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Beyond Ragnarok
The Battle of Ragnarok was meant to be the end of days—the destruction of the old world, and the creation of the new world.
At the final battle, Odin and Thor would lead the Aesir against the giants and the forces of the underworld, commanded by Loki. Except Loki never shows up for the final battle.
In our world, a doomsday virus wipes out most of the human population. All of the governments fall, and John Madison, considered to be a madman by some and a savior by others, has seized control of the world after producing a vaccine for this deadly virus.
In Beyond Ragnarok, an epic, post-apocalyptic fantasy novel, Thor’s sons, Magni and Modi, are among the few to survive the final battle. They must travel to our world and stop Loki and his diabolical plot for conquest. Separated from each other, they must rally the remaining people to rise up against Loki and take back control of the planet.
At the final battle, Odin and Thor would lead the Aesir against the giants and the forces of the underworld, commanded by Loki. Except Loki never shows up for the final battle.
In our world, a doomsday virus wipes out most of the human population. All of the governments fall, and John Madison, considered to be a madman by some and a savior by others, has seized control of the world after producing a vaccine for this deadly virus.
In Beyond Ragnarok, an epic, post-apocalyptic fantasy novel, Thor’s sons, Magni and Modi, are among the few to survive the final battle. They must travel to our world and stop Loki and his diabolical plot for conquest. Separated from each other, they must rally the remaining people to rise up against Loki and take back control of the planet.
- GenresFantasy
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 6, 2022
I'll concede contemporary isn't my first choice when reading fantasy, so take that as you will while reading this review.
What troubled me from the beginning is that it's based on Norse mythology. I won't claim to be an expert, but I'm moderately familiar, and the depiction of these legendary characters was Marvel-esque. Odin is a noble man who sacrifices himself for the greater good. Loki is an evil maniac fixated on power and recognition.
I found the characters 2-dimensional. Modi, our MC, is strong, honourable, and selfless. The women are tools to exalt him or connect him to other men who will help him on his quest.
In the style of a Marvel movie, this story is quick and action-packed. I believe it would have worked better as a generic superhero novel rather than claiming to be Norse-related.
What troubled me from the beginning is that it's based on Norse mythology. I won't claim to be an expert, but I'm moderately familiar, and the depiction of these legendary characters was Marvel-esque. Odin is a noble man who sacrifices himself for the greater good. Loki is an evil maniac fixated on power and recognition.
I found the characters 2-dimensional. Modi, our MC, is strong, honourable, and selfless. The women are tools to exalt him or connect him to other men who will help him on his quest.
In the style of a Marvel movie, this story is quick and action-packed. I believe it would have worked better as a generic superhero novel rather than claiming to be Norse-related.
April 22, 2022
There's plenty of action in this re-working of a timeless myth set in a dystopian setting. If you like to read scenes where monsters are dispatched in brutal detail by honorable heroes with winning banter, this book will delight you.
Trickster Loki skips his demise at Ragnorak because he plans to take over the world instead, anticipating glee at ruling over what's left of humanity after he has dispatched most of them. Ragnorak, on the other hand, occurs nonetheless, ending the lives of practically all the Asgardians in the end. Only two remain, as is prophesied, and only these two can thwart Loki's schemes and save humanity.
It's what Asgardians do, right?
I found myself reading this yarn at record speed, eager to get to the breathtaking finale. The action at the end really pays off.
I would like to have read more description in this book, however, and wish Mr. Alves had written what things actually looked like as what the characters were feeling as he rolled out the plot. Writing, "she entered Valhalla," didn't tell me what Valhalla looked like, for instance. When the action began, the descriptions became more vivid, and that's where Mr. Alves shone. So many battles with monsters occur in the course of this novel that it's amazing that he could come up with so many ways to make each battle unique, each blow a different swipe across the head of a frost giant or beast from Niffelheim.
I thought there were too many speeches to read through and, had Mr. Alves included visuals as the person spoke, that would have broken up the heavily worded passages.
Finally, the entire first half of the novel was foreshadowed so extensively that there was very little suspense as to the outcome of the battle it leads up to and describes. I think it would have been better to have jumped into the story as the two sought out Loki from Asgard after Ragnorak, describing that battle in flashbacks along the way. I found it difficult to identify completely with a couple of immortal beings and would have liked to have seen more sympathy for the mortals in the story, who became important to defeating Loki's frost giants in the end. It's their plight that should garner our sympathy even more than that of the two immortal heroes.
