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The Waking of Angantyr
From the bestselling author of A Natural History of Dragons comes a thrilling epic fantasy of treachery, lies and witchcraft.
The bondmaid Hervor is used to dead men whispering in her sleep. They’ve been doing it for as long as she can remember; it’s the living she has to watch out for. And when a new arrival at her holding triggers her into a berserker fury, she’s forced to flee the contract that enslaves her and into the arms of an uncertain future.
Unchained from the living, Hervor goes in search of a way to silence the dead, but it will take much more than grit and determination to make that happen. She’ll need the help of a ruthless Viking, an ailing jarl, a mad witch, and more―for the treachery that killed her ghosts isn’t nearly as dead as they are, and the path to peace must first traverse a river of blood.
The bondmaid Hervor is used to dead men whispering in her sleep. They’ve been doing it for as long as she can remember; it’s the living she has to watch out for. And when a new arrival at her holding triggers her into a berserker fury, she’s forced to flee the contract that enslaves her and into the arms of an uncertain future.
Unchained from the living, Hervor goes in search of a way to silence the dead, but it will take much more than grit and determination to make that happen. She’ll need the help of a ruthless Viking, an ailing jarl, a mad witch, and more―for the treachery that killed her ghosts isn’t nearly as dead as they are, and the path to peace must first traverse a river of blood.
488 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2023
19 people are currently reading
869 people want to read
About the author
Marie Brennan
172 books3,254 followersMarie Brennan a.k.a. M.A. Carrick
Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for material. She recently misapplied her professors' hard work to Turning Darkness Into Light, a sequel to the Hugo Award-nominated series The Memoirs of Lady Trent. As half of M.A. Carrick, she is also the author of The Mask of Mirrors, first in the Rook and Rose trilogy. For more information, visit swantower.com, Twitter @swan_tower, or her Patreon.
Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for material. She recently misapplied her professors' hard work to Turning Darkness Into Light, a sequel to the Hugo Award-nominated series The Memoirs of Lady Trent. As half of M.A. Carrick, she is also the author of The Mask of Mirrors, first in the Rook and Rose trilogy. For more information, visit swantower.com, Twitter @swan_tower, or her Patreon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 16, 2023
The fact that I enjoyed this book as much as I did is a testament to Marie Brennan's excellent writing. I'm not normally a fan of grimdark books or excessive violence and, as a warning, there is a lot of it here. It's unavoidable to some degree - the main character being a berserker is in the synopsis - and it's handled as tastefully and non-graphically as possible, but several people still literally lose their heads.
Where The Waking of Angantyr shines is in the story of the main character, Hervor, who is determined to seek revenge on those who have wronged her, but also to eventually chart a path to a better life. For all the talk in fantasy circles about strong female characters, Hervor feels like one - not because she's a murderous Viking, but because she's a murderous Viking who still feels pain and sorrow, and who seeks the comfort of family and peacefulness. The side characters are also fascinating in their own right, particularly the crew of Vikings with whom Hervor adventures for a while.
I'm not familiar with the original Norse myth Brennan based this novel on, but my sense of the world Hervor lives in and the magic available to her grew over time, and it feels as though this story is part of a much bigger canon of work. I've typically enjoyed Brennan's books, and while not my favourite of her works, her ability to write such a diverse range of stories does stand out.
Where The Waking of Angantyr shines is in the story of the main character, Hervor, who is determined to seek revenge on those who have wronged her, but also to eventually chart a path to a better life. For all the talk in fantasy circles about strong female characters, Hervor feels like one - not because she's a murderous Viking, but because she's a murderous Viking who still feels pain and sorrow, and who seeks the comfort of family and peacefulness. The side characters are also fascinating in their own right, particularly the crew of Vikings with whom Hervor adventures for a while.
I'm not familiar with the original Norse myth Brennan based this novel on, but my sense of the world Hervor lives in and the magic available to her grew over time, and it feels as though this story is part of a much bigger canon of work. I've typically enjoyed Brennan's books, and while not my favourite of her works, her ability to write such a diverse range of stories does stand out.
June 27, 2025
This was my first book by author Marie Brennan, and I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it.
I can understand Brennan’s appeal as a writer. She has excellent skill in knowing and developing her characters, and the dark story she weaves in The Waking of Angantyr moves along quickly and surely to the inevitable bloody finish.
I can understand Brennan’s appeal as a writer. She has excellent skill in knowing and developing her characters, and the dark story she weaves in The Waking of Angantyr moves along quickly and surely to the inevitable bloody finish.
October 5, 2023
The Waking of Angantyr is based on an old Norsk saga the author had come across during her academic studies and found lacking in excitement, so much so that she decided to give the story a new spin. She does it with a well-researched historical setting (not reflected by the cover) and a lot of goriness.
Hervor is a bondmaid, a person forced to work in the service of a jarl’s household until she earns her freedom. Only, she knows she’ll never be allowed to do so. That’s not even her biggest grief. She can hear dead people and the residents in the village think she’s cursed. Turns out, she’s a berserker. Pain can turn her into a bloodthirsty warrior no one can stop.
After an incident where Hervor kills a man, a blood witch tells her she can silence the voices and sends her on a quest through the land for a person who knows best. It’s not an easy journey; she’s an escaped bondmaid hunted by everyone. But she has occasional help, like from a group of Vikings who teach her how to fight and eventually help her to the source of the voices in her head.
They are Angantyr and his twelve sons, berserkers who have been killed in what was outwardly an honest duel. Foul play behind the duel has kept the spirits from moving on though, and it’s up to Hervor to avenge them. In order to manage it, she’s given Angantyr’s cursed sword with dire warnings that she ignores. She shouldn’t have.
This was an excellent book. From a gloomy and hopeless start, Hervor forges herself a path through a violent society to do what she needs to do in order to live in peace. She leaves behind a trail of bodies, most of them unintentional when her berserker side takes over. There aren’t really any good things in her life, and the brief respites are always followed by more pain.
The story is set in a pre-Christian Norsk society with a set hierarchy, strict laws, and its own pantheon that doesn’t utilize the overused Odin’s. People and settings weren’t described much though, and I relied on my own knowledge of the era to bring it alive. From a relatively realistic beginning, the story gradually evolves towards more fantastical, but so naturally it doesn’t seem like a shift in the genre.
