Oh wow! Where should I begin? I'm so glad to see this being translated to English. Absolutely brilliant, breathtakingly beautiful written and the plot is out of this world. It's clever, imaginative, just fantastic.

I fell in love with Hirka. The girl without the tail. The Odins child. She is one of the most amazing main characters I have EVER read about. And I am so glad I get to join her for two more books!
I also fell in love with Rime. He is amazing and brave and he has WHITE HAIR AND WEARS ALL BLACK AND CAN YOU IMAGINE ANYONE SEXIER??? I love him. Can't wait to read about him again.

I fell in love with the world Siri Pettersen created. I always loved Norse mythology and oh you guys, this book is mythology and fantasy at it's finest. My highlight of 2021 so far.

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3.5 stars

This story is of Norse Mythology with which I am only slightly familiar with. I enjoyed the mystery and darker themes that ribboned through this telling. It’s exciting that it’s finally available to us in English!

Hirka is a tailless girl among the Ymlings, believing to have lost her tail to wolves as a child.
Her Father, however, harbors a deadly secret; she was found with no tail, having come from another realm. Could she be a child of Odin, bringing with her the feared rot that could plague the Yms? If so, how did she get here?

The story starts us off during the season of the Rite, a ritual that blesses the children and could earn them a place under the great Seer. The Rite could reveal Hirka’s secret and cost her her life.

I adored Hirka and Rime. Rime appears having been absent for three seasons after being blessed by the Rite. Hirka isn’t sure what to do now that he’s back in her life; or is he?
Their romance was a very, very slow build, obvious to me from the beginning but unknown to them until the end. The point of view switched among Hirka, Rime, and a politically rising character, Urd. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs. Many paths slowly, over the course of 500 pages, converge and desperate questions are slowly given answer.
The plot unraveled too slowly for me. It would surge momentarily only to sputter out and drag once more. However, the questions and mysteries were so many that I had to know the answers. I liked the characters and the world building- introduced as if we knew it already and slowly explained throughout the pages to keep us caught up.
The political scheming and plot twists were somewhat predictable yet also a bit shocking. I am genuinely and eager for the second book, with the first leaving off at a cliffhanger.

Arc provided kindly by NetGalley!

2.5 stars.

CW/TW: rape, sexual assault, violence, gore, etc.

I liked many things about this, the mythology, the world and new concepts that I haven’t read in a YA book before (Norse mythology written by someone who was from the culture for instance!). This was translated from Norwegian, so I will take word and literary choices with a grain of salt.

Now for the negative, I was expecting some graphic gore based on the cover so I wasn’t surprised. But what did surprise me was the graphic rape and sexual assault. It made me very uncomfortable. As someone who isn’t overly familiar with Norse magic and lore, I found it very hard to understand the magic system most of the time- I’m still not sure if I understand. It’s extremely detailed, but isn’t detailed with the aspects I really would’ve liked it to be (explaining magic system and world building, character appearances, etc).

This is a good read overall though, and I recommend giving it a go if you are intrigued by the summary!

A Norwegian Norse-inspired fantasy about a young girl named Hirka, her friends, family, and blind faith. She is a tailless girl, the rot. This is a story where the main character isn't all-powerful. I recommend reading this if you need encouragement in life! This story is about courage.
I could not put this book down! While the book is 600 pages, the chapters were short and fast-paced. As a reader, I appreciate it when I get to stay in a story for a long time. The worldbuilding was phenomenal!
The stakes were so high and Hirka was a very likable character, I was in her corner the entire time. The characters were all equally complex and interesting.
It was a thrilling read and I can't wait for the next one.

TW: Violence, Sexual Assault.

This is another book I have plenty of mixed feelings about, some bits I absolutely loved and some bits just didn't engage me strongly enough.

So what did I like? The best aspect of this book is definitely the characters. We have Hirka, a young girl who is tailless, an outcast in a world of people that can Bind. But she is strong, fearless and has so much kindness in her heart. I loved her relationship with every character (particularly the man she calls father, and her friend Rime who she sees for the first time in 3 years). Rime is also another great character, and his story arc is probably my favourite as he learns everything he has been brought up to believe is not true. I even liked reading Urd's chapters, getting a perspective from the other side. Urd invoked a lot of hatred in me as the story progressed, that's for sure.

