Absolutely beautiful writing and as stunning as the last one. There really is just something about Genevieve Gornichec's writing, and I am hopefully that we will get more fantasy from her in the future!

What a great addition to the historical fiction shelf! I really enjoyed this and the three women whose perspectives it contained. A compelling, hard to put down story.

Wow. I am not sure I have all the words to describe how incredible this book was. I read it in three days as I just could not stay away. Gunnhild, Oddny and Signy grew up in tenth century Norway. The three swore to always be sisters and to take care of each other. A seeminly innocent childhood oath that ends up being more sinister and drives their fates together and apart. Being Viking Norway, there is a lot of blood, magic and adventure. From beginning to end I was captivated. Definitely recommended!

Three young girls in a Viking village are linked by prophecy and by an oath to one another. They are separated and each has a different fate that leads them back to one another.

I loved every second of this book. Each girl was different in her motives and loyalties. I loved the sisterhood of magic and the way the magic manifested. There was an interesting queer twist in this one that totally gave me GOT vibes (trying not to be spoilery but it's great). The men were nuanced and layered as well, even though every second was a political jockeying for position that often led to violence. The battles were great and I think would appeal well to male readers as well. Each character has to make tough choices that force them to choose between power, loyalty and love.

Read this one if you liked The Queen Hereafter (Lady Macbethad) or Sistersong.

Thanks to Ace, Berkley Publishing Group for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

Although it would be very difficult to unseat The Witch's Heart as my favorite Nordic-themed novel, this one gave me the same feel. Certainly this is a modern re-imagining of a historical figure, which keeps it fresh and engaging.

I loved this book! Gornichec's writing style is entrancing and I never want to put down the book. The description of magic and the way that the characters were written made me want to live in the world.

After reading and loving The Witch's Heart, I had high hopes for this one. I disliked everything about this book: the characters, the dialogue, the fact that there's a trans viking who is somehow the the best fighter. None of it made any sense if you tried to think about it. This book has put me off reading any other books by this author.

I adore The Witch’s Heart but this didn’t live up to my expectations. Amazing amount of adventure but it felt like it dragged at times. Also the title is confusing — the character hardly identifies as a weaver.

An epic tale of sisterhood, love, battles, curses, magic, revenge and so much more based on Norse mythology this was a transporting tale with a cast of memorable characters!! Three young girls make a blood bond for life only to have one sold into slavery. The other two vow to rescue her and so sets the course of each of their lives as they travel with a Viking king, rise in power and fall in love all while battling three evil witches.

This took me a bit to get into but once I was in I was so invested!! I loved that one of the MCs is a trans man and is treated in such a normalized way! Great on audio too with an interesting author's note included at the end.

Highly recommended for fans of stories like Wrath goddess sing. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a story that will warm your heart and make it race all at the same time, every part of this story done just right, and with every eloquent word penned by this gifted author making you want to read everything else they have ever written.

Author Genevieve Gornichec’s debut novel The Witch’s Heart is one of the best books that hit shelves in 2021 (and one that you probably haven’t read). A rich, lyrical reimagining of the story of Norse giantess Angrboda, who is primarily remembered as the mother of the trickster god Loki’s three monstrous children, it’s one part love story, one part apocalyptic vision, and a quest tale that literally spans thousands of years. (It’s incredible, is what I’m saying.) It also instantly cemented Gornichec as an author to watch in the historical fantasy space, a writer whose dedication to centering female perspectives in historical stories in which women are often treated as little more than afterthoughts. Or outright villains on the days they’re remembered at all.

Her second novel, The Weaver and the Witch Queen puts a slightly magical spin on the origins of the woman who would come to be known in the Norse sagas as Gunnhild, Mother of Kings. In those tales, she’s almost universally remembered in a negative light—as most powerful women from history tend to be, particularly when few facts about their lives survive. But what we do know is that she was an influential and powerful figure in her own right, who is frequently connected with sorcery (a trait she once again shares with women from history who dared to position themselves as any way equal to men).

Gornichec’s book takes the scant details about the historical Gunnhild’s life—her author’s note has some helpful details about which specific sagas her story draws from—and spins them into a rich and magical tale of sisterhood and survival, revenge and sacrifice, with a satisfying dollop of enemies to lovers romance and trans representation on top.

