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Kiss of Death: A sapphic Norse-inspired novella
A seemingly unremarkable woman from the north of England struggling to make ends meet, she attends York’s Viking Festival every year to participate in a battle reenactment. But when she wakes up wounded and bloody in the middle of the empty battlefield, she finds the world to be a much darker place than she realised.
Hel has many names. The Goddess of Death is just one of them. Cast out by Odin, her duty is to take souls back to her kingdom of Helheim, where they can live out their afterlife peacefully. But when she sets out to claim a shield-maiden, it quickly becomes clear that something is wrong. Jorvik has changed drastically since the last time she was here, and Maeve is no ordinary warrior.
As the storm rages, they find themselves unable to get back to the gates of Hel and must question if the universe has other plans for them — plans that might have something to do with the volcanic eruption happening not far from Hel’s home.
With the world crumbling and Maeve filled with grief, the strength of Maeve’s unclaimed spirit is dwindling quickly, but their relationship only develops as they battle through tempests and face the Norns, confronted by some harrowing truths and monsters along the way.
Will the Fates allow them to reach Helheim in time, or will Hel lose the woman she is quickly falling in love with?
Hel has many names. The Goddess of Death is just one of them. Cast out by Odin, her duty is to take souls back to her kingdom of Helheim, where they can live out their afterlife peacefully. But when she sets out to claim a shield-maiden, it quickly becomes clear that something is wrong. Jorvik has changed drastically since the last time she was here, and Maeve is no ordinary warrior.
As the storm rages, they find themselves unable to get back to the gates of Hel and must question if the universe has other plans for them — plans that might have something to do with the volcanic eruption happening not far from Hel’s home.
With the world crumbling and Maeve filled with grief, the strength of Maeve’s unclaimed spirit is dwindling quickly, but their relationship only develops as they battle through tempests and face the Norns, confronted by some harrowing truths and monsters along the way.
Will the Fates allow them to reach Helheim in time, or will Hel lose the woman she is quickly falling in love with?
156 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2023
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Bryony Rosehurst
15 books42 followersBryony Rosehurst is a British romance author and poet dedicated to telling diverse stories of love and happily ever afters — and perhaps a little bit of angst sprinkled in for good measure. You can usually find her painting (badly), photographing new cities (occasionally), or wishing for autumn (always).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 9, 2024
ABSOLUTELY BLOODY WONDERFUL OH MY GOOOOOOOODS this is a sapphic masterpiece, a mythological treat, a romance gem, a read so magical and sweet and angsty (because Bryony, that’s why) and hot and cozy and scary and fun and… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
I need a movie made of this book. I need fanart. I need to get a tattoo of my favorite quote on the inside of my brain. I need Maeve and Hel to adopt me when I die (which hopefully won’t be soon but with the amount of heartbeats I skipped while reading this book who knows). I just need everyone to read this book. What a great way to spend an afternoon!!!
Important addition: if my gf was the goddess of death I would also immediately want to pet her hellhoud and I think this speaks volumes about the sapphic family units. It’s just two sapphics and a pet that may or may not have been eating decomposing human flesh just moments ago.
Good boy!
I need a movie made of this book. I need fanart. I need to get a tattoo of my favorite quote on the inside of my brain. I need Maeve and Hel to adopt me when I die (which hopefully won’t be soon but with the amount of heartbeats I skipped while reading this book who knows). I just need everyone to read this book. What a great way to spend an afternoon!!!
Important addition: if my gf was the goddess of death I would also immediately want to pet her hellhoud and I think this speaks volumes about the sapphic family units. It’s just two sapphics and a pet that may or may not have been eating decomposing human flesh just moments ago.
Good boy!
February 1, 2024
Bryony Rosehurst is the writer who keeps me warm in the winter.
It's funny, because I didn't really vibe with fantasy for the longest time, but Bryony brings all the softness and character chemistry of genre romance to a speculative setting, and I'm there, I'm with her, I'll read anything she writes. I didn't know what I needed but Bryony did, and that is the perfect fantasy of an enormous half-skeleton Norse goddess to thirst over.
This book is short but exactly as long as it needs to be, a perfectly constructed fantasy romance about a lost queer woman thrust into an unexpected afterlife, a fiercely protective goddess of death who keeps her promises, and a fateful crisis of nature.
Maeve and Hel are clearly perfect for each other. Their attraction, both emotional and physical, is palpable. Their curiosity about each other wins over their initial fear and confusion, and their willingness to engage and understand and learn are the beating heart of this book. I loved their connection and I loved their resolution, with all its twists. There is depth in their conversations that is so satisfying to explore and resolve.
Thematically, there is so much to talk about in this book. How interesting is the idea of an immortal goddess of death who strives to give mortal warriors a peaceful afterlife and yet must grapple with her mortal lover's grief at her own passing? This book, with all its discussion of death and the CHOICE to persist beyond mortal understanding, feels in some ways like a disability narrative. Maeve exhibits the grief and longing I feel when I think about how I used to live. Hel is irreversibly scarred, outcast, lonely, yet admirable in the life she has created, the afterlives she sustains, her devotion to a cause she only half understands. There is an attention always to how their bodies feel (physically), and how their bodies make them feel (emotionally). It is intriguing. I want to read essays about disability narratives in fiction about afterlife and mortality. Any recs?
And then there is the theme of belonging. Maeve never felt like she belonged or had a clear path. So it is difficult for her to even conceive that she might have a place in Hel's kingdom, so removed in time and space from what she knows. Hel reiterates again and again that Maeve does belong in her kingdom, she CAN belong; Hel WILLS it so. Until a twist of fate (no spoilers) throws everything into doubt. What if Maeve doesn't want to belong to what Hel offers? I have such FEELINGS about this section because as attractive as it is for a goddess to tell me I belong to her, I really like how Hel shifted her perspective and waited for Maeve to make her own choices.
All in all, this might be my favourite I've read of Bryony's works so far. I'd certainly read other books in the same universe or with the same characters. Alternatively, I'm sure this one will be a periodic reread.
It's funny, because I didn't really vibe with fantasy for the longest time, but Bryony brings all the softness and character chemistry of genre romance to a speculative setting, and I'm there, I'm with her, I'll read anything she writes. I didn't know what I needed but Bryony did, and that is the perfect fantasy of an enormous half-skeleton Norse goddess to thirst over.
This book is short but exactly as long as it needs to be, a perfectly constructed fantasy romance about a lost queer woman thrust into an unexpected afterlife, a fiercely protective goddess of death who keeps her promises, and a fateful crisis of nature.
Maeve and Hel are clearly perfect for each other. Their attraction, both emotional and physical, is palpable. Their curiosity about each other wins over their initial fear and confusion, and their willingness to engage and understand and learn are the beating heart of this book. I loved their connection and I loved their resolution, with all its twists. There is depth in their conversations that is so satisfying to explore and resolve.
Thematically, there is so much to talk about in this book. How interesting is the idea of an immortal goddess of death who strives to give mortal warriors a peaceful afterlife and yet must grapple with her mortal lover's grief at her own passing? This book, with all its discussion of death and the CHOICE to persist beyond mortal understanding, feels in some ways like a disability narrative. Maeve exhibits the grief and longing I feel when I think about how I used to live. Hel is irreversibly scarred, outcast, lonely, yet admirable in the life she has created, the afterlives she sustains, her devotion to a cause she only half understands. There is an attention always to how their bodies feel (physically), and how their bodies make them feel (emotionally). It is intriguing. I want to read essays about disability narratives in fiction about afterlife and mortality. Any recs?
And then there is the theme of belonging. Maeve never felt like she belonged or had a clear path. So it is difficult for her to even conceive that she might have a place in Hel's kingdom, so removed in time and space from what she knows. Hel reiterates again and again that Maeve does belong in her kingdom, she CAN belong; Hel WILLS it so. Until a twist of fate (no spoilers) throws everything into doubt. What if Maeve doesn't want to belong to what Hel offers? I have such FEELINGS about this section because as attractive as it is for a goddess to tell me I belong to her, I really like how Hel shifted her perspective and waited for Maeve to make her own choices.
All in all, this might be my favourite I've read of Bryony's works so far. I'd certainly read other books in the same universe or with the same characters. Alternatively, I'm sure this one will be a periodic reread.
February 19, 2024
This book was so lovely. I loved the character development, the romance and the fascinating world building. I will always recommend Bryony's books!
January 2, 2024
Another winner from Bryony Rosehurst! This quick novella packs a lot in, from the exploration of Norse mythology to a fast blossoming sapphic romance. This book took me to places I didn’t expect, and tenderly nudges us all to take a look at ourselves and love our bodies the way they are through the romance. There’s nothing Rosehurst can’t write!
November 18, 2023
Playing as a swordmaiden in a battle reenactment is one thing, waking up bloodied with the goddess of death there to collect her is another, especially when everything is different for Maeve. Not that it isn't for Hal, said goddess of death, too, but the Fates have never led her astray. Even when this time, everything seems, well, not quite right.
I very much enjoyed the story, watching the two characters develop more and grow closer as they journey to Helheim. Things aren't easy for them, especially for Maeve, but there is strength in both of them. The journey is part romance, part action, wonderfully told, an easy read that kept me engaged, wanting to see where it would go. The cast isn't overly large, focused on the main two characters, switching between both of their pov's, and adding depth to them both.
It is an interesting take on the lore that works quite well, and while Hel may look like a monster to some, she is no more so than what any human is capable of being. She has strength and determination, Helheim a representation of what she truly is. The romance is heart warming, with a little angst, and they really are meant for each other.
So yes, very much and enjoyable story, and one that I'd easily recommend.
NB: I received an ARC copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions on it are my own.
I very much enjoyed the story, watching the two characters develop more and grow closer as they journey to Helheim. Things aren't easy for them, especially for Maeve, but there is strength in both of them. The journey is part romance, part action, wonderfully told, an easy read that kept me engaged, wanting to see where it would go. The cast isn't overly large, focused on the main two characters, switching between both of their pov's, and adding depth to them both.
It is an interesting take on the lore that works quite well, and while Hel may look like a monster to some, she is no more so than what any human is capable of being. She has strength and determination, Helheim a representation of what she truly is. The romance is heart warming, with a little angst, and they really are meant for each other.
So yes, very much and enjoyable story, and one that I'd easily recommend.
NB: I received an ARC copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions on it are my own.
Read
July 17, 2025This is a gem of a mythological sapphic story and I loved it.
Maeve is incredibly relatable and strong at the same time. I like how despite being so completely out of her depth in Hel's world, she holds her own, she demands room to process what is happening, and just... takes up space. She doesn't appear completely helpless and at the whim of fate (wink wink) and yet is not some monolith of strength. She unapologetically shows her vulnerability and is still strong and badass with it, not despite of it. I love Maeve.
And Hel, I so need a portrait of Hel. Please someone more talented than me make a fanart asap, because I want to see this incredible giant woman with a skeleton for half her body for... reasons. I love that it makes sense why Hel becomes first intrigued then attracted to Maeve. How we get to know Hel behind the fearsome warrior persona, and see her open up gradually. I love the way she respects Maeve even in her most impatient moments, and how fierce and soft they are together.
I realise I said basically nothing of the entire story, but honestly, these two characters are the story. The setting and the mythology they are immersed in is also amazing, though, and you can feel the research that went into this book. There are honestly some characters I think could shine in a sequel or spinoff, so I'll be here praying to the book gods to make that happen.
Maeve is incredibly relatable and strong at the same time. I like how despite being so completely out of her depth in Hel's world, she holds her own, she demands room to process what is happening, and just... takes up space. She doesn't appear completely helpless and at the whim of fate (wink wink) and yet is not some monolith of strength. She unapologetically shows her vulnerability and is still strong and badass with it, not despite of it. I love Maeve.
And Hel, I so need a portrait of Hel. Please someone more talented than me make a fanart asap, because I want to see this incredible giant woman with a skeleton for half her body for... reasons. I love that it makes sense why Hel becomes first intrigued then attracted to Maeve. How we get to know Hel behind the fearsome warrior persona, and see her open up gradually. I love the way she respects Maeve even in her most impatient moments, and how fierce and soft they are together.
I realise I said basically nothing of the entire story, but honestly, these two characters are the story. The setting and the mythology they are immersed in is also amazing, though, and you can feel the research that went into this book. There are honestly some characters I think could shine in a sequel or spinoff, so I'll be here praying to the book gods to make that happen.
December 3, 2023
What is it you say? 'Holy shit?" Hel asked finally. Maeve giggled. The words sounded strange coming from her mouth. "Right. Yeah. That about sums it up."
Maeve dies on a battlefield. Not how you'd think, though. A battle reenactment at a Viking festival in York, modern times. Who is the woman who pierces her with a real blade and leaves her to bleed to death in the middle of all performers faking it?
Maeve doesn't have time to wonder as Hel, goddess of death, arrives to take her away.
Hel herself doesn't know why she's here, in this strange world she doesn't recognise. Something is wrong, but first, she has a terrified mortal soul to carry off to the afterlife, if only she'd let her.
