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Wild Women #1
Freyja's Daughter
Meet Faline. Bounty-Hunter. Huldra. Wild Woman.
Well behaved women seldom make history, but they still end up as the monsters of folklore.
Faline Frey is a bounty-hunter, more comfortable relying on perp files and handcuffs than using her huldra powers to take down a suspect. No sense in catching the unwanted attention of her local Hunter authority, a group of holy soldiers born to police the supernatural and keep Wild Women—huldras, mermaids, succubi, rusalki and harpies—in check.
All that changes the night she heads out for a date, hoping to get lucky. Instead, she gets screwed.
Now her sister is missing, along with Wild Women from all over the country. The Hunters are on her tail and the one person offering to help is her ex-lover, Officer Marcus Garcia, who has just enough ties to the supernatural world. To unite her enemies against their common foe, Faline will need to convince the Wild Women to do the one thing she fears most—exhume their power buried deep beneath centuries of oppression. That is, if she can keep them from killing each other.
284 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2018
199 people are currently reading
2904 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 6, 2018
Looking for a kick ass heroine surrounded by other strong, smart, and independent females? Look no further. Pudelek bursts onto the scene with a gripping and imaginative story for readers looking for a bit of themselves represented in fantasy.
Follow the protagonist through her self discovery as she finds her place in the world and beyond. A must read for anyone sick and tired of reading the same stories about “strong” women. Trust me, you’re getting that and then some.
Follow the protagonist through her self discovery as she finds her place in the world and beyond. A must read for anyone sick and tired of reading the same stories about “strong” women. Trust me, you’re getting that and then some.
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April 13, 2018Strong writing. Strong characters. Strong plot. I think this is the first of many amazing books to come from this author! And if you like kickass female heroines, ADD THIS RIGHT NOW.
July 19, 2018
Rachel is a master at creating a world to escape into. Her characters are living and breathing and you can feel like you are right there with them.
Freyja’s Daughter did not disappoint me. I was sucked in from the very beginning and had a hard time setting the book down. The story line is amazing and I love that this book is different from anything else I have ever read. I am in love with all of the fierce Wild Women in this book and can’t wait to get my hands on the next thing Rachel Pudelek writes!!! Her stories are the kind that stick with you and you just love to read again and again.
Freyja’s Daughter did not disappoint me. I was sucked in from the very beginning and had a hard time setting the book down. The story line is amazing and I love that this book is different from anything else I have ever read. I am in love with all of the fierce Wild Women in this book and can’t wait to get my hands on the next thing Rachel Pudelek writes!!! Her stories are the kind that stick with you and you just love to read again and again.
April 10, 2018
Review to come...
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May 14, 2018
This book is an absolute breath of fresh air! It can be hard to find a new concept in urban fantasy, but Rachel Pudelek has done it. The concept is fresh, the plot inventive, and the characters are so interesting. I cared about the main character Faline from page one, and I loved the connection between the different groups of Wild Women as well as learning why they'd become alienated from each other over the years. I was also really into the forbidden, opposites-attract romance storyline. Excellent writing and a fast-moving, action packed plot made it a page-turner. I'll be back for Book 2 for sure!
July 8, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from LibraryThing
This started out a little shaky for me - I was worried that I had been introduced to another heroine who was just going to run around obsessing over hot guys for the whole book - but it picked up and took a definite turn fairly quickly and I ended up loving it by the end [even the romance subplot, which is high praise coming from me]. I think it was a really cool idea to take all the mythological creatures that are generally only female and tie them together to have common origins like this, definitely not something I have seen before.
In the end it was a really fun book about a group of magical women fighting back against the sexism and religion that has been keeping them down for centuries and I think that's something we can all relate to. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book to people who like Seanan McGuire's Incryptid series, although that one focuses more on human/cryptid relations at large while this one is more focused on the gendered side of things, but I think they have definite similarities.
This started out a little shaky for me - I was worried that I had been introduced to another heroine who was just going to run around obsessing over hot guys for the whole book - but it picked up and took a definite turn fairly quickly and I ended up loving it by the end [even the romance subplot, which is high praise coming from me]. I think it was a really cool idea to take all the mythological creatures that are generally only female and tie them together to have common origins like this, definitely not something I have seen before.
In the end it was a really fun book about a group of magical women fighting back against the sexism and religion that has been keeping them down for centuries and I think that's something we can all relate to. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book to people who like Seanan McGuire's Incryptid series, although that one focuses more on human/cryptid relations at large while this one is more focused on the gendered side of things, but I think they have definite similarities.
April 14, 2018
What an exciting book!
FREYJA'S DAUGHTER takes the battle of the sexes and gives it a spin that's both literal and folkloric in nature, introducing us to a world where mythical creatures known as the Wild Women have been forced to hide away from human society by the Hunters, their masculine nemeses. Our heroine is Faline, a huldra whose long-suppressed powers start bursting out after she's manipulated into a dangerous situation. Things escalate quickly from there, as the kidnapping of Faline's sister sends her on a quest to gather information from the other knots of Wild Women across the country: succubi, mermaids, rusalki, and harpies, all of whom have their own goddess-given powers.
Pudelak has written a faced-paced, thrilling tale of women reclaiming their power. The feminist themes are particularly resonant in our current political climate, and the various Wild Women face a considerable challenge, not just in their religious-fanatic opponents, but in learning to work with and trust each other. I'm looking forward to the rest of the Wild Women series! There's clearly so much more to explore about this world, its history, and its shaping future.
FREYJA'S DAUGHTER takes the battle of the sexes and gives it a spin that's both literal and folkloric in nature, introducing us to a world where mythical creatures known as the Wild Women have been forced to hide away from human society by the Hunters, their masculine nemeses. Our heroine is Faline, a huldra whose long-suppressed powers start bursting out after she's manipulated into a dangerous situation. Things escalate quickly from there, as the kidnapping of Faline's sister sends her on a quest to gather information from the other knots of Wild Women across the country: succubi, mermaids, rusalki, and harpies, all of whom have their own goddess-given powers.
Pudelak has written a faced-paced, thrilling tale of women reclaiming their power. The feminist themes are particularly resonant in our current political climate, and the various Wild Women face a considerable challenge, not just in their religious-fanatic opponents, but in learning to work with and trust each other. I'm looking forward to the rest of the Wild Women series! There's clearly so much more to explore about this world, its history, and its shaping future.
May 22, 2018
Faline, bounty-hunter, Huldra, a Wild Woman. Faline enjoys her job of catching bail jumpers and bringing them back in so that they can face the courts. She and her fellow Huldra are tree women. But they are mandated to keep their abilities under control and never used. If she uses her abilities the Hunters, holy soldiers deemed the "protectors" of them, will not hesitate to bring her in and punish her. Everything about her and her fellow Huldra is controlled and monitored by the Hunters. Faline is attracted to a certain cop, Marcus. She goes on a date with him, and there is definitely chemistry between them. She has a "no second date" policy, because she doesn't want to get close to a human, but she decides to break that for this guy. She wants more from him. Too bad instead of the evening ending on a good fun note, she finds herself in a very dangerous situation. Next, her sister is snatched and disappears. Faline is determined to get her sister back, but as she embarks on her mission she will quickly learn that there is more going on than meets the eye. Everything she has ever been told, instructed and indoctrinated by the Hunters is a lie, and now is the time to fight.
Freyja's Daughter by Rachel Pudelek is a fantastic female-oriented story. I love the different supernatural species the author uses in this story. The story focuses on Faline, but each of the other supernatural groups gets plenty of story time as well. This book is hard to put down as Faline goes from one group to another in search of her sister, and in the process learning more about each and the trials that each themselves have suffered. I love how the author touches on each of the goddesses that brought the various groups into being. We get some backstory in the appropriate places, and this book has some interesting twists as well. One twist you will see quickly when the author gives us a hint early in the story, but there are others that you won't see coming at all. The characters descriptions are beautifully done and I just wish that each of these amazing creatures were actually real. I love the prophecy that the author uses in this story. It is one that the groups know, and have anticipated happening. Some of the groups know their true history, and others have found ways to usurp those who would attempt to subdue them. There are so many layers to this story that help to keep the reader engaged.
I am honestly shocked that I did not have any moments of being irritated with any of the characters in the story! Normally, I will develop an issue with someone's attitude or how they handle certain characters, but that never happened with this book. For me, that speaks volumes about the author's ability to make this story an amazing read. I am pleased to say that there are no editorial issues to speak of. The author and editor really took their time combing through this book and making sure that it was flawless.
This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger with some questions left unanswered. Despite this, I don't think that anyone should have a major issue with the cliffhanger. It is a mild one at most and just excites me to read the next installment of this series. I'm eager to learn what happens next with the characters in this story. I love how strong the various female characters are in this book and I look forward to reading more about them and of them in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Freyja's Daughter by Rachel Pudelek is a fantastic female-oriented story. I love the different supernatural species the author uses in this story. The story focuses on Faline, but each of the other supernatural groups gets plenty of story time as well. This book is hard to put down as Faline goes from one group to another in search of her sister, and in the process learning more about each and the trials that each themselves have suffered. I love how the author touches on each of the goddesses that brought the various groups into being. We get some backstory in the appropriate places, and this book has some interesting twists as well. One twist you will see quickly when the author gives us a hint early in the story, but there are others that you won't see coming at all. The characters descriptions are beautifully done and I just wish that each of these amazing creatures were actually real. I love the prophecy that the author uses in this story. It is one that the groups know, and have anticipated happening. Some of the groups know their true history, and others have found ways to usurp those who would attempt to subdue them. There are so many layers to this story that help to keep the reader engaged.