The second half of the novel holds most of the surprises, and getting to that part more quickly would have definitely livened up the book.
Despite the clunkiness, however, the story moved along to a satisfying conclusion. One could imagine that the story isn't quite over, even though this part of it resolved the problems it uncovered at its beginning.
As I wrote above, if you like epic battles between immortal beings and monsters described in detail, this book will not disappoint.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trickster Loki skips his demise at Ragnorak because he plans to take over the world instead, anticipating glee at ruling over what's left of humanity after he has dispatched most of them. Ragnorak, on the other hand, occurs nonetheless, ending the lives of practically all the Asgardians in the end. Only two remain, as is prophesied, and only these two can thwart Loki's schemes and save humanity.
It's what Asgardians do, right?
I found myself reading this yarn at record speed, eager to get to the breathtaking finale. The action at the end really pays off.
I would like to have read more description in this book, however, and wish Mr. Alves had written what things actually looked like as what the characters were feeling as he rolled out the plot. Writing, "she entered Valhalla," didn't tell me what Valhalla looked like, for instance. When the action began, the descriptions became more vivid, and that's where Mr. Alves shone. So many battles with monsters occur in the course of this novel that it's amazing that he could come up with so many ways to make each battle unique, each blow a different swipe across the head of a frost giant or beast from Niffelheim.
I thought there were too many speeches to read through and, had Mr. Alves included visuals as the person spoke, that would have broken up the heavily worded passages.
Finally, the entire first half of the novel was foreshadowed so extensively that there was very little suspense as to the outcome of the battle it leads up to and describes. I think it would have been better to have jumped into the story as the two sought out Loki from Asgard after Ragnorak, describing that battle in flashbacks along the way. I found it difficult to identify completely with a couple of immortal beings and would have liked to have seen more sympathy for the mortals in the story, who became important to defeating Loki's frost giants in the end. It's their plight that should garner our sympathy even more than that of the two immortal heroes.
The second half of the novel holds most of the surprises, and getting to that part more quickly would have definitely livened up the book.
Despite the clunkiness, however, the story moved along to a satisfying conclusion. One could imagine that the story isn't quite over, even though this part of it resolved the problems it uncovered at its beginning.
As I wrote above, if you like epic battles between immortal beings and monsters described in detail, this book will not disappoint.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fantastic blend of mythology and present-day fiction. The author didn't allow the mythology to seem fake or Marvel-ish. He was true to the original tales, which was much appreciated.
The storyline is exceptional: playing Ragnarok as a diversion from Loki's real plan to take over the human world. The fight scenes don't drag on forever, which is yet another thing that was much appreciated.
It is an engaging story that I quickly finished in a single sitting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The storyline is exceptional: playing Ragnarok as a diversion from Loki's real plan to take over the human world. The fight scenes don't drag on forever, which is yet another thing that was much appreciated.
It is an engaging story that I quickly finished in a single sitting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 29, 2022
This is an interesting mix of modern apocalyptic end of the world & a viking adventure! I think this should be classed YA as I found parts a little young, the reaction of characters & what they say etc. Over all a good read but it didn't grab me as much as I hoped! Maybe because it had a childish feel to it all.
July 1, 2022
The Battle of Ragnarok was meant to be the end of days—the destruction of the old world, and the creation of the new world. At the final battle, Odin and Thor would lead the Aesir against the giants and the forces of the underworld, commanded by Loki. Except Loki never shows up for the final battle.
Wow! I have to say, this book really blew me away! I was definitely expecting to like it, especially after reading the blurb, but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did! I would highly recoomend this to fans of dystoptian and/or fantasy fiction!
I think one of my favorite aspects of this book is that there are so many varying components that help to serve the story as a whole. There is the deadly virus, which was especially eerie to read about during this current covid pandemic! Eeek! There is the apocalyptic aspect as well, which made my little dystopian loving heart very happy! And finally there was the Norse mythology aspect which was my FAVORITE part! Mythology is a hot topic right now amongst fiction (and not just in middle grade and YA fiction - it's becoming prevalent in adult fiction too!) and since I find Norse myths to be extremely fascinating that just made this book even more enjoyable! Thor and Loki are always popular characters (especially due to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) but what thrilled me to pieces was having the story feature Thor's sons; Magni and Modi! I adored them!
In terms of the writing itself, I found it to be excellent! Plenty of world building and character development, and I found myself tearing through each segment eager to find out what happened next!
My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer, because I didn't want it to end! ;)
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review! :)
Wow! I have to say, this book really blew me away! I was definitely expecting to like it, especially after reading the blurb, but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did! I would highly recoomend this to fans of dystoptian and/or fantasy fiction!
I think one of my favorite aspects of this book is that there are so many varying components that help to serve the story as a whole. There is the deadly virus, which was especially eerie to read about during this current covid pandemic! Eeek! There is the apocalyptic aspect as well, which made my little dystopian loving heart very happy! And finally there was the Norse mythology aspect which was my FAVORITE part! Mythology is a hot topic right now amongst fiction (and not just in middle grade and YA fiction - it's becoming prevalent in adult fiction too!) and since I find Norse myths to be extremely fascinating that just made this book even more enjoyable! Thor and Loki are always popular characters (especially due to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) but what thrilled me to pieces was having the story feature Thor's sons; Magni and Modi! I adored them!
In terms of the writing itself, I found it to be excellent! Plenty of world building and character development, and I found myself tearing through each segment eager to find out what happened next!
My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer, because I didn't want it to end! ;)
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review! :)
July 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this take on the Norse Mythology of Ragnarok. It differs from the Mythology slightly but plays out well as the story moves along.
The story starts out with Odin, Thor, and Thor's sons, Magni and Modi, visiting the norms. The prophecy is that Magni and Modi will survive Ragnarok but will have to kill Loki. As Ragnarok plays out, Loki is missing and all major players die as expected. So begins Magni and Modi's adventure. After visiting Hel, the brothers split up and Magni lands on Midgard. Right off the bat, Magni meets with a group of resistance fighters and forms an alliance. I don't want to give too much away, but Loki is his deceiving self and causing trouble on Midgard.
If you like Norse Mythology and are looking for an action packed adventure, I highly recommend this book. There is some romantic elements to the story too.
I received this book as an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story starts out with Odin, Thor, and Thor's sons, Magni and Modi, visiting the norms. The prophecy is that Magni and Modi will survive Ragnarok but will have to kill Loki. As Ragnarok plays out, Loki is missing and all major players die as expected. So begins Magni and Modi's adventure. After visiting Hel, the brothers split up and Magni lands on Midgard. Right off the bat, Magni meets with a group of resistance fighters and forms an alliance. I don't want to give too much away, but Loki is his deceiving self and causing trouble on Midgard.
If you like Norse Mythology and are looking for an action packed adventure, I highly recommend this book. There is some romantic elements to the story too.
I received this book as an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2022
Magni and Modi, sons of Thor, have traveled to Midgard in search of Loki, the trickster god who engineered the deaths of billions of humans. Loki avoided the final battle, but his day of reckoning is approaching, and his downfall will be at the hands of opponents he has always dismissed as being powerless.
Oh my goodness, I loved this book and these characters. These mythological characters were brought to life by the author. They're well written, compelling and realistic in their reactions and actions, in my opinion at least. Wow, acion packed, fast paced, fantasy adventure with a little romance and plenty of twists and turns in the plot to make it nearly impossible to put this book down. Fantastic!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Oh my goodness, I loved this book and these characters. These mythological characters were brought to life by the author. They're well written, compelling and realistic in their reactions and actions, in my opinion at least. Wow, acion packed, fast paced, fantasy adventure with a little romance and plenty of twists and turns in the plot to make it nearly impossible to put this book down. Fantastic!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 27, 2023
Good read!
I got this ebook from a good reads giveaway. All reviews and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! I live in Norse mythology and the marvel movies. This was a really good read about the battle of Ragnarok and about Thor's sons. I would recommend this book!
I got this ebook from a good reads giveaway. All reviews and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! I live in Norse mythology and the marvel movies. This was a really good read about the battle of Ragnarok and about Thor's sons. I would recommend this book!
June 19, 2024
good but a little long winded
I did enjoy this book, but it took me a while to finish because I felt there were parts of it that dragged on too long. It was overall a good story and I liked the ending.
I won this book through a goodreads.com giveaway.
I did enjoy this book, but it took me a while to finish because I felt there were parts of it that dragged on too long. It was overall a good story and I liked the ending.
I won this book through a goodreads.com giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews