"Debut author Seitz intersperses passages narrated by Skaga into Astrid’s first-person account, weaving an impressive backstory deeply rooted in pagan beliefs. Astrid’s story expertly conveys her pain as she unravels her family’s secrets and her own destiny...A bloody love letter to Norse mythology."
Description
Belladonna meets Norse mythology in this “sinuous dark fantasy” (School Library Journal) that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.
Never go beyond the stave church.
Within Tiveden Forest, bloodthirsty monsters known as draugr lurk behind every tree, and secrets run through the soil like twisted roots. When her grandmother vanishes into the forest, Astrid won’t let Crohn’s disease get in the way of finding her. But in searching for her lost loved one, Astrid soon uncovers an even greater mystery:
A conflict that’s haunted her village and family for generations.
An ancient blood oath her ancestor made to protect them.
A deadly draugr imprisoned for centuries…who Astrid accidentally awakens.
Newly revived, Soren first mistakes Astrid for her ancestor, his ex-lover turned enemy. Astrid can’t tell if he would rather kill her or kiss her. But Soren knows the forest better than anyone, and Astrid quickly realizes that she’ll need his help to rescue her grandmother.
The deeper they venture into Tiveden, the closer Astrid gets to the cold, alluring Soren and the truth behind her grandmother’s disappearance. To save her home, a dark ritual must be performed before Midwinter—and only Astrid can fulfill her ancestor’s blood oath…or break it.
That is, if Soren—or the forest—doesn’t break Astrid first.
Reviews
"Seitz folds elements of her own experience with chronic illness into Astrid's recurrent worries about her Crohn's diagnosis, and the reimagined Norse folktales and mythical creatures will appeal to fans of classic fairy tales, especially those who like the creepier side of those stories."
"A solid debut dark fantasy inspired by Norse myth and folklore sure to please the intricate romantasy reader."
“A romantic, blood-soaked tale about forging your own path and the shifting lines between love and hate. I was swept away by this journey into the forest of Tiveden, where the cold is unrelenting and your heart can be as treacherous as the creatures that prowl the darkness. Fans of enemies-to-lovers—and vampires!—will adore this one.”
