The Gray Fortress

Nordri #2

by Jo Visuri

A hidden futuristic world. Four ancient bloodlines. And three intertwined, extraordinary adventures.

Elin Bodil’s life has grown vastly more complicated since the events at Ash Park. Superhuman Clan Hunters now stalk her every move on Auor Island, the Gradys are confined to the safety of their fortified home, and her new powers are more out of control than ever. But, undaunted and determined, Elin, the Gradys, and the Resistance plot a daring operation to set things right. And everything would be just fine—if things only went according to plan.

Now to save her friends and family, Elin must embark on a harrowing journey, bringing her closer to the gray fortress and propelling her on an unexpected path with earth-shattering consequences. And with the Chairman’s ever-growing power and Elin’s future unclear, she must make new alliances and overcome unforeseen challenges to survive her shifting fate.

Facing new threats, futuristic technology, and unpredicted consequences for their actions, Elin, Aedan, and Tristan return in The Gray Fortress to uncover more myths, magic, and secrets in the second installment of the best-selling Nordri Series!

Genres: Fantasy

346 pages, ebook

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

Jo Visuri was born and raised on an island in Finland's famous archipelago, where she found her one and only Viking coin at the age of six. After spending a few formative years living by a Norwegian fjord, Jo's family uprooted to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of Brown University, Jo has been privately writing stories since she could read one and launched her debut The Undiscovered Descendants in Fall 2021. She now lives and writes in San Diego, CA, when she isn't distracted by her cuddly and demanding senior dog.

Reviews

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Gray Fortress is the second installment in the Nordri series. This took me a while to get into. Mostly because I read the first book forever ago and had no idea if I remembered what happened in it. On top of that, it just felt like I was reading this slower than normal.

Now without re-reading the first book, I can only assume this picked up where the other left off. We did get a little reminder of what went down in the beginning though which eased my memory issue for sure. The characters were okay, separated, but we did get to see more of the world that way. Still have no idea what is going on in the Chairman's mind. I'm very intrigued that he can sense her and vice versa. Which makes me wonder if they are related in some way... and hoping I get answers to that in the next book.

We didn't really get romance vibes, but we did get a little reunion somewhat between Aedan and Elin. I also think Thyra and Nodin are very intriguing characters and would love to know more about them. Especially since Thyra is related to the Chairman and is intrigued by his decisions. Though Nodin and Elin having something in common is equally intriguing and would love to explore that more too.

In the end, I definitely still have unanswered questions and will try to get my hands on the next book soon.

Real rating: 3.5

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the Nordri series and it does not disappoint. We are at different locations and are learning more about the Clans. Interesting mix of Norse mythology and sci-fi. Aedan is in enemy hands and his family and Elin with her two friends are working with the Resistance to find a way to free him. Really awesome read. Love the world building. And you really get invested in the characters. Looking forward to reading the next book.
I received an advance copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great entry in the Nordri series, it had what I enjoyed from the previous book. The characters were what I wanted from the previous books, and the plot was what I hoped for. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Piper]

This is the second instalment in the Nordi Series. This book is an excellent blend of real life and Nordic mythology. Elin and Aedan are both fantastic characters in their own right. These elements were carried over into this book, along with a dash of action, keeping me engrossed as new characters and locations were revealed. In this book, Elin, Aedan, and Tristan each have their own adventures, but their stories are intertwined with powerful moments of overlap. Thyra and Nodin, the new characters, were fantastic, and I can't wait to see what happens in Book 3! This could be the series for you if you like real-world fantasy with intriguing mysteries, questions about family backgrounds, supernatural abilities, and hidden worlds.

[Bookfangirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first book, and this sequel doesn't disappoint! New mysterious characters join the lovable cast, and the stellar world-building grows with new locations. I simply adore the strong female characters and the continued interweaving of mythology in the book. Can't wait for book three!

Thank you to the author and Pohjola Press for providing an ARC of this book. These opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

[Heather Halsted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t want to give away too much because this is the second book in a series. However this was definitely worth the read if you are someone who lives for a mystery plot in a book. I’m always looking for new fantasy series’s that really suck you into their worlds and I felt like this book did just that.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the first book in this series, this second installment was a fun mix of real world and Nordic fantasy adventure that kept me turning pages. This series is, in fact, pretty much exactly what I look for in YA fantasy - an interesting premise, fun characters, and no unnecessary love triangle. I enjoyed getting to learn more about characters' powers and about Clan society, and I look forward to Book 3! How long must I wait??

I received an e-ARC from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sanders Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to start by saying what an honor it was to read this book. The first book in the series, The Undiscovered Descendent, was one of the first ARCs I ever received, so the series has a special place in my heart. And that place is well earned because this is a lovely novel.

Usually I would drop a synopsis at this point, but that would spoil the first book as well. Instead, please check out my review of The Undiscovered Descendent on my blog!

The Gray Fortress is a wonderful second book in the series. It adds so much depth to already established characters, and starts the journey into discovering more about the lore and culture of the different Clans that hail back to the Nordic days of old. I loved seeing my favorite characters, Elin and Aedan one again in situations that really tested their magical abilities and demonstrated how much they have both grown since the first scenes of them on Auor Island.

In addition to the old characters that I got to see more of, I was thrilled at the addition of new characters that really added to the overall plot line. The expanded cast didn't surprise me, but the manner in which they appeared was interesting and helped to drive the story forward. I cannot wait to see where these new characters help to take the story next.

I am a sucker for a good setting, I love being able to picture myself in far off places and immerse myself in a new place for a while. The settings in this book checked all my boxes for settings. They were well detailed and beautifully described. I also really enjoy the weaving of magic into the real world setting. It can be refreshing to not have to learn a new world sometimes!

While beautifully written, The Gray Fortress is slower moving than some YA fantasy. It really takes its time introducing each scene and following the three main POVs. However, these scenes are absolutely necessary because they really help build the suspense for the climax of the book and prepare the story for the next book in the series.

This is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a clean, YA fantasy that will leave you waiting patiently (or maybe not so patiently in my case) for the next surprise.

Thank you to Jo Visuri and Netgalley for copies of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions

4.5/5 Stars

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rounded up to 4 stars. This is the second novel in the Nordri series. It is very much a second novel in that it doesn't really conclude things but further advances the plot. The magic and world that is alongside our own is expanded upon. The characters introduced in the first novel are further developed and a few new characters are introduced. We meet the nefarious Chairman who is the leader of the Nordi clan and has isolated them from the other clans. We learn a little bit more about what it means to be a dormant and more about the resistance and the other clans.

Tristan is still a jerk, Aedan is imprisoned by the chairman, and Elin is learning more about herself and her abilities.

This one doesn't end on a cliff hanger but has a very open ending. The story was enjoyable and I liked getting to know the characters better. I'm sure I will appreciate it even more when I get to read the next book and really feel like I know these characters and can maybe even anticipate how they might react. to me that one of the best things about series is that the characters really start to feel like you know them.

My only complaint is what kind of parents would let there kid go to Paris in the middle of the night on a school trip that they've never heard of until an hour before they leave?! I know this is a problem that a lot of YA/teen novels, movies, and shows runs into for me. That the parents are supposed to be good parents but they make extremely questionable decisions.

[J. Bookfanman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grey Fortress is an excellent continuation of the Nordri series and a book that exceeded my expectations after loving Undiscovered Descendants. The story is told through three first-person narrators—Elin, Aedan, and Tristan—each offering their own hopes, doubts, and perspectives. At times they describe the same events, which makes those moments feel even more authentic and emotionally grounded.
What really stands out is Jo Visuri’s world-building. The mix of futuristic technology and seamless, almost effortless magic is unlike anything else I’ve read. It feels like “Harry Potter meets Star Wars,” but with its own identity, set against the dramatic natural beauty of icy fjords and rugged coastlines. Moving the action north to Falinvik, the ancestral city of the Nordri clan, gives the book a bigger stage and higher stakes.
The Chairman is one of the most memorable antagonists I’ve encountered lately—polite on the surface, but calculating and ruthless underneath. Mysteries from the first book are answered while darker secrets emerge, giving the story both depth and momentum.
This sequel not only matches but surpasses the promise of the first book. It’s immersive, thrilling, and beautifully written. A solid five-star read for anyone who enjoys character-driven fantasy with a fresh twist.

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I didn't read the first book in this series, but I didn't feel lost. I will go back and read the first one, just because I am invested into this story. The story as a mix of sci-fi and mythology. Elin is a wonderfully strong-willed character and the other characters meld well with her. The world building is fantastic. The plot grabs your attention from the beginning and just keeps the reader invested and intrigued with the read of the story. A well written YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi story.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again lots of action a lot of avoiding the powers that be. Tristan is still very narcissistic and thinks he is more than and deserves everything simply because he has shown up. Seems to feel that he has no need to work his way up the ladder that he should be given all the rank and pomp he thinks he deserves.

Elin is carrying so much guilt about Aedan being captured but if she doesn’t start telling the others what is going on in her head they will all be in trouble. Who exactly is Nodin he showed up quite serendipitusly. The chairman is going to be a major problem Elin is going to have to neutralize.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shakera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice sequel, and I really enjoyed this. The world-building was fantastic, and the character development was well done. The author does a great job of getting the readers invested in the story and the characters. I'm interested to see where this goes.

[paige glaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won the kindle version of this book