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Hidden Realms: Scandinavian Folktales
Scandinavian Folktales — Where Magic and Reality Converge!
Embark on a captivating journey into a world of enchantment, danger, and mystique as you meet the Vættir of Scandinavia. They are the Hidden Folk, the creatures of Scandinavian folklore, come alive in this collection that brings together well-known beings like trolls, giants, and elves, as well as lesser-known figures such as the enigmatic Creaky Cart.
Within the pages of this volume lie traditional Scandinavian short tales, known as sagn , meticulously compiled, translated, and edited. Written down in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by folklorists, these tales now breathe anew, offering a blend of magic, quirkiness, seriousness, and entertainment.
Whether you are a lover of folklore and fairy tales, intrigued by Scandinavian culture and history, or a dedicated fantasy enthusiast eager to explore the origins of creatures in modern novels, these stories are tailor-made for you.
Get the book and start reading about the hidden realms of Scandinavia today!
Embark on a captivating journey into a world of enchantment, danger, and mystique as you meet the Vættir of Scandinavia. They are the Hidden Folk, the creatures of Scandinavian folklore, come alive in this collection that brings together well-known beings like trolls, giants, and elves, as well as lesser-known figures such as the enigmatic Creaky Cart.
Within the pages of this volume lie traditional Scandinavian short tales, known as sagn , meticulously compiled, translated, and edited. Written down in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by folklorists, these tales now breathe anew, offering a blend of magic, quirkiness, seriousness, and entertainment.
Whether you are a lover of folklore and fairy tales, intrigued by Scandinavian culture and history, or a dedicated fantasy enthusiast eager to explore the origins of creatures in modern novels, these stories are tailor-made for you.
Get the book and start reading about the hidden realms of Scandinavia today!
- GenresFantasyAnthologies
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2023
71 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 17, 2023
Once again, GK Lund has written an influential book filled with knowledge, sources, and stories from an old and somewhat forgotten culture. I grew up with a lot of folklore and creatures from the book and reading it was a nice nostalgic time.
The book is, as the title tells us, split up into different realms. The natural elements and also the religious.
I enjoyed how the stories are varied, both from where they come from but also in length. It is possible to read some of these stories in just minutes, while others take longer.
I hope that GK Lund finds their audience, because there's so much effort put into this book, just as the others in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book is, as the title tells us, split up into different realms. The natural elements and also the religious.
I enjoyed how the stories are varied, both from where they come from but also in length. It is possible to read some of these stories in just minutes, while others take longer.
I hope that GK Lund finds their audience, because there's so much effort put into this book, just as the others in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2023
“The night fled north”
As with most folktales, these were written for adults, and include moral lessons with consequences. Many of these deal with how to treat people, animals, and the environment (nature played a large role people’s daily lives). Newer religions affected parts of the tales (e.g. baptizing children early) and incorporated Biblical aspects into the existing folk religiosity, albeit in different form.
Here’s one example: ‘When the Lord was creating herbs, the Devil asked permission to create some, too. That’s how tobacco came into existence.’
Now, if that doesn’t sound like something my father would have made up to keep me from smoking…
Changelings, dwarves, elves, giants, trolls, witchcraft, and even The Black Death all play their part in how we mere mortals attempt to navigate the world in which we live.
Some sage advice from the author:
‘It doesn’t hurt to carry a small piece of steel when alone in the forest.’
Again, the author provides readers with a wee explanation of Scandanavia (early and modern) and also notes from which language some word originate (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish). Each chapter describes the creatures specific to the tales that follow. Readers are treated to illustrations throughout. Don’t miss the List of Terms and Names as well as Sources at the back.
And check out the newly released sequel (‘Secrets of the North’) as well as her ‘Scandinavian Myths and Legends’ series. She also writes in Dark Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance as well as a standalone each in High Fantasy and Historical Fantasy.
As with most folktales, these were written for adults, and include moral lessons with consequences. Many of these deal with how to treat people, animals, and the environment (nature played a large role people’s daily lives). Newer religions affected parts of the tales (e.g. baptizing children early) and incorporated Biblical aspects into the existing folk religiosity, albeit in different form.
Here’s one example: ‘When the Lord was creating herbs, the Devil asked permission to create some, too. That’s how tobacco came into existence.’
Now, if that doesn’t sound like something my father would have made up to keep me from smoking…
Changelings, dwarves, elves, giants, trolls, witchcraft, and even The Black Death all play their part in how we mere mortals attempt to navigate the world in which we live.
Some sage advice from the author:
‘It doesn’t hurt to carry a small piece of steel when alone in the forest.’
Again, the author provides readers with a wee explanation of Scandanavia (early and modern) and also notes from which language some word originate (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish). Each chapter describes the creatures specific to the tales that follow. Readers are treated to illustrations throughout. Don’t miss the List of Terms and Names as well as Sources at the back.
And check out the newly released sequel (‘Secrets of the North’) as well as her ‘Scandinavian Myths and Legends’ series. She also writes in Dark Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance as well as a standalone each in High Fantasy and Historical Fantasy.
October 9, 2023
Dwarves, Elves, Witches, and other Characters!!
What a great little book by G.K.Lund! Wonderful read. This is about myth and stories from the Scandanavian Region. Many names and stories have been passed down through the ages and Lund lays them out by type, explaining some about the being first. Informative. Fascinating! I will be reading more Non- fiction by G.K. Lund and perhaps fiction as well! Enjoy!
What a great little book by G.K.Lund! Wonderful read. This is about myth and stories from the Scandanavian Region. Many names and stories have been passed down through the ages and Lund lays them out by type, explaining some about the being first. Informative. Fascinating! I will be reading more Non- fiction by G.K. Lund and perhaps fiction as well! Enjoy!
August 18, 2023
Secrets of the north
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is all about Scandinavian fairy tales. Hulders, mermaids and ghosts are some of the tales you will read in this book. So if you love lore or a good tale this book is for you. Not intended for children.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is all about Scandinavian fairy tales. Hulders, mermaids and ghosts are some of the tales you will read in this book. So if you love lore or a good tale this book is for you. Not intended for children.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2023
I absolutely love these books! Such hidden gems in the collection of folklore and folktales. So well written and thoughtfully executed. I found each page so fascinating and I love how true to the store origins the author tries to stay. Great job and a great read I highly recommend it!
February 14, 2025
This book clearly has fans given the other reviews it has received. I enjoy collecting folklore and this really is a pretty good, introductory reference guide. I learned quite a bit for such a short book.
January 17, 2026
absolutely nuts, fell in love with the short-form stories
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews