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The Last Valkyrie Series Complete Boxed Set
Banished, exiled, and accused of murder...I'll drink to that.Forced from the sacred sisterhood of Valhalla warriors, spending my days in a haze of sex, drugs, and alcohol seemed an ideal way to dull the sting of all I lost. Until I was wrongfully accused of murder. That left me with two run or fight to clear my name. Seeing as my head hadn't quite cleared from that last bottle of whiskey, running was definitely out. Despite having what I consider to be a stellar disposition, I've acquired a laundry list of enemies. Narrowing it down won't be easy. But one thing is for whoever it is knows what I am and won't stop until I'm dead or behind bars. Out of options, I must delve into the supernatural underground I've tried so hard to avoid in search of help. Feeling more lost than ever before, I must own my truth to save myself. I'm not human. My kind no longer exist. I am...the last Valkyrie.
Series now COMPLETE!
- GenresFantasy
612 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2020
47 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Karina Espinosa
98 books468 followersKarina Espinosa is a Colombian-American author best known for the Mackenzie Grey series, the Blood Weaver Trilogy, and her latest romantasy hit, The Dragon’s Ballad. When she’s not writing fierce heroines and magical chaos, she’s globe-trotting, bingeing Asian dramas, or teaching college students how to write essays—with a coffee in hand and fictional body count on the rise.
Follow her for more coffee-fueled chaos and character heartbreak.
Follow her for more coffee-fueled chaos and character heartbreak.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 3, 2021
⎯»
Series Rating:
3.25 Stars
⎯» Genre: Urban Fantasy
⎯» POV: Heroine—First Person
(one chapter from Hero’s POV in last book)
I think I’m in the minority when it comes to this trilogy, as I didn’t find it amazing. Having previously read and enjoyed the complete Mackenzie Grey: Origins series, my rating isn’t aimed at the author as a whole.
The start of the first book held my interest, but they deteriorated over the next two books. I’m not sure that I can properly articulate the issues I had, but I’ll try.
The Heroine
Raven’s supposed to be a millennia old Valkyrie, favorite daughter of her father Odin, trained to be emotionless, lethal, and loyal. She was exiled to Midgard (Earth) after refusing to abandon the humans when her sisters chose to seal the gates of Valhalla, where she has spent the last seventy-some years withdrawn from the world. But her actions, behaviors, feelings—the things that make up her character in the present—don’t reflect these things.
The Romance
Raven’s love interest is unclear in the first book, as there are two men she had chemistry with. Then in the second book, the author pairs one of the men with someone else, as if he and Raven never had an unresolved attraction. There was no closure to help me understand what the purpose of the attraction between the two was in the first place, only this sentence half way through book two,
“It started with an attraction, but I soon realized he was more of a friend than lover.”
That particular storyline just felt unnecessary to me. When it came to the romantic relationship between Raven and her actual love interest...well, it felt flat to me. I really liked theanti-hero, and I think the history between him and Raven set-up the potential for an epic romance, but Raven’s behavior towards him left many things to be desired.
Norse Mythology
I love when books contain creatures, characters, and places from mythology, and this trilogy contains some legendary ones: Odin, Loki, Thor, Freya, Fenrir, the Norns, Hellhounds, Valkyries, Underworld, Valhalla, Asgard. However, I felt like they were only used superficially in the books. Like they were there in name only, without their essence.
Plot and Characters
Things happened. They weren’t logical. The story often contradicted itself. Characters acted in ways that didn’t make sense. Reasons were flimsy. Motives were questionable. Also, there were multiple plot points that were never wrapped up.
Maybe I read it wrong? Is that possible? Everyone else seems to think it was great.
⎯» Heroine: ★★☆☆☆
⎯» Hero: ★★★★☆
⎯» Romance: ★★☆☆☆
⎯» Plot: ★★★☆☆
⎯» Quality: ★★☆☆☆
⎯» Labels:
•Trilogy
•HEA
•Urban Fantasy
•Norse Mythology
•M-F Romance
•Exile
•Prophecy
•Redemption
•Miserable & Self-Destructive Heroine
⎯» Triggers:
•Abusive Scenarios in Flashbacks (never outright called/labeled abuse)
•Substance Abuse
•Violence/Torture
⎯» Genre: Urban Fantasy
⎯» POV: Heroine—First Person
(one chapter from Hero’s POV in last book)
—————————— ❂ ——————————
I think I’m in the minority when it comes to this trilogy, as I didn’t find it amazing. Having previously read and enjoyed the complete Mackenzie Grey: Origins series, my rating isn’t aimed at the author as a whole.
The start of the first book held my interest, but they deteriorated over the next two books. I’m not sure that I can properly articulate the issues I had, but I’ll try.
The Heroine
Raven’s supposed to be a millennia old Valkyrie, favorite daughter of her father Odin, trained to be emotionless, lethal, and loyal. She was exiled to Midgard (Earth) after refusing to abandon the humans when her sisters chose to seal the gates of Valhalla, where she has spent the last seventy-some years withdrawn from the world. But her actions, behaviors, feelings—the things that make up her character in the present—don’t reflect these things.
The Romance
Raven’s love interest is unclear in the first book, as there are two men she had chemistry with. Then in the second book, the author pairs one of the men with someone else, as if he and Raven never had an unresolved attraction. There was no closure to help me understand what the purpose of the attraction between the two was in the first place, only this sentence half way through book two,
“It started with an attraction, but I soon realized he was more of a friend than lover.”
That particular storyline just felt unnecessary to me. When it came to the romantic relationship between Raven and her actual love interest...well, it felt flat to me. I really liked the
Norse Mythology
I love when books contain creatures, characters, and places from mythology, and this trilogy contains some legendary ones: Odin, Loki, Thor, Freya, Fenrir, the Norns, Hellhounds, Valkyries, Underworld, Valhalla, Asgard. However, I felt like they were only used superficially in the books. Like they were there in name only, without their essence.
Plot and Characters
Things happened. They weren’t logical. The story often contradicted itself. Characters acted in ways that didn’t make sense. Reasons were flimsy. Motives were questionable. Also, there were multiple plot points that were never wrapped up.
Maybe I read it wrong? Is that possible? Everyone else seems to think it was great.
—————————— ❂ ——————————
⎯» Heroine: ★★☆☆☆
⎯» Hero: ★★★★☆
⎯» Romance: ★★☆☆☆
⎯» Plot: ★★★☆☆
⎯» Quality: ★★☆☆☆
—————————— ❂ ——————————
⎯» Labels:
•Trilogy
•HEA
•Urban Fantasy
•Norse Mythology
•M-F Romance
•Exile
•Prophecy
•Redemption
•Miserable & Self-Destructive Heroine
⎯» Triggers:
•Abusive Scenarios in Flashbacks (never outright called/labeled abuse)
•Substance Abuse
•Violence/Torture
August 16, 2020
Nice Urban fantasy mix
An interesting take on Valkyries told (mostly) from a female POV. Strong, complicated characters with a mix of vices and virtues. Struggling with a difficult past, unexpected relationships, and the kind of dysfunctional family issues only a Norse god could have.
Guys, if you're looking for the male sexual fantasy version of Valkyries, this isn't that kind of book. You're NOT going to see this lady fighting in stiletto heels and bikini armor. If that's what you want, move along.
The sex scenes may be more explicit than some people are use to. Or not, depending on your comfort level with it. They aren't gratuitous and happen where they make sense in the story, and are told in the same voice as the rest of the story.
It's an exciting world Ms. Espinosa has created. I enjoyed it and I think you will too.
An interesting take on Valkyries told (mostly) from a female POV. Strong, complicated characters with a mix of vices and virtues. Struggling with a difficult past, unexpected relationships, and the kind of dysfunctional family issues only a Norse god could have.
Guys, if you're looking for the male sexual fantasy version of Valkyries, this isn't that kind of book. You're NOT going to see this lady fighting in stiletto heels and bikini armor. If that's what you want, move along.
The sex scenes may be more explicit than some people are use to. Or not, depending on your comfort level with it. They aren't gratuitous and happen where they make sense in the story, and are told in the same voice as the rest of the story.
It's an exciting world Ms. Espinosa has created. I enjoyed it and I think you will too.
June 2, 2022
🎧📚
Narrated by Jennifer Sterling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Surprisingly entertaining!
As a Scandi, north mythology is taught from first grade and throughout college.
Normally most of the authors, and Hollywood, makes a LOT of mistakes, but Espinosa knows her stuff.
Even though she used some 'artistic interpretation', it was well done.
Can absolutely recommend 👌🏻
Narrated by Jennifer Sterling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Surprisingly entertaining!
As a Scandi, north mythology is taught from first grade and throughout college.
Normally most of the authors, and Hollywood, makes a LOT of mistakes, but Espinosa knows her stuff.
Even though she used some 'artistic interpretation', it was well done.
Can absolutely recommend 👌🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2022
Excellent story telling
I really enjoyed the way she took characters from Norse mythology and weaved into a story in modern times. The main character is flawed but so relatable. I will definitely read again.
I really enjoyed the way she took characters from Norse mythology and weaved into a story in modern times. The main character is flawed but so relatable. I will definitely read again.
November 3, 2020
Great series
Action packed ,a little of everything, romance, deceit, war. It was a great series and I can't wait to read more by this author
Action packed ,a little of everything, romance, deceit, war. It was a great series and I can't wait to read more by this author
January 9, 2021
I like Mackenzie Gray series better, but it was interesting
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews