A reimagining of, essentially, all the high points of Norse mythology through the eyes of Angrboda, mother of Fenrir, Hel, and Jörmungandr.

Easily one of my favorite books so far this year. I love myth retellings, but I’m also very picky about them, and Gornichec is Gaiman-level good at lovingly recrafting those old stories. The writing is top notch. ( )

A reimagining of, essentially, all the high points of Norse mythology through the eyes of Angrboda, mother of Fenrir, Hel, and Jörmungandr.

Easily one of my favorite books so far this year. I love myth retellings, but I’m also very picky about them, and Gornichec is Gaiman-level good at lovingly recrafting those old stories. The writing is top notch. ( )

The Trickster Loki


While I’ve always loved mythology, I wasn’t as familiar with tales of the Norse gods and goddesses as I was with the Celtic and Greek myths. I have read Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman and I loved it but that is as far as I have explored. What I did know of the Norse myths didn’t include the love story of Angrboda and Loki, mostly associating them with evil based on the stories of their children—Hel, Fenrir, and Jormungand—who all play a role in Ragnarok.

However, it’s always good to remember that there are two sides to every story, and the stories are often written by the winners or those with the most power, and these stories often favor men. Loki is a trickster. Thor is a bit of a narcissist. And Odin can be quite manipulative and self-absorbed. I had a bit of a hard time because I have seen the Thor movies so trying to picture the characters differently was a stretch.

Angrboda the burned witch and her friend Skadi the huntress are the central figures in this reimagining of the events leading up to and culminating in Ragnarok. Their story is just as important as the stories of the Aesir and much less dramatic. I loved the pacing and the good feelings that I had when reading this book it is worth the time for sure.
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A really fresh and moving take on the Norse mythology - Aesir, giants, witches and wolves. And about what it means to be a mother. ( )

*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this. This is my unbiased and honest review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

The Witch's heart is a very unique love story, one that I honestly was not prepared for. Heavy in Norse Mythology, Gornichec does an amazing job in retelling Ragnarok through the eyes of Angrboda, a witch who escapes death when Odin burned her at the stake, in the process she looses her heart. Loki, which everyone should know about by now, eventually finds it and brings it back to her. This starts the story of a very epic love story.

Angrboda was a very cool character, she's very logical and practical (something you don't thing about when it comes to the Norse Gods) and I really enjoyed her POV. Gornichec's writing was so refreshing and interesting, that I forgot this was a retelling as she made the story of Ragnarok her own.

Overall, a very creative lovestory
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