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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Valhalla by Alan Meredith follows Dustin Gorbold, pulled into the orbit of the Norse god Odin at the moment of near-death. What begins as hallucination-like encounters becomes a sustained intrusion: Odin repeatedly appears in Dustin’s day-to-day world, pushing him toward fighting, digging up buried items, and eventually reclaiming Gram, a legendary sword.
Valhalla by Alan Meredith is so much more than I expected, and Meredith's skill as an author is on full display in a bold and well-executed mix of intelligent wit and gut-wrenching drama. Dustin is depicted initially as something of an “everyman,” which makes him relatable. His job sucks, he has a frequent and unwelcome houseguest—albeit the guest is a god—and a relationship that ends terribly. He also dresses in drag for a costume party, but let's not use that against the poor guy. What I love about this book is how Meredith slowly builds toward the unraveling of a seemingly boring life in a cataclysmic, trauma-filled evolution. Symbolism is beautifully applied. Everything has its place and purpose on the path toward Valhalla. Overall, this is an expertly written twist on mythology and contemporary living, and an entertaining read from start to finish. Very highly recommended.
