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FantasyThe Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Posted April 28, 2022 by Unruly_Rose in Books

I just finished the audiobook version of this and it's one of the best stories I've heard in a long time. This is the summary that you'll see out there:

When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive 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.

First I want to say this is not a romance novel the romance part is very minimal, and Loki is obviously not a great dude most of the time (I won't spoil the rest). The stort is really about Angrboda's experiences. It's hard to describe why I loved this so much. It was wild. I absolutely loved the story being told from the perspective of an immortal witch with memory loss... I haven't related to a story so much in so long. It makes me want to find a cave to live in for a little while. 😂

If you like Norse mythology or witchy things or just honest stories of women's lives told from a woman's perspective you should read this. The audiobook was amazing. The woman who read it (Jayne Entwistle) did the best voices.

11 comments

kalinaApril 28, 2022(Edited April 28, 2022)

That sounds pretty cool.. I love norse mythology... I will put it on my 'to read' list :P

EDIT: I checked it out on goodreads and the second review calls it transphobic LOL so now i have to read it

overanddoneApril 28, 2022

"EDIT: I checked it out on goodreads and the second review calls it transphobic LOL so now i have to read it"

LOL, Now I have to read it! (thanks!)

OneOddBirdApril 29, 2022

This sounds dope and I cannot wait to pick it up

YozakuraApril 29, 2022

First I want to say this is not a romance novel the romance part is very minimal

Oh thank goodness! Romance just isn't my genre and the description made it sound like something I would like until it got to the romance part. I don't know much about Norse mythology (my "world mythology" phase growing up had me dabbling in all sorts of myths, but mostly Greek/Roman, Japanese, various African countries', Irish, British, and various Native American tribes' myths were the ones I really dove into, which ended with me learning everything I could about them, though I've probably forgotten a lot by now. I still really like myths and legends even now, though I'm not completely obsessed with them anymore like I used to be.) but if that doesn't get in the way of me understanding the story I'd love to give it a try!

I'll put it on my "To Read" list and see if my library has it. Thanks for the recommendation!

RaghailleApril 28, 2022(Edited April 28, 2022)

Amazing. Just finished the most recent Sarah J. Mass. Don't judge! 😂

This sounds more like Circe which I loved ❤️

Book is on Scribd

RaghailleMay 4, 2022(Edited May 4, 2022)

I started the book and it's great. I remember the story from Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology book.

[Deleted]April 28, 2022

That sounds lovely, I'll be getting it. Thanks!

[Deleted]April 28, 2022

It must be good. All copies have long wait lists at my library. It does sound interesting.

NotgonnastopApril 28, 2022

Thanks for the review, I've got it ordered from my library now.

WatcherattheGatesApril 28, 2022

Sounds great--going on my wish list!

m0RT_1April 28, 2022

Thankyou - i was wondering about this book. Sounds like a perfect one for my holiday.