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zias's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Solid 4 stars! The beginning was a bit of a slow start, but when the story picked up, I was hooked. The writing is beautiful and impactful, there were a number of scenes that brought tears to my eyes. I came to love these characters and their journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Violence
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rating: 4/5 stars
A retelling of Norse mythology, Angrboda, wife of Loki, gives birth to three unusual children who may bring about the end of the world.
This was the June pick for my book club and (I think) my first foray into Norse mythology. Beyond the very basic and well-known Norse gods (Odin, Thor, Loki), I knew very little about anyone involved in this story, and I think this functions really well as an introduction—I felt that it was easy to follow the world-building/explanations, and I was never confused or overwhelmed by new information. It also made me want to read more books based on this mythology!
That said, I did have some issues with pacing (including the fact that for reasons unknown I could *not* focus on this book and it took me nearly a full week to read). I eventually switched to audio and listened while following along with the text, which helped a lot. While the middle of the book seemed to drag a tiny bit, I think my issues of focus were primarily due to the lack of chapter breaks, which may well be a personal thing!
Still, I really loved the characters here, all of whom were richly layered and interesting (even the ones who made me angry), and I thought the ending was really nicely done as well. Overall, I’d definitely recommend!
CW: Violence; death (including animal death); pregnancy/miscarriage
A retelling of Norse mythology, Angrboda, wife of Loki, gives birth to three unusual children who may bring about the end of the world.
This was the June pick for my book club and (I think) my first foray into Norse mythology. Beyond the very basic and well-known Norse gods (Odin, Thor, Loki), I knew very little about anyone involved in this story, and I think this functions really well as an introduction—I felt that it was easy to follow the world-building/explanations, and I was never confused or overwhelmed by new information. It also made me want to read more books based on this mythology!
That said, I did have some issues with pacing (including the fact that for reasons unknown I could *not* focus on this book and it took me nearly a full week to read). I eventually switched to audio and listened while following along with the text, which helped a lot. While the middle of the book seemed to drag a tiny bit, I think my issues of focus were primarily due to the lack of chapter breaks, which may well be a personal thing!
Still, I really loved the characters here, all of whom were richly layered and interesting (even the ones who made me angry), and I thought the ending was really nicely done as well. Overall, I’d definitely recommend!
CW: Violence; death (including animal death); pregnancy/miscarriage
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
augie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
nat20charisma's review against another edition
5.0
For fans of Circe; a modern retelling of Norse mythology. The author does a great job showing the quick passing of time while also making it feel natural.
Tragedy with a satisfying conclusion.
I don’t love the pregnancy trope usually, but this was done in a way that didn’t feel odd or uncomfortable.
Gotta love the LGBTQ+ representation. And a strong female main character with a found family.
Tragedy with a satisfying conclusion.
I don’t love the pregnancy trope usually, but this was done in a way that didn’t feel odd or uncomfortable.
Gotta love the LGBTQ+ representation. And a strong female main character with a found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
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
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After being burnt at the stake, not once, but three times, the witch Angrboda is injured and without her powers. She escapes to Ironwood, a forest on the outskirts of Jotunheim, where she decides to stay. There Loki, the trickster god, finds her and declares they should be friends. Angrboda doesn't trust him at first, but soon they’re in a relationship that will change the world.
I do love Norse (and Greek) mythology, so it wasn't really a surprise that this would be a book to my liking. But we all know that high hopes can go wrong, so I'm very pleased that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Angrboda is a character I really love. She's set on her own path, while at the same time she's willing to sacrifice everything to save those she loves. Loki's always been a favorite of mine. Despite his selfishness and quirks he still seems to have his heart in the right place. I also have to mention Skadi, Angrboda's friend, who's always there for her. All the characters in this book feel so alive, as if I actually got to know them throughout the pages. Physically I'm done with The Witch's Heart, but emotionally it will stay with me for a while longer...
I do love Norse (and Greek) mythology, so it wasn't really a surprise that this would be a book to my liking. But we all know that high hopes can go wrong, so I'm very pleased that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Angrboda is a character I really love. She's set on her own path, while at the same time she's willing to sacrifice everything to save those she loves. Loki's always been a favorite of mine. Despite his selfishness and quirks he still seems to have his heart in the right place. I also have to mention Skadi, Angrboda's friend, who's always there for her. All the characters in this book feel so alive, as if I actually got to know them throughout the pages. Physically I'm done with The Witch's Heart, but emotionally it will stay with me for a while longer...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
ruthmoog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.75
I loved this, the eddas and mythology are so strange and bat-shit but quite difficult. This retelling takes all the bizarreness of the mythology and makes it feel real and gives context to the interactions between the realms.
I have especially found Loki a hard one to understand, and Angrboda's perspective made him come to life as a character, it's brilliantly told.
My knowledge of the sagas and eddas isn't enough to know if anything is "creatively authored", but I understand there is Viking age ideas included as well, but from what I was familiar with it all clicked. (I do not know about the Marvel universe portrayals).
I have especially found Loki a hard one to understand, and Angrboda's perspective made him come to life as a character, it's brilliantly told.
My knowledge of the sagas and eddas isn't enough to know if anything is "creatively authored", but I understand there is Viking age ideas included as well, but from what I was familiar with it all clicked. (I do not know about the Marvel universe portrayals).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and War
irfoxwriter's review against another edition
The book had some content that I wasn’t comfortable with - please read the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
imgunnagetyou's review against another edition
1.0
why this got a lgbtq tag on it there's like 2% gay in this book, I literally only read cause I was hoping for lgbtq and got fuckin nothing bro.
Also I didn't like the book lol
Also I didn't like the book lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
seleniea's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy