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momwithareadingproblem 's review for:
From the Earth to the Shadows: Valkyrie Book Two
by Amanda Hocking
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Some reviews are really hard to write. This is one of them. While I enjoyed aspects of From the Earth to the Shadows, others I didn’t, making this just an okay read for me. I was on the fence about reading this one simply because of my feelings about the first book [b:Between the Blade and the Heart|34964846|Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie, #1)|Amanda Hocking|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497298600s/34964846.jpg|44948152]. But after how it ended, I wanted to continue the series and find out what would happen to Malin, Asher, and their friends.
From the Earth to the Shadows picks up three days after the end of the first book. I liked this because it meant there was little to catch the reader up on, and I was able to jump right into the story. The author does give a brief review of the events that occurred leading up to the opening scene. It didn’t feel repetitive, but like a reminder of where Malin is and what is about to happen.
Unlike the first book, this book is filled with fights scenes. While this made for an exciting read, it also became dull. The characters kept finding themselves in situations that were conveniently solved without actually growing the characters in any form or fashion or even really adding to the plot. Rather than driving the plot, these scenes slowed the story down. And don’t get me started on the love triangle. This was an issue I had with the first book and I really thought it was resolved at the end of that book, but I was wrong *mentally rolling my eyes*
The book’s saving grace was it’s continued world-building. I liked the addition of Odin and the quest he sends Malin on. I love Hocking‘s ability to blend mythology with a future urban world. I liked the mythological creatures Malin faces and even her everyday struggles. However these things can’t carry the book.
Overall From the Earth to the Shadows was just an okay read for me. I honestly found myself skimming during some scenes and savoring others. I couldn’t empathize with Malin, and I detested the triangle. If you read and enjoyed the first book, I believe you will be happy with this one. But honestly, I could have taken it or left it.
Some reviews are really hard to write. This is one of them. While I enjoyed aspects of From the Earth to the Shadows, others I didn’t, making this just an okay read for me. I was on the fence about reading this one simply because of my feelings about the first book [b:Between the Blade and the Heart|34964846|Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie, #1)|Amanda Hocking|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497298600s/34964846.jpg|44948152]. But after how it ended, I wanted to continue the series and find out what would happen to Malin, Asher, and their friends.
From the Earth to the Shadows picks up three days after the end of the first book. I liked this because it meant there was little to catch the reader up on, and I was able to jump right into the story. The author does give a brief review of the events that occurred leading up to the opening scene. It didn’t feel repetitive, but like a reminder of where Malin is and what is about to happen.
Unlike the first book, this book is filled with fights scenes. While this made for an exciting read, it also became dull. The characters kept finding themselves in situations that were conveniently solved without actually growing the characters in any form or fashion or even really adding to the plot. Rather than driving the plot, these scenes slowed the story down. And don’t get me started on the love triangle. This was an issue I had with the first book and I really thought it was resolved at the end of that book, but I was wrong *mentally rolling my eyes*
The book’s saving grace was it’s continued world-building. I liked the addition of Odin and the quest he sends Malin on. I love Hocking‘s ability to blend mythology with a future urban world. I liked the mythological creatures Malin faces and even her everyday struggles. However these things can’t carry the book.
Overall From the Earth to the Shadows was just an okay read for me. I honestly found myself skimming during some scenes and savoring others. I couldn’t empathize with Malin, and I detested the triangle. If you read and enjoyed the first book, I believe you will be happy with this one. But honestly, I could have taken it or left it.