This was a surprising read. I think ultimately, sapphic love is finally reconciling me with fantasy books. In this swift read you get swept away to a mythological land where you'll find that maybe, it is possible to fall in love with a woman who is half skeleton. Bryony Rosehurt's fluid writing kept me reading and coming back to it and I'd gladly have read another full book in that universe.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 8, 2024
Kiss of Death is a sweet, fast-paced story that packs a punch! It began somewhere I never expected -- I found the blending of cultures to be interesting and fun. As a lover of historical fiction, and someone who has gone down the Norse mythology rabbit hole a time or two, I really loved the care with which Rosehurst built this tale. It is much more nuanced than people expect at a glance and she definitely did her homework.
Very happy to see Hel given the credit she deserves, too! Kiss of Death had its gritty and bittersweet moments but overall it was a nice palate cleanser from the more dreary stuff that I usually read.
Very happy to see Hel given the credit she deserves, too! Kiss of Death had its gritty and bittersweet moments but overall it was a nice palate cleanser from the more dreary stuff that I usually read.
January 7, 2025
So, I loved this!!! Very well written and perfectly paced for the length of the book. Norse mythology is so utterly fascinating and a sapphic version?!? Sign me up. This felt like stepping into Assassin’s Creed Valhalla which, is my second obsession past reading. That’s why I felt comfortable reading this book because all the references were so spot on. So good!! 🖤🖤
February 16, 2024
I’ve never wrote a review on her before but I just finished this book and I loved every second of it!!! Amazing story highly recommend!
did-not-finish
November 12, 2025DNF @ 32%
This is a little too heavy and sad for me right now so I'm going to DNF and might try again another time.
This is a little too heavy and sad for me right now so I'm going to DNF and might try again another time.
November 17, 2024
Kiss of Death by Bryony Rosehurst is a spectacular Sapphic story that sees a young woman from modern day York end up dead when a battle re-enactment goes badly wrong during the town's Viking Festival. The last thing Maeve expected when she woke up that morning was to end the day as a semi corporeal spirit being guided to the afterlife by Hel, the Norse goddess of death. Maeve is quite unlike any shield maiden that Hel has previously encountered but that does not make her unworthy of a place in her kingdom. Unfortunately the journey back is plagued by challenges and difficulties which have the advantage of bringing Maeve and Hel closer together.
This was such a great concept for a story and it is clear that the author has done her research when it comes to Norse mythology. Though short, at just over 150 pages, there is a lot of character development and I loved seeing Maeve become stronger and believe in herself more while Hel softened and finally let someone in. There is plenty of spice and steam too, this couple clearly has chemistry but they also have a curiosity about and patience for each other, and that made me really root for their relationship. This is an author going from strength to strength and I want all of it!
I read and ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
This was such a great concept for a story and it is clear that the author has done her research when it comes to Norse mythology. Though short, at just over 150 pages, there is a lot of character development and I loved seeing Maeve become stronger and believe in herself more while Hel softened and finally let someone in. There is plenty of spice and steam too, this couple clearly has chemistry but they also have a curiosity about and patience for each other, and that made me really root for their relationship. This is an author going from strength to strength and I want all of it!
I read and ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
January 2, 2024
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2024 🌈✨: Hidden Gems Board - Sapphics With Swords
4 stars. This was fucking awesome! I seriously wish it were a full length novel. Unique plot. great writing and world building, and the main characters are both total badasses and the romance between them was great. Maeve and Hel are awesome characters and I loved the chemistry between them. The Norse mythology in this was really good and the plot kept me hooked from beginning to end. For this to be less than 200 pages it is jam packed with action, romance, and some spice.
4 stars. This was fucking awesome! I seriously wish it were a full length novel. Unique plot. great writing and world building, and the main characters are both total badasses and the romance between them was great. Maeve and Hel are awesome characters and I loved the chemistry between them. The Norse mythology in this was really good and the plot kept me hooked from beginning to end. For this to be less than 200 pages it is jam packed with action, romance, and some spice.
January 2, 2025
Absolutely beautiful. Although short, it was beautiful. It definitely made me feel some certain things 😉. The tension between the two characters is remarkable, and the stark differences between them are enchanting. It's so interesting to be attracted to Hel knowing what she looks like, but alas, I still am. You know it's good writing when you can fall in love with the characters and feel the things the characters are feeling. The spice is perfect.
November 19, 2023
This was a great read, all the elements were incredible. I wish it was 200 pages longer, I'd happily read it all!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews