Staff Picks
Vikings and Norse Mythology For Teens
- Thomas M.
- Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Collection
Stories featuring vikings and Norse mythology usually feature epic battles, magic runes, and trickster gods. Forget horned helmets and Avengers, these books spin new tales from history and folklore of long ago.
Loki's Wolves
Published in 2013
"Matt Thorsen is a direct descendent of the order-keeping god Thor, and his classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke are descendents of the trickster god Loki. When Ragnarok--the apocalypse--threatens, the human descendents of the gods must fight monsters to stop the end of the world."-- Provided by publisher
Loki's Wolves
Published in 2013
Matt Thorsen grew up in Blackwell, South Dakota knowing the stories his family had passed down: every Norse myth, every saga, every god like it was family history. Because the Thorsens are direct descendants of Thor. Like their ancestor, every Thorsen is charged with keeping order, especially in regard to the descendents of the trickster god, Loki. And quite a few of his descendents live in Blackwell, too, including Matt's classmates: Fen and Laurie Brekke. For the most part, their lives aren't too different from those of normal kids, aside from a few minor powers. But everything changes when the rune readers tell of the impending Ragnarok--also known as the apocalypse. According to legend, in the time of Ragnarok, the gods must fight the monsters to stop the end of the world. But the gods are dead, leaving their human descendents to fight on their behalf. And Thor's Champion is Matt. He has a little trouble with the 'slay the giant serpent and save the world' idea, but he's not the only one whose world will be turned upside down, because representatives of each of the major gods--kids, like Matt, Fen, and Laurie--have their roles to play in the final fight as well, and it's up to Matt to find them and put together an unstoppable team against the end of the world.
Loki's Wolves
Published in 2013
"Matt Thorsen is a direct descendent of the order-keeping god Thor, and his classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke are descendents of the trickster god Loki. When Ragnarok--the apocalypse--threatens, the human descendents of the gods must fight monsters to stop the end of the world."-- Provided by publisher
Bracelet of Bones
Published in 2014
Crossley-Holland, a winner of the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, the Smarties Prize Bronze Medal, and the Tir Nan-Og Award, and numerous other distinctions, has written an absorbing fantasy novel for young adults with a formidable heroine. The Guardian praised Bracelet of Bones as "superb" Crossley-Holland writes "with a poet's eye and love of words, painting a vivid picture of the world his characters move through, whether it's the morning mist on the river or the smoke from a funeral pyre." One morning Solveig wakes to find her father, Viking mercenary Halfdan, has broken his promise to her by leaving to join the Viking Guard in Constantinople, without her. Deciding to follow him, Solveig sets off in a tiny boat and into an epic adventure, encountering Swedish traders, a ghost-ship and a Russian king, braving arrow-storms and witnessing a living sacrifice. Through it all, Solveig's belief in her father is unwavering. Will she ever reach Constantinople? And will her father be there? An imaginative and poignant novel that explores friendship and betrayal, the father-daughter relationship, the clash of religions and the journey from childhood to adulthood, Bracelet of Bones is a vivid adventure not to be missed.
Bracelet of Bones
Published in 2014
"One morning Solveig wakes to find her father, Viking mercenary Halfdan, has broken his promise to her by leaving to join the Viking Guard in Constantinople without her. Deciding to follow him, Solveig sets off in a tiny boat and into an epic adventure, encountering Swedish traders, a ghost-ship, and a Russian king, braving arrow-storms and witnessing a living sacrifice"--Amazon.com.
Runemarks
Published in 2008
Maddy Smith, who bears the mysterious mark of a rune on her hand, learns that she is destined to join the gods of Norse mythology and play a role in the fate of the world.
Runemarks
Published in 2008
Maddy Smith, who bears the mysterious mark of a rune on her hand, learns that she is destined to join the gods of Norse mythology and play a role in the fate of the world.
Berserker
Published in 2017
Hanne and her siblings flee Norway after her "gift" causes her to commit murder, and on the American frontier Owen, a cowboy, leads them toward their uncle who may help them learn control.
Beyond a Darkened Shore
Published in 2018
Princess Ciara of Mide, who has the ability to control others' minds and actions, has been using her powers to protect her people from the plundering Northmen, but when she captures Lief, a young Northman leader, she learns she is not the only one to harness this power.
