Today I’m excited to participate in the Bookstagram & Creative Tour for The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector hosted by MTMC Tours. This unique take on Norse Mythology follows Sigyn through the stories we know and love, challenging the ideas of right and wrong, fate and choice, love and loyalty. Featuring imperfect characters, an LGBTQA+ cast, and a rollercoaster of emotion.
I decided I wanted to write my review for The Goddess of Nothing At All with gifs!! Since it’s based in Norse Mythology, there were several popular characters that so many of us know based on the Marvel movies, like Loki and Thor! So I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!! There’s an Intl giveaway going on in our Instagram for a chance to get a copy (more details below). Plus, as part of my creative stop, I interviewed Sigyn. Cannot wait for you to meet her!!
Warning: An excessive amount of Loki gifs will be used ahead ?
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The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector
Series: Unwritten Runes #1
on October 1st, 2021
Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy
Pages: 430
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon|Book Depository|B&N
Source: Author, MTMC Tours
I received this book for free from Author, MTMC Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Perhaps you know the myths.
Furious, benevolent Gods.
A tree that binds nine realms.
A hammer stronger than any weapon.
And someday, the end of everything.
But few have heard of me.Sigyn Odindottir has spent a lifetime trying to prove to her father that she’s ready for a title, but no amount of training or study has done the trick. In a last-ditch effort to change Odin’s mind, she turns to the one person she probably shouldn’t.
Loki’s reputation for deceit and mischief precedes him, but so does his skill for shapeshifting, scheming, and lighting things on fire with the snap of his fingers. If she can keep him under control, Sigyn stands to learn a great deal. Maybe enough to crawl out from the shadows of her brothers.
As Sigyn’s story weaves through the Norse myths, she finds there’s more to Loki than she understood, and perhaps more to herself as well.
When Ragnarok comes, what will she regret?
This unique take on Norse Mythology follows Sigyn through the stories we know and love, challenging the ideas of right and wrong, fate and choice, love and loyalty. Featuring imperfect characters, an LGBTQA+ cast, and a rollercoaster of emotion, The Goddess of Nothing At All asks “What if we’ve been on the wrong side all along?”
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Why you need to read The Goddess of Nothing At All + gifs!
“And there it was. The words that I had been feeling for weeks in her actions, in her touch. Every day. I flushed, thinking of all the tiny moments where I had thought it and refused to say it. Protected myself. And here she was, heart in hand.”
I will begin this review by saying that The Goddess of Nothing At All was such a fantastic read for me!! I laughed, cried, got angry, felt secondhand embarrassment, got my heart broken, and I fell completely in love with the characters. And even though this book was huge, there was a lot going on that I felt it went by so fast.
The Goddess of Nothing At All is the first book of the Unwritten Runes series, a dark fantasy Norse mythology that will keep you at the edge of your seat from page one. And don’t let the easy banter and humor in the beginning of the story trick you, it also gets darker and gory and glorious!
I absolutely loved Sigyn (or Siggy as a certain someone likes to nickname) and Loki!! From strangers to being friendly to developing feelings towards each other, their relationship evolves in such a natural way that it was enjoyable to read. And let me also mention that they are both bookworms and they read together *squeals internally *! There is a scene were Loki falls asleep reading and Sigyn marks the page were he left it on before going to sleep herself and if that is not love, I don’t know what is!
Loki as we all know is the mischievous God of Lies, and he constantly gets into trouble. But at the same time, I also understood his motives and why it pushed him into such chaotic actions. The Gods/Goddesses he and Sigyn constantly have to confront are absolutely horrible and impossible to deal with and that even included Thor sometimes. However, there were a few characters that I adored like Idunn who equally loved Loki and Sigyn. And there was also Váli, Narvi and Sleipnir ?♥️✨.
One of the things that I adored the most about this book was how effortless the story flowed. One moment you’d be having a picnic and then BAM, chaos would break loose! And it is done in such a way that it fits the pace of the story so perfectly. As it progresses it gets darker and the mention of Ragnarok causes fear. Plus a prophecy that must be avoided at all costs appears to be coming true to everyone’s alarm, but I will say no more to avoid spoilers!
This story is beautiful and at the same time tragic, my heart ached for Sigyn and Loki ?♥️ and at times it would leave me feeling powerless, just like the characters when facing each unfair obstacle (which were too many ?). Aah, The Goddess of Nothing At All really has it all! The characters were EVERYTHING, the setting and descriptions stunning and the high stakes keep getting more and more intriguing. For anyone who loves fantasy mythology retellings with wonderfully queer characters and amazing storytelling, this one is for you!!