What didn't I like? Honestly, the book was a bit too long for the story it told. I found the plot to drag in places, and it did get a little confusing at times. I think the world-building could have been a bit stronger too. Sometimes the politics could be a bit messy.

Overall, an interesting introduction to this world. I'll probably pick up the second when it is translated just to be re-united with the characters.

Part one of a fantasy trilogy from Norway about thousand-year-old secrets, forbidden romance, and what happens to those who make a deal with the devil.

We are introduced to 15-year-old Hirka who has always been an outsider in the world of Ym. She’s the only person without a tail, and the only one unable to access the Might, a current of power that runs through the earth.

Her differences become more of a worry to her as the date approaches for the Rite—the ceremony where everyone is to be blessed by the all-knowing Seer and the Council of powerful families who rule in His name. With only a few weeks until the Rite, Hirka discovers the shocking secret behind why she is tailless and Mightless.
She was not born into this world; as an infant, she was brought through an ancient stone circle known as a Raven Ring, and as long as she’s in Ym, the passageway between worlds remains open inviting terrifying creatures called the blind to follow.

No one can find out the truth of Hirka’s identity, especially
not Rime, her childhood friend who just might become something more. But is Rime is hiding secrets of his own?
I would recommend this to YA but it is also a great historical fantasty for adults too.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Arctis Books for an advance review copy of Odin’s Child in return for an honest review.

Thank you Negalley and for the Arctis Books for a copy of Odin's Child in exchange for an honest review.

Having norwegian friends that have read and raved about The Raven Rings trilogy, I was, as you would expect, very excited to finally be able to read it in a language I know.

Odin's Child lived up to it's national reviews. It is a fresh breath on Norse fantasy, still based on Norse mythology but with innovative approaches.

The worldbuilding and the story are excellent, I never felt bored or tempted to skip paragraphs. It's fast paced enough to keep things going but without revealing too much of the intricacies of the story. I loved the fact that halfway though the book I had two or three theories going around my brain.

I cannot wait for the next books to be available in English.
5 stars for me!

The concept was really good and the writing was good it just took over half the book to pick up. I really struggled to keep reading on multiple occasions because it just wasn't holding my attention.
Don't get me wrong I definitly want to read the second book if it comes out in English because it did pick up near the end and I want to know what happens to Hirka and Rime.
I think a pronunciation page would really help this book aswell, because I have no idea if I'm pronouncing most of the names right in this book which I feel is a disservice to the original language.

This book beat my reading slump. I found the beginning a little slow, but Odin's Child rewarded my patience.
I didn't have much interest in the main characters, Hirka or Rime. Somewhere around the 150 word mark, something snagged me and I devoured the rest of the novel. The stakes kept rising and the storyline developed really well. We got hardly any answers about what's going on... only more questions, but I can accept that in a fantasy trilogy.
Hirka felt realistic to me. Yes.. She's a little naive and dramatic, but she's trying to find her place in this world and building her confidence in herself. The romance plot felt a little childish (especially how jealous Hirka could be) but for the most part, her crush felt authentic. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about Rime at first, but I really felt for him toward the latter half of the book.
In the end, Siri Pettersen did a phenomenal job in crafting an intriguingly corrupt society. She brought the story to a point where I wasn't entirely positive how they'd get out of it alive. I couldn't quite rate it five stars though.

At the beginning of this story I will admit the confusion I felt, stranger to unknown concepts and words. Yet as the story progressed, I was quickly entranced. Hirka is outstanding, beautiful, and strong. Who am I to deny a strong female main character? Additionally, I think Odin's Child made it blatantly clear how much of a sucker I am for romance. It is impossible to ignore the electricity between Hirka and Rime, their relationship so elegantly constructed over the pages of this story where when it's time to set the book down, you feel only pain and longing. I fell in love with this story and would recommend it over and over again. I cannot wait to read the second book to this outstanding trilogy.

