Wyrd Gods by Susana Imaginário Timelessness #1

I received an audio book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Every since my review on Northern Wrath last year, I have been on the prowl for more stories that feature Norse Mythology. Not only do you get this in Wyrd Gods, but we also get to witness Greek Mythology in the mix. These two ancient histories get combined in a fun and adventurous way that you will be amazed at how Susana Imaginário pulled this off. It may seem from the description that the author is throwing the kitchen at the reader, but it didn’t feel that way to me. The story itself is well crafted and dense in terms of plot, character development, to go along with beautiful prose to drive the novel to a fantastic conclusion. Prior to being contacted by the author I hadn’t heard of this novel and I would have missed out on this hidden wonder!

The story begins with the god of time, Kronos, wanting to destroy eternity. Kronos looks to achieve this by combining the Norse underworld with the Greek pantheon together in order to cause a war and to see where the chips may fall. We don’t know which gods are supporting the others and secret alliances are being made; they will be revealed when we least expect it.

A reclusive deity does what no god should ever do: she answers a prayer. As punishment, she is stripped of her powers and trapped in a mortal’s body. Now a Wyrd – a fated god – she is haunted by the memories and thoughts of her host and must hide her true identity in order to survive in Niflheim, the rival Norse Underworld. There she discovers the afterlife is not quite what it used to be. Niflheim’s new ruler threatens the precarious balance of a world overrun with outcast deities and mortals alike. To save her own sanity and find her way back to the stars, she must help the other Wyrd overcome their grievances to defeat this enemy, but those who would be her allies appear to have motives as hidden as her fragmented consciousness.

The novel’s structure is broken down into first person POV chapters of the wyrd god as she learns about the memories of her host and how the gods have let their tyranny run wild in the universe. There are also interlude chapters depicting the other gods and creatures in order to gain several different perspectives. The story also takes place not in one location but on several different worlds and the only way to travel is through these magical trees. Not something you will read in everyday fantasy literature. The wyrd is a fascinating character to read about. She was once a mortal who became a god by drinking the ambrosia of the gods and because she decides to do the compassionate thing, she gets punished and cast out into the mortal world. We get to experience her redemption first hand and it is such a wild ride that my head kept on spinning with all the wonders and possible ramifications this series will reveal.

The world-building and imagination in this story is also amazingly written. To keep all the different plotlines, characters, motives, and even to just remember the names of all these gods deserves an award as far as I’m concerned. Readers who love ancient mythology, complex plot, and morally gray characters will enjoy Wyrd Gods. I should also mention that the narrator does and amazing job as well! If this is what my TBR has in story for 2021, this will make me a very happy man. This novel gets the highest regards from me and hopefully it will get yours as well!

Cheers!