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The Road to Valhalla #5
Shield-Maiden: Under the Dark Moon
For Odin’s chosen, all roads lead to Valhalla.
With Gudmund dead, Hervor and Hofund are crowned queen and king of Grund. The pair soon discover that ruling a Viking land is not without difficulty. Enemies from without and within threaten the new rulers. While her dreams are the same, Hervor’s future becomes unclear. The gods have grown silent. Only Skadi whispers to Hervor now, and all her words are warnings. A dark moon is rising. Hervor must learn to rely on her inner strength to protect her family and face the tumultuous path the Norns have woven for her.
Dive into the thrilling final chapter of the Road to Valhalla series! Fans of Vikings and The Last Kingdom will love the Shield-Maiden: Under the Dark Moon by New York Times bestseller Melanie Karsak.
With Gudmund dead, Hervor and Hofund are crowned queen and king of Grund. The pair soon discover that ruling a Viking land is not without difficulty. Enemies from without and within threaten the new rulers. While her dreams are the same, Hervor’s future becomes unclear. The gods have grown silent. Only Skadi whispers to Hervor now, and all her words are warnings. A dark moon is rising. Hervor must learn to rely on her inner strength to protect her family and face the tumultuous path the Norns have woven for her.
Dive into the thrilling final chapter of the Road to Valhalla series! Fans of Vikings and The Last Kingdom will love the Shield-Maiden: Under the Dark Moon by New York Times bestseller Melanie Karsak.
728 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2021
496 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Karsak
90 books1,714 followersNew York Times and USA Today best-selling historical fantasy author Melanie Karsak is the author of the Celtic Blood series, Steampunk Red Riding Hood, Steampunk Fairy Tales, the Road to Valhalla Series, and other works of fantasy and fiction. The author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 31, 2024
5 +++ Stars
I am gutted...absolutely gutted by the ending of this spectacular series. I can't stop crying and smiling at the same time...even though this completely broke my heart, it also warmed it at the same time.
It has been so long since a story has gripped me as much as this one did. Hats off to the author to all of the work she did in explaining the gods, customs, and viking natures. Mesmerized is the only word I can think of which explains how I felt during this journey with Hervor.
The world building...the character development spanning through multiple generations...masterpiece!
As I type, I'm shaking my head trying to put all of my strong feelings into words but I just don't think I can do justice for this story. I know that it is going to be a long time coming before I find another book that has touched me as much as this series!
I am gutted...absolutely gutted by the ending of this spectacular series. I can't stop crying and smiling at the same time...even though this completely broke my heart, it also warmed it at the same time.
It has been so long since a story has gripped me as much as this one did. Hats off to the author to all of the work she did in explaining the gods, customs, and viking natures. Mesmerized is the only word I can think of which explains how I felt during this journey with Hervor.
The world building...the character development spanning through multiple generations...masterpiece!
As I type, I'm shaking my head trying to put all of my strong feelings into words but I just don't think I can do justice for this story. I know that it is going to be a long time coming before I find another book that has touched me as much as this series!
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December 5, 2024Knowing Hervor’s story, I knew this was going to end tragically, but Melanie Karsak did tie the end of Hervor’s tale up in a way that brought everything together and left a bittersweet, but touching, ending.
Hervor and Hofund faced so many challenges in the previous books, between raiders, ruling a kingdom and dealing with the tricks of the gods, and in this book they deal with all that along with the challenge of becoming parents. This books covered a large time frame, but it didn’t feel rushed, which I appreciated. There was a lot of heartbreak and twists in this book, but the Melanie Karsak has done an amazing job bringing the sheildmaiden to life for her readers.
CW: Violence
Hervor and Hofund faced so many challenges in the previous books, between raiders, ruling a kingdom and dealing with the tricks of the gods, and in this book they deal with all that along with the challenge of becoming parents. This books covered a large time frame, but it didn’t feel rushed, which I appreciated. There was a lot of heartbreak and twists in this book, but the Melanie Karsak has done an amazing job bringing the sheildmaiden to life for her readers.
CW: Violence
February 21, 2024
Death hollowed out places in the soul. Nothing could fill the void of a lost loved one. You simply learned to live with a wound that did not heal.
I haven't cried throughout a book like I did with this in years. Definitely need to process this one.
I haven't cried throughout a book like I did with this in years. Definitely need to process this one.
January 16, 2022
Okay, I’m officially done for the night.
I was not prepared for that ending 😭. After following Hervor on her journey through life, I was completely unprepared for how this book ended. To say I was put through the wringer - and gutted - wouldn’t be too far off the mark. You get a sense of where things are headed early in the book in regards to an earlier prophecy and her sons. Prepare to use a lot of tissues over the last few chapters. Only wish there had been an epilogue of Hervor and Hofund. Highly recommend this series if you enjoy historical fiction with a healthy splash of interfering Gods.
I was not prepared for that ending 😭. After following Hervor on her journey through life, I was completely unprepared for how this book ended. To say I was put through the wringer - and gutted - wouldn’t be too far off the mark. You get a sense of where things are headed early in the book in regards to an earlier prophecy and her sons. Prepare to use a lot of tissues over the last few chapters. Only wish there had been an epilogue of Hervor and Hofund. Highly recommend this series if you enjoy historical fiction with a healthy splash of interfering Gods.
May 3, 2021
Stunning conclusion to this series! I ran the gamut of emotions during this book—the longest in this series. I am sad that this is the end of Hervor's story, but Melanie did this heroine justice.
May 23, 2021
Breathtaking Norse Saga
I’m still wiping tears from my eyes from the moving and compelling ending. An exquisitely written early Norse (Viking) saga with plot twists that sometimes took my breath away. With five books in the series, you would think they couldn’t all be equally fantastic...and you would be wrong. They are.
I fell asleep way past my bedtime night after night, picked up where I left off while sipping morning coffee. Read during lunch...it is that amazing and addicting. The location details and character building, the detailed joys and strife of family life, integral religious rituals and beliefs, the prowess and brutality of the raiding warriors, women as well as men, the depths of love to the horrors of hate, and Roc the wolf plus Loki the trickster. Omg, just read it.
A treasured find on Kindle Unlimited...now I can finally get some sleep!
I’m still wiping tears from my eyes from the moving and compelling ending. An exquisitely written early Norse (Viking) saga with plot twists that sometimes took my breath away. With five books in the series, you would think they couldn’t all be equally fantastic...and you would be wrong. They are.
I fell asleep way past my bedtime night after night, picked up where I left off while sipping morning coffee. Read during lunch...it is that amazing and addicting. The location details and character building, the detailed joys and strife of family life, integral religious rituals and beliefs, the prowess and brutality of the raiding warriors, women as well as men, the depths of love to the horrors of hate, and Roc the wolf plus Loki the trickster. Omg, just read it.
A treasured find on Kindle Unlimited...now I can finally get some sleep!
May 9, 2021
Strong ending to an excellent series
I wanted to read this book slowly, to savor it, but it wouldn't let me. The story is so strong and compelling that I couldn't stop reading. As has been the case with the entire series, the characters are well-developed and fully realized, the plot is well-thought-out and has few - if any - holes, and it's refreshingly free of characters being written into corners that require improbable miracles to resolve.
I highly recommend this series.
I wanted to read this book slowly, to savor it, but it wouldn't let me. The story is so strong and compelling that I couldn't stop reading. As has been the case with the entire series, the characters are well-developed and fully realized, the plot is well-thought-out and has few - if any - holes, and it's refreshingly free of characters being written into corners that require improbable miracles to resolve.
I highly recommend this series.
November 26, 2024
This book was freaking heart breaking. From start to finish. Between the decline in Heidrek’s mental stability, Blomma’s slow loss of her brother and Hervor and Hofund watching their son turn into everything they tried to avoid. It was brutal. My heart was torn to shreds over and over in this one and I absolutely bawled when it ended.
I did find that this one dragged a bit much in the middle for me. There was so much focus on Heidrek, and I found quite a bit of it to be repetitive and I kept finding myself wishing the series would get a move on.
Emotionally this book was a 5 star book.
But it didn’t quite hit like all the others, and I really didn’t love it as much overall, even though I am completely head over heels for the series.
I’m so excited to move on to the next series, and read about Blomma’s daughter.
I did find that this one dragged a bit much in the middle for me. There was so much focus on Heidrek, and I found quite a bit of it to be repetitive and I kept finding myself wishing the series would get a move on.
Emotionally this book was a 5 star book.
But it didn’t quite hit like all the others, and I really didn’t love it as much overall, even though I am completely head over heels for the series.
I’m so excited to move on to the next series, and read about Blomma’s daughter.
November 5, 2021
(BIGGEST SIGH EVER)
Finishing this book was the hardest in the whole series.
Honestly I hated how thing went after they were crowned King and Queen. I did enjoy seeing their lives unfold but it sucked balls that things... sucked.
In the end, things ended as it should. I had a sneaky feeling how things would end but it still broke my heart to see it happen. Basically I was a bubbering mess as I finished the book. Especially any parts that mentioned Yrsa. If you start from the beginning of this series, we all know that Hervor was so favoured by Odin and she ended where she should be. But the biggest player was actually Loki in the very end.
This book reminded me that life is not a happily ever after. It never is... As so many characters said in the book, it is decided by the Norns, let it unfold as it should.
Finishing this book was the hardest in the whole series.
Honestly I hated how thing went after they were crowned King and Queen. I did enjoy seeing their lives unfold but it sucked balls that things... sucked.
In the end, things ended as it should. I had a sneaky feeling how things would end but it still broke my heart to see it happen. Basically I was a bubbering mess as I finished the book. Especially any parts that mentioned Yrsa. If you start from the beginning of this series, we all know that Hervor was so favoured by Odin and she ended where she should be. But the biggest player was actually Loki in the very end.
This book reminded me that life is not a happily ever after. It never is... As so many characters said in the book, it is decided by the Norns, let it unfold as it should.
January 22, 2023
I did it! I stuck around and finished this book. I was determined to do it. I’m so disappointed in this book. 1-4 were so eventful and fast paced I read them fast as lightning. This one felt long and honestly 70% of it was like reading a queen’s boring diary. Never been so happy to be done with a book. All in all, as much as I disliked it I can’t take from the fact that the books before it were great.
I won’t be reading the following story. At least for now, I don’t plan to. This book exhausted me of this Viking world.
I won’t be reading the following story. At least for now, I don’t plan to. This book exhausted me of this Viking world.
August 7, 2021
Wow. Just wow.
This series is a riveting masterpiece of adventure, fortitude, triumph and heartbreak. I loved the settings, the representation of the gods (way better than the Vikings series). The many characters, including the animals, were interesting and individualized and I was very fond of them (well most of them). Of course, I loved Hervor and Hofund. Hervor was genuine, fierce, and led with her heart but shared her vulnerability with all of us.
This series is a riveting masterpiece of adventure, fortitude, triumph and heartbreak. I loved the settings, the representation of the gods (way better than the Vikings series). The many characters, including the animals, were interesting and individualized and I was very fond of them (well most of them). Of course, I loved Hervor and Hofund. Hervor was genuine, fierce, and led with her heart but shared her vulnerability with all of us.
November 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the 5th installment of a series. Start with “Under the Howling Moon” first.
The queen of Grund has come a long way in her life. She was, after all, once known as the bastard of Dalr. Every choice Hervor made along the way shaped not only her life but those she surrounded herself with. In her final installment you’ll watch her grow from a young woman to the last seasons of her life. There will be battles on the field, in the castle and in Hervor’s heart. Life will be found and lost. And as always, the gods are afoot, meddling in the lives of mortals to ensure their will is done.
I know the series is called “The Road to Valhalla” but I didn’t think the main character would actually end up there in such a manner. I love Hervor. I love her. Which is why I’m so sad her story ended the way it did. Her whole life she brought love and life only to have her life and line snuffed out by darkness. A darkness I felt could have been avoided had she only put her foot down with her firstborn son. It was hard to watch everything I know and love and have watched being built for 5 whole books be destroyed by one single character. I still plan on continuing the series but it truly is with a heavy heart and a deep sadness in my soul. Hervor deserved better.
This is the 5th installment of a series. Start with “Under the Howling Moon” first.
The queen of Grund has come a long way in her life. She was, after all, once known as the bastard of Dalr. Every choice Hervor made along the way shaped not only her life but those she surrounded herself with. In her final installment you’ll watch her grow from a young woman to the last seasons of her life. There will be battles on the field, in the castle and in Hervor’s heart. Life will be found and lost. And as always, the gods are afoot, meddling in the lives of mortals to ensure their will is done.
I know the series is called “The Road to Valhalla” but I didn’t think the main character would actually end up there in such a manner. I love Hervor. I love her. Which is why I’m so sad her story ended the way it did. Her whole life she brought love and life only to have her life and line snuffed out by darkness. A darkness I felt could have been avoided had she only put her foot down with her firstborn son. It was hard to watch everything I know and love and have watched being built for 5 whole books be destroyed by one single character. I still plan on continuing the series but it truly is with a heavy heart and a deep sadness in my soul. Hervor deserved better.
May 22, 2021
All good things must end
The final book in this series had so much going on. Bringing Hervor’s story to a close was an epic undertaking. I wish it had taken place over two books... then I’d still have one more to read
The final book in this series had so much going on. Bringing Hervor’s story to a close was an epic undertaking. I wish it had taken place over two books... then I’d still have one more to read
February 19, 2024
Last 100 pages were.. a lot. I'm sad the series is over but the road to Valhalla it was.
April 5, 2023
This whole series is not to bad at all. Nicely done Miss. Karsak.
May 3, 2021
🛡️🛡️ONE MIND-BLOWING CONCLUSION🛡️🛡️
Screeching scooters scooby! Melanie finishes this incredibly tumultuous, delightfully delectable, sinfully tantalizing, skillfully compelling, sensational rock-my-world stunning wonder, delivering this boot-stomping smackdown with such finesse and style, bursting all those churning emotions into play front and center, launching this bad boy to staggering heights. One action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, jaw dropping, block busting dynamo, mindful of the daunting trials and dubious tribulations while cognizant of the perilous twists and wicked turns unfolding, revelations are disclosed and battle lines are drawn, fusing this jewel together flawlessly. Unpredictable occurrences and surprising events set this baby afloat on one catastrophic tsunami, brimming with the riveting drama, gripping intrigue, nailbiting encounters, brutal tactics, spiraling danger, escalating suspense and unnerving situations ensue, putting our characters through their paces, launching this bad boy to life spectacularly. The characters interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fabulous job Melanie, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
Screeching scooters scooby! Melanie finishes this incredibly tumultuous, delightfully delectable, sinfully tantalizing, skillfully compelling, sensational rock-my-world stunning wonder, delivering this boot-stomping smackdown with such finesse and style, bursting all those churning emotions into play front and center, launching this bad boy to staggering heights. One action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, jaw dropping, block busting dynamo, mindful of the daunting trials and dubious tribulations while cognizant of the perilous twists and wicked turns unfolding, revelations are disclosed and battle lines are drawn, fusing this jewel together flawlessly. Unpredictable occurrences and surprising events set this baby afloat on one catastrophic tsunami, brimming with the riveting drama, gripping intrigue, nailbiting encounters, brutal tactics, spiraling danger, escalating suspense and unnerving situations ensue, putting our characters through their paces, launching this bad boy to life spectacularly. The characters interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fabulous job Melanie, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
May 14, 2021
My heart doesn't know what to feel! I can't stop crying! This is not a series, it's a saga. This will leave you forever changed. I've literally sobbed my way through these books and felt each sorrow and devastating blow that Hervor was faced with. So much happens through this saga that you try to predict and untangle the prophecies but it's an impossible feat. I'm heartbroken and feeling adrift....
Hervor was fierce but loved even more ferociously. Her early life was utterly tragic and seeing her fight for her destiny was absolutely mesmerizing. She lived her life to serve the gods and in the end everything began to unravel. Seeing her road to Valhalla and how this all concluded hurts my heart. Her journey is fitting and yet... I'm broken just a little bit. It's the ultimate testament to the unputdownable words that Ms. Karsak creates.
Hofund was hero material. He was mysterious and a good leader. He fought on the side of justice and wasn't afraid of the difficulties ahead. He loses so much and that's just so crushing to me as a reader.
This isn't a light read, it's dark and weighty. This will take you on grand adventures and introduce you to places and characters that you won't want to leave behind. You'll become invested and emotional. This is something that you'll want to revisit and to think about. I can't recommend this enough! Norse gods, fierce battles, sacrifices and love. You need to experience this for yourself!
Hervor was fierce but loved even more ferociously. Her early life was utterly tragic and seeing her fight for her destiny was absolutely mesmerizing. She lived her life to serve the gods and in the end everything began to unravel. Seeing her road to Valhalla and how this all concluded hurts my heart. Her journey is fitting and yet... I'm broken just a little bit. It's the ultimate testament to the unputdownable words that Ms. Karsak creates.
Hofund was hero material. He was mysterious and a good leader. He fought on the side of justice and wasn't afraid of the difficulties ahead. He loses so much and that's just so crushing to me as a reader.
This isn't a light read, it's dark and weighty. This will take you on grand adventures and introduce you to places and characters that you won't want to leave behind. You'll become invested and emotional. This is something that you'll want to revisit and to think about. I can't recommend this enough! Norse gods, fierce battles, sacrifices and love. You need to experience this for yourself!
June 10, 2021
Wow.
Melanie Karsak has quickly become the most recent of my favorite authors. She writes in two of my favorite lines, historical fiction, and fantasy. Her reworked fairy tales are fun, and engaging, while this series was gripping, intense, and an emotional roller coaster. Her characters are so well realized that I am sucked in to her stories immediately. I found this author through Kindle Unlimited, which was a bonus. But this series, in particular being my favorite ( thus far), I will be buying the Hardcover books. I know I'll want to read it again. I almost never discuss storylines in my reviews. I don't want to spoil one moment of another's reading pleasure. If you enjoy historical fiction, Norse mythology, and strong female characters you can't go wrong with The Road To Valhalla series. I'm certain you'll enjoy these every bit as much as I have. For something slightly lighter, but still with fantastic characters, and strong story lines, check out her fairy tales. Just fantastic writing!!
Melanie Karsak has quickly become the most recent of my favorite authors. She writes in two of my favorite lines, historical fiction, and fantasy. Her reworked fairy tales are fun, and engaging, while this series was gripping, intense, and an emotional roller coaster. Her characters are so well realized that I am sucked in to her stories immediately. I found this author through Kindle Unlimited, which was a bonus. But this series, in particular being my favorite ( thus far), I will be buying the Hardcover books. I know I'll want to read it again. I almost never discuss storylines in my reviews. I don't want to spoil one moment of another's reading pleasure. If you enjoy historical fiction, Norse mythology, and strong female characters you can't go wrong with The Road To Valhalla series. I'm certain you'll enjoy these every bit as much as I have. For something slightly lighter, but still with fantastic characters, and strong story lines, check out her fairy tales. Just fantastic writing!!
December 6, 2023
Being crowned Queen of Grund isn’t as simple as it seems. With enemies everywhere, danger always lurks. Definitely had me engrossed until the end. Ready for more.
April 3, 2025
Mixed Feelings! 💜😢😳
I have loved reading this intriguing and captivating series up to this book. The story is super entertaining and thrilling. The FMC Hervor is a force to be reckoned with. She is a kick-ass, smart, fierce and self sufficient FMC. The story flows seamlessly and it gets your attention from the get go. I am so glad I stumbled upon this series. This is one of those stories that is like embarking on a wild adventure, full of mystery, action, twists and turns, romance and amazing secondary characters. Nevertheless, even though many tragic things happen, I was expecting a different outcome. I was a bit disappointed at how this book ended. What can I say? I am a sucker for happy endings and this book in particular was very tragic and not what I was hoping for. I would still recommend it as a very entertaining, captivating and well written series with a bittersweet ending and a new beginning. The series continues in the future with new characters that look very promising, and yet for me this is the end. I don’t plan on reading on. Enjoy!
I have loved reading this intriguing and captivating series up to this book. The story is super entertaining and thrilling. The FMC Hervor is a force to be reckoned with. She is a kick-ass, smart, fierce and self sufficient FMC. The story flows seamlessly and it gets your attention from the get go. I am so glad I stumbled upon this series. This is one of those stories that is like embarking on a wild adventure, full of mystery, action, twists and turns, romance and amazing secondary characters. Nevertheless, even though many tragic things happen, I was expecting a different outcome. I was a bit disappointed at how this book ended. What can I say? I am a sucker for happy endings and this book in particular was very tragic and not what I was hoping for. I would still recommend it as a very entertaining, captivating and well written series with a bittersweet ending and a new beginning. The series continues in the future with new characters that look very promising, and yet for me this is the end. I don’t plan on reading on. Enjoy!
May 3, 2021
Let's start off this book is very long. It is more like two books in one. At one point the author could have stopped the series but not all the answers would have been given though we could think that Hervor lived a happily ever after. The second part of this book brings us through the years until what Hervor has been dreaming for so long comes true. I bawled crying so much at the end of this book. Your heart will break when you are done this book but I think the author did the whole series a great justice. The ending is exactly how it should end. If you have enjoyed this series do not miss reading this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily after being sent a free book.
April 16, 2023
I bring a book with me everywhere I go. I read in waiting rooms, school pick-up lines, kids’ sports practice, etc. I’m just glad that I was at home for the last several chapters of this book. It had me crying my eyes out!
While this 700+ page series finale was long, it was all necessary. You had to travel to the depths of each character and each relationship in order to grasp the weight of what unfolded at the end. Twists, shock, gasp-worthy narcissism, anger, pain, grief, hope, love - it’s all still swirling. Great ending to a great series.
Next up for me are Karsak’s Shield-maiden: Winternights Gambit and then The Shadows of Valhalla series. Can’t wait!
While this 700+ page series finale was long, it was all necessary. You had to travel to the depths of each character and each relationship in order to grasp the weight of what unfolded at the end. Twists, shock, gasp-worthy narcissism, anger, pain, grief, hope, love - it’s all still swirling. Great ending to a great series.
Next up for me are Karsak’s Shield-maiden: Winternights Gambit and then The Shadows of Valhalla series. Can’t wait!
September 26, 2024
This was a saga of a life story and although the ending was sad, we kind of knew it was coming. This book could have been a lot shorter. It was a slog and a lot of it felt like I was reading someone’s day to day journal and learning about who had whose baby. Slow, so slow. And Heidrek. I was so disappointed for Hervor that her son turned out to be such a foul child/man. But did he ever get a chance to be a good person? Loki and the Norns did a number on him and it’s left me questioning the whole story. If Hervor was so favoured by Odin, how could he allow it to all unravel before her death?
Anyway, it is a solid (if a bit slow) epic saga of life and I’m glad I read it 😊
Anyway, it is a solid (if a bit slow) epic saga of life and I’m glad I read it 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2021
Better than Celtic Blood
It’s Dark Fantasy with aspects of Historical Fiction. I appreciated the tragic ending. The gods were typical Norse gods. It’s better than the Celtic Blood series on the grounds that it is more discrete (less explicit). Melanie Karsak takes herself too seriously sometimes for my taste, but I’m not sure if that critique is to her or a problem with the genre. There are minor typos that do bot interfere with meaning but bother me more in relation to the themes.
It’s Dark Fantasy with aspects of Historical Fiction. I appreciated the tragic ending. The gods were typical Norse gods. It’s better than the Celtic Blood series on the grounds that it is more discrete (less explicit). Melanie Karsak takes herself too seriously sometimes for my taste, but I’m not sure if that critique is to her or a problem with the genre. There are minor typos that do bot interfere with meaning but bother me more in relation to the themes.
May 23, 2021
I’m pretty sure this will be the last book in the series. I really love how this author brings light, joy, family, friendship and all sorts of positive emotions to this time period. So many people focus solely on war, sexual violence, and other dark topics and forget that the Scandinavian people probably also laughed a lot while enjoying time with their families and friends. I mean, that’s the stuff that makes this life worth living. That’s why I always enjoy these books. At first it started out very slowly, all this happy stuff, but the book turns very dark indeed, gut-wrenching. You do not want it to end the way that you can clearly see it going. Some long-hinted-at mysteries finally come due in this book. I am off now to read more by this author.
December 9, 2021
I received an audio version of this book; all opinions are my own.
Unlike the books before, this is a legacy book, The book spans the rest of the Shield-Maiden's life. And it doesn't go the way she or any reader expected.
At first, I was somewhat bored with the story, but it picks up and ends with a bang. I felt the character's story was completely wrapped up, and I was pleased with how it ended.
The narrator is awesome as always.
Give this book some time to get started; you won't be disappointed!
Unlike the books before, this is a legacy book, The book spans the rest of the Shield-Maiden's life. And it doesn't go the way she or any reader expected.
At first, I was somewhat bored with the story, but it picks up and ends with a bang. I felt the character's story was completely wrapped up, and I was pleased with how it ended.
The narrator is awesome as always.
Give this book some time to get started; you won't be disappointed!
September 7, 2023
I was really pleased with the way this series evolved. I became invested with the characters, who were richly developed, and found myself dang emotional at the end. Rök, the wolf companion, had an endearing personality which was a pleasure to follow. Hervor's growth through the five novels was consistent yet her past memories maintained the raw emotions as still viable as they would be for anyone. Superior as she was, Hervor maintained a wonderful level of humanity. I'm going through withdrawals now that I've finished. Thank you for such a great ride!
January 6, 2024
I hated this book and the way the series ended. The worst series end I have ever read. This 700 page book was difficult to get through and I thought about giving up several times. The book covers about a 15 year timeframe. The plot picked up almost 300 pages in. Hervor’s brat of an eldest son dominated the book with his parents constantly trying to correct his bad behavior. Then a lot of good characters died in the end. What a disappointment. I cannot stop thinking about how horribly this series ended. Makes me wish I had never even read the series.
September 30, 2024
This a must-read for fans of fantasy and strong female protagonists. The story follows the journey of Brynja, a fierce shield-maiden, as she navigates a world filled with danger, magic, and intrigue. What sets this book apart is the character of Brynja. She is a powerful warrior who is not afraid to stand up for herself and fight for what she believes in. Her journey of self-discovery and growth is both inspiring and empowering. Overall, this is a thrilling and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
April 26, 2021
WoW, what a fantastic conclusion to the Road to Valhalla series! Hervor was really put through her paces with trials and tribulations throughout the series but I think Under the Dark Moon eclipsed all the other books. There aren't any specifics I can talk about as it would ruin the story for other readers, but I can say though it's one of the longest books I've ever read, it flew by as the story was so realistic it was like being there amongst the drama unfolding. Great job Melanie!
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