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![Shield-Maiden: Gambit of Blood (The Shadows of Valhalla Book 1) by [Melanie Karsak]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rwN69IbIL._SY346_.jpg)
Shield-Maiden: Gambit of Blood (The Shadows of Valhalla Book 1) Kindle Edition
Melanie Karsak (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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An orphaned descendant of Loki.
A princess without a kingdom.
A shield-maiden plagued by the shadows of Valhalla.
Born to rule two jarldoms, Ervie should of had a life of ease. But fate has not been kind. Her parents’ jarldoms destroyed in the wars of a previous generation, Ervie is set adrift in the world. Taking refuge in the lands of the famed King Gizer, Ervie finds a temporary retreat from her aching sense of loss. But when Gizer’s warband is summoned to defend one of his staunchest allies, the journey promises more than just battle for Ervie.
As it turns out, the Norns have been weaving.
Once, Ervie’s parents were considered the most powerful practitioners of Norse magic in all of Scandinavia. That same magic has been sleeping under the shield-maiden’s skin. Soon, this descendant of the trickster god will find herself on a path to reclaim what was lost…and follow her destiny.
Fans of Viking tales will relish The Shadows of Valhalla series. This sweeping Viking historical fantasy retells the story of the second legendary heroine named Hervor—called Ervie by those who know her well—the inspiring shield-maiden from the Norse Hervarar Saga.
Readers of The Road to Valhalla series will love this next-generation tale in a beloved Viking world.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateFebruary 22, 2022
- File size6220 KB
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Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "This historical fiction fantasy is a read for all to enjoy and get lost in. It has a bit of everything: love, action, violence, passion, humor and so much heart." Elysian Fields
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Another amazing book from one of my favorite authors!" Ashley
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Unputdownable with a plot that keeps your mind and heart engaged." M. Fritz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The story, the emotions, everything in this book has such power. Magic." Phthon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "This is a powerful, expansive read, heavy on characters and world-building, done masterfully! A real treat for us readers." Regulatorjones
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Full of adventure, drama, humor, even some romance." Phoenix
Product details
- ASIN : B09MB5QDLC
- Publisher : Clockpunk Press (February 22, 2022)
- Publication date : February 22, 2022
- Language : English
- File size : 6220 KB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 364 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : B09S5QNX3T
- Lending : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #23,435 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

New York Times and USA Today best-selling historical fantasy author Melanie Karsak is the author of the Celtic Blood series, Steampunk Red Riding Hood, Steampunk Fairy Tales, the Road to Valhalla Series, and other works of fantasy and fiction. The author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.
Join my newsletter and get Under the Strawberry Moon for FREE: https://bit.ly/37y35RS
Melanie's Series:
The Celtic Blood Series:
Highland Raven
Highland Blood
Highland Vengeance
Highland Queen
The Road to Valhalla Series:
Prequel: Under the Strawberry Moon
Shield-Maiden: Under the Howling Moon
Shield-Maiden: Under the Hunter's Moon
Shield-Maiden: Under the Thunder Moon
Shield-Maiden: Under the Blood Moon
Shield-Maiden: Under the Dark Moon
The Harvesting Series:
The Harvesting
Midway
The Shadow Aspect
Witch Wood
The Torn World
Steampunk Fairy Tales:
Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland
Ice and Embers: Steampunk Snow Queen
Beauty and Beastly: Steampunk Beauty and the Beast
Golden Braids and Dragon Blades: Steampunk Rapunzel
Steampunk Red Riding Hood:
Wolves and Daggers
Alphas and Airships
Peppermint and Pentacles
Bitches and Brawlers
Howls and Hallows
Lycans and Legends
The Chancellor Fairy Tales:
The Glass Mermaid
The Cupcake Witch
The Fairy Godfather
Connect with me online:
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/37y35RS
Webpage: http://www.melaniekarsak.com
Facebook: @AuthorMelanieKarsak
Pinterest: @melaniekarsak
Instagram: @karsakmelanie
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2022
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I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this gem.
Per usual, her writing is beautiful and vivid. All the characters feel real and believable, and Ervie's tenderness and tenacity as she spins around those in her company is amazing. The Norse world is mystical, rich, and captivating, rippling with mythology and sensorial visuals. And the adventures . . . I craved all of Ervie's adventures, especially into the forest where few return.
Bonus: swoony romance!
Definitely recommend this latest tale in her Shield Maiden / Valhalla series.

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2022
I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this gem.
Per usual, her writing is beautiful and vivid. All the characters feel real and believable, and Ervie's tenderness and tenacity as she spins around those in her company is amazing. The Norse world is mystical, rich, and captivating, rippling with mythology and sensorial visuals. And the adventures . . . I craved all of Ervie's adventures, especially into the forest where few return.
Bonus: swoony romance!
Definitely recommend this latest tale in her Shield Maiden / Valhalla series.

As we follow along with Ervie on this adventure, her life and her magic unfold in bold and adventures and surprising ways. I held my breath and devoured this story in mere hours (I really did try to make it last; I swear).
There are a lot of familiar characters; ones we got to meet in past books and explore more in this one and mention past characters that might no longer be with us but with whom we carry in our hearts. There are also amazing animals to enhance the story's humor and enjoyment.
As epic as the first series is this is an amazingly wonderful start to a new one. If you love the first series, you will without a doubt love this one. The action, the characters, the emotional depth, the worlds, the characters, the grand scale of it all will leave you breathless. It reads like an extension of Viking lore.
This historical fiction fantasy is a read for all to enjoy and get lost in. It has a bit of everything: love, action, violence, passion, humor and so much heart.
*If you haven't, I highly suggest you read Shield-Maiden: Winternights Gambit if you are looking for a tiny glimpse into more of Erive (after the ending of the first series and a bit before the start of this one, it makes a fun exciting read).
**Also, those of you who are new to this series you do not have to have read the first series before starting this one, as this one hold its own but if you want a great adventure and more time and explanation for past characters history check it out. I promise you will love it!
At one point I did get slightly annoyed with her pity party, she was "stuck". It was about trying to figure out the person she wanted to be and not false " expectations " she put on herself.
She didn't see her family accepted her because she couldn't accept herself, which was a lack of her foresight and not others.
That is what got exhausting.
I moved beyond that and of course got caught up again with her growth.
Now, I will patiently wait for the second book.
Well done!
held in place by sorrow, memories, and regrets. How would Hervie ever help all her loved ones if she had never gotten past the past. A lesson for all of us.