Book Review | Between the Blade and the Heart
Blade Runner meets Game of Thrones meets Thor: Ragnarok – ACCURATE. Bisexual main character – mythical beings… this book was AWESOME.
Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking Published by Pan Macmillan on March 23rd 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Pages: 416
Goodreads
Valkyries have one great responsibility: to return immortals to the afterlife by slaying them. As a Valkyrie, Malin has always known that the balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.
Malin not only wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought—she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. The balance of the world is at stake. And, as Asher competes with Malin’s ex for her love and loyalty, so is her heart.
LGBTQ REP. Yaaaas! I really enjoyed reading about a bisexual character that wasn’t just filler. More on that after.
I’m not usually drawn in to narratives that have Valkyries in, so I took this book on with some trepidation. I WAS SO GLAD I DID. I always find this is the case, when I take the plunge and read something out of my comfort zone I end up really enjoying it. Mostly.
It’s set in an alternate world where immortals and mythical beings are common place and live amongst humans. The world is pretty dystopian, despite the presence of magical beings – which I found really interesting. In fact, the presence of the immortals is kind of the reason the place is so dystopian.
Malin was BADASS. There’s a lot moral questioning and discussion around free will vs destiny, which I really enjoyed. It really makes you think in a way we aren’t often prompted to. It also explores what it’s like to find out someone you considered a role model has made decisions you don’t agree with. I think it happens a lot in real life, we grow up to find out our parents aren’t the perfect put together people we thought they were. They don’t have the answers to everything and they make mistakes too. Between the Blade and the Heart dealt with this well.
Malin has the CUTEST pet ever and I lived to read the bits about him.
The world building for Between the Blade and the Heart is immense. A lot of thought and reasoning has gone into making this story make sense and I loved it. I can’t say how accurate it is to mythology as I’m not familiar with Valkyrie myths, but I found it believable and enjoyed it.
The story was steady paced – we were thrown straight in to Malin’s life as a Valkyrie in training, where she has to kill an immortal as it’s their time to go. I loved this aspect as it’s morally questionable. Yes they justified it but technically Valkyrie’s are murderers, hit-men even. Yes there were some typical ‘YA tropes’ but I mean, that’s why we read YA right? (Can anyone say love triangle) They have a big quest to go on at the end, culminating in a huge freaking cliff hanger! GAH. So I’m definitely looking forward to the next one.
BISEXUAL MAIN CHARACTER! Guys – there’s a kind of love triangle between the bisexual main character, a girl and a guy! YAAS. Malin is unashamedly bi, she also isn’t afraid of her sexuality – having a casual relationship which I feel like more young women in YA should be seen doing. Relationships shouldn’t have to always be deep insta love, though there are deeper romantic feelings going on at times. Girls and women shouldn’t be shamed for having a sex drive! So props to Amanda Hocking! Though for a girl who’s convinced Valkyrie’s couldn’t love – she certainly had a lot of emotion going on.
“That’s the funny thing about love,” he said. “It doesn’t wait for perfection – the heart loves who it loves, exactly as they are, faults and all.” – Amanda Hocking, Between the Blade and the Heart
Asher was a bit of a wet lettuce – he did some things that were badass but didn’t follow through, but I was okay with that I think? I still enjoyed it. I think the fact that the women were stronger than the men made me happy, it’s time for some women to kick ass for a change!
I won’t go into too much detail about the other characters as I don’t want to spoil it for you – GO AND READ IT.
All I will say is that this book has a LOT of romance in it. If it isn’t your thing – maybe this book isn’t for you. We have the crazy hot ex, new mysterious boy and quirky best friend. I loved this but I know a lot of people seem to be wary of YA tropes (WHY?! THEY ARE THE BEST).
Have you read this yet? Let me know your thoughts!
10 Comments
I have a copy of this but it’s low down my TBR pile at the moment. However, I’m definitely moving it up the pile thanks to your review. Sounds so good!
I haven’t heard of this book before. However, mythical creatures and dystopian in one book?! I’m in! It’s being added to my TBR list right now! Great review Jenn! 🙂
Ahh i’ve never heard of this one before but your review has definitely motivated me to add this to my TBR! I love myself a badass MC and i’m so intrigued by this pet of hers lol 🙂
I really enjoyed this book, a lot didn’t seem to like the mix of futuristic with all the mythological references but I thought it was awesome! Definitely a fan of the care-free MC too, but I felt like maybe she was struggling with her two romance options to pick one? I just finished reading the second though and I didn’t love it as much as the first 🙁
I read this, and while I liked it, it wasn’t what I thought it would. I think I gave it 3.5 stars?
That’s fair! It had some elements that could be difficult to like?
I have read an Amanda Hocking book before and I just thought it was okay – but maybe it is time for me to give another one of her novels a go! I am glad the world building was done so well. That’s one of my favourite things to look out for in a book. And Malin sounds cool. Yay for rep! I totally laughed when you called Asher a wet lettuce as well xD
[…] Jennie’s review of Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking […]
Valkyries aren’t usually my jam either, but I’m keen to give this a go if there’s a proud bi heroine! Thanks for the review!
Yay! Let me know what you think/thought of it