This was such a great beginning! I love Norse history & Mythology, Viking culture, a blend of history & fantasy.
Love when we get a fantasy book with multiple POV’s, their different journeys and how that created multiple plot lines to follow.
It was action packed and I definitely want to know where the story goes from here.

The bonds between the gods and Midgard are weakening. It’s up to the people of Ash-Hill to fight to save the old ways, and save their gods in the process, while seeking revenge and honourable deaths following the slaughter of their village by Southerners.

I have a very mixed opinion of this book. Some elements, like the character development and portrayal of Norse beliefs and life in Jutland, were excellent. It felt very authentic and believable, including the fantasy elements which were woven into the story seamlessly. However, the plot is bit too long and complicated. There are too many threads following different characters on individual journeys in different locations, so it was quite difficult to follow, and the relevance of some parts is completely lost in the plot. Presumably, these storylines will be expanded on in the rest of the trilogy, but I’ll never find out because it simply didn’t grip me enough to carry on with the series.

There’s a lot of action and the plot moves pretty quickly, but somehow it still felt like I was reading this book for months. I think this again comes back to there just being too much going in – it made the story feel disjointed and didn’t flow well, which slowed my reading pace down massively.

Northern Wrath is a decent novel, but I’d recommend it more for people who like to take their time over a book and those with a particular interest in Norse history/mythology.

Northern Wrath is a book seeped in Norse mythology, but you don't need to be familiar with it beforehand because the author does a great job explaining things. You don’t need any knowledge to understand this, as the author's research shines through and very quickly establishes the world.

Within this setting, the author creates some well-rounded characters, particularly Einer, the chief’s son, who must overcome war and treason to become a leader. Hilda whose ambition is to become a shield maiden or women warrior. These two main protagonists ultimately move the story along and capture your heart.

Set in the age when Norse culture and values are forced to deal with the ever-expanding presence of Christianity in Scandinavia, the inhabitants of Ash-Hill find themselves having to face the increasing weakening of the connection with their gods and ancient customs. On their tragic journey to save the last remnants of the ways of old, they must first come to terms with their own identity and all that it entails.

The plot is well constructed, and despite a large number of characters, I didn't get overwhelmed or lost within the Norse world. Everything seemed familiar but was written in a fresh style, which hooked me from start to finish.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/northern-wrath-by-thilde-kold-holdt

"Northern Wrath" is a thrilling and gripping epic fantasy that takes readers on a journey through Norse mythology and Viking culture. Thilde Kold Holdt weaves together a complex and intricate plot, full of political intrigue, betrayal, and fierce battles. The world-building is detailed and immersive, and the characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional.

What sets "Northern Wrath" apart from other fantasy novels is its strong focus on Norse mythology and the historical setting of Viking Age Scandinavia. The author has clearly done her research and it shows in the depth and authenticity of the world she has created. The descriptions of battles and magic are vivid and engaging, and the mythology adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story.

However, at times, the pacing can feel slow and the plot can be hard to follow, especially with the large cast of characters and multiple plotlines. Additionally, some readers may find the violence and gore too much to handle, as the battles are described in graphic detail.

Overall, "Northern Wrath" is a fantastic debut novel that fans of epic fantasy and Norse mythology will love. While it can be challenging to follow at times, the rich world-building and authentic depiction of Viking culture make it a worthwhile read. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of authors like Joe Abercrombie and Brandon Sanderson.

Northern Wrath is an incredible fantasy set in medieval Scandinavia. There are multiple protagonists and each chapter takes the plot further from the perspective of a different character. Einar is the son of a chief. As a teenager he confronted an adult polar bear armed with only his axe. He won. This sort of strength was completely unexpected from anyone, let alone a teenager.

Hilda is a few years younger than Einar. She is the daughter of Ragnar, their community’s skal (a ceremonial post keeping faith and heritage alive among the village). Despite her longing to join the warriors as a shield-maiden, her father has forbidden it and the chief will not cross him.

Siv is the wife of the chief and the mother of Einar. She is respected, even revered, by the community who all recognize that she is special. None of them know just how special.

Early on, Ragnar dies and moves on to the spirit world. Rather than getting his final reward, though, he is stuck in a dark place where he is killed over and over and over again. Eventually he begins to learns how to survive longer and longer and even move out of the darkness, though what he sees makes him wish he never found the light again.

When Einar and the other warriors are on a raiding trip, southerners attack the village. Hilda escapes, believing she is the sole survivor. Siv also escapes, along with a young girl. And that’s when the adventures really begin. Gods and dwarfs, giants and other spiritual beings, Midgard and Asgard and Hel. Worlds draw close enough for people to cross from one to another, for influences to be felt between the worlds. It is a mixture of Norse history and religion, tension between invading Christians and the traditional faith in the gods. The entire universe is in danger, not just earth/Midgard but all of the other worlds and their inhabitants as well. Ragnarok is coming far too soon and no one is ready for it.

This series has just been released in the United States and if you like epic fantasy series, get it. Now. Don’t wait. Thilde Kold Holdt has created a world of fantasy and reality, mythology and history, giving life to ancient gods and to powerful humans. I am incredibly excited about this series, and am really looking forward to reading the rest of the books.

Thilde Kold Holdt offers the best in historical fantasy with this first volume of the Hanged Gods trilogy. Northern Wrath had me hooked from the first word. I loved the action and adrenaline that went with this entire book.

Hilda is my favorite character, by far. She is a badass Viking queen who proves she is every bit the warrior she knew she was inside.

I award Northern Wrath 4 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to see what the next volume brings.

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Northern Wrath by Thilde Kold Holdt is Norse mythology story, taking place in this world and the worlds between. This is Ms. Holdt’s debut novel, part one of the Hanged God Trilogy.

Hilda’s father, Ragnar, is about to die – and not a good death according to his daughter. Ragnar is dying in bed and will be permitted to enter Valhalla. When Ragnar dies, he predictably goes to Helheim, the Norse underworld which is horrible even if you’re dead.

Hilda and her childhood friend, the Chief’s son, Einer find their world and Norse way of life is under threat by invading Christians. Additionally, even the Norse Gods are threatened by Christianity.

After a bloody attack on their village, the Vikings seek revenge. But the Norse Gods, afraid of Ragnarök, have other plans to benefit themselves on the backs of their believers.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book. I’ve read other books bout Norse mythology, several were good, others were so-so, but not too many were simply excellent.

Northern Wrath by Thilde Kold Holdt falls squarely into the latter category. A long book, which is easily read, entertaining, as well as having kept my interest throughout.

The book follows several characters, and juxtaposes between them each chapter. We follow along, and see the world, underworld, and other worlds through their eyes. Their stories are personal, riveting, and yet very relatable and approachable.

There is no need to have any knowledge of Norse mythology to enjoy this book, however it will enhance your experience. That is true for almost every book, however, or even movie. The underworld is a violent and lonely place, blood binding, as well as other aspects of the mythology are touched up (no giant goats, I’m glad to say).

The characters are well written, especially the women. They are mothers and wives, daughters and sisters, heroic and compassionate, as well as fierce warriors on par with their male counterparts.

I actually enjoyed the fight scenes, not one of my favorite aspects of these type of books. They are grim, violent, and dark. However, they are also beautifully written and engaging.

The author juggles the multiple worlds and multiple viewpoints with style and elegance. I was never confused about which story-line I am following, which is a testament to her competency. The world-building is fantastic and easily immersible.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I went ahead and already bought book 2 of the Hanged God Trilogy, Shackled Fates. Frankly, I didn’t even know the second book was out, but I’m glad I didn’t have a long wait to read it.

Northern Wrath is a viking inspired fantasy that really builds a rich world with a dynamic cast of characters. The world itself is one that feels both familiar but also fantastical. Most people have an understanding of the viking communities of antiquity from TV shows like Vikings and The Last Kingdom, but this book really delved into the mythology of a culture that has often been commercialised for media. We see the very typical mythology with gods such as Loki, Thor, Odin and planes of being including Valhalla and Helheim. However, this book also explores so much more than that, with the plot of the book focusing on the main characters trying to protect what they have always known, including the old gods that are slowly dying because of the advancement of Christianity.

One of the highlights of this book is the characters. We get three main POVs (with a few more peppered throughout the story to add a different flavour and depth): Hilda, Einer and Ragnar. Einer is a chieftains son who has berserker rage and is trying to find himself. Hilda is the daughter of the town’s skal (or storyteller) who is determined to one day be a shield maiden. Ragnar is Hilda’s father and the story follows his path after he dies.

