 2 novella take place after this 3rd book until I was reading this and realized it was hinting at things that would happen in those 2 stories. Will miss this series but looking forward to Tessa’s other books. :)
January 17, 2017
Book: 3 stars. Series over all 4 stars.
The Apple Throne didn't connect to me as well as the last one, The Strange Maid, did but I could finally empathize with Astrid and her faith and struggle with the Gods and her role as Idun The Young, while being forgotten by the world and having no fate.
I wasn't much into the elves plot, except when it all connected to my favorite (!!) valkyrie Signy Valborn and what she did with the heart of the Troll Mother she killed. The plot with Soren's kidnapping also didn't do much for me and it felt more like something for Astrid to do and tie the elves with the main mystery. BUT I liked a lot how the author expanded more of the worldbuilding.
Still, I love Tessa Grafton's (criminally underrated) United States of Asgard series and I'll keep The Strange Maid in my heart. This is good YA.
The Apple Throne didn't connect to me as well as the last one, The Strange Maid, did but I could finally empathize with Astrid and her faith and struggle with the Gods and her role as Idun The Young, while being forgotten by the world and having no fate.
I wasn't much into the elves plot, except when it all connected to my favorite (!!) valkyrie Signy Valborn and what she did with the heart of the Troll Mother she killed. The plot with Soren's kidnapping also didn't do much for me and it felt more like something for Astrid to do and tie the elves with the main mystery. BUT I liked a lot how the author expanded more of the worldbuilding.
Still, I love Tessa Grafton's (criminally underrated) United States of Asgard series and I'll keep The Strange Maid in my heart. This is good YA.
October 6, 2015
What a spectacular ending to an incredible trilogy!! I absolutely loved this book. And as I've said before, this series is wonderfully magical. The imagery Tessa Gratton conjures in her writing makes me feel feelings, and the characters instantly become beloved favorites. I loved seeing all of the events from the first two books, however seemingly unrelated at the time, come together through prophecy or sheer determination. I also loved seeing the story unfold from Astrid's perspective and watching her character grow and change over the course of her adventure. The stories within stories, the mysteries, and the interplay between magic and fate, gods and men...this amazing world will stick with me for a long time to come.
July 15, 2019
The heartstopping conclusion to the underrated United States of Asgard trilogy. When Astrid's boyfriend Soren doesn't show up for their romantic rendez-vous she defies the gods and sets out on an epic quest to rescue him. Unlike the two previous narrators, Astrid utilizes her wits and reawakened foresight more than her fists to solve her problems which makes for an intruiging change of pace. We also get to see some of the consequences of actions taken by characters in previous books. The ending was excellent while at the same time keeping the door open for more exciting adventures in the United States of Asgard.
May 18, 2015
Wow! Lost Sun was Sorens tale. Strange Maid was Signys. And Astrid aka Idunn finally has hers. And what an adventure. It was also exciting with several new key characters as well as meeting Signy and Soren again. We also go even deeper into the wonderful world Tessa has created. Like every good storyteller you may think you know how it all works from book one and book two but book three is always expected to blow the other two out of the water and it did. So much so I finished half of this book in 3-4hrs of solid reading in one evening. I literally could not put it down.
October 29, 2015
Very satisfying ending to a wonderful series. Another trilogy that utilizes the structure well -- three independent stories each told fully, that together create a mesmerizing arc. I love what Tessa Gratton does with Heathen mythology and a modern setting. Almost all the characters from the first two books, and the three novellas come together in this one - to make their mark on the world, and change their own fates - and that of the elves, giants and gods. I recommend this series highly!
January 23, 2016
Really excellent conclusion to this series. I love how Gratton has transformed the USA to the United States of Asgard -- the details of her world-building are really well-crafted and interesting. This book pulls the whole trilogy together, and even incorporates the three novellas. I love these characters, I love this storyline, I love this entire trilogy. I am definitely going to have to find all of these novels to add them to my own shelves -- this is a series worth keeping.
November 28, 2017
Nice to come back to Astrid. She learns her way around running the orchard and fending off Loki's tricks. The new characters, Amon and Sune, are also interesting. Didn't grip me quite as hard as The Lost Sun, but still good.
Second read: I liked it more. There's more to pick up on when you know the story better.
Second read: I liked it more. There's more to pick up on when you know the story better.
May 17, 2015
Every book in this series is worth the read and contains such excellent world-building and storytelling. I can't give this one 5 stars because I missed Soren so much, and because Astrid seemed like less of a complete character of her own than in the first book. Of course, there's a good reason for that, but I missed who she used to be.
May 31, 2016
I enjoyed the final installment to this series, but there was something that felt off about it. I think it might have been Astrid's role as Idun. The gods in the other books were kind of a mystery. We knew they existed but the missing information on their lives was pleasant. This look into the depths of their life styles was just oddly lacking...
September 24, 2015
When the end of a trilogy is satisfying, complete, and rewarding; you feel happy. When it is also a piece of poetry, reflecting the tone and contents that it writes about, it's sublime. I loved this book, despite the fact that there is less of my favorite character than I would have preferred.
March 7, 2016
Tessa Gratton has created an amazing world with her United States of Asgard series. I devour the next book as soon as I get it. I especially love the way she weaves together characters from previous books into the new book, without making it always the same characters in the book.
March 25, 2018
I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the previous two. Astrid's role in this plot didn't seem quite strong enough to warrant a full book. She didn't seem to have a clear path, the way Soren and Signy did, although maybe that was the point. Still not quite as satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews