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ksiazkowisko's review against another edition
5.0
I have an ebook and decided to buy a physical copy as well (even though it is a tad expensive for my wallet as I live in Poland). This book took my heart and tore it to shreads. A beautiful depiction of loyalty, poisonous love and how a dysfunctional relationship with a liar can shatter one's life. I'm still sobbing in the corner.
rosaceae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-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
defseoul7's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
2.75
mythian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, and Murder
snappydog's review against another edition
4.0
I'm trying to work out whether you're better off going into this knowing what to expect or not knowing what to expect.
I've been excited for this book for a while because the author's been doing a pretty sterling job on the old social media marketing, talking about her book and about related interesting things. From that, I think I was probably expecting something with a strong female lead, a will-they-won't-they between her and Loki, and then everything to go wrong.
That kind of is what I got, but definitely not at the pace or in the structure I was imagining.
Whether this was deliberate or not I've no idea, but the structure of this book is less like a novel and more, I think, like a long-running TV series. That's not a criticism, by the way - it's no bad thing to be different if it works, and I think for the most part it does. We get a lot of episodes that get something like internal resolution while also feeding into the overall storyline of the whole thing, and that overall storyline is strong. I think I wish it had been split into maybe two or even three books, actually, at least partly because of this structure: that might have helped give some of the shorter episodes more room to breathe and to develop their characters, and the ending of this book honestly feels like the kind of ending that a whole season of a TV show could be building towards. My understanding is there'll be more books following the events of this one, and I'm intrigued to see what happens there given how big of an ending this first book has. It'll be hard for future installments to top, for sure!
I really like Sigyn as she's done here, and I like the interpretations of the Norse gods who show up here. We don't get to spend a lot of time with many of them - it's mostly Sigyn, Loki, a bit of Odin, and some family members who pop up later on - but they're recognisable if you're familiar with Norse mythology and understandable if you're not. Loki is, I think it's fair to say, the deuteragonist and other main character, and I also like this version of them a lot. They're tricksy and funny in the way modern audiences expect because of the Marvel version, but they're also tragic, repeatedly subjected to some truly terrible things either because of their own flaws or because of how the world sees them.
Things really pick up in the last 20-25% or so, and I sort of want to encourage anyone who might not be finding it quite as they expected to stick with it. The book and the author promise that you're going to get to see things go horribly wrong, and you do, but it takes longer than you might think from how much that part of things is stressed in the marketing. I think it works, taking time to set up all the dominoes and establish how much there is to lose so it's more effective when it does all come crashing down. That said, I still somehow wish we'd had more time to get to know several of the players who turn out to be important in the endgame; I still had a sense that I could've felt even more strongly about everyone's fates if I'd spent a bit more time with them and known them a bit better, especially given how, er, final the ending turns out to be for quite a lot of them.
I feel like this is coming out more critical than I intend, and that's probably just a mark that actually I think the book overall is strong enough to stand up to a close, critical review. I enjoyed the whole thing a lot, often continuing to read well after trying to get through 'just one more chapter' before going back to work or whatever else I needed to do. It's a good enough book that it's worth paying close attention to things and nitpicking a bit, I reckon.
Oh, but do make sure you check the content warnings. It is, er, pretty intense in parts. If you can stomach the many topics it broaches, though, I think you'll find it very readable, often gripping, and something in which you can get thoroughly invested.
I've been excited for this book for a while because the author's been doing a pretty sterling job on the old social media marketing, talking about her book and about related interesting things. From that, I think I was probably expecting something with a strong female lead, a will-they-won't-they between her and Loki, and then everything to go wrong.
That kind of is what I got, but definitely not at the pace or in the structure I was imagining.
Whether this was deliberate or not I've no idea, but the structure of this book is less like a novel and more, I think, like a long-running TV series. That's not a criticism, by the way - it's no bad thing to be different if it works, and I think for the most part it does. We get a lot of episodes that get something like internal resolution while also feeding into the overall storyline of the whole thing, and that overall storyline is strong. I think I wish it had been split into maybe two or even three books, actually, at least partly because of this structure: that might have helped give some of the shorter episodes more room to breathe and to develop their characters, and the ending of this book honestly feels like the kind of ending that a whole season of a TV show could be building towards. My understanding is there'll be more books following the events of this one, and I'm intrigued to see what happens there given how big of an ending this first book has. It'll be hard for future installments to top, for sure!
I really like Sigyn as she's done here, and I like the interpretations of the Norse gods who show up here. We don't get to spend a lot of time with many of them - it's mostly Sigyn, Loki, a bit of Odin, and some family members who pop up later on - but they're recognisable if you're familiar with Norse mythology and understandable if you're not. Loki is, I think it's fair to say, the deuteragonist and other main character, and I also like this version of them a lot. They're tricksy and funny in the way modern audiences expect because of the Marvel version, but they're also tragic, repeatedly subjected to some truly terrible things either because of their own flaws or because of how the world sees them.
Things really pick up in the last 20-25% or so, and I sort of want to encourage anyone who might not be finding it quite as they expected to stick with it. The book and the author promise that you're going to get to see things go horribly wrong, and you do, but it takes longer than you might think from how much that part of things is stressed in the marketing. I think it works, taking time to set up all the dominoes and establish how much there is to lose so it's more effective when it does all come crashing down. That said, I still somehow wish we'd had more time to get to know several of the players who turn out to be important in the endgame; I still had a sense that I could've felt even more strongly about everyone's fates if I'd spent a bit more time with them and known them a bit better, especially given how, er, final the ending turns out to be for quite a lot of them.
I feel like this is coming out more critical than I intend, and that's probably just a mark that actually I think the book overall is strong enough to stand up to a close, critical review. I enjoyed the whole thing a lot, often continuing to read well after trying to get through 'just one more chapter' before going back to work or whatever else I needed to do. It's a good enough book that it's worth paying close attention to things and nitpicking a bit, I reckon.
Oh, but do make sure you check the content warnings. It is, er, pretty intense in parts. If you can stomach the many topics it broaches, though, I think you'll find it very readable, often gripping, and something in which you can get thoroughly invested.
jacqlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
5.0
A wonderful story, with the most frustrating and lovable characters. Even though the gods (especially our main duo, Loki and Sigyn) are absolute idiots, I can’t help but root for them.
I’m also totally here for the fantastic queer representation.
This is a beautiful book.
I’m also totally here for the fantastic queer representation.
This is a beautiful book.
stephanie_mcel's review against another edition
Not in the right mindset to read the book, will come back to it later on in the year.
joann3's review against another edition
adventurous
3.0
I honestly didn’t like this book very much. I did like the showing of some of the actual myths, that was cool. But to me it read like a fanfiction with Sigyn as a self-inserted character that they just threw into Norse mythology. About 80% of the time I was skimming through everything because I just didn’t care and wanted to get the book over with.
katejoanna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A must read for any Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordon, Madeline miller, Stone blind, Mythos and general Norse/Greek mythology fans.
Very similar to ‘The Song of Achilles’ but in my opinion way better and deserving of equal hype and popularity!
I absolutely love that the Author has given Sigyn her own story, her own voice, and finally a way to be remembered.
"What little we know of her, we know this; Sigyn was
unwavering, at her husband's side for eternity. Dutiful,
patient, faithful."
‘The Goddess Of Nothing At All’ was infinitely more touching, emotional and much better paced than similar reads.
Although, like ‘The Song Of Achilles’ this is written to span over a long period of time, more than a lifetime, it didn’t feel tedious at all.
I found this book gripping, emotional and engaging to read and I normally get bored of slower paced or heavily intellectual reads. I enjoyed learning about the Gods, mythological creatures and Norse Mythology/stories while enjoying a fictional read.
There are lovely quotes at each chapter header that hint and what is/isn’t accurate in the book compared to what we know as ‘truth’ in the mythology, as well as links and info in the back of the book for those readers that want to learn more.
I was sent this as a review copy but this has jumped to my favourites pile and I will definitely be buying a physical copy. It’s truly a beautiful book.
This is a beautifully written, unique spin on Norse mythology, full of pain, suffering and tragedy that gives the likes of Shakespeare a run for his money.
Crafted in a way to pack the hardest punch, painful heart wrenchingly tragic throughout.
Gloriously satisfying tale of revenge and justice through surviving long suffering, sacrifice, grief and facing impossible decisions.
This book has interesting facts and trivia, tragedy, humour, action, gore- something for every kind of reader.
The Author has very clearly done more than enough research yet has still written the book in a way that makes it clear and understandable for any reader regardless of how much they know about the subject.
The humour and banter between Loki and Sigyn is just spot on and awesome.
I like the substance behind/explanation of magical elements as well, I didn’t feel like I had to struggle to understand or keep up, all world building, magic and characters are detailed seamlessly.
Heartwarming romance growing and changing over time in realistic ways, showing an actually complicated relationship instead of “true love at first sight, happily ever after, the end”.
Structurally, the writing flows well to read but isn’t perfect, there are a lot of unnecessary commas and too long sentences. But the plot, characters, character development and way the book is formatted and the story is woven more than makes up for any minor imperfections in writing and grammar.
Written really well to build tension and suspense and in describing horrific or action packed scenes.
Showcasing pain, trauma, betrayal and fear and what it all does to a person in personal and relatable ways.
——————————————————————————
“Everything you did will be rewritten. You'll be forgotten. When people speak the name Sigyn, it will be this and this alone that they remember. - Loki's wife, the woman who stood by the enemy of the realms and bore his pain. Sigyn, Goddess of Fidelity."
‘These stories…..it felt like a wake. The reminiscing
about something that was over and would never be
again. Like the funeral pyre was burning outside and no
one was ready to admit that he was already dead.’
“A caged bird can’t help but fall in love with freedom”
Very similar to ‘The Song of Achilles’ but in my opinion way better and deserving of equal hype and popularity!
I absolutely love that the Author has given Sigyn her own story, her own voice, and finally a way to be remembered.
"What little we know of her, we know this; Sigyn was
unwavering, at her husband's side for eternity. Dutiful,
patient, faithful."
‘The Goddess Of Nothing At All’ was infinitely more touching, emotional and much better paced than similar reads.
Although, like ‘The Song Of Achilles’ this is written to span over a long period of time, more than a lifetime, it didn’t feel tedious at all.
I found this book gripping, emotional and engaging to read and I normally get bored of slower paced or heavily intellectual reads. I enjoyed learning about the Gods, mythological creatures and Norse Mythology/stories while enjoying a fictional read.
There are lovely quotes at each chapter header that hint and what is/isn’t accurate in the book compared to what we know as ‘truth’ in the mythology, as well as links and info in the back of the book for those readers that want to learn more.
I was sent this as a review copy but this has jumped to my favourites pile and I will definitely be buying a physical copy. It’s truly a beautiful book.
This is a beautifully written, unique spin on Norse mythology, full of pain, suffering and tragedy that gives the likes of Shakespeare a run for his money.
Crafted in a way to pack the hardest punch, painful heart wrenchingly tragic throughout.
Gloriously satisfying tale of revenge and justice through surviving long suffering, sacrifice, grief and facing impossible decisions.
This book has interesting facts and trivia, tragedy, humour, action, gore- something for every kind of reader.
The Author has very clearly done more than enough research yet has still written the book in a way that makes it clear and understandable for any reader regardless of how much they know about the subject.
The humour and banter between Loki and Sigyn is just spot on and awesome.
I like the substance behind/explanation of magical elements as well, I didn’t feel like I had to struggle to understand or keep up, all world building, magic and characters are detailed seamlessly.
Heartwarming romance growing and changing over time in realistic ways, showing an actually complicated relationship instead of “true love at first sight, happily ever after, the end”.
Structurally, the writing flows well to read but isn’t perfect, there are a lot of unnecessary commas and too long sentences. But the plot, characters, character development and way the book is formatted and the story is woven more than makes up for any minor imperfections in writing and grammar.
Written really well to build tension and suspense and in describing horrific or action packed scenes.
Showcasing pain, trauma, betrayal and fear and what it all does to a person in personal and relatable ways.
——————————————————————————
“Everything you did will be rewritten. You'll be forgotten. When people speak the name Sigyn, it will be this and this alone that they remember. - Loki's wife, the woman who stood by the enemy of the realms and bore his pain. Sigyn, Goddess of Fidelity."
‘These stories…..it felt like a wake. The reminiscing
about something that was over and would never be
again. Like the funeral pyre was burning outside and no
one was ready to admit that he was already dead.’
“A caged bird can’t help but fall in love with freedom”
caribougoat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Torture, Violence, Homophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, Death, Gore, War, and Bullying