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queenofthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-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? Yes
3.0
A cool walk through Norse mythology but stumbles into a lot problematic things that are probably native to the mythology but still disquieting. Not the best writing and their relationship has (likely intentionally) an unaddressed undercurrent of gaslighting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Violence, Xenophobia, Transphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
emmazucati's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received a free ebook via NetGalley via Berkley Penguin Random House. All my thoughts are my own.
CW for the book include domestic and familial physical and emotional abuse. It's Norse family so I think pretty typical for the genre but I don't have a huge frame of reference.
I think mythology is a wonderful genre in the way that it puts you in the middle of a story that feels a bit like magic that the reader can almost touch. I think mythology lacks a bit in the dehumanizing of situations. I think The Witch's Heart fits both of these to a tee.
I loved the story. I liked how we went from the cave to a journey and how all the little foreshadows circled back. The story was incredibly well thought out and clearly researched. The universe felt both massive and small as characters came and went during Angrboda's time in the cave.
I also thought Gornichec did a really good job at making the Norse gods unique to her story. I don't know if it was intentional but, at this point, most pop culture education of Norse mythology is from plotlines from MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movies. I was worried about making assumptions going into it, but even something as innocuous as reiterating Loki's blonde hair was enough of a reminder that I could really get into Gornichec's story and not worry about others. The time I spent in the cave with Angrboda, and then with her children left me very attached. At one point, I sobbed for like 10 minutes. I really fell into the book. I absolutely could not put it down.
I also loved how much of Angrboda's identity was in being a mom. While all women should obviously not feel forced into making their entire world their children, some women choose motherhood as their passion and I felt it was really well done here. I got a well rounded main character and lots of cute children moments, win win for me.
The attachment to Angrboda also led me to my biggest complaint though. I understand why immortal gods are going to treat mortal beings and their short lifecycle as superfluous and unimportant, but the absolute disregard for anyone's feelings or physical well being was a bit too much for me. Everyone was just so cruel to each other. Yes I sobbed because I loved Angrboda and I was angry on her behalf, but she forgave and kind of moved on so much faster. Between the inevitable prophecy and the gods, I was really emotionally exhausted by the end, and I'm not sure in a good way.
I had also just finished The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller a few books before this one so in the future I might try and put bigger gaps between mythology based books.
I think Gornichec could've done a better job taking care of her characters, and in turn her readers, but I think I would still recommend the book to others. Maybe with a bit more caution, especially if they're experiencing difficulty with a partner or family. It just left me a bit hopeless.
CW for the book include domestic and familial physical and emotional abuse. It's Norse family so I think pretty typical for the genre but I don't have a huge frame of reference.
I think mythology is a wonderful genre in the way that it puts you in the middle of a story that feels a bit like magic that the reader can almost touch. I think mythology lacks a bit in the dehumanizing of situations. I think The Witch's Heart fits both of these to a tee.
I loved the story. I liked how we went from the cave to a journey and how all the little foreshadows circled back. The story was incredibly well thought out and clearly researched. The universe felt both massive and small as characters came and went during Angrboda's time in the cave.
I also thought Gornichec did a really good job at making the Norse gods unique to her story. I don't know if it was intentional but, at this point, most pop culture education of Norse mythology is from plotlines from MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movies. I was worried about making assumptions going into it, but even something as innocuous as reiterating Loki's blonde hair was enough of a reminder that I could really get into Gornichec's story and not worry about others. The time I spent in the cave with Angrboda, and then with her children left me very attached. At one point, I sobbed for like 10 minutes. I really fell into the book. I absolutely could not put it down.
I also loved how much of Angrboda's identity was in being a mom. While all women should obviously not feel forced into making their entire world their children, some women choose motherhood as their passion and I felt it was really well done here. I got a well rounded main character and lots of cute children moments, win win for me.
The attachment to Angrboda also led me to my biggest complaint though. I understand why immortal gods are going to treat mortal beings and their short lifecycle as superfluous and unimportant, but the absolute disregard for anyone's feelings or physical well being was a bit too much for me. Everyone was just so cruel to each other. Yes I sobbed because I loved Angrboda and I was angry on her behalf, but she forgave and kind of moved on so much faster. Between the inevitable prophecy and the gods, I was really emotionally exhausted by the end, and I'm not sure in a good way.
I had also just finished The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller a few books before this one so in the future I might try and put bigger gaps between mythology based books.
I think Gornichec could've done a better job taking care of her characters, and in turn her readers, but I think I would still recommend the book to others. Maybe with a bit more caution, especially if they're experiencing difficulty with a partner or family. It just left me a bit hopeless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
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