
Member Reviews

This is an interesting story about a Viking queen! I love the romance in this novel! I also found Gunnhild to be a strong protagonist. I like how it is set I. Viking age!

The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec is a spellbinding tale of fate, friendship, and Viking-era magic. Following two childhood friends—one destined to be a queen, the other a powerful witch—the novel weaves a rich tapestry of Norse mythology, political intrigue, and deep emotional bonds. This book is perfect for historical fiction fans. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gornichec delivers another beautifully woven tale of myth, magic, and Viking-era sisterhood in The Weaver and the Witch Queen. The story follows Oddny and Gunnhild—two women whose fates intertwine across years of separation, hardship, and ambition. The novel’s strongest element is the deep, emotional bond between the women, which remains at its heart even as they forge separate paths—one of quiet resilience, the other of power and witchcraft.
The Viking setting is immersive, filled with danger, magic, and complex relationships. The pacing occasionally drags, particularly in the middle, but the compelling character arcs and moments of heartbreak and triumph make up for it. The romance is a nice touch without overshadowing the core theme of loyalty and destiny.
With just the right balance of historical fiction and fantasy, this book is perfect for fans of The Witch’s Heart and anyone who loves richly detailed, emotionally charged storytelling. A captivating read!

I read this over a long period of time so some of the details are hazy, but overall I enjoyed this story better than her previous novel. I am surprised I have not seen more readers commenting on this novel because I think it has many of the elements that readers today crave.

The Witches of Vardø is a spellbinding tale that weaves Viking history, myth, and magic into a deeply moving story of sisterhood, destiny, and power. Oddny and Gunnhild’s lives are bound by a blood oath made in childhood, and their contrasting paths—Oddny’s quest to rescue her kidnapped sister and Gunnhild’s rise as a witch and potential queen—are both thrilling and emotionally rich. The novel beautifully explores themes of fate, loyalty, and the complex ties that bind women together, with lush, atmospheric writing and a compelling historical backdrop. Fans of The Witch’s Heart will be captivated by this unforgettable journey.

I adore this author’s work. It’s so evident that they do the research to put out a fantastic story. The Witch’s Heart was one of my favorite books read in 2022, so I knew I had to read this one. I’m so eager to see where Gornichec goes with fiction, I cannot get enough of these stories!!!!

The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec weaves an enchanting tale of friendship, ambition, and destiny set against the backdrop of 10th century Norway. The story follows Gunnhild and sisters Oddny and Signy as they navigate a world filled with Norse mythology and prophetic dangers that threaten to tear them apart. Gornichec’s masterful character development allows readers to connect deeply with the protagonists, who are flawed yet fiercely determined to shape their own futures. With elements of romance and a rich narrative style, this historical fantasy captures the complexities of female empowerment and the bonds that unite us.

There’s a lot to appreciate in The Weaver and the Witch Queen, especially for fans of myth-inspired fantasy, but ultimately, it didn’t resonate with me enough to finish it. It’s possible that the story picks up later, but I found myself lacking the motivation to see it through to the end. This book might be a better fit for readers who have a stronger affinity for slow-burn fantasy with intricate world-building.

Genevieve Gornichec’s *The Weaver and the Witch Queen* is a captivating historical fantasy set in the Viking Age. The story follows Gunnhild, who’s on her way to becoming the Witch Queen of Norway, and Oddny, who’s determined to find her missing sister. Gornichec does an amazing job of bringing tenth-century Scandinavia to life, mixing historical details with mythological magic. The Viking world she creates is both harsh and enchanting, making it easy to get lost in the story.
What really stands out in this book are the characters and their relationships. The bond between Gunnhild and Oddny is beautifully written, making you root for them every step of the way. The pacing keeps you hooked, slowly building up the tension and excitement. With strong female leads, an engaging plot, and lush, descriptive writing, *The Weaver and the Witch Queen* is a must-read for anyone into historical fantasy or Norse mythology. It’s a story about courage, love, and the power of belief that you won’t want to put down.

I loved this authors first book and this one did not disappoint. This is perfect for the romantasy girlies but you get some cool historical elements as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen is a fantastic saga built from Norse Mythology. The writing is fantastic and the characters and their journeys are intriguing and well formed. If you liked the Witch's Heart this book doesn't disappoint .

unfortunately this book was not for me i was unable to complete it. I think it would work for some people. it was well written but just didnt keep my attention

I really loved Gornichec's first novel The Witch's Heart, so I was really hoping for another stellar retelling. The characters were complex and three-dimensional and I enjoyed the world building, although it could have been tightened up a bit. While story delivered, some of the dialog was a bit too modern for the time period and took me out of the story. I didn't like it as much as The Witch's Heart, but it was an enjoyable read.

I loved The Witch’s Heart and was thrilled to receive this as an e-arc! Genevieve’s writing and storytelling is so unique. If you like mythology and interesting fantasy reads that are different than the norm, give this one a try!

THE WEAVER AND THE WITCH QUEEN is a wonderfully rich and engrossing Viking Age historical fantasy. Genevieve Gornichec continues to weave a tale that brings the best of what historical fiction can be with the epic nature of fantasy. The writing was superb and flowed effortlessly throughout the story.

i'm beginning to think that if Gornichec wrote a user manual for a dishwasher I would obsessively read it cover to cover. I love her style of writing. its so magical and lyrical. I loved this tale and think that it was magical in so many ways. The characters were lovable, and hate-able which I find equally important. I liked the development of the story line. I did think that it kinda bogged down in a few places but nothing that made me what to set the book down at any point.

Me and another librarian had been waiting for this one! Gornichec's first book was one of our favorites and this one did not disappoint. As beautiful and poignant as the first, Gornichec's prose will leave your heart aching and your mind wishing for more more more. She's a fantastic writer and I hope that she continues writing great books.
If you like historical fiction with a bit of magic and mythology this book is right up your alley. It's nice to see such a well written book about the bonds of sisterhood both chosen and by blood.

I put off reading this one for so long because I knew it was going to cause some emotional damage. And it did but honestly it was so good that there was no other way it could play out.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review,.

Again, an era and slice of ‘history’ that I knew next to nothing about but was utterly fascinated by. I could not put this down, devouring it in one sitting. It was so character driven - between the three women Gunnhild, Signy and Oddny and their intertwined fate. And then the men who revolve around them. It left me craving so much more. For anyone who likes epic historical fiction, this is it!