They say a witch used to live in these woods a long, long time ago . . . They say she loved a man with scarred lips and a sharp tongue, a man who gave her back her heart and more.
The witch Angrboda is known for seid, the power to divine the future. When Odin, the highest of the Norse gods, demands her power for himself, she refuses. He punishes her by burning her three times on the pyre, but she escapes, leaving her smoldering heart behind. When a man shows up in the remote forest she's hiding and offers her heart back, so starts the love story between Angrboda and Loki. Before they are through, they will have set in motion a chain of events that will remake the world as they know it.
This story grabbed me from the very first page. Going in, I didn't know much about Norse mythology and wasn't sure what to expect. But boy, does this deliver. It has everything you'd expect from a mythological retelling: love, intrigue, betrayal, and ultimately redemption. And since every part of this story was new to me, I was able to savor every single development and twist.
The fully formed characters and their relationships very much contribute to this captivating reimagining. Angrboda, in particular, is a compelling female character, uncompromisingly strong in the face of adversity, but also tender and loving. Her complicated relationship with Loki and Skadi, as well as her children, and all the impossible decisions she has to make, are at the heart of this tale.
The writing is vivid and visceral, lending a sense of urgency that propels the narrative forward. The only nitpick I have is that some of the dialogue feels a little too modern with their phrasing and idioms. Instead of being the more formal and reserved speech you'd generally see from mythology retellings, it reads like something I would say in my casual conversations, which felt a bit jarring with the rest of the story. But that's a small quibble.
It was easy to get lost in this rich and magical world. I'm so glad I took a chance on this book. It's whet my appetite for Norse mythology, and I'll definitely be reading more.
Readaroo Rating: 4 stars
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