• Shield-Maiden

  • Gambit of Blood: The Shadows of Valhalla, Book 1
  • By: Melanie Karsak
  • Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
  • Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (60 ratings)

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Shield-Maiden  By  cover art

Shield-Maiden

By: Melanie Karsak
Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
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Publisher's summary

An orphaned descendant of Loki.

A princess without a kingdom.

A shield-maiden plagued by the shadows of Valhalla.

Born to rule two jarldoms, Ervie should have had a life of ease. But fate has not been kind. Her parents’ jarldoms destroyed in the wars of a previous generation, Ervie is set adrift in the world. Taking refuge in the lands of the famed King Gizer, Ervie finds a temporary retreat from her aching sense of loss. But when Gizer’s warband is summoned to defend one of his staunchest allies, the journey promises more than just battle for Ervie.

As it turns out, the Norns have been weaving. Once, Ervie’s parents were considered the most powerful practitioners of Norse magic in all of Scandinavia. That same magic has been sleeping under the shield-maiden’s skin. Soon, this descendant of the trickster god will find herself on a path to reclaim what was lost...and follow her destiny.

Fans of Viking tales will relish The Shadows of Valhalla series. This sweeping Viking historical fantasy retells the story of the second legendary heroine named Hervor—called Ervie by those who know her well—the inspiring shield-maiden from the Norse Hervarar Saga.

Fans of The Road to Valhalla series will love this next-generation tale in a beloved Viking world.

©2022 Clockpunk Press (P)2023 Clockpunk Press

What listeners say about Shield-Maiden

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So good

The first of Ervie's story of trying to find a way out of the enormous and heavy shadow made by the grandmother she never met was fantastic. I loved the original Shield-Maiden stories and this new adventure won't disappoint anyone looking for a Viking inspired tale.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love this

As always I am in awe. I cannot wait till December for the next book! Leslie's character voices are right on. I see everything in my mind as she speaks. Thank you for doing what both of you do.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it.

Terrific as usual. Loved the story and narrator is perfect. December cannot come soon enough.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

While I do enjoy Lesley…

She has narrated other books of Melanie’s. I associate her with those stories, so it was confusing for me.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Detailed prologue

This book is layered! The build up is fantastic. Can’t wait to start the next book. The narrator is fabulous!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Poor Narration

I did not enjoy this book due to the narrator. She could not do other voices and it was difficult to listen to her just try to talk in a deep voice for a male. It really made me not want to continue with how she sounded.

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