Note: The author included Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the book for the darker themes, so make sure to read them before entering the world of the Unwritten Runes series. ❤
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Character Q&A with Sigyn from The Goddess of Nothing At All!
Hello Sigyn! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Sigyn, the only daughter of Odin, and I’m pleased to be here. It’s nice to have a chance to make an impression with the people of Midgard. You’re all very impressed with my brother because he makes it storm when he’s angry and punches holes through people, but I promise I’m great company as well.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
I try to start the day gently. A little reading, a nice breakfast, that sort of thing. You never know who’s going to break down your door and demand you go on a quest with them. Not every day is like that, but enough of them are that I’ve gotten a bit defensive about it. I just want to read.
The city of Asgard sounds like a beautiful place, what are some of your favorite attractions?
My favourite place is Idunn’s cabin under Yggdrasil. It feels so far away from the city, like being in a whole other realm. Anyone who visits should go to Áshildr’s bakery because she makes the best apple pastries. And the archives. So many books in one place, what more could you want?
The World Tree, Yggdrasil, is fascinating! Can you tell us more about it?
Yggdrasil is the one true thing that binds all the realms together. According to the history books, it was already half as tall as the sky when Odin began to build Asgard, and it’s been towering over the city ever since. Each of its larger roots extends to one of the other realms, but using it for travel isn’t exactly permissible.
In your quest to become a titled Goddess, what is required for you to learn/study?
There aren’t strict requirements per se. You just need to be so good at something that Odin decides you should be God of That Thing. Problem is, no matter how adept I am at anything, Father tells me no. So I’ve been learning anything I can for decades hoping that the next one will be the key. Ask me anything about Elven table etiquette, I dare you.
How would you describe Loki, the God of Lies?
Loki is Loki. He’s like no one else in the nine, and I love him for it. He has this way of making me feel like I can do anything I want, that I deserve all of it. I’m grateful for that in a way I can’t put into words. But if he could stop egging people on until they punch him, I would be equally grateful for that.
If a Dwarf were to create three gifts to impress you, which ones would you want them to be?
Patience, perseverance, and more hours in the day. No, I’m joking. A little. I’d love a bookcase that never fills up. Maybe a bottomless pot of stew so I’d never need to cook again. And more hours in the day, that one was right the first time.
Who do you trust above anyone?
Idunn. She’s the best friend I could ask for. She’s been by my side through everything and I love her like a sister. And Loki. But I also trust him to get into an unreasonable amount of trouble without uttering a breath, so you can see why I said Idunn first.
We know you love to read, what books do you have on your TBR?
Too many, honestly. I’m working on Thirty Uses for Thistle at the moment, which is as dry as you’d think. After that, I’ll be indulging in a romance by Levaine Theavin, then a historical account of the first Dwarf king, and then a book from Midgard. The Witch’s Heart? Freya said I might “learn a thing or two from it” whatever that means.
Lastly! What can readers expect from you in The Goddess of Nothing at All?
I think there’s a lot of adventure on the way. Having Loki around has made things more interesting than usual, and it’s not normally stagnant in Asgard in the first place. I want to believe that everything’s going to be fine, but I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. Loki’s a liar, sure, but this time I think he’s lying to me…
INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway!
Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where you can win a physical copy of The Goddess of Nothing At All! Ends on October 9th, 2021. Winner will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.
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Tour Schedule:
September 27
@paperfury – Bookstagram + Book Blog
September 28
@theshakespeareana – Bookstagram
September 29
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram + Book Blog
September 30
@myrelationshipwith – Bookstagram
October 1
@nelthewhichcraftsbooks – Bookstagram + Book Blog
October 2
@linathebookaddict – Bookstagram
October 3
@sophiesreadingcorner – Bookstagram + Book Blog
October 4
@readmeinpastel – Bookstagram
October 5
@pavlinamich – Bookstagram + Book Blog
October 6
@gracelwrites – Bookstagram
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Hosted by:
About Cat Rector
Cat Rector grew up in a small Nova Scotian town and could often be found simultaneously reading a book and fighting off muskrats while walking home from school. She devours stories
in all their forms, loves messy, morally grey characters, and writes about the horrors that we inflict on each other. Currently, she lives in Belgium with her spouse. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing video games, spending time with loved ones, or staring at her To Be Read pile like it’s going to read itself.
The Goddess of Nothing At All is her debut novel.
Can I just say this review with gifs is *chef’s kiss*! Sigyn and Loki are AMAZING! ❤