Down the Rabbit Hole

When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.

Angrboda’s story begins where most witches’ tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the farthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be Loki, and her initial distrust of him transforms into a deep and abiding love.

Their union produces three unusual children, each with a secret destiny, who Angrboda is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin’s all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life—and possibly all of existence—is in danger.

With help from the fierce huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she’s foreseen for her beloved family…or rise to remake their future. From the most ancient of tales this novel forges a story of love, loss, and hope for the modern age

I remember when this book was on one of my anticipated lists, and I distinctly remember thinking the theme and the cover were really good and that I ought to read it. And finally I did! The cover still speaks to me, and after having read the book, the title and the artwork are definitely very appropriate. I always love a good myth-based retelling, even if I’m not too familiar with Norse mythology. It was a good read though, and I can definitely recommend this. If you enjoyed The Song of Achilles, I think you would enjoy this one too.

The Witch’s Heart revolves around our protagonist, Angrboda, who is a witch who survives three burnings. As she tries to turn her life around living in isolation instead, she meets the Trickster, Loki, and together they make a life and bear children that will change the destiny of the entire world. This is simultaneously an adventure where Angrboda must learn to navigate the world without the full memories of her past, and a story of how the new world came to be after the fall of the gods and giants.