Reviews

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

stormy_x_gal's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mmgreen23's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

econway27's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Angrboda: alias': mother witch, guveg. Main character. Odin burns her three times and cuts out her heart in Asgard when she won't give him knowledge of the future. She flees to Ironwood and lives there. Loki follows her and returns her heart, and they become friends. Meets Skardi and Gerd (two giants) and becomes friends with them. Skardi trades her potions, etc. for goods. Marries Loki, has three children (Hel, Fenrir the wolf, and Jörmungandr (the serpent). Sigun follows Loki to Boda's home and sees her three children; calls them monsters. In return, Boda shows her how her children die. Sigun then tells all the gods about her three monster children, and set in motion their capture and Boda's "death." Odin learns from Loki that Boda is the same as Guveg. Takes her three children and forces her to reveal the full prophecy of Ragnarok. Boda survives and spends years wandering the realms in order to learn who she was before she went to Asgard. Eventually meets the she-wolf, who tells her she is the mother witch, who birthed the wolves who chase the moon and sun. Boda and the she-wolf go back to Ironwood and Skardi meets them there. During her wanderings Boda meets Freya, who helps her to rediscover her sade. Boda travels to see Hel, who wants nothing to do with her. The prophesied three winters begins, signaling the beginning of Ragnarok. After the three years, Boda goes to free Loki (who has been chained with his son's intestines). Fenrir and Jörmungandr find them soon after, and they leave to fight (less Boda). Boda asks Loki to go to Hel and tell her to come to Ironwood, as she has a way to protect her from the prophesied fire. He does, and Hel arrives with Baldor. Baldor tells Boda that Hel's heart is failing, and Boda cuts her heart out and gives it to Hel. She then seals them in her cave and protects them from the cleansing fire. Boda dies, but saves Hel and Baldor. Hel eventually wakes, healed, and finds the world cleansed and fresh. Others have survived as well. She and Baldor live in Ironwood until they die, with their descendants, and the spirits of Loki, Boda, Skardi and others they knew. Hel: alive, married to Baldor (Odin's son). Was queen of the undead. Leaves at the start of Ragnarok to seek safety with Boda. Fenrir: dies during Ragnarok. Bound by the god's after he was captured by Thor, Freya and Frey. Jörmungandr: dies during Ragnarok. Thrown into the sea by the god's after he was captured by Thor, Freya and Frey. Loki: dies during Ragnarok. Kills Baldor for Hel. Other wife is Sigun. Has two sons with Sigun who kill each other. Skardi: dies during Ragnarok. A giant who became an Aesir. In love with Boda and eventually they spend the three years before Ragnarok together. Gerd: forced to marry Freya and betray Boda. Friends with Boda before. She Wolf: dies during Ragnarok. Was with Boda when she was mother witch, Boda finds her again after Odin leaves her tied to the tree after the capture of her children. Odin: maybe dead? Sees the same future as Boda does, and does his best to influence events to protect Baldor.

baguettegay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

macyashby's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting telling of Norse mythology! Took a bit to get rolling, but ended up being quite enjoyable.

drbookishbiologist's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

4.0

steamsuccubus's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

katishin's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

pomhie's review against another edition

The story seemed interesting but I didn't enjoy the writing style.

amanda_lee's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely loved this! I couldn't put it down. The story, while being a retelling (or rather a reimagining) of Norse mythology, is so unique.

I love Angrboda, she's fierce and stands up for herself. I also really loved Hel. The two of them were my favourites but all of the characters were written so well.

I can't recommend this enough.