I’d like to thank Ace Books (Berkley) and Netgalley for so generously providing me an ARC of The Witch's Heart. All opinions are, of course, my own.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec was so incredibly good. I wouldn’t call it a retelling of Norse Mythology but rather a reimagining but in a more approachable, modern way.

Angrboda is a witch that has survived a burning by the Norse gods and has escaped to a remote forest. She’s successfully minding her own business until Loki finds her to return her heart to her. She and Loki soon fall in love and start a family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of the Norse gods. Traditionally, Angrboda is known only as the mate of Loki and the mother of his three children. But, Gornichec gives her a voice following her on an epic and emotional journey from the start of her love affair all the way to Ragnarok.

I love how it combines all the amazing details we Norse mythology geeks know and new details.

I am the kind of person where, once I find something I really enjoy, I practically obsess over it. and i think my newest obsession is Norse mythology because, oh my gosh, this story is everything I never knew was missing from my life.

I could not put this down! It was pouring rain for days where I live which normally would make me sad but reading this made it truly GLORIOUS. Here's me with bundles of blankets, heaps of steaming mugs of lemon tea and me in my bed with The Witch's Heart for an entire day and despite being so gloom, I was in heaven with this book! Even though I don't know much about the mythology this story is based on, I can tell that Gornichec truly made this story her own. these characters and their personalities feel original to her/this story and I could really empathize with them and their development throughout.

I am high-key going to run out or click my way to procuring my very own copy because I want to personally support Kiersten White by doing so. I think that says a lot.

(2.5 stars, rounded up)

Angrboda is a jötunn (AKA giant or frost giant in some tales) witch and escapes her third burning. She flees in her weakened state to a forest where she encounters Loki. They strike up a friendship and Loki frequently visits Angrboda in her cave in Jotunheim.

Skadi happens upon Angrboda and is impressed with her potion-making. Angrboda is able to live comfortably in her cave with Skadi bringing the goods she earns trading Angrboda's potions.

After marrying Loki, Angrboda bears him three children -- Hel, whose legs are white or dead skin, the wolf Fenrir, and snake Iormungand. Loki is forced to marry another in Asgard, and when his wife finds out about the witch and her "monster children" the gods of Asgard react.

The novel is slow to start as it's mostly Angrboda in her cave with infrequent visitation from Loki or Skadi. The pace picks up once her children are born, but it's still a plot-light novel. I expected a novel about the gods of Asgard to have more action!

Jayne Entwistle's voice is deep and wizened, making the narration sound like a village elder telling a story around a campfire.

Recommended for fans of Norse mythology or Viking tales.

This is a must read for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe. It's a beautiful retelling of Angrboda's story and a bit of a background to Ragnarok. I enjoyed watching her foray into motherhood, and the struggles of having a trickster husband who is perhaps not as present as one would like.

This wants to be Madeline Miller for norse mythology, but it's just... not as good. I was super excited for the queer aspect of the story, and that wasn't as central as I wanted it to be. I think my expectations were too high. It's fine; I just didn't love it.

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec fiercely retells Norse mythology and gives life to a woman left in the footnotes of the Poetic Edda: Angrboda. She was known as Loki’s consort, the bringer of grief, and the mother of monsters.

However, this book introduces a rarely told perspective. It paints a sympathetic portrait of the giants and explores the love of a mother and her grief as well. It tells the story of how Loki and Angrboda grew to love each other as well as how they how they raised their children, sheltered away at the corner of the world. Over the course of the novel, I felt myself becoming attached to this odd little family, which only made the ending hurt all the more.

All in all, The Witch’s Heart is a heartfelt and at times humorous read that humanizes gods, giants, and monsters alike--making for one beautifully compelling and tragic story.

Received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Witch's Heart" follows a witch who lives in the woods after being rescued by Loki, the god of mischief. This follows her heart-wrenching journey which is entwined with Norse Mythology.

Oh, man, I really loved this book. If you liked "Circe" as much as I did it's pretty much the same concept. Using a character largely ignored in mythology and amplifying their impact on the stories makes it SO dang entertaining. This isn't really all about Loki or anything, though he's awesome in this, it's more about Angrboda. She goes through a LOT of stuff thanks to the dang Norse Gods (Odin, Thor, etc) but it's really about her preserving despite hardships.

Her children with Loki are really entertaining yet heartbreaking at the same time. I won't say more, though it's pretty much already spoiled if you know your Norse Mythology. I think despite my fractured understanding of the stories, it was still easy to follow. There's a guide in the back of the book to help anyhow.

Great story!

A decent retelling of Norse mythology focusing on Angreboda and her relationship with Loki. Done reasonably well, although it dragged in places.

4.5⭐
Wow. What a beautifully and flawlessly crafted story. Genevieve Gronichec pulled me into this lush Norse myth world and held me captive there from start to finish.

I will start this off by saying I knew literally nothing about Norse mythology going into (beyond what's in the movie Thor 😅). And it didn't hinder my enjoyment in <i>any</i> way. Gornichec makes this world so accessible and immersive and I never felt like I was lacking any knowledge of the world.

And it also meant that everything that happened was a shock! Since I didn't know any of the lore, I didn't see any of the actions coming. This very closely follows the actual myths of Loki, so if you're familiar with those, this may not be quite as shocking to you as it was to me.

Loki was everything I wanted and so much more. I could read about his crazy antics forever. The romance was between him and Angrboda was great. I loved their banter and wit. Their love was far (far) from perfect but it was just so wonderful to follow. And the relationship with Skadi was even more amazing.

This book is extremely character driven but the characters are so fantastically created and complex. Everyone is flawed and layered and feel like real people (or creatures). I was so in love with each of their stories.

This just had everything I was looking for - romance, grey morality, Loki shenanigans, political maneuvering, magical creatures, and big battle conclusion. If you like mythology, definitely move this to the top of your TBR!

Review is live on Goodreads and will be posted my blog on 2/17/21

I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but it was worth it this time! Mythological stories are usually fun!

The Witch’s Heart follows Angrboda, a witch able to see the future, who was punished by Odin for not divulging her secrets to her power. Burned and heart-less, she hides away from everyone. That is until one day, Loki (I will forever think Tom Hiddleston!) finds her and they eventually fall in love and have children. She wants a safe life for her family, as distant from Odin as possible. However, prophetic power isn’t without its flaws and Angrboda is stuck making difficult decisions to protect those she holds dearest.

Overall, I give this 4 stars out of 5. I haven’t read much on Norse mythology and I won’t argue the Marvel movies particularly count, but this was so insightful. I loved Angrboda as the strong, brave mother. The world and character development was great and the pace kept the story exciting.

Thank you to @berkleypub for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely riveting retelling of Norse mythology! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading this book. I would recommend this to any library or book club as a must buy, must read.

If you loved Circe, Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology, or Song of Achilles, look no further for you next favorite read. The Witch’s Heart tells the tale of Angrboda, also known as “mother of monsters.” She is known as the witch killed three times by Odin and the mother of Loki’s three children. It’s fascinating to read from the little-seen Angrboda’s perspective. She was always a minor character, but here she is shown as strong and maternal. The writing is beautiful and addictive. It’s a near-impossible book to put down once you start reading. If you enjoy mythological retellings, do not hesitate to check out The Witch’s Heart today!

What a great way to start my reading year! The Witch's Heart was an absolute powerhouse of a book, retelling the story of Angrboda, an often forgotten figure from Norse mythology. This was such a wonderful exploration of her character and of Norse mythology in general. So many famous figures of myth come into contact with Angrboda, which makes it an excellent place to begin your journey with Norse myth, if you've never gotten into it before.

I think Genevieve Gornichec has done for Angrboda what Madeline Miller did for Circe. This is a well-written character study that shines a light on such an interesting figure of mythology. Absolutely fantastic and I hope this is an indication that more Norse myth retellings are coming our way.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this early review copy!

The Witch’s Heart is a retelling of Norse mythology. Angrboda is a witch that is able to see the future and is punished for not providing what she can see to the god, Odin. Angrboda hides in a forest on the edge of the world, but happens to meet and fall in love with the notorious trickster, Loki. They have three children and Angrboda will do whatever it takes to protect them, even if the future is uncertain.

It is so hard to review this book. I went into it knowing absolutely nothing about Norse mythology. This made it difficult for me to get into the book because so much of it seemed so weird to me, but once I became acquainted with the world-building and the characters, I was so intrigued! I loved Angrboda’s character and really connected with her as a mother, but there were also times when I was so infuriated by her relationship with Loki. There were many parts that felt slow to me and then other parts where I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Overall, I did enjoy this story even though it was so far out of my comfort zone.

If this sounds intriguing to you, I do recommend you try it, especially if you are a fan of Norse mythology (or mythology in general) and the Marvel movies, Thor and Thor: Ragnarok.

3/5 stars!

I don't have the words to express how much I adored this book. I was laughing, I was crying, I was raging right alongside Angrboda. This is an epic reimagining of Norse mythology told from a new and unique POV. Angrboda is known as the mate of Loki and Mother of Monsters but is only mentioned a handful of times in Norse literature. Gornichec took what little information there was and crafted an incredible tale about her life, from her budding romance with Loki all the way to Ragnorak. I was hooked right from the beginning and could not put it down. So far this is my favorite book of the year!

Wow! I absolutely loved this debut novel. I was completely immersed in the world created by the author Genevieve Gornichec. Her writing is full of vivid imagery and tumultuous emotions. I felt everything that the protagonist, Angrboda, experienced.

The character Angrboda is briefly mentioned in Poetic Edda, a collection of old Norse poems. She is staked by Odin and comes back to life each time she is burned. Also, she is the mother of three children (who will play a pivotal role) with Loki. Gornichec expanded on this character and gave us a different perspective on mythology normally dominated by its male characters. The common knowledge and stories we know about Norse mythology are seamlessly interwoven into the background of this story.

Love this literary interpretation of lore…
A literary interpretation is a story that is based on an established mythology or oral tradition, includes many of the original characters and details, but creates a wonderfully rich saga by filling in the gaps or creating a fascinating backstory. The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec is a fabulous literary interpretation of Norse Mythology focusing on Angrboda, a Jotunn (giant) who was the mate of Loki (an infamous trickster and outsider among the gods), and the mother of Hel, Jormungand, and Fenrir. She is an obscure and relatively unknown character in both The Poetic and Prose Eddas (ancient Norse textbooks) but significant in her association to some of the most prominent figures instrumental in the Ragnarok, the end of the world battle resulting in the destruction of the gods.

Genevieve is one of my favorite types of authors, an in-depth researcher as well as a captivating story-teller. Her depth of knowledge of Norse mythology is impressive, I was compelled to investigate it myself and found her to stay true to both the personality and character of the Norse gods and the details of events that encompass the mythology. The interwoven story of Angrboda brings a unique and enthralling perspective to the fantastical tales of the gods.

The Witch’s Heart is a multi-layered story full of love, loss, betrayal, and determination. The fact that Angrboda is such an obscure figure in the ancient texts gives Genevieve the freedom to create a wonderfully rich and relatable character. Angrboda’s story is extremely compelling on its own merit, as she attempts to understand and survive after being burned and banished by the gods, and it entices you through page after page of beautifully written and executed narration. A tremendous story combined with seamless melding to these great Scandinavian tales makes The Witch’s Heart an extraordinarily stimulating and entertaining read you do not want to miss!

“I’ve seen how the end begins.” Her voice was a hoarse whisper as the words tumbled out. “I saw everything in the Nine Worlds. I saw the Aesir, the giants, and shades and dwarfs and men. I saw Yggdrasil, and the dragon who gnaws its root. I saw a wolf so big that his jaws could swallow armies whole, and a great serpent rearing out of the water, and I saw the sun and moon go dark as the wolves who chase them finally swallow their prey, and I saw a ship crewed by dead souls.”

The Witch’s Heart captivated me from the first page. THIS BOOK DESERVES ALL OF THE ACCOLADES. I love getting a deeper, more personal look at mythological beings. This book focuses on Angrboda, a Jötunn and lover to Loki. When it comes to her story, I’ve only heard scraps, even though she was known to mother the three most destructive beings in Norse Mythology. Genevieve Gornichec brings Angrboda to life and makes her a dimensional person, more than an infamous giantess, more than the bringer of grief. Through her eyes, we also get a look at Loki. I’ve always been fascinated by him, but many people don’t have the patience and tenderness towards him that Angrboda has. We see him through the eyes of a friend, of a lover. This book shines a light on both of them that is often left out of Norse mythology.

Through Angrboda, we get to see Loki’s mischief against the Gods play out. We see the tricks he plays and his reaction to the consequences. I’ve always enjoyed Loki and thought he deserved a bit more appreciation for being as quick thinking as he is, and Angrboda appreciates him as exactly as a wife might; exasperated and charmed, all at once. In turn, Loki appreciates Angrboda, in his own way. He sees her wisdom, her strength after being a shunned woman. Angrboda has an ability to adapt and I think it makes sense that she would be drawn to Loki, and him to her. Angrboda and Loki have both been punished for being far too clever, though Angrboda is punished for being reserved in that cleverness and Loki is punished for using it for mischief.

More than just the romance and crackling dynamic between Loki and Angrboda, this is a book about the strength of women. Angrboda is shunned from Asgard, her teachings are credited to others, she’s tortured… and still she rises. She makes a life for herself, she’s survived. She thrives, creating a bartering business for herself and a home. Gornichec paints Angrboda with masterful strokes, through her writing we see a woman who is bold, able to withstand fury of literal godlike proportions. Angrboda’s known for her iron demeanor, but our author slowly unravels a tenderness at her core. The Witch’s Heart embodies the essence of femininity; a woman’s ability to adapt to her surrounding, to be steely when faced with trials, and nurturing at other times. It’s a tale of motherhood, friendship, destruction, sacrifice, and rebirth.

“I loved you then. I love you now. I will love you until I die. And even after, whatever comes then, I will love you still, even though you’re a fool and you’ve used me the same way that Loki has used you. But I suppose that makes me a fool as well.”

Though I enjoy Loki as a god, he is lacking when it comes to nurturing Angrboda. He appreciates who she is, as I mentioned before, but he isn’t the best husband. The relationship between Boda and Skadi, a huntress, is much more worthy of admiration. These two women care for each other deeply and Skadi never backs down from telling her friend what she doesn’t want to hear, but needs to hear. Boda sees Loki with rose-colored glasses and Skadi sees him more evenly. The friendship and love between these two is a true heart warmer.

When it comes to motherhood, we see Angrboda take on a role that is much like a modern day stay-at-home mother or a single mom dealing with a barely-there dad. She deals with all the hard parts; bedtimes, education, getting her children to eat balanced meals. Loki sweeps in whenever he wants and piles his kids with sweets and loves and departs just as swiftly as he came in, leaving Boda to clean up the sticky fingers and be the strict parent in comparison.

Our author has a way of including different a multitude of Norse myths, sometimes in passing conversation and other times, with more focus on them. We hear so much about Loki’s antics and of course, about the prophecies pertaining to their children. There’s a healthy dose of humor mixed in, I was constantly laughing out loud or grinning while reading. There’s also an undercurrent of dread that we feel through Boda when it comes to her children’s fates. Every emotion was pulled from me and I found myself wanting books from each of our characters’ perspectives by the end of The Witch’s Heart. The heartache, the love, the fear, betrayal, and humor all came together to make a PERFECT novel. The resilience of one woman and the way she opens her heart to others again and again. Gods play their games but Boda stays steady and true to herself. I LOVE this book. This book starts steady and ends up racing at breakneck speed towards Ragnarok and the conclusion. I truly believe this will fall under my top five favorite books this year. The Witch’s Heart doesn’t simply retell the story of Angrboda, it IS the story that people will turn to for many years to come when referencing her. This is art, a true masterpiece in Norse Mythology.

The Witch’s Heart is out now. Thank you to Netgalley and Ace/Berkeley Publishing Group for the opportunity to review!

I didn't know what to think going into this book. I had heard about Angrboda only in that she was the wife of Loki's monstrous children and that was all I had ever known. Genevieve Gornichec took that little bit of information and breathed life into a myth creating a story easy to believe. Characters with so much heart and love and I could not get enough. I think the thing that I liked the most about it was that it wasn't just a love story. It was also a story about a woman living life her own way and doing whatever it took to protect her children. The only downside is that it does have a slow start, but if you can get through it, you wont regret it.

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec takes in the world of Norse mythology. Angrboda's story starts where she is in the woods alone healing. Loki comes to bring her heart back. He succeeds and actually gives her three children for who her heart over flows for. From there her story continues which may lead to the end of the world and a lot of heartbreak.

So many feelings about this book. It was beautiful in many ways but also aggravating. It was a dive into mythology I really do not know. Gornichec delves into many lores, some I knew of and some I did not. This book is a slow burn. The first two-thirds was really a story of domesticity. I really questioned finishing this book. The last third is where all the action takes place. Part of the reason this book was hard was because there is so little action in the beginning and no chapters. That’s right this book was broken into parts and that’s it. It really drags it out.

I really struggled with characters in this book. Angrboda was not my favorite because she was a very passive character. She never really makes a decision and just kind seems to exist. This woman is supposed to be the most powerful withch, the mother of monsters and I felt like I could come in knocker her out. She is also not very likable, but I did feel for her especially in the end. Skadi was a fun character but I did not like how Gornichec seemed to use her as a tool to make this story LGBT friendly. Skadi liking women was not the issue, but the "relationship" between her and Angrboda was. It felt forced because Angrboda never showed any inclination to any woman much less her best friend.

I am giving this book 3.5 stars with a round up to 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Genevieve Gornichec for the ARC. This was an honest review.