The Witch's Heart
| Early Medieval Age |
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 The Witch's Heart
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World History > Early Medieval > Vikings
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.
Emily's Review
I've come to realize that I love mythology retellings. Based in Norse Mythology, The Witch's Heart is the story of Angrboda, her marriage to Loki, and their three children. It's the story of a strong woman discovering just how strong she really is. The writing in this book is perfection - lyrical and vivid. I loved the way the author really fleshed out the characters. The relationship between Angroboda and Loki, and their banter was my favorite part of the story. If you are already familiar with Norse mythology, you will find a lot to love here. The way the author wove the myths into the story was magical. It felt authentic to the oral history of these stories. If you have never read any Norse mythology, or all you know is the Marvel version, this is a great starting off point! It will give you a very different perspective on the gods of Asgard. The Witch's Heart is very well researched and includes a guide in the back to help you understand the Norse pantheon and worlds. This was an absolute 5 star read for me. If you enjoy mythology, I highly recommend you check this one out!
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