Elsker: The Elsker Saga: Book 1

Absolutely amazing. The storyline is very captivating and moving; Kristia Tostenson is a teenage human from Oregon. Her best friend Ardis pushes her to have an adventure so Kristia transfers to Wales, and let's just say..... she got more than she bargained for. I Loved it! Perfect blend of Modern and myth like Rick Riordan, romance and wording like Stephanie Myers. It's Magnus Chase meets Bella Swan and the Cullens! Ten out of ten!

Kristia is an awkward, small-town girl from Nehalem, Oregon. With encouragement from her sassy friend Ardis, she attempts her first adventure away from home: study abroad at Cardiff University in Wales, where no one knows about her crazy visions. What starts out being a big step for her soon turns into one of her typical stumbles at the unexpected romance with the hot, detached Norse, Ull Myhr. It is a surprise for both of them when she stumbles straight into his heart. The surprise for Kristia? Her mythology class isn't so mythical. And for Ull? He's surprised to find himself allowing (wanting) someone else in his complicated life. This first book in the Elsker Saga is a whirlwind introduction to Norse mythology, which I always enjoy, with little bits of Norwegian adding some authenticity to the tales. Although their interactions were sweet, I had a bit of a hard time accepting the rapid tumble the main characters take into each other's lives (instalove); it was a little jarring how quickly an awkward, small-town girl with no ambitions or expectations to meet any guy (let alone the local hunk who is actively hostile towards her at first) jumps into Ull's life. Besides this, the main characters are well-developed. Written from Kristia's point of view, it's quite easy to share her sudden, overwhelming emotions and to empathize with her decision-making struggles, whereas Ull retains a mysterious quality that intrigues. S.T. Bende writes with vivid, clear descriptions and a dramatic, fluid plot that alternates between very rapid and a bit slow but nonetheless kept me engaged throughout. But be warned! Have the second book ready, because with such a cliffhanger, you'll be wishing you had Kristia's visions to know what the fate of the couple and their worlds will be...

Kristia was from a very small town and was known to be a crazy person. She would have visions at the most inopportune times. People around her town would see that she would space out. Only person who never judged her was her best friend Ardis. Kristia decided to do something out of the normal. She went and did a year abroad in Cardiff. In Cardiff is where she met Ull and her world would turn upside down. Everything she thought didn't exist actually does. Ull introduced her to Gunnar and Inga his best friends who were of Asgard as well. Kristia found what Ull and his friends were and she didn't think twice and decided she wanted to help them. She found out something about herself along the way that would eventually help spare Asgard and Midgard from being destroyed. Kristia ended up falling in love with Ull. Ull has never met anyone like her especially when she stands up to him and doesn't put up with his stuff. Ull is overprotective, strong and pigheaded ways but he met his match with Kristia. Kristia is strong, would do anything for the ones she loves and is also very stubborn.