A review by nerfherder86
The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton

4.0

Romantic, epic, lyrical, and action-packed. A fun unusual coming-of-age story and different take on Norse mythology. Could be considered a typical account of a teenage boy's struggles against his inner rage, except that he just happens to be a mythic warrior who has a literal "inner rage!" Seventeen year old Soren Bearskin, a Berserker who is trying not to "frenzy" and give in to his blinding all-encompassing battle-rage, meets teen hottie Astrid, a "seethkona" who can fortune-tell and prophesy, at school. Their school is an academy in the United States of Asgard, a blend of our USA and one where Norse gods are real. Students study history that includes "The Montreal Troll Wars" and read "The Lays of Thomas Jefferson", and everyone pays homage to their particular god or goddess, who just might walk among us when they so choose. But when the popular god Baldur the Beautiful does not rise from the dead as he does every year, Soren and Astrid think they may know where he is--either kidnapped or lost--and set out on a road trip to find and bring him back. Astrid also seeks more information about her long-missing mother, a celebrity seethkona. And Soren has to fight a few battles, including with himself over his growing attraction to Astrid: if he gives in to his feelings of love will he then let loose his berserker self and possibly hurt her? There are a lot of spear and sword fights, and stone trolls, and betrayals, and loyalties forged and shaken. The story is told in epic style, with a formal way of speaking as if these modern day characters are back in the epic ages; many myths are recounted and referred to as real events, and magic seems real and commonplace; the US of Asgard is a very cool place to visit! I look forward to sequels.