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jonathanrobert's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mxsallybend's review against another edition
3.0
Although I've had The Hunt for Atlantis and The Tomb of Hercules loaded up on my Kobo for ages, and have been eagerly anticipating my first adventure alongside Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase, The Valhalla Prophecy is actually my first encounter with the world of Andy McDermott - and I'm pleased to say it definitely won't be my last.
Yes, it's formulaic and predictable, falls prey to pretty much all the clichés of the genre, and belongs to that catastrophic excavation side of archaeology, but that's precisely what we come to enjoy. If you're a fan of Clive Cussler, David Gibbins, Will Adams, Thomas Greanias, Matthew Reilly, and the lot, then Andy McDermott is going to be another author you want to make room for on your shelf.
What sets The Valhalla Prophecy apart and makes it more than just another archaeological, treasure hunting adventure is the depth of the backstory. Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase are partners in every sense of the word, both a romantic pairing and professional colleagues. There's chemistry there, personality, and the kind of genuine conflict anybody who has ever been in a long term relationship with recognize. In this volume (their 9th outing) we also get a significant look into Eddie's past, with a mission from the days before becoming the hero we know today, including an earth-shattering secret that threatens to unsettle his marriage when it's revealed.
The use of Norse mythology is both educational and entertaining, with some interesting suggestions as to how those myths sprang to life. There's a definite Dan Brown sort of element to the archaeology there, with each piece of the puzzle leading Nina and Eddie closer to Valhalla itself, but it works. Like I said, the story falls prey to the usual Indiana Jones type clichés, with discoveries coming fast and easy, and with the need to save the world taking precedent over the desire to preserve precious historical artifacts, but it does make for one heck of an adventure.
There's also a deeply unsettling element of government conspiracy, human experimentation, and biological warfare to the story that ties the search for Valhalla to Eddie's past. It's dark and it's grim, and almost seems out of place in such a 'fun' sort of popcorn adventure, but it lends some real credence to the end-of-the-world scenario. The god and monster slaying eitr is real, and it's been used to breed horrible atrocities in the past - with at least one clandestine government agency anxious to take those experiments to the next level.
No surprises here. The good guys win, the world is saved, treasures are revealed . . . and historical sites are destroyed. It's a fast-paced adventure, full of beautiful scenery and interesting history, populated by characters you can cheer for (and against). Whether you've yet to meet Nina and Eddie or are old friends, The Valhalla Prophecyis well worth the read.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Yes, it's formulaic and predictable, falls prey to pretty much all the clichés of the genre, and belongs to that catastrophic excavation side of archaeology, but that's precisely what we come to enjoy. If you're a fan of Clive Cussler, David Gibbins, Will Adams, Thomas Greanias, Matthew Reilly, and the lot, then Andy McDermott is going to be another author you want to make room for on your shelf.
What sets The Valhalla Prophecy apart and makes it more than just another archaeological, treasure hunting adventure is the depth of the backstory. Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase are partners in every sense of the word, both a romantic pairing and professional colleagues. There's chemistry there, personality, and the kind of genuine conflict anybody who has ever been in a long term relationship with recognize. In this volume (their 9th outing) we also get a significant look into Eddie's past, with a mission from the days before becoming the hero we know today, including an earth-shattering secret that threatens to unsettle his marriage when it's revealed.
The use of Norse mythology is both educational and entertaining, with some interesting suggestions as to how those myths sprang to life. There's a definite Dan Brown sort of element to the archaeology there, with each piece of the puzzle leading Nina and Eddie closer to Valhalla itself, but it works. Like I said, the story falls prey to the usual Indiana Jones type clichés, with discoveries coming fast and easy, and with the need to save the world taking precedent over the desire to preserve precious historical artifacts, but it does make for one heck of an adventure.
There's also a deeply unsettling element of government conspiracy, human experimentation, and biological warfare to the story that ties the search for Valhalla to Eddie's past. It's dark and it's grim, and almost seems out of place in such a 'fun' sort of popcorn adventure, but it lends some real credence to the end-of-the-world scenario. The god and monster slaying eitr is real, and it's been used to breed horrible atrocities in the past - with at least one clandestine government agency anxious to take those experiments to the next level.
No surprises here. The good guys win, the world is saved, treasures are revealed . . . and historical sites are destroyed. It's a fast-paced adventure, full of beautiful scenery and interesting history, populated by characters you can cheer for (and against). Whether you've yet to meet Nina and Eddie or are old friends, The Valhalla Prophecyis well worth the read.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
shezz's review against another edition
4.0
This book was far more enjoyable than the last few books which seemed to focus more on the action then the archaeology itself (especially empire of gold which had very little in it).
The flashback chapters were also really insightful to Eddie's character and just added that extra element to the story line.
Overall a very good read.
The flashback chapters were also really insightful to Eddie's character and just added that extra element to the story line.
Overall a very good read.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
Another action-packed adventure this time with a Norse focus. Contains everything one would expect from the series by now and doesn't disappoint. This has a nice time-jump element as we find out about a mission in Eddie's past that has repercussions for their current predicament.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
3.0
Eddie and Nina take on the Norse legends as they try to stop the development of a WMD. It's deadly and no one should have it but that doesn't stop an group of Americans from trying to acquire a dangerous liquid that lies at the bottom of a pit. The path to which is recorded in runes. Finding the rune stones is their first problem but not the least of their worries
The problem with this book is it is too long and the first half is alternating chapters of the present and the past. I got tired of it and read just the past and then the present. In the end, if the past was not written it wouldn't have made one bit of difference to the outcome of this book.
There's lots of action and adventure but it is just too long to totally enjoy.
The problem with this book is it is too long and the first half is alternating chapters of the present and the past. I got tired of it and read just the past and then the present. In the end, if the past was not written it wouldn't have made one bit of difference to the outcome of this book.
There's lots of action and adventure but it is just too long to totally enjoy.
lordnikon's review against another edition
3.0
My first foray into this series, and I dug this. It wasn't perfect, and drags a BIT in the middle, but finishes strongly.
Have the next one in my ToRead pile already.
Have the next one in my ToRead pile already.
auntblh's review against another edition
3.0
I was a little disappointed in this installment of the series. I still loved Nina and Eddie but I would have liked to have more history/mythology and less explosions. It will be interesting to see where the series goes after the events of this one.
imzadirose's review against another edition
3.0
Another good Chase & Wilde. Didn't like the back and forth stories of what was happening in the present and what happened 8 years prior. It told the story well, but cut up the action. Other than that, another solid good story.
m3l89's review against another edition
2.0
I have read and really enjoyed every title in the Nina Wilde/Eddie Chase series... until this one. I struggled to get into the plot and felt a lot of the action scenes were unneeded and didn't enhance the plot. Disappointing, but I will read the next in the series.
squinderella's review against another edition
4.0
The Valhalla Prophecy is a great, entertaining adventure loaded with plenty of archaeology and fighting off bad guys! Nina and Eddie are called to a Swedish museum where a fellow archaeologist was scene to a crime where a large runestone was stolen. Soon it is discovered that the markings from the stone tell of a way to find the mythical Valhalla as well as the discovery of a horrible substance encased in the Earth. Now the couple must regain possession of the runic information in order to beat the thieves to Valhalla.
I really liked that there were flashbacks interspersed throughout of when Eddie was in Vietnam eight years earlier. I especially loved the tie-in of the subject matter, rather than simply a flashback as a way of shaping the character.
I've always had a bit of an obsession with historical mysteries and places, the wonders of the world, etc. When I was younger, that hunger was fed by Indiana Jones movies, and then I read every book Matthew Reilly had published. The problem with these types of stories is the unbelievability that so often comes with them - especially when it comes to an incredible race against time and close-calls. There was a bit of that here, but I have to applaud McDermott in that it wasn't crazily over-the-top. Only once did I think, "Um...no, not possible."
I definitely am a fan of this series and I plan to go back and start it off the right way - with The Hunt for Atlantis.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
I really liked that there were flashbacks interspersed throughout of when Eddie was in Vietnam eight years earlier. I especially loved the tie-in of the subject matter, rather than simply a flashback as a way of shaping the character.
I've always had a bit of an obsession with historical mysteries and places, the wonders of the world, etc. When I was younger, that hunger was fed by Indiana Jones movies, and then I read every book Matthew Reilly had published. The problem with these types of stories is the unbelievability that so often comes with them - especially when it comes to an incredible race against time and close-calls. There was a bit of that here, but I have to applaud McDermott in that it wasn't crazily over-the-top. Only once did I think, "Um...no, not possible."
I definitely am a fan of this series and I plan to go back and start it off the right way - with The Hunt for Atlantis.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.