If you are a fan of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, or mythological retellings in general, you will love this story from Katherine Buel. As someone who didn’t know too much about Norse mythology prior to picking this up, I found that Buel tells this tale in a very accessible way, and her prose is so beautifully written.

This first installment in Buel’s new series follows the young warrior Sigurd, a descendent of Odin himself, as he comes of age and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, filled with fighting, foraging, and fantasy. The story is intriguing and well-paced, keeping you turning the pages and needing to know what happens next. (And, might I add, the ending dropped my jaw).

The characters in this story are so tangible and mystical at the same time, allowing for both relatability and wonderment. Sigurd is reminiscent of other characters in the bildungsroman genre, while still holding a sense of his own self. He is confident yet quiet, and knows his self-worth while still being open to learning more about his world.

As the first installment in a series, I am highly anticipating more from Katherine Buel.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this advance reader copy.