Frost and Blood Awakening

Madivia "Maddy" is thrust into chaos as Frost Giants attack Featherblade, the Valkyrie training academy. Amidst blood and terror, she witnesses the impossible: a colossal white bear—her val-tivar, a magical animal companion—materializes and saves her and Kain, a cursed fire-fae. The bear acts independently, vanishing as quickly as it appeared, leaving Maddy shaken and desperate for answers. The trauma of battle, the loss of fellow trainees, and the shock of her bear's intervention set Maddy on a path of self-discovery, as she grapples with her own weakness, the reality of death, and the tantalizing possibility that she might finally be worthy of becoming a Valkyrie.

The Bear's Vanishing

In the wake of the attack, Maddy is haunted by the bear's disappearance. She helps the wounded Kain to the healing chambers, her mind reeling with questions. The Valkyrie instructors, Valdis and Harald, are skeptical of her story, and Maddy is left doubting her own sanity. The trauma of the attack is compounded by the coldness of her peers and the realization that someone inside Featherblade may have betrayed them. Maddy's sense of isolation deepens, but a fierce resolve begins to grow: she must find her bear again, understand her magic, and prove her worth in a world that sees her as weak and expendable.

Healing and Hidden Truths

As Kain is healed by Erik's magical serpent val-tivar, Maddy is stunned to discover she can see other Valkyries' val-tivars—something thought impossible. This revelation, coupled with her own bear's independence, marks her as different. Maddy's unique memory magic, her "gallery," allows her to store and relive experiences in vivid detail, but it also isolates her. She confides in Sarra, her human friend, and begins to suspect that her bear's appearance is tied to her own survival instincts and the mysterious workings of Featherblade itself.

Memory Gallery's Burden

Maddy retreats into her memory gallery, reliving the horrors of the attack and her own near-death experiences. She confronts the reality of her lifelong blackouts, the constant fear of dying, and the burden of being different. The gallery is both sanctuary and prison, a place where she can process her trauma but also a reminder of her isolation. Maddy's determination hardens: she will survive, she will meet her bear again, and she will become a Valkyrie, no matter the cost.

Bonds of Fire and Ice

Kain, the enigmatic fire-fae, becomes both ally and obsession for Maddy. Their connection is fraught with danger—his touch is lethal, his past shrouded in violence and vengeance. Yet, Maddy is drawn to him, risking her own safety to save his life. Their bond deepens as they share secrets and confront their own demons. Kain's wolf val-tivar and Maddy's bear are mirrors of their own inner turmoil, and their relationship becomes a crucible for growth, trust, and the possibility of redemption.

Secrets and Obsessions

Maddy's growing obsession with Kain is matched by his with her. Their encounters are charged with tension, desire, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Maddy's enemies among the trainees—Inga, Orgid, and their clique—escalate their bullying, targeting her for her perceived weakness and difference. Yet, Maddy's resilience grows, fueled by her bear's strength and her own stubborn will. The lines between friend and foe blur, and Maddy must navigate a web of secrets, lies, and dangerous alliances.

Training, Trials, and Bullies

As training intensifies, Maddy faces relentless challenges: grueling physical drills, magical lessons, and the constant threat of her bullies. Her friendship with Sarra and Eldith provides solace, but the pressure to prove herself mounts. Maddy's ice magic begins to manifest, erratic and uncontrollable, mirroring her emotional turmoil. The bear's absence is a constant ache, but Maddy's determination to master her magic and earn her place among the Valkyrie never wavers.

The Bear Returns

During a swimming race, Maddy is attacked by Orgid's shadows and nearly drowned. In her moment of greatest need, the bear returns—visible to all—saving her life and freezing the entire spring. The spectacle silences her detractors and forces the Valkyrie to acknowledge her power. Yet, the bear vanishes again, leaving Maddy with more questions than answers. The event cements her reputation as both a threat and a mystery, and the academy is abuzz with speculation about her true nature.

Ice Magic Unleashed

Maddy's ice magic grows stronger but remains unpredictable. She seeks guidance from Harald and Brynhild, learning that control requires absolute focus—a challenge for her restless, trauma-scarred mind. The bear, Thyrvi, finally speaks to her, revealing a personality as fierce and unruly as her own. Their bond is unique, defying the rules of Valkyrie magic. Maddy's struggle to master her power becomes a metaphor for her journey toward self-acceptance and agency.

Family, Feasts, and Fears

The arrival of Maddy's family and the courts for a grand feast brings both hope and heartbreak. Her sister Freydis, once her closest confidante, is cold and distant, consumed by her own disappointment. Maddy's parents are more interested in her memory magic than her well-being, reinforcing her sense of abandonment. The feast is a spectacle of power and politics, but beneath the surface, old wounds and new ambitions simmer. Maddy's resolve to forge her own destiny, independent of her family's expectations, crystallizes.

The Strength Display

The academy's strength display is a public trial by fire. Maddy, desperate to prove herself, faces a gauntlet of physical and magical challenges. Her magic betrays her, freezing her in place and causing her to black out in front of everyone—including her family and Sigrun, the legendary Valkyrie leader. Humiliated but unbroken, Maddy finishes the course, cheered on by Sarra. The experience is a crucible, burning away her last illusions and forging a new, fiercer self.

Shame and Survival

In the wake of her public failure, Maddy is buoyed by the support of Sarra and Eldith. Sigrun summons her for a private audience, revealing that Maddy's blackouts are not fatal—a revelation that shatters the foundation of her lifelong fear. Freed from the specter of death, Maddy's perspective shifts. She is no longer a victim of fate but an agent of her own future. The knowledge is both liberating and terrifying, and Maddy must learn to live without the crutch of fear.

Sigrun's Revelation

Sigrun, the oldest Valkyrie, recognizes the ancient magic at work in Maddy and her bear. She warns of coming war and urges Maddy to embrace her unique gifts. The bear, Thyrvi, is not just a val-tivar but a manifestation of primordial power, a sign that the gods are preparing for a new era. Sigrun's faith in Maddy is both a burden and a blessing, and Maddy must decide whether to accept her role as a harbinger of change—or to forge her own path.

The Vault Beckons

Driven by curiosity and the promise of answers, Maddy and Kain conspire to break into the legendary Vault of the Valkyrie. Their partnership is fraught with mistrust and desire, each using the other for their own ends. The vault is protected by riddles and ancient magic, requiring both Maddy's memory power and Kain's knowledge. As they delve deeper, the lines between ally and adversary blur, and the true cost of their ambitions becomes clear.

The Bear's Name

Maddy finally learns her bear's name—Thyrvi, Thunder Warrior—and the nature of their bond. Thyrvi is more than a companion; she is a force of nature, a reflection of Maddy's own strength and rage. Their conversations are laced with humor, violence, and a shared hunger for battle. Maddy's journey toward mastery is mirrored in her relationship with Thyrvi, and together they begin to unlock the secrets of their shared power.

Allies and Enemies

As Maddy's power grows, so does the animosity of her enemies. Inga, Orgid, and their clique escalate their attacks, culminating in a violent ambush. Kain and Thyrvi come to Maddy's aid, their combined fury driving off her attackers. The incident cements the bonds of loyalty and enmity that define life at Featherblade. Maddy's friendships with Sarra and Eldith deepen, providing a counterbalance to the hostility that surrounds her.

The Wild Hunt Begins

With the Oskorela—the Wild Hunt—looming, Maddy and her peers are thrust into the final phase of their training. The threat of death is ever-present, but Maddy is no longer paralyzed by fear. Her mastery of ice magic, her bond with Thyrvi, and her hard-won confidence set her apart. As she and Kain prepare to unlock the final secrets of the vault, Maddy stands on the threshold of transformation, ready to claim her place as a Valkyrie and to face whatever destiny the gods have in store.

Characters

Madivia "Maddy"

Maddy is the exiled princess of the Ice Court, marked by chronic blackouts and a unique memory magic that allows her to store and relive experiences in vivid detail. Her life has been shaped by fear—of death, of failure, of being unworthy. At Featherblade, she is an outsider, bullied for her weakness and difference. Yet, beneath her vulnerability lies a core of stubborn resilience and a hunger for belonging. Her bond with the bear Thyrvi, her erratic ice magic, and her growing connection to Kain force her to confront her own power and agency. Maddy's journey is one of self-acceptance, as she learns to wield her gifts, trust her instincts, and claim her place in a world that would rather see her invisible.

Kain

Kain is a fire-fae Valkyrie stripped of his wings and cursed so that his touch burns and kills. Outcast and feared, he is driven by a burning desire for revenge against those who wronged him. His wolf val-tivar is a manifestation of his rage and bloodlust. Kain's relationship with Maddy is complex—he is both protector and manipulator, drawn to her strength and vulnerability. His honesty, even when brutal, sets him apart, and his willingness to risk everything for Maddy hints at a capacity for redemption. Kain's internal struggle between vengeance and connection is the engine of his character arc.

Thyrvi (The Bear)

Thyrvi is Maddy's val-tivar, a colossal white bear embodying raw strength, bloodlust, and a surprising sense of humor. Unlike other val-tivars, Thyrvi acts independently, speaks in Maddy's mind, and craves battle. She is both a protector and a challenge, pushing Maddy to embrace her own power and to accept the parts of herself she fears. Thyrvi's presence signals ancient magic at work, marking Maddy as a harbinger of change.

Sarra

Sarra is a human rune-marked and Maddy's closest friend at Featherblade. She is a skilled craftswoman, providing emotional support and practical advice. Sarra's unwavering loyalty and no-nonsense attitude help anchor Maddy through trauma and self-doubt. Her own struggles as a human among fae mirror Maddy's outsider status, and their friendship is a source of mutual strength.

Valdis

Valdis is a Valkyrie instructor, known for her wolf val-tivar and her no-nonsense approach to training. She is respected and feared, but also shows moments of unexpected kindness, especially toward Maddy. Valdis's history with Kain adds layers of complexity, hinting at shared pain and loyalty. She represents the ideal of Valkyrie strength and the burden of leadership.

Harald

Harald is a Valkyrie instructor with a bear val-tivar, serving as a mentor figure for Maddy. He is practical, encouraging, and open-minded, willing to believe in the impossible when confronted with evidence. Harald's guidance helps Maddy navigate the mysteries of her magic and the politics of Featherblade.

Brynhild

Brynhild is the ice-fae Valkyrie instructor, renowned for her magical prowess and her ability to see possible futures. She is both a gatekeeper and a skeptic, challenging Maddy to prove herself. Brynhild's visions of Maddy changing Featherblade for better or worse add a sense of destiny and foreboding to the narrative.

Erik

Erik is the Valkyrie healer, known for his serpent val-tivar and his calm, compassionate demeanor. He serves as a confidant and advisor, helping Maddy and others recover from physical and emotional wounds. Erik's openness to the extraordinary marks him as a bridge between tradition and change.

Inga and Orgid

Inga (fire-fae) and Orgid (shadow-fae) are Maddy's primary antagonists among the trainees. Driven by insecurity and fear of the unknown, they bully and sabotage Maddy at every turn. Their actions escalate from petty cruelty to attempted murder, embodying the darker side of fae society and the dangers of unchecked prejudice.

Sigrun

Sigrun is the legendary leader of the Valkyrie, one of the original nine. She is a figure of awe and power, able to see the mark of death and to sense the tides of fate. Sigrun recognizes the ancient magic at work in Maddy and urges her to embrace her destiny. Her presence is both a blessing and a challenge, forcing Maddy to confront the true scope of her potential.

Plot Devices

Memory Gallery

Maddy's memory gallery is a unique magical device, allowing her to store, relive, and analyze experiences with perfect clarity. It serves as both a coping mechanism for trauma and a source of power, enabling her to solve riddles, recall vital information, and process her emotions. The gallery is also a source of isolation, marking her as different and making her a target for exploitation. Its narrative function is to externalize Maddy's internal struggles and to provide a literal map of her journey toward self-mastery.

Val-tivar and Animal Magic

The val-tivar—magical animal companions—are central to the Valkyrie mythos. They represent the hidden strengths, desires, and fears of their bonded. Maddy's bear, Thyrvi, is unique in her independence and voice, symbolizing the untamed aspects of Maddy's psyche. The val-tivar also serve as plot catalysts, intervening in moments of crisis and forcing characters to confront their true selves.

Curses and Punishments

Kain's curse—lethal touch and lost wings—serves as both a literal and metaphorical barrier to intimacy and redemption. The threat of punishment, exile, and death pervades Featherblade, shaping the choices and relationships of all characters. These devices heighten tension and underscore the stakes of transformation.

Riddles and Locked Doors

The Vault of the Valkyrie and its riddles are classic quest devices, requiring both magical and intellectual prowess to unlock. They symbolize the journey toward self-knowledge and the necessity of collaboration, as neither Maddy nor Kain can succeed alone. The vault's secrets are both literal treasures and metaphors for the hidden potential within each character.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Brynhild's visions, Sigrun's warnings, and the recurring motif of ancient magic foreshadow the coming war and Maddy's pivotal role. These devices create a sense of inevitability and suspense, while also challenging characters to assert agency in the face of fate.

Analysis

Of Frost and Feather is a powerful meditation on trauma, agency, and the search for belonging in a world that punishes difference. Eliza Raine weaves a narrative that is both epic and intimate, using the fantasy framework of Valkyrie training to explore the psychological realities of fear, isolation, and resilience. Maddy's journey—from a girl paralyzed by the expectation of death to a young woman claiming her power—is both a personal and universal story. The novel interrogates the costs of survival, the dangers of conformity, and the redemptive potential of friendship, love, and self-acceptance. The bear, Thyrvi, is a brilliant metaphor for the parts of ourselves we fear and long to embrace. The book's modern resonance lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: power is messy, healing is nonlinear, and destiny is as much a matter of choice as fate. Ultimately, Of Frost and Feather is a call to arms for anyone who has ever felt unseen, urging us to fight for our place in the world—not by becoming what others expect, but by daring to become fully ourselves.

Last updated: October 15, 2025