The Völva’s Apprentice

By: Living History

Narrated by: Alaura Howery

Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

I had heard tales of women with secret knowledge and powers, but I never imagined that there would be one standing right in front of me.

“You’re a Völva?” the word rolled off my tongue strangely...

I only knew faintly what a Völva was. They were said to be strange women with strange powers. Not only could they protect and ward against ill omens, but they could also travel the realms and reach into places untapped by most humans. As such, they were often spoken of in whispers of both reverence and mystery.

“Yes, I am. And an old one at that,” she said, getting up from her chair.

It seemed so casual as if she was just talking about a mindless chore that she was doing. Like it was nothing special that she had just performed some form of magic right in front of me.

For two years, I learned everything I could on runes, protections, herbs, medicines, and anything else that Dagmar deemed necessary. In the few moments I had that were not dedicated to lessons from Dagmar, I would seek out Ivar for his quiet presence. There was just something about being near him that set my mind at ease.

All that consumed my thoughts was avengement and how close Ulrik was. Soon he would taste the bitter sting of defeat.

In the realms of Norse Mythology, a girl sets out to avenge her village, only to meet a powerful teacher on her journey into the abyss of forbidden knowledge.

©2022 Living History (P)2023 Living History

Ok

Short fantasy story involving a young apprentice bent on revenge. The characters are likable. The story feels like an introduction to a series or a short filler book between larger novels. It’s missing some development or ‘meat’ to make the story have a middle. The narrator did a nice job with providing unique voices for each character and appropriate tone inflections for each scene. I received a free copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Story of Revenge and Coming into One’s Own

While the author claims this is a Norse fiction story of magic, mythology, and romance in the book’s subtitle, being a good Norse story taking place in the Viking era, it is mostly a story of revenge with a little romance, magic, and mythology thrown in for good measure! That's not to say it's not a good story, because it is. You cannot help but feel for the young heroine; a few quick strokes of an evil man's blade decimates her family, and with his rampaging buddies, her entire village disappears. She must start anew, and so she does, becoming an apprentice to a völva, sort of a village wise woman who can not only heal but can also see into the future, and with proper training perhaps even change the course of the future (so long as it is not fated). The young girl struggles somewhat, as her own blind need for revenge keeps her from fulfilling her greater destiny, holding her back from what she most desires. Will she get there and with her two new friends (one of whom is her teacher)? You'll have to read or listen to find out!

While I'm very accustomed to nonfiction books being written by brands, so to speak, not listed human name authors, it strikes me as very odd to see a fiction book written by a brand name, not a person's name. I hope this is not a trend that sticks. Living History sounds like it should be the publisher for a history nonfiction brand. But that's just a personal rant. I actually enjoyed this story, and the book ended not on a true cliffhanger but with the sense that much still was left to be done. I am curious to see where this story goes after this book.

An excellent read

A young girl sees her family murdered by Ulrik & his men. After she barely escapes she is found and taken in by Dagmar a Volva. A Volva is a woman with strange powers. Olah learns all she can from her because she seeks revenge. i loved it

great book

i genuinely loved this book, it has a great story and very interesting for anyone who is into mythology.

I love it

I love this kind of story. I love to listen to stories that have a mythological background. All the magic is so real once listening. Love it.