Odin's Ravens by Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr
Series: The Blackwell Pages #2
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published on: May 13th 2014
Genres: Middle Grade
Pages: 342
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
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Seven kids, Thor's hammer, and a whole lot of Valkyries are the only things standing against the end of the world.
When thirteen-year-old Matt Thorsen, a modern day descendant of the Norse god Thor, was chosen to represent Thor in an epic battle to prevent the apocalypse he thought he knew how things would play out. Gather the descendants standing in for gods like Loki and Odin, defeat a giant serpent, and save the world. No problem, right?
But the descendants' journey grinds to a halt when their friend and descendant Baldwin is poisoned and killed and Matt, Fen, and Laurie must travel to the Underworld in the hopes of saving him. But that's only their first stop on their journey to reunite the challengers, find Thor's hammer, and stop the apocalypse--a journey filled with enough tooth-and-nail battles and larger-than-life monsters to make Matt a legend in his own right.
Authors K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr return to Blackwell in the epic sequel to Loki's Wolves with more explosive action, adventure and larger-than-life Norse legends.
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In Odin’s Ravens, we pick up basically where Loki’s Wolves left off. Baldwin, the descendant of Balder, has been poisoned and Matt Thorsen, descendant of Thor, along with Fen and Laurie, who are cousins and descendants of Loki all make a trip to Hel to bring Baldwin back from the dead. While there, they must face monsters and convenience Fen and Laurie’s “Aunt Helen” the guardian of Hel, to let them leave with Baldwin. After that, they meet with the Valkyries (I so wish these Valkyries were more like Kresley Cole’s, but then I guess this wouldn’t be a middle grade book anymore then would it?) and are put on a quest to find Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer.
The characters in this story are well written, as if with Kelley Armstrong there was ever any doubt. The kids make mistakes that kids their age would make. They get upset with themselves for making the mistakes when they figure out what happened. There is a lot on these kids shoulders, but overall they do handle things really well, while still being young teenagers.
This story is a typical quest type story. As soon as they complete one task, they are set up another. The mythology is great. I don’t know a lot about Norse mythology (outside of the comic books), but it seems to researched extremely well. It is also told in a way that explains the stories really well, especially for the age group for which it is written.
I think the storyline is really good, if you can get over the idea of thirteen-year-old kids as stand-ins for gods and are forced to fight to stop the apocalypse. It is a book written for middle school kids and they want to read about kids their age, so it makes sense. I believe that this is a trilogy and that the last book, Thor’s Serpents will wrap of the story. I can’t wait to see how it ends. I would highly recommend this book for kids, boys and girls alike. I do recommend that you start at the beginning of the series with Loki’s Wolves.
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
I love Norse mythology, and it’s been too long since I’ve read a middle grade series. *adds to wish list* Great review.
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Unbreakable Giveaway Winner
Thanks. I’ve really enjoyed reading these books. I can’t wait for the final book to come out in the US (I guess it is already out in Canada).
Melanie recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
I have heard of this series and it looks cute. I hope to grab it up some day. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…The Week In Review: #30
I found it to be cute and I don’t normally read many middle grade or even much YA books. I hope you enjoy.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
Great review! I really enjoyed this series so far. I have read most of Kelley Armstrong her books ans some by Melissa Marr, so I knew I had to read this series. I thought the second book was even better than the first book and I am eagerly awaiting the third instalment. I really like all the characters and it was nice to see some character change, especially towards the end with Matt. I usually don’t read a lot of mythology books, but I really enjoy this series.
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #118
I’ve not read any of Melissa Marr’s other books, but I love Kelley Armstrong. I haven’t read many mythology books. I want to read more. I hope you enjoy.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
Sounds like a fun series – makes me think of Percy Jackson. I really enjoy those quest type middle grade books from time to time, so I’ll have to add this one to my list.
Berls recently posted…Sunday Post | 78th Edition
I’ve not tried Percy Jackson, but I’ve looked at it. Maybe I’ll have to give it a try sometime. I hope you enjoy these.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
I don’t think this series is for me, one of the reason is I’m tired of Norse mythology, but I know couple of kids who I’m sure could enjoy it.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Movie Trailer: The Transporter Refueled
I hope they enjoy. I haven’t read much Norse mythology. What I know mostly came from Marvel. LOL. I just recommended these along to my boss’s kids. Should be interesting to hear their thoughts. Both parents are from Norway.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
I’m not sure how I missed that these two wrote a book together, I feel so out of the loop now!!
It sounds like this was a pretty okay read even if it wasn’t mind blowing. 🙂
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Guest Post: Turtle Bay by Tiffany King
It was still a good story. If you like children’s stories you will probably like it more than me. I don’t read young adult or even new adult very often. I hope you enjoy.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Southern Belle’s Guide to Witchcraft by Loribelle Hunt
Perfect timing Melanie! My daughter just finish her last series and she was asking me what to read next..lol I normally go and search YA blogs, but what a surprise to find this here. I think this is something she will enjoy. As for me this might be too young, but it wouldn’t be the first time I enjoy something like this. My daughter and I really enjoyed Percy Jackson and others like that.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lupdilup recently posted…The Shadows Audiobook by J. R. Ward – A Jim Frangione Giveaway #Audiobooks #Giveaway
I just recommended this to my boss’s kids. She is from Norway, so it will be interesting to see what they think of it. I hope your daughter enjoys.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Southern Belle’s Guide to Witchcraft by Loribelle Hunt
looka like they took a page from Riordan. I do love Norse myth, their gods are something else
Braine recently posted…Steampunk Sundays: The Janus Affair by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
I haven’t read any of the Percy Jackson books, so I’m not sure.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Southern Belle’s Guide to Witchcraft by Loribelle Hunt
My son really enjoyed the first two books and is anxiously awaiting the release of the third. And now Rick Riordan is penning a Norse Mythology middle grade series. Woo hoo!
Jen Twimom recently posted…Review: Kissed by a SEAL by Cat Johnson
I haven’t read any Riordan. Maybe I should try them sometime too.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Southern Belle’s Guide to Witchcraft by Loribelle Hunt
I have read a couple of Kelley Armstrong’s books and liked them. Like you I’m not a big YA or younger adult book reader but the mythology plot is interesting.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Happy Raturday!
I don’t think I would’ve tried this series if it wasn’t for the fact that Kelley Armstrong was the author.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Southern Belle’s Guide to Witchcraft by Loribelle Hunt
LOL! No, the Valkyries in a MG cannot be more like Kresley Cole’s!! Heh. You’re too funny. I didn’t love the first one but I think it’s because I was done with MG when I read it and it just wasn’t the right time. But I love both those authors!
Mary recently posted…Comfort Reads
I really miss Cole’s Valkyries, I think that is what made me think it. I don’t read many books for kids, but I enjoyed these. I loved the Norse mythology, which I haven’t read much of recently. I liked this one better than book one.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Southern Belle’s Guide to Witchcraft by Loribelle Hunt
I actually am a ya fan but don’t read much mg–harder for me to connect
This is the first middle grade that I’ve read. I wouldn’t normally try it, but I love this author. I don’t know that it is something I would pick up often, but this one worked for me.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review and Character Interview with Celia Breslin, Author of Diamond Moon
I love seeing fantasy like this for middle grade. Quests are cool and appeal to both girls and boys.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Disobedience by Alvania Scarborough
I’ve recommended it to several of my friends kids. I haven’t heard back yet if they liked it.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review and Character Interview with Celia Breslin, Author of Diamond Moon
I’m glad you enjoyed Odin’s Ravens overall, Melanie. My son has been enjoying the series – which I picked up for him since it was by two of my fav authors. 🙂 I intend to read it as well so I can talk about it with him. 🙂 You’d probably like Marr’s writing. I’ve read her Wicked Lovely series which revolves around fae. I quite enjoyed it!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Coda ~ CD Reiss
I’ll have to look her up some time. I saw the Wicked Lovely series about the time I was burnt out on YA, so I never picked it up. I’m started to read some YA again, so I’ll add it to my TBR list. Thanks. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Early Review and Character Interview with Celia Breslin, Author of Diamond Moon
I’m a huge fan of Norse mythology, Melanie, so much so that I’m very picky about the way it’s used… Kelly Armstrong seems to have done a good job with the Norse gods, though, and I love quest stories – medievalist revival is always fun, and somehow a little less scary when YA 🙂
Great review, yet another add to my TBR 🙂
Lexxie recently posted…Review: Portraits of Celina – Sue Whiting
I hope you enjoy. I don’t know a lot about Norse mythology, but it seems to be very well researched, which I would expect from Armstrong. I just finished another from Shelly Laurenston, which I know took a lot of liberties with the telling of Norse mythology. It was fun, but I don’t think it follows the myths very much.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Superheroes Anonymous by Lexie Dunne
I’m also a massive Kelley Armstrong fan (fangirls, unite!) but I’ve been putting off this MG series because I feel like it can’t possibly meet my expectations. But your review makes me rethink that position, especially since it sounds like it could be a winner with the kids I work with. They’re gobbling up any and all quest stories these days!
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