I am honestly shocked that I did not have any moments of being irritated with any of the characters in the story! Normally, I will develop an issue with someone's attitude or how they handle certain characters, but that never happened with this book. For me, that speaks volumes about the author's ability to make this story an amazing read. I am pleased to say that there are no editorial issues to speak of. The author and editor really took their time combing through this book and making sure that it was flawless.
This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger with some questions left unanswered. Despite this, I don't think that anyone should have a major issue with the cliffhanger. It is a mild one at most and just excites me to read the next installment of this series. I'm eager to learn what happens next with the characters in this story. I love how strong the various female characters are in this book and I look forward to reading more about them and of them in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2018
Disclaimer: I CPed this book and am friends with the author.
I love UF, but every once in a while I need a break from the tall, dark, handsome that eats half the novel even though it's not supposed to be a paranormal romance. This is the perfect cup of fresh water. This is about the women, who they are and what they can accomplish. And sometimes we need books like this to regain a little perspective.
I love UF, but every once in a while I need a break from the tall, dark, handsome that eats half the novel even though it's not supposed to be a paranormal romance. This is the perfect cup of fresh water. This is about the women, who they are and what they can accomplish. And sometimes we need books like this to regain a little perspective.
June 27, 2018
I love books that tell stories about women, and that give us women characters who are true-to-life. And Rachel Pudelek gives us all that and more: she's also infused her book with the restlessness, rage, and call-to-action we've been witnessing among women here and abroad in the last couple years. And she shows us just how far back in history those feelings really go... I'm so excited to follow this series, and this author!
May 28, 2018
This is a fantastic book!! I loved the storyline, the lore, and the characters. I can’t wait for the next in the series to come out!
April 28, 2018
Faline Frey is a bounty hunter and a huldra. Her kind, as well as the succubi, rusalki, mermaids, and harpies are known as Wild Women, mythological beings that live among us under the rule of their self-proclaimed guardians—the Hunters. This is how it has been for centuries, since the time the Hunters saved the Wild Women from destroying themselves through their bitter rivalries. When Faline’s sister, Shawna, is abducted, Faline is certain it’s the work of the succubi. The Hunters refuse to help Faline find Shawna and she can’t approach the police. Faline has no choice but to leave her region without Hunter permission to seek out the succubi in Oregon. The further Faline gets from home, the deeper and more shocking the secrets she discovers.
A promising debut from Rachel Pudelek, Freyja’s Daughter is an immersive Urban Fantasy novel with a satisfying feminist theme. Pudelek’s use of the Hunters as a metaphor for the patriarchy is effective while still being subtle. The huldra, rusalki, harpies, mermaids, and succubi have enough differences in customs and culture to remain distinct from each other and yet there remains a strong sense of sisterhood between the groups. Pudelek invokes a believable representation of these mythological beings in a modern setting and provides a contextually realistic interpretation of the lore surrounding them. Faline is a likeable, confident character with a well-rounded personality. Minor conflicts and tensions interplay with the main plot to lead the reader to a thrilling denouement. Freyja’s Daughter is a rare treat for Urban Fantasy fans.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
A promising debut from Rachel Pudelek, Freyja’s Daughter is an immersive Urban Fantasy novel with a satisfying feminist theme. Pudelek’s use of the Hunters as a metaphor for the patriarchy is effective while still being subtle. The huldra, rusalki, harpies, mermaids, and succubi have enough differences in customs and culture to remain distinct from each other and yet there remains a strong sense of sisterhood between the groups. Pudelek invokes a believable representation of these mythological beings in a modern setting and provides a contextually realistic interpretation of the lore surrounding them. Faline is a likeable, confident character with a well-rounded personality. Minor conflicts and tensions interplay with the main plot to lead the reader to a thrilling denouement. Freyja’s Daughter is a rare treat for Urban Fantasy fans.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
June 17, 2018
This is the first time I have ever read a story by Rachel Pudelek. Oh boy am I glad I read this one I thought I read all their was about the different super naturals. this is the first time I ever heard of a huldra. This was awesome I loved reading the story from cover to cover. I can not wait to see if there is a book 2 coming out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2018
She never does what people expect as she never uses her powers as she prefers her files and handcuffs. She goes for a date hoping to get lucky but she wasnt. Her fellow wild women were missing she has to ask for. Can she save them all? Will they use their magic? Maybe
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 19, 2018
If you love book that uplift women, and have women working together to fight the patriarchy, you're going to love this book. If you love mythology and folklore, you're going to love this book. If you love both of those things, you're REALLY going to love this book!
May 23, 2018
Wonderful
This is a marvelous book. There were points that I literally had chills running up and down my spine. This is a memorable fantasy adventure story that I can't wait to read the next installment.