Warrior of the Wild
Published in 2019
An eighteen-year-old chieftain's daughter must find a way to kill her village's oppressive deity if she ever wants to return home in Warrior of the Wild , the Viking-inspired YA standalone fantasy from Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King . How do you kill a god? As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Warrior of the Wild
Published in 2019
An eighteen-year-old chieftain's daughter must find a way to kill her village's oppressive deity if she ever wants to return home in Warrior of the Wild , the Viking-inspired YA standalone fantasy from Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King . How do you kill a god? As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Warrior of the Wild
Published in 2019
An eighteen-year-old chieftain's daughter must find a way to kill her village's oppressive deity if she ever wants to return home in this Viking-inspired YA standalone fantasy from Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King. How do you kill a god? As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying?
Valkyrie
Published in 2016
"Freya is a Valkyrie, a reaper of souls. But she hates what she must do. She doesn't like humans and the pain they inflict on each other, and she never wants to visit another battlefield. But when a soldier begs her to help his family back in the human realm, she agrees and discovers a world of friends. Now she'll have to find a way to keep her promise to the soldier and prevent the wrath of Odin from destroying the world"-- Provided by publisher.
The Sword of Summer
Published in 2015
Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by a man he's never met-a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die...
The Sword of Summer
Published in 2015
Magnus Chase, a homeless boy living in Boston, finds out he is the son of a Norse god.
The Sword of Summer
Published in 2015
Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he barely knows-a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . . From the Compact Disc edition.
The Sword of Summer
Published in 2015
Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he barely knows?a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .
Raven Speak
Published in 2010
In 854, the bold fourteen-year-old daughter of a Viking chieftain, aided by her old and thin but equally intrepid horse and an ancient, one-eyed seer, must find a way to keep her clan together and save them from starvation.
Sky in the Deep
Published in 2018
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A 2018 Most Anticipated Young Adult book that is part Wonder Woman, part Vikings? and all heart. OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE. Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield?her brother, fighting with the enemy?the brother she watched die five years ago. Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family. She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother's friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she's spent her life hating. " THIS IS A GRIPPING STORY, RICHLY TOLD . " ?Ren?e Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of Flame in the Mist "FIERCE, VIVID, AND VIOLENTLY BEAUTIFUL. " ?Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval " A STUNNING DEBUT" ?Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen " BLEAK BEAUTIFUL AND DEADLY" ?Traci Chee, New York Times bestselling author of The Reader " WHOLLY UNIQUE AND INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE" ?Kerri Maniscalco, New York Times bestselling author of Hunting Prince Dracula " HEARTRENDING, HEART-MENDING" ?Kayla Olson, bestselling author of Sandcastle Empire
Sky in the Deep
Published in 2018
"Fearless in its exploration of family, forgiveness, loyalty, and love, Sky in the Deep is fierce, vivid, and violently beautiful. This book will wage a war with your heart as brutal and as bold as the battles inked in its pages." - Stephanie Garber, New York Times Bestselling author of Caraval In her highly-anticipated debut audiobook, Adrienne Young brings to life a lush, vivid world that will enchant listeners everywhere. Sky in the Deep is mythic in scope and speaks straight to the heart. Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: train to fight and fight to survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield?her brother, fighting with the enemy?the brother she watched die five years ago. Eelyn loses her focus and is captured. Now, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan settling in the valley, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family. She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother's friend. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family to find a way to forgive her brother while daring to put her faith in the people she's spent her life hating. More praise for Sky in the Deep: "Young's often poetic writing forms a stark juxtaposition with her vivid descriptions of battle and bloodshed, creating a clear picture of the brutality of war." ? Publishers Weekly "Young's staccato prose matches her fierce fighters, but the raw emotions and rapid pacing belie a well-honed voice and taut narrative. A rousing saga and moving coming-of-age tale, perfect for those who appreciate the wild and the wildlings, strong female protagonists, and cinematic battles." ? Kirkus
Sky in the Deep
Published in 2018
"Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield--her brother, fighting with the enemy--the brother she watched die five years ago. Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family. She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother's friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she's spent her life hating." -- Amazon.
Sky in the Deep
Published in 2018
Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan, but when faced with her brother's betrayal, and driven by a growing love for her brother's friend Fiske, she attempts to unite the two clans.