The Witch's Heart
2021 • 370 pages
Ratings36
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings36
Average rating4.5
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.
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Reviews with the most likes.
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.
The Trickster Loki
While I've always loved mythology, I wasn't as familiar with tales of the Norse gods and goddesses as I was with the Celtic and Greek myths. I have read Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman and I loved it but that is as far as I have explored. What I did know of the Norse myths didn't include the love story of Angrboda and Loki, mostly associating them with evil based on the stories of their children—Hel, Fenrir, and Jormungand—who all play a role in Ragnarok.
However, it's always good to remember that there are two sides to every story, and the stories are often written by the winners or those with the most power, and these stories often favor men. Loki is a trickster. Thor is a bit of a narcissist. And Odin can be quite manipulative and self-absorbed. I had a bit of a hard time because I have seen the Thor movies so trying to picture the characters differently was a stretch.
Angrboda the burned witch and her friend Skadi the huntress are the central figures in this reimagining of the events leading up to and culminating in Ragnarok. Their story is just as important as the stories of the Aesir and much less dramatic. I loved the pacing and the good feelings that I had when reading this book it is worth the time for sure.
The tale of Angrboda and Loki is one of love, strength, and loss, and Genevieve Gornichec shows this beautifully. I really need to do some research on the history of these mythologies. I have quickly become obsessed with the stories of these scary gods.
As with most mythological retellings I read, I went into it not previously knowing the story. I don't think I had ever even heard of Angrboda. But that didn't diminish how much I enjoyed this story. Angrboda's strength and resilience created such a rich backbone to this story. Loki, while annoying and ultimately not great, still had a soft spot in my heart. He genuinely cared for Angrboda and their children. Also, Hel is the best and I love her, that is all.
The pacing of this book never felt off. While definitely a slower paced book, I still feel like I treasured every moment spent with these characters. Angrboda's relationship with Skadi brought me to tears multiple times. The lives her children led were beautiful and poetic. Everything about this book was a success in my eyes. I recommend it to lovers of mythology everywhere.
TW: animal death, blood, bones, death, gore, kidnapping, murder, poisoning, snakes, terminal illness, torture, violence
