Scan barcode
booklifeisthelife's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a mostly enjoyable read. I know next to nothing about Norse mythology so almost everything that happened was a surprise to me. I liked Angrboda as a character for the most part. She was just a woman who wanted to live in peace, away from those who could and would harm her and her family. This wasn't my favorite Loki interpretation but I can't say it's inaccurate from the little I know anyway. I wish he had been a better husband and father though. The fact that he continually chose the gods who mocked, neglected and disrespected him over Angrboda and his kids who always chose him and loved him, blew my mind, frustrated me and hurt my heart. The pacing of this was so very slow. I really did like the everyday aspects, the normalcy and just living day by day but there was so much of it, it dragged on. I didn't love Loki and Angrboda's relationship. She deserved better and I'm glad she did with Skadi. Skadi and her had a healthier, more supportive relationship than the one she had with Loki. There was so much sadness and heart hurting in this book. I really wished for their happiness. Now onto some things that I didn't like or that stood out to me. I did not like how Hell treated Angrboda when they first reunited. It was not fair at all. I don't understand how they can say Hell saw and understood so much yet knew nothing of Angrboda and what she had been up to. I know she was hurt and young but it was still really upsetting. I'm happy she eventually came around (thanks to Loki) and they had some happy moments together before everything happened. I was happy she had a better reunion with her sons than she did her daughter but I also wished they had more time. They barely got to reunite before Jörmungand and Fenrir died. It also bugged me a lot that not only did Loki call his kids monsters and think it occasionally, Hell called her brothers monsters too. It was never explained why she changed her view on them and it was never brought up again after she said it. Then at the end when Loki, Skadi and her wolf companion (sorry, forget her name) came to her as dead souls, I was very confused why Fenrir and Jörmungand weren't there? Is that some mythology I don't know of? I wish she had been able to see them off.
All in all, this was a mostly enjoyable read/listen but I couldn't get too into it.
All in all, this was a mostly enjoyable read/listen but I couldn't get too into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Death of parent
anikas_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
I have so many thoughts about this book, and I'm not sure if I have words for them all. This is definitely a new favorite that will have me thinking about it for quite a while. It is a Norse mythology retelling, but first and foremost this is a story of motherhood. This book is not a out Loki, it is about Angrboda (the mother of monsters), giving her a voice, and making you think about the gods in a different light. If you're looking for something comparable to Marvel, this is not for you. This story is well researched and accurate to the eddas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
hold_on_cupcake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
omniscienttrees's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Violence, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
possiblyamyrie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, and Grief
Moderate: Violence and War
savshanae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is an absolute MASTERPIECE. Hands down one of my favorite standalone books. I tore through it and nearly started it over again as soon as I finished!
As the story continued I felt more and more attached to Angrboda and invested in her story, whatever form she took. The way Gornichec weaves together so many myths (and has notes to back it up at the end!) and draws the characters in a new light is nothing short of stunning. The portrayal of motherhood is raw and heartfelt, all while subtly highlighting the strengths (and weaknesses) of women.
10/10, no notes, just praise for this book!
As the story continued I felt more and more attached to Angrboda and invested in her story, whatever form she took. The way Gornichec weaves together so many myths (and has notes to back it up at the end!) and draws the characters in a new light is nothing short of stunning. The portrayal of motherhood is raw and heartfelt, all while subtly highlighting the strengths (and weaknesses) of women.
10/10, no notes, just praise for this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Alcohol
kmatera1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
I picked up this book because I was a fan of Madeline Miller’s novels, and personally really liked the mythology element. However, it was really hard for me to get into this book in the beginning. It picked up for me partially through part two when the plot started to speed up. I loved the full cast of characters - particularly the strong females (Boda, Skadi, Hel).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Torture, and Violence
braveprincess11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
I am stunned, I am shattered… this book is absolutely brilliant.
I had only passing knowledge of Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok - enough to recognize some names, but little enough that the entire story was new to me.
Genevieve Gornichec has put so much heart and personality and humanity into names of mythology that it’s left me absolutely speechless. I got sucked right into the world of Ironwood & Asgard, and every single moment necessitates it’s being there. There’s nothing extra or distracting; it all adds to the overall tale. It’s brilliant & I can’t wait to see what Gornichec does next
The parallels of Hel & Baldur to Angrboda & Loki at the end absolutely shattered my heart - even the dialogue upon his return was a near perfect mimic. And them telling their children the tales of the gods & the worlds beforehand, where Angrboda could not tell Hel and her brothers about the Jarnvidur, since she couldn’t remember her previous lives…
I’m shattered. It’s beautiful, brilliant, stunning…
I had only passing knowledge of Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok - enough to recognize some names, but little enough that the entire story was new to me.
Genevieve Gornichec has put so much heart and personality and humanity into names of mythology that it’s left me absolutely speechless. I got sucked right into the world of Ironwood & Asgard, and every single moment necessitates it’s being there. There’s nothing extra or distracting; it all adds to the overall tale. It’s brilliant & I can’t wait to see what Gornichec does next
I’m shattered. It’s beautiful, brilliant, stunning…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War
redheadorganist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
paloma_sanchezh's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
A friendly advice-don't waste your money nor bother reading this book. Poorly written, awful, boring characters. How could this book be published without a proper editing?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War