by Katrina Cope
Hits the spot after Thor: Love and Thunder
Chosen: Valkyrie Academy Dragon Alliance is a fun, youthful adventure about how Kara is chosen by the most vicious of the dragons. I just watched Love and Thunder last night, and it totally hits those vibes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — on the MG to YA lit scale.
Mid grades through high school should really enjoy this Norse adventure story. I adored how the valkyrie fight off the angels of death on the battlefield.
I adored the presence of a teenage dragon who acts and speaks in such a youthful way.
No romance yet, but there’s a hint…and I’m hoping it’s enemies to lovers! Can’t wait to see in Book 2.
Kara is a very empathetic teen character, one who feels slighted by others in the Valkyrie Academy and the head mistress herself.
Plot & Characters
This is a fairly straightforward plot. It has to be in a mere 102 pages. However, it’s packed with creatures, mythology, action, adventure, and deep-rooted character need. Everything needed to drive a plot forward and compel the reader to turn the page.
Favorite Quote(s)
“Odin is coming your way, and boy, he looks cranky.”Elan, Loc 95% (Katrina Cope)
This one just shows the epitome of a teenager, right? That’s the dragon speaking…
Romance Elements
Swoonworthiness
No romance here, save for a hint when they are on the battlefield facing the angels of death. I’m hoping Harut comes back in the next books.
Heat
Zilch.
Fantasy Elements
Worldbuilding
This feels a lot like Marvel’s version of Aasgard. There were a few outstanding things though with how the dragons and valkyrie fit into the world. Also, it’s very well rooted in Norse mythology.
Magic & Magic Systems
Cool dragon-y goodness here. There’s also a hierarchy, and one class has a special gift that’s really fun in this story. I’ll leave it off because … spoilers.
Writing & Narration
Perfect for the audience. Simple and straightforward writing style. Each character had a distinct voice, and the divide between adults and teens is nicely drawn. Really hits the expectations of YA.
Synopsis
Proving her worth means going against the gods, and facing Odin’s wrath.
Wingless Valkyries are useless to the future of Asgard-that’s what is drilled into them at Valkyrie Academy. Determined to break the mold and help reap warriors for Valhalla, Kara breaks the rules and finds herself in the most dangerous position yet-facing the wrath of Mistress Sigrun and Odin.
Or that is what she thinks until she realizes a dragon is stalking her.
My Ratings
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About the Author
Visit her website, www.katrinacopebooks.com, to get books of Katrina’s for FREE!
Katrina is an author of several Young Adult and Preteen/Middle Grade novels. Each of her released books reaching the top 100 in certain categories on the Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank – a few even as high as number one.
She resides in Queensland Australia. Her three teen/preteen boys and husband of over fifteen years treat her like a princess. Unfortunately though, this princess still has to do domestic chores.
From birth, she has been a very creative person and has spent many years travelling the world and observing many different personalities and cultures. Her favourite personalities have been the strange ones, yet the ones under the radar also hold a place in her heart.
During her last extensive travels, she spent 16 nights in a bomb shelter on a Kibbutz 8 kilometers off the Lebanese border. It was to avoid Katyusha bombs that the resident volunteers decided to name her after (she is still trying to work out why).
Final notes…
If you’re looking for an epic dragon fantasy for an audience slightly older than this book, check out Susan’s complete 5-book series: The Serpentine Throne