Gunnhild, Oddny, and Signy have been best friends since they were little. After a visit from a wisewoman who makes an ominous prophecy involving the girls, the three take a blood oath to always help one another.

Years after Gunnhild had run away from her cruel mother, Oddny and Signy’s farm gets raided and Signy gets taken. Oddny and Gunnhild are reunited in their journey to stop at nothing to save Signy. Oddny, who was spiraled out of the life she always imagined, finds herself drawn to one of the raiders who participated in the attack. Gunnhild, who fled her childhood home to learn the ways of the witch, is surprised to find her destiny intertwined with King Eirik, heir apparent to the ruler of all Norway.

But the bonds the women have are strong and on the journey to save Signy, these bonds will be tested and stretched in ways they never could have seen.

Just like The Witch’s Heart, I absolutely loved and devoured this novel. I also adored the characters - even with all their flaws. All of the side characters stood strong on their own as well and I always wanted to hear and read about all of them.

Everything about this book was captivating and absorbing for me. Genevieve Gornichec has always done an amazing job at getting me into ancient settings and keeping me there throughout the entire book. I could practically picture myself there.

I didn’t know much about Icelandic and/or Norwegian folklore or sagas before this (some Norse Mythology). I really enjoy when a historical fiction book also teaches me things as well - or gives me something to look up and research myself afterwards.

I would highly recommend this book - especially those who like historical Norwegian fiction. And for those who liked The Witch’s Heart and are wondering if you’ll like this one too - I say give it a shot!

*Thank you Ace and NetGalleyfor an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I simply loved it. Merely trying and writing this review is making me feel self conscious because I know I’m not able to use my words to adequately explain just how beautiful the writing in this book is. I’d be highly recommending this this, especially to all the historical fiction and mythology fans. It is a spectacularly captivating tale, I am incredibly excited to see which tale would Ms. Gornichec would choose to write about!

Editor's note: The following summary review appears in Alabama, N.C. and Miss. papers; magazines Cullman Magazine and Athens Senior Scene

By Tom Mayer

Between 500,000 and 1 million books are published each year (a number that spikes to as much as 4 million when self-published titles are factored in) — and, with no disrespect to Egon Spengler as played by the great Harold Ramis, the majority of those are of the paper variety: Print is far from dead.

Printed books continue to grow as the dominant publishing platform with a reported 789 million paper books sold in 2022 in the United States alone.

But, say that you — a “constant reader” as the king of horror has dubbed us all — just want a good read? With numbers such as that, who has the time to churn through even a fraction of that voluminous literary category?
Well, nobody actually, and that includes the droves of book reviewers who periodically chime in with erudite recommendations panning or promoting in a line or two a body of work that likely took a writer months, if not years, to produce.

But this is the system with have and, barring an AI infiltration of robots scanning, reading and recommending books on their own, what you have below is a curated list of 11 of the best books I’ve come across in the past three months — and a baker’s dozen more that I’m working on for late fall.

And, because we all know that children’s publishing is an exploding force of its own (a $3.3 billion marketing impact in the US in 2022), I’ve added a separate list of children’s titles worthy of trading screen time for book time across a range of ages.

As for the adult titles, a few of these will have breakout, more full reviews — Robert McCammon, Robert Dugoni, John Grisham and Rick DeStefanis among those — as we move deeper into fall, but for everything on this list now, my typical disclaimer: Each of these books was read as an advanced reading copy (ARC), digital or print, and vetted against a final, printed copy except in cases where the publication time of this review didn’t allow for a final copy production, and those are noted as below, “books to watch for.”

The best of the best … for now

“The Better Half” by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans (Mindy’s Book Studio, 326 pages, $28.99): With an introduction from Mindy Kaling, literary soulmates Frank and Youmans take a comedic look at the second half of Nina Morgan Clarke’s life. When the first-generation, Black female head of the storied Royal-Hawkins School joins forces with a best friend to celebrate her second act, ethical dilemmas and a slippery slope from the pinnacle of her life ensue.

“The Beast You Are” by Paul Tremblay (William Morrow, 356 pages, $30): Paul Tremblay’s stories never fail to infiltrate our dreams, and this volume gives us that times 15. Only the title story is original to the collection, but having these polished gems in one place makes the whole thing shine. Extensive notes on story origins are a bonus — and a peek into the master’s mind.

“The Weaver and the Witch Queen” by Genevieve Gornichec (Ace, 432 pages, $27): A heart-wrenching tale about two women who are irrevocably drawn together by the bonds of sword sisterhood and twists of fate, this fantastical novel is a sumptuous blend of Norse mythology and Viking history. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s “Norse Mythology” will rejoice at having a companion piece.

“The Hunt” by Kelly J. Ford (Thomas & Mercer, 353 pages, $16.99): Serial murders or simply unfortunate accidents? The town of Presley, Ark., is divided on the issue and has been for 17 years. Nell Holcomb, the sister of the man she considers “the Hunter’s” first kill, faces her past, and escalating danger, to find the true answer.
“The Truth About Sex Trafficking” by Melanie Patterson (Forged in Words Books, 200 pages, $14.99): An honest, unsentimental and horrific depiction of sex trafficking telling the true story of Angela, a victim who endured unimaginable abuse as a child as a teen. The story comes from a Cullman County native and former Alabama journalist with two decades of research and writing experience.

"Broadway Butterfly" by Sara Divello (Thomas & Mercer, 432 pages, $28.99): The city is Manhattan, the year is 1923. The story: one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the era. When flapper Dot King is found dead in her Midtown apartment, a phalanx of lovers, parasites and justice seekers descend on the city.

“Rawlins: The Road to Yellowstone (The Rawlins Saga Book 4)” by Rick DeStefanis (247 pages, $24.95): I’ve said it before (well, actually three times before), but Rick DeStefanis is one our most least-sung Western writers. Though the stories are set in the 19th century, the themes echo today. “The Road to Yellowstone” is another example where Rawlins once more slings on his guns to fight for justice — now joined by his son-in-law — against a group of “businessmen” trafficking women for their saloons and bordellos.

“Malibu Burning (Sharpe & Walker Book 1)” by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, 286 pages, $28.99): A master thief with a conscience? Only from the pen of Lee Goldberg, a virtuoso of crime fiction who knows how to keep the pages turning. This fiery tale of revenge against powerful Malibu homeowners is the background of what, if it’s successful, will be the biggest heist in U.S. history.

“The Girl from the Red Rose Motel” by Susan Zurenda (Mercer University Press, 291 pages, $27): An unprocessed take on “Romeo and Juliet,” this achingly beautifully written novel explores the complicated bonds between teenagers and adults. Strongly drawn, confident teenagers are a refreshing departure from the wooden cutouts so prevalent (and scarily popular) in contemporary fiction. This novel comes with high praise from the likes of Ron Rash (“Serena,” “The Caretaker”). Meet the author Nov. 9 in Tuscaloosa and Talladega, Ala. Visit susanzurenda.com/events for details on these and other dates.

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“The September House” by Carissa Orlando (Berkley, 352 pages, $27): A woman is determined to stay in her own house even after it becomes haunted. Sounds like you’ve heard it before? Erase those preconceptions and be prepared for dark, funny, fresh tale of secrets and haunted matrimony.

“The Taken Ones: A Novel (Steinbeck and Reed Book 1)" by Jess Lourey (Thomas & Mercer, 331 pages, $16.99): In 1980, despite warnings and urban legends, three girls enter a Minnesota forest. Only one comes out, and she’s alone with her memory erased. The local superstition of the Bendy Man who haunts the woods earns nationwide attention. The year 2022: cold case detective Van Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck investigate the murder of a woman buried alive — clutching a heart charm necklace that belonged to one of the girls. The search for a killer is now a race against time.

Books to watch for

I’ll expand in future reviews on these titles publishing in October and November, but here’s a head’s up for what I’m reading now.

“One Last Kill: Tracy Crosswhite 10” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni.
“Let Us Descend” (Scribner) by Jesmyn Ward.
“Murder on the Christmas Express” (Poison Press) by Alexandra Benedict.
“Long Past Due” (Berkley) by James J. Butcher (with “Dead Man’s Hand,” first in series).
“The Exchange” (Doubleday) by John Grisham.
“The Spy Coast” (Thomas & Mercer) by Tess Gerritsen.
“The Life and Times of Hannah Craft” (Harper Collins) by Greg Hecimovich.
“American Girl” (Blackstone Publishing) by Wendy Walker.
“The Aeronaut’s Windlass” (Ace) by Jim Butcher.
“The Last Applicant” (Lake Union) by Rebecca Hanover.
“Resurrection Walk” (Little Brown) by Michael Connelly.
“The Olympian Affair” (Roc) by Jim Butcher.
“Good Girls Don’t Die” (Berkley) by Christina Henry.

Childrens’ titles … with strong recommendations

“Clara Poole and the Long Way Round” (Pixel Ink for ages 8-12) by Taylor Tying.
"Buddy and Bea Not Really Buddies" and “Tiny Tornadoes” (both Peachtree, for ages 5-8) by Jan Carr and Kris Mukai .
“The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves: S.O.S.” (Peachtree) by Tom Phillips.
“Forget me not blue” (Holiday House) by Sharelle Byars Moranville.
“In the Tunnel” (Holiday House, for ages 8-12) by Julie Lee.
“The Girl Who Lost a Leopard” (Peachtree, for ages 8-12) by Nizrana Farook.”
“Team Trash: A time Traveler’s Guide to Sustainability” (Holiday House, for ages10-14) by Kate Wheeler and Trent Huntington.
“Bizard, the bear wizard” (Margaret Ferguson Books, for ages 8-10) by Chrissie Krebs.
“The Sinister Secrets of Singe” (Pixel Ink, for ages 10 and older) by Sean Ferrell, illustrated by Graham Carter.

I have enjoyed all of the books that I've read by Genevieve Gornichec. I was so excited to receive this ARC book after reading The Witches Heart.

The pace was a little bit slow, and a little less action-y than The Witches Heart was. It still caught my attention and drug me in. I love anything Norse mythos related so I was instantly excited. I think that this story feels a lot more cozy, and soft compared to TWH.

I'm just excited to keep reading all of her books. They always seem to make my heart happy!

I love a good fantasy based on Norse mythology and was a big fan of the Witch’s Heart, so I was excited to see Genevieve Gornichec release another book. This one focuses on three women, two of whom are sisters and one who is their best friend. I loved the camaraderie in this story and how they are ultimately there for each other. I also loved how trans rep was included and found it well done.

All in all, this story wasn’t quite as good as The Witch’s Heart, but it was still quite solid. I definitely enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed Gornichec's 'The Weaver and the Witch Queen'. I haven't read too many books that take place during the Viking age but now I may have to go out and buy some. 'The Weaver and the Witch Queen' follows three women; Signy, Oddny, and Gunhilde. Each of these women is unique and strong in their own way and I loved following their story. While all three are flawed, I do love the complex relationships they have as it may the story very interesting.

There were parts in the story that did feel a bit slow and that's why this isn't a five-star read for me. The end did pick up for me and I enjoyed it, I just wished that it was faster paced in some areas.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen follows the story of Gunnhild and her two friends who are bound together by prophecy and, for two of them, a blood oath. Gunnhild is a flawed character, protective, obstinate at times, and angry. Her devotion to her friends is wonderfully solid. Oddney, with whom she has a blood oath, is interesting. She is often a voice of reason and has a sensitivity to her that I find appealing. Signy, Oddney's sister, is spirited and a strong character in her own right.

Gornichec's writing is very accessible. She does an amazing job of weaving the story, incorporating the characters, and covering various themes. I really liked the inclusion of diverse characters. The story takes place in the Viking era drawing on myths and legend; however, at times it feels modern day. I think this lends well to creating a story that would appeal to a wide group of readers. The world building is lacking somewhat, but the reader can easily fill in the gaps given the story and what is provided. The book jumps right into the story and has a really good even pacing. It kept me engaged while curious as to the future of the characters and their journeys. There is plenty of mystery and intrigue and just enough hints to keep the reader going. Overall, a great read with interesting likable characters and a solid story.

I loved the story. The cover is beautiful. The characters were well developed, and I loved the trans representation in this story. I was unable to put it down!