This is a marvelous book. There were points that I literally had chills running up and down my spine. This is a memorable fantasy adventure story that I can't wait to read the next installment.
May 24, 2018
I liked this page gripping read, the storyline was well worth the time with obstacles, steamy scenarios and hiden secrets as it unfolds with issues to sort
April 18, 2018
If you like strong female characters and mythology, I highly recommend this book! The author brings a fresh take on mythical creatures like succubi and huldra, packed into a fun adventure. It’s a wild ride!
July 10, 2018
Full review to come - I HIGHLY enjoyed this!!
October 7, 2018
My first time reading anything by Ms Pudelek. I was drawn in by the blurb and really enjoyed the book.
September 28, 2018
This was my first foray into urban fantasy and now I'm totally hooked. Loved the strong women, the mythology, and the fast-paced plot. Am looking forward to a sequel :)
April 22, 2018
I don't normally read fantasy, but the book sounded fun, and it sure was! I am only mad that I have to wait to read the rest of the series. Like a good show, you just want to binge all at once. Besides the entertaining story, it was imbued with so much feminism that I really appreciated that. The cast of characters were also multi-ethnic and of different sexual orientations. This all created a more inclusive world, which allows a multitude of readers to enter it and be represented. I loved the premise of Wild Women and the mythical figures who shared a sisterhood, and a whole lot of power!
June 24, 2018
I enjoyed this action packed, strong women story. I'm always up for stories with mythology and I especially liked the twist this one provided with myths being altered by men to villainize the Wild Women. History is written by the winners. The divisiveness between the different factions of Wild Women and how Faline tries to bring them together stuck with me because I always say women need to work on building each other up instead of tearing each other down. This book shows strength in unity of women despite their differences.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds and how they deal with the rest of the hunters.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds and how they deal with the rest of the hunters.
May 22, 2018
This is not your typical Fantasy. It's that and so much more. It has folkloric figures, wound together with a kick-ass heroine and a tribe of fabulous magical women, that all work together toward a common goal. I fell in love with the author's storytelling abilities as she successfully pulled me in from the very first scene, and kept me glued to the pages until the last moment. Pudelek surpasses the bar on her debut novel! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
September 8, 2018
First, I enjoyed that this story was a healthy mix of romance and plot. While the romance in this is integral to the progression of the story itself, it is not overbearing
This story has a full cast of unique characters, but I especially found myself loving Faline .and of course, Marcus.
I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I will definitely be recommending this series to everyone I know.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story has a full cast of unique characters, but I especially found myself loving Faline .and of course, Marcus.
I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I will definitely be recommending this series to everyone I know.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2018
Holy Moly this girl is a bada$$!!!! I really enjoyed this story, it does have a romantic aspect but really its more of an urban fantasy than anything, the romantic relationship doesn't take center stage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 24, 2018
Absolutely lovely!
August 13, 2018
Awesome read
I can't wait for the next book. Not much more to say than that. I love it. If you haven't read it, you need to
I can't wait for the next book. Not much more to say than that. I love it. If you haven't read it, you need to
July 28, 2019
Rachel Pudelek’s debut novel, Freyja’s Daughter, is based on an interesting premise: groups of supernatural women have been forced into submission. A group of men called Hunters control these women, terming their care as "protecton" them but more truthfully, keeping the women “tame". These women are subjected to punishments if they don't adhere to monthly and random check-ins and follow the Hunters' rules. The women are forced to suppress their abilities.Any use of their powers is revealed on their monthly check-ins, and if positive, the Hunters won’t hesitate to punish them.
Worse, their history and much of their past has been expunged by the Hunters, so in many ways, like human women, they have lost their rightful place in the world as well as their trust of each other.
Pudelek does a great job giving each of these tribes of women—huldras, mermaids, succubae, rusalki, and harpies—different personalities and traits. The protagonist, Faline, a huldra and one of these wild women, and her journey to self-realization and her growth as a leader of the various tribes is well-developed in this book.
I recommend this book despite the fact that I can’t figure out how a tribe that reproduces with men and can only bear female children (the huldra) hasn’t died out over the centuries.
Worse, their history and much of their past has been expunged by the Hunters, so in many ways, like human women, they have lost their rightful place in the world as well as their trust of each other.
Pudelek does a great job giving each of these tribes of women—huldras, mermaids, succubae, rusalki, and harpies—different personalities and traits. The protagonist, Faline, a huldra and one of these wild women, and her journey to self-realization and her growth as a leader of the various tribes is well-developed in this book.
I recommend this book despite the fact that I can’t figure out how a tribe that reproduces with men and can only bear female children (the huldra) hasn’t died out over the centuries.
July 8, 2019
I really enjoyed my escape into the land of the Wild Women. It was a quick, entertaining read that kept my interest all the way through. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews