Such a mesmerizing book, dark and uplifting at the same time. A strong female character, Omat, an Inuit girl raised as a boy, becoming a shaman of her tribe. The culture clash resulting from the arrival of the Norsemen is poignant and spellbinding. So well written and readable, definitely recommended.

I was privileged to receive this as in advance from Netgalley. I love history so the story line appealed to me. I had never read much based on the Inuit tribes but when I read the excerpt I requested it and dove right in. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this novel! The characters felt real and scenery was vivid. I really enjoy the first person narration.

I was very excited when I received a ARC of this book. I wasn’t familiar with the author, but the brief description was immediately intriguing. I’ve found very few fantasy/historical novels (especially adult fiction, for some reason) that focus on the culture and history of the Inuit people. What’s more, the ancient trips of the Vikings to North America are included, another topic that I’ve rarely come across. And, now a resident of Minnesota where the Vikings and their previous trips here are kind of a big deal, this book felt like a no-brainer. And I’m pleased to report that not only did it live up to my excitement, but it surpassed it!

Omat’s being is made up of many parts, but most especially she carries the spirit of her deceased father in herself. This duel nature between a man’s spirit and a woman’s body has not prevented her from contributing to her small, family group, struggling to survive, mostly alone, out on the tundra. But when their small life is intruded upon by strangers, Omat’s role, shaman abilities, and future are suddenly, horribly, called into question. Now alone in the world, it is up to Omat to carve her own path to save her people and to merge the powerful spirits she’s walked with her entire life with the new deities being carried to her world from across the frozen sea.

One of the primary themes in this book is identity, most especially called into light through Omat’s journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The religious beliefs of her people state that the spirits of the deceased can come to life again in a newly born person. That person is then both the new embodiment of that being but also still their new self at the same time. For Omat, this complicated balance is made more difficult by the spirit inhabiting her coming from her father, a man who had been an important provider for their poor family group before his unexpected death. Omat is thus raised as a man, developing both the important and necessary roles of shaman and hunger and garnering the respect that comes along with these duties, but also acquiring the same dismissal attitude towards the womens’ work accomplished by the women in their family. I particularly enjoyed how this tension played out throughout the story, as we see Omat’s struggles to retain the independence and respect that came with her man’s role, but slowly learns to respect and see with a new eyes the crucial roles that women play. The author also neatly avoids falling into any traps that would make Omat’s journey of self-discovery feel too modern or anachronistic. Instead, it feels like a natural path for a character in her position in the time. Meaning, of course, that while she comes to a balance for herself, she is still an exception, even in her own eyes, to the traditional roles assigned to each group. It was a fascinating journey.

The story itself neatly weaves in fantastical elements that pull from Inuit folk tales and religious beliefs. These then, eventually, mix with the Vikings’ own belief system, and we even see the beginning tendrils of spreading Christianity and how that rubs up against these two other, older beliefs. Again, the author presented an interesting balance between exploring faith but also presenting walking/talking gods in the more recognizable, fantasy-based way. The Inuit folklore was especially strong, with several of the tales introduced in the beginning of the book coming to life throughout the story and playing a major role in influencing the outcomes of certain events. I also enjoyed the romantic story that is introduced about halfway through, perfectly balancing itself within the greater story as a whole without overshadowing Omat or her journey.

This was almost a perfect read for me, but there were a few dings against it that came out mostly in the first half of the book. For one, it is slow to get started. There’s a good third of the book to get through before the real action begins to take place, and while this portion is laying important groundwork, it simply read slowly and delayed my full immersion into the story.

I also wish that the publisher had marketed this book differently. Since it’s all out in the open anyways, it’s no spoiler that Omat is a woman. But the way the story plays out, in the beginning chapters of the book, readers, and Omat herself to some extent, aren’t aware that the main character is female. The reveal is then ruined by our previous knowledge from the book’s marketing. I’m guessing this was just a risk the publisher didn’t want to take, but I think that it underestimates readers and severely undercuts what could have been a great reveal, and one that tied neatly to the major themes of the book (our perceptions of gender roles).

The last thing wasn’t so much a mark against the book as a general warning: there are a few fairly graphic scenes dealing with violence and assault against women. Readers can kind of get a sense that the story is headed in this direction, but these scenes were still very hard to read.

But, those quibbles aside, I adored this book! The setting felt fresh and new, and Omat’s journey was both exciting as an adventure and fascinating as an introspection into the roles of men and women. If you enjoy historical fantasy, and especially if you’re longing for something new, NOT set in medieval Europe, definitely give “The Wolf in the Whale” a try!

Rating 9: Simply excellent! I’ll definitely be on the look-out for more books from this author!

I loved, loved, loved this book. Even though it is February 3rd, I can already tell it will be one of my Top Picks for 2019. I have never read anything like The Wolf in the Whale and now I need to read more of it. The story takes place 1000 AD, and we are introduced to Omat an Inuk, who was named after his brave father who has drown in the frigid waters of the Artic. As the small community fights for survival in the harsh North, another group of Inuit kill Omat's grandfather and take Omat away. They encounter Vikings and devastation ensues--everyone who Omat has come to know is killed, except for her milk-brother who she must find. During the lonely search on the Artic terrain, Omat meets up with a injured Viking.
The amazing feature of this book is that we get to read the beliefs and legends of the Inuit people and discover Norse mythology in a way it has never been told. In addition, we are introduced to the vicious Freydis Eirikdottir (explorer Erik the Red's daughter) and learn of her voyage to find Vinland--no matter the cost. We see the relationship between Omat and Brandr bloom and in the end, a stunning performance from the gods.
I read this book slowly, as I wanted to savour every moment of it, and I am sad it is done. A re-read might be in order.

It can't be easy to write a book that blends Norse and Inuit mythology but Jordanna Max Brodsky does it and does it beautifully. This is the story of Omat, a man's spirit reborn into a woman's body who is destined to bring the end of his/her people and who struggles to honor both sides of her life as she grows. She suffers great sorrow but continues to fight to save her family and her people as she meets with the first Norsemen to visit the Arctic and learns of their plan to invade and conquer her world. With the help of one of those Norsemen she finds a way to bring about Ragnarok, in a unique and entertaining twist on the Norse mythology. Loved this book!

Last year, I read Brodsky’s debut novel, The Immortals, which was a creative, modern retelling of Greek mythology. When I saw that she had a new book coming out that would involve Inuit and Norse mythology, I knew I had to read it. I love mythology and am always on the lookout for books about it especially if they involve mythologies that aren’t written about often. So The Wolf in the Whale was a must read for me. And I was fortunate enough to get an ARC from Netgalley.

The story is set in 1000 AD in Nunavut, Canada. It opens with the birth of the main character, Omat, who is predicted to have a vital destiny that will forever change the fate of her people and the gods that rule their lives. Though she was orphaned on the day she was born and not expected to survive the night, Omat’s grandfather the village shaman receives a vision that this child carries the spirit of her father and is destined to be the next shaman and either save or doom her people.

This leads to one of the interesting aspects of the story – Omat’s struggle with her gender identity. I’ve read about other Native American tribes that have similar concepts about gender, but this was the first I’d read of it in Inuit tribes. (There is some interesting information provided in the author’s note about her research into the topic.) Omat is born female but is said to have a male spirit, so she is raised as a boy until puberty. This causes struggles with her self-identity and conflict with her people because women were not permitted to hunt or be spiritual leaders. It added an interesting layer to the story.


The Wolf in the Whale is told in first person by Omat. It took me a little while to get used to the rhythm of the story. Omat wasn’t the most engaging narrator at first. I think the primary reason this was told in first person instead of third person was to avoid gender pronouns. But I did become immersed in Omat’s journey as the story went on.

The story does start very slowly. Approximately the first third of the story is covers the highlight’s of Omat’s childhood. There is a lot of information about the Inuk’s beliefs and customs as well as descriptions of how they survive. Much of that information is critical to the story, but it does start out a bit slow and dry. That part of the story is also pretty bleak. I’ll include a trigger warning for rape, abuse, and incest. Also, between the detailed descriptions of hunting and the violence and fighting, I would not recommend this book to anyone sensitive to gore. I was worried for a little while that this story might end up being like [book:The Clan of the Cave Bear|40611463] which is a book I absolutely despise from the depths of my soul. But The Wolf in the Whale got much better as the story went along particularly once the Vikings entered the story. This provided an interesting clash of beliefs and a conflict between the two peoples as well as their warring gods.

The plot picks up once the Vikings enter, and it was at that point that I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I can’t say much more without giving away the plot. But Brodsky has a talent for reimagining mythology in a creative and vibrant way. The book was very well researched both in terms of known historical facts and of mythology. I recommend reading the author’s note and supplemental information included at the end of the book for more information. Though the author took some creative liberties, I think she did an excellent job at picturing what life was like in that time period. I did wish that the ending was a tad more impactful. The climactic action scene could have been fleshed out more. And the story meanders on for a bit after the climax, but I was still satisfied with it. Despite the slow start and a few critiques, I still greatly enjoyed this story! The Wolf in the Whale is a compelling and unique story that will definitely stand out in my mind. I highly recommend it to mythology buffs!

The Wolf in the Whale is a unique book, I haven't read anything like it! It has so many interesting elements: Inuit mythology (that I knew absolutely nothing about), Norse mythology, Arctic fantasy, discussion on different religions, and the aspect that I found the most fascinating - the complexity of gender identity.

The author, Jordanna Max Brodsky, conducted an extensive research about Inuit people and their way of life in the harsh Arctic wilderness. And it translated into a beautiful, descriptive writing and complex storytelling. I even enjoyed reading Author's Note at the end of the book, where she talks about what inspired her to write the story and explains the concept of "third sex" in Inuit culture. It made me understand Omat's journey better and appreciate the book even more. The only reason I am giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because it was slow in some parts and it could've been a little shorter.

Overall, I highly recommend The Wolf in the Whale to readers who love historical or Arctic fantasy, survival stories, mysticism and adventure.

The premise of this book grabbed me and I really wanted to love it after the first few chapters. But things start to go south quick for Omat and then the story and pacing took a turn I didn’t love. I almost tabled the book but saw ratings and comments that the story really begins around 40%. I agree that I enjoyed the story much more from there. There is also violence and rape included in the story. I liked learning about the different cultures and some Norse mythology but my favorite part was learning about the Inuit culture. I think I can learn more clearly about Norse mythology from other sources.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction might enjoy "The Wolf in the Whale" more than those who enjoy fantasy. This is because the historical and the anthropological aspects drive the story more than the appearances of the gods and the spirits. That is not to say fantasy fans won’t enjoy this book, they might not appreciate it as much as historical fiction fans. This is the author’s first standalone novel. So, readers who are curious about the author should read this novel. Fans of the TV show, "Vikings," and/or the video game, "Never Alone," should find "The Wolf in the Whale" to be a well-structured story with the right amount of cultural elements that makes it more believable than the “what if” concept.

The protagonist of this story is also our narrator, who is retelling the events of her life. Omat was born with her father’s spirit as a hunter and with her grandfather’s abilities as a shaman. Hence, Omat is raised and treated as a male by her aunt, her grandfather, and her tribesmen, and she is expected to become the next leader of the tribe much to her cousin’s, Kiasik, chagrin. At the same time, the gods of the world—particularly the Inuit and the Norse—fear the changes to come due to the rise of a new and powerful monotheistic god. Unbeknownst to her, the gods mark Omat as a “threat” for she is expected to bring forth Ragnarök, or the end of the world. The gods’ fear causes Omat’s family to suffer from starvation and isolation. However, anyone who is familiar with myths, legends, and prophecies know that the more anyone tries to prevent a prophecy or an event from happening, the more likely it will occur. Omat’s interaction with her family, other tribesmen, the Vikings, and the gods and the spirits shape her character as she transitions from adolescence to adult.

"The Wolf in the Whale" caught my attention due to its description about “clashing cultures and warring gods.” I was not sure what to expect from the novel besides shamans and Vikings. Being clueless, but open-minded about the novel allowed me to read the story as it is, and not what I thought it was going to be. The topics of sex and gender roles, culture, survival, interactions between different groups of people, and family drive the story as much as the history and the fantasy within it. There were times in which, some of the real-time events dragged the story. There were times in which, I wanted more from certain characters, but realized it would have diverted from the protagonist. Overall, "The Wolf in the Whale" is a speculative fiction novel that is a hybrid of fantasy, folklore, history, and anthropology. I was immersed in the story from start to finish. I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys an eclectic mix of genres in fiction.

The Wolf in the Whale is a languid, immersive tapestry consisting primarily of Inuit culture and mythology but one that has threads of Norse mythos weaving through it. And the result has a little bit of everything--fantastic character work, slow-burn romance, meddling gods, wolves that are whales that are wolves, battles ranging from small-scale to continent-spanning, and themes of gender roles and identity.

Above all that, though, it's about changing narratives that others have set up for you. And I think that's what I loved most about it.

I found the story to be a very spiritual and empowering one as it follows the "Heroine's Journey" template in a way that's very reminiscent of Juliet Marillier's work (I talked a bit about the ins-and-outs of the Heroine's Journey in this post and why I love it so much).

The TL;DR of Heroine's Journey and what differentiates it from the Hero's Journey is that while the latter is very external (big baddie to defeat, world to save, etc), the former is very internal. So the plot follows this trajectory:

Omat starts out with nearly everything she could hope for. She's an Inuit shaman-in-training who will one day lead her camp, and though born female, she thinks of herself a boy and no one really challenges her on that. So she's allowed to hunt with the men and do other "male" activities (which she's very good at). All in all, she's content with her current role and her future.

And then all of that comes crashing down around her.

What follows is a brutal and lonely journey across the ice that culminates in a quest to rescue her brother. But running parallel to that, and what is ultimately the heart of the story, is a personal quest to find herself in a world where people and gods alike are determined to put her in a labelled box, saying "This is where you belong."

So the Heroine's Journey doesn't really work if the main character doesn't work. Luckily that's not a problem here because Omat is utterly fantastic--hard-headed, empathetic, vulnerable. Brodansky takes her sweet time to set her up and people might complain that it makes the beginning too slow and ponderous, but I think a strong starting foundation for the protagonist is essential with these types of stories.

The main story you see in the synopsis doesn't actually appear until about 40% of the way in. Everything before that is dedicated to exploring Omat and her relationship with her family and immersing in Inuit culture and mythos (all very well-researched).

And I read it in one sitting which doesn't happen often these days, so that should tell you how engaging this slow first half is.

My second favourite part about the book? The relationship between Omat and Brandr, a Norseman who starts out as her enemy but soon becomes her companion.

This isn't a one-sided "hotshot hero comes in to rescue the heroine and teach her about love" kind of relationship. These are two fractured people--both nursing pain and loneliness--who are learning to understand each other's language (literally and metaphorically) and helping each other heal and become stronger.

And Brodansky shows exactly what I want to see in a story about two "enemy" characters from different cultures working together--a sharing of beliefs and faiths and the acknowledgement that yes, the other might be strange and foreign, but the world as a whole is strange and foreign. And there's always more they could learn from it.

There's this gorgeously drawn-out scene where they talk about the dead and the possibility of afterlives, and Omat consoles Brandr by saying that the souls of your loved ones are reborn within you when they die. His response is skeptical so she counters with this:

"You don't seem to believe in a world you cannot see. And yet, if I were you, I wouldn't believe your stories of deserts and volcanoes and tall buildings of stones. I would say you made them up, since I've never seen them. But instead, I trust that there are many things beyond my understanding."

It's a quiet, introspective scene that does nothing to further the plot and everything to further the characters, and I love it so damn much. There are many like it and they show that, beyond the meshing of mythologies, this is the area Brodansky truly excels at.

Speaking of which...to cap all this praise off, you also get Norse gods clashing with Inuit spirits and the result is exactly what I'd hoped for--exhilarating, educational and, again, highlighting parallels between the two cultures.

That being said, I did have issues with the pacing in the latter third of the book. I think the events leading up to the ending could have been a lot shorter, or if not shorter, then had more of an in-depth exploration into Freydis, the woman who's leading the Norsemen. She's a fascinating character and I wish I could have gotten a bit more from her.

I also have a niggling issue with the fact that Omat only becomes comfortable with her female body the moment she starts getting sexually involved with Brandr. It obviously wasn't the author's intent to be like, "Hey, kids, you only need to meet the right man to make you feel comfortable in your own skin!" But that's kind of what it comes across as.

Overall, The Wolf in the Whale is a wonderful standalone mashup of history and fantasy, and one that celebrates a culture that isn't often explored in mainstream fiction.

The Wolf in the Whale was a fascinating story. I was unfamiliar with Inuit mythology and loved how it drove the story and intersected with the Norse mythology brought by the invading forces. The characters were interesting and the journeys that they took, both physical and emotional, stayed with me long after I finished the book.

It's only January and I already know this is my favorite read of 2019. The Wolf In The Whale is a story that will stay with me.

A beautiful, vivid tale of two cultures inevitably bound to collide. An Inuit story of how one tribe survives at the edge of the world and Norsemen out to conquer and discover new lands.

I cannot just walk away from such an awe inspiring novel. Long after the pages stopped turning I still find myself seeking documentaries and movies about these beautiful people and their cultures. I sought out to learn more of the Viking history. I have come to hold a deep respect for Jordanna Max Brodsky for not only her extensive research but how she brought her knowledge together to bring us this fictitious tale that felt so true and real.

Thank you, Jordanna Max Brodsky. For this masterpiece. I wish so much my father was still alive. He would have loved this novel.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, so I could give an honest review.

I really enjoyed this, especially as a breath of fresh air in the fantasy books I've been reading in the last year. I absolutely adored the Inuit & Viking lore interwoven to create the magic system & fantasy world. I loved the characters, and was delighted to see the exploration of fluidity in Omat's gender identity. That was definitely an unexpected thematic element to this 1000AD era fantasy world, and I thought the author's unraveling of Omat's feelings about her own status as both man and woman was really well handled. The writing in this was lovely, the action scenes were handled nicely, and I loved the slow unspooling of the romance between Omat & Brandr.

The only thing that docks this down for me is pacing - I thought it was rather uneven, with some stretches going by so slowly and then other bits flying by too quickly. Other than that, I really enjoyed my time in this world and would recommend for someone looking for a change of pace from a lot of other hyped fantasy coming out this year

Also, definite CWs on explicit depictions of violence, including sexual violence

The Wolf in the Whale is a coming of age story, and one that I think will reach the hearts of many readers. I will admit that it took me awhile to get into the book: it starts out slow and it takes quite a bit of time before the plot really starts to pick up. But once the action begins, it was very easy to be pulled into the wonderfully crafter story the author has created. Omat was such a resilient, amazing character to have as the protagonist. Her struggles are not easy to read about, and it was extremely satisfying whenever she managed to overcome an obstacle. I really liked the mythology and historical elements woven into this book as well. It's clear that Jordanna Max Brodsky has done extensive research and put a lot of time into her story, and it shows within the pages.

“Why would I continue life as a man trapped in a girl’s body when I could just as easily fly into the heavens or run with the wolves?”

Imagine, for a moment, a world with no internet. No cell phones, no wi-fi, no Starbucks, no television, no cars, no bookstores, no single-serve slices of red velvet cake and the individually wrapped plastic fork to go with it.

And yes, sadly, no Net Galley.

Imagine a world so breathtakingly beautiful and dangerous, so hard and cold and brutal, yet bristling with colors that will never be brighter and enormous landscapes unmarked by the will of humankind.
In this world, every step could be your last, and every breath is spent in the fight for survival.

I must praise Brodsky on her inimitable style and writing techniques that really make this book shine. There's one aspect in particular I'm referring to and it's the bold and heartbreaking moves that I believe really work to this book's advantage. Brodsky wrote this book in such a unique and powerful way that really strengthens the storyline and our connection to the characters. I wish I could say more, but I'll leave it at this. The way Brodsky tells the story feels more personal, and it allows Omat to draw more conclusions, think more clearly on past events and how she felt at the time and what she was thinking etc...

Omat was born with a man's spirit in a woman’s body. When she took her father's name, Omat, she also inherited his spirit and is raised as he had been. The main character is even called Little Son by her father who is technically her grandfather, she’s confused on why she’s not growing facial hair like the young men around her. She always believed she’d become a great hunter, take a wife, and father children. No one ever questioned her maleness until well, a certain scene in this book. I will go no farther.

But this makes her question everything she believed in. Including becoming the strong shaman for her people.

Now that statement brings in our magic system and I don’t even like calling it that because it’s so incredibly spiritual and moving but it centers around animal transformations and Gods. To become a shaman which grants you that power, Omat must go on a treacherous journey to find her spirit guide. Now there is one rule you must follow with this responsibility and that is you must save your powers for the most direst circumstances.

Unfortunately the spirits have stopped listening and have different plans for her.

World mythologies can be tricky, in my opinion. They're alive, well-known, interesting by themselves. Choosing to use them as a retelling can become a boomerang in the hands of an incompetent author. Naturally, this isn't the case here. Brodsky takes the Norse and Inuit legends and transforms them into a beautiful and poetic story in a vast cold and brutal landscape. Stakes are risen at every turn and you will find yourself flipping the pages and wanting more in the end. This is a FANTASTIC novel and I am proud to display this on my favorites shelf.

I received a copy from Redhook through NetGalley for review.

The Wolf in the Whale is a wonderful historical fiction with an amazing main character with a lot of adventure. The premise sounded great. I needed to check out a historical fiction of Inuit and Vikings in North America 1000 years ago. This novel really surprised me with just how magical and great it was.

The novel was well researched and included the culture, traditions, gender roles, and especially religions of not one but two groups of people 1000 years ago. The gods of the time are included as characters with sections of the novel being from some of their perspectives. This added a very magical feeling to the novel.

‘I am no longer scared of being a woman — it doesn’t make me any less a man. I am both. I am neither. I am only myself.’ This quote sums up the amazing nature of Omat, our main character. Omat has the spirit of her father in her so she has the spirit of a warrior and a shaman. Therefore, she identifies as a boy growing up, and as she grows up she identifies as both male and female. I found this supremely fascinating, and apparently this is a phenomenon that happens sometimes in Inuit culture because of their beliefs.

When the Inuit and Vikings meet Omat has to journey across the North American coast with the help of a viking for survival. These are the reasons that The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky is a historical fiction that I will never forget.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

It took me several chapters to get into this thing. I don't know if I was just in a post Christmas coma or what. It wasn't horrible to read it just took it's sweet time letting you get to know Omat and the family. Thanks to a 6 hour drive with only flat prairie to look at and almost no data left because of the teens, I finally got hooked by this amazing story. We dabble in some viking shows and I occasionally pick up a viking book here and there so I kept asking where are the vikings?!? Well, it turns out that saucy little Omat didn't need any stinking vikings. Omat is quite capable of creating action and tension out of nothing (in a good way). The vikings do finally show up, though, and they do not disappoint. I don't feel like I can say a whole lot more without giving up the little surprises nestled in this book that make it so special so, I will just say that I loved my first foray into the lives of the northern natives and how things may have gone when they met vikings for the first time.


By far the best Ragnarock I've read yet!

This title succeeds on many levels as it encourages the reader to turn the pages slowly and savor each. It has many pages and uses them all for the complex levels of the story--coming of age, gender identification, women's empowerment, mythology, conflict between cultures, While there is violence, it is always in context and never gratuitous. As a Neil Gaiman fan, I enjoyed the tension between man and his Gods as well as the tension between the Inuit and the Norse cultures. This title uses recent research of the Norse in the Americas. as well as extensive knowledge of Inuit language and customs.

The best adventure story I've read in years.

What a wonderful book! This intense story about an Inuit's adventures took me through every emotion I can imagine, which is quite a feat for what is also a breathtaking and fast-paced epic thriller. Plus I learned a lot about Inuit, Vikings, and their culture and myths along the way. Flawless writing - - nothing annoying or confusing distracts from the riviting character of Omat. This book has it all: gods, monsters (human and otherwise), action, romance, terror, and most of all, love. This is a must-read.

Unaware of the complete history of the Greenland area, or even of the Greenlander Saga, I chose to pick up this book, fictionalizing (albeit very well researched) the story of Freydis Eiriksdöttir and her campaign to Vinland. The story begins with a young Inuk native named Omat, who is a hunter and a shaman in their tribe. The ease with which the author is able to bring this era to life without confusion or difficulty is surprising. Most of the history stays true to the truth and also led me to want to learn more of this area. Being of Scandinavian descent, it interests me that Vikings were able to travel as far as they only with longships. Although fairly long, it was a riveting read and timely seeing as it was winter here.