The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

“You’re besmirching the idea of my good name.” “I would have to know your name in order to besmirch it, would I not?” “I can’t believe,” he went on, “that you would besmirch my good name by implying that I’m an oath-breaker-” I especially loved her sharp, acerbic sense of humor and her conversations and banter with Loki: I admired her hard edges and her capacity for the kind of tough and clear-sighted love that holds up to adversity. Angrboda is wounded, resilient, smart, prickly, funny, and tough and ruthless – I instantly bonded with her.

Almost all of the main characters are women and their relationships are complex and powerful. The characters in the book are fascinating, and several go through intense and interesting arcs. I felt inspired by the beautiful writing and the main character’s resilience, and touched by the evolution of the various relationships, and warmed by the hope implied in the final pages. I did not feel depressed by this book, although I was often worried about the characters and felt sad and angry on their behalf. And yet it is also a profoundly optimistic book, in which crimes are (eventually) forgiven, enemies become friends, a friend becomes a lover, and generations of violence and trauma have the opportunity to start over in a happier light. It is a tragic book in which almost all of the romances and other relationships are doomed. This is a harrowing book which includes violence towards women (but not sexual violence), animals, and children. But when the Gods (not to mention Loki’s other wife) hear of the children, they take a terrible revenge, and Angrboda, desperate to save her children, must decide whether to try to prevent the disaster she sees in visions or let it occur.

Despite Loki’s lengthy and frequent absences and some unique parenting challenges Angrboda is fairly happy with the children and visits from her neighbors, Skadi and Gerd. They have three unusual children together. Loki comes and goes through the seasons, popping in periodically for some witty banter, and now that she has a heart Angrboda can’t help but fall in love with him. Here she is discovered by Loki, who returns her heart to her. The witch flees to the Ironwood where she takes shelter in a cave and adopts the name Angrboda.

Each time she is reborn, and the last time she escapes, but leaves her heart behind in the ashes

When Odin learns that Gullveig is telling these secrets to both sides, he has her burned to death three times. We begin with the story of Gullveig, a witch who teaches the art of seeing the future to both the Aesir (Odin and other Gods) and the Vanir (a rival race of gods). Fans of Norse mythology might not get the same sense of surprise, but I think they will share my enjoyment of the rich world and characters. Since I know almost nothing about Norse mythology this book was full of surprises for me. It is NOT a romance novel, although there are love stories in it. The Witch’s Heart is intense and magical.

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec