Book Review: Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings Book 2) by Jennifer Ivy Walker

Wolf of the Nordic Seas
 (Valiant Vikings Book 2) 
By Jennifer Ivy Walker

Publication Date: 15th April 2025

Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications

Page Length: 357 Pages

Genre: Viking Historical Romance

Named after the Norse God of the Sea, Njörd grew up sailing, swimming, and fishing the fjords of Norway. Endowed with extraordinary senses, speed, and strength, he became known as Wolf of the Nordic Seas, leading lucrative Viking raids from the Baltic shores to the Black and Caspian Seas. When a Viking völva foretells his future through a seidr vision, Njörd learns that his fate and his mate—the siren with the sea goddess eyes—lie on the alabaster coast of Normandy in the distant Land of the White Chalk Cliffs.

Elfi Thorfinnsdóttir is a skilled shieldmaiden who seeks vengeance against the ruthless Frankish count who killed her brother and abducted her father in an attempt to seize her clifftop castle. But rather that submit to the count’s relentless demand for her hand in marriage, Elfi allies with Richard the Fearless—the Viking Duke of Normandy— and the Danish Jarl of Ribe known as the Wolf of the Nordic Seas.

As Elfi and Njörd discover startling secrets about their respective pasts, they find that the three Norns have entwined the threads of their fates not just as political allies, but as mates destined to fulfill a divine prophecy.

Wolf of the Nordic Seas— book 2 of the Valiant Vikings series set in tenth century Normandy— is a sizzling, scintillating blend of historical fiction, Norse mythology, paranormal fantasy, and steamy Viking romance!

He commanded the most prosperous Viking raids, plunging his longship into the icy waters of the Baltic, forging a path through treacherous waves toward the sun-kissed shores of the Black and Caspian Seas. On the other side of the world, she was the enchanting heiress of Étretat, her beauty rivalled only by the dramatic cliffs that framed her home. Destiny, with its intricate threads, would weave their lives together in ways neither could have ever foreseen.

 

Get ready to be captivated by an epic Norse romantic adventure in “Wolf of the Nordic Seas” (Valiant Vikings Book 2) by Jennifer Ivy Walker. This thrilling tale promises to sweep readers off their feet and take them on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Viking lore.

 

Elfi Thorfinnsdóttir, with her sea goddess eyes, and Njörd, the Wolf of the Nordic Sea, are the brave protagonists of this novel. While the story revolves around love and passion, it also focuses on themes of acceptance, honesty, and encouragement. Although the reader never meets Elfi’s father, he is portrayed as a protective figure determined to shield his daughter from the harsh realities of battle, even if that means confining her to her chamber, despite her opposition. In comparison, Njörd, much like Elfi’s late brother, becomes her greatest supporter, encouraging her to embrace her training towards becoming a shieldmaiden. As Elfi begins to realise that Njörd will never try to control her destiny, she discovers a thrilling sense of freedom. Finally, she feels empowered to embrace the role she has always yearned to fulfil, unleashing the warrior within her. The depiction of Elfi and Njörd captures the ebb and flow of their relationship like waves crashing against the shore. This synchronicity not only underscores the deepening bond between the characters but also draws the reader fully into the unfolding narrative, transforming every moment with them into an exhilarating and vivid experience.

 

Walker’s novel is set in the breathtakingly beautiful region of Pays de Caux, which makes for a captivating backdrop that enhances the story’s allure and depth. The majestic le Château Blanc rises proudly against a stunning landscape, each detail of the castle is captured with sparkling clarity. The fierce waves crash against the towering chalk-white cliffs, creating a symphony of nature’s power, while the gently sloping valleuse leads down to pristine beaches. Expansive fields of lush farmland unfold like a vibrant tapestry, while beech trees sway gracefully in the soft, salty breeze, infusing the setting with an enthralling charm. The sacred grove of tall fir trees stands like a sentinel of ancient secrets, while the legendary “mermaid cave” whispers tales of mystery and magic, embodying the very spirit of this narrative. Moreover, the author brilliantly resurrects the sensory experience of life in this era, enveloping readers in a rich blend of sights, delightful aromas, and the melodious tones of daily life. The setting weaves itself seamlessly into the narrative, shaping the characters’ actions and emotions, and significantly enhancing the overall atmosphere of this captivating story.

 

The eternal clash between light and darkness unfolds vividly in the second volume of the Valiant Vikings series. This isn’t merely a struggle between the fierce Franks and the powerful Norman Vikings; it also encapsulates a battle between the Ljósálfar, the radiant Light Elves, and the ominous Dökkálfar, the Dark Elves. These ethereal beings are embroiled in their own shadowy war, harnessing the human realm as a stage for their celestial conflicts. The Ljósálfar, with their otherworldly beauty that seems to illuminate the very air around them, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Vikings, embodying hope and virtue. In stark contrast, the Dökkálfar, shrouded in a veil of darkness and decay, are driven by a blind ambition to conquer the Ljósálfar, forming a sinister alliance with the Franks. This stark dichotomy between the radiant light of the Ljósálfar and the creeping shadows of the Dökkálfar paints a compelling portrait of an epic struggle, where every battle carries the weight of ancient grudges and the fate of both realms seemingly hangs in the balance.

 

Continuing with the Norse mythology theme present in this series, Walker introduces readers to the Úlfhéðnar, the wolves of Odin. These men are depicted as the fiercest warriors, known for their blood-curdling howls and animalistic behaviour in battle. However, Walker elevates their portrayal even further by granting them the extraordinary ability to shapeshift into wolves, allowing them to move seamlessly between human and beast forms. As a united pack, they exhibit incredible fearlessness, striking terror into the hearts of the deer and boar population of Pays de Caux. This leads readers to imagine the daunting experience of facing such beasts in battle. An intriguing twist is their capability to kill the Dark Elves of the Dökkálfar, adding another layer to their legend. However, their deep-seated loyalty to one another can sometimes create tension within their larger community. This is particularly true for characters like Áki, who feel marginalised and overshadowed when his leader and best friend discovers his hidden powers. The resulting conflict is charged with intensity, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

 

The Úlfhéðnar are not the sole supernatural beings woven into this tale. The mermaids are portrayed with remarkable artistry, showcasing the intricate layers of their existence. These bewitching creatures embody both a serene, gentle spirit and a darker, more malevolent side, creating a captivating duality. Readers who revel in the allure of the mystical will find themselves irresistibly drawn into this mythological retelling, where the shimmering waves and haunting melodies of the mermaids bring the story to life in vivid detail.

 

The novel is rich with prophecies, each one intricately woven into the lives of Elfi and Njörd. Every event that has unfolded since their journey’s beginning has manifested with startling accuracy, leading them to a pivotal moment where their paths entwine. Now, these two brave souls stand at the crossroads of destiny, united in a union fuelled by a fervent passion and eventually profound love for each other. With hearts ablaze, they yearn to shield one another from impending dangers, yet they both grasp the stark truth: to bring the prophecy to fruition, they must embrace perilous risks that could place them in grave jeopardy. Despite the looming shadows that threaten to envelop them, neither Elfi nor Njörd wavers, their spirits undaunted in the face of the darkness yet to come. Together, they prepare to confront whatever challenges lie ahead, driven by the strength of their love and the hope of a brighter future.

 

In this novel, much like its predecessor, Walker weaves an intricate parallel storyline that reveals the sinister intentions of the enemy, allowing readers to glimpse the lurking danger while the courageous protagonists remain blissfully unaware. As the protagonists engage in meticulous preparations, a palpable tension builds, and a sense of foreboding pervades the air. Readers are left anxiously anticipating the inevitable clash, as the two formidable forces draw closer, setting the stage for a thrilling confrontation that promises to ignite the pages with conflict and intensity.

 

If you’re a fan of captivating Viking romances infused with mythology, then look no further than “Wolf of the Nordic Seas” (Valiant Vikings Book 2) by Jennifer Ivy Walker. This captivating tale will sweep the reader away to a richly crafted world. This story comes highly recommended, and volume 3 cannot come soon enough! It promises to be an incredible continuation that readers of quality historical romance and mythology won’t want to miss.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion

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Jennifer Ivy Walker

JEnthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, spending summers in France as a foreign exchange student, exploring medieval castles and troglodyte caves in the Loire Valley, sites of pilgrimage such as le Mont-Saint-Michel, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.

As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.

Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.

Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.

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