Kaitlyn‘s review of The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Historical Mythological Romance published by Ace 9 Feb 21
This isn’t really a review so much as a series of rambling questions. I admit, I don’t know much about Norse mythology. What knowledge I do have comes from Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. But it felt like I was supposed to know much more, and when I tried to fill in the gaps with Chris and Tom, it didn’t track.
Like I thought to travel between the nine worlds, you had to use the rainbow bridge thing or an artifact that could channel the bifrost. But everyone here seems to be willy nilly walking between the worlds.
Then Loki is Odin’s blood brother. Okay, but what does that mean? Where did Loki come from? Was he born a god or made one? And how are gods even made? Because they seem to do that willy nilly too. Also, still not sure what constitutes a giant or a giant turned god.
I’m so confused that by the time the witch birthed a half-dead girl, a wolf, and then a snake with zero explanation or speculation, I was like okay, cool. Guess that’s just witch biology. 🤷🏻♀️
And this Loki is a piece of shit (Thor is even worse 😅). I thought I liked him, but then he married the witch and proceeded to pull the “oh, I’m so sorry but Odin made me take an Asgardian wife, so I guess I have two wives now and I have to go spend all my time with her while you’re pregnant with my children” card. No, Loki.
I actually like this book, I just never knew what was going on.
Grade: B
Summary:
When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive national bestselling debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.
Angrboda’s story begins where most witches’ tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the farthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be Loki, and her initial distrust of him transforms into a deep and abiding love.
Their union produces three unusual children, each with a secret destiny, who Angrboda is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin’s all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life—and possibly all of existence—is in danger.
With help from the fierce huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she’s foreseen for her beloved family…or rise to remake their future. From the most ancient of tales this novel forges a story of love, loss, and hope for the modern age.
No excerpt available.
