A new series from internationally bestselling author S.T. Bende.Aura Nilssen has spent most of her sixteen years in hiding. As crown princess of Alfheim, her life depends on avoiding the assassins who killed her parents and want to destroy her realm. When hunters corner Aura on Midgard (Earth), she’s immediately evacuated and enrolled at Alfheim Academy—a training ground where telepathic … telepathic teenagers, daily combat lessons, and communication from beyond is the norm. She attends classes that enhance her energetic abilities, labs that fine tune her mental acuity, and workouts with a supernaturally good looking—and suspiciously evasive—training partner. But it’s what she learns outside the classroom that proves most difficult: as Queen of Alfheim, Aura’s grandmother played a heartbreaking role in the death of Aura’s parents . . . and her iron fisted monarchy is pushing the realm to the brink of extinction. If Aura doesn’t take her grandmother’s crown, the home she’s only just begun to love may be lost forever.
When an unprecedented attack threatens the very heart of Alfheim, Aura has to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her new home. Her choice may mean the difference between survival and annihilation—not only for Aura, but for the world she’s always been destined to rule.
more
The writing is well done. There is some violence, and adult issues.
I felt like politically correct issues were pushed at the expense of the story. It’s a shame because there were some great characters who could have been more effective just by being likable. Pushing it too hard only makes it distasteful.
I also didn’t like the way the bad characters were suddenly just misunderstood at the end. The whole book leads up to the heroine taking over leadership from the Queen who has ruled badly and caused trouble, then she returns power to that same bad Queen. Disappointing.
War changes much. This book does an amazing job capturing the rollercoaster that is Aura’s life. Growing up on Earth because of the war not only to her home world but also causing the loss of her parents lives is something our 16 year old Aura has been dealing with. Now she has to go back to her home and help her people best by going to school. You will not be disappointed. So many feels in this story and plenty of action and adventure friendship and love. Another grand accomplishment from the mind of our fabulous S.T. Bende! What an amazing new (to us) series that has been in the works for so long!!
This is a great YA academy, Norse mythology story. Raised on Midgard (Earth), Aura Nilssen, along with two other girls, have spent their lives hiding from dark elf assassins, while still being typical teenagers. When Aura is attacked all this comes to an end; powers manifest, secrets are revealed, and they are all shipped off back to light realm of Alfheim. The realm is in a bad state, it is constantly being attacked by dark forces, ruled by a monarch with an iron fist, and the “light” is slowly dying. Enrolled in the Alfheim Academy, Aura must not only adapt to change but also try to save the realm as well.
This is a fun read with great characters and a well written storyline. I really enjoyed Aura’s character, she has a strong sense of right and wrong and is determined to help the realms, no matter the cost to her. I also loved that she didn’t instantly fall for the male key, I really don’t like love at first sight themes. This is an interesting, enjoyable story that has characters you will love, action, twists, hints of romance and a suspenseful end. I look forward to reading book two.
When Aura is uprooted from her home in Mid guard and sent to Alfheim to finally enroll in Alfheim Academy. She feels her world is spinning out of control. She meets he estranged grandmother and find the realm of light and love has fallen into chaos and darkness and as future queen she will do anything she can to bring light and love back to her new home. Will she be able to achieve the task set for her? And if not what will happen to the people she loves? Find out more in Alfheim Academy
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned and you have to figure it out, and quick. The pace is good, kept my interest, finished in just a couple of days. Bende is terrific at making characters you will love, I imagine even Brittany will be someone we cheer for in the end, can’t wait until AA2 is available so I can find out.
It was so fun to read about a different world in the Norse mythology than those that live on Asgard or Midgard. S.T. Bende does a great job with Aura’s story. Aura is strong, willful, and has a great support system with her friends and Aunt. Her world changes quite quickly and with many surprises; all things considered she does a great job adapting to the change. The storyline is well written by S. T. and the characters are well developed. I’m very interested to see what happens in the next book. The only thing I wished there was more of in the story was build up to the relationship between Aura and the love interest in the book. It felt very rushed and sudden when I believe there could have been more potential and chemistry between the two characters. Just not really enough “romance” in the relationship was felt as a reader. I’m hoping in the next book we will see more of that between them. Overall, it’s a great book and worth the read.
