2021 Debut Review: THE WITCH’S HEART by Genevieve Gornichec
The Witch’s Heart is an epic literary fantasy in the same vein as Madeline Miller’s Circe. It begins long ago, when the Norse gods were young. A witch rises from the ashes of a pyre where Odin, Lord of the Aesir, has burned her at the stake three times. Stealing away, she leaves her heart behind in a smoking heap and forms a new body under a new name: Angrboda. The witch remembers almost nothing of her past life, save that she is skilled in the magic known as seid. Odin wished to punish her for refusing to divine the dark, apocalyptic future Ragnarok.
Whoever this old soul was before, Angrboda is now strong, wise, and self-possessed; a great protagonist to champion. Angrboda makes a home in a cave in Ironwood on the edge of the world. Loki the Trickster seeks her here and returns her charred heart. Angrboda places it back into her ribcage with thick scar tissue to seal it in. The witch’s heart is broken and mended, broken and mended—by lovers, children, and enemies—before it is given again.
The Norse mythology within The Witch’s Heart is well researched and richly described. Gornichec’s writing is excellent and her handling of Angrboda and her lovers is beautifully nuanced and touching. The other Giants, Gods, and Witches are every bit as emotionally fragile as mortals. Even the small moments between them are poignant. One of Angrboda’s lovers “pushed her hair over one shoulder and kissed the other as he put his arms around her.” Another says, “I just wish we had more time.” It’s all we can hope for in their realm, and ours.
the author
Photo Credit: Daina Faulhaber
I traced the knot-work heart from its UK cover, printed it, and cut it out like Angrboda’s heart is cut out twice. I held it above my chest as I tried to wrap my arms around this masterpiece.