USW—stands for “ultrasonic weapon.” USWs are considered a nonlethal weapon, using high-powered sound waves to incapacitate opponents.
VALHALLAN CLOAK—a hooded cloak created by Odin that protects the wearer from most physical or magical attacks. It has a very distinct appearance, looking as if the night sky had somehow been turned into a fabric.
VANAHEIMR—the plane beyond earth where the Vanir gods live. Not much is known about it, since the Vanir gods are very private, having retreated from interactions with humans several millennia ago.
VANIR—the highest immortal beings of creation; the ones that create all the laws that govern how life exists on earth. The Vanir gods include: Odin (Norse), Zeus (Greek), Hunab-Ku (Mayan), Jupiter (Roman), Ra (Egyptian), Bondye (Voodoo), and Buga (Slavic), among many others.
VEGVISIR—an old Norse sigil meant to help those who are lost or need protection.
VÖRÐR—the Evig Riksdag’s elite security team. Its officers are entirely mortal, as the Evig Riksdag needs protection from immortals almost exclusively. The Vörðr officers use specialized military equipment and tactics to enforce the laws of Evig Riksdag and to protect the Seraphim, Eralim, and Valkyries who work within it. Their insignia is the three horns of Odin on an eagle.
WAGYL—a rainbow serpent.
WENDIGO—a humanoid immortal being with antlers and skin falling off its bones. Wendigos are known to be cannibalistic and do not adhere to the Every Feeling Act. Because of that, there are very few known to be living outside of prison in the United States, despite the fact that they are native to North America.
WINDOW TO FOREVER—an art installation in Skarpåker Park. It is a large, curved, concave circle of polished stainless steel located next to the lake and near the Dene.
WOLF RIVER DISTRICT—a former warehouse district in Chicago. As industry and manufacturing moved out of the city, the warehouses were vacant and soon converted to a residential neighborhood. It is also home to a large population of Fallen angels and demons.
WOLPERTINGER—a mortal domesticated lagomorph; closely related to rabbits and jackelopes. It has two small fanged teeth, plush fur, feathered wings, two tiny antlers, and two large ears. They make good house pets.
ŽALTYS—mortal grass snakes. Their blood has been found to be helpful in fertility potions, and their meat is considered a delicacy in Lithuania.
ZIANNA—a peaceful enchanted city in Kurnugia where divine immortals reside. It is surrounded by seven gates.
ALSO BY AMANDA HOCKING
Switched
Torn
Ascend
Wake
Lullaby
Tidal
Elegy
Frostfire
Ice Kissed
Crystal Kingdom
Freeks
Between the Blade and the Heart
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Hocking is the author of more than twenty young adult novels, including the New York Times bestselling Trylle trilogy and Kanin Chronicles. Her love of pop culture and all things paranormal influences her writing. She spends her time in Minnesota, taking care of her menagerie of pets and working on her next book. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
The Valkyrie Proclamation
Note on Letter
Epigraph
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Chapter Sixty-Two
Chapter Sixty-Three
Chapter Sixty-Four
Chapter Sixty-Five
Chapter Sixty-Six
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Chapter Seventy
Chapter Seventy-One
Chapter Seventy-Two
Chapter Seventy-Three
Chapter Seventy-Four
Chapter Seventy-Five
Chapter Seventy-Six
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Chapter Seventy-Eight
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Chapter Eighty
Chapter Eighty-One
Chapter Eighty-Two
Chapter Eighty-Three
Chapter Eighty-Four
Chapter Eighty-Five
Chapter Eighty-Six
Chapter Eighty-Seven
Chapter Eighty-Eight
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Chapter Ninety
Chapter Ninety-One
Epilogue
Glossary
Also by Amanda Hocking
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
FROM THE EARTH TO THE SHADOWS. Copyright © 2018 by Amanda Hocking. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.wednesdaybooks.com
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Kerri Resnick
Cover photo illustration by Peter Bollinger/Shannon Associates
Library of Congress Control Number for print edition: 2018931152
ISBN 978-1-250-08480-4 (trade paperback)
ISBN 978-1-250-08483-5 (ebook)
eISBN 9781250084835
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First Edition: April 2018
1 Vanaheimr is the location of th
e gods; it is generally considered to exist on a plane beyond ours.
2 The battle here is believed to be in the former city of Nawar, now known as the burial site in Tell Brak. This is one of only two written accounts referencing this particular battle, so not much is known, but thousands of bodies have been unearthed in recent history, concurring with Odin’s story of a bloody fight. Some historians think this might be the first ever recorded war, but more evidence is needed for this author to confidently state that.
3 “The Great Bull” is the common name for the bull centaur Gugalanna.
4 Frigg is the mother of Baldur and the wife of Odin; this letter was written over a thousand years before her long slumber.
5 “Sight” here refers to precognition and Frigg’s ability to see all of time.
6 The actual word Odin used here was mar ilu, which means “sons of the gods,” but I and the other scholars at Ravenswood Academy thought the word god without the modifier of either demi or Vanir would be more appropriate.
7 This is the first known writing of the official tenets of the Valkyries’ role with the gods and Eralim.
8 Before becoming a prominent figure in Kurnugia, Hades lived in Vanaheimr with the other Vanir gods.
9 Odin only specifies a “giant scaled beast,” but other contextual clues suggest this is a reference to dinosaurs, although other extinct reptilian-like beasts cannot be ruled out.