With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @Solaris_books and @KoldHoldt for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this stunning book.
Synopsis
A dead man, walking between the worlds, foresees the end of the gods. A survivor searching for a weapon releases a demon from fiery Muspelheim. A village is slaughtered by Christians, and revenge must be taken.
The bonds between the gods and Midgard are weakening. It is up to Hilda, Ragnar, their tribesmen Einer and Finn, the chief’s wife Siv and Tyra, her adopted daughter, to fight to save the old ways from dying out, and to save their gods in the process.
Review
A spectacular debut steeped in lore, tradition and history inspired by Norse-mythology and brimming with authenticity, anticipation and amazing characterisation. It’s a powerful story and I was all in from the start!
The vast and complex world is expertly explored and I could clearly picture the scenes so vividly and magnificently described transporting us to another dimension. Holdt captures the culture and times perfectly and the characters’ way of life which comes under threat. I love their values and the code of honour they live by and we see how these manifest in each of the characters, their self-reliance, loyalty, generosity and wisdom which makes for an intriguing and entertaining read.
I loved the multiple points of view enabling us to see the full landscape of the story and follow each part as it unfolds. Each character has a distinct voice and personality and feels incredibly real. Each storyline is important in its own right whilst building the bigger picture of the main conflict, adding to the unputdownable nature of the story and the addictive quality of each chapter.
We see how their home and village is completely decimated and the loss and tragedy suffered, leading to each character having their own personal journey and challenges to face.
Hilda discovers something magical whilst dealing with a debilitating loss that sees her valour and determination stronger than ever. Einer is a true warrior and kind soul who’s gifted an artefact imbued with an unknown power. Both grow and develop immensely and have an unwavering belief in each other no matter what that’s touching to see. They both hold a special place in my heart and their journeys are only just beginning!
Siv has the weight of the worlds on her shoulders and there’s more to her than meets the eye. We see what a special character she is and I loved learning more about her past. Tyra is forced into battle and shows such courage in the face of deep loss, her journey takes her somewhere unexpected.
There’s gods, demons and giants guiding outcomes, and with the fate of the Nine Worlds hanging in the balance can each character change their destiny before it becomes set in stone?
This is an epic fantasy tale that’s an action-packed, thrilling read and I loved every page. There’s great pacing, building tension, paths are forged and risks are taken leading to the ultimate battle for survival. It’s an all encompassing story of brutality, sacrifice and duty that’s also full of heart, hope and believing in the impossible. A must read! So glad it’s only book one of The Hanged Trilogy as I’m not ready to leave these characters and can’t wait to see where their journeys take us next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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