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Thyra
Thrice burned. Thrice reborn.
Long ago, a creature imbued with great power committed genocide against the unsuspecting dark elf families of Svartalfheim.
Thousands were killed. Few survived. One family escaped to Midgard. But the realm of humans is an unkind place for dark elves. And the creature that attacked Svartalfheim is still out there.
Hundreds of years after the genocide, the young dark elf Thyra lives with her adopted human father on an island in Midgard. But after an encounter with three malevolent Valkyries seeking Thyra’s Bifrost key, left to her by her blood parents, Thyra is forced to embark on a journey to save Svartalfheim and confront her past, present, and future.
Thyra’s strange ancestry is at the root of her problems, but it could also be her salvation. She is intelligent, determined, and gifted with powers unique to her bloodline. To save her people, she will have to do that which is most difficult—figure out who she is and what she stands for while facing some of the most powerful adversaries in all the realms.
The story of Thyra places readers in the world of Norse Mythology but reverses an age-old trope of portraying dark elves as villains. We all wonder who we are, what we are meant to do, and if our lives have meaning. Thyra’s journey is about answering those questions, while fighting to save the lives of her own marginalized race.
Long ago, a creature imbued with great power committed genocide against the unsuspecting dark elf families of Svartalfheim.
Thousands were killed. Few survived. One family escaped to Midgard. But the realm of humans is an unkind place for dark elves. And the creature that attacked Svartalfheim is still out there.
Hundreds of years after the genocide, the young dark elf Thyra lives with her adopted human father on an island in Midgard. But after an encounter with three malevolent Valkyries seeking Thyra’s Bifrost key, left to her by her blood parents, Thyra is forced to embark on a journey to save Svartalfheim and confront her past, present, and future.
Thyra’s strange ancestry is at the root of her problems, but it could also be her salvation. She is intelligent, determined, and gifted with powers unique to her bloodline. To save her people, she will have to do that which is most difficult—figure out who she is and what she stands for while facing some of the most powerful adversaries in all the realms.
The story of Thyra places readers in the world of Norse Mythology but reverses an age-old trope of portraying dark elves as villains. We all wonder who we are, what we are meant to do, and if our lives have meaning. Thyra’s journey is about answering those questions, while fighting to save the lives of her own marginalized race.
- GenresFantasy
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2022
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 23, 2022
1.5 stars★★☆☆☆
☞ Trigger warnings: **contains spoilers*
**I was provided with an ARC from Sunbury Press and Netgalley for an honest review**
It's out now!!
Thyra is an outsider. She is a dark elf among the bigoted humans and has never known her secular people who have survived a genocide and wish to live in peace away from further marginalisation and oppression. On a trip to town, Thrya is forced to make a rash decision that has dire consequences. This is about a journey that tests what Thyra believes in and how far she will go to do what's right.
Unfortunately, this book also test me and whether I would dnf it or stick it out.
The exposition is dumped into the dialogue, but instead of feeling fluid and smooth, it's clunky and jarring. There is very important life saving and universe shaking information that is withheld from Thyra until well after people have suffered and lives have been changed. It makes no sense to spring this information after events. Her father has sheltered Thyra to the detriment of her and her people who need protection. It was infuritating to read about but also infuriating to read when Thyra made a dumb decision with this new information in mind. The red flags were waving, and she kept powering through, ignoring the potential far-reaching consequences of her actions.
What I did find interesting was the villains. The Valkyries, the light elves and ominous presence of the Æsir (the Norse Gods). All crucial and complex in their motives, intermeshing and contradicting. Using and being used. Villains can be lost in the cliche and the broad idea 'evil for the sake of evil'. They all have goals that trample and destroy others. The Valkyries understand their deeds but believe its necessary for their lives to be spared. The light elves do immoral things at first for the gain, a promise of godhood by the gods themselves, and later they are indentured servants who act because their loved ones will suffer if they resist. The Gods are never present in this story but are such a big factor in the actions of others because of the wars they have started, the promises they have not kept and the lives they have sacrificed.
I would have loved more of a presence of the giants and the goodest boy in the universe Fenrir. I wanted Thyra to break Fenrir out of his captivity because he didn't even do anything and you know what they say about the enemy of my enemy is a potential ally.
Norse mythology is skewed in my head. Its a mixture of Marvel knowledge, with American Gods and maybe even the viking books I have read like Sky in the Deep and Warrior of the Wild. Hell, even Assassin's Creed Valhalla has influenced my knowledge of Norse Myth. What I am saying is I am unsure how faithful this retelling is or how it diverges into something new.
