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literarydumpling's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A wonderful retelling of Norse mythology, focusing largely on Angrboda.
The book is written in a way that reads like traditional myths, flowing from one story to the next without going too heavy into the description of the world and accepting that this is the lore.
Had plenty of hooks to keep you interested and characters were introduced at a logical rate — if you did get confused, there is an appendix towards the end of the book, but use at your own risk if you aren't familiar with the particular myths in The Witch's Heart as there may be spoilers.
Also very much enjoyed the focus switching to a female narrator for this retelling, whereas the traditional myths only treats them as a "side character" even though they have an important part to play. It gives a lot more character and life to Angrboda beyond her just being the witch.
The book is written in a way that reads like traditional myths, flowing from one story to the next without going too heavy into the description of the world and accepting that this is the lore.
Had plenty of hooks to keep you interested and characters were introduced at a logical rate — if you did get confused, there is an appendix towards the end of the book, but use at your own risk if you aren't familiar with the particular myths in The Witch's Heart as there may be spoilers.
Also very much enjoyed the focus switching to a female narrator for this retelling, whereas the traditional myths only treats them as a "side character" even though they have an important part to play. It gives a lot more character and life to Angrboda beyond her just being the witch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence and War
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: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
kyeruhh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very slow in the beginning but the back half is fantastic. It’s definitely not an action packed myth retelling but I really enjoyed it. I put off finishing it for over a week bc I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
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: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
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: Miscarriage, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Violence and War
flyingryndeer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Xenophobia, 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, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Grief, Murder, Death, Sexism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Torture, Toxic relationship, Gore, and Infidelity
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Genocide, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Body horror, Emotional abuse, War, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery, Alcohol, and Mental illness
caelfind's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
onthesamepage's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“I would have all of you,” he said quietly, brushing her nose with his. “I would have everything.”
I'm not very familiar with Norse mythology, so I can't say much about what changes the author may have made to the lore. I will say that I thought the pacing of the book was kind of too slow, especially in the first half. The second part of the story, once we get closer to the Ragnarok prophecy, is very interesting, but while the first half had some cute moments between Loki and Angrboda, I wasn't very invested in them as a couple, or even as characters, which isn't great considering Angrboda is the main character. But the way she let everything just happen to her for most of this book grated a bit. I was hoping that she would have more agency in her own story. I did get invested in her children, though, which is probably why the second half worked a lot better for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Death
proudtobeabookaholic's review
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: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, Grief, and Infidelity