Mythology, Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, written by author Edith Hamilton.

You can find this book on Amazon at this link: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Not reviewed
• Book Type
  • Collection, Novel, Short Story
• Genre
  • Educational, Fairy Tale, Norse Mythology
• Reader Age
  • Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult

Book Blurb

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes is a comprehensive exploration of classical mythology, focusing on ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse myths. Edith Hamilton presents a collection of stories about gods, heroes, and legendary figures, offering readers insight into the cultural and moral values of these ancient civilizations.

The book is divided into sections, with the first focusing on the Olympian gods and goddesses, their powers, relationships, and impact on human life. Hamilton introduces major deities like Zeus, Hera, Athena, and Apollo, providing context for their roles in myths. The second section delves into the heroic age, covering the adventures of renowned figures such as Hercules, Theseus, Perseus, and Jason. These tales showcase human virtues and flaws, as heroes often face overwhelming challenges imposed by the gods.

Hamilton also includes the tragic love stories of figures like Orpheus and Eurydice, exploring themes of fate, passion, and sacrifice. The third section covers Norse mythology, emphasizing the darker, more fatalistic outlook of Norse culture. It introduces gods like Odin and Thor, as well as the apocalyptic concept of Ragnarok.

Throughout the book, Hamilton offers clear interpretations of complex myths, making ancient stories accessible to modern readers. Her work highlights the enduring nature of these myths and their impact on literature, art, and society.

The post Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes appeared first on Ymir Press.

Norse Sagas: Kings’ Sagas, written by author, Snorri Sturluson, translated by: W. C. Green, Muriel A.C. Press, John Coles, G. W. DaSent, William Morris, Eirikr Magnusson, John Sephton, George Webbe, W.G. Collingwood, J. Stefansson, F. York Powell, Edmund Head, Arthur Middleton Reeves, and Samuel Laing.

You can find this book on Amazon at this link: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Not reviewed
• Book Type
  • Collection, Novel
• Characters
  • Strong female main characters, Strong male main characters
• Genre
  • Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Norse Mythology
• Point of View
  • Third Person Omniscient
• Reader Age
  • Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult
• Content Warnings
  • Gore, Torture

Book Blurb

Sagas are stories mostly about ancient Nordic and Germanic history, early Viking voyages, the battles that took place during the voyages and migration to Iceland and of feuds between Icelandic families. They were written in the Old Norse language, mainly in Iceland.
Kings’ sagas are of the lives of Scandinavian kings. They were composed in the 12th to 14th centuries.
The Icelanders’ sagas, a.k.a. Family Sagas, are stories of real events, passed in oral form till they eventually were recorded, mostly in the 13th century. These are the highest form of the classical Icelandic saga writing.
Legendary Sagas blend remote history with myth or legend. The aim is on a lively narrative and entertainment.

The Sagas:

• Kings’ Sagas
• Ynglinga Saga
• Halfdan the Black Saga
• Harald Harfager’s Saga
• Hakon the Good’s Saga
• Saga of King Harald Grafeld and of Earl Hakon Son of Sigurd
• King Olaf Trygvason’s Saga
• Saga of Olaf Haraldson (St. Olaf)
• Saga of Magnus the Good
• Saga of Harald Hardrade
• Saga of Olaf Kyrre
• Magnus Barefoot’s Saga
• Saga of Sigurd the Crusader and His Brothers Eystein and Olaf
• Saga of Magnus the Blind and of Harald Gille
• Saga of Sigurd, Inge, and Eystein, the Sons of Harald
• Saga of Hakon Herdebreid
• Magnus Erlingson’s Saga
• Sagas of Icelanders
• Egil’s Saga (The Story of Egil Skallagrimsson)
• Laxdæla Saga
• The Saga of Hrafnkell, Frey’s Priest
• The Story of the Confederates (Bandamanna saga)
• The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw
• The Saga of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald
• Saga of the Greenlanders
• Erik the Red’s Saga
• Grettir’s Saga (The Story of Grettir the Strong)
• Njal’s Saga (The story of Burnt Njal)
• The Saga of Cormac the Skald
• The Saga of Howard the Halt
• The Saga of the Ere-Dwellers
• The Saga of Thrond of Gate
• The Saga of Viga-Glum
• The Saga of Viglund the Fair
• The Saga of Hen-Thorir
• Legendary Sagas
• Volsunga Saga
• Frithiof’s Saga

The post Norse Sagas: Kings’ Sagas appeared first on Ymir Press.

Weaver of the Witch Queen is a Viking Age historical fantasy novel from the acclaimed author, Genevieve Gornichec.

You can find this book on Amazon at this link: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Not reviewed
• Book Type
  • Novel
• Characters
  • Strong female main characters
• Genre
  • Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Norse Mythology
• Point of View
  • Third Person Omniscient
• Reader Age
  • Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult
• Content Warnings
  • Gore

Book Blurb

Oddny and Gunnhild meet as children in tenth century Norway, and they could not be more different. Oddny hopes for a quiet life, while Gunnhild burns for power and longs to escape her cruel mother. After a visiting wisewoman makes an ominous prophecy involving Oddny, her sister Signy, and Gunnhild, they take a blood oath to help one another.

When Oddny’s farm is destroyed and Signy is kidnapped by Viking raiders, Oddny is set adrift from the life she imagined. She pledges to save her sister no matter the cost. In the far north, Gunnhild, who fled her home years ago to learn the ways of a witch. There, she discovers her destiny with the formidable King Eirik, heir apparent to the ruler of all Norway, are entwined.

But the bonds—both enchanted and emotional—that hold the two women together are strong. When they make their way back to each other, these bonds will be put to the test in ways they never could have foreseen.

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The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes, is an inspired compilation by author by Jackson Crawford. There are many translations of the Poetic Edda poems available to the average reader. Very few of these attempts manage to create an accessible, and readable English interpretation. You will enjoy the clear, elegant, and somewhat easy, writing. If you have any real interest in hearing, and feeling, the words of our Viking ancestors, this book is a must!

You can find this book on Amazon at this link: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Not reviewed
• Book Type
  • Collection, Short Story
• Characters
  • Strong female main characters, Strong male main characters
• Genre
  • Fairy Tale, Norse Mythology
• Point of View
  • Third Person Omniscient
• Reader Age
  • Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult
• Content Warnings
  • Animal Harm, Gore

Book Blurb

The poems of the Poetic Edda have waited a long time for a Modern English translation that would do them justice. Here it is (Odin be praised!) and it was well worth the wait. These amazing texts from a 13th-century Icelandic manuscript are of huge historical, mythological and literary importance. They contain the lion’s share of information about the gods and heroes of pre-Christian Scandinavians. Jackson Crawford’s modern versions of these poems are authoritative and fluent and often very gripping.  With individual head-notes and a thorough introduction, they supply readers with what they need to know in order to understand and appreciate the beliefs, motivations, and values of the Vikings.

The post The Poetic Edda appeared first on Ymir Press.

Nameless Queen, The Prophecies of Ragnarok Short Stories is a prequel short story by authors Meri Benson and Marie Sinadjan. This is a contemporary urban take on Norse Mythology. You can find this book on Amazon at: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Not reviewed
• Book Type
  • Novella
• Genre
  • Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Norse Mythology
• Point of View
  • Third Person Omniscient
• Reader Age
  • Young Adult, Adult

Book Blurb

When Geiravor Lokisdottir was stripped of her name and cast out of Asgard, she thought she’d lost it all. But in the shadows of Niflheim she discovers the path to her destiny, and what it truly means to be queen.

The post Nameless Queen appeared first on Ymir Press.

The Kinslayer, Sagas Of The Fleshed Lands is a relatively short, Norse fantasy novel epic written by author S.K. Putt. If you enjoy reading a good Norse story with creative animal companions, and strong female characters, check out The Kinslayer. Get your copy at this Amazon link: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Not reviewed
• Book Type
  • Novel
• Genre
  • Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Norse Mythology
• Point of View
  • First Person
• Reader Age
  • Young Adult, Adult
• Content Warnings
  • Gore

Book Blurb

The Fleshed Lands have worshiped their Gods and Goddesses for as long as time stands. Folk of The Fleshed lands are dedicated relentlessly to whom they worship, that even blood will not deter their allegiances. Raids, riches and thraldom inspire some of these lands, while others seek peace and will protect it fearlessly.

Fenra, The Wolf Goddess and Jörma, The Snake Goddess, are caged and bound by chains in Skýjaþorp, a hall where Gods and Goddesses feast. Fenra and Jörma have selected champions in The Fleshed Lands to find the Twin-Bladed Axe to fulfil the prophecy spoken of in saga tales.

For some champions, raids have taken away everything, including family, and survival is the only goal.

For others, the quest for greatness and to triumph on behalf of their goddess is the only option.

Regardless, all are desperate to find the weapon of prophecy, but at what cost?

The post The Kinslayer, Sagas Of The Fleshed Lands appeared first on Ymir Press.

The Slain Maiden is a great fantasy story written by author Eleanor Currit. It has well crafted elements of Norse lore built into the story in a very creative way. You can find it on Amazon at this link: eBook

Book Information

• Reviewed Status
  • Reviewed
• Genre
  • Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Norse Mythology
• Point of View
  • Third Person Omniscient
• Reader Age
  • Young Adult

Book Blurb

In the small village of Holm, Tora and her family live a safe, regular life despite an outside world awash in myth. Young Tora has heard many wondrous tales of the strange people and places beyond the walls of Holm. She always hoped that maybe, someday, she might have the opportunity to see it all for herself—but she never expected that hope to become a nightmare.

What begins as an act of neighborliness takes on an ominous tone when Tora and her mother visit Helga, a neighbor with a newborn. With gray skin and black eyes, the baby’s horrid screams leave no doubt there is something wrong. Helga claims an evil creature took her baby, leaving a monster behind, and Tora soon learns Helga is right.

Tora’s life takes a traumatic turn when the seasonal workers arrive for the summer. A young man with piercing blue eyes and mysterious tattoos is among them, and things will never be the same. In a valley long ago teeming with magic and trolls, Tora uncovers secrets she couldn’t have imagined and sets off a series of disturbing events that alter her life forever.

The post The Slain Maiden appeared first on Ymir Press.