It's always unfortunate when I dont enjoy the book and doubly unfortunate when I don't enjoy the experience of reading the book. Ultimately, I struggled with the dialogue, the exposition, caring about any of the characters, and the overarching story. My mind kept wondering, and I was very tempted to dnf and simply pick up a different book that I was more interested.
I did like the floating head that knew things. It reminded me of that one doctor who episode where the guys head was in a box but with the wisdom of the face of boe
This book just wasn't for me but I trust there are readers out there that would love this retelling of a young dark elf with new powers going against immoral Valkyries and beings with immense powers. Either way this book is criminally unknown and deserves to find its reader base wherever they may be.
Would I recommend this book?
Unfortunately, I wouldn't.
Will I re-read this book?
No.
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November 1, 2022
Received arc from Sunbury Press Inc and Netgalley for honest read and review,and this view is my own.
This story centres around Thyra,a dark elf and her life with a human Dad.This was quite a good story, but seemed to be over rather quick, and the story was over.
I will definitely read some more from Steven as he has a way with drawing you into a character.
References to Thor, Odin and Ragnarok and also with Valkyries was quite good as well.
This story centres around Thyra,a dark elf and her life with a human Dad.This was quite a good story, but seemed to be over rather quick, and the story was over.
I will definitely read some more from Steven as he has a way with drawing you into a character.
References to Thor, Odin and Ragnarok and also with Valkyries was quite good as well.
October 17, 2022
The writing pulled me out of the story. I really couldn't get over Thyra calling Calder "Dad" all the time instead of father. The language just wasn't appropriate for a Norse mythology story. The characters had no description to them and the world building was the bare minimum.
The plot was only okay, nothing original. It felt unfinished, like the author needed more time to flesh out the whole book.
Sadly I didn't really enjoy this book.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot was only okay, nothing original. It felt unfinished, like the author needed more time to flesh out the whole book.
Sadly I didn't really enjoy this book.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2022
Received Thyra as an ARC ebook from NetGalley. Any fans of The witch’s heart by Genevieve Gornichec will love this book! There’s some honorable mentions of character’s from the witch’s heart in this book. But this focus more on the MC (Thyra) and rogue (evil) Valkyries, light/dark elves as well. I enjoyed reading this book, it’s so action packed with wars, alchemy, and sword fighting! Brief mentions of ragnarok as well.
November 9, 2022
Thyra is a fun, adventurous read that keeps the Prose Edda series moving!
What I like about this latest piece is that it not only continues providing important messages beneath the surface but provides a darker aesthetic than the previous entry. I liked that the tone was more serious as well, although there were a few humorous scenes sprinkled in.
There are a lot of characters throughout, but Mr. Williams does a good job of making you feel included and in the know. He also continues to tastefully introduce readers to Norse mythology in a way that anyone can pick up the book and get into the atmosphere.
If you haven’t already, check out the first book in the series, Skadi. Thyra is an enjoyable read on its own but has an extra punch if you’ve checked out the first volume!
I also want to add that when I step back and see the world that Mr. Williams has created, and the artwork around the stories, it inspires me and makes me want to get back to writing to create compelling worlds of my own!
What I like about this latest piece is that it not only continues providing important messages beneath the surface but provides a darker aesthetic than the previous entry. I liked that the tone was more serious as well, although there were a few humorous scenes sprinkled in.
There are a lot of characters throughout, but Mr. Williams does a good job of making you feel included and in the know. He also continues to tastefully introduce readers to Norse mythology in a way that anyone can pick up the book and get into the atmosphere.
If you haven’t already, check out the first book in the series, Skadi. Thyra is an enjoyable read on its own but has an extra punch if you’ve checked out the first volume!
I also want to add that when I step back and see the world that Mr. Williams has created, and the artwork around the stories, it inspires me and makes me want to get back to writing to create compelling worlds of my own!
September 15, 2022
This book has everything!!! Fantasy, adventure, magic, mythology, unlikely villains and even more unlikely heroes...the list goes on! This book serves to immerse you completely into the world of Norse Mythology. Not to mention, it also touches on real-world matters like prejudice, genocide, war...it truly is a tale of overcoming the pitfalls of humanity and creatures alike. Also the main character is an absolute BADA** dark elf female warrior. Need I say more??
January 22, 2023
Questo è un libro acerbo. Aveva del potenziale, ma l'ha sfruttato male. L'idea di base era buona, ma il libro sembra un lungo riassunto di un libro che avrebbe avuto bisogno di un intreccio meglio sviluppato, meno personaggi secondari creati e poi abbandonati al nulla, di descrizioni più dettagliate (sia per quanto riguarda la costruzione del mondo narrativo, che per quanto riguarda le azioni dei personaggi, del loro sviluppo emotivo e fisico, ma soprattutto dei movimenti durante le varie scene della storia). Sembra di leggere la bozza di un libro, lo scheletro della storia senza tutte le rifiniture e dettagli che lo renderebbero davvero una buona lettura.
Inoltre se fino a metà ho ben sperato che la storia si sviluppasse in maniera interessante e intelligente, le scene finali nel villaggio degli elfi oscuri, mi hanno dato davvero sui nervi. Non solo la protagonista si è rivelata davvero noiosa, ma è stato un mob qualsiasi a risolvere i suoi dubbi amletici sul fare del male alle persone! Per non parlare di che fine han fatto le valchirie.
E il personaggio di Helga? Forse è quello più intelligente, ma anche il più inutile dato che non ha dato alcun contributo alla storia (a parte un pugno ben piazzato e l'ottima scelta finale che ha fatto).
L'epilogo poi non l'ho capito. Nemmeno mi ricordavo se i personaggi di quelle scene li conoscevo già o se fossero altri nuovi personaggi mai incontrati.
Insomma mi ha dato davvero fastidio il fatto che tutta la storia fosse abbozzata e senza dettagli.
Anche Thyra avrebbe dovuto avere modo di sviluppare e capire i suoi poteri in maniera diversa, invece di diventare onnipotente da un giorno all'altro e sopratutto senza alcun sacrificio o sforzo.
Spero che l'autore ci rimetta mano o che il seguito di questa storia diventi più interessante e dettagliato.
Grazie a Netgalley per avermi permesso di leggerlo in anteprima.
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This is an unripe book. It had potential, but it misused it. The basic idea was good, but the book seems like a long summary of a book that would have needed a better developed plot, fewer secondary characters created and then forgotten, more detailed descriptions (both as the construction of the narrative world, as the actions of the characters, their emotional and physical development, but above all the movements during the various scenes of the story). It feels like reading the draft of a book, the skeleton of the story without all the polish and details that would have made it a really good read.
Furthermore, if up to the middle I hoped that the story would develop in an interesting and intelligent way, the final scenes in the village of the dark elves really got on my nerves. Not only did the protagonist turn out to be really boring, but it was a mob to solve her Hamletic doubts about hurting people! Not to mention what happened to the Valkyries.
And the character of Helga? Perhaps she's the smarter one, but also the more useless one since she made no contribution to the story (aside from a well-placed punch and the great final choice she made).
I didn't understand the epilogue. I didn't even remember if I already knew the characters in those scenes or if they were other new characters I'd never met.
In short, it really bothered me that the whole story was sketchy and without details.
Even Thyra should have been able to develop and understand her powers in a different way, instead of becoming omnipotent overnight and above all without any sacrifice or effort.
I hope the author will go back on the book or that the continuation of this story becomes more interesting and detailed.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read the preview of the book.
Inoltre se fino a metà ho ben sperato che la storia si sviluppasse in maniera interessante e intelligente, le scene finali nel villaggio degli elfi oscuri, mi hanno dato davvero sui nervi. Non solo la protagonista si è rivelata davvero noiosa, ma è stato un mob qualsiasi a risolvere i suoi dubbi amletici sul fare del male alle persone! Per non parlare di che fine han fatto le valchirie.
E il personaggio di Helga? Forse è quello più intelligente, ma anche il più inutile dato che non ha dato alcun contributo alla storia (a parte un pugno ben piazzato e l'ottima scelta finale che ha fatto).
L'epilogo poi non l'ho capito. Nemmeno mi ricordavo se i personaggi di quelle scene li conoscevo già o se fossero altri nuovi personaggi mai incontrati.
Insomma mi ha dato davvero fastidio il fatto che tutta la storia fosse abbozzata e senza dettagli.
Anche Thyra avrebbe dovuto avere modo di sviluppare e capire i suoi poteri in maniera diversa, invece di diventare onnipotente da un giorno all'altro e sopratutto senza alcun sacrificio o sforzo.
Spero che l'autore ci rimetta mano o che il seguito di questa storia diventi più interessante e dettagliato.
Grazie a Netgalley per avermi permesso di leggerlo in anteprima.
------------------------
This is an unripe book. It had potential, but it misused it. The basic idea was good, but the book seems like a long summary of a book that would have needed a better developed plot, fewer secondary characters created and then forgotten, more detailed descriptions (both as the construction of the narrative world, as the actions of the characters, their emotional and physical development, but above all the movements during the various scenes of the story). It feels like reading the draft of a book, the skeleton of the story without all the polish and details that would have made it a really good read.
Furthermore, if up to the middle I hoped that the story would develop in an interesting and intelligent way, the final scenes in the village of the dark elves really got on my nerves. Not only did the protagonist turn out to be really boring, but it was a mob to solve her Hamletic doubts about hurting people! Not to mention what happened to the Valkyries.
And the character of Helga? Perhaps she's the smarter one, but also the more useless one since she made no contribution to the story (aside from a well-placed punch and the great final choice she made).
I didn't understand the epilogue. I didn't even remember if I already knew the characters in those scenes or if they were other new characters I'd never met.
In short, it really bothered me that the whole story was sketchy and without details.
Even Thyra should have been able to develop and understand her powers in a different way, instead of becoming omnipotent overnight and above all without any sacrifice or effort.
I hope the author will go back on the book or that the continuation of this story becomes more interesting and detailed.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read the preview of the book.
October 24, 2022
In Steven G. Williams debut book, Skadi, he introduced us to a rich world of Norse mythology. While not a direct sequel, this one continues that trend and adds to the experience. Thyra is a dark elf, and she does justice to the race like Malekith from Thor: The Dark World should have done. She learns to help others and grow herself throughout the experience.
Fast-paced action and a thrilling adventure awaits the reader in this book. You'll learn a lot about Norse mythology again without feeling like you're sitting in a college lecture. The characters are well developed and the story unfolds in an intriguing and engaging manner.
Another win for this new and upcoming author. Here's hoping that Williams brings Skadi and Thyra together soon! Big thank you to the author for an ARC to read and review.
Fast-paced action and a thrilling adventure awaits the reader in this book. You'll learn a lot about Norse mythology again without feeling like you're sitting in a college lecture. The characters are well developed and the story unfolds in an intriguing and engaging manner.
Another win for this new and upcoming author. Here's hoping that Williams brings Skadi and Thyra together soon! Big thank you to the author for an ARC to read and review.
February 20, 2023
This review was originally published on NetGalley.com. I was given an ebook freely by NetGalley and the book’s publisher in return for a voluntary and honest review.
Thyra is a fantasy set in Norse Mythology. It starts with a husband and wife escaping genocide. Someone is out to exterminate all the dark elves. They find a peaceful life living next to a human family for generations. Then soon after welcoming their daughter, Thyra. The danger from their past comes back. Thyra is left alone to discover her people’s history and her place in two different worlds.
Steven Grier Williams does a wonderful job of engaging the reader almost immediately. The writing is good a little clunky in parts but that could also be the ARC edition.
I’d recommend this one for anyone interested in Norse Mythology, heroes born from normally evil races and strong female characters.
Thyra is a fantasy set in Norse Mythology. It starts with a husband and wife escaping genocide. Someone is out to exterminate all the dark elves. They find a peaceful life living next to a human family for generations. Then soon after welcoming their daughter, Thyra. The danger from their past comes back. Thyra is left alone to discover her people’s history and her place in two different worlds.
Steven Grier Williams does a wonderful job of engaging the reader almost immediately. The writing is good a little clunky in parts but that could also be the ARC edition.
I’d recommend this one for anyone interested in Norse Mythology, heroes born from normally evil races and strong female characters.
November 2, 2022
I think this is a fun title for those looking to carry on from any of the Marvel Thor/Loki energy. It is a bit of a soft entry point into any mythology, but it served the narrative well and has magic, elves, and hints of Ragnarok. Good stuff.
February 1, 2023
Thyra is a worthy successor to Williams’ amazing debut novel, Skadi. Beyond the magic and mythology is a true story of love, friendship, and loyalty. Thyra is a Gaiman-esque adventure that you will not want to put down.
October 20, 2022
A really solid Norse Mythology tale. Fast paced and hits all the right notes.
November 2, 2022
Action packed fantasy adventure.
July 24, 2025
Local PA authors get 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews