The Valkyrie’s Daughter Review

Hi everyone! I’ve got another review for you today, this time for The Valkryrie’s Daughter by Tiana Warner! This book comes out later this month, so if it sounds interesting to you I definitely recommend giving it a shot! If you think this book sounds familiar, that’s because it was meant to be released earlier this year with a different title and cover, but it was changed.

The Valkyrie’s Daughter
by Tiana Warner
Series: The Helheim Prophecy #1
Release date: July 26th 2021

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology
Rating: ★★★★☆

A thrilling, intricate, and romantic #OwnVoices LGBTQ fantasy that builds on Norse mythology into a beautiful story all its own.

For as long as Sigrid could remember, she’s wanted to become a mighty, fearless valkyrie. But without a winged mare, she’s a mere stable hand, left wondering who her parents were and why she’s so different. So when the Eye shows her a vision where she’s leading a valkyrie charge on the legendary eight-legged horse Sleipnir, she grabs the possibility of this greater destiny with both hands, refusing to let go.

Too bad that the only one who can help her get there is Mariam, an enemy valkyrie who begrudgingly agrees to lead her to Helheim but who certainly can’t be trusted―even if she does make Sigrid more than a little flustered. As they cross the nine worlds, battling night elves, riding sea serpents, and hurtling into fire to learn the truth about Sigrid’s birthright, an unexpected but powerful bond forms.

As her feelings for Mariam deepen into something fiery and undeniable, Fate has other plans for Sigrid. What happens when the one thing you think you were meant to do might end the nine worlds?

This book has been on my radar for quite a while! In fact, it’s been on my radar for so long that it got a new title and cover design before it’s release! This book used to be known as The Helheim Princess, if you’ve seen me mention it before.

This is a Norse Mythology inspired Sapphic fantasy, and it was such a fun read! We follow Sigrid, who is a stable hand whose only wish is to become one of the fabled Valkyries. In this world, you can only become a Valkyrie if you were bonded to a winged horse at birth, and Sigrid was bonded to a regular horse. She eventually sees a vision of her riding on the legendary eight-legged horse Sleipnir and decides that she is going to do everything she can to fulfill her destiny.

The characters were a big highlight for me, Sigrid is a total underdog and everyone underestimates her, and I loved her character development. Mirriam is an enemy Valkyrie that Sigrid frees to help her get to Helheim to find her destiny, and the way these two interacted was fun to read about.

To me, this book seems like it would be perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and other series by Rick Riordan, as this read a bit more on the younger side of YA for me. Since I read so many dark fantasy books, and some pretty steamy romances the stakes were much lower than what I’m used to and the romance was more sweet than anything else.

This is a fun book about a girl learning who she is and what she wants in life and has a great adventure with a few twists along the way! Definitely recommend this one, especially if you’re looking for a lighter read!