The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.

Angrboda’s story begins where most witches’ tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the farthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be Loki, and her initial distrust of him transforms into a deep and abiding love.

Their union produces three unusual children, each with a secret destiny, who Angrboda is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin’s all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life—and possibly all of existence—is in danger.

With help from the fierce huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she’s foreseen for her beloved family…or rise to remake their future. From the most ancient of tales this novel forges a story of love, loss, and hope for the modern age.

This book was a roller coaster. I'm not going to pretend like all of my Norse mythology knowledge hasn't come from God of War and the Marvel movies, but this book made me want to look into more of it (from more reputable sources). I love a villain redemption story. I loved and hated Angrboda and Loki. Jormungand and Fenrir deserve their own book with a rewritten happy ending. I loved them the most and they just had the worst time. This book ended on such a high note that I'm willing to overlook some of the dragging moments.

WOW.

I feel like this is going to be the new way for me to start reviews on books that are absolute five stars for me.

I knew that The Witch's Heart was going to be fantastic because the minute I hear any book that contains any type of mythology? I am going to read it and make it my entire personality. This did NOT disappoint.

This book had me hooked from the very first page and the writing style is so different to anything that I've read and I can happily say that I am obsessed.

Loki and Thor have always had a special place in my heart when it came to the Marvel Universe so to read a retelling based on the Norse mythology surrounding them was such a high for me. I got angry at myself for not reading this sooner.

If you looked up the fierce, independent female protagonist I guarantee that Angrboda will be the prime example because that's exactly what she is. She was such a force to read about and I loved every single minute of it. Her character was so fantastic that I don't think there are words to articulately formulate my true thoughts and feelings surrounding her and her story in The Witch's Heart.

The characters, the pacing, the imagery and plot.... everything about this was superb.

If you love fantasy, this is the book for you. I can't recommend it enough. This book ruined my life. It's right up there with The Poppy War Trilogy for me and THAT says something.

Whatever this author writes from now on, I will consume without hesitation.

10/10 for making me cry

This book had everything I love in books. Deep characters who aren't simply black or white in their personalities. A connected story that had me guessing and then fearing the outcome. The cruelness of others.

I was frightened to continue reading as I suspected what the outcome was and told me tell you o was not okay. A bawling mess at work

The characterisation in this book is masterful.

I will be thinking about this book for years to come.

A perfect standalone.

A very nicely crafted two part book. The first part has the same rhythms of retelling of Norse Sagas (like Neil Gaiman's) but in the second part the writing elevates to a more lyrical introspection and Angrboda's plight becomes more personal.