A modernized Brynhild and Gudrun story

 

 ⭑⭑⭑⭑ A bit of faithful Norse mythology, like that of the Greeks, rarely goes too far wrong for me. In The Valkyrie, we follow Brynhild, a Valkyrie fallen to Midgard, out of Odin's favour, resuming her mortal life. No more guiding worthy warriors to Valhalla, instead she sets a course to uphold justice in the human realm. And what a world it is. Very detailed and fleshed out in all its glory with Burgundians fighting off Huns, a small kingdom under the cosh in need of aid.

In the original story Brynhild falls in love with Sigurd, who breaks through a ring of fire and Odin's sleeping enchantment, they become lovers and he goes off and marries Gudrun. Much occurs after that which I do not want to spoil. It's fair to say there is some tinkering with the core of the story making it more (sadly) modern and expanding the scope to add more 'meat to the bone'. It's jolly successful and well executed. The added elements increase the world view well beyond Midgard and make the story sing. Not sure I agree with the bending of the relationship dynamic quite as much as it didn't seem to happen naturally but felt like a last minute addition. But I did like what the author did with most the rest of the tale. Brynhild and Gudrun narrate beautifully and are well crafted as characters, both being strong women on their own missions, so it is useful to have access to their thoughts. The Valkyrie gets four stars from me as there is so much to find interesting in Norse myth and I like that this story brings it to the fore.