Odin's Child

If you're looking for a slow burn type of fantasy book, then you'll enjoy Odin's Child. Pettersen takes their time weaving an intricate story about Hirka, Rime, and and Council. In a world of tailed beings, Hirka is born tailless, which only a child of Odin can be this way. As the tailless can bring rot to this world, they are killed upon discovery.

Unfortunately, this is as far as I made it into the book. While the story is interesting enough to make a reader want to keep going, the drawn out scenes made me feel like I would never get to the point of the story.

Odin's Child will enthrall the patient reader who loves a slow build. I'm not that kind of reader, so this book was not for me.

I was very excited to get my hands on this once I saw the reviews for it in its original language. Let me tell you, this book does not disappoint. Hirka is likeable, from the way she hates the system was a raised in, to her emotional turmoil of finding out that everything you knew about yourself is a lie. I found the romance between Hirka and Rime interesting, and realistic. They’re strong characters on their own, which really builds for a fantastic relationship. There were moments that this book felt confusing, or slow and that took away some of my love for it. In the translation, there are still some terms that I wasn’t sure if they were apart of this new world, or apart of the Norwegian language. Additionally, I feel as though Urd’s part of the story was somewhat confusing. However, knowing this is a trilogy means that I may get those answers when the next books are translated.
I found the plot of this and the world-building fascinating. It felt entirely new, despite it not being too new of a concept to the fantasy world. The way things were written and woven into one another was great, and Pettersen has really done an amazing thing introducing this into the world of epic fantasies. I am incredibly excited for the next two books to be translated into English and get my hands on them.

I laughed out loud and there were times that I was on the verge of tears, if you’re looking for a fantasy to get lost in, this is the one. Set in an old world built on natural born magic (Might) with a twist on Norse mythology the author introduces us to different races, creatures and personalities through the eyes of three very contrasting perspectives. Odin’s Child was for sure a wild ride, and one I am looking to continue when the rest of the trilogy is published here in the U.S. I faced my own struggles within the first half of the book. Keeping track of a lot of names and places that were difficult to pronounce was a challenge for me. Once I became familiar with the characters and the locations within my own “imaginary map,” I started to truly enjoy this title.

Hirka, a young female living in a society she was raised in but not born into, faces the challenge of not belonging, being hunted and the struggle of finding love with someone whom it is forbidden to love. Amidst her trials she discovers she was not the only one or thing to have broken through the gates and comes face to face with the greatest question of who she truly is. She is not just tailless and Mightless, she discovers who she is at her core with courage and more grace than most.
These characters are portrayed with such character and depth that I was able to truly experience the emotions of their struggles, their successes and their growth.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to any fantasy lovers, Odin’s child is engaging, exciting and entertaining.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Odin's Child has a pretty interesting synopsis that sucked me in. So, yeah, I'll admit that I was pretty freaking excited to dive into it's pages. I was pumped for the mythology and fantasy things that were going to come my way. They did but this book and I just weren't connecting all the time.

I think the lack of chapters really bugged me. Okay, I know it did. Then there's the beginning. It was interesting and a bit heartbreaking at the same time. Once we got to know more about Hirka, Rime, and Vetle, well - honestly they were okay. Yeah they had destinies and stuff but I couldn't really connect with anyone. I tried, trust me I tried, but nothing was clicking.

Then there's the romance, adventure, challenges, and evil lurking every where. The romance had it's cute moments but some things that happened throughout it confused me. The adventure was entertaining with some weird and disgusting things alone the way. I could keep going on and on saying that this book had some good parts and others that were okay or boring.

In the end, I feel like if this had chapters and paced a bit better for me then I would be in love with the book.

This is definitely a case of It's not you, it's me.

I can see this book really working for many people. It starts a bit jarring, just throwing you into a dark night in a strange world of tails and ravens and might and binding. It's can be hard to play catch up, as there are a lot of POV's. No real chapters, just breaks where the information changes directions. But the story is cohesive, it all flows and goes well together and you can easily follow the storyline with the Rite and the areas.

