A fantastic mythology and historical telling! I’ve been reading a lot of these lately, and this hit the spot so well. I really enjoyed it and I Will absolutely recommend it to those looking for these awesome magical and mythical reads!

I was so excited to get this one, but honestly it just wasn’t really my cup of tea. It was just a bit underwhelming to me.

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

This author's previous novel, The Witch's Heart, has been sitting in my physical TBR pile for ages because the plot sounded amazing, and the only reason I haven't gotten to it yet is because I keep getting distracted by new NetGalley ARCs. However, I'm going to try to make a point to remedy that injustice now, as I did dearly love the writing style in this book, and all the characters in it. I did have some issues, of course: some of the bigger twists were easy to see coming, the pacing was a bit slow in the middle, but overall, it was a pleasant reading experience. I genuinely love books that make me pull up Wikipedia to get a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural references, and this was definitely one of those. And the inclusion of a trans character made my heart so happy, as did the author's note, where she stated, "We'll never know how many people we'd recognize today as LGBTQIA+ have been omitted from history, but we have always been here, and we always will be." Well said!

A very interesting historical fantasy based on a real life figure of Norse history. Not a lot of history is told through the eyes of women and the author uses this novel to show what life may have been like for at least some women of this time. Throw in some magical realism and you have a riveting tale.

Content warning: death, blood, gore, menstruation, gaslighting by a parent, child abuse, parental abuse, misogyny, self-mutilation in magical rituals, death of a parent, depiction and discussion of slavery in the Viking age, mention of child death, mention of sexual assault

Another Viking age fantasy from The Witcher’s Heart author, Genevieve Gornichec. This work of historical fantasy told in dual POV is about Gunnhild and Oddny, two women who swore a blood oath as children to always be together now have to fight magical forces, northern European political forces, and the literal seasons to get Oddny’s sister, Signy, back after a raid. It’s a tale of femininity, of friendship, and the things people will do to protect those they care most about.

A book that loves its women as much as it loves depicting Vikings as the job it was, Gunnhild and Oddny’s trials in trying to get Signy back captured my entire heart.

Going into this book, I expected a well-researched, immersive, and grounded Viking experience, and it did not disappoint on that aspect. Though this is a work of fantasy and there is magic connected to Nordic folklore, so much of the dialogue and action happen around the rituals of every day life. And since this is a book about women, there is a lot that went into the depiction of menstrual care and contraception, and showing the camaraderie and solidarity.

Throughout the narrative, this work posits the idea that the only wrong form of femininity is the one you didn’t choose. This is expressed especially in Gunnhild’s perspective, as a lesser daughter who chose her own path, and is also reflected in Oddny. While the book is sex positive, Oddny expressing demisexuality through waiting to sleep with someone until she gets to know them properly. While there is sexual content, it’s not explicit, but these characters do pursue their sexual interests freely. There’s no right way to be a woman or pursue sexual gratification, and this narrative loves all them all.

Of course, a book discussing femininity chosen and imposed would be missing an opportunity if it didn’t include a transgender character, and Gornichec sticks the landing here. Halldor was already my favorite due to the thorniness of his introduction as a Viking raider, and he just gets better and better as the book goes on. For queer readers who are worried, he does make it to the end. I will avoid saying more due to spoilers.

The aspect of this book that moved me most is the way this theme of femininity manifested in the relationship between Gunnhild and her mother, Solveig. The type of emotional abuse and gaslighting hit close for me. It’s difficult to read, and especially in the context of Gunnhild trying to make something for herself in spite of her mother. Sometimes closure comes in the form of getting the last word in. It’s heart-wrenching and painful in a true way.

This book has so much going for it: immersive, in love with women and femininity, and steeped in magic and folklore.

Pagan Norway - sisters Oddny and Signy are best friends with Gunnhild, the local leader's daughter. As a toddler, a seer spoke Gunnhild's future - though all refuse to share the details. A seer comes again with the girls on the brink of womanhood - their futures tied together, though again the seer refuses to share the entire vision.
Desperate to save her friends and have a decent life, Gunnhild runs away with the seer.
Years later, the friends are reunited - Signy stolen to be sold, Oddny and Gunnhild determined to find her; each begin their true destiny.
Rich with lore, humor, found family and magic, this historical fantasy will consume your thoughts. Loved it!

Since reading The Widow Queen and The Last Crown by Elżbieta Cherezińska, I have been interested in exploring more myths, legends, and history from that era and that geographic area. When Genevieve Gornichec’s upcoming novel The Weaver and the Witch Queen crossed my radar, I recognized the author’s name from my TBR list. I’ve had The Witch’s Heart on that list for a while now so I jumped at the chance to preview The Weaver and the Witch Queen. A story of sisterhood, of devastating loss and overcoming expectations, I can’t wait to read more of Gornichec’s work. I’m bumping The Witch’s Heart up on my TBR list however, after that it’s going to be a waiting game again but you can bet that I’ll keep her on my “upcoming releases” radar for the foreseeable future so I can get my hands on more of her work as soon as possible.

As children, Gunnhild and her two friends, Oddny and Svigny swear a blood oath that they will always be there for one another. Its intention is to help Gunnhild cope with her demanding and emotionally abusive mother but when a seeress notes that their futures are shadowed and intertwined, it becomes clear that some changes are on the horizon. Gunnhild is by the seeress’ example, running away from home to apprentice with the seeress herself – to learn magic and find a way in life where she won’t be forced into a marriage she doesn’t want or put up with her mother’s abuse anymore. Oddny and Svigny aren’t even sure that Gunnhild is still alive until their farm is raided and Svigny is captured. Oddny escapes thanks to the interference of Gunnhild and her powers. Determined to find Svigny, Oddny and Gunnhild join forces, not only with each other, but with the chosen heir of the King of Norway. It turns out Eirik might be the target of the same forces who had Oddny’s family attacked – but who’s behind the attacks and why?

The mystery of who is behind the attack on Oddny’s family and who has it out for Eirik do form a compelling narrative, but it’s the characters themselves and their relationships with one another that truly drive the story of The Weaver and the Witch Queen. When I finished the novel, I was hoping I’d be able to find chatter about there being another planned because I want to spend more time with these characters (the plot is irrelevant). Because Gornichec has done such a great job of building the friendship between Gunnhild and Oddny, when tension arises between the emotional weight has the momentum to carry things forward, regardless of its significance to the overarching plot (though, to be fair, it is pretty significant to that plot too). There’s just such careful complexity underlying all the friendships, the romances, and the family dynamics throughout the novel.

When it comes to the novel’s themes, revenge might be the most interrogated. The links between the concepts of revenge and honor… What is truly to be gained by enacting certain types of revenge… What motivators can be stronger than revenge… The Weaver and the Witch Queen examines all of these questions while playing with the scale of revenge in question. In some cases, it’s small enough that it might not really count as a true “revenge” plot, such as when Gunnhild is faced with confronting her mother about the abuse she suffered. Does she make the decisions she makes from a desire for revenge, showing her mother how wrong she was? And then Gornichec explores how that aspect impacts her feelings as she lives with the consequences of those decisions. Then there are the more public cases of revenge – those that are expected by society and are tied to concepts of honor. What happens when a quest for revenge is driven not by personal desire for revenge, but by the need to be accepted, the need to save face?

The Weaver and the Witch Queen will be available July 25, 2023.

4.5 stars! Told in Gornichec's lyrical style, The Weaver and the Witch Queen is an awesome historical fantasy novel set in Norway in Viking Age history. It reads like a well-told myth, with plenty of research to back up the Nordic history.
This is such a rich story, and I loved it! It's a story about family, bonds between women, an immersive setting, and magic. The exploration of the power of women, their bonds, their choices, their influence, and their impact was so powerful and well-done. I loved the development of the relationships between Gunnhild and Eirik and between Oddny and Halldor and the impacts those relationships had on Gunnhild and Oddny's own relationship.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ace for this e-arc.*

“One of you clouds the futures of the others. For better or worse, your fates are intertwined.” Her features contorted again, this time in fear and confusion. “I dare not say more.”

This was absolutely stunning. If you have followed me on any of my book review outlets in the last few years, you have likely heard me rave about The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec. It’s one of my all-time favorite books.

I will admit, I was nervous about picking up The Weaver and the Witch Queen. Would Gornichec’s writing pluck at the same chords in my heart that TWH did? Would I be as captivated? Well, my friends, I had nothing to worry about because Gornichec’s talent knows no bounds.

Similarly to how I declared that I had no doubt that Gornichec’s account of Angrboda’s life would become the ultimate reference, I believe that this novel will become the same in regards to Gunnhild. This author knows how to write underrated historical or mythological women and bring them to the forefront. These aren’t just retellings, they are creative expressions so powerful that it is hard to remember that any mention of them existed before Gornichec continued the weaving of their stories. Simply put, I don’t believe that anyone could have done Gunnhild’s story justice in the same way.

“I suppose enduring this will make me stronger, then,” Oddny had said bitterly. “If it comforts you to think so,” Yrsa had replied. ‘But it’s all right to feel weak, Oddny. Sometimes our bodies give us more pain than we can bear. But any gods worth worshipping know that not every person can give the same effort.”

Additionally, the crafting of the completely fictional Signy and Oddny is done just as expertly and lovingly. Oddny’s characterization is especially fruitful and satisfying. The thread of these three women and their lifelines are beautifully entwined and a true testament to sisterhood, through blood and without it––not without flaws and hardships, but ultimately stronger than the trials that life throws at them.

I wanted to get back to The Weaver and the Witch Queen as quickly as possible whenever I had to set it down and found that I devoured it with ease. Gornichec doesn’t shy away from the enslavement that often came after raids, but is tactful enough not to gruesomely detail the sexual assault that took place, though it is alluded to. There’s a bit of enemies to lovers romance, as well as LGBTQ representation. The high stakes of the time period paired with the intent of the characters and the way that their storylines evolve keeps the plot going at a propulsive speed. I cared deeply about characters at the forefront and cared as equally for the smaller characters in the background. Nobody fell flat to me, all were fleshed out even if their roles were small. I wasn’t surprised by a major reveal of one of the antagonists, but it didn’t bother me at all.

“Your enemies are my enemies.” At once he recognized his own words from the day they’d bound themselves with blood nearly a moon ago, and a ghost of a grim, determined smile played at his lips. This wedding was for his family, the people, the gods. But these words were a reminder of the oath they’d already taken, a reminder for just the two of them. “And your fate is my fate,” he said.

One of my favorites themes across the mythologies of various cultures is the symbolism of the threads of Fate and their connection to our life-force. I take sincere delight in the way that Gornichec included this in the magic system. It was classic and refreshing all at once.

I could keep talking about this book, but I’ll end with this: The Weaver and the Witch Queen is satisfyingly action-packed, yet full of moments of tenderness and reflective introspection. It combines harsh realities with soft, inviting prose. It embodies the myriad emotions I want to experience while reading a historical fantasy novel.

“When your patron calls you, they’ll judge your strengths and weaknesses against yourself, not against others.”

Thanks so much to the team at Berkley and Ace for the ebook and finished copy of one of my most anticipated reads this year, it exceeded all expectations. The Weaver and the Witch Queen comes out July 25th, 2023.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen is an exciting new historical fantasy from Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart, a book that I absolutely adored. While I can't say that I loved The Weaver and the Witch Queen as much as The Witch's Heart, I did still have a great time with this story and think that Gornichec is a fantastic storyteller.

I found that The Weaver and the Witch Queen didn't tug at my heart and engross me as much as I'd expected, but I still really enjoyed getting to know our two protagonists Oddny and Gunnhild. Both have very unique and complex stories and have incredibly compelling characters arcs. I loved this setting and the way that Gornichec once again weaves in myth so effortlessly into the story. If you love a Norse/Viking setting and well-developed, exciting women leading the story, then you should definitely check out The Weaver and the Witch Queen.

This is art, a true masterpiece inspired from the Nordic Mythology.

The weaver and the witch Queen is a great addition to the feminist mythology retelling subgenre. Genevieve Gornichec's writing is beautiful, yet heartbreaking. The use of Nordic mythology and intricately weaving it to create a tale of the historic mythological fantasy novel was amazing! Every emotion was pulled out from me and I found myself wanting books from each of our characters’ perspectives by the end of the story!!

In this book, the author masterfully creates a vivid and immersive world, breathing life into the historical backdrop of Norway during the Viking age. The attention to detail in the settings, cultural customs, and mythology showcases extensive research and adds depth to the narrative. Readers will find themselves transported to a time of longships, seafaring adventures, and the intricate workings of Norse society. The inclusion of magic and mysticism enriches the narrative, imbuing it with an enchanting quality. The author skillfully blends folklore and sorcery, seamlessly integrating fantastical elements into the historical framework. While the pacing occasionally dips in certain sections, the overall narrative maintains a steady momentum, with unpredictable twists and turns.

I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and requested a copy of The Weaver and the Witch Queen. While mythological retellings, fantasy and historical fiction are all in my wheel house, combining all three into one tale was daunting. This book was ultimately not for me, but I think for those who love historical fiction/fantasy- this will be a homerun.

What I loved:

The way found family is woven all throughout the story is beautiful. Also, making a main character be trans made my heart swell. The representation was amazing and refreshing. The storytelling had so many layers and the “world building” was beautiful.

What I didn’t love:

I was confused. A lot. I both listened to the audio (thank you Penguin Randomhouse Audio) as well as read my eARC and there was just so much information that didn’t quite resonate.

HOWEVER- the overall aesthetic and feeling of the book came across beautifully and I would recommend this to readers who love some historical fiction sprinkled into their fantasy!

I loved this story more than her first book. The writing style is so fluid, it’s so easy to get sucked into the story and lost in the worlds she creates. There is something so unique about Norse mythology and this is such a fun take on that. I loved the entire thing and wanted it to never end.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec is standalone historical fantasy that takes place in the Viking age. We meet three young girls, two sisters (Signy and Oddny) and a best friend (Gunnhild), who are at the start 12 years old. At their young age, the girls have no control over their fate as women, and though the three of them swear an oath to each other, and in a short time, a seer will change their lives. Gunnhild has a terrible relationship with her mean mother, and when she is offered to go with the seer, and learn magic, she leaves her home, not to been again for 12 years.

12 Years later, Oddny and Signy’s family is attacked by Viking Raiders, killing most of the residents of their villiage. Oddny manages to escape, and Signy is captured by the Vikings. With her family dead, Oddny is determined to do anything to find her sister. Gunnhild over these many years, has learned from her seer, how to use her witch magic and powers. She and her mentor seer, try to fight off three other witches; knowing how powerful these others are. Gunnhild and Oddny eventually find each other, and together they are committed to find out why this attack happened, and to rescue Signy.

Gunnhild makes arrangements to go home, offering her services as a witch, protecting King Eirik, heir apparent to the ruler of all Norway. At first Eirik is not enamored with Gunnhild, until he sees she maybe able to help to him. I did enjoy the snarky relationship between Gunnhild and Eirik; as neither one of them liked each other. Time will change things for both Gunnhild and Eirik, as well as Oddny and Halldor. What I loved the most was the wonderful powers that proved women are capable of fighting this war; especially with their magic, powers, and strong bond between them.

What follows is an exciting, intense, emotional, non-stop action in the last half of the book, which had me unable to put the book down. The Weaver and the Witch Queen was a gripping, intensive, adventurous and fascinating mythology; so very well written by Genevieve Gornichec. This was a fantastic read, and I loved the epilogue. If you enjoy fantasy, you need to wholly read this book.

This book was offered to me as an early read by netgalley

This book was filled with Magic, witches, and Norse history. The Weaver and the Witch Queen Kept me interested the entire time, I had a hard time putting it down! A definite five stars for me and would read again just for fun!

The author refers to this as historical fantasy. She takes a character from the Icelandic sagas and goes running off in her own direction with it. It's historical in the fact that this character was likely a real human person. But there is definitely quite a lot of magic going on here, mostly related to witches.

Can we make historical fantasy be a thing? Because this is lovely.

I also quite enjoyed her other book, The Witch's Heart, which was a retelling of Norse mythology. If you liked that, this is definitely a go.

If you're into mythology, retellings, fantasy, or historical fiction, this one should definitely be on your radar.

In tenth century Norway, Oddny and Gunnhild meet as children. Oddny wants a quiet life, and Gunnhild wants power. A visiting wisewoman makes an ominous prophecy involving Oddny, her sister Signy, and Gunnhild, so the three girls make a blood oath to help each other. Oddny's farm is destroyed by Viking raiders and Signy is kidnapped. Gunnhild had fled her home years ago to learn witchcraft, and her fate is linked to King Eirik, heir apparent to the ruler of all Norway. The childhood bonds that hold the women together are strong, and will be tested in ways they never could have foreseen.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen is loosely based on historical figures, but I didn't know that until I read the author's note at the end. I followed the story from the start, interested in how Gunnhild needed to leave a home where she felt continually targeted, learning witchcraft to feel a sense of power. Signy and Oddny had sisterly bickering before the raid on their home, which set into motion the very thing that the other witches had hoped to stop. Gunnhild and Oddny work together after Signy is kidnapped and sold into slavery, but their means of getting there are different. Oddny is a healer and weaver, working with different households and reinforcing relationships in the hird, while Gunnhild challenges and asserts herself whenever possible. At the same time, Gunnhild is harassed and thwarted by the three other witches hoping to stop her future from coming to pass. The more she doubts herself, the more events spiral out of her control and reinforces her doubts.

The life of women in that culture generally ran on prescribed rails, with distinct roles. Oddny had wanted to stay within those bounds, but this adventure forced her out of them. Gunnhild wanted power and safety in a different way, and pushed back against all the infighting. At the core of their sworn sisterhood is love, so that even as they sometimes go about their goal to get Signy back in different ways, there is still love between the two women. The end of the novel is in line with history, but still emotionally satisfying for the paths they chose throughout the novel. It's very well done, and breathes life into the limited knowledge we have about these figures.

Genevieve Gornichec’s debut The Witches Heart is on my top favorite books of all time list. The Weaver and The Witch was one of my top most anticipated reads for 2023 and I’m happy to say it was BRILLIANT!

Bits…
Nordic mythology
Tenth century Norway
Historical fantasy
Sisterhood…by blood and found family
Witches and witchcraft
Sons of kings!
Destinies and grand adventures

From reading both of Genevieve‘s books I have gathered she is a brilliant storyteller and knows how to capture the readers attention with setting, historical details and character development. I’m excited to see what else she creates.

I don’t know if there’s a name for this trope or type of story (maybe self-fulfilling prophecy?) but one of my favorite things to read are stories in which characters are warned about terrible things in their future and, in their attempts to avert their fate, steer straight into the exact scenario they were trying to avoid in the first place. This happens multiple times in the stories of Oedipus, Macbeth, and even Harry Potter. Genevieve Gornichec’s The Weaver and the Witch Queen is a Norse saga-inspired version of this all too human story. We just can’t seem to help ourselves when someone presents us with a glimpse of the future. We try to put our stamp on fate and Fate stamps back.

As the unloved youngest child of a minor lord in Norway, Gunnhild has no idea that the future holds anything for her other than a boring life of domestic drudgery. The only interesting thing in her life is an aggravating mystery. When she was young, a seeress saw—but then refuse to tell—Gunnhild’s future. In a fit of frustration after yet another fight when her mother and the threat of being married off, Gunnhild manages to escape when another seeress passes through their village. She’d rather learn magic in the hinterlands of Finnmark than get married to an oaf decades older than she is. Who wouldn’t?

Twelve years later, Gunnhild is a gifted witch who can fly, heal terrible wounds, talk to the dead, and all sorts of feats. Using her ability to fly is how she learns that her only childhood friends, Oddny and Signy, have been attacked by roving raiders. Signy is taken. Oddny manages to escape and find sanctuary with Gunnhild’s parents. If it hadn’t been for this attack, Gunnhild would have stayed in Finnmark and never popped into history. But because her friends are harmed, Gunnhild swears to track down the people responsible and take her revenge.

Like Kaikeyi of the Ramayana, Gunnhild is written as a villain in the original versions. From Gornichec’s retelling, it isn’t hard to see how the hardheaded and fierce Gunnhild would end up on the wrong side of a skald. Gunnhild lets nothing get in her way, even if it means breaking promises and arguing the opposition into the ground. And I daresay it pissed a lot of people off that Gunnhild had the power—magical, physical, and emotional—to get her way. But because Gornichec took the time to show us what shaped this remarkable character and what it meant for her to have two great friends during the loneliest time of her life, it isn’t hard to be on Gunnhild’s side in her quest for rescue and revenge.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Gornichec’s second novel. Her debut, The Witch’s Heart, is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The Weaver and the Witch Queen is not a sequel and it’s more of a traditional work of historical fiction than the episodic Witch’s Heart and might be more accessible to readers who aren’t as familiar with Norse mythology. No prior knowledge is required for The Weaver and the Witch Queen. But for any readers who want to read amazing tales of Norse women, magic, power, and fate, I highly recommend both of Gornichec’s novels.