THE WITCH'S HEART by Genevieve Gornichec (2021)
DNF at 38% - Why would someone even write a book in which the dynamic of the fiercest Jötnar clan of all time is basically your super generic, mindnumbingly basic, white, suburban family-of-five?
DNF at 38%. This book was giving off SO much cishetero-white-lady-who-regrets-her-complete-lack-of-critical-thinking-when-it-came-to-her-decision-to-marry-some-dude-&-have-his-babies energy that it made me want to put my head through a wall.
Why would someone even write a book in which the dynamic of the fiercest Jötnar clan of all time—i.e. Angrboda, Loki, Hel, Fenrir, & Jörmungundr—is basically your super generic, mindnumbingly basic white suburban family-of-five complete with all the same heteronormative bickering engaged in by parents who uncritically subscribe to traditional Christian (for some reason?? even though this is supposed to be a Norse mythology retelling??) patriarchal gender roles?
Like, why were these immortal gods shy about their nudity?
Why did Gerd (a jötunn goddess) act like an obnoxious Karen /HOA president /judgy church lady?
Why was Angrboda all “I’m not your mother” towards a petulant, childish Loki but then she was doing his laundry for him?
Why was the dialogue bad-teenage-romance-level cringe?
Why were elements of the original myth just tossed into the story just because they were elements of the original myth with no deeper thought, reason, or reimagining behind why they were elements of the original myth?
If this story wasn’t going to do anything subversive or clever or new why even bother writing—let alone publishing—it at all?
I’d laugh if I wasn’t so damn annoyed & bored absolutely stupid. Good GRIEF.
The audiobook narrator was really good though.
★
Xx ceallaigh 🥀📖
PS - Just Read These Books Instead:
CIRCE by Madeline Miller (2018) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
THE WOLF IN THE WHALE by Jordanna Max Brodsky (2019) ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
→ follow this one up with SIVULLIQ by Lily Tuzroyluke (2023) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
BEOWULF translated by Maria Dahvana Headley (2020) ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
THE QUEEN OF SWORDS —book three of The Golgotha Series by RS Belcher (2017) ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
THE BROKEN KINGDOMS —book two of The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin (2014) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
WICKED: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire (1995) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★