Tory Burch on Shopbop
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
OR

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Shield-Maiden: Winternights Gambit (The Road to Valhalla Book 6) Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 719 ratings

An heir to ashes.

A princess without a throne.

Ervie, the daughter of the warrior-shaman Jarl Mjord and the völva Lady Blomma, was born to rule two jarldoms and wield a magical bloodline reaching to Asgard itself. But the Norns have not been kind. Her father dead, now all she has is a famous name and a lingering sense of what might have been. But this Winternights blót, the Ǽsir will conspire to set the Reindeer Princess on her path toward destiny.

Fans of Viking tales will relish The Shadows of Valhalla series. This sweeping Viking historical fantasy retells the story of the second heroine named Hervor—called Ervie by those who know her well—the inspiring shield-maiden from the Norse Hervarar Saga.

Readers of the Road to Valhalla series will love this bridge short novel between Hervor’s tale and that of the shield-maiden Ervie.

Shop this series

See full series
This option includes 9 books. See included books
Shop this series
There are 9 books in this series.
Bundle price: Kindle price
Bundle price: Kindle price
Bundle price: Kindle price
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

This option includes 3 books.

This option includes 5 books.

This option includes 9 books.

Something went wrong.
Bundle price: Kindle price
Bundle price: Kindle price
Bundle price: Kindle price
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

Customers also bought or read

Loading...

From the Publisher

Series Covers
Book Cover

Enthralling Viking Historical Fiction

Get swept up in this enchanting retelling of a Norse legend! Born to rule two jarldoms, Ervie should have had a life of ease. But the Norns had different plans. Her parents' legacy undone, this descendant of the trickster god will find herself on a path to reclaim what was lost…and follow her destiny. The Shadows of Valhalla series, inspired by the Norse Hervarar Saga, follows the adventures of the second Hervor, the legendary shield-maiden who faced the Huns.

Complete series now available!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MB61LRD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clockpunk Press (November 19, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 19, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4223 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 84 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09M577X14
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 719 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Melanie Karsak
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling historical fantasy author Melanie Karsak is the author of the Celtic Blood series, Steampunk Red Riding Hood, Steampunk Fairy Tales, the Road to Valhalla Series, and other works of fantasy and fiction. The author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.

Join my newsletter and get Under the Strawberry Moon for FREE: https://bit.ly/37y35RS

Connect with Melanie online:

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/37y35RS

Webpage: http://www.melaniekarsak.com

Facebook: @AuthorMelanieKarsak

Pinterest: @melaniekarsak

Instagram: @karsakmelanie

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
719 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers enjoyed the vivid story and engaging adventure. They found it a great way to continue the storyline and set the stage for the upcoming book. Readers appreciated the warmth of the characters and genuineness of their world. The novella was described as an enjoyable short read that can be read independently of the Shield Maiden series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the vivid story and immersive fantasy world. They find it a great way to continue the storyline of Blomma and those who survived. The ending scenes are touching and set the stage for the next book.

"...I am ALWAYS going to recommend reading it because it is a brilliant adventure, I don't want anyone to miss...." Read more

"...The ending scenes are very touching and set the stage for the next book." Read more

"...The blending of real historic research into fantasy creates an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re really there with the characters..." Read more

"Great novella, if you liked or loved the Road to Valhalla series you have to read this book...." Read more

7 customers mention "Teaser"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the teaser. They find it an interesting start to the new series and say the scenes set the stage for the next book.

"...This is a wonderful teaser for what is to come. This novella can be read as a standalone, with no need to read Shield Maiden series first...." Read more

"...The ending scenes are very touching and set the stage for the next book." Read more

"Interesting start to new series. I love when you get a prequel in series. Get the books and leave your reviews." Read more

"...This gives me a wonderful glimpse into this upcoming series and I am very excited to see what happens in this new series...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They appreciate revisiting favored characters and the warmth of the characters and their world.

"...It teases of answers to questions the characters (and I) have regarding Blomma, Ervie, life, history, lineage and so much more...." Read more

"...I am so excited to be going back to this world and revisiting beloved characters. Melanie Karsack is a must-buy author for me...." Read more

"...Some of the old characters are seen again and new characters that I’m sure we’ll fall in love with in this new series. Read it now!" Read more

"Very magical. I loved this book. I loved the warmth of the characters and the genuiness of their world. It felt very real" Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's readability. They say it's a great short read and can be read as a standalone without needing to read the Shield Maiden series.

"...This novella can be read as a standalone, with no need to read Shield Maiden series first...." Read more

"...Cant wait to see what's in store for Ervie and Lopter. Great short read." Read more

"Great read..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021
    Winternights Gambit starts out a few years after the ending of Shield Maiden: Under the Dark Moon and follows Erive (Hervor the second) as she comes home once again. It teases of answers to questions the characters (and I) have regarding Blomma, Ervie, life, history, lineage and so much more.

    I really love the world this author has created and the vivid details she intertwines within the pages. Time stands still for me, and I become a part of these stories as I read them. In fact, I could feel the cold, the questioning, and the presence of the characters in this novella. This is a wonderful teaser for what is to come.

    This novella can be read as a standalone, with no need to read Shield Maiden series first. However, I am ALWAYS going to recommend reading it because it is a brilliant adventure, I don't want anyone to miss. That said, choose your path or allow the Gods to do it for you. *Wink, wink*

    *For those who read the first series (Shield Maiden) this short teaser of a novella is a nice balm for the aftermath of that ending (I don't know about you, but I still have lots of feelings, LOL). I really enjoyed seeing my favorite characters from the first series and knowing that they are well and happy and living life.

    Now, while we wait for the next story, I highly suggest any other book from this author to fill the time.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2024
    We now are going to be privy to the stories of the next generation. Blomma's twins are now 16 and ready to set out. This is a revealing look at Ervie and her quest to find her way. The ending scenes are very touching and set the stage for the next book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2021
    A sneak peak into a new series with all the action, drama and magical mysticism of it's predecessor. If you liked Shield Maiden and fell in love with Hervor, then joining Ervie on her adventure will be like coming home.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2023
    Interesting start to new series. I love when you get a prequel in series. Get the books and leave your reviews.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2022
    Stop right there. If you haven’t read The Road to Valhalla series, Hervor’s story, you will be missing out on a lot of important history. Yes, this can be read without it but why cut your enjoyment of tremendous world-building and story-weaving that is a hallmark of Melanie Karsack’s writing. I am so excited to be going back to this world and revisiting beloved characters. Melanie Karsack is a must-buy author for me. I’ve read everything she’s published. The blending of real historic research into fantasy creates an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re really there with the characters and invested in what happens to them. That kind of talent is rare. This series and Hervor’s are based on Viking legend but Ms. Karsack also has a Celtic series about Lady MacBeth and is currently writing a series about the Celtic warrior Queen Boudicca. I love every one of them. I hope you come to love her stories just as much.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
    This is an amazing start to a new adventure in to an amazing and interesting Viking world. This gives me a wonderful glimpse into this upcoming series and I am very excited to see what happens in this new series. I love Norse mythology and I need more, soon!!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2021
    Great novella, if you liked or loved the Road to Valhalla series you have to read this book. Some of the old characters are seen again and new characters that I’m sure we’ll fall in love with in this new series. Read it now!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023
    Very magical. I loved this book. I loved the warmth of the characters and the genuiness of their world. It felt very real
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Dallass
    3.0 out of 5 stars Such a tease!
    Reviewed in Australia on January 16, 2022
    After staying up until nearly 1:30am flying through the last book in Hervor’s series, I have to admit that I was a little doubtful heading into this short story (novella?) that it could continue on the story as successfully with Ervie, Hervor the Second, as the protagonist. However in just these few short chapters, the author managed to suck me back into the world that now sees two important locations in the previous series nothing but ashes. Ends on a mysterious note, but it looks like I’m signing up to take this journey with Ervie come February when the first book is released.

    3.5 stars ⭐️

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?