THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!!
Although it did take me a while to finish, I found myself absolutely absorbed into this world. I immediately knew I would enjoy this book from the premise alone- getting Angrboda's side of the story of Ragnorak and how it got to the point it did. I found the authors writing to be so compelling and loved how she wrote the characters. It’s Loki but also with more dimension and the children all have different personalities and watching everyone change over the course of the book was incredible. I would pay ANYTHING to see this adapted in real life. Although the ending was heartbreaking, I felt it and that’s the beauty of reading!

I really tried to get into this novel because it had a romance with Loki. However, it was a struggle to get through. The writing is very stilted, and I could not connect with the characters. This novel really had potential because there is not enough novels on Norse mythology but there is an plethora of novels on Greek mythology. Thus, there is a need for Norse books. However, this just did not meet my expectations. Hopefully, this book will inspire more books in Norse mythology! I recommend this for novel for fans of Juliet Marillier, Melanie Karsak, and Signe Pike!

I could not get into this one. The narrative distance did not work for me, which I accept is totally a me thing ad not the book. I'm sure it will work better for a different audience. Apologies.

Solid feminist Norse mythology story! Poor Loki seems doomed to always been the trickster, but he had a few redeeming moments. You love him and you hate him. I kept picturing Tom Hiddleston (and basically the entire cast of Thor 😆) and the book really came alive! Angroboda (Loki’s wife) was a fantastic character and added a lot to the story. I think I liked her story more in Part One and in Part Two it feel a bit flat for me. But in Part Three, the pace was quick and I was absolutely hooked until the end. I know nothing except the Thor movies so I cannot attest to the mythology aspect, but as for the story, it was very entertaining! I think this was a solid 4 coming from someone who never reads fantasy. I enjoyed it!

I started to read this one and I just lost interest. Maybe I'll pick it up another time but it certainly didn't grab me from the beginning.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book. The first half was super funny and I was very interested to see where the story was going. The second half was a little confusing for me but ended up really enjoying this tale nonetheless. I would 100% read more by this author. The story wrapped you up and caught your attention from the beginning. This was a beautiful story about loss, love, imperfection, and forgiveness.

I’m honestly surprised by how much I liked this book. I didn’t realize at first it was about Norse mythology which isn’t normally my thing, but I’m so glad I read it. It wasn’t too confusing and overly filled with characters. The writing was really well done. I’d definitely read from this author in the future!

Whether you love Norse mythology and already know of Angrboda's role in Loki's life and the coming of Ragnarok or if you are a total newcomer to Norse mythology, Gomrnichec's thoroughly new take on the story has a lot to like. Her writing is full of complex and interesting characters. The story can be a bit dense at times and don't expect a fast pasted adventure, but if you enjoy a bit of introspection and maybe even some subversiveness in your mythology....this is a great book to curl up with on a cold weekend.

Well let's start off with I don't think mythology retellings are for me. When I read the description of this book I was very intrigued. However, I feel that this book fell flat for me. Most of the time I felt like the book was dragging on, or I just felt a little confused as to why certain things happened. But , I kept reading out of curiosity. I truly wanted to know Angrbroda's fate, and I did like how her story ended.

I think that if I was a bigger fan of mythology or had more knowledge of norse mythology, I would have enjoyed this book more. So if you are a mythology fan, I'd say give this book a whirl.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Ace Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was on the 2022 shortlist. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

A wonderful retelling. You can’t help but think of Tom Hiddleston when reading about Loki. It was a moving and heartbreaking story. Angrboda is a character I think many can relate to. She’s strong and tender and has to make tough decisions. I definitely got lost in this story.

I am obsessed. I’m so glad I read this with my book club. I need more from this author. I’m so mad that I managed to take so long to read this.

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

"The Witch’s Heart" is a strong debut novel about gods, love, prophecy, and the end-of-the-world. Fans of mythological retellings and Norse mythology need to read this book. A lot more happens in this novel besides the tragic love between a witch and a trickster. Genevieve Gornichec follows in the footsteps of both Neil Gaiman and Madeline Miller for her debut novel, "The Witch’s Heart."

The plot of this novel focuses on Angrboda—her life, her magic, her interaction with the gods, and her family—and her role in what will be known as Ragnarök, or the end-of-the-world. Angrboda is a witch with prophetic powers who is suffering from amnesia and P.T.S.D. from the trauma Odin inflicted upon her. During her exile, Angrboda encounters Loki and their relationship ignites the beginning of the end. Anyone who is familiar with Norse mythology might want to pay attention to how Loki’s actions influence the prophecies.

Thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the figures of Thor, Odin, Loki, and other Norse gods are familiar to most people. But Marvel’s take on the Norse pantheon is hardly correct – for example, Loki is Odin’s brother by blood-oath rather than Thor’s adopted brother. Thor and Loki are both married – Loki even has two wives: the goddess Sigyn and the Jotunn Angrboda. It’s Angrboda who is the subject of Genevieve Gornichec’s novel, The Witch’s Heart.

Angrboda is the witch of the title, but her story starts long before the events of this novel. She is credited with teaching magic to the gods, but her refusal to do Odin’s bidding has earned her death by burning three times over, with her heart removed for good measure. Yet she still lives, and this story begins when Loki tracks her down to return her heart to her. Thus begins their hidden love affair and eventual marriage, and Angrboda bears him three children: Hel, Fenrir, and Jormungandr. The children’s unusual nature causes Angrboda much worry, and that worry is not unfounded, as Odin and the other gods want to control them.

It’s hard not to compare this novel to Madeline Miller’s Circe, as there are a lot of parallels between the two. And readers who enjoyed Miller’s novel will likely enjoy The Witch’s Heart as well. While I love Circe, I enjoyed Gornichec’s novel quite a bit more, as I prefer Norse mythology to Greek mythology, and Angrboda is one of those figures who is not fleshed out very well in the Edda. I have always been curious about her. Loki does play a prominent part in the story, but we do not see him perform the mischief he is famous for. Instead, we see him match wits with Angrboda, who is more than his equal. But the real story is with Angrboda and her female friends -- including the huntress Skadi and a giant she-wolf – and her children.

I absolutely loved this book, and I look forward to reading more from Genevieve Gornichec!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy!

The story of Angrboda begins with a burning as a punishment from Odin. She is a witch with the power of seid (premonitions) and healing, but has refused to tell Odin what she knows. When recovering at the farthest corner of a remote forest, she encounters a man with whom she falls in love--despite his shifting, trickster ways--and births three unusual children fated to bring the destruction of the worlds. It is up to Angrboda to protect her family from Odin and prevent Ragnarok.

This is an epic telling of Norse mythology around a little-known character. There were times where the pacing of the book seemed slow, but--in retrospect--I think the rhythm matched the action-packed and plot-driven sections. I did not expect to feel so much, which I think lends a lot to Genevieve Gornichec's incredible writing and character-development. Though it did take a while to get through, it was so well-written and allowed readers to really empathize with Angrboda. It definitely made me want to re-read Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology". 4.5 rounded up.

Love, loss, hope and forgiveness with Norse Mythology incorporated. The pacing is good some parts it’s a bit slow but does pick up. The main character is endearing and you’ll find yourself rooting for her. An overall good entertaining read.

While I’ve always love mythology, I wasn’t as family with tales of the Norse gods and goddesses as I was the Celtic and Greek myths. 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.

Angrboda the thrice 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 soap opera-ish.
What becomes even more intriguing is the story of what comes after Ragnarok.

This well-spun tale of Angrboda and her children, and sometimes of Loki, offers a delightful spin on the Norse myths as it sheds new light on characters usually relegated to side tales. Kudos to Genevieve Gornichec for weaving it all together so skillfully. This book belongs on the shelf right next to Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology. The two make a delightful pair.

This is epic! I loved it! It is feminist mythology joy! Everyone who is excited about reading feminism will greatly enjoy this book. The writing is fabulous and I was engaged the whole time!

I've been hearing a lot about this book so it's very exciting to get to read it, and it did not disappoint. The story was engaging from beginning to end and I absolutely adored the characters. This author is definitely one I'll keep an eye out for in the future.