Hervor was a formidable character, but while I rooted for her, I’m not sure I liked her very much. The ending is good and conclusive, but Hervor had to sacrifice so much for it, I’m not sure I’d call it a happy ending as such. But I’m satisfied with it.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hervor is a bondmaid, a person forced to work in the service of a jarl’s household until she earns her freedom. Only, she knows she’ll never be allowed to do so. That’s not even her biggest grief. She can hear dead people and the residents in the village think she’s cursed. Turns out, she’s a berserker. Pain can turn her into a bloodthirsty warrior no one can stop.
After an incident where Hervor kills a man, a blood witch tells her she can silence the voices and sends her on a quest through the land for a person who knows best. It’s not an easy journey; she’s an escaped bondmaid hunted by everyone. But she has occasional help, like from a group of Vikings who teach her how to fight and eventually help her to the source of the voices in her head.
They are Angantyr and his twelve sons, berserkers who have been killed in what was outwardly an honest duel. Foul play behind the duel has kept the spirits from moving on though, and it’s up to Hervor to avenge them. In order to manage it, she’s given Angantyr’s cursed sword with dire warnings that she ignores. She shouldn’t have.
This was an excellent book. From a gloomy and hopeless start, Hervor forges herself a path through a violent society to do what she needs to do in order to live in peace. She leaves behind a trail of bodies, most of them unintentional when her berserker side takes over. There aren’t really any good things in her life, and the brief respites are always followed by more pain.
The story is set in a pre-Christian Norsk society with a set hierarchy, strict laws, and its own pantheon that doesn’t utilize the overused Odin’s. People and settings weren’t described much though, and I relied on my own knowledge of the era to bring it alive. From a relatively realistic beginning, the story gradually evolves towards more fantastical, but so naturally it doesn’t seem like a shift in the genre.
Hervor was a formidable character, but while I rooted for her, I’m not sure I liked her very much. The ending is good and conclusive, but Hervor had to sacrifice so much for it, I’m not sure I’d call it a happy ending as such. But I’m satisfied with it.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2025
3,5 rounded up
The Waking of Angantyr by Marie Brennan is hard for me to rate.
On the one hand I really loved the dark and bleak setting, as well as a syringe female character who just won't give up. She defies the role she has in society, and she fails a lot along the way. She does get up and try again every time though, through sheer grit and determination, on her quest for a better life, and revenge for her ancestors.
She's not the easiest character to like, but I found her fascinating, so I was easily enthralled by her story. Especially the voices she hears had me intrigued instantly.
So why is it hard to rate then? I think it's mostly down to style and structure. This is a retelling of an old Norse poem, and I personally just don't always get on too well with those. I like a more fluent storyline to follow along, and some of the heroics and tragedies just don't engage me as much as a more modern take. I often find I enjoy the setting and characters a lot more than the actual story with these.
I do however appreciate just how much this differs from her Lady Trent series, in tone as well as in style. I adore authors who manage to not be stuck in one particular corner, but are versatile.
The Waking of Angantyr by Marie Brennan is hard for me to rate.
On the one hand I really loved the dark and bleak setting, as well as a syringe female character who just won't give up. She defies the role she has in society, and she fails a lot along the way. She does get up and try again every time though, through sheer grit and determination, on her quest for a better life, and revenge for her ancestors.
She's not the easiest character to like, but I found her fascinating, so I was easily enthralled by her story. Especially the voices she hears had me intrigued instantly.
So why is it hard to rate then? I think it's mostly down to style and structure. This is a retelling of an old Norse poem, and I personally just don't always get on too well with those. I like a more fluent storyline to follow along, and some of the heroics and tragedies just don't engage me as much as a more modern take. I often find I enjoy the setting and characters a lot more than the actual story with these.
I do however appreciate just how much this differs from her Lady Trent series, in tone as well as in style. I adore authors who manage to not be stuck in one particular corner, but are versatile.
January 12, 2024
3,5 rounded up.
This one was kind of difficult to rate. I liked the setting, and it was a cool norse/viking story.
But the pacing felt off somehow, and the main character didn't feel very exciting, even though she was a berserker.
But the book had a lot of cool, action filled scenes and I did end up liking it in the end.
This one was kind of difficult to rate. I liked the setting, and it was a cool norse/viking story.
But the pacing felt off somehow, and the main character didn't feel very exciting, even though she was a berserker.
But the book had a lot of cool, action filled scenes and I did end up liking it in the end.
October 24, 2023
Absolutely brilliant book. Destined to be a classic. I love how Brennan takes the elements of the original saga (minus the ending where Hervor is made to become a happy housewife by whatever misogynistic monk wrote down an even older story-which probably had Hervor/Hervard stay with a male name, status and lifestyle. Must've freaked those monks out.). And yet Brennan adds original elements that seamlessly flow in the story. Maybe they even explain or elevate the original (blasphemy, I know). Given that Brennan was a student of Stephen Mitchell, she clearly knows far FAR beyond the basics of Norse mythology. Her academic background shines here with dark humour and great storytelling. I'm sure people totally unfamiliar with the story might be taken aback by how weird and bloody it is but trust me it's maybe even toned down a smidge from the original.
This might be my favourite thing Brennan has written (and that's saying a lot) and maybe even one of the best books I've read in years. Neil Gaiman wishes he could write about Norse myths like this. Compared to many other ancient story re-tellings that are currently popular right now, this book shows you how to really do it. Which means having years of research under your belt and avoiding turning it into some cute and romantic.
Definitely recommended for any heathen, norse mythology/history nerd.
This might be my favourite thing Brennan has written (and that's saying a lot) and maybe even one of the best books I've read in years. Neil Gaiman wishes he could write about Norse myths like this. Compared to many other ancient story re-tellings that are currently popular right now, this book shows you how to really do it. Which means having years of research under your belt and avoiding turning it into some cute and romantic.
Definitely recommended for any heathen, norse mythology/history nerd.
Read
October 28, 2023DNF at 50%
There are a lot of good things going on in this book, I love the Norse atmosphere, for example, and the fact that our MC is a young woman and a berserker (and I was surprised to see a female berserker, but in the best possible way!), and she is an interesting character, resourceful and strong, but the story has a cyclical structure that does not work for me. It is the one typical of the fairytales or the tales of old, and if you are a fan of those, this book would work wonders for you, but it is a thing that does not work for me, and so, after reaching the halfway point I decided to stop trying, because my main problem was the structure of the story, sure, but I wasn't really invested in the story or the characters, either. I mean, while I was reading I was interested enough, but every time I put down the book I wasn't so motivated to pick it up again.
I think that simply put, I am not the biggest fan of the author. I wanted to try something else by her because her most famous series didn't work for me, but since theoretically I should love her works because they all are my cup of tea, I thought that maybe with this one things would have worked out, but I was wrong.
There are a lot of good things going on in this book, I love the Norse atmosphere, for example, and the fact that our MC is a young woman and a berserker (and I was surprised to see a female berserker, but in the best possible way!), and she is an interesting character, resourceful and strong, but the story has a cyclical structure that does not work for me. It is the one typical of the fairytales or the tales of old, and if you are a fan of those, this book would work wonders for you, but it is a thing that does not work for me, and so, after reaching the halfway point I decided to stop trying, because my main problem was the structure of the story, sure, but I wasn't really invested in the story or the characters, either. I mean, while I was reading I was interested enough, but every time I put down the book I wasn't so motivated to pick it up again.
I think that simply put, I am not the biggest fan of the author. I wanted to try something else by her because her most famous series didn't work for me, but since theoretically I should love her works because they all are my cup of tea, I thought that maybe with this one things would have worked out, but I was wrong.
February 6, 2025
couldn't put it down, stayed up half the night to keep reading! towards the end it becomes a bit rushed, but I still enjoyed every page
Read
September 27, 2024Why I read it: Bought it because I misinterpreted the blurb, read it for the same reason. Also, I'm trying to clear out a lot of recent fiction up to hitting my goodreads goal, because this summer I'm gonna be mostly reading older.. bigger... fantasy novels (more Wheel of Time, some Eddings, Moorcock, Leiber, might throw in some Vance to boot).
Thoughts: I honestly thought that when the blurb said "Unchained from the living, Hervor goes in search of a way to silence the dead" that meant Hervor was also dead. I can't explain it. But I was hoping she had somehow been brought back from the dead in order to bring peace to other restless dead. Once I got past my disappointment, however, this was a pretty riveting read. Lots of things always happening, the plot unfolding in stages, sometimes being a little repetitive, various reveals that were more or less predictable -- all in all, it had the feel of the Norse poems.
I've only really got two issues with this book, and I don't think they detracted much from the story, but I'll mention them anyway. The first is Hervor herself. She's kind of annoying, usually flipping between being very serious or throwing a tantrum about hearing dead people or about how terrible and guilty she is. For the most part she was very somber, so it was hard to remember that she's only 17-18 years old, and then she would start shit with someone or have a whinge about how terrible she is despite her friends/supporters telling her they like and respect her, and it was hard to take her seriously, since she's only 17-18 years old.
The second is... the pacing, I guess. This book is 488 pages long, it covers about a year or so of Hervor's life, and she gets up to a lot of things, like you'd expect from the protagonist of a saga. I guess pacing that satisfies everyone would be tricky to achieve in those circumstances, and I particularly think it wasn't always achieved here. Some periods of time went by awfully fast -- for example, she went viking for three months, I think, but that only went for a couple of pages after the initial "test", and was sort of glossed over in favour of the author and Hervor getting to the next plot point. And so it went with the other main plot points. Hervor would get to a place, something would happen that was written about in great detail, then the next period of time was glossed over, then Hervor would be forced to move on to the next location/set piece, stuff would happen, a period of time would be glossed over. Honestly I'm not even sure what Hervor did in Aetterstad, other than scare bondsmaids into doing their jobs (which I also didn't like btw, given that she started out as a bondsmaid and she knows it sucked when people would harass her). In a way, this suits the saga-inspired storyline. The poems never talked about the minutiae of their heroes' lives, it was one exciting event after another. But this is not a Norse saga, the format is different, the pacing should have been better.
Having said all that, I did enjoy this. I read most of it in one sitting and had to force myself to set it down and go to sleep because I had to wake up early the next morning, so you know it's gripping. I also like the device of Hervor being an uneducated bondsmaid, so things could be explained to her (and to the reader) without that seeming out of place. Finally, and the last part of the story was very cool. Most of all, I guess I'm glad this is a standalone. The things it does well, it does very well, and the things it doesn't do so well sort of fade into the background when you consider the bigger picture and overall feel of it, and it doesn't need to be more than a standalone story.
Would I read more from this author: Generally speaking, yes. Also literally speaking, I already have! I didn't know this when I picked up Angantyr, but this author is one half of the duo that wrote the Rook & Rose trilogy, two of which I've read and actually enjoyed for the most part (iirc the characters got on my nerves a little, but much like this one, those books were gripping enough).
Would I recommend it: Yeah!
Thoughts: I honestly thought that when the blurb said "Unchained from the living, Hervor goes in search of a way to silence the dead" that meant Hervor was also dead. I can't explain it. But I was hoping she had somehow been brought back from the dead in order to bring peace to other restless dead. Once I got past my disappointment, however, this was a pretty riveting read. Lots of things always happening, the plot unfolding in stages, sometimes being a little repetitive, various reveals that were more or less predictable -- all in all, it had the feel of the Norse poems.
I've only really got two issues with this book, and I don't think they detracted much from the story, but I'll mention them anyway. The first is Hervor herself. She's kind of annoying, usually flipping between being very serious or throwing a tantrum about hearing dead people or about how terrible and guilty she is. For the most part she was very somber, so it was hard to remember that she's only 17-18 years old, and then she would start shit with someone or have a whinge about how terrible she is despite her friends/supporters telling her they like and respect her, and it was hard to take her seriously, since she's only 17-18 years old.
The second is... the pacing, I guess. This book is 488 pages long, it covers about a year or so of Hervor's life, and she gets up to a lot of things, like you'd expect from the protagonist of a saga. I guess pacing that satisfies everyone would be tricky to achieve in those circumstances, and I particularly think it wasn't always achieved here. Some periods of time went by awfully fast -- for example, she went viking for three months, I think, but that only went for a couple of pages after the initial "test", and was sort of glossed over in favour of the author and Hervor getting to the next plot point. And so it went with the other main plot points. Hervor would get to a place, something would happen that was written about in great detail, then the next period of time was glossed over, then Hervor would be forced to move on to the next location/set piece, stuff would happen, a period of time would be glossed over. Honestly I'm not even sure what Hervor did in Aetterstad, other than scare bondsmaids into doing their jobs (which I also didn't like btw, given that she started out as a bondsmaid and she knows it sucked when people would harass her). In a way, this suits the saga-inspired storyline. The poems never talked about the minutiae of their heroes' lives, it was one exciting event after another. But this is not a Norse saga, the format is different, the pacing should have been better.