Einer and Hilda’s stories are intertwined from the start, but they take very different paths through the book until it becomes clear that they are still intertwined as the story progresses. Hilda in particular was a character I really enjoyed reading about. She so desperately wants to prove herself and go on raids with the warriors, but she very quickly finds that true proof of character comes from necessity rather than choice. Einer is a character that is struggling against himself, as well as the forces around him. His chapters are real page turners in the book and made a book which should feel quite long feel very fast-paced at times. The most interesting POV though was Ragnar’s. We follow his painful and terrifying experience of trying to make his way to the realm of Helheim after he dies. Death, pain and fear. These are the main factors in Ragnar’s story.

Holdt does a very good job of weaving the stories of these three different characters with other characters’ stories, initially making them seem as if they are three different POVs, but leaving a breadcrumb trail that gradually intertwines them across the course of the books 600 odd pages.

The women in this book were particularly well done. They are not just warriors (or shield maidens as they are known), but also mothers and sisters and wives. There is a normality to them, a certain kind of stalwart bravery that doesn’t come just from wielding a sword.

This is a book, however, that truly lives up to its name. There is so much wrath and beautifully crafted battle in this book that there is no doubt in its viking roots. This is a book that has a true ability to suck you in and hold you in its grip with characters you can’t help but get invested in and an immersive plot.

WHY IT WAS A 4-STAR READ FOR ME:

At times the prose in this book felt a little repetitive. I would read a chapter and feel as if I had read the same sentence ten times because there was different variations of the same words in a very short period of time. For me that just meant that I was often re-reading sections to check that wasn’t the case and it made the reading experience at times feel slow. Despite this, Northern Wrath is still a really solid and very enjoyable historical fantasy.

This book was a commitment, but in the best way possible. I wish I could have read this book faster but it is a big book and my migraines were insane. However, this book was an adventure and just so good. I was a little worried about a Viking book in these days because… Vikings were brutual and some of their practices wouldn’t fly today. I didn’t want to lose the authenticity (as best as we know) because it wouldn’t be sensitive enough. But after reading the opening, I knew this was going to have a wonderful aesthetic and really transport me back into that time. That Thilde wasn’t going to hold back and give this amazing beginning to this story. And that’s exactly what she did. I was drawn in immediately and didn’t want to put it down. I loved the pacing and the different stories and how they combined. I loved the gore and the atmosphere that was built. If I had one complaint, it would be the timeline. I got the tiniest bit lost in how much time passed but then I found myself not caring because I was absolved into this story.

A lot of reviews complained about too many characters, which I can see if you’re not used to high fantasy. I had personally no issues identifying or following the characters. But being a huge fantasy reader, I think I had that advantage. It’s hard to tell which story I enjoyed more as each were so unique.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Northern Wrath by Thilde Kold Holdt was an amazing entry to this trilogy. I cannot wait to continue this story. I thought the plot was intriguing and unique. The atmosphere was exactly what I was hoping for in a Viking story. Thilde’s research definitely shows, and pays off. The interacting character story arcs were pulled off great and I enjoyed each one. If you like high fantasy, Norse mythology, and just a lot of intertwining stories – do not sit on this.

Northern Wrath is the first book in the Hanged God’s trilogy and a debut novel by Thilde Kold Holdt, and what a fab read it was!!

It’s fantastically written, with a fast-paced and engaging plot that is full of tension that had me gripped from start to finish.

The story is told from multiple P.O.V which follow multiple storylines. I do normally struggle with books written in this way, but I had no trouble with this one. Everything made sense and everything came together beautifully.

There is a huge cast of characters from giants to gods and dwarfs and all were superbly done, and at no point did I find them overwhelming. There is a good collection of likeable and unlikable characters, and I even found a few that I could relate to.

Now let’s talk about the world-building. Just Wow!! It was fantastic, I loved it. It was complex yet easy to follow and I loved the fact that there is no need to know or be familiar with Norse Myths and Legends as you pick up the basics as you are reading along.

This review does this book no justice, but just in case you didn’t get my point this is a fab book that I loved and couldn’t put down.

Oh and before I end my rambling let me just say what a stunning front cover this book has!!

Northern Wrath is the first book in The Hanged God trilogy, by the Danish author Thilde Kold Holdt. It's such an interesting proposal, in the lines of historical fantasy that has quickly grown as one of my favourite subgenres, and also, a great debut novel, starting a really ambitious trilogy. It also reflects a great labour of investigation around Viking traditions, their mythology, and their rituals.

While we are going to follow mainly the POVs of Einer, Ragnar, and Hilda, inhabitants of the village of Ash-hill; there are several more POVs in chapters, helping to portray the full situation of what's happening at any time. Sometimes the jump between POVs makes it a little bit confusing to follow the thread that Kold Holdt is weaving, but I personally like the use of this resource.

Kold makes an excellent job of portraying the Viking traditions, using different resources such as chants, some rituals, and the way of fighting. I would like to stop a moment to praise also the way she describes fighting, because despite the many times it might be confusing, you end up grasping a full picture of all that is happening (I would call this the analog of what people named ordered chaos for Peter Jackson's films). The work on characters can also pass a little bit unnoticed, due to the huge amount of POVs, but in the case of the main ones is something remarkable, giving also the adequate spotlight to the women paper in the Viking society, much more equalitarian than the one in the Christian ones.

Supernatural elements take a little bit to appear, especially because they seem to be contained to the path of Ragnar, which is really oniric, but which drew the most attention from me; it's a world setting where supernatural elements slowly are getting into.

I really enjoyed my way through Northern Wrath. I think it's an excellent debut, and I would totally recommend it for the fans of American Gods, or the ones that enjoyed The Children of God and Fighting Men. There are small details that could be improved, especially on the craft side, but again, for such a chonk of a book, it's amazing. And I can say that this won't be our last time reviewing The Hanged God trilogy.

A spectacular debut steeped in lore, tradition and history inspired by Norse-mythology and brimming with authenticity, anticipation and amazing characterisation. It’s a powerful story and I was all in from the start!

The vast and complex world is expertly explored and I could clearly picture the scenes so vividly and magnificently described transporting us to another dimension. Holdt captures the culture and times perfectly and the characters’ way of life which comes under threat. I love their values and the code of honour they live by and we see how these manifest in each of the characters, their self-reliance, loyalty, generosity and wisdom which makes for an intriguing and entertaining read.

I loved the multiple points of view enabling us to see the full landscape of the story and follow each part as it unfolds. Each character has a distinct voice and personality and feels incredibly real. Each storyline is important in its own right whilst building the bigger picture of the main conflict, adding to the unputdownable nature of the story and the addictive quality of each chapter.

We see how their home and village is completely decimated and the loss and tragedy suffered, leading to each character having their own personal journey and challenges to face.

Hilda discovers something magical whilst dealing with a debilitating loss that sees her valour and determination stronger than ever. Einer is a true warrior and kind soul who’s gifted an artefact imbued with an unknown power. Both grow and develop immensely and have an unwavering belief in each other no matter what that’s touching to see. They both hold a special place in my heart and their journeys are only just beginning!

Siv has the weight of the worlds on her shoulders and there’s more to her than meets the eye. We see what a special character she is and I loved learning more about her past. Tyra is forced into battle and shows such courage in the face of deep loss, her journey takes her somewhere unexpected.

There’s gods, demons and giants guiding outcomes, and with the fate of the Nine Worlds hanging in the balance can each character change their destiny before it becomes set in stone?

This is an epic fantasy tale that’s an action-packed, thrilling read and I loved every page. There’s great pacing, building tension, paths are forged and risks are taken leading to the ultimate battle for survival. It’s an all encompassing story of brutality, sacrifice and duty that’s also full of heart, hope and believing in the impossible. A must read! So glad it’s only book one of The Hanged Trilogy as I’m not ready to leave these characters and can’t wait to see where their journeys take us next!

With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @Solaris_books and @KoldHoldt for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this stunning book.

I was a teen when I was first introduced to Norse mythology and I was simply fascinated by it; it's dark and outrageous and went to places Greek and Roman mythologies did not dare to go. Since then I've consumed plenty of Norse-related media, and I even co-wrote a novel, but it's hardly as well-written and well-researched as Thilde Kold Holdt's The Hanged God trilogy.

I'm halfway through the series as I write this review, and even at this point I can say the trilogy can almost be taken as historical fiction. It's that grounded and well-researched. The characters, in a way, feel like actual people of history, their lives and adventures a study of and glimpse into Viking culture and how it's been affected by the spread of Christianity. The uninitiated can learn so much if they give the book a chance, and those into Norse mythology (like me) will certainly find something to appreciate.

Of course, there's a fantastical side to the trilogy, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Northern Wrath is a solid opening, and it's more impressive if you take into account that this is Thilde's debut. It's an action-packed adventure with an intricate but exciting storyline, a lush cosmos, and so many interesting characters. The uninitiated will see worlds come alive before their eyes and find themselves fascinated by the rich details; those already into Norse mythology will be delighted by the surprises and twists that await them. (If you think you know how Ragnarok goes, think again.)

The story unfolds through multiple POVs — and I don't mean just three or four per the usual these days. That might be daunting for some, but I actually enjoyed getting to know all the characters, and the different perspectives weaved the story together in a way that kept it moving forward despite the complexity of the various plots.

The book is also long, which might also be daunting for some, but it's fast-paced with an easily digestible prose. There are Norse words used every now and then, but their meanings are easily deduced. The cultural and mythological elements are also skillfully weaved into the events, so there are no long and boring backstory and/or worldbuilding dumps, and there's no need to constantly open Wikipedia or do a Google search in order to proceed. Knowledge of Norse mythology will, of course, result in deeper understanding and better appreciation, but it is not required to enjoy the tale.

Plenty scenes get violent and gory, and there's a lot of talk about and focus on war and a life of war... but this is Norse mythology, this is a Viking story. The end of the world(s) too bleak for you? Alas, that's a recurring theme in this corner of the cosmos, and there'll be more of it in the next two books — which I can't wait to finish reading!

The first in the Hanged Gods Trilogy certainly kicks this story off an epic scale. Told across different POV this story has everything – Norse Gods, Shapeshifters, Magic, Longships and Fighting – lots and lots of fighting. If well described and worked out battle scenes are your thing then this book is definitely one you will enjoy.
For me the writing falls just on the right side of too much description – there is a lot of detail given across the book, how the wind blows, how things feel, what everything looks like, all things that add to the rich description of the world but staying on the right side of drowning out the plot. I should say here that I am one of those people who can’t visualise when they read, it’s the words only so I can find overly descriptive books a turn off, this one hit a sweet spot of great world building without getting bogged down.

I was hooked all the way through, although it did take me longer to read than I anticipated – there was so much packed in that you really needed to pay attention but at no point did I lose interest, it was such a rich plot.

The author did a great job of managing multiple POV chapters – unlike some books I’ve read that use this model there wasn’t a character that I wanted to skip over. I did particularly enjoy the one that followed Siv though, I found her really interesting.

It’s hard to know what to write about without giving away things better discovered by getting lost in this book for yourself, so many things link together even when you may not expect them too. I will say that I really enjoyed this one and have moved straight on to book 2!

This story was epic! I was a bit apprehensive going into it considering my knowledge of Viking lore is very limited. I studied it a tiny but in college and, then a lot of blanks were filled thanks to the Thor movies (but maybe don’t rely on those entirely).

The story takes place primarily in Midgard, though some characters appear from the other of the Nine Worlds. The primary Points of View are Ash-hill’s cheiftan’s son Einer, his mother Siv, their skald Ragnar, his daughter Hilda, and local girl Tyra, with a few other characters interjected along the way.

The writing in this book was so good. The imagery associated with Ragnorok bleeds through on the page. There’s a stark, chaotic quality to it that feels very on brand.

As well as epic battles, this story has a faintest hint of a slow burn romance. It’s there, but it’s not and I am here for it. I’m expecting a lot of tragedy from the following books.

Now, full disclosure, I received the ebooks for free, but I was so eager to get to the next book I maybe may have subscribed to audible. And then proceeded to buy the following 2 books😬. On that note, the narrator is spectacular 👌.

NORTHERN WRATH is the start of an epic series set in tenth century Scandinavia about fighting to survive and get revenge as the end of the world approaches. It is a chonky book full of multiple narrators (there are five main ones in my opinion, as well as supporting narrators) and covers raids and sieges, the opening stages of intrigue and the coming of Ragnarok.

Despite there being an enormous cast, particularly of narrators, I found it easy to keep track of who was who and what they were doing (the book fractures in four main storylines early on, with only two meeting back together by the end.) There are sections were we spend a lot of time with one group and very little with another, but the pacing was good and the return to the other characters well eased in that I didn't feel lost or unable to reconnect with them.

I read this not long after reading LOKI, and I certainly felt glad I'd read them close together because it gave me a better sense of the world. NORTHERN WRATH is not a book with the gods and tales of Norse mythology at the centre, they are part of it but not the focus. While there is absolutely enough to understand the world and its religion and tales without reading something specifically about the mythology, I found it useful to have had that refresher recently and so added to my experience as I was already close to the world so could just get right on into the story rather than needing to be eased in.

Instead it is a tale of tenth century Scandinavia as Harald Gormsson (Bluetooth) is taking over and uniting Denmark and Christianity is sweeping over the region. Balanced against this is a tale of mortals getting tangled up in the supernatural and, in some cases, interfering with the gods. I do love historical fantasy, and so really loved the interweaving of real people (like Harald) into the tale of revenge and dying magic.

Onto the next book!

4.5 STARS

I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser for letting me be part of this tour, and thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warnings: violence, war, killings, raiding, gore, blood, corpses, dead (of all ages), battle (very vivid), injuries, injuries to eyes (very vivid), treason/betrayal, theft.
I love anything with mythology and it was so interesting delving into this world with Vikings and Norse mythology. I didn't know much about this mythology going in, and while some bits were a bit confusing until I grasped them fully, it was all really entertaining and interesting.

There were a lot of characters in this book and I usually really like multiple POVs, but there were a lot in this book. I couldn't tell you how many exactly because I lost count, but somewhere between 5 and 10, I think. I loved when the book went back to our main characters Einer, Hilda, Siv and Tyra as those were my favourites; but all of the chapters were really intriguing and kept me reading.

I did however have to move over to the audiobook format about 30% in because I realised it was taking me a really long time to read in ebook format. The narrator of the audiobook was okay, not the best I've heard, but definitely not the worst. I think this would have had massive potential with a full cast because some of the voices were a bit dodgy in my opinion, but this shouldn't reflect negatively on the book at all, it's just me mentioning it quickly!

I loved the world this book is set in and I can tell that it's got such massive potential and I have a feeling that things will go much further in the subsequent books. It is a very well developed and executed world, and the magic system based on Norse mythology is amazing. I hadn't ever read anything like this where the magic system is based on runes linked to gods, but it was so engaging and I was hooked from the start.

Despite it being a really, really chunky book and a bit slow to read in digital format, I thought it had a really good pace and flow. The action was definitely very fast-paced and I never had a minute of boredom. I also think that since it jumps from one character to the next in each chapter, you don't get time to wonder what will happen next, as there are so many threads you want to follow and know where they lead. So I suppose that even though I would have preferred a few less POVs, they do work really well with this story and this world.

Finally, the writing style is so good. It has a really nice flow to it and I was able to read the written word and also listen to it, and in both instances I thought the writing was very solid and enjoyable. Sometimes with epic fantasy I do worry that it will become a bit too flowery or a bit far-fetched, but I never got that kind of impression from this story as it is just so well written and thought-out.

As you can tell, I really enjoyed this book and I am definitely going to continue this series. I had to read this first book really quickly to be able to post in time for my stop on the blog tour, but I think that I will reread it eventually in physical format if I can get my hands on them, as that's the format I'll appreciate it all the more.

The writing style was solid and I also enjoyed the audiobook (even though I always speed up x2.5!!), despite a few wobbly character voices, but that's not a reflection on the book, as I mentioned above.

I gave Northern Wrath by Child Kold Holdt 4.5 stars and I am very much looking forward to continuing this series right away. I think it will have a massive world, and even more characters, but I'm so excited to find my 4 favourites again, and see where their story is going to take them.

If you love books with strong mythology (especially Norse!), very engaging and interesting epic fantasy with great world-building, characters and a writing style that flows effortlessly, then you've found your book! I highly recommend it!

When I first saw the cover for "The Luminaries" and read the blurb I knew I had to read it. As well as the assigned trope: a haunting and high-octane contemporary fantasy.
Joining "The Luminaries" is a dream of Winnie Wednesday and by joining their ranks she would become a fully pledged hunter in this small community. They are there to protect Hemlock Falls and the world from monsters in the forest. Winnie, not her fault was treated like an outcast - so her life was not exactly easy as well as in school and town. The first trial can change her life (and her family's as well), and while taking part in it she has to kill a nightmare - sounds easy, right? But what will happen when she will see an unknown monster, and now no one believes her? Generally, I liked our protagonist as she was playing cards she got from destiny.
The world setting created by Ms. Susan Dennard is intriguing as imagination was about to start working on a good level. It happened but while doing so... I was not feeling entertained and to say in an easiet way (with a heavy heart) I was bored - which I'm not saying easily...
I wanted to explore a lot of cases when it comes to this story as this would answer some questions, but instead of that, I got them in a way where we listen and do not participate in the story (and this is not the best feature). I thought that there should be more events here and something to add proper pace to the story as it was lazily following what was said in the blurb.
To be honest, I'm wondering what more will come to light in the next story (especially about Jay), but to be honest, I don't know if I will read it as I'm not feeling exactly excited about book 2.

Another great example of why NetGalley/Publishers really need to allow readers to read just a handful of pages of a book before requesting it. Almost everything about this book, one of my most anticipated 2020 reads. annoyed me to no end from the first page. I hated the characters, disliked the writing style, and the plot, as much of it as I got through, didn't pull me in fast enough to overcome those two things. But I know enough about myself to know that the characters, the thing that most grated on me, is because they were the typical generic anime hero style that I absolute hate. People who love that kind of character, loved this book.

I hesitated so long to review this one because I normally would have tried a book like this, figured out it wasn't for me, and then not read or reviewed it at all. Since you can't do that with Netgalley without being punished, this is the review you get. This is one of the many reasons I think Netgalley REALLY needs to allow potential reviewers the opportunity to read a short sample of a book before requesting it.

NORTHERN WRATH is a book that has been making waves across the book community for almost a year now. Like the serpent Jörmungandr, NORTHERN WRATH has loomed large on my horizon for as long as I can remember, daunting for both its size and rumoured ferocity.

While it’s even more ferocious than I was led to believe, it turned out to be a remarkably addictive read, and I smashed through the 600+ pages in scant few sittings over a single weekend.

NORTHERN WRATH is the first book in Thilde Kold Holdt’s debut series, The Hanged God Trilogy. It’s a mesmerising weave of fantasy and historical fiction, one that really nails the grim yet vibrant mythology, culture, and landscape of the gelid north.

The plot is one that can’t really be mentioned in any great detail, for even the slightest spoiler may well snag a nornir spun thread and ruin what is, without doubt, a masterfully told tale. Everything you could care to wish for is here and in glorious abundance; love, loss, jealousy, betrayal, war, giants, gods, and so much more besides.

Holdt has created an amazingly deep yet shifting world, where the veil of mythology is draped over the bones of the past. Initially, you are grounded in a world that you know, but page-by-page, your eyes are opened, and what starts as peripheral glimpses of the Worlds beyond soon becomes much more of a collision course.

The world feels authentic, lavished with love, research, and knowledge. You walk the loam-soft woods, hear the crunch of hoar-frost beneath your feet, and smell the carrion-reek of battles won.

Characters too are fantastically realised, though I can see why some people may not feel they are quite as deep as they usually like. All of the characters burn bright, incandescent with their own desire and ambitions, and while you don’t spend a great deal of time ‘inside their heads’, as it were, you do get a very real sense of who they are and what they’re striving towards. Given the number of POV characters, I’m amazed that they all felt as unique and authentic as they did, more so that there were so many engaging and tantalising side characters as well.

With so many characters, there are also a number of separate journeys, while this could easily dilute the narrative, it absolutely doesn’t. Whether you compare these arcs to threads in a tapestry or holumenn on a warship, they are their own individual things, moving on their own ineffable trajectory but part of something much broader and grander.

There are several unforgettable female characters in NORTHERN WRATH, characters who exude the unrelenting ferocity of women, warriors, and mothers. They swing their axes, bite their shields, and bargain eye-to-eye with powerful entities, unapologetic in their power and with passion undistilled.

From Hilda to Siv, these female characters are not just bit-part characters, nor are they painted as ‘just’ survivors, they are shapers too and more than capable of making their mark.

The world of NORTHERN WRATH is breathtaking and made all the better for Holdt’s engaging and gripping writing style. To finish a 600-page book in three days is not something I can ordinarily do, but thanks to the addictive plot and perfectly metered narrative, I just couldn’t put the thing down. While every aspect of the book is tremendously well-written, I have to single out the action and battle scenes. They are amazing, reminiscent of the soaring heroics of authors like Gemmell and Cornwell but with almost grimdark levels of grit and violence.

While I was a little late picking up NORTHERN WRATH, there is a tremendous silver lining in that book two, ‘Shackled Fates’, is to be released in just a month, and I can’t bloody wait.