Book Review: Skadi and the Geats

Reviewed by Lindsay Crandall

A gripping fantasy adventure through Midgard

In this third installment of the Prose Edda series, dynamic new characters enter the fray alongside some of our favorite characters from the previous books. 

Picking up after having slain a jötunn in a previous book, Skadi, Bjorn, and Mimir return to their village of Fensalir, where Skadi is informed that Earl Hrothgar of Lejre, the would-be king of Midgard, is requesting Skadi’s presence. In his message, Hrothgar hints that he may know the location of Mimir’s body (since Mimir is just a head), enticing Skadi and Mimir to set out toward Lejre, leaving Bjorn behind.  

But there is no shortage of issues around them. Children are being separated from their parents, entire communities are being destroyed, the heart of the Ironwood (a mysterious forest) has been decimated and replaced with a mine, and the “king” is only holding his kingdom by violence. 

As they journey to Lejre, Skadi and Mimir are drawn into a decades-long conspiracy, and Skadi, while a skilled-warrior herself, must learn to rely on others to ensure victory. 

Skadi, Hege, Mimir, and Beowulf truly shine in this installment. Williams portrays the world and its characters with a realistic nuance, not making them overtly “good” or “bad” but varying shades of gray. All of the characters are unique—even if recognizable for those already invested in Norse Mythology—and some are even deeply unlikable. Redeeming qualities aren’t to be found in everyone in this world.

Williams is at his best when placing us in this world. He uses a mix of intriguing flashbacks and present-day narration to instill a deeper insight into the story’s locations and its people. Among the story’s best character histories belong to Skadi and her Uncle Howard, a man corrupted by grief.

“Uncle, are you so blinded by your need for revenge that you would partner with another monster?” 

“My clan is gone.  My son is dead.  And even the power the jötunn granted me is starting to fade.  If there is a way to find peace, I will find it.”

“Revenge will not bring you peace.  It only poisons your mind and clouds your judgment.”

There is a gentle juggling required to keep up with the flashbacks and the present-day plot, but the novel is excellently paced all the way up through the conclusion. Williams manages a number of moving parts and wraps them up nicely in the end.

This series continues to enthrall thanks to its world and continually developing characters. If you enjoy high fantasy or sword and sorcery, you can’t go wrong with Skadi and the Geats. 

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