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The Shadows of Valhalla
Series · 4 books · 2021-2023

Books in series

Shield-Maiden book cover
#0.5

Shield-Maiden

Winternights Gambit

2021

An heir to ashes. A princess without a throne. Ervie, the daughter of the warrior-shaman Jarl Mjord and the völva Lady Blomma, was born to rule two jarldoms and wield a magical bloodline reaching to Asgard itself. But the Norns have not been kind. Her father dead, now all she has is a famous name and a lingering sense of what might have been. But this Winternights blót, the Ǽsir will conspire to set the Reindeer Princess on her path toward destiny. Fans of Vikings and The Last Kingdom will relish The Shadows of Valhalla series. This sweeping Viking historical fantasy retells the story of the second 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 bridge prequel novella between Hervor’s tale in the Road to Valhalla series and that of the shield-maiden Ervie. \*Please note: Winternights Gambit is a 13k word novella prequel to the Shadows of Valhalla series.
Shield-Maiden book cover
#1

Shield-Maiden

Gambit of Blood

2022

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 Vikings and The Last Kingdom 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.
Shield-Maiden book cover
#2

Shield-Maiden

Gambit of Shadows

2022

A kingdom at war. A conflict forged in the tragedies of the past. A shield-maiden thrust into the heart of all. Just when Ervie was beginning to break free of the shadows that plagued her, the Gauls set fire to her world. With King Harald murdered, the warhorn calls for revenge. From Skagen to Grund, the Vikings will rally to avenge the heinous attack. Ervie will soon find herself in the middle of it all—even if her heart is still in the Myrkviðr. As war with the Gauls flashes to an inferno, the embers of a more serious problem smolder to life. Prince Hlod of the Huns is making plans of his own. Ervie and Loptr will soon find themselves on a collision course with destiny as they race to save the ones they love. Continue Ervie’s tale in Shield-Maiden: Gambit of Shadows. 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.
Shield-Maiden book cover
#3

Shield-Maiden

Gambit of Swords

2023

A broken prince. A shield-maiden bent on vengeance. A Viking world set on fire. With the war against the Gauls over and Angantyr crowned king, everything should have been peaceful. But the arrival of Prince Hlod and its devastating consequences have brought nothing but heartache and darkness. Determined to avenge their losses, Ervie and Loptr will unite the Scandinavian world, including King Ormar of the Myrkviðr, against the Huns. Such an alliance does not come without complications. The war on the battlefield will rival the war in Ervie’s heart as she struggles to find a way forward with Dag and Ormar. But in the shadows, Loki is scheming. The Norns' loom has been rewoven with unforeseen consequences. Join Ervie and Loptr, as well as our other beloved heroes, in this epic conclusion to the Shadows of Valhalla series.

Author

Melanie Karsak
Melanie Karsak
Author · 60 books

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 Connect with me online: Newsletter: https://bit.ly/37y35RS Webpage: http://www.melaniekarsak.com Facebook: @AuthorMelanieKarsak Pinterest: @melaniekarsak Instagram: @karsakmelanie

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The Shadows of Valhalla