Ragnarok (2) (Valhalla)

its better than the 1st book, a lot of the characters from the 1st book are revealed to have more trauma and flaws that affect their outlook on life, and really develops the group as a whole

(Spoilers and discussion of sexual assault)Disappointing doesn't even begin to cover how I feel about this trash fire. I was so excited about this series after finishing the first book. It had its flaws, but I quickly became invested in the characters and story and recommended it to friends. After reading Ragnarok, l had to rescind those recommendations seeing as the main character sexually harasses and eventually SEXUALLY ASSAULTS the main love interest. The love interest (who is a childhood sexual assault survivor) then FORGIVES HER and goes on to begin a romantic relationship with her (even defending the main character against those that would have her face consequences for her actions). The development of the main characters fell flat in this book, the chemistry between the two female leads always felt forced, and the love interest never responded to the sexual harassment in a realistic way. To make it worse, two of the three central lesbians in the series were portrayed as sexual predators. The "predatory lesbian" stereotype is not the lesbian representation I want to see, and frankly, as a lesbian, I'm offended and disappointed. Ari Bach likes to think that this is somehow a book about the power of love between two women (if you read what he has to say about his series on his blog), but this looks like nothing more than a male fantasy and ego trip to me. Lesbians can be more than predators or victims. There is nothing romantic about letting a sexual predator get away with virtually no consequences AND end up with the girl she sexually assaulted. I had such high hopes for this series. Ari, if you read this, do better.

i really love this story and its characters! its got wonderful writing and pacingi don't mean to be too spoilery but i was caught off guard by something and had a v snotty panic attack at four in the morningthere is sexual assault in this storyit isn't plotless and it isn't glossed over as something that can be forgiven, and tbh the story and been hinting that it would happen so really idk why it surprised me as much as it did (on kindle there's a thing before every book and tbh there might have been a warning there but i always accidentally close outta that thing before i can read it)still, thought i should put out a warning for others like me JUST in caselooking forward to the next book!

While the story was an excellent continuation of the previous book, the way Violet and Vibeke's relationship developed was highly upsetting to me. I felt like both girls were acting differently from the established characters, and while I was happy they were exploring their feelings, I did not like how predatory Violet was. Overall it was definitely a good book, but unfortunately the way Violet acted leaves me feeling highly uncomfortable and I do not know if I will be buying the third book.

Ari Bach talks a big game being all "oh my god, this series is totally groundbreaking! this is going to be the new Twilight!" You know what isn't going to be the new big thing? A book where the protagonist is a rapist. Halfway through this book, the protagonist tries to sexually assault her female love interest, and her love interest FORGIVES HER. I think Ari Bach thinks he's being like, progressive, or thought provoking? He's always talking about how this series is sooo upsetting and soul crushing and whatever. Obviously, I'm upset. I'm not gonna read a book series where the main character is an attempted rapist. If you try to sexually assault someone, even if you don't go through with it, you suck in a way that I can't adequately describe and still get my review approved by amazon. But Bach can suck it. He didn't crush my soul or make me cry or whatever pain he gleefully implies I should've experienced by reading his dumb book. I'm annoyed enough at the loss of my time to this stupid book series, to write an Amazon review which is like a .01 on a scale of petty revenge. Enjoy this review, you pathetic loser.

I love the entire series, but this book is definitely my favorite of the series. The first book did a good job of introducing us to the series, but this book really fleshed out the world. I felt like I grew much closer with the side characters. It has all of my favorite scenes, I feel like I can't talk about it without spoiling anything, so I'll just say: make sure you read this book(after Valhalla of course).

After reading Valhalla I was looking forward to the next book, and boy did it not disappoint me. Both the story and the storytelling are quite different from Valhalla, but it still includes the stupid humor and intensity I loved. Sometimes it even makes you question the author's sanity, but that's part of the charm. Now I'm waiting impatiently for the last piece of the trilogy, because the jerk ended the book with a cliffhanger...

I liked the first one quite a lot, this one was good too.

Please just buy this series for the shear quality of writing and story structure.Come for the high concept scifi rigmaroles, stay for the fact that this series will figuratively latch onto your heart and not let go till you finish.

Good read.

Writing this for anyone who wants a book to keep them up all night, or in case the author reads amazon reviews.This series is wonderful! The first book did an exceptional job of setting up the lives of the characters, and was probably the most creative thing I had ever read. Its so unlike anything else, and is written brilliantly. I was drawn in instantly.I always look for books with a ton of plot structure, and am often disappointed by books with a single focus or plot revolving around one event. These books did an amazing job of having many different plots or events going at the same time, and never left any of them behind. Just when it seemed that an idea or point had died out, it was brought back in and tied perfectly into the story. The amount of plot twists in the second book had me practically screaming, yet unable to put the book down. I eagerly await and hope for the next book.To anyone who read this long review to the end, this book is worth way more than it costs. Read it!

Great story!