Wow, I gave myself time to gather my thoughts for this book and still no words come to me except AMAZING!
Aura Nilssen’s life is about to change and she has to figure out how to process this new change. So she is on Midgard (Earth) until she is attacked! Well things happen that she knows is not suppose to happen for another couple of years. That’s not all, before she leaves for Alfheim, her Protector drops some new information. I mean, I did not see that coming. So she goes to Alfheim and then her journey really begins. She meets Viggo and does not know what to make of this guy. While she is there she sees the what the politics have done to Alfheim. So what does she do? Who is trying to kill her? Who can she trust?
There is so much that happens and you do get answers. This book was suspenseful and emotional. It does have a happy ending but with a ciffhanger. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.
I absolutely love S.T. Bende books and was super excited when this book came out. I was expecting it to be great what I got was Amazballs! I love Aura and Viggo and this story was an amazing start to her adventure.
Amazing start of a new series!!!
Loved it!!!… Alva is such an amazing FMC, full of light, always looking to do the right thing… Her protector, is like her mother, loving, supporting, caring, a formidable warrior… Her best friend always has her back, and now Alva has a circle of friends, willing to support her, as they see her firm intentions to save her realm from the tyrant Queen… Viggo, yum, he as suffered so much, but proves to be such a good person, one whom Alva can trust and love… Love the world building and stroy line, can’t wait for the next book!!!
I love the way ST Bende brings us these stories, she weaves brilliant tales that spark our interest in Norse Mythology. I am looking forward to seeing what she brings us next with this series.
I loved the characters in this one. Aura and her friends were entertaining and the dynamics really intrigued me. I would have liked to see more interactions throughout between Viggo and Aura as I felt it just jumped to them dating at the end.
Unlike ST’s other books this one took me a little bit longer to get into then usual but it was worth the wait as once I did I really enjoyed and I am excited to see what happens with Aura, Viggo and the Alfheim rehlm.
Hmmm… how to write a review without spoilers.
This book is about Aura, a 16 year old who is really a light elf in hiding on earth with 2 other “keys” She is a sophomore in high school trying to survive that brutality as well as study and train for the day she gets to go home. Not a single thing goes as Aura expects it to, but thankfully she has her protector and best friend to help her. Aura is fierce, determined and only slightly shaken by the events that unfold in this story. She will make her world a better place and restore peace, if her grandmother agrees with her methods or not. This first book was amazing, there are many story lines and we had our share of plot twists and surprises. I’m excited to see what our Heroine is in for in book 2!
Another great start for S. T.!! This new series has promise- the pacing is great and with a good mix of storyline and intrigue. You really get to know Aura’s character and the friends she makes. Check it out!!
Wow oh Wow. I finished this book in one sitting. From the moment that I started page 1, I was hooked. I could not put it down. It moved at the perfect speed to be an enjoyable read, the characters are so lifelike that you feel as though you know them as friends and no matter what, you want them to overcome everything in their way. This story is fantastic and I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this amazing series.
This was a good beginning to a new series. I always enjoy S.T.’s work, and this one didn’t disappoint either. It was well paced, had some action, some light mystery, and a little romance. This is definitely a YA read though.
I liked Aura’s character. She has strong moral compass, compassionate, loyal, protective, and loving. I felt bad for her. It seemed something was thrown at her daily to keep her on her toes. Good thing she had good friends to have her back.
All in all, this was a good read and it ended with a HFN (happy for now). I’ll definitely be reading the next in the series to see what happens next to Aura and her friends. Thank you S.T. for this copy. This is my honest review.