Elsker by S. T. Bende Pages: 286
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on May 29, 2014
Series: Elsker Saga #1
Genres: Love & Romance, mythology, New Adult, Paranormal
Source: ecopy from Author
ELSKER - Featured in USA Today
You don't win the heart of an immortal assassin without making a few enemies along the way.
Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn't exactly what she was expecting. He's an honest to goodness Norse God - an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth.
Kristia's crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms. Her orderly life just got very messy.
Elsker is the first book in the Norse mythology centric Elsker Saga. I love all things mythology and Norse mythology is particularly fascinating to me because I don’t know as much about it as I do greek and roman mythology. I knew a little bit before I read this book and I have read a Valkayrie book before, but I feel like I learned so much about Norse Mythology from Elsker. I really enjoyed how much it was woven into the story. The main character, Kristia is taking a mythology course while she is studying abroad in Wales and her class lessons were a perfect way for S.T. Bende to work in some details and background information on the Norse Gods. It all worked really well.
The book is told completely from Kristia’s point of view, which was nice because it kept Ull mysterious, but I think I would have liked to have gotten some of his point of view as well. It would have been interesting to poke around in his head a bit at the beginning to see what his inner conflict was with Kristia. We eventually get to find out, but it comes much later in the story.
Ull is a big ole softie. I know he was described as being an intense warrior, and while we do get to see a hint of his fierce temper, he mostly seemed sweet, sensitive and like a super hot cuddly bear. I enjoyed watching Ull court Kristia. How could anyone say no to him? I certainly wouldn’t. And I loved how Kristia continually challenged him and put him in his place. She has more than a little spunk in her.
Elsker’s part in this book was a pleasant surprise in the plot line. I loved how it tied everything together. There is some solid foundation laying for what looks like it will be a very interesting and high energy series. There is a free novella available for #1.5 of the series. And after this, book #2 seems like it is going to be pretty action packed and intense. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen with that. Fans of norse mythology will really enjoy this book. (and yes, Thor does make an appearance)
Side note: this is a very clean New Adult book.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
I love the cover on this and I really do like Norse Mythology, but like you don’t know as much about it as I do it’s more popular siblings.
It sounds like this was a pretty solid start to a series though.
ST Bende
Thanks so much for reviewing Elsker Michelle! I’m glad you enjoyed the boys. 🙂 And thank you KindleMom! I adore the Norse myths. I think they’re so much darker than some of their counterparts… plus in my head all the boys look like Alexander Skarsgard. 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Oh Alexander Skarsgard is my favorite. I try and picture as many people as possible as him in my head 😉
ST Bende
This sounds like a recipe for happiness to me.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Kindlemom, I am a mythology freak and I think this one does a fantastic job describing Norse myth.
ST Bende
Aw! Thanks Michelle! I love the myths so very hard. Do you have a favorite story – Norse, Greek, or otherwise?
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I am more familiar with Greek because I have read more about it, but I really love them all. Greek, Norse, and Egyptian is fascinating as well.
ST Bende
Ooh, I’m not very familiar with Egyptian. I want to read more of the Irish myths too.
Donna @ Book Passion for Life
Not entering the giveaway but just wanted to say this is another book that sounds like my kind of read. Lovely review. x
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Thanks so much Donna! Ull will def win you over 🙂
ST Bende
Thanks Donna! You’re so sweet!
Brittany
Nice review, Michelle! Ull is a big softy, don’t you just love him? 🙂 Love the look of your blog, btw!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Thanks so much Brittany!
I do love Ull and I love him even more now that I sat S.T. Bende pictures him as Alexandar Skarsgard! Oh yum! haha
ST Bende
It’s a gorgeous blog, Brittany. I love the grayish blues – very soothing. 😉
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Thank you! 😀
Amalia Dillin
The free novella is actually something of a prequel, and I think you’ll find that it gets us a little bit more background on Ull’s inner-conflict! Tur is a pretty interesting look into the behind the scenes/Asgard angle!
Great review!!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
OOh Thanks Amalia,
I am grabbing the novella now 🙂
ST Bende
Aw, thanks Amalia! You’re right, Tur is the free prequel, and it gives us more Gunnar. Lots of Gunnar. 😉 hope y’all enjoy!
Heidi
Great review! I think Ull is a softie too – but a manly one :-).
ST Bende
A manly softie – I love it Heidi! Maybe that should be Ull’s new twitter handle. *giggles*
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yes! He totally is. I thought it was hilarious when Inga said Ull was too sensitive for her. haha But manly plus an ooey gooey center is my favorite. 😉
ST Bende
Mmm, like a truffle. Yummy! 🙂
Christina @ Booksniffer Review Tours
I love mythology too, and I really enjoyed Elsker, because I didn’t know much about Norse mythology either. Now the Elsker Saga is one of my favorite book series. S.T. created a world and characters that I couldn’t help but love, not to mention the author herself. <3 I'm glad you enjoyed the book, too! Great review!
#TeamUll
Vincent Morrone
Elsker needs to made into a movie!! Now!!!!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
It would be an awesome movie!
kimbacaffeinate
Nice cover and ya, something besides contemporary in NA. I am a little disappointed it doesn’t have both perspectives. I will be watching to see if book two is stronger.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I found out that the free prequel is from the guys point of view, so I am excited to read that and get in his head a bit 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Kimba 🙂