“Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie” by Jennifer Ivy Walker

Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie

Jennifer Ivy Walker
Green Mermaid Publications (2026)
AISN:  B0H2P7N82M
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Reader Views (06/2026)

Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie: The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr by Jennifer Ivy Walker is book one in the Viking Dragonslayers series. As the story begins, Sigurd is going through an induction into the Sea Wolves, while Brynhildr is set on controlling her own future.  Things become much bigger involving Valkyries, prophecy, political alliances, dragon-slaying, and manipulating fate. After his father is murdered, Sigurd wants vengeance and sees King Álfr’s gifted dragon ship Úlfdreki as a tool for that. The stakes get deeper through the Sólhjarta Tournament, especially as Sigurd’s and Brynhildr’s attraction grows. The scope of the narrative expands dramatically when Brynhildr becomes a Valkyrie, foresees the future, and alters fate, and Sigurd fulfills a prophecy.

In my opinion, Walker did a wonderful job allowing readers to see how both Sigurd and Brynhildr develop over the course of the story. Sigurd is already a talented warrior, as readers will see from the very beginning, but he goes through refinement and growth as the story progresses. For example, in chapter eight, he shows his willingness to take a blood oath with Agnar, which shows that he has an honorable and loyal character. Even when he is willing to make personal sacrifices to keep from impeding Brynhildr’s future as a Valkyrie, it shows another level of his character. He was definitely my favorite protagonist. I loved seeing Sigurd evolve, especially after slaying a dragon and surviving betrayal. He emerges as someone not just heroic, but wiser and carrying a great responsibility.

I think readers will love Brynhildr just as much as they are going to love Sigurd. She goes through her own growth. Early on, she is extremely focused on her future as a Valkyrie. But she also begins to question what it is she really wants, as her relationship with Sigurd grows. She is conflicted because of the possibility of the man she loves having control over her fate. In chapter fourteen, the scene was very powerful because she made the decision to alter her fate for a good cause. This is something she would never have done before, and it shows how far she has come from accepting destiny to challenging it.

I loved how Walker balanced the action with romance and mythology. The sword duel between Sigurd and Agnar was exciting. But the incorporation of the tournament was just as exciting because the momentum increased through the competitions, the feasts, and the political side. The pacing slows at the appropriate moments, mainly the emotionally significant moments between Sigurd and Brynhildr. It made it easier for me to fully invest in their relationship and the entire storyline. If I had one minor criticism, it would be that some of the scenes with the rituals occasionally linger in terms of symbolic details and ceremonial elements. Some readers like me love those immersive details about mythology and will enjoy them, but other readers looking for a faster-moving fantasy adventure may not appreciate them as much. However, it does not take away from how well Walker put this story together. Those scenes still contribute to the novel’s worldbuilding and atmosphere.

I enjoyed how Walker immersed readers in Norse culture and mythology. I loved how authentic the world she painted came across; the mythology actually helped shape the characters’ decisions, in addition to the narrative structure. Some of the standout scenes that come to mind are the blessing of Úlfdreki, Brynhildr’s first time selecting the slain, the blood-brother ceremony, and Yrsa’s rune. These scenes created a world deeply rooted in the Norse traditions. For me, the recurring symbolism was a delight, especially the ouroboros imagery, the wolves, falcons, and dragon’s treasure. I found the soulmark interesting and understood how meaningful it was, just like Brynhildr’s vision and the prophecy that pays off when Sigurd discovers the golden ouroboros ring in Fáfnir’s hoard.

Overall, Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie really impressed me with its combination of romance, fantasy, mythology, Valkyrie lore, and heroic adventure. Neither of these elements overwhelmed the other. Walker also leans heavily into saga traditions and heroic fantasy. With the dragon-slaying quest, the warrior brotherhoods, and legendary weapons, it gives the story a very strong epic-adventure vibe. But it also maintains the character-driven romance and emotional scenes. I found this novel to be very engaging. Readers who enjoyed Genevieve Gornichec’s The Witch’s Heart will most appreciate Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie.