Book Review: 'The Witch's Heart' by Genevieve Gornichec

'The Witch's Heart' by Genevieve Gornichec, is an epic reimagining of Norse mythology written through the life of Angrboða, a female jötunn (a race also known as giants that are often described as standing in opposition to the God races of Æsir and Vanir), about whom very little is actually known about.

In the Old Norse Poetic and Prose Edda works of literature, she is only briefly mentioned, referred to only as a witch that lives in Ironwood Forest, a prophesying seeress, and the mother of three 'monstrous' children; Fenrir (the wolf) and his siblings Jörmungandr (the Midgard Serpent) and Hel, the Goddess of Death through her husband Loki. Gornichec's book expands on these scant details in a way that makes for a creative and compelling read.

It begins with Angrboða's resurrection, burned at the stake and her heart removed, in brutal punishment by Odin for not sharing her vision of the destruction of the world, Ragnarok. Stripped of most of her powers and banished to the forest in solitude after the burning, Angrboða meets Loki, who has captured her heart, literally, and their secret love blossoms.

But this isn't just a story between two unconventional lovers, it's also one of loss, destiny, betrayal, anguish, heartbreak, and a despite the oncoming apocalypse, a bit of hope too.

With the story centred around her, Gornichec has written Angrboða into a resilient and complex character, someone who is lost, loved and feared, witty and powerful, a devoted wife and mother haunted by the visions of the future and the lengths she'll go to to protect the ones she loves, despite the tragic consequences, and someone that makes the most of her secluded life and those who come into her life. From her relationship with Loki, to her growing bond with Skaði, the Goddess of Winter and Hunting, her encounters with the Norse pantheon, and the way she reacts when all around her blooms but then begins to crumble, she felt very much alive, authentic and three dimensional, which was great considering that she is only mentioned fleetingly in Norse mythology.

Loki, Skaði and the other minor characters in the book are written with depth and were very compelling, making it a pleasure to meet these characters whenever they crossed into Angrboða's life. The measure of the world building of the realm of the jötunn and Gods was very good as well, fleshing out this mythic world into one that was fantastical but at the same time very believeable.

'The Witch's Heart' is an engaging and emotional journey. A debut novel that is beautifully written with a poetic prose, fleshing out the Norse mythology from the oft neglected female perspective, and into a powerful story that will bewitch and captivate you. One that will stay with you long after you finish reading the last page.

If you're a fan of 'Norse Mythology' by Neil Gaiman, the 'Mythos' series by Stephen Fry and 'Circe' by Madeline Miller, then I would heartily recommend adding Genevieve Gornichec's 'The Witch's Heart' to your reading list. Recommended.

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