4 Wine Glass #Review of Freed by Amanda Carlson + #Giveaway

Title: FREED
Series: Phoebe Meadows #2
Author: Amanda Carlson
Format: Kindle,
Published: September 18, 2016 (Amazon Digital Services, LLC)
ISBN: ASIN: B01M0TN370
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Phoebe Meadows has one thing on her mind: Free her mother.

For the last month, Phoebe has been training in the Valkyrie stronghold readying for battle. But when she stumbles into a secluded valley after a day of grueling practice, she’s given a dire prediction. Phoebe must leave the stronghold immediately with the aid of the giant, Junnal, to rescue her mother from the dark elves. If Phoebe fails, Leela will be transported to a place that can no longer be reached.

Leaving Fen behind threatens to undo her, but Phoebe stays true to the mission. Along the way, she allies with the god Baldur and an old white elf mage. Together, they storm the realm, and with the help of an angry wolf and her Valkyrie sisters, they just might stand a chance to free the valiant shieldmaiden.

But Phoebe soon learns that in order to save her mother, she might lose something too precious to sacrifice…

Linda's Thoughts:
“You’re just doing what you gotta do,” Sam assured me. “You can’t leave here, and you can’t have them worried. It’s not like you can say, “Hey, Mom and Dad, I was struck by lightning and now I’m a Valkyrie! Oh, and Odin’s my real dad, and the Norns are out to get me, but have no fear because my boyfriend is a wolf!”

FREED by Amanda Carlson is an exciting follow-up to STRUCK. It picks up shortly after STRUCK left off. FREED is the second book in the author’s Phoebe Meadows Norse mythology series that revolves around Phoebe Meadows, a Valkyrie-in-training. Each of the installments has featured Phoebe in a dangerous adventurous quest of some sort.  I would suggest reading this series in order. In FREED, Phoebe is focused on freeing Leela, her mother, from Savartalheim where she is being held by the dark elves. If Phoebe is not successful in rescuing Leela, the consequences will be dire.

In FREED, Phoebe has fully accepted that she is a Valkyrie and the daughter of Odin. However, learning how to use her new powers is proving to be no easy task as she trains within a secluded Valkyrie stronghold. Phoebe is no damsel in distress. Although Phoebe is appreciative of her energetic circle of supporters, she’s not waiting around for them to undertake the tasks she needs to do.

If I had one wish in this series, it would be for a bit more romance. Fenrir aka Fen, the wolf, is a perfect match for Phoebe. He’s the son of the god Loki and the giantess Angrboða, which makes him the brother of the serpent Jormungand and the underworld goddess Hel. We learn in FREED that Fen’s connection to Hel will be very important in the next installment in this series. As powerful as Fen is, he accepts his supporting role to Phoebe – albeit grudgingly at times.

Other characters in Phoebe’s diverse circle of supporters include Phoebe’s brother, Tyr, the one-handed Norse god of war; Phoebe’s best friend, Sam, who has a wonderful snarky sense of humor; Phoebe’s aunt Ingrid; Callan, a white elf mage; Willa, a young mixed elf; and Baldur, another son of Odin who is nothing short of awesome. Junnal, Phoebe’s strapping, loyal friend you just happens to be a giant returns in this book. Junnal is the only one who will be able to accompany her to the dark elves fortress.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from FREED:

Fen referred to my lack of finesse as my sluggish human carryover, which was an artful way of saying I sucked and hit like a girl. He kept at me to become more Zenlike and less like a human zombie while I was fighting.
---

His warm breath hit my neck, and my toes curled. “That may be true,” he murmured, “but I’m pretty sure there’s a wolf inside you, too. Here, let me help you find it.”
I turned, falling into his arms, his lips meeting mine, both of us hungry.
At least one thing would go right today.
---

“I wouldn’t expect you to know what the word honor means anyway. But when I make a pledge, I uphold it.”
---

“Your reign of terror will soon be over,” he stated confidently.
---

I’d gone from living alone in New York as a lowly shoe clerk to becoming a shield maiden with a family to come home to. It didn’t get much better than that.

I discovered this author with her fantastic Jessica McClain series and am so glad I did! Both series have been addictive wild roller coaster rides with plenty of fun, twisted, diverting loops. Don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with mythology; the author seamlessly fills in everything you need to know! If you enjoy fast-paced, action-packed paranormal urban fantasies with brave, strong and witty kick-ass female heroines, I’d highly recommend that you check out Amanda’s Phoebe Meadows series!


Suggested Reading Order: 
Struck (Book #1)
Freed (Book #2)

GIVEAWAY:

The author has kindly offered a digital copy of this book to one reader! To enter, just fill out the rafflecopter below. Good luck!

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