Having said all that, I did enjoy this. I read most of it in one sitting and had to force myself to set it down and go to sleep because I had to wake up early the next morning, so you know it's gripping. I also like the device of Hervor being an uneducated bondsmaid, so things could be explained to her (and to the reader) without that seeming out of place. Finally, and the last part of the story was very cool. Most of all, I guess I'm glad this is a standalone. The things it does well, it does very well, and the things it doesn't do so well sort of fade into the background when you consider the bigger picture and overall feel of it, and it doesn't need to be more than a standalone story.
Would I read more from this author: Generally speaking, yes. Also literally speaking, I already have! I didn't know this when I picked up Angantyr, but this author is one half of the duo that wrote the Rook & Rose trilogy, two of which I've read and actually enjoyed for the most part (iirc the characters got on my nerves a little, but much like this one, those books were gripping enough).
Would I recommend it: Yeah!
November 16, 2025
Can something be savage but oddly cozy at the same time?
October 18, 2023
A grim dark novel based on an poem from the Edda. It's modern retelling not so far from the original but with a darker tone. There's a lot of gore but not much more than in the original
I'm not a fan of Hervor: she's strong but she's not wise, she reach her goal but she pays a very high price.
I loved the storytelling and loved how the author created a world that is similar to the original Nordic world.
Well written and gripping,
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I'm not a fan of Hervor: she's strong but she's not wise, she reach her goal but she pays a very high price.
I loved the storytelling and loved how the author created a world that is similar to the original Nordic world.
Well written and gripping,
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 14, 2024
This is a pretty unknown book, with less than 150 ratings on Goodreads, but it definitely deserves more recognition. Despite some flaws, it’s a solid read that blends fantasy and historical elements in a way that kept me entertained throughout.
Let’s start with the beginning—there’s a lot of name-dropping in the first few chapters. Honestly, it’s overwhelming and feels unnecessary. The first few chapters are written differently from the rest of the book, so don’t let your initial impressions throw you off. The names and details mentioned early on don’t end up being all that important, so just push through until the story really starts to unfold.
The Norse/Viking setting is one of the book’s strongest points. It’s so well done that it actually made me want to pick up more books with a similar setting. The world feels rich and immersive, which is why I really wish the book had a map. Some towns seemed super close to each other, and I had no idea where to place them on my imaginary map. It would have added a lot to the reading experience.
However, going into a book with witchcraft themes is always a bit of a gamble for me because I’m not usually into that topic. Unfortunately, this book suffers from one of the issues I often find with witchcraft in fiction—it relies on convenient plot devices that are explained away with “because magic.” It feels a bit lazy and took me out of the story at times.
The premise made me think the story would be about a group of characters coming together to solve the main character’s issues. But that’s not really what happens. Instead, the main character meets these characters individually, and they don’t really have much to do with each other. This was a bit disappointing because I was expecting more of a team dynamic.
That said, the book is a great adventure overall. I was thoroughly entertained, and there were some twists I didn’t see coming (which is always a plus for me). Even though I guessed a few of them, most of the surprises were well-executed, adding to the fun of the story.
One thing I did struggle with was the pacing toward the end. It’s almost 500 pages long, and there were multiple points where I thought, “This must be the end,” only to realize I still had 100 pages to go. The ending itself wasn’t bad, but Brennan could have written the parts that felt like conclusions in a way that didn’t feel so final, which would have helped the flow.
If you’re into standalone fantasy with a historical vibe, The Waking of Angantyr is definitely worth picking up.
Let’s start with the beginning—there’s a lot of name-dropping in the first few chapters. Honestly, it’s overwhelming and feels unnecessary. The first few chapters are written differently from the rest of the book, so don’t let your initial impressions throw you off. The names and details mentioned early on don’t end up being all that important, so just push through until the story really starts to unfold.
The Norse/Viking setting is one of the book’s strongest points. It’s so well done that it actually made me want to pick up more books with a similar setting. The world feels rich and immersive, which is why I really wish the book had a map. Some towns seemed super close to each other, and I had no idea where to place them on my imaginary map. It would have added a lot to the reading experience.
However, going into a book with witchcraft themes is always a bit of a gamble for me because I’m not usually into that topic. Unfortunately, this book suffers from one of the issues I often find with witchcraft in fiction—it relies on convenient plot devices that are explained away with “because magic.” It feels a bit lazy and took me out of the story at times.
The premise made me think the story would be about a group of characters coming together to solve the main character’s issues. But that’s not really what happens. Instead, the main character meets these characters individually, and they don’t really have much to do with each other. This was a bit disappointing because I was expecting more of a team dynamic.
That said, the book is a great adventure overall. I was thoroughly entertained, and there were some twists I didn’t see coming (which is always a plus for me). Even though I guessed a few of them, most of the surprises were well-executed, adding to the fun of the story.
One thing I did struggle with was the pacing toward the end. It’s almost 500 pages long, and there were multiple points where I thought, “This must be the end,” only to realize I still had 100 pages to go. The ending itself wasn’t bad, but Brennan could have written the parts that felt like conclusions in a way that didn’t feel so final, which would have helped the flow.
If you’re into standalone fantasy with a historical vibe, The Waking of Angantyr is definitely worth picking up.
October 14, 2023
I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
4.5 stars
THE WAKING OF ANGANTYR is a Norse retelling of vengeance and determination. It is full of death and sacrifice and meaningless loss.
I really liked that so many of the deaths were, effectively, meaningless. They were unintended accidents that, while they have an emotional impact on the main character, just happen and then have to be moved on from, like footnotes. It made it feel so much more real.
When you study any period of history, so much time is spent on the big deaths, the ones that change history. But most are accidents (or dystentry, which rarely makes it into stories!) and it's only a small number of deaths that are given any weight. The rest are glossed over.