This world is very rich, the characters are interesting and the storyline is unique and well done. I can see others liking it more than me. If the synopsis sounds good to you, grab this and give it a try. It just wasn't for me.

When I got to the end, I found a small glossary and other information that I think would have been great to have right at the beginning with an actual Glossary title and a hyper link to lead to it.

Odin's Child took me on a wild trip. It is set in a world where the inhabitants are just like humans, but have tails and can do magic. Yes, they have long tails. I sometimes had a hard time picturing what they looked like. There are two different types of magic in this world, the Might and Blindcraft. The Might is the magic that every person has within them and connects them to the earth. Blindcraft is an evil magic that comes from outside of the world and is dangerous, it doesn't belong.

Hirka was found as an infant and then adopted by her father who couldn't bring himself to kill her. Why would he want to kill an infant? Because she didn't have a tail and which meant she was a Child of Odin or the Rot. As Hirka grows into a teenager she is supposed to go through the Rite, to show how much of the magic she can wield. Hirka learns who she truly is and goes on an epic adventure to save her own life and then save the entire kingdom from the Blind and those who use Blindcraft.

The story is told from the perspectives of three people: our protagonist, Hirka, her love interest and a warrior, Rime, and the villain, Urd. I wasn't a fan of Urd and his POV chapters, I thought they were tedious and struggled to get through them. However his story is essential to understanding Hirka and where she came from. The world building in this story is fantastic. The magic system is well explained as well as the cultures in the different regions the world. The story is paced well and continues to build the further your read. There was little connection to Odin and Norse mythology that I recognized which is I was originally interested in Odin's Child. However I think more will be in the next book.

Odin's Child is the first book the Raven's Rings trilogy that is written by Swedish author Siri Pettersen and then translated into English. I look forward to reading the second book.

3.5 stars*
this book was quite the ride!
i enjoyed reading the author's own twist of norse mythology much more than i thought i would.

perhaps it was the fact that the author managed to seamlessly switch between three POVs of polar opposite characters, while beautifully managing to write the voice of each. from our fiery and (usually) unintentionally-mischievous red-haired hirka - a child of odin-, to the simmering-with-anger-and-hatred rime - heir to one of the 12 main families of our world-, and scheming urd with his mysterious collar and stench of blood and death - yet another heir to a main family.

the romance in this book was angsty just enough to make me want to silently scream. and the action was gritting and exciting. i found myself struggling to read as fast as i can, maybe hirka will be safe if i hurry up, or maybe rime can take the decision he's meant to take.

overall this was a really enjoyable book, the sentences felt a little heavy to read sometimes so it took me around 2 weeks to finish it.

looking forward to continuing the trilogy! the ending scene left me at the edge of my seat.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Pub Date 23 March 2021

Odin's Child tells the story of Hirka, a young girl living in a society where a power called The Might is drawn from the earth and wielded by everyone except for her. Those who cannot “bind” or use The Might are greatly feared and thought to be legend, only existing in frightening songs to scare children. Faced with The Rite, a coming of age ceremony where her inability to bind The Might will be revealed, Hirka is forced to turn to her childhood friend, Rime, for help. Unbeknownst to her however, Rime is keeping secrets of his own and soon the two are caught up in a much bigger conflict between opposing rulers and affecting all they hold dear.
Epic and expansive are two words I would use to describe this book. The world-building is breathtaking and ambitious. At times I almost felt like there was too much exposition crammed into the first hundred or so pages. It was a little difficult to keep up with all the names being used and understand if they were referring to locations, events or people.
The characters are well fleshed out and you really get an understanding for their individual motivations however I did feel like the internal monologue could be confusing.
Overall I liked this book but felt that it was too long and nothing really happens until the second half of the book but by then it was too late. I did enjoy the setting and the writing is excellent however the pacing was too slow and there was too much excess material weighing the narrative down.
I would recommend this to people who like books with a lot of detail, an original storyline and immersive fantasy.

“They call her the tailless girl. Wolfgirl. I’ve heard Ravengirl, too.”

Odin's Child came out originally in Norway by a Norwegian author in 2013, but is finally releasing in English March 23, 2021! It is the first in a trilogy named The Raven Rings, and it is a fantastic beginning to what promises to be an epic fantasy based on Norse Mythology.

I devour mythology of all kinds, and Norse mythology is no exception. Odin's Child is a reimagining of the Norse mythology realms and what it means to be different. It is the kind of story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, biting your lip as you lean into the moment with the characters. It sucks you in and before you know it, you very nearly forget you're not part of it. This is the kind of sweeping fantasy that fills the mind with color and emotion and action, and I am absolutely invested in it for the next two book translations.

In a realm known as Ym, Hrika is a fifteen year old girl on the precipice of womanhood. In a few months, she has only to pass the coming of age ritual known as the Rite, to demonstrate her ability with the Might. But as that day appears, her father reveals a secret that shatters her very understanding of herself and the world she lives in.

Hrika isn't just a girl whose tail was lost in a childhood accident. She is Hrika the Tailless, an Odin's Child, a creature of myth and horror. Despised and feared, the closer the Rite approaches, the deeper the danger to her life. Especially when her best friend (and sometimes opponent) is the heir to a seat on the Council and one of the most powerful in the Might they've seen in generations. After all, a tailless girl is an acceptable friend for a boy, but not the kind of company an heir keeps. An heir with his own secrets to a council whose secrets are deepest of all.

Hrika is a wholly believable and likeable main character whose thoughts and actions don’t follow today’s YA protagonist angst. I very much think I would have befriended her had I been a Ymling. The raven lore is fascinating for it is symbiotic and sacred in Odin’s Child, especially when you consider how frequently the raven plays in many mythologies, not just Norse. It also calls into question how exactly Odin got his two ravens which is a question I would very much enjoy seeing answered in the coming books. Rime is another character that you can’t help but root for, even if his motivations and actions are far murkier.

“Imagine lacking something that everyone else has. Something that proves you belong to this world. Something so vital, that without it, you are nothing. A plague. A myth. A human.”

Just how far will Hrika go to survive and how will it change not only her, but also the only world she has ever known?

I will caution that while it is labeled Young Adult fantasy, I would probably place this more on the new adult/ adult side of things. The protagonist, Hrika, and Rime are young, but the author does not hold back on descriptions of gore and death. There is violence, xenophobia, blind religion, and sexual aggression as well.

First, I like to point out this story is told with multiple povs in third person which can be confusing at times. I believe due to this story being a translation from norwegian to english, Some parts have weird sentence structures. It doesn't make it unreadable just to point that out but expect some hiccups. Overall I like the writing and the world building even though it's more slow paced which should be expected for a book one in a trilogy. My main problem is that it felt like an average fantasy about kingdom and power etc just throw in people with tails. I would probably have forgotten if it wasn't for them mentioning how Haika doesn’t have a tail giving her a mockery but simple nickname “Tailless”. I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I heard this is about norse mythology but that may be lacking on my part. I would look more into it in future readings and come back hopefully to book two with a better understanding . . maybe. This story may be listed as a young adult because the main character Harika is a 15 year old but it's written more as an adult fantasy. Warning :death of a family member (don't eat while reading around the 6-8% mark the word ‘chunks’ would surely ruin your appetite) . Rape & Explicit scenes etc. I do recommend this book for readers who enjoy slow angsty teenage romance. To sum it up Harika- So what if I'm different I'm a badass who's free and strong can say and act however i want because no one is going to stop me. Rime- I was born without any struggles in life. I have a great future that anyone would kill for but I'm different, I shall rebel. My version of their interactions- I love you but I'm going to pretend that this is just a heart burn. I’ve been watching from the shadows longing to be with you (walks closer) . . . but we're from different worlds and social status (turns back). . . but that's why I'm drawn to you even more (half turn strike a pose showing your hurting deep down inside) .Every time I hear, see or smell your name my heart jumps in excitement but it needs to sit the hell down. Which i absolutely love 10/10. As you can tell I'm in pretty much emotional distress from this book so go ahead and read it and enjoy.