Neri
The Last Daughter by Alexis L. Menard
Thank you Alexis for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. When I signed up for this ARC, I was very excited but the book exceeded my expectations in so many ways! So, without further ado…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
The Last Daughter is a book based on Norse Mythology in which Ailsa, our female protagonist, seems to fight against the odds and time. “Fate was cruel enough by dealing Ailsa with a fatal illness. But when her father and sisters are killed at war, she becomes the Last Daughter in a long line of shieldmages”. Vali, a Norse demigod, is bound to find the Thether, which he finds inside Ailsa. She is then forced to cross the Tree of Life with Vali to save the lives of her people.
“She’s cursed with a dead witch’s power over fate, he’s a heartless demigod born for revenge and redemption. Once her enemy, now a conflict of interest. The fate of the Nine Realms dangles on a dangerously thin thread.”
SPOILERS AHEAD, BEWARE!
I am sorry to delay my review but I need to comment on the amazing cover of this book. I was completely mesmerised by it, and it was definitely something that draw me into signing up for this ARC. It has been designed by the fabulous Gabrielle Ragusi (Instagram: @gabrielleragusi).
I found Menard’s writing excellent and very compelling. I was really interested in the idea of reading something about Norse mythology because I have never read any. However, I was a bit skeptical to be reading some stereotypical or recurrent characters, but god I was wrong. I completely adore where the author took this story and its characters. There is clearly excellent research behind this book, and you can see that from all the information we find along the story. There is a lot but it isn’t overwhelming as to make you want to stop reading.
I don’t even know how to define Ailsa, our main character. She’s fierce and not afraid to be outspoken – which actually leads her to several awkward and dangerous situations. She is very brave and is eager to face some adventure and discover the world beyond her village. Her people are her responsibility and she is an innate leader. But when she is forced to accompany Vali, she discovers how comfortable and free she feels.
I love that I got to read this book during July, the disability month. Ailsa suffers a very complicated illness, but she always tries to force herself and her body as much as she can to help her people and defend herself. I think we need more disabled characters in literature and I loved to read about Ailsa. Menard creates a girl not bound or defined by her body or illness but by her love and resilience.
Vali is… complex. At first, I was reluctant to like this character – which I guess it’s a nice thing about morally grey ones – but the more I knew about him, the more I loved him, which is exactly what I think happened to Ailsa. There are always two sides of the story, and she can definitely relate to him and his fight against Fate.
I loved the book, the mythology, and the romance. I truly cannot wait to grab my own physical copy and read the next book. I’m definitely hooked and I declare myself a fan of Alexis.
Goodreads: goodreads.com/book/show/61037051-the-last-daughter
Instagram: @alexislmenard
