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bigbear73's review
5.0
Sometimes you read a book, and the only difficult part about it is writing the review. The temptation even comes up to skip the review, and just rate it; that would be easier. But when a book is as good as Tessa Gratton's last entry into her United States of Asgard series, you just have to let people know about it.
Set in an alternative (way cooler) world where Odin and Thor steer national policy, The United States of Asgard series has a ton of awesome going for it. Creatively interwoven into our own world, the reader is able to escape to a much more magical place, a place where you could not only get a good job or get to serve your country, you might even get the honor of being born a Berserker or earn your way into becoming a Valkyrie. You could get to meet Baldur the beautiful, or be able to help others by seething the direction their lives are heading. All of these things are fantastic, fun and enamoring. But you hardly notice them, because they are just a setting for the complex and incredibly well written characters.. You will KNOW Tessa's characters . You will be annoyed by them, you will be mad at them, you will be ashamed at and for them. But most of all, you will love them, because they are all real, and full and oh so human.
The Apple Throne is this idea nearly to perfection - we get to know imperfect characters, and get to love them because of their imperfections. Perhaps best of all, we get to see how we can love others because of the power of her characters and how powerfully they can care for others, even when everything says they should not, they should be full of anger. I don't feel like I can even iterate how powerfully Tessa pulls this off; let's just leave it at, some of her characters leave me wanting to be a better person, and the bookworm/daydreamer in me just wishes the characters were real so I could actually get to know them.
In a year of amazing books, this is one of my favorites. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Set in an alternative (way cooler) world where Odin and Thor steer national policy, The United States of Asgard series has a ton of awesome going for it. Creatively interwoven into our own world, the reader is able to escape to a much more magical place, a place where you could not only get a good job or get to serve your country, you might even get the honor of being born a Berserker or earn your way into becoming a Valkyrie. You could get to meet Baldur the beautiful, or be able to help others by seething the direction their lives are heading. All of these things are fantastic, fun and enamoring. But you hardly notice them, because they are just a setting for the complex and incredibly well written characters.. You will KNOW Tessa's characters . You will be annoyed by them, you will be mad at them, you will be ashamed at and for them. But most of all, you will love them, because they are all real, and full and oh so human.
The Apple Throne is this idea nearly to perfection - we get to know imperfect characters, and get to love them because of their imperfections. Perhaps best of all, we get to see how we can love others because of the power of her characters and how powerfully they can care for others, even when everything says they should not, they should be full of anger. I don't feel like I can even iterate how powerfully Tessa pulls this off; let's just leave it at, some of her characters leave me wanting to be a better person, and the bookworm/daydreamer in me just wishes the characters were real so I could actually get to know them.
In a year of amazing books, this is one of my favorites. Do yourself a favor and read it.
kblincoln's review
4.0
Gratton does a good job of tying up story lines from the first two books in this third book that finally brings together Astrid the seether and Signy the valkyrie. Soren the Berserker is off camera for most of the book, although Astrid's continued memories of him make his presence felt.
This is Astrid as Idun's book. Here she has to reconcile her desire to serve the gods with the loss of her ability to change fate and act on the world. Luckily, one of Thor's half-mortal sons, Amon, and a young Hunter who is helplessly in love with Amon comes along for the ride.
Yep, its another road trip as Astrid seeks out answers to why Soren would be charged with murder and to solve the final riddle of what to do with the troll heart Signy won in the last book.
If you started this series, this is a satisfying ending, however, Gratton does such a good job with the side characeters (including Amon's sister who catalogues bones in a crypt) that I wish there were books that told their stories as well.
This is Astrid as Idun's book. Here she has to reconcile her desire to serve the gods with the loss of her ability to change fate and act on the world. Luckily, one of Thor's half-mortal sons, Amon, and a young Hunter who is helplessly in love with Amon comes along for the ride.
Yep, its another road trip as Astrid seeks out answers to why Soren would be charged with murder and to solve the final riddle of what to do with the troll heart Signy won in the last book.
If you started this series, this is a satisfying ending, however, Gratton does such a good job with the side characeters (including Amon's sister who catalogues bones in a crypt) that I wish there were books that told their stories as well.
missprint_'s review
5.0
"It is by touching gods and godlings, elves and trolls and men and women, by starting a new story for ourselves and our names, that we reach into the future.
"That is how we thrive."
Astrid Glynn traded her life as a talented prophet and seethkona to save the person she loves. Soren Bearstar struck a bargain in turn so that he would remember Astrid even as the rest of the world forgot her.
It has been two years since Astrid gave up her name, her prophetic dreams, and her life to become Idun the Young--the not-quite goddess who guards and distributes the apples of immortality. In those two years Soren's bargain has allowed him to visit her every three months. Until he doesn't come.
Certain that something terrible is keeping Soren away, Astrid goes against the gods to escape her hidden orchard and search for him. With unexpected help from one of Thor's bastard sons, Astrid travels across New Asgard to find Soren and save him.
Astrid is no longer the seer she once was nor is she exactly a goddess. She will have to bridge the gap between her old life and new if she wants to save the people she loves and protect the world as they know it in The Apple Throne (2015) by Tessa Gratton.
The Apple Throne is the conclusion to Gratton's Songs of New Asgard (United States of Asgard) series. It is preceded by The Lost Sun and The Strange Maid. All of the books function very well as stand-alone titles however, because of timeline and character overlap, The Apple Throne does include spoilers for the earlier books. These titles have all been reissued by the author through CreateSpace as paperbacks and eBooks.
The Apple Throne is a fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite fantasy series. This story starts soon after the conclusion of Soren's story and references the events of Signy's ascension to her title as Valkryie. Although Astrid's story is removed from that of the other protagonists in this series, her arc culminates in a finish that neatly ties all three books together.
Astrid accepts her current role as Idun, a quasi-goddess, gladly. But the loss of her identity as young prophet Astrid Glynn and her separation from Soren still sting. More importantly, Astrid isn't sure who she is without a place in the world and her dream visions to guide her. Throughout the story Astrid has to reconcile who she used to be with who she has become as she tries to correct past mistakes and protect the people she holds dear.
A feminist story literally about a young woman carving a place for herself in the world, The Apple Throne is another thoughtful fantasy filled with the intricate world building that Gratton's fans will expect. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, The Curiosities by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley, Soundless by Richelle Mead, Clariel by Garth Nix, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
"That is how we thrive."
Astrid Glynn traded her life as a talented prophet and seethkona to save the person she loves. Soren Bearstar struck a bargain in turn so that he would remember Astrid even as the rest of the world forgot her.
It has been two years since Astrid gave up her name, her prophetic dreams, and her life to become Idun the Young--the not-quite goddess who guards and distributes the apples of immortality. In those two years Soren's bargain has allowed him to visit her every three months. Until he doesn't come.
Certain that something terrible is keeping Soren away, Astrid goes against the gods to escape her hidden orchard and search for him. With unexpected help from one of Thor's bastard sons, Astrid travels across New Asgard to find Soren and save him.
Astrid is no longer the seer she once was nor is she exactly a goddess. She will have to bridge the gap between her old life and new if she wants to save the people she loves and protect the world as they know it in The Apple Throne (2015) by Tessa Gratton.
The Apple Throne is the conclusion to Gratton's Songs of New Asgard (United States of Asgard) series. It is preceded by The Lost Sun and The Strange Maid. All of the books function very well as stand-alone titles however, because of timeline and character overlap, The Apple Throne does include spoilers for the earlier books. These titles have all been reissued by the author through CreateSpace as paperbacks and eBooks.
The Apple Throne is a fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite fantasy series. This story starts soon after the conclusion of Soren's story and references the events of Signy's ascension to her title as Valkryie. Although Astrid's story is removed from that of the other protagonists in this series, her arc culminates in a finish that neatly ties all three books together.
Astrid accepts her current role as Idun, a quasi-goddess, gladly. But the loss of her identity as young prophet Astrid Glynn and her separation from Soren still sting. More importantly, Astrid isn't sure who she is without a place in the world and her dream visions to guide her. Throughout the story Astrid has to reconcile who she used to be with who she has become as she tries to correct past mistakes and protect the people she holds dear.
A feminist story literally about a young woman carving a place for herself in the world, The Apple Throne is another thoughtful fantasy filled with the intricate world building that Gratton's fans will expect. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, The Curiosities by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley, Soundless by Richelle Mead, Clariel by Garth Nix, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
paulineerika's review
3.0
I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the previous two. Astrid's role in this plot didn't seem quite strong enough to warrant a full book. She didn't seem to have a clear path, the way Soren and Signy did, although maybe that was the point. Still not quite as satisfying.
allyriadayne's review
3.0
Book: 3 stars. Series over all 4 stars.
The Apple Throne didn't connect to me as well as the last one, The Strange Maid, did but I could finally empathize with Astrid and her faith and struggle with the Gods and her role as Idun The Young, while being forgotten by the world and having no fate.
I wasn't much into the elves plot, except when it all connected to my favorite (!!) valkyrie Signy Valborn and what she did with the heart of the Troll Mother she killed. The plot with Soren's kidnapping also didn't do much for me and it felt more like something for Astrid to do and tie the elves with the main mystery. BUT I liked a lot how the author expanded more of the worldbuilding.
Still, I love Tessa Grafton's (criminally underrated) United States of Asgard series and I'll keep The Strange Maid in my heart. This is good YA.
The Apple Throne didn't connect to me as well as the last one, The Strange Maid, did but I could finally empathize with Astrid and her faith and struggle with the Gods and her role as Idun The Young, while being forgotten by the world and having no fate.
I wasn't much into the elves plot, except when it all connected to my favorite (!!) valkyrie Signy Valborn and what she did with the heart of the Troll Mother she killed. The plot with Soren's kidnapping also didn't do much for me and it felt more like something for Astrid to do and tie the elves with the main mystery. BUT I liked a lot how the author expanded more of the worldbuilding.
Still, I love Tessa Grafton's (criminally underrated) United States of Asgard series and I'll keep The Strange Maid in my heart. This is good YA.
thepeachyhub's review
4.5
this might be kinda vague because i wanna talk about some moments in this book without spoiling anything so apologies if it is.
the way signy and astrid's relationship is handled is really cool. i like how it progressed and how it kept changing, even at the end.
the way loki is handled is my favourite thing in the world. definitely how loki is when i work with him in my witchcraft.
the relationship between sune and amon. oh my fucking god, even at the end they still had me reacting in my seat to the way they just bounce off of each other. like the subtle hints you pick up on about them had me fucking reeling.
this book really made me softly cry twice. i wasn't full on sobbing but i had tears pricking the corners of my eyes at 2 different points in this book.
the way other characters, both main and side, were incorporated into this final book was brilliant. getting to see ned and darius and rathi and others come into the story again was just magnificent.
the only issue i have is that at one point, a character mentions something called cherokeen. i felt this was very insensitive as the cherokee people are an actual people and i don't think tessa should have mentioned them in the story as i felt it was wrong to norse mythologize their history and culture. however, i can't speak accurately on this as i am not native.
apart from that one small point, overall, this was absolutely beautiful, by far my favourite book in the series.
the way signy and astrid's relationship is handled is really cool. i like how it progressed and how it kept changing, even at the end.
the way loki is handled is my favourite thing in the world. definitely how loki is when i work with him in my witchcraft.
the relationship between sune and amon. oh my fucking god, even at the end they still had me reacting in my seat to the way they just bounce off of each other. like the subtle hints you pick up on about them had me fucking reeling.
this book really made me softly cry twice. i wasn't full on sobbing but i had tears pricking the corners of my eyes at 2 different points in this book.
the way other characters, both main and side, were incorporated into this final book was brilliant. getting to see ned and darius and rathi and others come into the story again was just magnificent.
the only issue i have is that at one point, a character mentions something called cherokeen. i felt this was very insensitive as the cherokee people are an actual people and i don't think tessa should have mentioned them in the story as i felt it was wrong to norse mythologize their history and culture. however, i can't speak accurately on this as i am not native.
apart from that one small point, overall, this was absolutely beautiful, by far my favourite book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Blood, Violence, Gun violence, and Sexual content
dead bodies and the burning of them are mentioned in this book as well as a brief mention of burning flesh.
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