So to read a book, based on an old Norse poem, have all these deaths that, in many respects, aren't pushing the story forwards (or at least don't need to be as many bodies to do that!) felt so realistic. Plus it gave it a really tragic feel, which I loved. Hervor just loses and loses and loses people.
It makes for a bleak, bloody tale that feels truly epic in the old traditions it's drawing from (though thankfully, it doesn't follow those traditions as far as detailing the piles of guts that are left of enemies!)
I really enjoyed this tale. It starts off as a quest to get some ghosts to shut up and ends up as a desperate mission for vengeance that will demand a steep price. It leans into the cultural mindset of the Old Norse to great effect, using this to explain why Horvor would seek vengeance on behalf of these ghosts despite it making her own life much easier to just ignore them.
4.5 stars
THE WAKING OF ANGANTYR is a Norse retelling of vengeance and determination. It is full of death and sacrifice and meaningless loss.
I really liked that so many of the deaths were, effectively, meaningless. They were unintended accidents that, while they have an emotional impact on the main character, just happen and then have to be moved on from, like footnotes. It made it feel so much more real.
When you study any period of history, so much time is spent on the big deaths, the ones that change history. But most are accidents (or dystentry, which rarely makes it into stories!) and it's only a small number of deaths that are given any weight. The rest are glossed over.
So to read a book, based on an old Norse poem, have all these deaths that, in many respects, aren't pushing the story forwards (or at least don't need to be as many bodies to do that!) felt so realistic. Plus it gave it a really tragic feel, which I loved. Hervor just loses and loses and loses people.
It makes for a bleak, bloody tale that feels truly epic in the old traditions it's drawing from (though thankfully, it doesn't follow those traditions as far as detailing the piles of guts that are left of enemies!)
I really enjoyed this tale. It starts off as a quest to get some ghosts to shut up and ends up as a desperate mission for vengeance that will demand a steep price. It leans into the cultural mindset of the Old Norse to great effect, using this to explain why Horvor would seek vengeance on behalf of these ghosts despite it making her own life much easier to just ignore them.
May 18, 2025
edit - how does this book only have 182 reviews?!?! This is an AMAZING book that need to be read by more people!!!
As a Norse mythology nut, I’ve read most of the major sagas—and even a few of the more obscure ones, like The Saga of King Heidrik the Wise. That saga has always stuck with me: the cursed sword Tyrfing, and Hervor, the hidden daughter of a berserker who confronts the undead to reclaim her inheritance. But the original tale, passed down as fragmented poetry, is rough around the edges—haunting but incomplete.
Enter Marie Brennan.
I already knew she could write (her Memoirs of Lady Trent is fantastic), but with The Waking of Angantyr, she took one of my favorite old stories and absolutely nailed it. This isn’t a faithful retelling (the saga itself has multiple contradictory versions), but it feels true—true to the tone, the tragedy, the spirit.
Hervor’s tale is fierce and gripping. A girl raised like a slave, who learns of her lineage and marches straight into the land of the dead to demand her father’s cursed sword. The scene of the titular waking is every bit as powerful as in the poem—if not more so.
Brennan blends modern narrative strength with the raw mythic power of the sagas. There’s family drama, honour, vengeance, curses, unforgiving landscapes—and great characters to bring it all to life. I devoured this in just a few sittings. It’s exactly the kind of story I’m always searching for.
Absolutely loved it. Marie Brennan delivers.
As a Norse mythology nut, I’ve read most of the major sagas—and even a few of the more obscure ones, like The Saga of King Heidrik the Wise. That saga has always stuck with me: the cursed sword Tyrfing, and Hervor, the hidden daughter of a berserker who confronts the undead to reclaim her inheritance. But the original tale, passed down as fragmented poetry, is rough around the edges—haunting but incomplete.
Enter Marie Brennan.
I already knew she could write (her Memoirs of Lady Trent is fantastic), but with The Waking of Angantyr, she took one of my favorite old stories and absolutely nailed it. This isn’t a faithful retelling (the saga itself has multiple contradictory versions), but it feels true—true to the tone, the tragedy, the spirit.
Hervor’s tale is fierce and gripping. A girl raised like a slave, who learns of her lineage and marches straight into the land of the dead to demand her father’s cursed sword. The scene of the titular waking is every bit as powerful as in the poem—if not more so.
Brennan blends modern narrative strength with the raw mythic power of the sagas. There’s family drama, honour, vengeance, curses, unforgiving landscapes—and great characters to bring it all to life. I devoured this in just a few sittings. It’s exactly the kind of story I’m always searching for.
Absolutely loved it. Marie Brennan delivers.
April 12, 2025
This was a gritty, dark tragedy but in the best ways for me. The story pulled me in and I was rooting for our stubborn, illmannered protagonist the entire time.
Each small reveal and new twist as things went on had me reacting out loud.
Despite all of the tragedy and terrible events that happen through the book, the ending is satisfying. There IS a pay off for everything that happens.
It's also very different from the Lady Trent series that Marie Brennan has, but it holds up so well. I think Marie has officially become one of my favorite authors.
Each small reveal and new twist as things went on had me reacting out loud.
Despite all of the tragedy and terrible events that happen through the book, the ending is satisfying. There IS a pay off for everything that happens.
It's also very different from the Lady Trent series that Marie Brennan has, but it holds up so well. I think Marie has officially become one of my favorite authors.
November 9, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4, as the pacing was sometimes a bit off and there's one specific plot point that made me roll my eyes
December 31, 2023
jesus christ himself came down and holy spirited himself into that book like whattttt did i just read? MAGNIFICENCE. i didn’t expect any of that but EVERY MOMENT I LOVED
October 19, 2025
4 stars,
I usually have a hard time with uncommon names and 3rd person perspectives, but this wasn't a hard read for me at all! Unique story and characters and I got really hyped for the ending. Great read!
I usually have a hard time with uncommon names and 3rd person perspectives, but this wasn't a hard read for me at all! Unique story and characters and I got really hyped for the ending. Great read!
September 22, 2024
"BLOOD
arrows like wasps
screaming pain, screaming crows, screaming blood
MURDER
we lie betrayed
MURDER
lie unmourned
MURDER
lie and ROT"
The Waking of Angantyr follows Hervor who has been hearing the voices of ghosts for her entire life. But their voices only become stronger and stronger, until she fears that she may go mad from them voicing their grief of being betrayed and murdered. She now has to begin a journey throughout the country with its many dangers in order to find out who the voices are and how to silence them. And everything points to the fact that the voices have something to do Angantyr - the legendary berserker - and that Hervor may be a berserker herself.
While I'm normally a big fan of historical fantasy, there is just something about books set in Viking times that just doesn't do it for me. I don't really know what it is. Perhaps it is because I am a Dane, and I have had to study this time period a lot in my history classes throughout school, and the amount has just been too much for my interest. So while I did not have the highest expectations for this book, I have adored some of Brennan's other works, so I was willing to give it a go.
And for the vast majority of time, this was quite an alright book. The pacing was a bit off: It took me quite a long time (almost over a third through the book) before I felt like the story really got going and I became a tad bit more invested in Hervor's journey. The plot was a very classic revenge story, and I like how Hervor took us all through the many different aspects and mythical lore of Vikings throughout the story. It all worked very well altogether.
However, I am a very character-driven reader, and the characters were a bit of a letdown. Brennan described in her author note how she wanted to make a boring old saga a bit more interesting by giving Hervor some more agency. And I do think that Hervor was the only character with a bit of personality. Hervor may not be the cleverest or most admirable character ever, but I did come to admire her for her sheer determination in putting things to right. She is not likable, but she is admirable. The rest of the characters, however, felt very two-dimensional to me. It didn't feel like they had any goals or personality or anything much. They just popped in and out of the story a bit randomly to help Hervor on in her journey.
So while this is not a new favourite, it still quite a solid story. And perhaps if you are interested in old Norse sagas and Vikings, then this will prove to be a better hit with you than it was with me.
arrows like wasps
screaming pain, screaming crows, screaming blood
MURDER
we lie betrayed
MURDER
lie unmourned
MURDER
lie and ROT"
The Waking of Angantyr follows Hervor who has been hearing the voices of ghosts for her entire life. But their voices only become stronger and stronger, until she fears that she may go mad from them voicing their grief of being betrayed and murdered. She now has to begin a journey throughout the country with its many dangers in order to find out who the voices are and how to silence them. And everything points to the fact that the voices have something to do Angantyr - the legendary berserker - and that Hervor may be a berserker herself.
While I'm normally a big fan of historical fantasy, there is just something about books set in Viking times that just doesn't do it for me. I don't really know what it is. Perhaps it is because I am a Dane, and I have had to study this time period a lot in my history classes throughout school, and the amount has just been too much for my interest. So while I did not have the highest expectations for this book, I have adored some of Brennan's other works, so I was willing to give it a go.
And for the vast majority of time, this was quite an alright book. The pacing was a bit off: It took me quite a long time (almost over a third through the book) before I felt like the story really got going and I became a tad bit more invested in Hervor's journey. The plot was a very classic revenge story, and I like how Hervor took us all through the many different aspects and mythical lore of Vikings throughout the story. It all worked very well altogether.
However, I am a very character-driven reader, and the characters were a bit of a letdown. Brennan described in her author note how she wanted to make a boring old saga a bit more interesting by giving Hervor some more agency. And I do think that Hervor was the only character with a bit of personality. Hervor may not be the cleverest or most admirable character ever, but I did come to admire her for her sheer determination in putting things to right. She is not likable, but she is admirable. The rest of the characters, however, felt very two-dimensional to me. It didn't feel like they had any goals or personality or anything much. They just popped in and out of the story a bit randomly to help Hervor on in her journey.
So while this is not a new favourite, it still quite a solid story. And perhaps if you are interested in old Norse sagas and Vikings, then this will prove to be a better hit with you than it was with me.
October 29, 2023
If you're used to Marie Brennan's previous works—this isn't like the others, to use an oft-repeated cliché. The Waking of Angantyr is essentially a fanfiction of pre-existing Nordic myth, and that source material sets the tone for this book. It's gritty, our protagonist and supporting characters are morally ambiguous (albeit with a sympathetic angle), and it's bloody in a way you'll never see in say, The Memoirs of Lady Trent or even the (co-authored) Rook & Rose trilogy.
But all of that sets the stage for a very effective tale of adventure and vengeance, viewed through the lens of our protagonist Hervor, who doesn't start out as some marauding, fearless warrior, but simply a bondmaid (essentially a slave who can work off their debt). This means her ensuing acts of badassery have a very grounded feel to them, sometimes even being more a test of wit than actual strength of arms. Even when she fights against more seasoned foes, there's generally a good reason or two as to why she's able to attain the upper hand. It provides narrative tension without entirely ridding the main premise of why we're reading this story—to see ass kicked.
However, I do have some quibbles with the narrative decisions of the story. I think the decision to . If that specific plot point had been done earlier, with more time for the characters to interact, it'd be great, but as it stood it felt like some more work could be used for those last few chapters.
Otherwise, it's great fun. Definitely not perfect by any means, but I enjoyed my time with it.
But all of that sets the stage for a very effective tale of adventure and vengeance, viewed through the lens of our protagonist Hervor, who doesn't start out as some marauding, fearless warrior, but simply a bondmaid (essentially a slave who can work off their debt). This means her ensuing acts of badassery have a very grounded feel to them, sometimes even being more a test of wit than actual strength of arms. Even when she fights against more seasoned foes, there's generally a good reason or two as to why she's able to attain the upper hand. It provides narrative tension without entirely ridding the main premise of why we're reading this story—to see ass kicked.
However, I do have some quibbles with the narrative decisions of the story. I think the decision to . If that specific plot point had been done earlier, with more time for the characters to interact, it'd be great, but as it stood it felt like some more work could be used for those last few chapters.
Otherwise, it's great fun. Definitely not perfect by any means, but I enjoyed my time with it.
April 10, 2024
Half a star knocked down due to writing, another half a star knocked down due to the ending. Ending felt rush and Hervor deserved so much better. Also, there should have been a mapped. Otherwise, this book still managed to make me tear. Love Hervor, love the other characters even though their roles were fleeting. Despite the simple writing style, Mary Brennan still manages to make me care about the side chary. World building was great but wished it was explored a just a little more, especially with the gods.
November 6, 2024
Based off of real Norse folklore and you can tell. An excellent work of fiction complimented by the authors knowledge of the subject.
October 19, 2023
https://lynns-books.com/2023/10/19/th...
My rating 4 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : An Old Norse Poem Reimagined
The Waking of Angantyr is based on a very old Norse poem that the author came across during her academic years. This reimagining clearly uses much of the original material but the author has taken a different path breathing new life into the story and delivering plenty of ‘blood and guts and vengeance’.
Now, firstly, I would say that this isn’t a soft and fluffy tale. The author promised blood and guts and she delivers on this aplenty. This is a saga set in a time and place that was harsh. Where Gods roamed amongst the common people and men and women longed to become heroes.
As the story begins we meet Hervor, a bondmaid on a less than prosperous homestead. Hervor isn’t the same as the other women she works alongside, she’s tall, strong and frequently given the heavy tasks, she’s not treated very well and has slowly come to the realisation that she will never be allowed to work off her ‘bond’ as is the custom. Hervor is cursed. She hears the voices of the dead and they’re frankly driving her crazy. When the opportunity to escape arises Hervor takes a chance, she needs to find a ‘blood’ witch to advise her how to help these ghosts to pass on. Without giving too much away, this will eventually become a tale involving vikings, witches, Gods, ghosts and treachery. Hervor will be tasked by her ancestors to avenge their deaths and more than that will be tasked by the Gods to help rid them of a vile sorcerer.
I will say that I love the way that Brennan writes such strong female characters who are frequently out of step with the period they have been born into. I mean, to be fair, I wouldn’t call Hervor an easy character to really fall in love with, but, this is a reflection of the period and her own determination to prove herself. She’s never been taught to fight or survive, she frequently feels fear but she doesn’t give up. I loved her persistence, she makes plenty of mistakes and this is her tragic story, tragic because her family suffered from deceit and treachery and were further burdened by a cursed sword – a sword that Hervor is about to take up.
What I really liked about this. The sense of place, the harshness of the environment and the general characteristics of the people. The period is really brought to life. The cold, the struggle to survive, the rush to weapons, violence is frequently the first response, life is cheap. Then we have the ghosts, the superstitions, the witches. And did I mention the vikings and the fact that Hervor manages to join them?
In some respects this is also a frustrating story. I did mention that Hervor’s family is cursed and this frequently works itself out in the form of death. So, becoming attached to people can be a fruitless endeavour. But this is a Norse saga. You have to pick this book up expecting tragedy and death -but also relentless heroics and strong willed characters determined to do the right thing. So, yes, frustrating, but in a way that feels relevant and natural to this particular story.
In reimagining this saga, Brennan has breathed new life into Hervor, making her story one of unbelievable courage. The writing is wonderful and there’s an almost cinematic quality to the descriptions of place and the events that unfold. I had just the easiest time imagining everything. I confess, I would like more tales from this period, I really enjoy the interactions with the Gods, the religion, the customs and the overall way of life with the relentless longing for deeds worthy of tall tales.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : An Old Norse Poem Reimagined
The Waking of Angantyr is based on a very old Norse poem that the author came across during her academic years. This reimagining clearly uses much of the original material but the author has taken a different path breathing new life into the story and delivering plenty of ‘blood and guts and vengeance’.
Now, firstly, I would say that this isn’t a soft and fluffy tale. The author promised blood and guts and she delivers on this aplenty. This is a saga set in a time and place that was harsh. Where Gods roamed amongst the common people and men and women longed to become heroes.
As the story begins we meet Hervor, a bondmaid on a less than prosperous homestead. Hervor isn’t the same as the other women she works alongside, she’s tall, strong and frequently given the heavy tasks, she’s not treated very well and has slowly come to the realisation that she will never be allowed to work off her ‘bond’ as is the custom. Hervor is cursed. She hears the voices of the dead and they’re frankly driving her crazy. When the opportunity to escape arises Hervor takes a chance, she needs to find a ‘blood’ witch to advise her how to help these ghosts to pass on. Without giving too much away, this will eventually become a tale involving vikings, witches, Gods, ghosts and treachery. Hervor will be tasked by her ancestors to avenge their deaths and more than that will be tasked by the Gods to help rid them of a vile sorcerer.
I will say that I love the way that Brennan writes such strong female characters who are frequently out of step with the period they have been born into. I mean, to be fair, I wouldn’t call Hervor an easy character to really fall in love with, but, this is a reflection of the period and her own determination to prove herself. She’s never been taught to fight or survive, she frequently feels fear but she doesn’t give up. I loved her persistence, she makes plenty of mistakes and this is her tragic story, tragic because her family suffered from deceit and treachery and were further burdened by a cursed sword – a sword that Hervor is about to take up.
What I really liked about this. The sense of place, the harshness of the environment and the general characteristics of the people. The period is really brought to life. The cold, the struggle to survive, the rush to weapons, violence is frequently the first response, life is cheap. Then we have the ghosts, the superstitions, the witches. And did I mention the vikings and the fact that Hervor manages to join them?
In some respects this is also a frustrating story. I did mention that Hervor’s family is cursed and this frequently works itself out in the form of death. So, becoming attached to people can be a fruitless endeavour. But this is a Norse saga. You have to pick this book up expecting tragedy and death -but also relentless heroics and strong willed characters determined to do the right thing. So, yes, frustrating, but in a way that feels relevant and natural to this particular story.
In reimagining this saga, Brennan has breathed new life into Hervor, making her story one of unbelievable courage. The writing is wonderful and there’s an almost cinematic quality to the descriptions of place and the events that unfold. I had just the easiest time imagining everything. I confess, I would like more tales from this period, I really enjoy the interactions with the Gods, the religion, the customs and the overall way of life with the relentless longing for deeds worthy of tall tales.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
February 19, 2024
This wasn't what I expected it to be.
It was enjoyable and I think Brennan has done great on the world building and the character building of the main character, Hervor. A female character who's been slighted, in need of comfort, loves others, still kicks arse and has complex actions and emotions? Brilliant.
That said sometimes I felt like most of the character building had gone into Hervor and not into others. Though given that unless you were Hervor you were destined to not survive the book, you could understand why she wouldn't bother fleshing out anyone else.
Could have MAJORLY done with a warning on the animal sacrifice. Skipped most of this.
But on the whole to take a fairly uninspiring story from the Poetic Edda and make it into something more that gives the heroine a bit more due was a great idea and it's been done well.
Story pace was good, satisfying moments when Hervor got her revenge and a good ending.
It was enjoyable and I think Brennan has done great on the world building and the character building of the main character, Hervor. A female character who's been slighted, in need of comfort, loves others, still kicks arse and has complex actions and emotions? Brilliant.
That said sometimes I felt like most of the character building had gone into Hervor and not into others. Though given that unless you were Hervor you were destined to not survive the book, you could understand why she wouldn't bother fleshing out anyone else.
Could have MAJORLY done with a warning on the animal sacrifice. Skipped most of this.
But on the whole to take a fairly uninspiring story from the Poetic Edda and make it into something more that gives the heroine a bit more due was a great idea and it's been done well.
Story pace was good, satisfying moments when Hervor got her revenge and a good ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2025
Rating: 4.5 stars
I love the main character of this book to start. What a badass and unconventional story and main character. This brought me right back to Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson. If you liked this story for the badass main character that goes on a journey, definitely check that book. It lives rent free in my head.
Going back to this book though, I had loved the author's natural history of dragon books, this just cemented by love for Marie Brennan. Honestly, she's one of the best fantasy authors out there. Her writing, plots and characters are unparalleled.
This whole story is a retelling/rewriting of Viking Sagas and mythology. I haven't read anything like this in a while or ever.
I cried, laughed and cheered. It is definitely a favourite. I can't wait to check out the author's other books.
The start of the book feels slower, but once the journey starts the story really picks up and you cannot put it down.
I love the main character of this book to start. What a badass and unconventional story and main character. This brought me right back to Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson. If you liked this story for the badass main character that goes on a journey, definitely check that book. It lives rent free in my head.
Going back to this book though, I had loved the author's natural history of dragon books, this just cemented by love for Marie Brennan. Honestly, she's one of the best fantasy authors out there. Her writing, plots and characters are unparalleled.
This whole story is a retelling/rewriting of Viking Sagas and mythology. I haven't read anything like this in a while or ever.
I cried, laughed and cheered. It is definitely a favourite. I can't wait to check out the author's other books.
The start of the book feels slower, but once the journey starts the story really picks up and you cannot put it down.
February 14, 2024
This is low fantasy, so low you can smell the pig shit, which ramps up to epic levels with gods and kings by the end. Hervor is a bondsmaid in an insignificant little holding who will never be allowed to buy out her bond because the Jarl can't afford to lose the labor. She's also being driven insane by voices in her head screaming about death, blood, and betrayal, and only Blood Magic can keep her from going over the edge. I am told the author knows her historical Norse culture and I believe it. It's a hard world, and the only way to survive it is to be harder. Being rich and powerful doesn't make anything easier. This is a gory tale that drips blood across the pages as it goes, and in proper Norse tradition nobody is off limits when time comes for dying. There's also gender bending, as is required for a five star rating from me.
April 6, 2025
This books has it's ups and down. Like others I have found this book hard to pick back up after putting it down, it simply isn't very gripping.
It goes from telling the story in detail, to suddenly skipping forward in time with barely a comment.
I like the story itself, and admittedly the end was well done in my opinion, it felt like a good resolution after a lot of hardship.
Sadly the way that it was written made me feel distanced from the characters, and there was never any real character growth.
I also had problems with the main character self-identifying as a viking. Not that she hasn't earned it, but to my knowledge it wasn't a word vikings used for themselves, so this pulled out out of the story.
The language was also too modern in my opinion.
It goes from telling the story in detail, to suddenly skipping forward in time with barely a comment.
I like the story itself, and admittedly the end was well done in my opinion, it felt like a good resolution after a lot of hardship.
Sadly the way that it was written made me feel distanced from the characters, and there was never any real character growth.
I also had problems with the main character self-identifying as a viking. Not that she hasn't earned it, but to my knowledge it wasn't a word vikings used for themselves, so this pulled out out of the story.
The language was also too modern in my opinion.
August 11, 2025
3,5/5
When I finished this book, I wasn’t sure what to think of it. I definitely blasted through it and the story kept surprising me until the end.
Still, I didn’t always like Hervor as a protagonist, especially in the opening chapters of the story. I do understand that her personality very much reflects her environment and the context she grew up in. Yet, it isn’t always fun to read a relatively unrelatable character.
But my initial dislike for Hervor aside (I did warm up to her eventually) this story nails what it sets out to do. It reads like old Nordic mythology and fills in the blanks that old literature tends to ignore. It’s a story about hardship, love, revenge, and purpose. And on all of those points, it came to a satisfying conclusion.
When I finished this book, I wasn’t sure what to think of it. I definitely blasted through it and the story kept surprising me until the end.
Still, I didn’t always like Hervor as a protagonist, especially in the opening chapters of the story. I do understand that her personality very much reflects her environment and the context she grew up in. Yet, it isn’t always fun to read a relatively unrelatable character.
But my initial dislike for Hervor aside (I did warm up to her eventually) this story nails what it sets out to do. It reads like old Nordic mythology and fills in the blanks that old literature tends to ignore. It’s a story about hardship, love, revenge, and purpose. And on all of those points, it came to a satisfying conclusion.
April 8, 2024
It took me ages to get round to reading this and I'm glad I made time to just sit and swallow it whole. I LOVE Marie. Brennan's plotting, world building and character development is par excellence and is above and beyond her nearest rival.
This reworking of a saga from the poetic Edda is fantastic and unique and Hervor's character is brilliantly grumpy, understandably angry, and woefully under prepared as she sets out to rid herself of her haunting.
This is darker than anything she's written before but it's just as brilliant and showcases her incredible ability to devastate the reader in just a few words.
If Brennan isn't an auto-buy author for you, correct that.
This reworking of a saga from the poetic Edda is fantastic and unique and Hervor's character is brilliantly grumpy, understandably angry, and woefully under prepared as she sets out to rid herself of her haunting.
This is darker than anything she's written before but it's just as brilliant and showcases her incredible ability to devastate the reader in just a few words.
If Brennan isn't an auto-buy author for you, correct that.
January 29, 2024
This story followed the life of Hervor, a bondsmaid, turned Viking, turned warrior, turned heir to a Jarldom as she seeks to rid herself of the ghosts of her father and brothers by avenging their wrongful deaths. In true Norse saga style, the tale features quests and betrayal, magic and rituals, cursed swords, ghosts and vikings. I love all the historical details Brennan weaves into the story. For those looking for a story with an ancient feel, this is for you.
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